[Vassarfilmmakers] JAY CRAVEN TONIGHT

[Eric Schuman]

Hey there guys,

Tonight at 7:30 in Rocky 212 JAY CRAVEN, veteran independent filmmaker (check him out on the IMDB), is going to screen his first short film, talk about the process of making that film and others, all of the difficulties and triumphs of that hard process, and then inform us all about the new film he is making. After his talk, he'll be reading actors for parts in that new film. You should all come. It'll be a grand old time.

Below is the email he sent out about working on his next film:


Dear friends,

I'm writing to update you on recent developments for the Marlboro College Spring 2012 Film Intensive that will produce a feature film based on Howard Mosher's award-winning novel, Northern Borders.  I'm writing now to provide a current update--including to a group of new student and participants who have only recently started to be in contact with us.   

First of all, welcome to these new students--from Mount Holyoke, Wellesley, Suffolk University, Smith College, and the Boston University School of Fine Arts.  Other students receiving info come from Vassar, George Washington, Connecticut College, Champlain College, Sarah Lawrence, Plymouth State University, and, of course, Marlboro College. Key crew people are also receiving the update.  This is a terrific group--and we're all looking forward to the day, very soon, when all the applications will be in and decided--and we'll know exactly who's on board for this upcoming adventure in feature filmmaking.

Here are some updates:

Application deadlines: Film Intensive applications are due October 15th--for notification by November 1st. This means that the application must be filed, along with a personal statement, college transcript, and two recommendations. At some colleges, students must notify their dean's office or registrar by as early as October 1st that they will be off-campus next semester.  This is very important to note.  Once your application is complete Ariel Brooks at Marlboro will be happy to be in touch with your college administrators to work through any and all issues involving your "semester away" and the smooth transfer of credits back to your school.  There are many ways to make this happen--just let us know.  Contact Ariel Brooks (abrooks at marlboro.edu) at Marlboro if you have any questions or need help.

My September college tour.  I have just started a two-week tour--to Mount Holyoke, Vassar, Cornell, Middlebury, Boston University's School of Fine Arts, Sarah Lawrence, Wellesley College, and Suffolk University.  I'll be meeting with students and faculty at each school--to explain our unique program and reach out to interested students.  I also share some tales from the trenches of independent filmmaking and show either an earlier short film, selected scenes from one of my features, or the Behind the Scenes documentary from Disappearances.  I had fun at Mount Holyoke Thursday night and I'm looking forward to getting back on the road Tuesday night at Vassar.  

Script.  I'm happy to say that I have a rough first draft script that I'll start to share with interested students this week.  I'm pounding away in it this week--and it will be far from finished.  But I'm anxious to have students take a look and weigh in with their thoughts on characters and story--things that are working, not working, or present production challenges that we should consider.  I will try to see if we can set up a chat room where people can weigh in and see each other's comments.  More on this later in the week. I'll also be holding script sessions at Wellesley, Suffolk, and Marlboro where students will meet as a group for extended discussion. I'll feed back my own comments--and will circulate the next draft--no later than November 1st--since I'm going away for the month of October to work on it.  If you're on this list I assume you'd like to see the script (in PDF format). 

Auditions.  Because college students will be at the core of this production, I've written 4 or 5 substantial parts that talented college students (or recent grads) can play in the film. I'll be holding auditions for student actors at several schools including Boston University School of Fine Arts (Sunday, September 25) and Wellesley (Wednesday, September 28).  We'll also be holding auditions in Burlington, Vermont (October 30), Brattleboro, Vermont (November 5), and New York City (November 20-21). Let me know if you or someone you know would like to audition. Additional auditions may also be announced.

Actors so far. Last week, Luis Guzman (Traffic, Carlito's Way, Boogie Nights) has indicated that he'd like to appear in the film, schedule permitting.  Other actors who have signaled their interest, so far, include Bill Raymond (12 Monkeys, Michael Clayton, The Wire, and the upcoming Spielberg film, Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis), Gary Farmer (Dead Man, Ghost Dog, Smoke Signals), Rusty DeWees (The Logger, Pieces of April, Black Dog), Jay O. Sanders (Green Lantern, JFK, Tumbleweeds, The Day After Tomorrow), Maryann Plunkett (Blue Valentine, Squid and the Whale), and Chris Noth (Sex in the City, Law and Order). Casting for principal actors will take place in November and December -- and we plan to work with a New York casting director to pitch leads and search for the boy who plays the leading role of young Austen Kittredge.  

Student design team: A group of Marlboro students have begun work on scouting locations and breaking down the script for art department, props, period cars, and costume needs. They're also going to start looking into where we might find the film's several animals, including an elephant.  This early work will allow us to hit the ground running once we come together in January.

Sundance trip.  Ariel Brooks has started laying the groundwork for our Sundance trip (January 19-25).  She is holding beds at the Chateau Apres, where Marlboro students have stayed before.  It's a one-minute walk to a principal Sundance theater venue (Park City Library), a two-minute walk to the shuttle bus stop (essential), and a ten minute walk into the town of Park City.  We couldn't have a better location.  She's also blocking out plane tickets and ground transportation.  Sundance is beginning to release its festival publicity--and will announce selected films starting in late November/early December.  Go to the Sundance Film Festival website to stay up to date.

