I’m not going to talk about what life has been like recently. Suffice it to say – I’m Israeli, and it’s been rough. Very rough.
In the midst of it all, I totally missed the fact that the podcast episode I recorded with Inwood Film Works (the wonderful org behind the Inwood Film Festival) came out 2 weeks ago.
There’s The Book of Ruth talk, a little bit on the progress of But I’m a Shoe, and general art and process discussion. It was a delight.
It’s been almost 4.5 months since we wrapped But I’m a Shoe, and things have been very busy, but an update is way overdue.
We’re almost done with the animation and the live-action editing. This will bring us to what the cool kids call “picture lock.” Once we’re there, our sound designer, as well as our composer, will jump in to add those final, VERY important touches. We hope to have a film to show you sometime in October!
Check out what happens when live-action meets animation in the editing room! (Courtesy of Maayan – our editor, and Andrew.)
We’re also holding another crowdfunding campaign. Right here.
“Why do they need another one,” you wonder?
“Didn’t you just say we’ll have a film in October?!”
All very valid questions. Well, this campaign, which is much smaller in scale, is meant for post-production. We need to allocate more hours for Andrew to finish the animation, we need to pay our post-production crew, and a million other little things that are boring but necessary.
Many who’ll read this have already donated, and by doing so done more than enough, but in case you want to share with friends, or “level up” your perk, check it out!
So, for example, if the enamel pin is worth $50 and you already donated $25 but want to put down an additional $25 to get it, you can!
Look how pretty it is!
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE ADORABLE BUT IS NOT INCLUDED!
I actually spent my Friday night preparing many of the pins and signed postcards from our initial campaign for shipping!
So that’s it! Working hard, making edits, delivering perks, and trying to finish this wacky film!
I, the world’s biggest blabber, am at a loss of words to describe this weekend, filming But I’m a Shoe in Waco. So this will never cover everything, but I’ll try.
The easy part is saying that there’s so much talent in Waco. Not only is Waco home to one of the most fun and community involving film festivals, but some of the brightest young rising stars in filmmaking are there. Get them while you can!
Part of coming to film in Waco was because at this point I have made wonderful friends here, and this community has embraced my work. And indeed, the Waco airport was extremely welcoming and made what could’ve been a very complicated, nightmarish experience, a very good one, even though we had to film in what is essentially a construction site at the moment.
Dear precious friends also got to take part, in front of the camera and behind it, including everyone’s favorite leading lady and a gem of a person – Janet Varney. She charmed every crew member, as expected, and made some peoples/kids day.
But one mustn’t forget our TSA officer for the day, Sol, and our forever lady with the trolley, who also provided our second location, AND served as a BG actor (who got upgraded. Opportunities everywhere!) Lori. You guys are true friends, and a support system in a whole other state.
I also want to thank all of our extras who gave their Saturday to come and hang out in a fake airport line. Louis, that includes you.
And that brings me to a crew which was open to ideas, a crew which, I hope, felt like I consulted with constantly, and frankly, I just learned so much. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do something I haven’t done in nearly two decades, and certainly not in this capacity, nor country (directing) and something I’ve never done, ever – acting *plus* directing. It’s a mindfuck, and I’m not sure how people do it on a regular basis, but it was interesting, and dare I say – fun. It might even happen again at some point.
A big lesson was learned about how no one can execute your vision better than you, but also, how important it is to have generous collaborators who allow you to do that.
So to the champions of this film – thank you!
Our movie is so sexy, we broke a bed. And I can’t wait to show it to you once it’s done!
Producer: Rachel Jobin
AD: Dan Beard
DP: Rylan McCoy
Animator: Andrew Dittman
And the rest of our superb crew:
Winton, Luke, AC (the AC), Kirsten, Matthew, Logan, Sarah, Shaler (lifesaver!), Andy, Corey, Will, Emrys, Gracie, Gary and Josh!
Adorable posters and overall wonderful set design: Jessica Bean
In early April 2023, I’ll be heading to Waco, TX (a community which I love and has been incredibly supportive of my work) to film live-action scenes for my new short – But I’m a Shoe.
At the same time there will be a lot of animation going on as the majority of the film is animated.
We’re now crowdfunding to raise our budget and we offer a lot of fun perks!
Take a look, feel free to share, and if you’re inclined and capable remember that any amount helps 🙂
Thank you all! Working hard to bring something truly fun to you!
First and foremost, I just came back from the wonderful SENE Film Festival, where But I’m a Shoe took home the Best Short Screenplay Award. What an honor! Thank you so much, SENE!
And as I returned from Rhode Island, this waited for me in the mail, courtesy of the South Dakota Film Festival which I sadly couldn’t attend, but The Book of Ruthwon Best Narrative Short.
Thank you for a gorgeous plaque!
Back to the shoe, though, I’m beyond thrilled to announce casting for the leading role!
She played the Avatar, a (female, if you ask the townsfolk) sheriff, one among a group of people who were all the worst, a fortune teller, and so much more.
She’s also very good at MASH.
But now, Janet Varney is preparing for the biggest acting challenge of her career – a shoe.
Janet is a lovely human being and an insanely talented person, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to have her on board!
Last, but not least, after 2.5 years in the festival circuit, over 40 festivals, multiple awards and continents, it’s time to conclude our run. That doesn’t mean The Book of Ruth won’t screen again in-person in the future, but our festival run will be over on November 5th, in Indianapolis.
So what’s next?
Well, starting November 8th, the film will stream through Omeleto – the best platform out there for short films. They only accept films that have screened at Academy Award qualifying festivals (which we have!) or other very high level festivals. They certainly have multiple Oscar nominees on their platform, and their viewership is wonderful.
If you asked me what I want next for The Book of Ruth, it’s for it to be viewed by as many people as possible. And Omeleto is the place for that. It offers free access, and we can expect thousands of people to watch our story. It also means every single person who wanted to watch it and didn’t get the chance until now, will be able to in less than a month!
I’m very excited to let it out there into the world, and share it with all of you, at long last.
