18/05/06 - IT STARTS!

We had our first read through of Gaylon Peglegg:Exorcist last night.
It was really awesome and also really strange.
What started with a crazy character from Lee, undefined but hilarious, has now formed into a workable piece. I still cannot believe how well I wrote this film from nothing! This was initially a filler project while waiting on a deal for "A Jester's Tale" to become fruitful. But it is not a filler project at all now. It has crossed the line into a workable film.
I am not sure if Lee and Amanda realize this but this project will actually take more dedication, organization, attention to detail and commitment than "A Jester's Tale" did. It's going to be challenging and wonderful.
Lee has moved some of his drama group priorities around so that he can commit more to Gaylon and that is such a cool move. Part of me feels guilty that he has, but that is just me being silly. He knows what he wants and he knows what is important to him. If he went the other way I would respect him no less. So that's cool.
Amanda surprised me that she got into the reading without question.
It's always a little awkward to start these things as you are not playing to anyone, and you are reading directly from a page for the first time so it feels staged and read. But I was very impressed she just went into it. And very well too.
I tried to keep it entertaining for them too. I realize now that my role of Director on this one is going to need to be a polished job. I intend to develop my skills here for later in life and will concentrate on some NLP principles to obtain a top job. I must be a leader for people so it all moves along well.
It is easy (and tempting!) with one project under your belt (especially one that at the time of writing sits with a TV company awaiting a deal having being declared "definite broadcast potential") to sit back and say we did a good job on the last one, this will be easier. No way! It's going to be a great great challenge. The style is vastly different. It will be less immediate. It is dialogue heavy in the script (which I intend to open up to improv at all opportunities). I realized on "A Jester's Tale" just how important it is to have people who contribute and create.
So no being over protective on the script, no sticking to letter, no ego. Let everyone feel free. I know the material so well having written it that as long as I can see it is heading in the right direction, I will steer it without fear, slightly left of course, slightly right.
Lee was awesome with the reading. I knew he would be and I need to declare it here. he was awesome doing the reading. First time out doing the lines I wrote was 80% perfection. I knew within a page or two that he was going to nail this character he made. And nail it big time! I got very excited watching him work.
And then he was trying costumes on, which looked great and he had an inspired moment to quiff up his hair, Elvis style (the character is after all the alleged son of Elvis!). Genius! It looked good and the character layer was added. He will add more to the role I know, as he practices more.
What I find most amazing is that neither Lee nor Amanda questioned the script at all. Fine tuning of dialogue, yes. Of course. And some funny additions made last night. But 99% no question. I was very proud of that! Especially as Lee would know what is funny and what is not, and both Lee and Amanda know the written word well.
So we started last night also to discuss casting and came up with some initial thoughts. We have so many people expressing interest that the choice is huge, from actors to non-actors. And I want them all! We are unsure on people's acting abilities so we will start a casting process now. I have some definite favourites but will remain totally professional.
My motivation here is to imagine a full blown Hollywood epic with tons of money behind it. You would have to be very careful on your choices! It is actually more important than that anyway....it is my future in sight and so must be done right!