This weekend was not only one of the most spectacular of the "Beautiful Noise" shoot - but also one of the most spectacular weekends of my life. A powerful emotion has been building in me for days now watching my Crew bust their tails to help me get the shots I need for our film to succeed and also from working closely with my Actors to keep the tension and the Storyline moving toward the amazing conclusion of the movie. We started the day by introducing 7 yr old Kasey Ferace to the acting world with her cameo with Danielle in the parking lot of the Cock 'N Bull Pub. Her smile helped us kick-start our Sunday. Then we headed back to Myakka to revisit Gary & Paula Aspinall's rustic home to shoot some key scenes with Jay, Danielle, Kimber and Steve Carroll - and also new young actors Max Klauber and Richard Caldwell, Jr. We ended the shooting day with a panoramic helicopter shot at sunset of the Sarasota Bayfront and downtown skyline, which panned right into the high rise balcony we filmed last night with Jay & Danielle. We missed the sunset shot last night, but our ace 2nd unit camera operator Rod Millington nailed it tonight. Jay and Danielle repeated the intensely romantic scene from last night and recreated the moment with an awesome sunset in the background. Wait 'till you see how we cut all the shots we have of that scene into the movie sequence. Our editor Marc Alcorn and I will have a field day with those shots!
Like every other day of the "Beautiful Noise" shoot, one scene stood out - and that's when Kimber Cleveland performed a song she wrote especially for the film - live on the set. It's called "One More Song In Me" and it's amazing. Kimbers' mastery of an acoustic guitar and her pitch-perfect delivery of this vitally important song in the movie was breathtaking. The Crew broke out into applause and I got choked up again when she nailed the last take. Maybe it's all the days without enough sleep, maybe it's the fact I'm seeing this dream of a movie become reality before my eyes - but for sure the emotion that poured out of me (I could hardly call "Cut" due to the lump in my throat) after Kimber completed the performance was caused by her incredible delivery of an unbelievably soulful song about a washed-up songwriter who had it all, lost it all, and then who regained himself...one more time...with one more song. I know lots of people who can identify with Kimber's lyric...
It's an injustice to the Universe that Kimber's songs have not yet made their way to the masses yet. A wildly popular performer in her region of the country, her wonderful catalog of original songs will soon, I predict, shine a light on a worldwide audience in need of inspiration and hope for a better tomorrow. I have not been so moved by a songwriter since the first time Neil saved me when I was a confused teenager when "I Am, I Said" came out. It doesn't matter if Danielle or Jay or anyone else sings Kimber's songs...her artistry is unmistakable, moving and always memorable. It would be one of the highlights of my film career if I can help in some small way to expose this dynamic writer and performer to the masses. Kimber's songs are the backbone of the "Beautiful Noise" Soundtrack. They touch every emotion and reach every demographic. They make me laugh, make me cry and give a texture to my Story that could not otherwise be fully realized. I am so grateful this wonderful talent is with us on our Journey to tell a simple, hopeful tale in a way that both inspires and entertains. Right next to Neil Diamond, Lennon & McCartney, Carole King and Elton John - I rank Kimber Cleveland as one of my favorite all-time songwriters. And when you hear and see her in "Beautiful Noise", she'll be in your Top 5 too.
Steve
