Featured: Hannah Crawford

We met Hannah Crawford while in a show with the Bluegrass Theatre Guild, titled Big River. She was just a kid then--11 years old, dressed as one of the townspeople.

Afterwards, we couldn't get Hannah out of our heads. We asked if she would like to premiere with us in "The Toymaker", and original stageplay written by Ashley. She perfected her role as "Mouse"...one of those annoying toys with a button on their hand that sings a bad rendition of a carol.

Now a teenager, it's obvious that Hannah has grown up, both in maturity and age.

She was our production assistant, always standing by with her slate and script, and also portrayed the role of Brooke Jones.

It's strange to hear someone so young with such a huge vocabulary, with insightful ideas that made even us directors go, "Hmm...that might work..." She brought a lot to the table, helped take the edge off of filming with her adorable nature and funny stories, and even had some DIY (do it yourself) ideas. Such as the cat tent thing...

We won't go into that.

Needless to say, although I'm saying it anyway because she deserves the credit, we would be lost without "lil bit". She's a beautiful young lady and will steal the hearts of many when she's old enough to be the leading lady. Although I'm not quite sure how I'll be able to cope--I freaked out when she started wearing make up.

Featured: Tyler Franklin

Tyler Franklin as Director of Photography and Sound Mixer.

Where does one even begin? Tyler, or Ty as everyone now refers to him, is a student at WKU. We met on the set of "One Message" (a film by Jefferson Moore with Kelly's Filmworks). The first time we actually spoke to each other was when he arrived in a taxi, unable to pay his fare. To his credit, it wasn't actually his fault. We all decided to chip in and bail the poor kid outta trouble.

And thus, a great friendship was born.

Not only is he amazingly talented when it comes to vision and a camera, but he is an expert in the field of comedy. In any situation, whether I'm ready to jump off a cliff or ready to push somebody off a cliff, he can say one thing and laughter ensues. The problem becomes nonexistant, and it's back to work. He was a great joy to work with. I do not recall Tyler complaining. Not once. And that goes to show how dedicated he is to this field.

If he hadn't been apart of "No Lost Cause", it would not be what it is today. He saved us many times. I owe a lot to him (including gas money, I'm sure), and I'm certain that in the future, we're going to be seeing a LOT more of him...but hopefully not in the tabloids. Maybe on the red carpet. :)

In closing, I just have one more thing to say.

Monocle.

Featured: Karen Cole Martion

Karen Cole Martion as Dr. Melissa Harvey. Not enough GOOD can be said about this person. She is truly a delight, and I'm proud to call her my friend. Karen has always been there to help and assist, whether it be picking up the slate, being the "Mamma" on the set, or listening to me rant for an hour on the phone about money.

I met Karen in a show called Cactus Flower here in town. I'm not sure if she remembers this, but she and I actually read together at the audition! She was always kind and endearing, even though some circumstances during the show proved to be trying (she knows what I'm talking about)! I remember having the most costume changes out of the cast, and whenever I was in the makeshift dressing room, she'd come back and make sure I was gravy. Her sweet personality stuck with me, as did her two adorable, very talented twin boys (who also make cameos in our film), Gavin and Keegan.

This photo of her was taken early on in the filming process. In the driver's seat is her husband, Rob. She wasn't in this scene, but she was kind enough to come and help out with the large group of background actors.

While writing the script, I had her in mind from the beginning to play Dr. Harvey. Even though Karen is polar opposite of Harvey, she pulled it off very well! I've always been a good judge of character (by my own admission), and I can safely say that there is nothing fake about Karen. She's genuine. She has a pure heart. She's caring and lovely, and I love having her around!

"No Lost Cause" wrapped for film

Much has changed throughout the past few months. Firstly, I haven't blogged. Secondly, the film is complete. Thirdly, we're already in the editing process. Director is no longer Director. She's Editor. Audio was recorded on an external device. Chaos ensued. Oh, and we all finally settled on a name for the film. Finally.

No Lost Cause

Our projected end date will be in March-April. Preferrably March. The quicker it gets finished, the quicker we can send it out to festivals, and the quicker we can start our next project (which I'm equally excited about).

