Meet Ed DuRante

I worked the late shift today so I will be pretty much be a zombie tomorrow when I go in for a normal day shift. It would be better if I had slept in this morning, but I had a lot to take care of. Most important, I met with Ed to discuss his feature script. We had a really good brainstorming session and I think he might incorporate some of my suggestions into the final script. As the editor, you give your comments and suggestions and then wait to see what the director will come up with. Fortunately, Ed and I have worked together for over 7 years, and we have been able to develop a good working relationship.

Ed is really the only friend I have from film school, and I have been to film school twice, once for undergrad and again for the grad program. I have edited for other fellow students and am still in touch with a few people, but Ed is a friend, and I don't have a lot of friends. We are both directors, but he is an excellent writer and I am an editor, so he has written scripts for me and I have edited films for him. We somehow have similar aesthetics that compliment each other.. we both like to push the envelope and only pursue ideas that we feel are new and present a new spin to an old situation. The funny thing is that when I first moved to New York City to attend NYU, we lived across the street from each other. We never hung out until the next year when I moved uptown.

The Truth about the wife

I mentioned last week that Allison was still doing really well even though she stopped going to yoga. That was not the truth. She is still doing great, but she is ready to deliver the baby and move forward. Ever since we returned from the baby shower she has gone visibly downhill starting with the 33rd week. She is nauseous, throws up every now and then, and isn't really sleeping well during the night anymore, only getting a few hours here and there.

The main issue, in my opinion, is that the belly has become too big and cumbersome to carry around. She needs to be extra careful, do everything slowly, and not over exert herself. She is still a trooper, but it is getting hard for even her to be positive about these last few weeks.

Baby Names

We still haven't come up with a name for our baby girl yet... the problem is that I really want a somewhat unique name for my child. Growing up as the only Rohan in kiddie land had a lot of advantages, but today every third or fourth baby in India seems to be named Rohan. So there probably aren't a whole lot of unique names left.. the trick is to find one that you really like and stick to it.

The frontrunner at the moment is either Saria Karin Sen, or Sariya Karin Sen. The biggest problem with baby names is that everyone wants to know which names you are thinking about, and then they will give you their full opinion. An opinion entails a general thrashing of your names and a presentation of names that your friend really likes. One of my bachelor friends thought Saria sounded like diarrhea while another thinks people will shorten it into Sari or maybe even Sarah.

A few other options we are thinking about are Diya (light), Ashla or Asha, and that's about it for the moment. There are more complicated Indian names as well, but then people in America will really shorten the name just to pronounce it. I have a big book of Indian names that I will begin thumbing through once again, but Sariya is still our favorite.

Upcoming Projects

I am still recovering from the shoot on Sunday. Last night I tried to get some work done and woke up bundled up in my chair. I probably need a few days to rest and clear my head, but the baby is due April 18th. If what I am told is correct, I need to get as much done before then.

I did do something Sunday night. I watched, fixed a title, and then output the final cut of Tanya's film, so I now have time to pursue some of my own projects while I edit Happy Sauce. The final edit is due March 25th which is a pretty quick turnaround for any film. At least it will be over quickly.

I have two spec Mastercard "Priceless" commercial projects that revolve around Allison. The pregnant part plays a huge role, so I only have a few weeks to complete both commercials. I also want to start editing a doc with some footage I shot in India a few years ago, and I will be meeting, discussing, and then editing Ed DuRante's feature which begins shooting in early April.

My goal is to continue to shoot short film, commercial, and music video projects until I obtain paid directing work. I want to shoot one project every month. So far, I am behind the curve. Happy Sauce is only my second project this year, but I am also writing a new feature length script. My goal is to have the script ready in July to show people if either of my short films do well on the film festival circuit.

These are lofty goals, but you gotta aim high.

Happy Sauce Wrapped!!

I was tired when I woke up this morning at 6 am. I really wished I had that extra hour of sleep lost to Daylight Savings Time, but I found a parking spot at 7:30 am in front of the bar. I was able to relax for just a few moments before Ed, the EP and creator of the Blue Owl Flicks series sauntered up with a coffee in one hand and a grip bag in the other.

The shoot was fantastic.. it was a great day. I haven't directed a narrative short for some time, so feeling that on set magic again was really good. Everyone was really helpful and my DP Petr was a true professional. He was super fast, lit the bar well and was always ready to shoot another take. Both Stephen and Walt gave top notch performances, so theoretically I should have all the material to make a decent flick.

