Here it is, at long last! (the movie is at the bottom; as with Dead Men Hiking, feel free to scroll down if you would like to go ahead and watch it)
I know this movie has been a long time coming. Looking back, I realize it’s been a year since filming began…that’s pretty incredible.
As the video finishes uploading to YouTube, I will muse briefly about what I learned from this endeavor:
- Resolving not to fix anything in postproduction makes editing more fun and less time-consuming. We did many effects in this film practically–even the twig that Phil shoots at the beginning was a practical effect (look closely and you’ll see). The only real “visual effects” work in this film was some masking–the sisters’ house had a number over the door, which I thought was probably anachronistic (not to mention distracting), so I removed it.
- Don’t assume that you and everyone else involved in making the movie will have the time to finish filming. I assumed this. I assumed that we would all just “find a time” and that we would be done very quickly. But then a new school year started, and I discovered how wrong I was…
- Have fun! To forget this point is to miss the point, especially when filming with friends.
To everyone who helped with this movie: thank you for your time, your patience, your criticism, and your encouragement.
And now for the main attraction…
I really enjoyed it, Jack! I like it better than “Dead Men Hiking” (of course, I’m plain and simple a sucker for Westerns anyway… :D) The acting it better, too.
What are you doing next? 😀
Do you mind if I share it on my blog?
Yes of course, that would be great!
We haven’t decided on a ‘next’ project yet, though naturally I already have several ideas 🙂
‘yes of course?’ *sigh*
What I meant to say: no, of course I wouldn’t mind. That would be great!
Hopefully my meaning was clear even if my words were not…
It’s just a “fun” little movie…I enjoyed it!
Hey, this is good!!
I think we made some definite improvements from our last film.
May I say it was great working with this fantastic cast!! All close friends, I really feel that all of us working together was a fantastic experience!! This is the first thing that ALL of us have been a part of. It is an experience I shall never forget! Thanks to Mertens Creations and the whole Mertens family for making this possible. And thanks to all the parents involved for permitting us to get together long enough and for allowing us to use their real estate to make the movie.
I loved it!
Thank you! I enjoyed working with your grandsons 🙂
Yes! I definitely appreciate everyone’s help as well as patience as production dragged on for a year. I appreciate how understanding everyone was despite the dramatic delay. Thanks for being in the movie!