Too close for comfort....

Reviewing photos snapped at a rally from yesterday, didn't realize how much danger I was really in.

#vocfilm, #OWSchicago

How to hit a moving target

Reality is one of the most sadistic entities known to man. It is in a constant state of change, ebbing and flowing in directions that are not always conducive to even the most thought out strategies. In the world of VOC, Devin learns this lesson time and time again.


Despite his best efforts, Reality has a way of stepping in and blowing even the best laid plans completely to hell. In this case, I like to believe that is Art imitating Life.


Every film, VOC included, is in a constant state of evolution until the final cut is printed. During production the filmmaker needs to constantly Adapt to hundreds of changes brought on by thousands of issues, major or minor. I had several instances where hours/days/weeks of planning had to be scrapped on location due to Reality.

During those instances I was faced with two very simple choices:

Adapt or Die.

The interesting thing is, I learned that I work extremely well under pressure. As I review footage during the editing stage I'm reminded that a few of my favorite scenes started off as Obstacles. I had to re-direct, re-block, re-write and re-think on location while the clock was ticking. Thankfully, miraculously even, what ended up being caught on camera was far better than my originally planned shots.

Adapt or Die. Conflict breeds Emotion.

Those are two ideas to keep in mind when writing a script. If your character is forced to make split second decisions, if he is given the opportunity to be an emotional alchemist, the audience will have more opportunities for empathy. And an empathetic audience is the key to success.

In the world of Devin Reeves and VOC, in the world that you and I occupy, one rule stays constant:

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin

-paul



#voc, #vocfilm, #chicagofilm, #indiefilm

Who is watching who?

#vocfilm

NWI Film: Jump on board

Take one pound of your favorite flavor of pudding. Now hold it in both hands. Now take it to the nearest forest and try to staple it to a tree using one of those tiny, throw-away staplers. Frustrated yet? Welcome to the world of the Indie Filmmaker.

Making films is not relaxing, at least, not if you're making them correctly. It is a painful, dangerous, exhausting, mind-numbing, excruciating, head-pounding ordeal and those of us who choose to follow this path are most likely certifiable...because we enjoy every second of the chaos.

At times filmmaking is a very lonely process. Though you are surrounded by cohorts and talent and crew, you, The Creator, are alone responsible for the eventual outcome. The weight of the multi-verse weighs heavy on your shoulders and it is during those times that you would easily sell your spleen for an empathetic ear. If you happen to live in North West Indiana, you can put the scalpel down and instead be thankful for the parents of Rainier Alcantara and John Metzler.

Awhile back, Rainier was beginning production on his first independent feature, Bar Room Hero. He knew all to well the isolation of the indie film creator and decided to actively remedy said situation. Through hard work, dedication and just the right amount of maniacal intution he helped birth the Northwest Indiana Film Forum. NWI Film, as it is known, started off as an online meeting ground where Northwest Indiana filmmakers could rant, rave, vent and network. Over time the group grew to become the go-to destination for anyone remotely tied to the indie scene; if you want to act, need a director, have questions regarding SAG or are looking for a producer, NWI Film is the place you head to first.

As time went on Rainier met and drafted the uber-talented John Metzler to help head up the Facebook version of the site. Through their unrelenting stubborness the page has grown considerably and NWI filmmakers flock to it daily to compare notes, gain insight and trade opportunities.

Admittedly, the group is exclusive and open only to film folk, though Rainier and John have recently launched a brand new endeavor. Realizing that the various NWI projects in play need a place to call home, the boys have recently launched the NWI Film Fan Page on Facebook. This page is open to the public and gives filmmakers an opportunity to promo their work to a target audience: People who dig indie films.

The fan page can be found at www.facebook.com/nwifilm

I say again: This is an open forum for FANS of indie film, specifically fans of projects that are in production in Northwest IN. If you fit this description, log-in to Facebook, click LIKE and stay in the Know.

Rest assured that Victims of Circumstance will have a noticeable presence on the page, co-existing with countless other just-as-awesome projects. It truly is an amazing chance to catch some First Look info.

I believe I speak for all indie filmmakers, NWI and beyond, when I say that your endorsement of this Fan Page will do wonders to calm our typically frazzled nerves.

Kudos to Rainier and John for putting the ball in motion. Now it's up to you, the True Believers, to keep pushing it along.

-paul

#vocfilm, #chicagofilm, #indiefilm, #nwifilm

Behind every great man...

I find myself in an odd state this morning. Not like Iowa or Rhode Island, no, even more bizarre. For the first time since I started working on Victims of Circumstance I actually have a second to breathe and reflect.

There are wheels in motion regarding the VOC marketing scheme that are mind-blowing to say the least. Very, very soon some pretty phenomenal news will be released to you but until then I am stuck in a kind of “hurry up and wait” mode. Not quite cruise control but not quite the hustle and bustle I’ve been used to for the last few months.

