As many of you may know, I’ve been working with Cornbread Films for over a year and a half now on the feature romantic comedy, Hopelessly in June. We’ve hit our final stretch and we are days away from setting our schedule for the end of production.
What has been a long process has also been an amazing one. Not only is this the first feature film I have had the pleasure of producing, it’s also the first time I’m working with Director Vincent Brantley (Jason Blackwell), Executive Producers Jay Vetter (established Art Director: Shallow Hal, There’s Something About Mary) and entrepreneur Jerry Mosley. Each of them supportive, motivated and talented. I’ve learned a lot from them and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the team.
Speaking of our team, the team that we’ve built and worked with for the span of the project is also amazing, talented, hard-working and determined to see the project through, just as we are. Although many positions have turned over throughout the process due to changing schedules, other opportunities, etc., the film is stronger because of the large network of resources and people involved. Another plus to the length of time we’ve shot is that our team is now much like a television set after 5 seasons of production. We all know each other, know how to work together and know what to expect. Our sets are laid back and fun and therefore the scenes we shoot are free flowing and exactly what we hope for – if not better. With the absence of negativity or stress we can all let our creative juices flow.
Regardless of the pitfalls we’ve encountered (and there have been a few!) the challenges have only made us stronger, more creative and more resourceful. Whether it’s shooting guerrilla style in the heart of Beverly Hills without a permit or faking a dog funeral in a city park where the ranger thought we were actually burying a dog and families were coming over to give their condolences, our film will be all the better in the end.
So let’s raise an apple martini to the completion of Hopelessly in June!
I invite you to follow the film on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook so that you are in the loop when our inspirational, metropolitan film about culture and love in Los Angeles hits the big screen.
~Allison Vanore, Producer