Kinekter Films

CAN'T MAKE CANNES

2009-01-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

TIME IS FLYING BY

Because things are so far behind on our film schedule it's looking unlikely we'll make the Cannes submit entry date in March. The new plan is to aim for Toronto.

According to about.com:-
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) ranks among the most prestigious international film festivals in the world. For ten days, film lovers, filmmakers, industry professionals and media watch the best in new cinema from established masters and new talent.

Sounds good - even if North America is less exotic than the South of France!

I am waiting to view an animation created by my lovely editor John. It will be fun to see it and if it works then they'll get done for all the main stars of the film. For now though, we're on hiatus again...Dealing with holidays, house moves and other stuff called "life"...I can't wait to get back at it and finish it though, I have to say.

ROUGH CUT

2009-01-11T12:03:00.001-08:00

DEC 19

On December 19th we completed the "rough cut" of the SYBD film. It's just over an hour and features a dozen men and women from around the globe. Over the coming months we need to add the visuals and voice over. It is our hope that the film will be completed by Summer 2009 (if not sooner).

It's an exciting time...

THE EDITING HAS BEGUN...2 weeks down

2008-12-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

9 DAYS

We are nine days into the edit of the SYBD film. It's been like walking through quicksand if I am being honest. I am not sure if it's easier or harder than I imagined but it's been right-challenging none the less. Though, in saying that, I am not complaining. Quite honestly, it's been, in many ways, the most rewarding days of the year. After two years of bits and pieces of filming - it's finally making that transition from "random footage" to something resembling a film. A real live film. In October of 2006 - I hatched this crazy idea to drive across America and meet these people and now it's becoming something else.

BLIND LEADING THE BLIND

I've never done this before. And John, though a wonderful editor with heaps of experience, hasn't edited a full length feature like this either - so it's got a real guerrilla feel to the whole thing. It's exhilarating!

Right now I have to watch the forty five or so minute's footage and start working out where my story fits in to all of this. And more excitingly, for me, where the music comes in.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE...

The lovely KENNY ELLIOT (we need to get him a website done) - has done some wonderful songs - which will hopefully work in with the footage we have. Three of the most recent are downright fabulous - and apropos for this project - "Heal the Hurt", "The Highs and Lows" and "What Will Be Will Be".

I also get to use my friend EOGHAN COLGAN, GEOFF MARTYN and maybe some other local folks here in Scotland...in addition to other more "established" musicians. There is nothing I want more than to have a soundtrack that rivals last year's JUNO. This, my friends, is my goal!

Yesterday, day nine, was the hardest day so far. I just woke up like a bear with a sore head and the day just continued to get worse and worse all day - and night. Little things just kept going wrong, banged my head, bit my tongue, spilled tea on a newly-knit scarf (a Christmas pressie no less), a book shelf broke - the list goes on. Once we were done around sixish - I decided it would be best to just stay in and hide lest anything else went horribly wrong!

DUDE! LET'S LAUGH

In the afternoon, poor John, getting weary of my bleak mood - lightened up the afternoon by playing me some comedy by an American comedian - whose name escapes me just now - but who had me in fits of tears he was so funny. This one from Rob Schneider also had me rolling with laughter. I always "mimic" this routine and until yesterday - I had no idea where I'd seen it.

Anyway - this week we'll have a "rough cut" of the film done. Or at least version 1. It's truly an exciting time. I am go glad and so grateful it's coming together.

More as soon as I can find time to post.

EDITING 'SO YOU'VE BEEN DUMPED' THE MOVIE - DAY 2

2008-11-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

THE EDIT BEGINS...

Today was DAY TWO of the editing process for this film. We have around a dozen interviews and trying to whittle it down to just a few has proved very challenging indeed. I'd quite like a bit of everyone, but It's unlikely to be the way it goes, unfortunately. Will do my best...and just hope that no one feels pissed off I've not used them or used enough of them.

BECOMING A FILM

Slowly we're seeing the skeleton of the film take shape. The "arc" is there and the sub-stories - with a plethora of themes. It's more than just a film about break ups. It's more than an extended advert for SYBD. It's the story of a person who tries to help other people move on and who struggles to move on herself. There is this constant inner struggle involved.

