My entry this month is a bit late, I know, actually very late! Been keeping busy with projects, specifically the Bat Mitzvah I shot back in April. Thankfully it's done, burned the DVD, menu and all. I'm also glad to say the clients are happy, REALLY happy. I did my job and that's a great thing.
It was a wonderful and sometimes difficult experience. I learned so much and look forward to the work that I am sure will come from this. So what's next?
I mentioned in my last post that my short "Ghost Story" was put on hold. It is in fact dead, for now. I may or may not do it later on, but for now it's not on my list of priorities.
My focus now is on my next short. A very personal, dramatic piece. I've finished the script, so now it's on to the early stages of pre-production. Getting some crew together, a producer and most definitely a location scout. I seriously need one for this project, the script has multiple locations and I have to get a head start in finding the right places. I do have about 2 spaces that I'm sure I can use, so that's a good thing.
The thing that will make this short different than my previous ones is 1, it's a straight forward narrative, 2 it's longer than 15 minutes, and 3 it's going to have a budget. Yup a budget!!! A nice one too, all self-financed. That is why I'm getting such a big head start on everything. Ideally I want to shoot around April or May. That gives me a solid 8-9 months of planning.
I'm really excited about this project, it's one I've been dreaming about for about a year. I am in fact ripping my heart out for this one for all the world to see. It's not literal of course, this is filmmaking, you make stuff up in between all the drama. As the late great Alfred Hitchcock once said: "Drama is life with all the dull bits cut out." And of course a bit of imagination.Before I continue I gotta say this. It's amazing how much Hitchcock really did influence me even at a very young age. I was watching "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" just a few weeks ago and nearly each episode I remembered. I have a fond memory of watching the re-runs on Saturday afternoon with my older brother and being so captivated by the stories. It made me want to create my own stories, which I eventually did. I began writing short stories when I was around 10 years old, influenced by the Master of Suspense. Makes me smile just thinking about it. ---
--- So for the remainder of the year I will be preparing myself for what I like to call my definitive leap into short filmmaking. I'm excited, nervous as all hell and look forward to what this will all bring.
In between all that I plan to write like crazy. Finish scripts I have laying around, polish up my feature and finish whatever other projects I have that need to be done. Oh and also focus alot more on my photography. Another one of my passions that as of late I've been neglecting.
It's also come to my attention that it's time for a change in my life. It suddenly hit me yesterday, a moment of clarity if you will. Besides everything I stated I have major plans in the coming months, plans that will indeed get me closer to where I want to be with my career. I need this, I've been yearning for this and it's about time I go get it.
Until next time folks. Take Care & God Bless.
Chris Jensen-Soto
Writer/Director/Artist
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786598/
