Toddy,

Hi there. This is the moment just before what will certainly prove to be a big moment in my filmmaking career. It is 8:00 AM on Thursday and I am just about to leave to pick up the 5 rolls we shot from Sunday-Tuesday. 3 whole days of work captured and summarized on celluloid with a chemical boost. It is important to note that the days of shooting we had were really great. The level of stress was low, we worked well together, and the images we set up were, for the most part, beautiful. Now we get to see how we did lighting it and exposing it. All the technical mumbo-jumbo. I feel we are going to be pleased. The lady at the lab said that reversal film is very forgiving and can be lightened or darkened when the final print is made, so I suppose there is nothing to worry about...

I have never worked with an actress as remarkable as Genny Vinnedge. She is not only absolutely easy to work with and a joy to have around, but she'll do anything we ask - and well. She stays in character between shots, she holds positions for a half an hour for continuity... We stuffed her in a box, a drier, out in the rain on a cold day, etc. No complaints, great performances, and seemed exited that she was getting to do it all. Truly a pleasure, to the core. Actually, the whole crew has been amazing. We added a Production Assistant this past Monday who will stay on to the end. His name is Jud Webb. I work wit his mom at SCDS. He has been great and fun to be around... a hard worker. He wants to learn about film, so we asked him along. I hope he's getting something out of it. And did I mention Kate and Murr?

Well, the point is, I am trying to say that the experience was great and I am praying that the footage is as good as it looked in the camera... Please...please...please...

jph