FINAL GIRL explores the slasher flicks of the '70s and '80s...and all the other horror movies I feel like talking about, too. This is life on the EDGE, so beware yon spoilers!

Jul 14, 2010

so i made a movie: LUDLOW, part eight

Catch up on all the previous installments of So I Made A Movie: LUDLOW right here...presented to you in GLORIOUS DETAIL!

Y'all, it's done. DONE. DONNNNNNNE! Way too many moons later, Ludlow is done.

What happened since we last spoke of this a zillion light-years ago? You know, when I left off with my backyard screening of the first cut? Well, here's what happened:

Ludlow ended up with a run time that made it too short to be a feature and too long to be a short. Cutting out, oh, say 40 minutes wasn't an option...so I decided to add to it. But! How to do this without the result feeling blatantly padded?

I had some at least one problem: there are three characters, and I wasn't about to introduce anyone new. Bringing back two of those three characters for more scenes would not have been wise. That just left...a montage set to peppy upbeat music, wherein Krista (Shannon Lark) either 1) trains for a fight or 2) trains for a big dance production. Montage it was.

I kid. There's no montage. What there is, however, is a brand-new scene that is incredibly depressing and adds to the story rather nicely (if I'm allowed to say so). In fact, I think Ludlow 2.0 is better with the new scene than without, and the deliberate padding-osity was avoided. You know what that calls for- a robust round of our friend Briefcase Woman!

Now, you may recall a little fundraising drive I ran in order to...wait for it...raise funds so I could afford to transform the caterpillar Ludlow into the beautiful swan that is Ludlow 2.0- yes, the transformation is that remarkable! Let me say this about the response to the fundraiser: you guys are fucking awesome. Seriously. Every time you turn around today, someone is starting a Kickstarter project or holding out their hand. Man, I got my request out of the way just in time!

Thanks to the generosity of You Awesome People, I was able to cover all expenses. It was rad to do so, so thank you.

Mind you, as this was Ludlow, Shannon and I ran into some problems during the shoot. The largest being that the room we originally shot in was not available- not because it was taken by other guests, but because the air conditioner was broken. It just...figured. We got a room that had basically the same layout, with some minor differences. I tried to shoot in such a way that the change won't be noticeable. Otherwise, the most depressing scene ever was over very quickly and went without a hitch- even our FX! Yes, FX. Scintillating. We were done in a mere couple of hours- so un-Ludlow-y- and that was that.

We shot some some more footage for the new scene in Sherman Oaks, which was strange. I mean, it was fine, but it was a reminder that these characters had...have...whatever...a life before and outside of that weird, shitty motel in the desert. It kind of didn't seem right to see Krista, for example, anywhere but Room 8. Hard to explain and silly, maybe, but there you go.

Anyway, I edited the new footage in and did a bunch of trimmin elsewhere.

And then the movie sat around in the magical negative zone known as "my computer" for several months. Months??! Damn. I have no concept of time.

And then the composer, James Barry, redid the score. He created music for some scenes that previously had none, and dudes- it's so much better now. So much. I can't even tell you. Or maybe I just did. Get off my back!

And then it was done. It's done. It's still in the Negative Computer Zone, really, but it's done. There's no more to do except get it in front of eyeballs that are not my own.

How do I do that? I have no idea. Someone tell me!

18 comments:

CashBailey said...

Congrats, Stacie. You've finally put the baby to bed.

Are you going to do a commentary and sell it on the site like TASTE OF FLESH, TASTE OF FEAR?

As for distribution, I guess you now needs to put together a quality press kit and start submitting it to festivals.

Maybe even hire out a cinema for a night and have a 'premiere', if you've got the money to do that.

However you go about it it's a hell of an achievement and I look forward to seeing it.

Stacie Ponder said...

Thanks, man! I'm pretty excited, I have to say.

Shannon and I did record a commentary, but that was for the first version of the film...I may make her do it again. :D

As to selling it myself- at least to start- that's certainly a viable option. Rather than go the Tof, ToF DIY route, though, I'd want to get some made all purdy and pro-like.

I'm working on the screening idea now! Or, at least, I have an awesome friend who is.

