StumbleMuse Films

Mad Ones Films are the brainchild of my partner-in-crime, Jaysen Buterin and feature the talents of several aspiring filmmakers from across the state. The pieces that Jaysen writes have a definite cinematic congruence, as if our films seem to be "in conversation" with one another. I am very proud of the work we have done as Mad Ones and so thankful that Jaysen befriended me and suggested this film making endeavor some 4 years ago. I wouldn't be doing this without Jaysen's inspiration and devil-may-care determination, and it is a reflection of his talents that I am even making "film" in the first place. Although he claims to have "retired" (at least temporarily) from the 48 Hour Film Project with the completion of last year's film, I feel that the competition is an excellent exercise for filmmakers. I relish this opportunity and make plans earlier and earlier every year.

For the last two years in the 48, we have worked with longtime Mad One and fellow collaborator, Ken Randall, to produce films under the team moniker of "GreenPax." Ken has "executive produced" (i.e. paid) us for two years under this new team name and this has proven to be a successful endeavor. GreenPax films have won an award every year it has participated in the 48, with us winning "Best Costumes" for "Dues of the Heart" in 2008 and "Best Use of Prop" for "The Czech is in the Mail" in 2009. However, I have felt the need to branch out, start my own team for the 48, and to have some creative input on the making of our film. I have "produced" for 4 years in the 48, and this is a job I am well-suited for. I relish the "pre-planning" elements of team-building, schedule wrangling, and communication, so this was a natural fit for my talents. However, I find myself wanting to try a new job this year, so taking the Director's mantle seemed like a good plan, now that I had "apprenticed" for four years as a Producer. With Jaysen focusing his efforts on other "less frantic, less time-sensitive" projects, I felt the time is ripe for me to take the reins for a 48 Hour film.

I wanted a new team name, and after thinking about it off and on over the last few months, I came across a metaphor that seemed evident... As one who is always "stumbling" over his words, his feet, and his history in pursuit of that elusive "muse," I decided to name my team StumbleMuse Films.

Most of the 48 Hour Filmmakers ramp up team building efforts in March, April, and May. However, most of my core positions are filled, with a couple of isolated "experts" to add to the fold. I got an incredible piece of news when Josh Phillips and the Folk Festival agreed to let me use their songs for the 48. Fresh off Jam Cruise and gaining increased exposure in the music world, I am thrilled to have such a musical luminary providing songs for our movie. My dear friend and Apple whiz kid, Mike Cordes, has agreed to shoot and co-direct the film, while award-winning playwright, Tommy Trull, has joined my team as screenwriter. We have some great pieces in place for this year's 48, and I look forward to using this blog to chart the path, development, triumphs and tribulations of StumbleMuse Films.

The Birth of a Filmmaker

As a 30 something year old seeking solace from the workaday routine, I became invested in a local competition that has spurred a love for "indie film production" and sparked a personal renaissance in both my personal and public lives. The premise of the 48 Hour Film Project is both simple and enormous in scope, all at the same time. Groups of area filmmakers will pre-register for a weekend of filming where they will have 48 hours to write, shoot, edit, and deliver a 4 to 7 minute film. This film will be in the genre that the team "pulls" from a hat at the Kickoff event, and will feature a required character, line of dialogue, and prop that all teams in the city share for their respective films.

I first participated in the 2005 48 Hour Film Project in Greensboro and served as the lead actor for a little film called "Three Little Furies and a Golden Lock." Although the film was marred administratively by the folks running the team (in other words, they failed to sacrifice Ego and coalesce as a team, which is So Important in the 48), I did feel a certain thrill participating in the contest and the film was blessed with some incredible locations. Although I wince when I get the rare occasion to see that film, I am still struck by some of the cinematographic moments we captured. That's one beautiful thing about the 48... Even the "bad films" can have excellent moments, while the best ones are often far from perfect.

After an intense weekend of filming and people manipulation, I was speaking with a a good friend of mine (Jaysen Buterin) about the contest, and we decided we would produce a film for the 2006 competition. Such was the genesis of "Z-Day" and Mad Ones Films, and we have been hard at work ever since. In the space of 3 years, we have produced a 45 minute featurette called "The Devil's Tramping Ground" and approximately 11 additional "shorts." We took most of 2009 off so Jaysen could write scripts for a trilogy of 30 minute films, but have ramped up production in 2010 with the addition of new teammates and new ideas for films.

I plan to use this blog to chart the conception, development, pre-planning, and actual weekends of filming and screenings for the 2010 48 Hour Film Project. That gives me about 5 months to bore the hell out of the Internet. Thanks for taking the time to join me...