A Small Update and Some Photographs

Since our last update, Tom and I have been continuing work on the project, and things are moving in the right direction. As well as approaching financiers and continuing our fundraising activities, we have been approaching several bands whose work I'd like the characters to sing during the film. The idea behind these references is to help situate the film in the real world and, at times, to comment on the action of the film through the song's lyrics. Although I feel it's a bit early to be announcing who the bands are, so far things have been progressing well and we've been met with a huge amount of kindness and generosity. I'm also particularly excited to be able to include the work of these bands in the film as they are all among my lifelong favourites and have therefore no doubt helped in some way to make me who I am, which, in turn, has made the script what it is.

We have also been having some meetings recently with an eye to expanding our production team, and have now officially started the casting process and hope to hold auditions in the next few months. More details on both of these points will be announced as things progress. Meanwhile, our executive producer Christine Hartland is currently in Cannes, where she will be promoting the project and looking for investment. If anyone reading this would like to arrange a meeting with Christine while in Cannes, please don't hesitate to drop us an email on info@lifejustisfilm.com.

Finally, a big thank you to those of you who came down to The Duchess last night. It was another great evening and I'm genuinely touched by the feedback that you've been giving. We'll be back in June, so please check the website for details. In the meantime, I'll leave you with some snaps of the filmmakers speaking at last night's event.

- Alex

Writer/Director Will Kenning (left) talks about his film Road Kill

Director Nick Reed talks about his film After 8

Writer/Director Ben Hyland talks about an upcoming project after the screening of his film Reflections of Love

Life's Just Networking Photographs, April 2010

A few photographs from our event last night. Many thanks to all those who came, and to the filmmakers who screened. We will be back at The Duchess for more on May 11th. Hope to see you there!

Michael Chandler (right) talking about his film The Fall.

Ryan Vernava (right) talking about his film Inept.

Pete Williams (right) talking about his film Cryptomnesia.

John Jencks (right) talking about his film Go Away Please .

Networking.

Michael Chandler presenting his next project.

Watching the presentations.

Actor Valmike Rampersad talking to Life Just Is Executive Producer Christine Hartland.

Life Just Is writer/director Alex Barrett with Maria Horn, Film Manager, Wandsworth Film Office.

Networking.

Update

The latest draft of the script is complete and being circulated to financiers and developers for funding and feedback. It is a challenging climate, but the advantages of filming an intimate story with the latest technology and a small crew, makes the project eminently achievable this year. As we delve deeper to find funding resources the opportunity becomes ever more present. We will soon launch into the casting process and with Jane Frisby's assistance an excellent cast is on the cards. The next Life Just Is event is happening on April 13th. It is a Tuesday, but come down and you ll enjoy an excellent selection of the latest short films to reach our neighbourhood. Hope to see you in Battersea very soon.

- Tom

Life's Just Networking Photographs and a Special Announcement!

Following below you will find a brief selection of photographs of the filmmakers talking at our event earlier this week (big thanks to all those who came!), but first, we are very pleased to make a special announcement!

From now on, all those who attend our events can enjoy a 20% discount on their first rental from equipment hire facility DECODE!

We're very excited about being able to offer this opportunity and would like to extend our thanks to the team at Decode for making this possible. Their kind sponsorship of our events means that as well as connecting you with collaborators we are able to offer a further hand in helping you get your projects off the ground!

To find out more about this offer please email us or speak to us at one of our events. The next one will run on Tuesday 13th April.

James Rumsey talks about his film 'Milk Man'

Duncan Robertson talks about appearing in 'A Beard Film'

Phoebe Boswell talks about her animated film 'The Girl With Stories In Her Hair'

Richard Edwards talks about his film 'A Year of Your Love'

Michael O'Kelly telling the crowd 'How It's Done'.

Teaser Image

To illustrate the new information sheet for investors that I mentioned in the last post, Tom and I knocked up the following image, so I thought I'd share it with you. Don't forget that anyone interested in investing in the film can email us at investment*at*lifejustisfilm.com and request a copy.

- Alex

Broadcast Video Expo

Earlier this week the Broadcast Video Expo took place in Earl's Court, London. I know first hand from past experience that it can be a great place to meet people and talk to them about upcoming projects, so in the run up to our visit Tom and I worked on a new draft of our one-page pitch sheet to take along. Armed with the pitch and the intention of talking to various people (and especially kit-hire companies), we spent a day walking around the expo and meeting people. Although we're quite some way off from rolling into production, we have now raised awareness of the project and made some personal connections for when the time comes.

Tom and I have also been working on a new information sheet for investors, which will hopefully be going off to people from next week, and, of course, I have also been continuing to work away at the new draft whenever time has permitted. I'm hoping to finally have a good stretch of time to work on it during the coming week, so hopefully I can thrash it out.

More soon.

- Alex

Redrafting

Hello, I am writing to tell you about the latest draft of Life Just Is. After the illuminating read through with actors at the ICA Alex was put in the challenging position of writing with the audience in mind, and he has thrown himself into the fray with considerable success. The development of a script often requires endless tweaking. No doubt once we have cast a selection of up-and-coming stars of tomorrow in the various roles, and rehearsals have begun in earnest, there will be more changes relating to character and dialogue. At present the structure is there and the premise is straightforward, but now comes the most important task of bringing the characters and their interaction a greater feeling of the conflict of life. With the freedom and fun of being young while at the same time faced with the prospect of an unknown future and all the complications the real world brings. Early 20s is an intriguing and unsettling time of life, and Alex is striving to explore how friendship will see you through the confusion. There is still work to be done, but I feel the new draft is a benchmark for the development of the story of Life Just Is. The script will only improve. Being bold and venturing beyond the comfort zone to tell a story an audience will truly relate to has to be the final objective.

- Tom