we’ve wrapped day 9 of 16 days. so we’ve passed the halfway mark.
i want to say is how grateful i am for everything.
i’m grateful first to God. never in a million years would i have tried to shoot this as the leaves were changing for fear i’d never make it. but this film has turned out so beautifully because everywhere i point the camera, it explodes with autumn hues. never in a million years would i have tried to shoot in Stones River, but when Old Stone Fort proved too brutal, we found gorgeous places on Stones River in the backyard of friends from church. never in a million years would i try to film river scenes in mid-November — too cold, too rainy! — next week it’s supposed to be 70 and sunny all week. even with all the gifts, donations, volunteering, pitching in, sponsorship, investing, and planning not one of us could have planned this show the way it’s turning out — and it’s been turning out amazingly.
i’m grateful to my crew — Brennan, Caitlin, Bennett, Eve, Blythe, and maybe more to come; some great consulting help from my friends Ciciley and Duncan; looking forward to working on the score with Shane — and most of all for Noah. i’m really, really thankful he’s encouraged me to do this. i’m thankful he’s there for me to bounce ideas off of, and to clean up behind me when i forget to turn off the audio at lunch or to stop recording at the end of a take, etc. he’s there for load in and load out most days, has done a ton of driving, and the only thing i’ve really given him in return so far is a lot of pinto beans. but i’m sure he’ll have something i can help him with one day, and i’ll be glad to be as generous as he has been.
and i’m grateful for my cast. they have set aside large amounts of time in order to make this film happen. they’ve been extremely gracious and flexible when weather or other factors have changed our schedule at the last minute. and every scene we’ve filmed has been great and full of life. huge appreciation for Kerri Kairdolf and Phil Mote, whose real-life friendship brings such a delightful warmth to the screen — i know you’re all gonna love it. all the rest — from supporting roles like Sam (played by Mandee Miller) down to “extras” (no one is extra to me!) — have been flexible through rain delays, schedule changes, last minute callsheets, long days (and nights), and more. and i’m so glad every one of them has been able to be on set for at least a day. and i still have a few friends who are appearing in scenes to come. very excited to have them with us.
and lastly i’m thankful for each of you reading this. everyone who cares about this film will help make it a success once it’s released. i’m glad you’re along for the ride with us.
on my days off, i have been mostly eating and sleeping. but i’m trying to process some stills and behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage so you can see our progress. i’ll have some new things soon. for tonight, please let my gratitude be enough.