I'm feeling really good about my documentary these days. I've been going through my tapes and started to cut some rough scenes, and I realize that I actually have a good chunk of a film here! I've showed the roughcuts to a few people and the reviews are good. It is so exciting to see that I may actually be getting close to finishing the production phase of this project.
Another really encouraging thing is that I am starting to see my synopsis actually come to life. Let's be honest, those things are written to impress people and attract money to your film. Not that I never intended to make the film as it appears on that paper, but I didn't expect so much of what I promised in writing to actually be delivered in the documentary!
I still have 3 or 4 interviews left to do in Belize City, plus at least a "day in the life" type of scene with The Grandmaster. I also want to record a few straight reads of some of his poems that are not featured in the various live performances. Then of course, there is the Canada tour this summer which would be the finale for production. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and no it is not a train coming at me.
I just sent off a grant application to the Canada Council for the Arts, again. They turned me down last year so I am not too optimistic. But I hope the fact that I actually managed to get so much accomplished with no help from them, and only a $4000 grant from
CINERGIA, that maybe the CCA will see me as a good candidate for funding to complete my documentary. I will also apply to CINERGIA for some funding for post production later this spring. Cross your fingers for me that either of these applications are successful.