The rough cut is due in a few week's time. It's a scary concept - putting yourself "out there" like that. I feel quite certain I will be placed in a situation where I am facing much scrutiny - but hopefully can handle whatever gets thrown at me. I usually do.

Watch this space.

2008-10-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

GETTING THERE

It's been a ridiculously long time since I updated this blog. There was little happening for months and now it's all hands on deck. I've literally spent more than a week (straight) going through all tapes again - and logging the footage and boxing it up to go over to my lovely editor John's place. I think I am up to 23 or so tapes thus far...

It's been super fun re-doing the road trip vicariously through the footage. All the great sights I saw, the wonderful people I met, it makes me want to hop a plane and do it all again. It really does.

Some of the interviews - such as the ones with Brian and Matt - were Godawful on film but great in terms of audio - so I am hoping John will come up with a creative way of using it...For voiceover but not sure I have enough footage to go with them. We'll have to see.

It feels incredibly exciting now. The end is in sight (at least to have a "rough cut" of the film by the end of the year (all being well)...Thanks to Stefan's handy notes. Bless him for being my unbiased eyes on the project.

So I guess I better get back to my interview with Brian. I only really have today to get through these tapes...Wish me luck.

GETTING THE JOB DONE, SLOWLY BUT SURELY

2008-08-05T02:34:00.000-07:00

FILMING ME

Well on a whim last night I suggested my friend Kenneth shoot me on the Clyde. Much of the movie I can picture but how my role comes into - I still have trouble seeing. I don't fancy being "on camera" much, and would prefer not to be in the film at all, but this is really my story about this site that I effectively gave birth to, after all, so I guess I need to be in it at least a little,...

Less is truly more in this case...

It was a perfect night to walk along and talk about the site and the project and the future. In many ways last night was the exact vision I'd imagined for the opening of the movie. Me, this Californian girl walking along the Clyde in Glasgow. Telling a little bit about how I ended up here.

'Not sure it will make the final cut - it may merely end up as DVD-out takes but it wasn't a pointless exercise to be sure.

Last Friday, I passed along some of the recent interviews to Stefan who is on hand in an Executive Producer's role. I now wait to hear what his thoughts are on the most recent interviews...Truly I am sitting here waiting for feedback with baited breath. Geez I hope he likes them. It's good to have an objective person because I am too close to all my interviewees to see the wood for the trees.

Last night, over dessert, Kenneth asked how long I've been filming...and I said, "October 2006 was when I began the film" but really if you add up the actual filming time of the film, it's less than three month's worth. It's just that in true documentary form - it's been spread out over more than a year-and-a-half.

It's great that I feel like it's finally getting momentum going again. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. With more than ten interviews under my belt, I am not sure who will make the final cut at the end of the day. At least it won't really be down to me (thankfully because I'd hate to have to choose!)...I wonder what the film will look like - and if it will resemble anything like it is in my mind's eye...

It's been a long, challenging journey - but I'd not have it any other way.

MEET THE CAST...

2008-05-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Would you like to see some of the contributors to the SYBD film (so far)?

Four more interviews to be completed across the USA over the next month...but we're in the final stretch now folks! Hoorah!

Big thanks to my good friend and editor John Gallagher.

UK INTERVIEWS IN THE CAN

2008-04-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

THE HOMESTRETCH...

Well, the final UK interviews have been shot in England this month. All interviews went well, I think...so over all I have to say the trip was a wonderful success (if I do say so myself).

As I parked the rental car outside my flat on Thursday night - I'd covered 1200 miles (425.2 on Thursday alone!) and met up with several site members, friends and professional colleagues too. I had good food, saw pretty places and remembered just how blessed I am.

I mean it. How lucky am I that I get to travel around the world and meet such wonderful people and share their stories.

JULIA -
...the first interview was with Julia in Devon. Her story is an absolute cracker and her home a converted old Baptist Church. It was quite an experience.

KAREN -
...the next interview was with Karen on Bournemouth Pier. It was cold but what a beautiful back drop for a chat.

HELEN -
...the final interview was with the young and lovely Helen - an art school student.

