Film Production IS Horror
When I decided it was a good idea to go to Zambia to support Jabbes in making his film, like the lead actress in a HORROR Film, I had no idea what I was getting into. There are daily challenges and periodic horrors that grip me and threaten to stall the production. I'm wondering if the Zambian documentary we're making, THE VOICE OF AN AFRICAN NATION will end up like LOST IN LA MANCHA ... a horror film of production terrors.
There are the small issues that crop up. There is no diet Pepsi in Zambia. What will I drink? There is the problem of Shots which must be started no later than May 21 but we're still collecting funds, so we don't know for sure who's going, yet. There are a bundle of shots to get (some in sequence); most are inexpensive but at least two of them are over $100. That's a big investment for students when they don't know if they're going. There's getting the students to wear sensible shoes and reallize this is WORK, not a vacation.
Then, there are the big issues. We've been awarded the Innovative Project Grant but the funds are not available until July 1st. Everyone is supposed to be getting on the plane on or about July 1st. I'm relatively certain the airlines will want us to pay prior to getting on the plane. I'm sorting that out now. Producing is not terribly glamorous; at least a few times a week, the producer is hated by at least one person working on the film.
Mostly, I keep my eyes on my goals:
- bring the voice of an unrepresented country to global cinema;
- stimulate tourism and economic development in Zambia;
- train and educate other Zambian artists and filmmakers while we're in the country;
- provide MCC students an opportunity to participate in a profound cultural exchange; and
- reveal the contribution of Mesa Community College to individuals, the community and the world.
When I focus on those things, the horrors slip back into the mist and become (almost) bearable.
