Todd,

Well, it is only a matter of days before you visit and get to see all of the film making stuff first hand. (I got to be there for the final day of shooting. I cued a cassette deck and sprayed rain on the window from outside the house!) It is most like "Felicity" of anything we've done, but less stressful and generally less cold. (Absent Thee from Felicity Awhile was a video-movie we shot in 1993, back in CT. It was primarily an outdoor shoot, and it was about 40 degrees at best.) The atmosphere on the set has been fairly jolly; Han Solo sees to that. He makes guest appearances in every scene... behind metronomes, inside pianos, hanging off of picture frames... (the action figure that is...)

This past weekend of shooting was great. We spent Sunday at the Brownings', Monday at a piano store (in the AM), and Tuesday here at our house filming the dream sequence. We had a great time. We seem to have solved the light problem by taking more reflected readings to compare to our spot readings. Also I have been overexposing my shots a full stop to compensate for the typically dark reversal stock. It is so hard not to be able to watch the footage right away. A caution for those who learn on video... Shoot carefully and you'll be more ready for film. It teaches you the law of economy. You take it well the first time. You save money, time, film, and hassle. Then, you pray that it looks good after it has been bathed in chemicals. It's an odd system. I am thankful for my time at Mosher Photo. (Jesse worked at a photo store while living on Martha's Vineyard for a year in 1996. Kate and I were there too.) Without it, I don't think I'd know a "stop" from a "go".

Tomorrow we shoot at the library. Afterwards we will do the outdoor shots. I sure hope the weather is nice. Sunday, it's back to the Brownings' to finish up. If things go smoothly (which I've come to realize is actually possible) we should wrap on Sunday night and I'll take everyone out for coffee. (I'm too cheap to take everyone out to dinner... maybe pizza - have to leave some cash to develop the film with!!)

I like reversal. It is raw and yet, it is still so beautiful. It captures a mystery in the image that reminds me of old movies. It helps to build tension and add drama to the visuals.

I really want to have this done for the 1997 Seattle Film Festival. It would be a real shame to miss our hometown festival. It would mean doing some film-related work while you're visiting though. How do you feel about that? I am working on getting us an editing arrangement for a video version. I will edit on video first to enter it into festivals, and when I get accepted, I will edit on film. (This ended up happening very differently!) I am hoping Debra Friedman comes through with a link to some money. I am already a "thou" in, and it is beginning to get sticky... This is going to be a great film. The story is so close to me and the images seem pure and true to their intent. I believe it has tension and conflict and a good sense of drama. The edit will determine it, really, but I believe the elements are available for a good cut to be made.

Well, wish me luck for now and in person on Sunday. See you soon bro... Come and get you're name in the credits...

jph