We're sitting in the Spartanburg area, and have only TWO more
interviews to do before we return to Charleston, South Carolina. In town
there, we have probably four more to do, and are then finished and ready to
begin editing. It's very exciting, because we have SO many great
interviews to work with and anticipate it being difficult but terrific in the
long run! It will be hard to cut anyone that we have met, and hope not to
have to. Nobody was boring, and although some were nervous we got
something interesting from everyone. With production being just about
over, and Christmas quickly approaching, there is SO much to do!
Thankfully, everything on the list is fun to me . . . it's just a long list!
Christmas cards for two businesses as well as personal ones, gifts for clients,
gifts for family and friends, Christmas DECORATING once we get home within the
next week, and tons of other stuff NOT related to the holiday season -- uh,
making a MOVIE and all that goes with it, no doubt! And, that's a lot, and
then some. Plus, I'll need some social interacting with those I love and
have missed: family, friends, . . . furry little family members that have
had the run of our house for almost six months! They have no idea we are
bringing Beast home to meet the rest of his new family in less than a week.
Hope they don't feel betrayed! haha
As for filming, we've done seven interviews in the past week or
so and still have to post those pictures. It is funny, in meeting so many
new people and getting to spend a little time learning about them, you start to
notice some of the most off-beat things. For instance, MANY people are
really uncomfortable taking still shots in great contrast to the discomfort one
would expect a person to have with a video camera in their face. We have
found most everyone to be quite natural during their interview, though I
honestly bet that some would feel they MUST have appeared nervous or
uninteresting. Not the case, I assure you, cast members! Any real
fear we have seen seems to come out when we want to take a still shot to post
online. A lot of people will just pretend you aren't taking the photo and
just continue the conversation taking place, which makes for some hilarious
photos at times. It's cute because you can tell that some just don't want
to pose for the photo . . . and I am mostly that way, but rather than talking
through a photo, I usually just make a ridiculous face right at the camera --
that ensures that I do, indeed, look stupid on purpose, instead of trying to
strike a pose and ending up looking awful by mistake. That's what some of
you readers do, too, right? Anyway, my point is actually that everyone has
been really impressive with how well they presented themselves in front of the
video camera. Since I'm the cinematographer for the interviews, I get the
chance to notice a lot of those small things. In fact, there is only ONE
person that we interviewed who seemed so nervous that he/she would look at the
camera every time I touched it to focus, zoom, make other adjustments, etc.
Nothing wrong with that, though, as it is natural and expresses character, and
others will identify with that nervousness. Which brings me to this:
it is important for everyone reading this to realize just how insanely difficult
it is to actually choose to be interviewed for film or television. Many
will say they'll do it, sure, but when it comes down to it, most will chicken
out. So, to all of the cast members of "Dream States" we must sincerely
say a big "THANK YOU!" We appreciate you putting aside any fears you had,
and allowing us to share time with you to learn more about you and prepare to
share your thoughts with others across the world. You have all been so
warm and insightful, and it is our hope that we will make you proud to have
taken part in this movie!
12/24/2006 3:07 p.m.
Posted by: Jennifer
It's been a busy couple of weeks, with the wrapping up of
shooting and the holidays on top of us, . . . not to mention just coming back
home after nearly half a year of being away from home and having to get back
into a modified version of normalcy. We've still not really gone out to do
much since getting back, but once this holiday craze has passed over it will be
easier to organize thoughts and take action. First thing's first, though,
and that means today is Christmas Eve day and Jeff and I are getting ready to
head over to my parents' house for the family dinner and gift-exchange.
Then, tomorrow we head over to my grandmother's house, where everyone meets to
see what Santa has brought. To some people, this might make sense, right?
And, to me, it is our family tradition, so I get it. To my friend Joe, he
is puzzled by it . . . which brought me to the realization that we do this every
year, and yet there are no small children in the family at this time! haha
So, although we all realize how Santa's presents were delivered between the
family Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas morning, we all still continue to act
like the kids at heart that we are. I like it. =)
On another note, Jeff is intensely opposed to shopping, with
malls being a particular beast of burden. So, in an unspoken compromise,
Jeff and I went shopping in downtown Charleston on King Street for Christmas
presents yesterday. He jokingly complained at first, but was a big help
the whole day. I'm quite a procrastinator, but I consider myself a pretty
good gift-giver for the most part. This year, however, I bombed at
preparing in advance for my friends and family gift list! I did, on the
other hand, order client gifts for my other business back in February or March,
so I was good on that end. Not to mention that we're not fabulously
wealthy with so much on our plate right now, and that meant tightening up this
year. No worries, as long as our gift recipients understand.
Speaking of procrastination, I have about . . . all . . . of the
gifts we bought still left to wrap, and dinner is in an hour and a half!
Going to have to WRAP this up for now (haha, forgive me, I could not resist),
and get back with you all after the events! Merry Christmas, everyone!
