Hey all! Just giving you an update as to the status of my directorial debut THE SHELTER, starring the great MICHAEL PARE. If you’ve been keeping tabs on the project via its FACEBOOK PAGE; you should know that we have locked edit on the picture. I found the process to be stimulating and definitely educational. I understand so much more about editing now. Now that I think of it; I have never learned more about the film-making process on its every echelon than I have with this flick. From the prep, to the shoot, to the post. I’m a better everything for it!

Now, the many rough cuts of THE SHELTER were shown to trusted “regular people” and trusted “film industry folks” and the feedback I got was fascinating to be honest and  helped shape the final cut of the film to varied degrees. Funnily enough, out of everybody I showed the film to, there was one person that didn’t like it at all.  And that person wound up giving me the most constructive feedback in terms of making the film better. Go figure! Another thing I learned; you have to stop asking for feedback at certain point and trust yourself as the driving creative force behind the film; and I have done just that.

So with the locked edit behind us we are now tackling four crucial stages at the same time: Color correction, VFX, sound design and music which are all advancing at a steady pace. A note if I may: this is a film that will live or die via its sound design and music. I am very much aware of that. And after hearing composer Shawn Knippelberg’s first piece of music for the film, I felt mucho relieved. He is obviously inspired by the film (phew) and “gets it” (double phew) and I now have 200% confidence that the film’s score will be stand-out and unique. He brought tears to my eyes with one piece… no small feat.

I have also learned that working Post production on a film is a lot like the screenwriting process. One day you think it’s genius, another day you think it’s shit and another day you have no idea what the fuck you have because you are too close to the project. Well today, I feel we have something novel and strong with a tour de force performance by Pare. Lets see what I think in 3 days…:) I will keep you all in the loop as always via the film’s FB PAGE and this blog. Thank you all for your continuous support throughout this new and exciting path in my life. God bless! JF

PS: To answer folks asking me about distribution and festival showings for the film. We have been approached on both counts; but I am not putting pressure on myself to wrap up Post to make any Fests due dates. My focus is COMPLETELY on having this film be the best it can be…PERIOD. Once we’re done, THEN, I’ll explore distribution and festivals thoroughly. But for now, that will have to wait. One step at a time…

FOLLOW THE SHELTER ON FACEBOOK HERE!

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