1. I screened the final cut of SYNC to cast, crew, and local IndieGoGo supporters last month.

2. DVD screeners have been flying out of my office to film festivals.

The screening was an incredible experience. I’ve gone over the footage on my computer a hundred times; seeing it projected on a theater screen, with rocking sound, took the experience to a new level. It was very satisfying to see an audience enjoy SYNC, and I couldn’t be happier with the finished film. My karaoke performance, not so much.

As of this writing I’ve submitted SYNC to twenty festivals, including the big S, and the first round of notifications should be rolling in soon. Hopefully I’ll know where the world premiere will be by early December. As you might imagine I’ve been a little anxious. To distract myself I’ve started writing my next script, and my goal is to have it a draft by the end of the year.

As soon as word comes in I’ll write an update. I’m also working on a post about my learnings as a first time filmmaker, and using the digital world to make a film. In the meantime, check out these fun articles featuring SYNC:

Lucas McNelly worked on SYNC as part of his project, A Year Without Rent. He wrote about his experience, and you can read the article (for Film Threat!) here.

The Woodinville Weekly, a local paper where I live, approached me about featuring SYNC’s production. I grew up reading this paper, so being featured inside feels pretty cool. The Article.

From the summer heat of production, to the chilling cold of Autumn, the past few months have been amazing, and I can’t wait to share what happens next!

I put together a teaser trailer (which is now live), and I’ve been assembling the rough cut. I’m happy to see it’s done; it won’t be long now until SYNC is completely finished. My goal is to have the film festival ready by mid September.

I want to thank everyone who supported SYNC on IndieGoGo, and those who have continued to spread the word through Twitter and Facebook. Your support means so much, and I can’t wait to share the film with you.

On June 23rd, with fifty hours to go, SYNC reached its funding goal of $3,000. The morning played out like this: I got to my desk about 4:30 am, and the target was $140 away. I composed a few “ain’t too proud to beg” e-mails, and made the decision that I wouldn’t leave my computer until the magic number flashed on screen. Within minutes of pressing send, a new patron joined the team, putting SYNC $60 away. This was good, as I had two Grande Americanos before starting the pre-dawn vigil, and my bladder was furious. I took to Twitter, and all of the wonderful people I have met over the past year RT’d and @mentioned SYNC. Word spread quickly. Before I could post on FB that the goal was within reach, Phil Holbrook, a fellow filmmaker, and all round awesome guy, pushed SYNC over the top!

Being that SYNC is my first film, and inaugural voyage on the good ship IndieGoGo, I really didn’t know what to expect; I felt like I had a solid pitch, and my plan seemed very doable. I figured if I came close to my goal, I could go the Hollywood Shuffle route and charge the remaining expenses. When the timer ticked to zero, SYNC’s amazing supporters pushed the total raised $405 ABOVE my original goal! It’s hard to describe how I felt at the conclusion of the campaign. Crowdfunding is intense, exciting, and very rewarding. Not only did it make SYNC possible, crowdfunding introduced me to many great people. It’s a challenge–without question. It’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to connect with lovers of film, patrons of art, and fellow creators…a community of talented people, supporting each other.

With money burning a hole in my pocket, I set my sights on preparing for the shoot, which I’ll write about in upcoming posts.

I want to thank everyone who supported SYNC on the campaign trail–I couldn’t have done it without you.

Music is a pivotal element to the story, and I cannot be more excited to have incredible musical collaborators. Seattle hip hop group, Kung Foo Grip, is contributing a killer song. In addition, Patrick Moraz (keyboardist/pianist/composer), an incredibly talented and accomplished solo musician–and former member of YES and the Moody Blues–has written new material for SYNC. I will have individual pages for Patrick Moraz, and Kung Foo Grip posted very soon!

Production is set for mid-July, the talent is in place, and fundraising kicks off soon–the party’s just getting started. Stay tuned!

Jenny Porter

Roy Ketterer

10. Walk the Line - “Tell me you don’t love me.”

Why is it badboy guitar players always get the girl? Because their damn cool. And nobody was cooler than Johnny Cash. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Man in Black captured everything that was great–and not so great–about Johnny, and James Mangold’s direction elevated the biopic a notch or two (LaBamba, not so much).

9. The Blues Brothers “We’re on a mission from God.”

Great cast. Great songs. Great director.