I don't claim to be a film maker but rather a woman who's making a film. Each interview is a little better in terms of appearance and sound. Well at least I hope that's the case...

In a matter of weeks, the footage will be complete, and then it will be time to find the right editor for the project. Wish me luck.

I am making a movie...despite many obstacles. The only way out is through...

MONEY MONEY MONEY!

The donations have tapered off - but we've definitely made more than $1000.00 in donations ranging from five dollars to five hundred dollars! Every penny counts. So if you've got a few bucks/quid to spare - please help by donating through PAYPAL (to: soyouvebeendumped (at) googlemail.com) or contact me on that address for a snail mail address.

A DAY OF SETBACKS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS...

2008-03-19T18:23:00.000-07:00

WELL EVERY GOOD STORY HAS ITS OBSTACLES, RIGHT?

Well Kate flew up from the Midlands to be in the SYBD movie, last night. We had a great night on the town, and then she woke up with something that er can only assume was Chicken Pox...so that meant after all her time and expense to come take part in the film - she wasn't even able to.

...And I am left hoping I had Chicken Pox as a kid...

As if all that weren't enough drama (and yes disappointment), I've just been messaged by my "American Airman", Josh, to say he's been dispatched (deployed or whatever the military term is?!) somewhere else - and he has no idea when he'll be back in Suffolk (or was it Norfolk?)

So that's two people who now may not be in my film...

On the upshot - I did have a nice long conversation with my youngest contributor, Dhaval (in India) and we'll be doing an interview for the film over Skype. You have to love technology...

I think it will keep up with my "spirit of connecting" to people online, and through the Net...so I guess that's the "good" that can be found in a somewhat "tough" day.

LONDON CALLING

2008-03-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

CHAT, CHAT, CHAT

I've just returned from London to have meetings about the movie. The trip kicked off with a party with some site members-come-friends...We all went to eat in a Mexican restaurant in Soho. We had a real ball too! A great night had by all.

Monday it was down to London to meet up with a friend and my new agent James.

Tuesday was a day off for pampering...This includes haircut, nails done and eyebrows too...all in anticipation of being filmed on Thursday.

Wednesday was a trip to London first thing to meet Roger to have a chat for the film. Roger lives in South London so we did an interview in a park near his house.

After interviewing Roger it was a mad dash to Victoria to meet up with Carole who works for the Press Association. We had a good chat at a little coffee boutique around the corner from Victoria.

When she had to go back to work, I still had a few hours before meeting Jacqui so I decided to walk from Victoria passed Buckingham Palace through Mayfair, Picadilly, Berkley Square - all the way to Oxford Circus.

I eventually found the tea room I was meeting Jacqui at and waited for her to arrive. We had smashing tea and scones and discussed the production stage of the SYBD film. ("Stage One" as I like to call it). I explain how much money I need to finish filming for the next three months. Then we discuss editors and how much they'd charge.

Before we knew it was time to head off around the corner to the APPLE STORE on Regent Street to hear my wonderful friends give a talk with MIKE FIGGIS about their film WE ARE TOGETHER.

Though I've known Teddy and Paul since last July's BritDoc festival and heard their "talk" a few times - I still learn something new each time.

The boys filmed the movie on 10 grand. So naturally I found their story inspirational just as much as their wonderful film. Looking forward to seeing it a third time at the GFT this weekend coming! This time I'm dragging friends!

After saying "goodbye" to the boys - I walk Jacqui back to Russell Square and hop a tube to Finsbury Park.

Thursday it was my turn to be in the hotseat. I took the liberty of booking a hair and make up person called Vikki to help paint my face and do my mangey hair. She did a pretty fair job - given what she had to work with!

The interview lasted more than hour or so...With a break to cool down the room. Those lights can really make you fry!

Though this film is ultimately "my story" - I still don't want to be in the film much. So pretty much anything that was in the interview will probably only be used for voice over in the end, anyway.

We'll see of course. Too early to tell but that's my preference at the moment anyway.

There are so many hurdles to jump over in documentary film making - let alone when you're a first timer with only the vaguest of clues as to what she's doing.

Thankfully over the past year I've gotten to know MANY film makers who've been all too happy to offer advice and support.

