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9/1
Our executive team has met several times over the last few days to discuss our strategy for Full Force.
We feel the script, which has been trimmed and enhanced to about 120 pages, is better than ever. As a result of some recent expert
feedback that was very positive, we have higher than ever expectations for the film. Indeed, we will make the film and it will be even more
successful than we had originally hoped for.
In light of our need for a some more time for casting, our desire to lock down our preferred DP - who has a conflict in October, and our need
to secure more funding than originally budgeted, we have decided it will be in the best interests of the movie to delay filming until June.
If we did not wholeheartedly believe that this difficult decision would take the film to the next level, we would be disappointed. Instead, we
are more optimistic and determined than ever.
Of course, we plan to honor our commitment to you for your role, and we really hope your schedule will allow you to continue on with this
project. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, that's why we wanted to tell you as soon as we knew.
We will continue to keep you informed on a regular basis. Please do not hesitate to call (716-998-6000) or write with any questions you may
have.
Sincerely,
John
9/6
Thanks to all of you who wrote with your words of support and continued commitment. What an encouragement!
After rendering the decision on our scheduling change I went into hibernation last week. I thought about things a bunch and I decided that
now that we have a little extra time, we are going to do a short film next month. I wrote the script while hibernating.
There are a ton of good reasons for doing this short. It will enable our production team to work together. We can cast some of our actors.
We'll be able take a project from start to finish. Plus, it will be a blast.
As of now, we are going to film "Initiation" on October 17, 18, 19 here in Buffalo. It follows a couple high school freshman hockey players,
rookies on a new team, through their off-ice initiation. It is taken from my personal and observed experiences over the last 35+ years.
It will probably run between 25-30 minutes. We will submit it to some important film festivals. Given the provocative topic and, a little more
freedom associated with a short versus a feature trying to get distribution, "Initiation" will be quite true to life.
As you might imagine, there are a limited number of roles (6). So, based mostly on fit and logistics (we love you all, but there's not room for
everyone til June!), I have certain people in mind for these roles, and will be in contact with you this week.
If you are interested in being an extra, holding a boom, or keeping us company, you are most, most welcome.
I'll have lots more details regarding "Initiation" next Monday.
In other news:
Our executive team spent yesterday at the Toronto Film Festival. It was a good experience and hardened our resolve and confidence. Full
Force is worthy and we can do it.
We should have more info on the revised Full Force schedule by October.
Shine on,
John
9/16
After weighing all the pros and cons, we are planning to do the short film "Initiation" the weekend of October 17-19.
Initiation is based on my personal experiences with fraternities & sports teams, news accounts, and other second hand accounts.
As you will see, it is an edgy, but true to life, story. It will present many good challenges for the production team and actors. Our feature film
will be dramatically better for having done a short, and this short.
The attached scripts should not be circulated beyond the Full Force team.
This will be acted and shot as a PG 13 rated film. No nudity, etc.
The message of "Initiation" is unequivocally anti-hazing.
There will be many positive outcomes from doing this film. We are just going to have to make sure that we strike the right balance -- from a
financial, time, and effort standpoint. Full Force is still the primary mission. By far.
Please confirm that you are interested in accepting the role we have you slotted for. Matt Grabau started working on the schedule tonight.
We should have more precise schedule information to you in the next few days.
JH
PS - I have also attached "Skater" which was our other alternative (which would be a less risky choice, but also less rewarding probably).
Skater will shed some light on Full Force for you, whether we ever do it or not.
9/22
It has been a busy two weeks deciding which short to do and when to do it.
We were deciding between doing "Initiation" a longer and more complex short unrelated to "Full Force" and "Skater" a prequel to "Full Force."
Late last week we settled on doing "Initiation."
I have attached "Skater." It will help everyone with your role in "Full Force."
We plan to shoot "Initiation" October 17-19 here in Buffalo. Our thanks to the half dozen of you who agreed to take on the roles we asked. As
I said, there were a limited number of roles, so please don't feel slighted in any way (we also took into account whether people were in town
or out of town). Anyone who wants is welcome to lend a hand and check things out if you're around.
As for Full Force:
We are continuing to scout and lock down locations.
We are also running the script through the software to come up with different scheduling scenarios.
Here's a couple new songs for you.
Steve Earle, an edgy country rock guy whose had his share of issues over the last 25 years, sings of a tough life and a restless soul in "I
Ain't Ever Satisfied." This is a lament that Peter and many of his hockey buds might feel.
Bob Dylan, in a song on one of the clearest of his albums - Live at Budokan, does a powerful version of "Shelter From the Storm." In Full
Force, Erika eventually provides an all encompassing human refuge for Peter (and, no, Frank and I were not wearing head dresses like his
in the 70s!).
Keep us posted on the projects you are involved in. We'd love to hear about and celebrate your successes.
