My First Indie Film

Day 56: Day 2 of shooting. Jason talks crew dropping out, how positivity helps production, and the schedule of the day. He discusses how he directed a scene differently from the page for more emotion…

Day 55: We made it!! First day of shooting is here and not without it’s hiccups and new ‘resistances’ attacking us. Jason talks through the scenes they shot on day one, adjustments they made to scene…

Day 54: Jason and Doug put off shooting another day in order to prep for one day. They go location scouting, talk one hour setup goal in each location, and the excitement of finding locations your DP…

Day 53: Jason writes all day to finish the script moments before all the cast and crew table read it for the first time. Originally planned as the first day of shooting, day 53 is needed for finishin…

Jason writes all day and all night, for nearly 20 hours trying to rewrite the script. He discusses waking up with anxiety about not finishing it. Then Jason talks through the workshop they put on for…

Day 50: Jason wakes to some tough news. He gets ideas going with some morning pages, meets with a potential new actor, gets help with a new location, and finishes the day with outlining the sequences…

Day 49: Jason and Doug pick up the camera in Dallas. That evening they talk story and create a new ending for the film that stems from a location they found. Jason talks story changes based on actors…

Jason’s son has a tonsillectomy in the morning. Doug, the DP, arrives in town. The panic to find production insurance overwhelms Jason’s writing time. Doug and Jason make decisions on equipment and h…

Jason casts the 3 main leads and talks about what all goes into choosing actors for a project. Doug hits the road from California to Texas to make the movie and Jason talks about the value of empower…

Jason and Doug settle on a camera to use and an equipment house to get it from in Dallas. Jason watches the taped auditions to try to decide on cast and how seeing different roles play out makes a di…

90 DAY MIDPOINT! Jason holds callbacks and talks through his process of how he works with the actors. He discussing the balance of producing vs directing and what he feels comfortable with at this po…

Jason grabs another potential crew member and finds a great location. He hears from more local actors interested in auditioning that are invited to callbacks in the morning.

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Jason gets more feedback on the script and reports on the first round of casting. Jason scouts a very cool location and realizes how a one location story does not always equal easier shooting. Jason’…

Jason rereads his script with a critical eye and realizes there is a lot that needs to change. Talks story ideas with collaborators Zach and Doug and gets ready for casting tomorrow.

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Day 40: Movie Title Time!

Jason announces the name of his first indie film and why he chose it. He receives critical feedback on the script and gets prepped for casting in a couple of days. On top of…

Jason adds two new members to the producing team and incorporates ideas into the story that will help with lighting at night. Script feedback directs Jason towards different kind of fears for the cha…

Jason meets with his Dallas collaborators and gets feedback on the script. He also talks with Doug, the DP, about the script. Jason gets some ideas on what to do next with the story.

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Day 36: Excited Anxiety

Jason has sent out the script to others for feedback. He shares what it feels like to be awaiting feedback and his plans over the next 24 hours concerning the script.

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Day 35: Plans Taking Shape

Jason reads the draft for the first time and discusses the plan moving forward.

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Day 31-34: First Draft Finished

Easter. Anniversary. Traveling. Lots to juggle while trying to finish the script. Catherine gives Jason helpful feedback on the script. Jason talks about great dialogu…