Wednesday, October 2, 2013

The Future...

Nate Locklear figuring out a shot on location for Once You Leave
Where am I headed?  A question that keeps swimming in my brain lately.  I first look back to where I've been.  After a semi-successful run with our web series Once You Leave it's a bit daunting to think about how to "top" that endeavor.  But maybe that's the wrong attitude to have- topping something I've already done.  Yes, I want to grow as a filmmaker and storyteller.  Yes, I want to challenge myself and accomplish new goals but trying to outdo myself seems to just be a way to let myself down or worse, hold myself back from even attempting something new. 

Throughout any given day tons of story ideas permeate my thoughts.  
But which is the right story?  How will I know it's right?  I spent over two years of my life working on Once You Leave.  A new idea might seem perfect at first but will it withstand the test of time?  What do I have to say now?

Once You Leave had much more dialog than I had ever imagined it would have.
And I thought we'd have tons of room for on set improv dialog.  But every time I sat down to write the script for each episode, dialog just poured out of me.  I somehow had so much I wanted to say.  It was hard to keep quiet.  But I didn't really know where it was all coming from.  

Lately, I have been pretty focused on life and death- what is life about and what happens to us when we die?  Or course elements of faith and a higher power trickle in but more so just a feeling of, fear...  Then you add regret, lack of hope and a general feeling of despair and you get a cocktail for some pretty dark material.  Will all these feelings add up to something substantial?  Something artistic?  Or are they just post project meanderings?  

Motivation comes and goes.  To keep busy one signs on for crew positions in various productions.  But when is the right time to begin anew?  I remain hopeful for the future but I feel some big changes are inbound.  These changes could go either way, good or bad depending on how it flips.  Until then I wait...

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Nate's Picks- To The Wonder

To The Wonder (2012)
Dir. Terrence Malick
D.P. Emmanuel Lubezki
Romantic Drama (R), Magnolia Pictures

Poster for To The Wonder (Magnolia Pictures)

About the film (from Magnolia Pictures):

"To The Wonder is a romantic drama about men and women grappling with love and its many phases and seasons - passion, sympathy, obligation, sorrow and indecision - and the way these forces merge together and apart, transforming, destroying and reinventing the lives they touch.  Starring Ben Afleck, Olga Kurylenko, Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem, this deeply moving visual film intermingles love, nature and spirit.  'All things work together for the good.'"


More at 

www.magpictures.com/tothewonder/

Nate's thoughts:


What an amazingly tender piece of film art. Viewers of Malick's work are usually polar opposites, some love him, some hate him. I happen to love him. If you're looking for a typical romantic drama, with a typical plot then this film might frustrate you. But if you enjoy beautifully inspired cinematography, elliptical editing and contemplative meditations on life, love and existentialism then this film will delight. Is this Malick's best film? No, but it's a great addition to this auteur's catalog. In many ways To The Wonder feels like an addition or continuation of the world created in TheTree of Life (Malick's previous film) but more focused on love and the lack thereof...  The story is loosely based on Malick's own life which is a pleasant reward because he has been rather elusive as a filmmaker and never gives interviews.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

God Made Man in Pre-Production

God Made Man Teaser Trailer
God Made Man is the new feature film produced under For Now Productions in association with Missing Hill Productions, LLC.  The screenplay was written by award-winning producer & actress, Kayla Olson (Once You Leave) and Emmy® award-winning filmmaker, Nate Locklear.  The story is rooted in the LGBT+ community and centers around sexual identity, faith, regret and finding acceptance.

Producers, Kayla Olson & Nate Locklear shot a teaser trailer for God Made Man to help with the funding phase.  (See image above).  Release date of the teaser TBA.

God Made Man will be shot and produced in Austin, TX in 2015- 2016.  Be sure to like the God Made Man FaceBook page.