Blog Notes from Director Nena Botto:
July 15, 2011
I am basking in the glow of a job well done. Savoring the moment, I also know that it’s time to get back to work and start promoting. I keep telling myself that promoting and researching on the internet are great skills to have, but it’s very hard for me to motivate that direction. I want to write instead. I did send off our second season to a film festival in Geneva, Switzerland. It’s difficult to find film fests that accept web series. The question now is where to go next? One woman at the screening in Iowa said that this season ends so nicely, we could end it here, but we could also go on. I guess that’s a nice place to be. The characters still seem to beg to tell more about their lives. And the whole cast is so vibrant. I can see a series based on each character… like what is Ed’s deal? Or what is Max really up to?
July 1, 2011
My old friend, Matt, interviewed me and my sis, Carissa, on his radio program in Iowa. He did such a good job at making us feel comfortable. His questions were specific and engaging. He did his homework and knew the characters and storyline. It’s my 3rd live interview, and it’s getting less intimidating but it’s still always nerve wracking wondering if you will say something stupid, forget to acknowledge someone, or lose your train of thought. Matt also interviewed Carissa, and played a song of hers. She said some really sweet things about me and the project (ahhhh, sisters!!).
June 24th, 2011
My sister and I managed to pull together a screening while I was visiting in Iowa. She performed with her band, her songs that we used in the sound track. She is such a rock star. And then we screened the second season for about 40 people. It was really well received. I always sit in the back and watch people to see if they are getting fidgety- and no one was. They laughed a lot. It felt so good to hear their spontaneous reactions. This crowd really liked Scott, and laughed at all his subtler jokes.
After the screening, I stood up for a Q&A with the audience. They asked how I was planning to fund it, how I began the project, where I was headed with it, and why a web series. I told them I started it with a group of friends/actors; we were hoping to get sponsors; we are hoping to continue with the series and/ or a film; a web series seemed easy… though I have different feelings about that now!
May 27th, 2011
It’s time! Are we really ready? Ready to put on our party hats and go forth with gusto, we premiered Blue Fiddles, Season 2 at Urban Grind Coffee House in Portland Oregon. The crowd was cast, crew, family, friends and members from the film community. Deanna Cantrell took some great photos of us all, posing against a cool brick wall. We look so happy. And we were. After a year of preparation, our 45 minutes of film was seeing a real audience.
I sat in the back, as always. What struck me the most was how the episodes flowed together. They screened like a film. I didn’t noticed this when I was editing. It looked so good on the big screen, all of the hard work of so many cast and crew members came together in this 45 minutes of entertainment. I was very proud of all we had accomplished, and relieved to see the project actually take flight. “You put something out there, that wasn’t there before “, my friend Cime likes to tell me.
Whew! We did it!! Thank you so much to all that supported and contributed to Blue Fiddles. It’s been an amazing journey. Especially I am thankful to Alisyn who has been so devoted to this project. It wouldn’t have happened without her!
May 11, 2011
I am telling myself and anyone who cares to listen: it’s time to stop perfecting our creation. We could go on forever polishing and rearranging scenes, but like all artistic endeavors you must give yourself a deadline, and then call it done. Even though we all know it is never really done. Now I need to switch over to my “audience brain” and out of my critical brain, to see how the episodes are doing for entertainment value. This always takes some time to “see the forest for the trees.” I am also terrified that we have chosen a release date. Now we really have to do it- we’ve invited people!
May 9, 2011
Today I am having a Bree moment. I keep feeling completely elated and then devastated. How can a happy story in the paper cause me to feel like crying? I think I may just be stressed… now I know where I get all my dialogue for blue fiddles. My “up” moment was real though. Amy finished editing a scene with Salena and my daughter Izabella. It is so fun and full of great moments. I am so proud of my daughter. I wanted her to act with Salena, because I thought they would do well together and they really did. I am in the scene as well, pretending that my daughter is in fact a stranger! Watching myself in the scene- my eyes are big and mouth agape- it’s obvious that that I am in awe of her. Izabella said it was hard to act with me because she knew what I was thinking, “I am so proud! Look at my baby go!”
May 7, 2011
Just when I think we are seeing the finish line, some technical problems pop up, of course. Most of them are over my head- I will leave that to the web designer, the sound designer, the editor, the DP. Even though I don’t understand the details, I still have to organize and prioritize. I am easily distracted by plans of the screening party. We have chosen a café for a more warm and friendly affair. Alisyn and I are hoping people will hang around and chat, as it’s always nice to see the good friends that have developed from our cast and crew. Like any good hostess I worry about everything going off without a hitch, but at some point I just have to say, “It’s done, move on.” I am sure we will all have a great time celebrating.
April 12, 2011-
I am in the final stages now, as we choose music and begin the list of credits. It’s always a little nerve wracking to do the credits, trying not to forget anyone or spell names wrong. I keep a notebook near my bed for the late night, “oh no I almost forgot to thank so-and-so.” It’s also a challenge to give everyone the right title, when so many of us are doing more than one job. People have been so sweet, and most say, “Just thank me,” instead of a credit. So many people have given so much to this project. I am truly amazed and grateful. I feel I need to finish and do a good job to honor their work.
The music has been so fun. My sister Carissa Honkanen wrote and recorded 2 songs for us, “Cupids feathers” and “One Step Forward.” And my husband’s band, Portland Groove Collective, is lending us their new tunes again! We are also using a very emotional song from Geppina. And the Ascetic Junkies are back with their very fun, Portland tunes! The music adds so much to the story by helping to give the emotional meaning to the scenes. The musicians have been so generous with us.
We are now looking at May for the premiere date. We are getting so close now!
March 27, 2011-
Putting the finishing touches on the episodes, I am filled with joy and also nervous as the story unfolds on screen. It’s like watching my daughter take her first step, so exhilarating and also nerve-racking as I hope she doesn’t fall on her face. I can’t wait for the feedback, and I am constantly asking my husband for his opinion. Sometimes I lose my perspective; I know every moment and every take so well. Luckily I am working with a wonderful editor, Amy O’Brien, who is able to keep her head and make sense of it all.
Alisyn also helps me with each step. As the executive producer, she has kept a clear perspective of the direction of the story and our project as a whole. She also has great attention to details. I love the fact that she can remember lines and actor’s names from every movie, T.V. show or web series she has ever seen. She is the one that makes all the scenes come together when it seems like a big muddled mess. And then I can go back to being happy and giddy about season 2!
March 20, 2011-
It was an absolute thrill for me to be back working on blue fiddles. Season 2 was fun to write, though Alisyn and I had a hard time paring down the script to a “manageable,” jam-packed 4 days of filming. There was so much more we wanted to do… like a scene of Sam with flowers.
While directing, I felt like Johnny Depp in “Ed Wood,” as each actor said his lines I would laugh, cry and mouth the lines with them. It was amazing as each character was brought to life by our vibrant cast. This season we have some new characters that joined our little community, and they each brought something unique to the story.
I could go on and on… and I will write more soon. I am reviewing the raw footage, making notes for editing, and I am sure I will have some more insights and observations to report soon. Until then please join us on Facebook and we will keep you up-to-date with us, like the premiere date for Season 2.