BUT, I can't tell you what it is. To be honest, we're not sure what it is, either. We already have a bunch of screenplays lined up that we're desparate to make into movies. But since we're only a small group of people, it's best we do the "one thing at a time"...thing. SIGH. I suppose we'll have to finish this one first.

And if we don't finish this one, we'll have mobs lining up outside our homes with pitchforks and guns.

I've also decided to post a little somethin-somethin about our wonderful cast and crew throughout the coming weeks. Since I'm incapable of expressing my emotions and gratitude verbally, I have learned that it's easier to write about them! Every few days, it'll be someone different. This should tie everyone over until the film is complete, right? Right? No? SIGH.

We'll throw in the poster as well, okay? As soon as it's finished, of course. O.o

Boom Guy and PP for "Beth Ann"...

September 11th was our first day of principal photography. People have asked me if there is anything significant to us starting on that date. The answer is no. All of our schedules just happened to align right then and there. It was a good day to remember, though. All the people who have lost their lives to secure our freedom...we're capable of making a Christian movie because of those sacrifices. There is the freedom of expression, art, and love that many people in this world aren't capable of understanding or experiencing. We're blessed beyond measure.

So, the 11th was the "official" official start date. We had Boom Guy from KFW come in and he's helping us out SO much. Really, we couldn't do it without him. Although, I'm still thinking of another name besides Boom Guy. I'll continue to ponder over that.

How I realized Boom Guy was extraordinarily awesome: one of the first days working with him for KFW, he was so tired from being at Comic-Con and then traveling all the way back to Middle-of-Nowhere, Kentucky. The poor guy fell asleep in the middle of a scene, holding the boom. Camera guy for that movie tried desparately to get his attention silently, but to no avail. The boom was slowly creeping into the frame...

...And then...he woke with a start, a slight freaked out expression on his face. We could take it now longer. Laughter ensued.

Thus began our friendship with Boom Guy. We heart him so.

IT'S ALIVE....

After a year of an annoying process called "planning", we've finally commenced our first two days of filming. There were a few bumps along the road, but that happens with anybody just starting out in the biz.

While we had planned to film at Kings Island, some circumstances popped up that made it impossible for us to do so. The major circumstance being that one of the boys we conned persuaded to come with us got kicked out. For a year.

Anyway, the first day of filming was a success regardless of our failed K.I. experiment. We went to the park where the director gave us the entire park to do whatever we pleased. It was the coolest day we've experienced in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Kentucky for 105 days. We were still in the 80s when we filmed, but it was a glorious cool 80s that didn't make me want to slit my wrists.

Although the ominous black clouds heading our way did. But thankfully, it was as if the storm split and went around us, so we got to deal with some pretty awesome overcast-ness, which is a photographer/videographer's dream.

The only downfall to the beautiful day was the wind. The blasted wind. But how can I complain when everything else went so well?

Besides, I'm all "complained" out. The Director got the gist of it, anyway, so I won't bother anyone else with it. Mwahaha.

Oh, and principal photography is finished for the short film!

Thank goodness it's almost Fall...

Director and Producer (me) are meeting with a guy that runs everything over at the local park today. We'll be filming there, hopefully, two days in the coming months. That is...if he likes us. Fingers crossed that he will.

In the meantime, Director wrote a script long ago that was meant for stage, but we adapted it into a short film. Since I have a new, amazing, fantastical camera, we're going to test the short film on that and try to impress people with our amazing skills so they will work for us and give us money. Dream big, right? I just threw that last part in there about the money. But I will accept cash if offered.

Bundles of it.

Composer is doing some neat things right now. He gave me a sample of the soundtrack that he came up with pretty much on the spot, and I was so green with envy it made me want to vomit. People, look out...he's the next Hans Zimmer.

If you don't know who that is, google him or youtube him. Then you'll realize how empty and void your life was before Hans.

And finally, I came to a conclusion today. I love Fall. I love everything about it. The temperature, the colors, pumpkins, the temperature, no allergies, the temperature. I'm happy to be filming in the Fall.

I made a promise to myself that I would never, ever, EVER film in the summer. I did for KFW this Summer, and it's just too much of a hassle. What, with the sweat and tears. And misery.