Dashboard Light Update 1/27/14

Hello friends, 

Lots of exciting things going on here in production land. 

Last night I finished the shooting script of By The Dashboard Light and emailed it over to writer Sienna Golden Malik for her approval. It's running a bit long right now at 147 pages - however a Final Draft script report (that removes camera direction, lengthy descriptors and notes) brings it back down to 119. So that's comforting. In my draft, I tried to consolidate as much as possible to avoid repetition and redundancy - but it's hard cutting lines you love. My friend and Philly commedian, Jeff Soles says "Cutting down a script for time is like removing songs from a mix CD because they won't fit." And he's absolutely right. It can be heartbreaking. 

Anyway, in other news. Two days ago I put an ad in Backstage magazine looking for talent. We are now up to our necks in actors and actresses of all ages, shapes and sizes... and couldn't be happier. We received literally hundreds and hundreds of submissions from some very talented people. It's going to be difficult to pick only a handful. (I am however already making a few mental notes - some of the applicants are exactly what I'm looking for and their reels are spot on.

I'm going to be posting audition dates in the upcoming weeks. 

On a technical note, camera components are still funneling in. As you may have read in previous blog posts, this film will be shot digital HD on the brand new Panasonic Lumix GX7 with a series of vintage Nikon lenses. I've been ordering a handful of components to build the camera system including a 15mm rod support system/shoulder rig, follow focus, matte box, counterweights, and an iPad Mini to act as a wifi preview monitor. I'm going to be posting pictures and a list if components once it's finished and tested - as well as some test footage. 

Stay tuned friends! More on the way! 

KMF Selects Script for 2014 Feature

Keasbey Mattison FilmWorks has selected Sienna Golden Malik's "By The Dashboard Light" for production. 

In August, I posted an ad on ISA (International Screenwriters' Association - networkisa.org) and Craigslist - looking for an original feature-length screenplay to produce and direct in the summer of 2014. Out of the 81 scripts submitted, I was finally able to narrow it down and select one. 

In her own words, writer Sienna Malik summarizes the story. "A driving instructor struggles to move his dysfunctional students forward and has just as much trouble progressing in his private life" 

I was immediately drawn to the simplicity of the story. At first the subject matter wasn't really what I was looking for, but the snappy dialog, well written characters and quirky chain of events kept me turning the pages. 

The final draft of the script is currently being written and soon an Indiegogo account will be created to secure funding for the production - slated for August & September 2014. 

On a techical note, the film will be shot with the new Panasonic Lumix GX7. My production friends John Martineau and Christian Jude Grillo of Potent Media have recently purchased two of these Micro Four Thirds camera systems and we're looking forward to putting them to the ultimate test... a feature film. 

More to come! 

Joe Ronca 

Producer/Director "By the Dashboard Light"