docublog

Fine Arts

In all the long time we've been working on the film, we've never seen it projected on the big screen. We saw the ungraded locked version projected off a DVD on Switch's screen during sound spotting and the mix sessions, and that was already quite thrilling for me, but how 1000 Journals really looks, we didn't know. It was a bit like videoconferencing with someone you're actually dying to meet in person. So in between the second and the last sound mix sessions, I booked the 12:00 noon slot in a real theater, The Fine Arts, which screens HD, and Ralph, Stuart and Joanne, Grant and his friend Allen, and I had our own private movie date with our film. I have to admit, I was shaking all the way through the first hour, and couldn't really enjoy it. Then I relaxed a bit, and allowed the film to pull me in. Obviously, I'm not the one to review our film, I'll leave that to you. But I can't wait to learn what you think of it...

The marquee didn't actually say 1000 Journals, but hey, I'm allowed to dream…

Am I in the film?

In one way or another, every single person we interviewed is part of the film. We were able to understand the range of possibilities because we talked with so many people. Yet only a few have "speaking parts" in the film. Some are in the background world of 1000 Journals. Many don't appear at all. I wish I could present every single voice. But this is a film of 90 minutes. Including everything you all shared with me would do no one justice.

Eventually, there will be a DVD with additional stories. And if there's interest, we could release a series of short films called 1000 Journals, 1000 Stories. We already have at least a hundred. But in this incarnation of 1000 Journals, for this feature length edition, I had to make choices. I made some of them in the last few days before picture lock. Some were obvious from the start of editing. None were easy. A few days into filming, I realized I'm in love with every subject we meet. The time we spent with each other was short, but intense, and always, I left wanting more. It was deeply interesting and moving. I am very thankful to everyone who entrusted me with their story. Even if you aren't in this edition, I hope you see a reflection of yourself in some of the stories, and you feel your presence in the film. At least that's how it is for me. This is an experiment, and you are part of it.