While I appreciate the offers to help, I think we’re better off keeping the dialogue between me and Christopher for now. He wants to make it work and I have given him an ultimatum. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t “come around” … as soon as he return from his latest trip to Africa.
So far as a director’s cut and deleted scenes, I don’t think so. Once we get the right scenes into the film, those that have been deleted are generally better left that way. On the DVD however there will be extra material, mostly in the form of two group conversations with fellow thoughtful hunters, including our own Thomas Downing, with his dad and his eldest son. I am a picky old fart, but like Clay, who is giving his film away, I’m not in this for profit and don’t play ever to make a penny from it. (DVD sales will go to recoup the filmmaker’s expenses beyond funds raised). So all I get is personal satisfaction of a job well done. That’s a very strong motivator.
In any event I am not panicked and didn’t mean to stir ire against the filmmaker, who has staked his financial and professional future on this film (big mistake, I say). I just wanted to explain why it’s taking so long–inexcusable–and share my concerns with you. As it stands it’s not “bad,” but merely pointless. Like a novelist who has lots of good material to work with but hasn’t yet quite figured the best way to present it as a story with a beginning, a middle, an end, and an obvious point. We will get there and thanks again for your support and patience.
