AHHHHH!!!! We’re just over a week from production. Everything is one big blur of meetings and phone calls and debates and banks and equipment… it never ends. I think I’m developing an ulcer, or some sort of permanent stomach problem and the desire to chug Pepto Bismolgrows stronger by the day. But it’s cool. Our lead actor’s flight was delayed, giving me two extra nights to think, to recollect, and to organize.

This week has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. At the beginning of it, we were financially backed into a corner and having that moment that every indie production has where everyone is left scratching their head and asking, “Are we going to pull this off?” It’s like the climax of a traditional Hollywood movie. Hero (the production) meets face to face with the enemy (finances, schedules, drama) and there’s nothing left to do but watch as a bloody embattlement ensues, leaving only one the victor. I feel like we came out on top. With a little help from our friends and a lot of faith and passion for this project, we’ve gotten past the climax and are now sailing towards that elusive epilogue – ok I’ll shut up with this metaphor. Basically, we had the help we needed come through at the moment we needed and now all the problems and worries we had before are much easier to deal with. It’s a big, collective “phew”.

It’s funny, because in the middle of writing this, I received a text from my producer asking how much can we put towards the sound and lighting package right now. I replied with a phone call and the conversation ended with “I feel really good about things now. I feel like we’re on the right track now. Things are coming together.” This is probably the best I’ve felt in a week, but it took a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and other clichés to get to this point. That burning pit of fear that had taken residence in my stomach in the past few days is either on vacation or late at work right now and I almost feel like I can put my feet up on this dirty ottoman and watch some ridiculous reality TV show… almost.

We still have to raise some more money, we have to deal with feeding the crew and we must purchase set insurance right away (anyone want to suggest a good insurance company for low-budgets that do not have dangerous stunts, real weapons, animals, or $1,000,000 stunt shots? ) so we can rent our lenses (a Zeiss superspeed set… yummmm) and P2 cards. We have a long way to go in a short period of time, but confidence is high and things are indeed coming together. This must be the point where things become truly exciting, seeing all of our work finally coming together.

Ok, I have to clean the house and eat some food because I haven’t eaten anything in the past two days and the litter box has a glowing green aura around it and the cat is dragging herself on her side across the living room floor and meowing, hoping I will pet her.

Before I go, and I must state this, if you are interested in making a tax deductible donation to our film, we are fiscally sponsored by the awesome folks at Central Productions. You can mail donations in a check or money order form to:

Central Productions
PO Box 381355
Cambridge, MA, 02238
(Please indicate that the donation is for Douglas the movie)

We also have a paypal set up for small donations available at our myspace page: myspace.com/douglasthemovie

Alright, I’m done. I am going to eat now.

-Michelle “Mothra” Millette-
Director/Writer - Douglas.