That being said, I’m reminded of how often I’ve needed to be anchored and reeled back in during these pre-production, production, post-production, marketing phases. Undoubtedly I’ve had the luxury of working with some truly gifted and talented individuals but if VOC has one unsung hero her name is clearly Andi Celestin.

Andi and I have been married for almost 6 years and this movie would never have come to fruition without her patience, understanding and smile. Almost a year ago I let her know that I was thinking about moving forward with production on the VOC script. Admittedly, at that time the scope of the project was worlds away from what it has currently become, but throughout every single step Andi has been standing by my side: sometimes holding me up, sometimes pushing me forward, sometimes smacking me in the back of the head while asking: “Really?!??!”

As you can well imagine, as you’ve already seen, VOC monopolizes most of my time and higher brain function. That wouldn’t be much of an issue if I didn’t have a day job and 3 awesomely-exhausting energetic children at home. There have been countless days/nights that I’ve had to be away from my family to work on this project; it’s a sacrifice any struggling artist makes. I’ve been fortunate, however, to have the kind of Partner who has never questioned my investment of time. Andi, in many ways, was the first True Believer, potentially even before I was. She knows that VOC is going to take over the world. She lives it, breathes it, teaches it and admires it. This film would never have been made without the blood, sweat and tears of countless individuals and I may never get the opportunity to thank each and every one of them properly, but I have to start sometime. 

And today I would like to thank my wife.

So honey, here’s to you in all of your quirky, intelligent, insightful, know-when-to-guide-me and know-when-to-let-me-find-my-own-way glory. I couldn’t have done this without you.

-paul

#vocfilm, #indiefilm, #chicagomovie, #indiesmovie

Who is...Buddy Wayne Goettsch?

When I first began writing the treatment for what would become VOC I knew instantly that I wanted Buddy Wayne Goettsch to be the one to bring Devin to life. I've had the luxury of knowing Buddy for well over a decade and while we have tackled various projects over the years none of them were as intense as what VOC would become.

For those of you who don't know, Buddy Wayne Goettsch is a force of nature in the entertainment world. His career began at the age of 5 when his parents would invite friends over and have Buddy perform for hours at a time on the piano and organ. From there, music and theatre became his passion. He has fronted, birthed and taken part in more musical acts than I have room to list (Lock the Gate, Time Peace, The Current and The Strugglers just to name a few) and is a musical jack of all trades, playing guitar, bass, drums and piano. And then there's that Voice. Buddy is hands down one of the best vocalists in the business and he has made opportunities to flaunt and hone his craft across the country and throughout Europe. Rumor has it he may be jumping back into the studio in the very near future to begin work on a brand new cd.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Buddy devoted a solid portion of his life to the theatrical stage. As with his bands, the shows he's participated in over the years are far too numerous to list but, as evident by his performance in this film, it was truly time well spent.

What makes Buddy invaulable to any project he puts his hands on, however, is his Dedication. Buddy's prints are all over VOC. In the beginning, he was my sound board for character and story ideas. He willingly threw himself into an intense rehearsal schedule, never complaining about the long hours, late nights and lost weekends. As time went on he played a pivotal role in organizing the raw footage of the movie and supplying me with screen captures that I get to show off here. And as if he didn't have anything else to do, Buddy is currently working on the score for the film.

On top of all of that, in spite of all of that, Buddy amazed me at every single shoot. For those of you who know him, and those of you who are soon to meet him, you know that Buddy is a shot of energy, plain and simple. He brings a party (and an after-party) to every situation. In many respects, Buddy is the antithesis of Devin Reeves, which is why I was so impressed. Devin is dark in ways that most people can't comprehend, let alone bring to life. In the beginning, Buddy let me know that he had concerns regarding the emotional doors he would have to open to properly give Devin life. He had to go to several dark and scary places, places that took days to shake off, but he never complained. Not once.

For that alone I consider it an honor to have had the chance to work with him on VOC...and I can't wait to start rolling on the sequel.

(Just kidding)

(sort of...)

-paul

#vocfilm

VOC in Print...The hell you say?

Well good morning True Believers! It was a long night, in part to Paul calling to say "Oh yeah, the interview for Victims of Circumstance got printed and is out right now!" That sort of derailed my night...where could I find this article...is it online? No, not til Friday....well I can't wait that long. I hop in the car and head out to Northwest Indiana, where I find cast, crew, director, and groupie hanging out reading their own personal copy of a story on VOC. Not to be out done, I have to read it myself.

First of all...thank you Stephanie Vega for the interview! I know Paul is good at putting words to paper, but you made him sound all polished and professional. Thanks. Also...Aaron Brown's poster featuring Buddy Wayne Goettsch looks more impressive in print then it does hanging on my wall (of course I got a movie poster printed...it looks cool). The article is kind enough to mention some of our generous partners, who have opened their establishments as filming locales and lent their immense talents to our project.

So please support Northwest Indiana Entertainer (www.nwientertainer.com) and pick up a copy. For those of you outside of the Chicago metro area, the article will appear on line later this week, please check it out.

Mike

#vocfilm