Shine on,
John
Our executive team has met several times over the last few days to discuss our strategy for Full Force.
We feel the script, which has been trimmed and enhanced to about 120 pages, is better than ever. As a result of some recent expert
feedback that was very positive, we have higher than ever expectations for the film. Indeed, we will make the film and it will be even more
successful than we had originally hoped for.
In light of our need for a some more time for casting, our desire to lock down our preferred DP - who has a conflict in October, and our need
to secure more funding than originally budgeted, we have decided it will be in the best interests of the movie to delay filming until June.
If we did not wholeheartedly believe that this difficult decision would take the film to the next level, we would be disappointed. Instead, we
are more optimistic and determined than ever.
Of course, we plan to honor our commitment to you for your role, and we really hope your schedule will allow you to continue on with this
project. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, that's why we wanted to tell you as soon as we knew.
We will continue to keep you informed on a regular basis. Please do not hesitate to call (716-998-6000) or write with any questions you may
have.
Sincerely,
John
9/6
Thanks to all of you who wrote with your words of support and continued commitment. What an encouragement!
After rendering the decision on our scheduling change I went into hibernation last week. I thought about things a bunch and I decided that
now that we have a little extra time, we are going to do a short film next month. I wrote the script while hibernating.
There are a ton of good reasons for doing this short. It will enable our production team to work together. We can cast some of our actors.
We'll be able take a project from start to finish. Plus, it will be a blast.
As of now, we are going to film "Initiation" on October 17, 18, 19 here in Buffalo. It follows a couple high school freshman hockey players,
rookies on a new team, through their off-ice initiation. It is taken from my personal and observed experiences over the last 35+ years.
It will probably run between 25-30 minutes. We will submit it to some important film festivals. Given the provocative topic and, a little more
freedom associated with a short versus a feature trying to get distribution, "Initiation" will be quite true to life.
As you might imagine, there are a limited number of roles (6). So, based mostly on fit and logistics (we love you all, but there's not room for
everyone til June!), I have certain people in mind for these roles, and will be in contact with you this week.
If you are interested in being an extra, holding a boom, or keeping us company, you are most, most welcome.
I'll have lots more details regarding "Initiation" next Monday.
In other news:
Our executive team spent yesterday at the Toronto Film Festival. It was a good experience and hardened our resolve and confidence. Full
Force is worthy and we can do it.
We should have more info on the revised Full Force schedule by October.
Shine on,
John
9/16
After weighing all the pros and cons, we are planning to do the short film "Initiation" the weekend of October 17-19.
Initiation is based on my personal experiences with fraternities & sports teams, news accounts, and other second hand accounts.
As you will see, it is an edgy, but true to life, story. It will present many good challenges for the production team and actors. Our feature film
will be dramatically better for having done a short, and this short.
The attached scripts should not be circulated beyond the Full Force team.
This will be acted and shot as a PG 13 rated film. No nudity, etc.
The message of "Initiation" is unequivocally anti-hazing.
There will be many positive outcomes from doing this film. We are just going to have to make sure that we strike the right balance -- from a
financial, time, and effort standpoint. Full Force is still the primary mission. By far.
Please confirm that you are interested in accepting the role we have you slotted for. Matt Grabau started working on the schedule tonight.
We should have more precise schedule information to you in the next few days.
JH
PS - I have also attached "Skater" which was our other alternative (which would be a less risky choice, but also less rewarding probably).
Skater will shed some light on Full Force for you, whether we ever do it or not.
9/22
It has been a busy two weeks deciding which short to do and when to do it.
We were deciding between doing "Initiation" a longer and more complex short unrelated to "Full Force" and "Skater" a prequel to "Full Force."
Late last week we settled on doing "Initiation."
I have attached "Skater." It will help everyone with your role in "Full Force."
We plan to shoot "Initiation" October 17-19 here in Buffalo. Our thanks to the half dozen of you who agreed to take on the roles we asked. As
I said, there were a limited number of roles, so please don't feel slighted in any way (we also took into account whether people were in town
or out of town). Anyone who wants is welcome to lend a hand and check things out if you're around.
As for Full Force:
We are continuing to scout and lock down locations.
We are also running the script through the software to come up with different scheduling scenarios.
Here's a couple new songs for you.
Steve Earle, an edgy country rock guy whose had his share of issues over the last 25 years, sings of a tough life and a restless soul in "I
Ain't Ever Satisfied." This is a lament that Peter and many of his hockey buds might feel.
Bob Dylan, in a song on one of the clearest of his albums - Live at Budokan, does a powerful version of "Shelter From the Storm." In Full
Force, Erika eventually provides an all encompassing human refuge for Peter (and, no, Frank and I were not wearing head dresses like his
in the 70s!).
Keep us posted on the projects you are involved in. We'd love to hear about and celebrate your successes.
Shine on,
John