Guest Author: Tara Samuel

Tara Samuel is one of the reasons my husband John joined the independent film collective, We Make Movies. "She's good news," he says, and she is. I first saw Tara on screen in Ruby Booby, a film I told you about last fall, which she produced and starred in. She plays Ruby--quiet, unassuming, along for the ride and hoping not to get hurt. I can guess why Tara was attracted to the role--Ruby is her absolute opposite. Here's Tara: energetic, enthusiastic, a life force. I hope you enjoy her story.

The story of an independent director-producer team could be set in any city - but for us it was Pasadena. The filmmaking adventures of Jon Rannells and Tara Samuel are like a Family Circle map, dotting the Pasadena landscape: cross these train tracks to a fundraising evening of short scenes at the Rialto; jump this fence and attend a publicity stunt balloon launch at Lacy Park; run down this alleyway and find yourself at a wine & cheese screenplay reading at the Le Petit Vendome!

Our Film-Financing Coming Of Age story was set in Pasadena.

Curious about the balloon launch? But it's obvious isn't it? Jon and I decided that financing for his screenplay, Dream Box, could come from anywhere, including random places where balloons landed.  So we attached Dream Box "Evening of Short Scenes" invitations to balloons, launched the colorful carriers into the air and let fate take care of the rest. Would-be film financiers would find our charming postcards, and mark their calendars! Sit back and collect!

We knew of course that this savvy tactic would need to be complimented by door-to-door efforts. No face-to-face contact - not necessary - just your standard Dream Box Postcard gift bag - complete with Dream Box Pen - left on your lovely Pasadena front lawn. (Perhaps you, dear reader, are still in possession of one of these collector's items.) Each unsuspecting homeowner would be sure to light up at the sight of their bag, read the invitation, and be irresistibly drawn to us! Let the checks roll in!

Cut to the Rialto. Magical baroque setting, trademark sharp and original Jon Rannells script; intelligent and heartbreaking acting. 

Just a little low on audience members.

Cut to our next fundraiser - tucked behind Lake Ave. - hosted by the generous proprietors of the charming Le Petit Vendome! Never ones to give up - not ever - this event featured another outstanding screenplay written by Jon Rannells, Stand the Gaff. The setting was cozy and quaint. We were proud to be there. 

Just a little short on attendees.

And then, we ran out of patience. Waiting for a silly thing called a budget can get a filmmaker down. So we went into production. Held weekly candle-lit BBQ script readings in Jon's backyard under the Pasadena stars. Selected our shooting dates. Borrowed everything. Made our first feature film - RubyBoobyTheMovie.com - in the nooks and crannies of Pasadena. Now to fund the DVD prints, the festivals, the licensing…sigh…breathe…

My great awakening: Films need budgets. And the Independent Film Fundraiser in me will never die. Film-financing is a welcomed step; fence to jump; river to scout - in the HOW on the way to the far greater WHY. As my great friend John Sandel says: "These stories need to be released." John introduced me to California poet Gary Snyder: "We call them stories because that's where we store our wisdom."

So a group that I co-founded, WeMakeMovies.org - we are raising funds for five remarkable films. This is the new Hollywood model. And you, dear reader, are a part of it. Have your Film Financing Coming Of Age Awakening with me. I dare you to join the ride. This is just the beginning… http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wemakemovies/we-make-movies-slate-two?ref=live

Tara Samuel

www.scriptkicker.com

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 Along with Tara and the WeMakeMovies crowd, John S. and I are hosting a fundraiser at our house this coming Sunday, April 15th for their upcoming slate of short films (including John's!). Donations can be small or large. If you'd like to meet these independent filmmakers and become a film financier, contact me for details.

Promo

Last night, John, cast and crew shot a promo at our house for the We Make Movies Kickstarter effort.

When John and I had been married only a few months, we shot a short film at the house we were renting in Altadena. We swore we would never shoot in our own home again.

So anyway, last night's shoot gave make-up artist Kelsey Boutte a chance to try out ways to make actor Karen Zumsteg look dead. Our bathroom became the make-up trailer, which worked out fine except I had to go to the neighbors' to pee.

You'll have to see the movie to find out if, in full make-up and lighting, Karen really looks dead or not. When the promo's ready, I'll provide the link and you can see John, acting, in our own home. One day, when we have the big budgets, maybe we'll shoot at your house!

He Make Movies

Along about the time I started this blog (1/1/08) I was transitioning from an acting career into writing. I didn't know at the time why I lost interest in acting, though it's clearer to me now. I'd been working in Hollywood, in small parts on television. At first it was exciting--let's face it, it's fun to be on TV and it's an honor, too, because there's a lot of competition. But I found myself playing the same parts over and over again.

When you work in the Hollywood entertainment industry, unless you're a mogul you're always working for one--serving someone else's vision, supporting someone else's story, making someone else's dream come true. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you've ever wondered why even famous actors sometimes perform live theater for free, perhaps this makes it clear. Hollywood's not about art, it's about money. That's why you see remakes, why "blockbuster" films feel formulaic. They are.

Not so independent films. Their makers don't hold the big purse strings, but like self-publishing authors they are finding ways to make movies. Smaller movies. Different movies. Often better movies.

Which brings me to my husband, John. He's an independent filmmaker--a self-published filmmaker, if you will, "independent" isn't exactly the word. John's part of a collective called We Make Movies. I told you about We Make Movies when John and I went to a screening a few months ago. WMM was formed by indie filmmakers to help each other make their movies by sharing resources and working together. It started out as a couple of people. Now they have more than 500 members: actors, writers, producers and other film artists.

John produced a video for WMM's Kickstarter spring funding effort (other members shot, edited and participated, as you'll see). You could watch this video. You could even kick in a buck or two if you are so inclined. (It won't make you a mogul, but there are no moguls here, which is kind of the idea.) In the video, John explains (in fewer words than I've used here) why independent filmmaking is important. You get to see him in action! Sort of! (Well, he sits and talks, and he's wearing the same t-shirt in the video as in this photo!)

And if WMM reaches their fundraising goal you'll get to see John's short film, because his script was selected for funding this time around.