The final shot had to be taken by 3 pm, but we were way ahead of schedule and wrapped a half hour before at 2:30. A few of us went to the bar for the obligatory drink, and when I returned home, I took a shower and crashed out on the couch for a couple of hours. The tapes are sitting in a box on my desk in front of me, but I can't watch them back yet. I need at least a one night break from the project. As per the guidelines for the film series, my completed cut is due in two weeks on March 25th. i really should be loading the footage right now.

Happy Sauce Shooting Script

This is the last revision of the script. A few minor things have changed that are not reflected.

HAPPY SAUCE
By
Rohan Sen

INT. BAR - DAY

A pint glass full of ice enters the frame. A bottle of Maker’s Mark flows generously into the glass. Coke, lime juice, and a dash of cranberry are added. A hand reaches out to mix the contents.

SOUND FX: COLLISION AT DOOR.

A baby bottle slides into the frame.

CUT TO:

INSERT TITLE: HAPPY SAUCE

INT. BAR - DAY

FIVE BABY BOTTLES scatter across the bar counter. A man’s hand frantically stacks the bottles in a line on the counter.

GABRU
Please, you got to help me.. I know this sounds crazy but I need you to run these through the dishwasher...

BARTENDER
Sure, buddy, whatever.

The bartender reaches out and grabs a bottle.

BARTENDER (CONT'D)
What are you drinking?

Gabu’s cell phone rings before he can respond. The bartender grabs the baby bottles and walks away.

GABRU
Hey.. I am sorry.. I know I know I am handling it though.... I’m in a cafe.. Yeah they do.. I was surprised myself.. I’m really sorry, why don’t you try and walk her around....

CUT TO:

INT. BAR - CONTINUOUS

The bartender looks at GABRU as he puts the last baby bottle in the speed washer. Gabru continues his fruitless conversation with his wife. The bartender gazes at GABRU, as if remembering an earlier time in his life.

SOUND FX: The short but sharp ring from the dishwasher pierces the air.

CUT TO:

INT. BAR - MOMENTS LATER

GABRU still talks on the phone as the bartender stacks the baby bottles in front of GABRU.

GABRU
Wait, that’s only four.... excuse me.. hey let me go, excuse me...

Gabru’s eyes grow wide, but the bartender interrupts Gabru swiftly.

BARTENDER
It’s okay, brother. I got your bottle right here.

The bartender reaches down and holds up the last baby bottle.

BARTENDER (CONT'D)
This one is for you.

The bartender reaches out and holds it for Gabru to take. Gabru hesitates and reaches for the bottle which is now filled with an exotic liquid. He looks at it, sniffs the top, and sucks on it for a moment. He immediately stands up straight, energized and exuberant.

GABRU
Tutti Frutti! Root, toot, toot.

Gabru dances, glowing with joy. He sucks vigorously on the baby bottle.

GABRU (CONT'D)

Wow.. what was that?

BARTENDER
Oh, I just like to call it my happy sauce.

GABRU
You’re happy sauce, huh?... Well here’s to it. To Happy Sauce. Happy Happy Happy Sauce...

Gabru puts the rest of the baby bottles into his diaper bag and continues to dance sucking ferociously on the baby bottle as he walks out of the bar.

CUT TO:

INT. BAR - CONTINUOUS

The bartender smiles as he watches Gabru leave the bar. He thinks for a moment before bending under the bar. The bartender emerges holding a baby bottle that he carefully unscrews.

SLOW PUSH INTO BABY BOTTLE

The bartender pours a drink into the baby bottle. He puts it in his mouth and sucks away.

FADE TO BLACK.

Film Update

Rehearsals went great with my actors today. We rehearsed on location at The Blue Owl. I can not begin to explain what a luxury it was, and I do not have the time either. I've bought food, snacks, and juices for everyone to nibble on throughout the day and I just went through my house and assembled every item that could be of use on set: clothespins, moleskin pads, the microphone, a backup camera (I've gone this far, don't want anything silly to ruin the shoot), and many other things.

I will give a full update later.

Happy Sauce: Final Preparations

I should probably be more stressed out and nervous about my shoot on Sunday, but I really see no need. I am rehearsing with my actors tomorrow and any further adjustments can only be made after that. Tomorrow night will definitely be very busy. I expect to alter the script, the storyboards, and shot sheet slightly. A film is an evolving process... someone once told me that if your film doesn't change slightly from script to final product you are making a mistake. I find this philosophy a good compliment to my creative process. I like to feel out the shots and the action and my best ideas are often spur of the moment reactions to complications I did not initially foresee.