I've talked about this movie for so damn long, I'm really glad that it's at least DONE. I'm really looking forward to getting it out there one way or another so people can finally see it. It's not perfect and not everyone's gonna dig it, but at least it's DONE.

Watching it last night got me all wanting to do another one, though. It's like tattoos! :D

Walter L. Hollmann said...

May I recommend Without a Box (www.withoutabox.com)? It's what we film students use to find film festivals to submit to all year round, all over the world. A few of our films are screening at the Oklahoma and Atlanta Horror Film Festivals. Ours are mostly for shorts, true, but we wish we could submit feature lengths to these. Horror goes over well at the Tallahassee Film Festival, btw.

Anonymous said...

I am supah-dupah excited to see Ludlow miss ponder!!!!! Congratz!

Stacie Ponder said...

Yes! WithoutABox is something I've been meaning to investigate. Sounds like a great great service.

Why thanks, Anon! :)

Jason said...

Self publish?
https://www.createspace.com/

Slyde said...

i know im a bit late to the party, stacy, but after reading your previous post, i was wondering if you have been reading THE WALKING DEAD, CROSSED or 28 DAYS LATER?

I've been reading all 3 from the beginning and i think they are both aces....

Highly Caffeinated said...

Looking forward to finally seeing it!

As mentioned above, createspace is a good choice, and linked in to Amazon along with withoutabox and imdb.

There's also indieflix, similar to createspace which print discs on demand, or instant downloads.

Or, if you just want people to see it, do like the 'INK' creators did and put it up as a torrent download, with a link back to a 'donate' button.

Good luck!

Stacie Ponder said...

Hmm...CreateSpace seems pretty cool, if I can keep the price down and still get a tiny profit. At least I'd have no overhead and I wouldn't have to truck to the post office...might be the way to go!

I've been thinking about online distribution as well, and I guess I can do that through CreateSpace, too.

IndieFlix looks cool, too, although they've got some festival requirements...which is good for quality control, I guess. Hooray, options! Thanks guys!!

Slyde- I have read some Walking Dead- probably the first...mmm, 40 or so issues. I stopped buying comics regularly because of finances, but that's one I'd like to go back to. I hope to pick up the trades for cheap at a con one of these days. And I'm really looking forward to the show!!

Meg said...

What about submitting it to film festivals? There are some horror-specific ones. And I've seen all kinds of stuff at Seattle International FF -- I wouldn't be surprised to find something like Ludlow on the list next year. There must be a bazillion little festivals looking for stuff to show. Want some help poking around?

B-Movie Becky said...

Congrats Stacie. I have a feature project that is in that magical negative zone as well right now...and has been for far too long. I envy the "done" feeling you have right now, but it'll get there. :)

Looking forward to checking out Ludlow...if I can handle it. DUN DUN DUN.

Anonymous said...

FINALLY lazy pants McGee. Juuuuuust kidding. So stoked for you Stacie.

I'm putting on a horror film fest here in Dallas sometime in Sept. No cost to you, I'm footing the bill. Just want to give some hard working filmmakers and true fans of the genre some exposure.

No definite plans yet as the wifey and I just bought a new house. But I'd be happy to keep you posted on my developments.

Banned In Queensland said...

Great news, Stacie. Can't wait for an opportunity to see it.

Oh, and you're not actually going to rename it Ludlow 2.0 are you? ARE YOU?!

Stacie Ponder said...

I am! No, actually I'm calling it "Ludlow Dot Com" now. It doesn't make any sense, but it's certainly futuristic sounding!!

Film fests are definitely on my list of...things. Especially free ones! So Mr. Planet, I will DEFINITELY be taking you up on it!

HOORAY I SAY.

Rhubarb said...

If film fests are your thing, you could submit it here.

http://www.deadbydawn.co.uk/submissions/

Unknown said...

Stacie,

Congrats on finally getting Ludlow in the can! I'm psyched to see it, hopefully soon! If you decide to press a few copies for public consumption, and need a graphic designer, I'd love to help out! I've been wanting to do design for movies, and I could think of no better project to start with!

Jay Clarke said...

Congrats on completion! Can't wait to check it out.

MovieHatch said...

Big congratulations on this huge accomplishment, Stacie!