“January” Production Diary #10
22 minutes and 29 seconds.
The final running-time for “January.”
It is finished.
It’s been written, rehearsed, acted, storyboarded, reworked, filmed, edited, synced with audio, color corrected.
As I think about how far we’ve come in the past few months, I am astonished. Even more so, I am humbled. It has been such an incredible privilege to work with every single individual on this film, regardless of how seemingly-small their contributions have been. I thank all of you from the deepest depths of my heart for all of your hard work, time, and talent. This film would not have gotten off the ground if it wasn’t for your diligence and commitment to excellence.
I also have to thank all of you who have donated to this film—family, friends, friends of friends, friends of family, strangers I’ve never met but who I hope to shake their hands. Thank you all for your overwhelming support. Our goal on Kickstarter was to raise $350. Your contributions totalled $730: twice our goal.
The other thing I reflect upon as I write this final production diary, as tears thinly hide behind my eyes, is how far I have come in just 19 years. I can still remember asking my mom for permission to use her videocamera to make a movie with friends; her showing me how to work it: press the red button to start or stop, this lever zooms, this is the lens cap. Slowly, as I began to monopolize the camcorder more and more, I stopped asking my mom for permission to use the videocamera. When it finally died, after several years of service, I saved up money to buy my very own videocamera. Of course, a digital videocamera was expensive for a fifth grader to save up for, but my parents helped split the cost. My parents have always been supportive, and have made sure that the price of expensive equipment hasn’t held me back from progressing as a filmmaker. Whether it was loaning me money, splitting costs, or coming up with more chores to get paid for, my mom and dad, grandma, aunt, uncle, cousins, and sister have always been supportive of my creative endeavors in film. It was my family that supported me, complimented me, encouraged me, and who were there for me each year I participated in the 48 Hour Film Project. One year, when my grandma asked if I’d rather just work with my friends for the competition, I said, “Of course not. I need you guys.”
And I do.
I really, really do.
What’s more, I want you all to know how much I appreciate your encouragement. My mom could easily have told me, “No, you can’t use the camcorder; it’s very expensive.” But she didn’t.
Thank you, mom. Thank you, dad. Thank you Maggie and Dee and Ree and Brian and Morgan and Julie and Rachel and Gran and Grandad and Uncle B, and anybody else who I’ve forgotten, and I’m sorry if I have forgotten anybody, and please know that I am thankful, so incredibly thankful for all your support.
The film is complete. It’s taken three months, but it’s done.
I can’t wait to share it with all of you. I can’t wait to show you what you’ve had a hand in creating.
I know you’ll all be proud.
LOVE,
BRENT
