It may be sunny outside but it’s a grim day on the balance sheets. Looking at what we have to achieve and how we are going to get things done on time and to the highest quality, sadly it all boils down to money. Even though we can do a lot with a small amount of cash, we still need the small amount of cash.

So looking at the bank accounts and the current rate of input, we need to get a swift cash injection over the next few weeks, so we can keep on schedule.

I don’t like posting about negative things but as were being open about how were making Casimir Effect I know one day this blog post would come. It was inevitable that we would need a swift cash injection at a number of points during this process and so far we have managed to get there by the skin of our teeth. So once again we are in a situation here, where things need to happen in the early stages of post production so we can get the film finished on time. However as always these are where the costs are. Such as ADR suite hire, software needed do all the SFX and post work, even software upgrades to keep the editing system up to the current standards so we can deliver the right files to the various people during this process.

We will also be removing the Dr. Bob Apparel design on the 31st of May 2010. If you want one of these now is your chance to put an order in. The printers have finally caught up and we collected all outstanding stock today and will post that out in the week. However after the 31st we will remove the Dr. Bob design and will be printing no more, so we will only have the items in our stock box.

The Crunch

We need cash, anything you can offer or do to help us is welcome, even if it’s only the spare change in a jar every pennies helps and we will be grateful for it, if we could get 100 people donating £10 then that would be a big step in the right direction. We have also compiled a list of other funding options:

• Donations: see the buttons at the bottom of this page, any donations from now on will get your name in the credits.
• Bid on something on our eBay page, everything that we have left over from the film must go and all items used will come with a certificate of authenticity.
• Buy items from our store. We have a lot of apparel, loads of prints; some signed, some unsigned, badges, keyrings and our main theme song.
• Fundraising around your social networks and groups, you can even tell them they will be helping independent British/European cinema.
• If you have anything knocking around taking up space that you think you might want to donate to us so we can sell it we don’t mind doing all the hard work for you. In the past this has worked well with signed posters, scripts and photos.
• Just generally be loud about the film, tell people why it’s important and that they can have their name in the credits if they help out. The more visitors and people knowing about Casimir Effect the more chance we will get people who want to help out.

We have spent the last five days working on the director’s notebook, we have written up all the acting notes we have for the entire script, these range from ideas of what the characters are feeling to their individual thoughts. We don’t expect this to be a Black and White rulebook, but it will be handy and used as a starting point for the actors, unless they nail it right off the bat. This is more about the inner thoughts and story of each character. More what you see behind the eyes, the subtle expressions and movements that go into bringing a character to life.

We have also been working on the ARG we have set up a number of foundation blogs, each will have a number of stories that lead into the ARG. They will give readers more of an insight in to the world and the events before and after the film. It will be a chance for people to ask questions and interact with the characters. We are still looking for writers for the main ARG characters.

We have read-through’s on Monday and Tuesday so we can solidify everything in the script and tweak it to take it to final draft. It will feel so good to type Final Draft on the front of the script. Then it’s on to the massive task of pre-production, first on the table is Locations and Actors for me, the art department will start to wind up to.

I’m two layouts off finishing the Pre-Production software I should have that finished by the end of tomorrow as I need it for Saturday. And providing it works I’ll start the Scheduling section next month. I guess when you can’t afford the thousands for scheduling software it’s best to just make your own. At least this way it can be Dynamic and I can adapt it to suit the needs of the production.

It’s been a week or so longer to get here than planned, but then we did have four days in Prague, chilling and relaxing. It was much needed.

Anyway now were getting back on track fast the script is down to 38 page (our goal). We have gotten the script to third draft, it’s been tough and intense the last week, working solidly on each scene working on the themes motives and actions of each character in detail. Were there now and every scene is needed and important, every action has a reason, and every bit of dialogue is needed. It’s quite slick now. Also the structure has come together; all our plot points happen at the right time in the right order and the pacing is good. The only thing left to do is read-through with actors to see how it sounds and works in actuality.

We have also started to compile the directors notebook, this will be a weighty tome, were already at 59 pages. I’m expecting a ream or so to carry on set. This is the intense part, as this is what everything means, motivations ideas themes, background, stuff that is vital to getting the best performance out of the actors. I would say starting it this early has helped a lot on getting the third draft as tight as it is. It’s also unlocked hidden themes helped clarify character stories, and bring the main themes out. There is still a long way to go on the notebook, but it is the most vital thing we will write for the film after the script.

I have been in takes with a chap for our lead male role Dr. Robert Cameron, I cannot say who it is yet, but I know some of you girls out there will be happy, and some of you men. I hope to have everything in place in a few weeks for him and then I can drop a press release out and spill the beans. Some of you who are working on this project already know who I’m talking about but I hope you keep it as a surprise for everyone else.

Anyway time to chill for a bit, Lydia is going through the script one last time, then she is going to give the directors notebook a grilling.