Interview With Alex Ferrari - SHORT CUTS Podcast

Episode#1

1st Nomination

I received notice today from the XPMedia Film Festival in Tempe, AZ that the music video for PITCHING HOPE has made it as a finalist and will compete for best music video this year.  I have to admit, my initial reaction was not that exciting.  I thought for sure this was some type of "feel good" tactic for those that were accepted.  I even questioned how many music videos were actually submitted.  I was assured by my friend Oracle, that there were many music videos last year and to make the type 5 is a good thing.   So now, I have to balance my reaction, to my self induced paranoia and actually try to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Us creative types are different.  Filled with passion while swayed back and forth with our own self worth.  Being a military man myself, allowing those emotions to swing freely is not a common practice.  Never the less, it still happens, at times.
If you're someone who creates, and than puts that creation into a competition, don't fret.  Enjoy the ride and encourage others.  Worst thing that could happen is, you could actually earn some recognition. 

It Is Finished

Post production on our film has final come to a close.  In celebration of our fine country, we put the word out on July 4th, 2011 that Pitching Hope was finally completed.  I was able to show my family the final product during our holiday celebration.  The private, family event, took place poolside, within the intimacy of those who have walked this journey with me from the beginning.  It was funny to hear, my nephews mother tell me, that she never watched a movie outside.  I've always felt mixing the indoors with the outdoors gives a special kind of vibe.  Hopefully my movie will give that same vibe to to others. 

Film Credits

I've been building my film credits for almost a year.  Today, I actually had to methodically watch my film and at each scene identify who did what for that particular part of the movie.  I did this through, business cards, contracts, and by memory.  After looking upon my credit list, I noticed of course the various people and companies who jumped in and helped.  I was very moved with the many people who truly believed in my project.  I'll be honest, I'm sure there were those that had their own motives, and that's fine.  I obviously had my own goals to achieve.  But the fact remains, that together, a film, birthed from an idea generated at a family barbecue 4 years ago, will so be upon the world full force.  It's very humbling to have lead and worked with so many wonderful people.

Final Details

Anyone that has ever made a movie, will continually go back and try to make improvements.  The truth is, they'll probably watch for years to come and find more thing to improve on.  There is such a struggle between "good enough" and "it finished."  I have never really ran into someone who was completly satsififed with their final products.  98% satisfied, yes, but 100%, I don't think so.  So like a bad relationship, that felt so good, (sounds like a teenage love song) the time is coming for me to let PH go on its own, production wise.  Of course there's still the distro and marketing issues, but that's another beast in itself.

Watching Your Team Grow

I'm not sure if other filmmakers are given the opportunity to grow with their cast and crew after the production.  Of course there are those post-production situations, such as ADR that allow you some time to work together again.  But all in all, I have maintain a very steadfast relationship with mostly everyone.  And through these relationships, I've been able to watch both cast and crew do other things.  Tim Perez was able to acquire a speaking role in the soon to be tv series Necessary Roughness, plus additional roles in more independent films.  Anita Cordell just was featured on cooking commercial that is being broadcasted in 8 states.  While Joni Adahl was flown in to Nevada specifically to host the High Desert Shorts International Film Festival  is getting ready to test out her directing chops in short drama, that requires her to work with both animals and children. (Aren't those the two things you should never work with, especially for a first time director.)  And both Anita and Joni participate in the Project 168 film.  My Unit Production Manager Eric Crane, Props Supervisor Ron Paul, and Sound Tech, Barney Storms have began standing up their own production company in Bakersfield, CA.  It would be wrong for me not to mention my DP, Greg Benoit, who has since PH, shot a short public film capturing a beauty pageant here in Nevada, DP for a music video in Las Vegas, and went to Florida to even run the camera some more.  Oh, and by the way, "The Surgeon" will be the DP for Anita and Joni's film.  So, MY TEAM, has continued to move forward.  Some have asked if I consider them competition.  My answer is quickly no.  The world has so many stories to offer, I just hope they're able to tell theirs.

Final Stretch, but still half complete

Finalized touches are being finished with our film PITCHING HOPE.  It has been a long journey and I look forward to shifting gears from editor to businessman. Our intentions, like many other filmmakers, is to submit to Sundance this year. From that point, we will explore the large number of options for presenting the film.  Whether the grass roots movement through the social networks, or picking up a buyer.  Either way, I will be happy to send PITCHING HOPE out into the world and have it stand or fall on its own.  (I'm leaning more towards standing)  Its been a great experience, regardless of the hills or pitfalls I have found myself at times.  But it has been said before, if movie making was easy, everyone would do it.