The Dream Team & Getting to "Yes!"

Another hectic day working with my post production Team to ready the Final Product for our April 9 World Premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival. I signed off on Dean Johanesen's killer music score that complements the 18 songs in the film...and I worked with Mandy on ticket details for both the first screening of the movie as well as the April 1st BN Concert at Riverview's PAC in Sarasota. Our Foley Sound Effects Editor Brett Jones and Soundtrack mixing engineer Steve Connelly are working closely with our L.A.-based Dolby Surround Sound Supervisor Dino Herrmann to finish that critical process - and our ace Colorist Courtney Penna is working her magic to color correct some footage that needed a little touching up to bring out the vibrant hues of the Suncoast scenery featured in our film. Meanwhile, editor Marc Alcorn is busy working with me to create the new Trailer and debating whether he's going to sport a tux at the Premiere or go for that slightly less formal "Sarasota Casual Cool" look. 

Yes folks - the patients are taking over the asylum.

You could safely say that our BN Team is working at full throttle and starting to understand the magnitude of our achievement - being selected to screen a record 6 times at the SFF! It's just the kind of incredible start I was hoping for as we begin our international film festival tour. I can't begin to tell you the feeling I have inside watching these half-crazed, completely exhausted, true-blue indie film fanatics and friends ply their seemingly unlimited skill set on Beautiful Noise.

If you first time indie producers/directors are wondering how I was able to bring this Dream Team together working with such a limited production budget, let me enlighten you here and now.

First - stop listening to the naysayers that tell you there's no way you can afford hiring super-talented people to score your movie...color correct your film...add Foley sound effects...get that helicoptor shot you're dying to do...licence songs by legends like Joni Mitchell for your Soundtrack...shoot your film with hi-tech cameras like the Red Cam...add Dolby Surround Sound...etc. Get away from those people who don't share your vision with a Passion fast. When it comes to making your movie, they're either in...or they're in the way.

Second - don't take no for an answer. Ever. Don't compromise on anything relating to the look and feel and sound you want for your movie. Just don't do it. If you do, you'll work your ass off for weeks and months and live with a result the rest of your life that you know deep down could have turned out differently...if you'd only stood your ground and fought with everything you've got to find a way to make your movie your way.

The way to make the impossible happen is to simply ASK FOR THE HELP. That's the secret formula. Cast your inhibitions aside and understand that you have to go through a ton of No's to get to that one "Yes!". And then you have to go through many more No's to get to the next "Yes!". And so on...until you get what you need to make the movie you have running endlessly in your head and pounding incessently in your heart. Seek out the most highly-skilled people; sincerely share the Story of your movie and your hopes for the film; ask for their help; make a deal that fits your immediate budget restraints and their future payday potential if everyone does their best work - and then ask then and there for a Yes or No.

Ask and you shall receive...if they believe in you.

I asked an incredible number of people to help me make Beautiful Noise. Some said no right away for various reasons that simply don't matter. Some said yes right away but then bailed for reasons that simply don't matter. Some said yes right away and stuck with me through thick and thin to get BN made...and it's those happy, crazy, fanatical people who shared my vision and that will soon listen to that Opening Night audience respond enthusiastically to their work. Then those triumphant warriors will cheer on their fearless and likewise happy, crazy and fanatical leader of the band as I tuck our film under my arm and showcase it at every film festival and special screening that will embrace us - seeking exposure to our movie and soundtrack album and the best avenues to secure worldwide distribution deals on our behalf.

3) Burn your ships in the harbor and make certain that there's no way for your armada to turn back and retreat when the going gets tough. Keep moving forward and remember that your Cast & Crew needs your leadership and encouragement to get them what they all want - which is to quit their day job and make movies full time someday!

So this is a teachable moment that can be applied to most any worthwhile endeavor.

Remember - remove yourself from anyone with negative waves; ask for the help you need; never give up or give in and keep moving your Dream forward at all costs until it becomes your Reality.

If I can do it...you can do it.

ST