Prior to departing London, there was time for just one more interview - another gentleman - this time an Englishman one called Jon (37). To go well with my other men Matt, a gay American in his 20s, and the aforementioned Roger - the Welshman in his 40s. Great that so many men are coming forward to speak!

Since I got back over the weekend it's just been a case of going through all the footage...some of it ruined by wind (which was imperceptible at the time!) With each interview I learn a bit more and do a bit better. Can't really say fairer than that.

So the film is coming together "slowly slowly"...I am aiming to be finished filming by June 14.

If you said you'd make a donation, please do so. I have enough to cover the rental car at the end of this month for the final week of UK filming...I am very pleased that we've managed to raise a thousand dollars - but a fair bit more is needed. Cross your fingers for some funding, and soon. I need all the help I can get!

THIS IS NOT A FILM ABOUT BREAK-UPS...

2008-02-25T03:48:00.000-08:00

PROGRESS REPORT

Good news! We've managed to get round-about a thousand dollars of donations from all over the globe. This will facilitate the next 6 weeks of filming in the UK. Then, it's time to tackle the coming USA-jaunt.

GO LET IT OUT

Getting people to talk on camera has been somewhat challenging. I can appreciate that people might not want to put themselves "out there" for the world to see and hear, and to have to, in a sense, re-live their painful memories. I keep reminding them "THIS IS NOT A FILM ABOUT BREAK UPS" it's a film about bouncing back or resilience.

It's also about the website, the community, my story and their's co-mingling. It is nerve-wracking to be filmed and next week, in London, the camera is turned on ME. It's exciting and daunting in equal measure. I've just phoned Vikki to do my hair and make up and I am excited for that support.

It's an exciting time indeed. I've begun packing but have no idea what to wear...???

CONTRIBUTORS

Well over the coming weeks I'll tell you about some of the people interviewed so far for this film.

MAGS

The most recent interview was a gorgeous woman called "Mags" from Scotland. She's vibrant, sassy and her story, I am sure, will be inspirational to many. Married for more than twenty-five years, she found out her husband had been having a two-year affair. Her whole world was turned upside down.

SHAZ

One of the first interviews was Halloween 2006 driving around Pittsburgh with "Sharon". Sharon had been married nine years when her husband came in to announce he loved her but was not in love with her. (That old chestnut). Sharon went from self-harm to self-reliance over the course of a few years and now is just a few months away from graduating law school as a "mature" student. I intend to be there!

There are five or sex interviews lined up between now and mid April - so watch this space....

THE LAUNCH OF KINEKTER FILMS

2008-02-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

WELCOME

Welcome to the first entry on the new blog for kinekter films (formerly GlasCal Films) and the So You've Been Dumped movie. The company was founded in February 2008 by Thea Newcomb...With the support of co-creator and legal advisor, Hannah Markham, as well as countless family, friends and site members too!

THE STATUS

We are currently in production on the film. Filiming began in the Fall of 2006 - from New York to California. Taking in (and talking to) site members in Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago, San Antonio and the San Francisco Bay Area.

So far six men and women from the US and UK have been interviewed. Another six (or so) are lined up between now and July 1, 2008 when we will be done with FILMING and move onto "stage two" - which is the EDITING stage.

DONATIONS

In the past week, more than a dozen people have given anywhere between five and a hundred and fifity dollars. Our donations total is somewhere between three and four hundred pounds...(between six and eight hundred dollars),...The reason for not knowing the "exact" amount is that some checks are being sent to a Californian address. To all who have contributed, our sincerest thanks go out to you! Your donations are enabling the final bit of FILMING.

If you are willing to donate - even a buck - to the cause please email soyouvebeendumped at googlemail.com. This is the address to use to send money via paypal or to get a US or UK address to physically send your donation to. Thank you so much!

THE NEXT STEP

Funds will be raised to facilitate the next stage of EDITING. This will arguably be the biggest expenditure in the whole production. We'll be looking at private investors for this stage.

PLEASE CHECK BACK

In the next blog - we'll tell you a little bit about the CONTRIBUTORS to date. We hope you'll find these men and women as entertaining, enriching and inspiring as we have.

Don't forget you can watch the trailer for the film - the link is in the top right corner of this page! Thanks much!