We are only a matter of weeks from rolling tape on The Candy Shop, quite possibly the most important film I will ever get to make.
When I tell friends that we’re making The Candy Shop, I always get the same reaction. ‘Wow, you’ve been talking about that film forever.” It’s true, I’ve been talking, dreaming and working on Candy Shop for over two and a half years now. It’s a film that has been my obsession for a very long time, and now on the crest of making it, I can’t help but be completely and utterly amazed at where we are.
The entire process of getting the green light on The Candy Shop was a whirlwind. It was a series of events that seems to have all fallen into place swiftly and abruptly. First the wins at Doorpost, then the additional funding and partnerships. One moment we’re just cruising along working on next years content, the next moment we’re in preproduction for a film we’ve been dreaming of for years.
The good news is that my team has been preparing for this for a very long time. I have nothing but the utmost pride and trust in my crew. Those diligent warriors slave for days and days on end, working their craft and getting very little sleep for this incredible project. I’m proud to serve alongside them. We feel as prepared as we have for any film. I don’t think you ever finish preproduction, you are just forced to begin principal photography.
One of the highlights of preproduction has been the Doorpost mentors. These are professionals both on the east and west coast who have been donating their time and energy to help us make this film the best it can be. They have introduced us to incredible talent we never thought we’d have the chance to work with, as well as pushing me well outside my comfort zone. I’ve been open about them with my weakest areas in filmmaking, and they have pushed me and encouraged me to grow both as a director and a leader.
Another freak out moment occurred when I realized that we were really getting to work with the incredible Doug Jones. Doug is one of those actors that is a master of his craft. I remember a long time ago, as one would often do, we would play the, ‘if you could cast anyone in the role, who would it be’ game. I kid you not, I would always say, “Doug Jones.” Now I’m not only a few weeks from hanging out with Dougie in my own backyard, but I get to direct one of Hollywoods most incredible character actors, as well as someone who has played the lead in a few of my favorite films. Doug is one of the most generous and caring actors I’ve ever met in LA, and I’m humbled by his kindness, his talent, and his willingness to spent two weeks with a bunch of crazies over here in Atlanta.
At the end of it all, I’m just trying to put my head down and not screw this up. I’ve studied, I’ve prepared, and I’ve pleaded with God not to let me crash this thing. I’ve known for a long time that The Candy Shop is so much more than just a film. Yes, as far as Whitestone is concerned it’s our biggest film and will be the best thing we’ve ever made. However this film needs to do more than just win awards, it needs to be the ignition for change. It needs to represent everything Whitestone stands for, which is to become an agent for redemption, a vehicle for restoration. I feel like a lot of my goals for Whitestone can be interpreted as overly ambition and unrealistic, but this one seems within our grasp. This film needs to be great because there is more at stake than just a great movie.
I’ll work on giving an update every week.
Until next week, semper ad meloria.
B
Hi Brandon,
Just wanted to let you know that I think this film you are working on is FANTASTIC! What a creative way to spread a very important truth. I write for an anti-trafficking blog and did a post on The Candy Shop today. You can check it out at http://bit.ly/CandyShopFilm
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to promote your upcoming film!
Michelle Brock
When Doug first told me about this project and about how jazzed he is about making the film, I just knew this was going to be something very special – not only from a cinematic point of view, but also because of what it represents. If we can be of any help at all in promoting THE CANDY SHOP, just drop me a line. I can’t WAIT to see it.