A DOC'S JOURNAL by Scott Solary

Some disappointing news came yesterday. We received a “regret to inform” letter from a large foundation that we hoped would love our project. It is so offensive when we spend so much time tailoring the proposal and edit a tape together in preparation for submission when the foundation can’t find the time to give us ONE reason why that they weren’t able to “select our project for funding”. How about a simple, “We are currently funding verite documentaries” or “films having to do with the plight of third world countries”. Something would be nice. Am I bitter? No. Just feeling very disrespected. I understand how overwhelming it must be to have a stack of proposals asking you for money, but if they would give a simple reason, maybe less people would submit and they wouldn’t be so overwhelmed. Many offer little if any guidelines as to what exactly they are looking for. They should recognize the effort put forth and show a little respect.

On a lighter note, we have been trying every combination of files to burn a successful DVD of our trailer and 30 minute cut. We’ve been successful with a Quicktime Reference Movie for the trailer (6 minutes), but the 30 minute falls out of sync. We’re exporting from Avid Xpress Pro and using Ulead Movie Factory 2. If anyone has any suggestions of software or working combinations, please let me know.

Posted by Scott Solary at 04:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mom’s visit was a success. We all enjoyed our time together immensely.

I was approached to submit a short film I made a while ago to the Newfest and recently heard back that it will be screening on June 12th at 6pm at the Lowe’s 34th Street Theater. I’m very excited to be a part of the festival and seeing my film in a major theater space.

The coolest thing is Guy Madden has a short film in my program. His film, "The Saddest Music in the World" is one of my favorite films I’ve seen this year. His short is called “Sissy Boy Slap Party”. It came in the special features of the Saddest Music DVD. It’s as funny as it sounds.

The editing slowly continues on the film, but we’re making progress.

On a side note, we went and saw Star Wars last night. The only aspect worth mentioning is the special effects. Amazing. Other than that, I don’t think it can be discussed as a “film” for all its flaws in direction, acting, dialogue and plot. Of course, that’s not why anyone goes to see it anyway.

Posted by Scott Solary at 05:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We continued to plug along and redigitize all the footage for the third time. We got our 30 minute select scenes cut dumped out and with our proposal were at last able to submit to the Sundance Documentary Work in Progress Fund. Now we wait.

Luci and I are both having to work so much to make ends meet, it feels that more energy is going to other people than to the film. We still have a few more sequences we would like to shoot and need much more time to be able to get our rough cut together for the rapidly upcoming Toronto and Sundance submission deadlines.

There is not enough time in the day after work to make the headway we need to make, but we’re doing our best. We are planning several different fund raising strategies in efforts to get us all on the film full time. I hope to use this BLOG as a point of contact for donations on our website soon, so keep checking back!

Luci and I both worked on Jeremy Carr’s latest short film, Ice Cream Ants, which promises to be an ambitious and surreal film. Some highlights include Tom Noonan being on set for a day and shooting at one of my favorite Brooklyn locations, Sunny’s Bar in Redhook. I was still photographer and made some props used in the film. I hope to do all the graphic design for promotional materials as the film comes together and begins its’ festival tour.

Jimmy and Jeff Israel have teamed up with Amanda Doss and Caitlin Cassaro to produce their upcoming short, Face Value. They had a very successful fundraiser the other night at Eleven in the Lower East Side. Jeff has recently moved into our building so we’re enjoying one of our best friends as a neighbor.

Currently, my Mom is in town for Mother’s Day and we’re enjoying cool sunny weather and Southern home cookin’!

Posted by Scott Solary at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)