No Budget, No Problem.

Glad you're here. Someone had to read this.

One thing I wasn't interested in doing was writing a script and spending the next year or two or more looking for the money to shoot a film. I imagine I'll have to eventually get used to that process but at the moment, I was, and still am more interested in simply making movies. As far as I was concerned all I really needed was a camera and some people to make believe. That was exactly what I was looking for and exactly what I found. Perfect. And so began the process of The Fine Art of Falling Apart.

The title was not my idea which is why I don't like it but when someone asked me what the movie was titled I said "The Fine Art of Falling Apart" they said "cool" and I never bothered to come up with anything else. Titles can be awesome, titles can be shit. Titles can even be "the shit." But I generally don't care too much about or for titles. I understand their purpose and don't know what we'd do without them so although I could go without them I live with them.

As of the night before, or the morning of, we had procured (nice) exactly non of the money we spoke of securing before beginning production. So the crew arrived fashionably late as is always the case when they know they're not being paid and the fact that I specifically made mention NOT to arrive early as I would most likely not be awake prior to call.

I don't know if it was the first or second or third day of production but I know we had some muffins one morning, some fruit, I want to say there were bagels but I can't remember. Its a shame it was a one shot deal on the muffins because everyone seemed to enjoy them. Thanks Jillian.

What I'm trying to say is that budgets are for squabbling 30 something, fairly newly married, perhaps recently impregnated or new parent couples with a home they can't really afford and a family sedan or what have you. What we had was a collaboration of like minded individuals willing to sacrifice some time, some more time, a lot of their time, enegry, sometimes even their own money to experiment and work on their craft and learn about new species? No, there was non of that. But everything else is true.

The money spent on this production was pocket money from our very kind and giving producer who also went all out acting in the picture in what a mediocre film critic might describe as a tour de force because she did a little bit of crying, sexing, and had some angry scenes. I couldn't be more proud of her and what she accomplished and will be forever grateful for her support but a tour de force? She was doing her job and well I might add but lets stop the over use of tour de force, please. It sickens me every time I see that in a review or on a box cover. Give it a break, okay?

This film was never meant to be a Sundance breakout hit or any bullshit like that. I don't want a studio deal (but I'd take one in a fucking instant). It was a way for all of us to continue to work on our craft, to learn, to explore ideas we might not have explored if we had a large budget and pressure to really make something out of the film commercially. And we accomplished what we set out to accomplish and that was simply to please ourselves.

It is truly amazing what you can do when you get the right people on board with the same goals. You don't need a million dollars (but I'd take it in a fucking instant) to make a film. I'm interested in continuing to experiment before looking for that big budget for my "amazing" script that I plan to cast (insert generic B lister here).

In the weeks to follow will be a detailed account of our experience making the film including juicy insider gossip on cast and crew relations and whatever else sells.

Thanks.

Ace.