8. Rock Star - “What’s wrong with Air Supply?” “Nothing, if you’re the cop from the Village People.”

What can I say? I love the 80′s and I love Hair Metal. Who wouldn’t want to fill in for the singer of their favorite band?

7. Johnny Suede - “Some people call me a teenage idol.”

Tom Dicillo’s directorial debut featured a young, pompadoured Brad Pitt with machinations of being Ricky Nelson. It’s quirky, definitely indie, and hey…you can’t go wrong with Catherine Keener.

6. 8 Mile - “You wanna know my motto?: Fuck Lotto! I’ll get the seven digits from your mother for a dollar tomorrow.”

I don’t know which was more of a surprise: Curtis Hanson directing the film, or Eminem acting–well. Playing himself, essentially, Marshall Mathers’ performance as a struggling white kid from the wrong side of the tracks was convincing, and the story was compelling. Great music to boot.

5. The Doors - “I was stoned. It seemed like a fun thing to do at the time.”

Remember when Val Kilmer was a good actor, and Oliver Stone wasn’t just trying to prove a point? While it may not be completely accurate, Stone’s use of surreal imagery, and the Doors’ music, make for a stunning visual film that reflects the energy of JIm Morrison.

4. Immortal Beloved - “My angel, my all, my very self.”

If Beethoven were alive today he’d be in a metal band, and that’s why I love him. Gary Oldman’s performance, and the epic finale show how bad-ass LVB was, and yet, like every bad boy he had his soft side. I’ll go ahead and call Moonlight Sonata the first power ballad in history. (skip to about 1:10)

3. Almost Famous - “You are home.”

Cameron Crowe crafted a funny, touching, and thoroughly entertaining portrait of a young man’s journey into adulthood, and what it means to be a fan of music. Kate Hudson lit up every scene as Penny Lane, the ultimate groupie. I was tempted to put Singles, another Crowe classic, on the list; Almost Famous is just a little better, and more of a music film.

2. This is Spinal Tap – “It’s a trilogy, in D Minor, which I find is the saddest of keys.”

Meathead makes a classic. Spinal Tap managed to satirize rock bands and the documentary, and in doing so elevated the mockumentary style. Everything from The Office, to Man Bites Dog, to Borat owes a debt of gratitude to Rob Reiner and company for poking fun at the hilariously over-the-top life of rock stars: Stonehenge, amps that go to eleven, Lick My Love Pump…I could go on.

1. High Fidelity – “Do we look like the kind of store that sells I Just Called to Say I Love You? Go to the mall.”

*Inhale* John Cusack, the quintessential everyman (sorry Tom Hanks), has a falling out with his girlfirend and goes on a quest to figure out what has gone wrong in previous relationships and at the same time runs a record store where he belittles moronic customers and makes top five lists…and the perfect mix tape. *exhale* This movie conveys what we all  love about music: it can be a topic of discussion; it can be something you have in common with other people; it can comfort you; it can pump you up; it can help you say what you can’t verbalize (e.g. the perfect mix tape).

Agree? Disagree? Please share your comments. Have your own top five list in mind? Let’s hear it!

Fast-forward five years, it’s Christmas, and Santa has just brought me the number one item on my list: a Sony Sports Walkman. The thing was industrial strength, water-resistent (so they said), and had TWO headphone jacks: one for you, and one for your best girl. I played Britney Fox’s “Girlschool” over and over and over. In those days shuffle consisted of taking one tape out, tossing it in the pile, and searching around for License to Ill.

One theme connects these stories for me: the music and the player were objects I could touch and smell. An old vinyl record has a distinct odor, like your grandparent’s house, or Value Village. Tapes, records, even CD’s all have that tactile quality that helps enhance memories. As I write this I remember a time when I tried to record a song off the radio with my boom box, and the quality was terrible, but I got the song–for free! Put that in your LimeWire and smoke it. All of this leads me to why I wrote Sync. I wanted to capture the feeling of connecting, physically, with people and music…the feeling you just can’t get with an MP3 player. Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPhone, three ipods, and mac with itunes; I can take my music, all of it, anywhere. But when I really want to savor music I throw on a record and drift back to my parent’s living room. “Wir fahr’n fahr’n fahr’n auf der Autobahn.”