Earrings: Editing Update and a One-Sheet

I haven’t posted about my new short film Earrings in a little over a month, and for good reason(s). I’ve lived and breathed this movie for eight months, so when filming wrapped, I felt it was important to take a few weeks off before I began reviewing all of the footage.

While taking a break from the film, I was hit with a rather heavy blow in my life. Point in fact, I’m currently going through something extremely difficult that I’m not going to discuss publicly. Times are tough, motivation is sparse, and inspiration has been nonexistent. Don’t worry, I’m not looking for a pity party, I’m just saying that when the worst of life happens, it’s important to embrace something (one thing, anything) and keep going.

Earrings is my one thing.

I’ve fully immersed myself in the post-production of this film. I’ve gone all in. The result has been an ongoing, humbling catharsis. I feel good. Reinvigorated. Motivation is now at an all time high. Inspiration is never-ending. And hope… there’s this newfound, immaculate sense of hope that is ungodly refreshing. There are a few other factors involved with my recent lust for life (the constant encouragement Earrings receives from people on Twitter is a big one), but all in all, I feel good. I’ve got a ways to go yet, but in the most honest sense, Earrings has awakened me.

Moving on.

A typical editing session

Any filmmaker will tell you that editing is a bitch. You review your footage and there are shadows and focus problems and steadiness issues, but that’s where the tricks come in. All movies are made in the editing room. You edit around your mistakes (or use them to your benefit), discover new ideas you never imagined, and get to really know what kind of story you want to tell. As far as the technical process goes, I’ve reviewed all 25 hours of shot footage for Earrings, and have begun synching sound. But also, in one 13-hour marathon session fueled by panic, I cut together the final scene of the film, just to make sure I had it the way I wanted it.

I’m happy with what I’ve seen so far, and I’m very excited for all of you to see it. Which brings me to the one-sheet:

My boss and I spent several hours creating this one-sheet (and the Facebook cover at the top of this post), the final product of which I am very satisfied with. I think it speaks perfectly to the film’s tone, without, of course, giving away too much.

July 28 is the day. I had picked a much earlier date, but I figured, why rush it? I also toyed with a July 21 release date, but who the hell is going to want to watch a melodramatic short film on July 21? No one. We have a Dark Knight to watch rise. So Saturday July 28 it is. I'll have the film available here on my blog, as well as on Vimeo and YouTube.

In the weeks leading up to the film’s release, I’ll put out a few more promotional items, including a trailer. Cutting a trailer together is one of my favorite parts of making a film. I love how the perfect song coupled with perfectly obscure images can send chills down your spine. In no way am I saying the trailer for Earrings will provoke such an emotional response, but that’s always the hope. (For an expert example of this, witness what occurs during this masterful two minute short film.)

When I saw Lee Daniels introduce his film Precious at Sundance a few years ago, he said that whenever he makes a film, sharing it equates to him sharing his soul with the people who watch it. I like that. So mark your calendars, because Saturday July 28 is the day I share a piece of my soul with you all.

Click here to read more about Earrings