I'm going to take a break with this journal entry from discussing the story of TITANIA and instead talk a little bit about the DIY of TITANIA.  (Do It Yourself)  Please note - the following is simply my own opinion and how I've found things to work best for me, but every project and every director are different...

I started writing TITANIA almost five years ago.  And have, every day since, worked hard to get this film made.  That's about average for those who decide to go the independent film route and maintain creative control of their work.  I could have just sold the script and watched it drift away from me, rewritten a dozen times by a dozen people, miscast and made into a film with a lot of explosions.  But, I chose the harder road in order to hold onto the integrity of this story.  And in those five years some very exciting resources have developed for the indie filmmaker.

First and foremost - the internet.  I sort of stumbled into this one by necessity rather than artistic choice.  Back in 2003 there was an acquaintance of mine who opened my eyes to this.  He was in the trusted circle of friends and colleagues I'd invite to readings of my scripts, and I would go to his.  Over the course of about a year I started noticing similarities to my stories in his, to my characters in his characters, and then my lines actually showing up in his plays.  This guy was stealing my work!  And had the nerve to invite me to see him do it.  But he had better connections and got his plays produced in better theaters and so there I was hearing my work on stage, but with his name attached to it.   So, 1: I stopped inviting him to my readings, and then 2: Took a cue from the far-reaching internet and made myself a website, filling its pages with everything I was working on.  Letting the world know what I was doing before anyone else could claim it as their own.  I also started copyrighting my work.  (WGA and the LOC are the places to do this in America.)  Yes, people can lift your pictures and see your ideas.  But you and a whole lot of other people know the true source of the material, and you can control what you put out there.

The TITANIA website has changed as many times as I've done rewrites to the script.  We post new material every time we do a test shoot or publicity photos and it keeps our fans engaged.  And while the internet started off as a tool of protection - it soon became a place I could share my work with those who were not in the same geographical region as me.  And since has become my best resource for publicity! 

So, why do you want publicity before the film is "in the can"?  Because it actually helps you make the film.  The more people you tell, the more resources come your way, as well as the fact that it's out there in the public eye and that makes you stick to your plan.  We've received A LOT of press for TITANIA and I can't tell you how invaluable it's been, how many doors it's opened for us.  When people know who you are and what you're doing - they'll reach out to help.  Sometimes it leads to a free edit system, or a connection to a really great costume designer, or sometimes a kind soul emailing to say they really love what you're doing and that helps you get through the rough days. 

Going hand in hand with the internet is "social media".  This is like icing on the cake.  You can't get too in depth on your project with a 140 character Twitter caption, but you can point people in the right direction.  Give them an enticing headline and have some fun with one of your characters (we've put our fairy queen herself on Twitter - @TitaniasDreams).  The most important thing is to maintain the integrity of your project and you as an artist.  You don't want to overuse anything.  Things tire quickly on the world-wide-web, so being smart about how you use it is key.

One of the most important things is to get your project out from behind the computer and in front of actual people.  We've taken this project to numerous fantasy conventions and have met our audience and collaborators in person.  It's such a joy, and can give you a fresh perspective on what you're doing and how it's coming across to the public.  A system of checks and balances to make sure your story is "flying" before you start to film.  If people keep asking about one plot point or one character in particular chances are - that's something that needs to be reworked.  No, you don't let the public write your story, but they can help shine some light on the confusing parts.  At one fest, we thought we had a really cool, original idea for the TITANIA poster, proudly took it with us, hung it up, and then saw one exactly like it at a booth down the aisle.  Yes, sometimes you'll be humbled too - but it keeps you on your toes.  As do fans of the fantasy genre.  They are smart, knowledgeable, loyal, and will hold you to your story.  I love them!  You can't slide on anything, trick them, or do something halfway.  They've been disappointed too many times by "lazy" fantasy films and want to see something that respects the genre like they do.  I am one of those fans too and desire the same thing in a fantasy film.  Above all excitement is contagious - and two-sided.  People who come to the conventions will get excited about your film, and you'll meet fellow genre artists to be inspired by or maybe even collaborate with.

Outside of genre insiders, I've had a lot of people say to me "A fantasy trilogy?  Sounds expensive!"  Yes, an indie fantasy film will cost more than an indie family-angst film, but it's FAR less expensive than a James Cameron flick.  One day of all-inclusive shooting on TITANIA will cost about as much as they spent to feed the cast and crew lunch for a day on "Avatar".  I love independent film because it forces you to focus on story while writing the script, be creative on set, and discover new ways to do things in the edit room.  With the technology that exists from HD cameras to affordable Final Cut systems, everyone can make a film!  But - that doesn't make everyone a storyteller.  A huge budget doesn't make someone a good storyteller.  The process, the technology, should all serve the story.  If you don't need an explosion, don't put one in.  If you do, and can't afford it - do it in post, or get creative with your visual story telling.  You can convey so much in a unique series of shots and edits without having to show the fire.  Hitchcock was a master at this.  Think of the Psycho shower scene.  He said that what he allowed his audience to imagine was more frightening that anything he could show on screen.  The same applies to fantasy film.  Audiences are willing to suspend their disbelief and use their imaginations.  A good storyteller will set it up properly.  For instance - what to do if we want an ominous mood on Titania's estate, but it's a bright sunny day when we're shooting?  Stick a piece of black tape over the top half of the lens and throw the focus of the camera far.  It darkens the top half of the frame and gives the shot a whole new meaning.  We did it - you can see that shot in the Dream Scene as Titania's walking up the hill.  Your crew will love you if you let them get creative on set.  And it's less you have to do in post. 

Funding is a whole other beast.  We just launched a Kickstarter page for TITANIA.  There are several resources out there like the online internet funding pages that are terrific.  You, the audience, have a say in which film you'd like to see on the screen, and you can support it on their page and help it get made.  In contrast, there aren't a lot of grants geared toward fantasy film (someone please correct me if I'm wrong because I'll apply for it!).  Most grants want something more family-angst style in theme.  So rely on those you know, and those who like what you're doing to get your project off the ground.  The most important piece of advice I received was that if people see your passion for and your own belief in your project, they'll feel the same way and want come on board.  This works across the spectrum from crew to cast to investors. 

And finally - when it comes to crew, cast, and investors for independent fantasy film - treat them kindly.  I am so fortunate to be working with a group of people on TITANIA who have put a lot on the line because they believe in me, and the film.  They have worked for free or for food, they have given up their vacation days to bring a character to life, or donated part of their life savings.  Even when we do have major investors for the trilogy and I am paying them an actual salary to be on set - I won't forget all they did for me to make it a reality.  And respecting them all as collaborators and fellow artists is my number one priority.

I hope this has given you a little bit of insight into how one fantasy film is being made in 2010.  There is enough room for all of us aspiring fantasy filmmakers to make our films.  And we fantasy lovers want to see good fantasy.  So I encourage you all to move one step forward today on your film, your painting, your ethereal songbook and share it with all you know.

 

By Lisa Stock

Titania Journals

"Once, while working in a museum, I held a pair of ancient sandals in my hand - the footprint of the person who wore them was still there, as though they had slipped out of them moments before, and not a thousand years before. 

It gave me pause to think of all that had transpired between their life and mine. 

Like standing in one spot on Earth thinking of all that is going on in the world at that very same moment - across continents and oceans and deserts. 

An infinite number of possibilities in one breath of time. 

For me to live in the magic is to imagine all the roads ever taken, then one by one find a way to discover them, learn about them, and bring them to life."

Lisa has been a member of Enchanted Folk since October 2007

members.enchantedfolk.com/medisaga

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