…we are back in production! We started last night with the first little bit of WHITE MAN’S WORLD. We have another shoot tonight and a full day on Monday. We’re trying to go about this production in a little more…shall we say…controlled way. Not so many long, unruly days on set; not so many crazed what do we need-why don’t we have it?!? moments…trying to keep everything even keeled so we can accomplish everything we set out to.

That being said - we are still having some of our usual challenges - people not returning phone calls, locations not quite set up yet, etc but mostly I am very pleased with how things are operating. I’m looking forward to these smaller days when we can really concentrate on what we’re doing and get exactly what we need!

I’m also very excited to be working again with people that we’ve worked with in the past: Steve Lattery, Michael Hartzel, John Agurkis, Matthew Glover, Marcus Trudeau, Carl Sauer, Zhauna Franks, Zach Stofer to name a few. AND we’re adding new faces to our crew too: Alice Shafer, Crystal Pelkey, Matthew Pursi and many others.

A new adventure is about to begin!

Join The Minnesota Ballet for their annual fundraiser - CELEBRITY DANCE CHALLENGE featuring local celebs matched up with members of the Minnesota Ballet Company. Jason will be performing the tango with dancer Amanda Abrahamson and it will be a night to remember!

Thursday, September 20th at 7pm

Marshall School’s Fregeau Auditorium
1215 Rice Lake Rd.
Duluth, Minnesota

YOU decide the winner! The audience votes for their favorite couple so come on out and vote for Jason!

More info here: http://www.minnesotaballet.org/events/ 

Wow. Okay. So we did it. One foot in front of the other and now we’re collectively in the bag on our first production. Most of us are still standing and talking to each other, which is good. And we got a LOT of funny, which is great. Also we get to smoke Cuban cigars tonight at our wrap party - ah, the sweet taste of socialism. All in all not a bad way to spend a summer. What next you ask? Well, we’ve already begun auditioning for our next film, so no rest for the wicked, but really, let’s face it, the wicked can keep going and going and…but enough about that. If we are lucky production will become a constant. Tonight is for celebration of a landmark - one that couldn’t have been achieved without the blood, sweat and tears (mostly blood - terribly inside joke that) of a motley crew of actors and technicians. Here’s to you all! By year’s end everyone will be able to see the fruit of your labors. Okay, maybe January (even after they’re wrapped these things take time, don’tcha know). Keep tuned to the website for post-production updates. All for now. Rock on.

Today is the day we wrap production on GOD ROCKS! We have one band interview left to capture and after that the film is in the can.

Jason & I have been busy in the editing suite working on compiling the various scenes and going through our copious (!) footage that was shot this summer for this film. We’re very happy with what we’re finding. It’s a little like mining. We are watching each segment and finding the gems & jewels and getting ready to compile them into the bigger picture.

And then we have auditions this weekend for the next film WHITE MAN’S WORLD. It’s good to be busy. It’s good to be productive. Now, I better get back to it.

Audition Notice

4 Track Films is looking for Native American actors to star in a comedy called White Man’s World. There are several substantial roles available for all ages and genders. Please email auditions@4trackfilms.com to schedule an audition time. Auditions will be held from 12-4PM on Saturday, August 18th at Washington Studios (315 N. Lake Ave). Filming will begin in late September and run through the month of October.

As we stand, God Rocks, our first 4 Track foray, is about 85% in the bag. We’ve bobbed and weaved with a modicum of success thus far, and hopefully whatever blows we have sustained in the process have learned us a thing or 37 about ourselves, our new gear and our creative compatriots. I have by turns been elated and despairing, which is, I guess, my job. Cameraman Carl, after a particularly stressful day of shooting early on in our process, told me that he’s glad I get so much enjoyment out of film making, because he can see how much it tears me up as well. I think perhaps eastern cultures have a better lock on the symbiotic nature of love and hate than us westerners, but I often feel it profoundly on the set. So before we put our heads down and get back to filming our final 15%, let me pause to thank everyone who has contributed their time and talent to this project. I love you all. You are the reason this collaborative medium is able to take shape. Without the efforts of every single person in our cast and crew we could not breathe life into our celluloid creation, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Now get back to work.

There’s a nice article written about us in today’s Duluth News Tribune. Check it out here!

We’re looking for extras once again for our new film GOD ROCKS! It’ll be a fun shoot with lots of great music, cool smoke machines and pizza. It’s an overnight shoot and we’re looking for all ages.

Everyone who participates will receive a sweet GOD ROCKS t-shirt and if this is your 2nd time with us we’ll also give your our official soundtrack (CD) as well!

Email auditions@4trackfilms.com if you are interested!

SPREAD THE WORD!

Thanks!

Last Week (June 13, in case you’re wondering) Jason celebrated a birthday! We always seem to be in production during his birthday in one way or another so this year is par for the course.

His friend Carl (who’s also in the film, shooting the film, wrangling bands & ice sculptures amongst other things) gave him a sweet new chair for his birthday:

Happy Birthday, J-Dawg…hope you had a good one.

GOD ROCKS is seeking featured extras for this Saturday, June 9th from 6-8pm.

Please email auditions@4trackfilms.com if you are interested.

We are looking for adults for this scene.

THANK YOU!