Less than a month from now we begin shooting Over-the-Rhine, my first feature film as a writer-director. I want to share the experience with you, my bloggish friends, partly because I think of you as my extended family (aww) and partly because I’ll be too busy to do much else (a typical shooting day runs 12+ hours). So I’ll be posting regular Filmmaker’s Journal updates once we get rolling. This is only a test, test, test, test…
Some facts:
- It’s a low budget movie–about as much money as Spielberg spends on craft service (“coffee and bagels”) for one of his movies.
- It’s a faith-based film–no, God doesn’t appear onscreen, but he has a key role in the story, nevertheless…and has agreed to play himself!
- It’s a dark drama–many of you think of me as a humorist, and there are some humorous moments in the film, but this story, inspired by true events, will take us to some very dark places. The tagline is: “Could you forgive the unforgivable?”
- Casting happens today–I leave for callbacks in 5 minutes! This is when we “call back” the most promising actors and have them audition opposite those they may end up on-screen with.
- I’m ridiculously excited! But ultimately (I’m telling you what I remind myself every day) this isn’t my film, it’s You-know-Who’s (see item #2 above). So I greatly appreciate your prayers that we never lose sight of that!
More to come.
Blessings till it hurts, Mitch
For the next Journal entry, click here.
This is very exciting–good luck!!
Thank you, Charles!
Super stoked for you! Can’t wait to hear more.
Can’t wait to tell you more, Robin!
It’s your time! Have fun- you’ve got this!
Thank you, Kelly Anne!
Here’s to inspiration!
Wonderful! We will look for every update. Excited with you!
Congratulations! I’ll be following your story with great interest!
I’ll definitely be praying for you. I’m excited for you and excited about a good movie being produced. There’s nothing that depresses me more about the current state of our culture than trying to fine a decent movie to watch. May God bless and multiply your endeavors.
I’m so excited for you. I can’t wait to watch it. I also believe that God pushes my fingers through the keys while writing The Living Miracle A Love Story. I felt blessed. I have confidence in you -that you will stay your course with God in the lead. You’ve already given it a great start by designating him as “in charge.” With prayer -I don’t need to cross my fingers for you. The best of luck, my friend.
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God’s blessings of n your work, Mitch. Surely He will since you’re doing this to his glory. I’ll be looking forward to hearing all about it.
Congratulations Mitch! Glad to hear you’re going to post your filmmaker updates… this is going to be a fun learning experience for us. We’ll be getting an actual, behind the scenes perspective from you. True, we’ll miss the other fun stuff like “falling cow signs” and “Cloudzilla” but, for that, we can always take a trip down memory lane in your blog archives… which date back to July ‘14.
Oh Mitch, I am SO excited for you… “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 …I pray the LORD will be with you, speak to you and through you, guide your ever step, and use you for HIS glory!!! Prayerfully… your sis-in-Christ 🙏
Thank you, Dori. Although I’d just like to go on record as saying I’m not willing to marry a pagan king. ;>)
All the very best with it, Mitch.
Glad you’re doing this, Mitch. It will be fun to get glimpses behind the scenes.
My son is a PA on Better Call Saul & The Night Shift, so I’ll be looking forward to your journey! Good luck on getting this film in the can!!
Wow! So cool! Do you have any idea when the movie will be out? On DVD? No Netflix?
Hoping for a theatrical release (i.e. movie theaters) in 2017, but nothing’s in place yet. Our executive producer is negotiating with several potential distributors.
How exciting! Thanks for keeping us in the loop dee loop 🙂
All the best in the time ahead- what a challenging environment! May you find the daily ( or hourly!) strength, wisdom & discernment needed!
So happy to hear your project! I love to watch the movie inspired by true events. I can’t wait to see it 🙂 I bet you will succeed
Best of luck Mitch! I can’t wait for the updates! Whoop!
Wow, so cool! So inspired to see more Christian movies being made. Good luck, may God bless this and let me know the day you do auditions from South Africa 🙂
Might be awhile before I shoot a film in South Africa, Marie-Louise. But, then, only God knows for sure. Thank you, and may he bless too!
All the best Mitch! I hope you enjoy the whooooole process, the ups, the downs, the funny moments and the sad ones. Thanks for documenting this journey!
Blessings!
The ups, yes. The challenges, kind of. The downs and the sad moments? Well, let’s just say I’ll trust God in those. Thank you, Njoki, and blessings back!
It’s going to be a good shoot, Mitch. How could it not be when you’re as excited as you are about the film. That always translates well with the actors. All the best on the film. ‘o)
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Paul!
Not at all, Mitch. I’m envious of you getting to flex those creative juices, too. ‘o)
Have fun, Buddy!!!! I look forward to reading about your experiences!!!! 🙂 (And Congratulations!!!!)
Thank you, Lucie!
Love how God is taking so many major roles recently! Blessings to you as He uses you to bring Him glory through the silver screen!
Indeed. He’s been the ultimate star from day one. ;>)
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I definitely will need to see this film!!! (Forgiving “the unforgivable) is one of the areas of my “evolving” that I work on on a regular basis…..Every time I think of the concept of “forgiving the unforgivable”, I think of Hitler and I have such a struggle with “forgiving him”….takes me down a path I don’t like…..I’m so excited for you, Mitch!!! <3
Just now saw your comment (almost two years later). Thanks, Lucie!
That’s cuz you’re too busy being a famous film maker!(As it should be!)😊
Hah!
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Back in 1945 Field Marshall Montgomery launched operation “Plunder,” the crossing of the Rhine. Such intensity of that 2’nd WW operation helped to bring an end to WW II. Like the river Rhine, your trailer flows, and the flow is intense. I can only say, “Wow.”
Thank you.
Reblogged this on Mitch Teemley and commented:
Two years ago, on the verge of directing my first feature film, a drama entitled “Over-the-Rhine,” I wrote my first Filmmaker’s Journal (now an ongoing series). Today, as I re-post that first Journal, I’m preparing to write and direct my second feature, an over-the-top comedy entitled “Notzilla.” I’m still scared and still excited, and I still covet your prayers. ~Thanks and blessings, Mitch
Wonderful and exciting, Mitch!
Praying that God gifts you with all the wisdom, insight and grace you’ll need as you produce Notzilla. Blessings on the journey.
Thank you, Shirley.
I was an extra, with a small singing role, in a film shot in Montreal 3 years ago. It was an extremely interesting time for me, eye-opening, to observe what goes on, the compromising between technical and personnel issues backstage, etc. Also the tug of war evident between the quest for quality and $$ decisions. I got to speak with the director a few times too, so it was neat to begin to see how his thinking worked. Anyway, will be fun for me to follow your journal — which actually, I’d be amazed you could keep it up during filming.
Glad you had he chance to work on a film; it’s a unique experience. I don’t journal too much during actual filming because the schedule is indeed intense.
Might we get to see this in the UK? All the best, He will guide you xx
Yes. Both films, I trust. “Over-the-Rhine” is due to be released this coming fall/winter. “Notzilla” will probably be released fall/winter of next year.
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