I’ve been working on the index cards. This is where I go through the footage, organizing the material by putting potential scenes on individual index cards. The material can be broken down as follows:
Possible Sequences with Main Characters
Interviews with Main Characters
Gaijin Interviews
Nihonjin Interviews
Places
Stereotype/Non-Stereotype scenes (e.g. Taichi in the park vs. Homeless in the Park)
Each index card holds a gem. This film could be four hours long. The next step is to begin to structure…arranging the index cards. Then I can start to delete cards until I have a tight structure. I’m trying to do as much as possible for the editor before he comes on board.
I’m gonna try to upload some of these cards as examples, but the website and blog have taken a second seat.
Thank goodness Patrick is getting a little bit of work because the Tokyo Cowboys money has run out. I really don’t know how we are managing to survive, but somehow, at the last minute, someone helps us out with a donation of money or food. What kind of life is this? People always say, “do what you love, and the money will come.” I’m putting that theory to the test. We’ve managed to pay our rent and eat, but that is it. Is this it? No, no…I’m thankful for being able to work as a filmmaker full time. That’s my full-time work, and I am lucky. I am doing what I love.
