My wife, the "Antisocial Butterfly"

This idea was originally entitled "Shy" because it was about a shy girl. This main character and movie idea is based on my wife, Rebecca. This is all Rebecca's idea so, really, she should make her own blog for her company Ghost Productions and put this on it. But, until she does I will have it on here. So, back to the idea...

It is supposed to be based on a lot of the difficult social situations Rebecca had to deal with during her first years after leaving home and going to college at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. I suppose it gave her a measure of inspiration and passion to create this story about a girl who, like her, begins to feel she must start reaching out socially and to start becoming more socially adaptable (the character in the movie is more over-dramatised to really draw the audience into her character development). I suppose that in a dramatisation, it helps to scream 'story!' so people will hear you. Especially because with some stories, effecting people dramatically is really the point you are trying to make. It isn't just referred to as a 'drama' for no reason. We don't just want to say that this girl is shy- but if you can (with a tinge of the over-dramatic) affect the viewer on a personal level to feel, even slightly, the way the character might feel, you have accomplished much more!

So, in this 'coming of age' story it begins with her difficulty in reaching out and communicating with others around her. Certain feelings begin to creep up in her and then a male character (who will play opposite to her) begins showing up in the film who she will, from a distance, start to feel comfortable around. Other challenges start to show themselves as well, such as life goals. Much of this might seem a typical 'coming of age' as it comes to story but there are many things that will set it apart and make it unique as an experience to view. I know this because I know Rebecca despises typical, mediocre ideas. She has a good grasp on unique, original ideas & I don't think she'd waste five minutes on an idea if she thought it wasn't something new or different (except to be nice to the one with the idea).

The cinematography and certain story elements will probably make this a more compelling movie than a lot of the coming of age 'girly' or 'cutesy' movies you might have seen at your local video rental store. As it comes to certain artistic elements, I'm not sure what she wants as of yet, but she is a filmmaker who does not like to depend on poorly written dialogue to further a story. Instead she likes to move things along with subtle acting or unexpected story elements, such as the shift of an actors eyes or the placement of a prop to catch your attention and make you think about what is going on. This can only be done well by the best of directors & writers collaborating with professional actors and this is what makes me love a lot of Rebecca's ideas- they are more subtle... I really like to have twists and really 'impactful' story elements that blow you away, especially in story originality or style uniqueness- but Rebecca likes to kind of flow just out of view and just out of reach. She forces you to think and this is what makes her work so artistic. As she desires to work with very few on a set or on location it gives her artistic ideas and guidance more strength. I don't know, sometimes I wish I was more like her as a filmmaker. I guess you do what you can-.

As it comes to the production of her film, her script is 90% complete! So far it will probably be about a 15-25 minute short in color digital and I'M supposed to be her actor playing opposite of her! Yes, she has decided that she wants to play the girl in the film! I think its because she knows how it feels to be like this girl and she needs the lead part to be played with the correct motivation. It's not her acting I'd be worried about though- yep, it's mine! She used to be in acting school from childhood and she has done some pretty cool stuff in school. Anyway, I am psyched about her movie and hope she's done with writing & pre-production soon so we can get out there and see her great acting & directing! I'm sure you'll be excited about it too. Not to mention her editing is uber-primo (which has already been well proven)! Check out her editing of The Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Man" with the 1949 movie, "Gun Crazy" on Vimeo. It's sweet stuff! The timing in the editing is awesome (as long as you have sufficient bandwidth). Let me tell ya, I always felt "anti-social butterflies" ruled the art world. Now I know!

Jon