I felt I wanted a journal just for my thoughts on making independent films and the world of films in general.
I have several journals as it is and post my thoughts on such things at several filmmaking messagebaords. But what the hell, why not one more.

This journal will be about my own films as well as the world of filmmaking in general. Including films I see, filmmaking techniques and equipment that looks of interest to me. And whatever else.

Project 2.1 otherwise known as “The Revenge of Withers Special Edition” is now complete. The master Video CD has been made.

The Special Edition is basically the final edition of the film. Nothing new has been added. Instead things have been subtracted to make the film play out better then previously. It cuts out about 3 minutes of the original footage. It adds a smoother look to the scenes and fixes alot of the audio bugs that previoulsy had you turning the volume up and down from scene to scene when watching it.

We at Scape Films are sticking to our guns on the release of this special edition. It will not be released until the premiere of the third Old Man Withers film. Then it will be sold for a small fee to those wishing to purchase the video disk.

The first cut of “Maintain” is done. Scape Films officially has a movie in the can. Over the next 12 hours, Ken Pham is going to tinker with the audio and add more “insert” shots. 4 different actresses play 2 characters, we shot with 3 different qualities of cameras, and had to edit quietly so as not to wake up the editor’s parents on a school night and get him grounded. It’s a movie about ecstasy made by a group of people with no experience with the drug. It takes place over two hours and was filmed over eleven months in two different states. “Movies are never finished, they are simply abandoned”. This is a flick we refused to abandon. I can’t wait until the day that everyone reading this will see the picture. Bung!

-Vader (Phil)

Editing nearly complete on “Maintain”. Need to reshoot the very end because of lighting problems on the footage. Shouldn’t be a problem. World premiere on Monday in Room 117 of the Education Lecture Hall at Arizona State University. Show up around 4:30. Dress casual. Ladies: tube tops.

-Vader (Phil)

Yes, you’ve heard it right. The last installment in the Withers trilogy is coming soon. The shooting was finished last month. Editing will start in two weeks and we’ll be finished shortly after. We are looking at a release date in the first week of June and we hope to premiere it in either a theatre or an auditorium on a college campus. Either way, it will be a night to remember. Three years in the making, this should be a spectacular masterpiece to remember. An instant classic!

All but finished with principle photography on “Maintain”. There was one page we didn’t get to shoot in Clinton Township because of an actor’s unavailability.Granted, that didn’t stop us from having two Dollies, but both actors’ performances were so good that we’re remiss to reshoot either. But, so we’ll take care of that last page, faking it as best we can with people from Arizona covering performances. The scene is most about the dialogue and a shot of a prop anyway, so it should come out alright. That will all be done within the next week, and editing will start. We’ve scheduled Ken Pham, to do it all on Sunday the 28th, but we’re hoping to get started before that so we can finish on the 28th.There’s been talk of a June Premier with the “Withers” trilogy. I feel like the audiences for the two styles of films will be very different and that could either be a great thing or a nightmare. Let me throw this out there for the first time:What does anybody think of the possibility of having the local bands from the “Maintain” soundtrack each play a short set either before or after the viewing? Give people more incentive to come out and pay their dime. Give the bands more direct recognition with the picture, and a chance to slut their wares. Make us feel more justified in renting the theater out.I don’t even know if it’s possible; it’s just something I’m kicking around the office.Everyone chime in. Let me know to talk to the bands or not.

Hey, cats! Just wanted to alert the media that- cast willing- “Maintain” is set to finish filming in Clinton Township, Michigan next week. We’re gonna dye Phil’s hair blond again, and put him on a plane East. I showed a rough cut of the footage we DO have to Terry Donnelly last week. He was markedly impressed with “I wish I was Ted” and Laura Dietzel’s performance as Dolly. It’s entirely possible we’ll just finish the movie as is and make no mention of the fact that Dolly is played by two different actresses. Currently, we’re planning to use the music of Detroit bands f1lam3nt (for the Rave scenes) and Nebali (for the coffee shop scene). Once production wraps, we’ll begin editing and possibly contact more bands about borrowing their songs. Ken Pham of Mesa, Arizona has offered to edit the flick for us with the director. He’s Phamtastic! Peace,

-Vader (Phil)

Rekasi is writing a script for a short film. Tesh is writing a script for a short vampire film. Baron is editing “Maintain” Editing for Withers 2.1 is in progress. Parpart is locating screening locations for the Withers trilogy premiere..