We wrapped about 5 PM, and it’s about 6 as I type this.
I am shell-shocked in the most delightful way. I wept during one beautiful take as I watched my beautiful actors kiss their beautiful kiss in my DP’s beautiful shot, because I loved these characters and I knew I was never going to see them again.
I hope that’s a good sign.
I am happy behond my wildest dreams. For no reason other than their own gumption, about thirty people came today to work their asses off.
The whole reason I started trying to do this movie was because I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work alongside all this talent. Even if I never get another chance to direct a movie, it was worth it. It was unforgettable.
If today had been the only good day, it would have been worth it. If yesterday had been the only good day, it would have been worth it. If Thursday had been the only good day, it would have been worth it.
If the shoot had been miserable and only the rehearsals had been enjoyable, it would have been worth it.
If the shoot and the rehearsals had been miserable and only the pre-production had been educational, it would have been worth it.
But every hour of this production was worth it, and I am proud of and pleased out of my mind with everyone who threw their time and sweat into The Hank Effect.
I’m working on a theory about directing. Growing up, y’ever make sugar crystals? You pour hot water in a cup and mix in sugar until you can’t mix in anymore. Then you tie a thread to a stick, prop the stick on the cup and let the thread hang in the water.
Then when the water cools, the sugar settles out onto the thread.
A director is just the stick. The stick’s only job is to understand the story, which is the thread. If the stick is lucky, she can get all these floating molecules of talent to do little trust falls onto the thread. All together, they can make something beautiful.
I hope I’ve done justice to all my talent molecules. I can’t wait to find out.
