Grading the Blog

[RottingCorpse]

Around January 1, we'll start to move into official pre-production on Women's Studies, which is something of a cool milestone.

Next week marks the last of the "character" blogs. therefore, I thought now would be a good time to get some feedback on the blog (from those of you who have been reading it) and see what has been working, what hasn't, blogs you've found interesting, and blogs you've found boring as hell.

Also, I'd love to hear ideas on subjects you'd like to see covered in future blogs.

[nacho]

The blog is great, man.  Shut up and keep posting.  Because, now, I'd like to see what I've failed to deliver in the SFWP blog -- behind the scenes what's what, as well as obsevations on the industry (also small vs. large, and how hard it is).

[RottingCorpse]

The big problem has been that most of the work insofar has been paperwork and fundraising dealing with financing, and I'm not to eager to talk about it since I'm dealing with other people's money and reputations.

Now, as things start to get on firmer ground, I should be getting into actual behind the scenes stuff that's interesting AND that I feel comfortable talking about.

[nacho]

I do think you should slag D&E...by name.

[RottingCorpse]

I do think you should slag D&E...by name.

One must think about the future . . . this is not a business where you can afford to burn bridges over a "no."

However, I think now is a good time to pontificate on the industry with a view from the bottom.

[nacho]

It's only burning a bridge if you have a chance to do something else with them in the future.  And, since there are about a million small colleges with locations just like theirs, I wouldn't worry about it. 

Because, let's face it... One of their alumniseesers comes to them with big news:  (a) He's making a coolio movie with a coolio budget and (b) He wants to help support his alma mater and they reply with a big, wet, "Fuck you," then, well, fuck them.  Because they'll sure be glad to contact you for money after this.  Trust me.  They'll come to you with hat in hand, and big puppy dog eyes.  Oh, we'll be glad to put this in the alumni newsletter.  Oh, it's so great you're doing this.  Oh, please consider a donation.

Time to learn the difference between bridges and swamps, RC.  A hard lesson for me, too.

[RottingCorpse]

You may be right. And I have no doubt that they'll come crawling for money when they think I've made some. (They of course will forget that this is LOW BUDGET independent film, so any money I make will be miniscule.)

However, they've been very polite about rejecting me though, so I'll at least be polite in handling it.

But yeah, I think they're missing out on a good opportunity for publicity. They simply made it clear that it's not the type of publicity they're interested in.

(For those of you wondering what this is about, my college alma mater rejected my request to use the campus as a location for Women's Studies. Which since we've already made some adjustments because of it, has turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise.)

[nacho]

That's a great thing, isn't it?  These mega fuckups all turn out to be blessings.  I've run into that myself.

But, still, fuck them.  Not the publicity they wanted.  Dude -- Publicity Plan A:  Get stoodents!!!

Dotty would have done it.

[RottingCorpse]

Dotty would have done it.

Dotty would have gotten me the money to do it, and paid for drinks every night after shooting.

[RottingCorpse]

*bump*

I'm prepping a film industry "View from the Bottom" blog for tomorrow. However, I'm still open to suggestions for blog subject matter. We have some behinds the scenes and design work going, but I want to wait until things get closer to an end point to talk about it.

So . . . what do you want to know?

[nacho]

How about more on the history and process of the script and, more importantly, you.  I know you've touched on that... But more on inspirations, your personal journey.  Folksy hometown shit.  And maybe some history on the revival of the arts scene in the DC area, as well as your experiences elsewhere.

And perhaps even horribly disgusting "how I met Cindy" nonsense to bring together the sense that Ningen Manga is Real People, you know?  You're not just investing in a movie -- you're investing in a valid and powerful dream that has strong faith and support behind it, etc.

[RottingCorpse]

So, was the last blog totally gay? I just reread it, and it was left me sort of "meh."

http://womensstudiesmovie.blogspot.com/2007/02/herr-direcktor.html

[nacho]

You whored SFWP, so I love it.

[fajwat]

The last blog entry was a man who had sex with me, so yes.  Gay.  Totally.

Unless he's bisexual or was drunk enough that he thought I was a flat chested hairy woman.

[fajwat]

"Women's Studies"

(I love how you lead off with that shot in today's blog.)