A good example is the evolution of the opening scene in Happy Sauce. I initially thought it would be a montage of shots of a bartender preparing the "Happy Sauce" which is interrupted when a man stumbles through the door with bags of newborn baby products. The more I thought about this the more lame the idea became. I somehow realized the baby bottle had to be the focal point of the interruption and thought a pan from the drink being prepared on the counter to a baby bottle sliding towards camera would do the trick. When I mentioned this to Petr he suggested a static frame and the baby bottle slides into frame. I really liked this idea and decided that it would be strongest if the opening was only one shot- a high angle shot as a glass of ice is put in the center of the frame. The ingredients are added, and just as the bartender is about to shake the concoction, there is an offscreen thump, the bartender drops the spoon or shaker, and a baby bottle slides into frame in front of the pint glass. For me, I think this is a strong opening shot - from drink to baby bottle.

As I rehearse with my actors tomorrow, there will be moments, words, and actions within the scene that need adjustments. Many times, I might not have a solution until after the film has been completed, but my only objective is to try my best. Sometimes you have to make a wrong decision to gain the experience to make a better one in the future. As I said, film is an evolving process.

Pilferer Rejected

My short film PILFERER was rejected from the Tribeca Film Festival. It is Pilferer's first rejection, and definitely not the last. I actually thought the film would get in based on it's vivid shooting style in the streets of Manhattan, but obviously I was mistaken. It is never a good feeling when your film or idea is rejected by anyone, but I know I just have to get used to it and apply to more festivals.

Wife Yoga Photo

I posted a photo of Gabru, so I thought it is only fair to showcase my beautiful wife Allison. We like to say we love Gabru red and each other blue. That's why Gabru's photo is on the left side and the wife's is on the right.

This photo was taken about 6 weeks ago, maybe even 7 or 8. She used to do yoga 3 or 4 times a week, but recently stopped when it simply stopped being enjoyable. She is now 34 weeks pregnant. She went to the Dr. yesterday for a check-up and mother and baby are doing great. If for any reason Allison did go into labor early, there is no need to try and stop it. She is good to go. I know I will be at a loss for words when the moment finally arrives.

Busy day

It was a hectic day, but I got everything done except meet Ed to talk about his script. I really wished I could have fit that in, but it's faster to walk than drive in Manhattan. Here is a breakdown:

My dog, Gabru, was as happy as can be this morning. Allison woke me up when she went to the bathroom at 6 am, so after laying semi-awake as long as I could, I was in the park by 7:15. There was still an inch or two of snow in the park, and snow, ball, and park are Gabru's three favorite words. He was very silly, and only wanted to play by himself with his ball- he loves to dig and drag the ball through the snow with his front paws and then chase it when it rolls away. I returned home at about 8:15.

While I was in the park, Allison managed to catch some more beauty sleep. She was still sleeping when I walked in the door, but it worked out in the end. She decided to take the subway to her appointment and I drove into the city. I was able to take advantage of street cleaning and found a nice spot past 10th Ave on the same street I was picking up the equipment. It was 10:20ish.

The meeting at SAG went great. My business rep was really helpful and I am now legally able to use Stephen as my actor. I am really happy to be somewhat legitimate.

It was just before noon, but as I was walking towards the subway to go downtown I kind of realized there was no way I was going to rent the equipment between 6/7th Ave, walk past 10th Ave to get the car to then pick up the crap, and then drop the car and the equipment in Brooklyn and be back in the city to meet with Ed at 2:30 or 3. I know I could have just parked the car in the city, but film equipment is expensive. I did not have the most costly rentals, but I would still rather be safe than sorry.

I finally returned home around 2:45. My paying gig started at 5 pm, so I used the hour to catch up on some other important things - paperwork and email. Work was work, but it did pass quickly. The office ordered Indian food so that was a very nice surprise. I finally left some time after midnight when simple things began taking a really long time.

Busy Schedule

With my film shoot approaching, I will be attempting to accomplish many things in the next 3-4 days. For my benefit, here is the breakdown of the next couple days.

Wednesday night

- Finish the final tweaks on Tanya's film and watch down one more time
- Complete all the SAG paperwork for my meeting at 11 am.

Thursday

- take Gabru to the park to enjoy snow
- drive into city and drop wife at chiropractor at 10 am.
- find a parking a spot in the 20s
- meet SAG business representative at 11 am
- pick up 3 C-Stands from a equipment rental house
- drop car and C-Stands at the house in Brooklyn
- Meet director Ed DuRante to discuss his feature script at 2:30-3pm
- Go to work 5 pm- 12-1 am

Friday morning will be the test when I roll back into work at 9 am. There are many more things I need to do, like send my short film PILFERER to some film festivals and massage Allison's back, but I can't schedule or remember them right now.