It’s been about a month since I began shooting the documentary. I’ve done a bit of traveling in that time; twice up to Massachusetts and this current trip to Montana and Chicago. The production side of the project so far has been beyond my most optimistic hopes. I have managed to get amazing people on board, the interviews have been captivating and informative; and I see my film coalescing right before my eyes.
Tanya, who started off as subject for my film, has without a doubt become a life-long friend, has inspired me and has also made me think about myself and where I am in my own life. More on that as we progress.
A few more days in Chicago then flying home for a handful of days before leaving for four weeks.
While I know that getting ready to hit the road and going full scale into production will take a few days of organization. I want to make sure I get some time in with Phoebe and Beth before I go. There is something about the subject matter of this particular film that has made me more aware of the time I want to spend with my family and how important and fleeting that time is getting as my kids grow up.
The time outside of Brooklyn has also reinforced my desire to be out of NYC for good. As a life-long New Yorker and hereditary Brooklynite that is a hard thing to say but I really want to live in a place where the people are pleasant, not on top of me, a place where I can create, whether its filmmaking, playing music or Blacksmithing without the hustle and bustle of city life. I understand we are constrained by Phoebe’s remaining years in High School, so I will deal with the time as best I can.
I have also come to value my “Jewishness “ even more through out these few weeks of interviews. Not that I was not “Jewish” before and I have always been proud and Jewish and have raised my daughters to be so as well. However, I think taking on this project and putting myself out there on the public frontlines, I am ramping up whatever criticism, anti-Semitism and hate that is going come my way from making this movie, and I am ready to welcome it, because as Cameron says to Ferris at the end of the movie “I have to take a stand”. I know many Jews would like it all to go away and sweep it under the rug, but that has never been me and now I am putting my money, my time and myself where my mouth is.
Being on the road by myself has also been interesting food wise. With the ability to choose whatever I want, I really thought I was going to save money by eating mostly fast food with occasional nice dinners. After three weeks of being away in various places, I have come to the conclusion if I do that, I will weigh nine hundred pounds with an A1C of 4000.
So, my plan going forward will be to eat meat once a week maybe twice. Eat as much salad, fruit and vegetarian food as possible, especially when it comes to snacking, drink lots of water (Going to buy two cases to throw into the car) and really try to keep an eye on any and all opportunities for exercise. All these hotels have Workout rooms and treadmills, I am going back to my 30 minutes of walking every day. I need to not come back to Brooklyn as fat as house and unhealthy.
If I can do this then the five days in Key West will be my reward to go crazy.
From a production point of view, this trip was a good ring out and problem-solving trip and it gave me a good idea of what gear and data storage we need going forward. Actual production is the only way to really figure that out and I am glad I had the opportunity this past week. I have made many movies, including two docs by myself. What is interesting about this one, is that I have such clear idea of what I want from each of my interview subjects, and how each of them fits into the over-all film, my abilities as an experienced director is letting me spend more time on the interview then trying to figure out what’s next. Many people think that you don’t actually “Direct” a documentary, but that is incorrect. You don’t direct it like you would actors, but the questions you choose, how and where you choose to shoot, how you edit it all together to make the best impact, is very much direction. As far as this film goes, it’s all in my head now, I can see the film, and that is when I know I am on the right track. Who would have thought that twenty three years after my first film, I’d be sitting in a hotel room in Chicago, making the most important film of my life.
Not me.