Oh my gosh.  We just recorded the music for Tradition.  How exciting.  All of this talk and wow.  This sounds wonderful.  (feeling a bit of peace…)

Round and round and round we go.  Where this stops, nobody knows.  Trying to nail down revised script so we can solidify at least the music. … and Okay.  The script just ballooned twice it’s size.  Yiker$$$.   But I think it’s better.  John and I are reading it for timing, then adding pics from Fiddler, Moulin Rouge and other classics to build our video storyboard.  We’re finding so many versions, tempos and keys of Fiddler’s music.  We’re mixing it all into the vision, singing the new lyrics… and voila, we’re Gerry and Cookie Fleck from Best in Show.   We’re such dorks!

The Band came over for a jam session last week.  And they were awesome.  Lance likes the sound.  We introduced Shuler to everyone via a Skype call.  We wanted to get final thoughts on music before recording.   Because Lance wants to lengthen the opening to match Fiddler on the Roof, we need to push the recording session back…  This is going to be awesome!

The Georgia Film Office is so helpful.  They gave me a list of like 20 farms within an hour of Atlanta.  Tina agreed to call a few and schedule some visits.  Since we’re traveling new territory, I’m taking my trusty GPS.  And whad’ya know?  Tina and I got my car stuck in the mud.  We were stuck under the blazing Georgia sun for several hours, with only one bottle of water and one Diet Mountain Dew.  And of course, some Jelly Bellies.  If you know Tina, you know who had the Dew and jelly beans.  )  I guess the GPS is not so reliable.  Every location we check out, we gotta say hello to the local greeter!  One of the really cool places we scouted was in  in The Rock, GA, and yes, the city is called The Rock.  This location had full facility with a place for crew to eat; chef on site.  Lots of parking.  Clean and multiple bathroom stalls with sinks and soap.  Yeah soap.  The people are really nice, but I don’t think they have the right look for Rupert’s barn.  (

Jeff and Lance met.  Ideas flying abound.  John joins the conversation.  More ideas. Tina and I smile.  

Jury Duty?  Again.  Really?  Stop breaking laws people!  … Onto recruiting some help from Atlanta Film Festival friend, Tina Calhoun.  We’re going to divide and conquer.  What’s first?  Locations! And Music.  

Hooray.  Finally got some dates from Shuler for our short: April 28th – May 1st.  He’s so busy with performing, it’s been hard for him to commit.  So, Yeah! )  But…Uh-Oh!  Lance is unavailable those dates.  He’s writing and directing a film for the GMC television network.  I’d be stupid not to reschedule this.  I want Lance to direct!  Now, to see if Shuler can commit four days to this in the fall.  There’s no way we’re shooting exterior in Atlanta in the summer.  Are you kidding?  To be continued…

Joyful Noise had it’s wrap party.  Boo hoo. However, this has been such a learning experience for Tradition.  So many things to prepare, so many people to hire.  Can I really pull this off? … But back to full force with Tradition.  

John’s working on a television pilot with Angie Mosier, who’s husband happens to play guitar for a bluegrass band, The Mosier Brothers.  Their sound bluegrass-a-licious!  Angie introduced me to her brother in law, Jeff who leads the band… and he’s totally into the script and helping out.  Groovy!

We started our first day of shooting for JN the last day of January.  Oh what fun it is to be a part of this everyday… singing with the choir, dancing all the time, working with talented people, laughing all the way… Oh!  Joyful Noise.  Joyful Noise.  I like to be working…  And I love watching Todd work with everyone.  He seems to know exactly what he wants for every single shot.  How does he keep all of those visions in his head?