Visiting artists: I'm beginning to put together a program of visiting artists who will come to Marlboro during the Film Intensive, to provide workshops and show their work.  Among the people I'm working to involve: - Film critic Gerald Peary (Boston Phoenix and Film Comment) who will visit campus to present and discuss his new film,  For the Love of Movies, the most thorough examination of the state of film criticism in America today.  ALSO: Tyler Davidson, producer of the new film Take Shelter, starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, which will open September 30 in NYC and LA.  The picture won last year's Sundance Grand Prize and Grand Prize at Critics Week, Cannes International Festival of Film.  ALSO, Native American actors Gary Farmer and Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves, Legends of the Fall, Where the Rivers Flow North) who will come to campus to rehearse and perform a staged reading of the humorous and richly-themed Ojibwe play, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth. I'm also reaching out to  actors Sarah Polley (The Sweet Hereafter, Go, John Adams, Dawn of the Dead, and director of Oscar-nominated Away from Her), John Shea (Lois and Clark, Mutant X, Costa-Gavras' Missing), and others.

Professional mentors and/or crew people are also signing on, schedules permitting, among them:

- Costume design. Robert Morgan.  Founding Associate Artist at San Diego's Old Globe Theater and former director of the theater division at BU's School of Fine Arts. His more than 50 professional credits include Broadway productions of The Full Monty, I'm Not Rappaport, and Sherlock's Last Case.  Also Pride's Crossing at Lincoln Center and Loves of Anatol at Circle in the Square).

- Costume design.  Sarah Beers.  Credits include Maria Full of Grace, Rescue Me, XX/XY, and my films, The Year That Trembled and A Stranger in the Kingdom.

- Production design:  Carl Sprague.  Credits include Disappearances, The Social Network, The Royal Tenenbaums, Amistad, The Age of Innocence.

- Editor: Beatrice Sisul, editor of my films, The Year That Trembled and Disappearances.  Editor and assistant editor credits
include: Charlie Wilson's War, Angels in America, Man on the Moon, Marvin's Room, and Martin Scorcese's Casino, 

- Hair and Make-up Artist:  Sherryn Smith.  Credits include Disappearances, The Company Men, Gone Baby Gone, and Martin Scorcese's Shutter Island.

- Producer: Chip Hourihan, producer of the Oscar-nominated film, Frozen River, continues to be involved.. 

- Director of Photography. Brad worked as Second Unit DP on my last film, Disappearances, my documentary, After the Fog, and Bess O'Brien's Shout it Out. His credits include a half dozen features, 8 documentaries, and dozens of commercials, political ads, and industrials.  Brad is also an excellent teacher.
- Music.  The Horse Flies, who have composed and performed scores for my earlier feature films.  They bring a sophisticated post-punk sensibility to the playing of old-time music -- have been compared to the Talking Heads and Devo -- and they have performed with Natalie Merchant and Johnny Clegg--and at venues including The Brooklyn Academy of Music.  Band leader Judy Hyman is the daughter of New York jazz player and composer Dick Hyman, who is Woody Allen's music director. We will involve interested students in the scoring and recording process--which will happen late next summer or early fall.

Marlboro alumni: So far, Marlboro alumni who have signed into the film include Brad Heck (cinematographer), Andrew Hayes (second unit camera), T.J. Hellmuth (gaffer), Katherine Partington (co-producer), Willow O'Feral (still photographer and art department), and Patrick Kennedy (grip and electric).  Other alumni who hope to be involved include Chris Noth, Jason Knopp, Sto Austen, and Mike Harrington.

Fundraising. This project will require $500,000 in cash funding and deferrals by the time it's ready to be released. And lots of contributed goods and services.  This is really not your concern--and don't worry--the project's funding is on track. The Vermont Community Foundation and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont have committed funds.  And Marlboro College is committing the primary funds to ensure production.  Cabot Creamery, The John Bissell Foundation, The Windham Foundation, and others are now considering my requests. Let me know if you have any ideas!  We're also planning a Boston benefit event that should be a lot of fun--featuring a well-known actor (to be announced). Participating students will be invited.  All of this will be ongoing--and is part of the filmmaking process, which is why I'm letting you know.  And we'll discuss fundraising--and successful strategies for doing it, during the Film Intensive. 

PBS contact:  I have met twice with Vermont Public Television's Chief Content Director Kathryn Scott to discuss the idea of an "event" premiere of Northern Borders on VPT.  This will help my fundraising, since I'll be able to pitch sponsorships that include 15 second on-screen spots at the head and tail of the program.  We'd play the film as a two or three-part series.  VPT is very interested and will make a decision in early November.  If the film plays there it will be eligible for Emmy consideration. A 12 town preview tour and festival play would precede the broadcast, which would then be followed by an extensive theatrical tour - and release over DVD, online, TV, and other outlets.

I'll be in touch next week with the rough draft script.  I hope you'll forward your comments.

Let me know in the meantime if you have questions or comments about any aspect of the project.  If your application is in process, make sure to get transcripts, recommendations, and any financial aid applications into the Marlboro admissions office.  Let me know if you aren't sure of any part of the application process. 

Current course descriptions are online at movies.marlboro.edu.  

I'm excited about this project--and looking forward to working with many of you -- to embark on this adventure in feature filmmaking for Northern Borders. 

Best,

Jay