First of all, Ninja, thanks for uploading that scan of the newspaper clipping! My computer has been down for some time, so my scanner has been unavailable...I may very well steal that image just to upload it to the OFFICIAL SouthernRonin.com site...lol...
Okay, here are some answers: (in reverse order)
Ernesttomlinson - I'm so glad you enjoyed the film. The typewriter is actually one of mine (I have three) that I've been using since I was sixteen. Although I've graduated to the word processor and the trusty notebook and pen (the Zebra F-301, for pen aficionados out there, it's possibly the greatest pen on the market), like you, I still enjoy that satisfying "clack" of an old-fashioned typewriter.
The Massachusetts contract our Devil (played by the fantastic and underrated Elliott Stegall) speaks of is a reference to an old short story, "The Devil and Daniel Webster", by Stephen Vincent Benet. In the story, the Devil buys the soul of Jabez Stone, a Massachusetts farmer. When the Devil comes to collect, Daniel Webster (a prominent lawyer of his time) argues the case and convinces a jury full of villains and ghouls to free Stone's soul.
However, I have had lot of people think I was referring to the Kennedys.
I completely agree with you, regarding the portrayal of Lucas as a burger-flipper. I inserted that moment specifically for the comic value, and I like to think of it as the tiny bit of comedic fat on an otherwise lean, mean, satire machine!
(Well, that and the jabs at the "Producer". But I never had plans for "Fall of a Saga II: The Bitchslapping Continues", so I left no stoned - er, stone unturned.)
Vwing - As I said to Ernest above, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I always appreciate it when people take a bit of time out of their day to watch my work.
As for Andrew's equipment, I did know at one time, and that knowledge has gone by the wayside. In its place are things like, "Screening at 1:30, bring clean shoes" and "For God's sake, pay your car payment!". However, I'm certain I can find out for you. Email me (en@southernronin.com) and I'll pass the word along.
"How long" is a very interesting question. I wrote/rewrote the film several times over a month and a half. It took me roughly eight days to shoot (including pickups, etc), working about six hours a night. Editing took another month or so (juggling around school), and from there the film was basically buried.
(I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I never intended to show the film. It's my first attempt in cinema, and I always thought of it as a work of passion that would disappear once I set it down)
It was only when Andrew R. Powell and I met, and he offered to do the score, that I pulled it back out. We had to wait a bit for his work schedule to provide an opportunity, so if you count all the working and all the waiting, the film took about a year to complete.
Frankly, there's a part of me that would still like to tweak it, as I learn new techniques for improving the image quality, but other projects are starting to get crispy on the back burner, and so I let Fall rest for the moment.
(I secretly plan on releasing a "Fall of a Saga: Special Edition", where everything is digitally remastered, and George shoots before the Producer does)
Thanks for all your questions! For those interested, I'm beginning work on "Field Trip of a Saga", a "documentary" of our trip around the country and all the things surrounding it. I'll be posting more information about it on my website (and perhaps here, if Chef doesn't mind in the days ahead.
I say (quotey fingers) "documentary" because it's really just more of a reason for me to get back into the editing flow. It's going to be a very silly, sardonic ride, but I think fans of "Fall" will enjoy it.
*reviews his above essay*
This is why I lurk. It's for your safety.
This post has been edited by SouthernRonin: 10 October 2004 - 03:30 AM