Ta-dah! And that's that...

It feels a little silly to officially "release" FAMILY TIE three years after I "finished" it and a staggering ten years after I started it, but life has a funny way of throwing those curve balls every so often. Plus, and more importantly, when you're managing every aspect of the film's post-production existence, it tends to take a bit more time.

But having said that, i do feel "the weight has lifted" somewhat. I've done what i can to make the film tight and effective and, finally, have put it out there for anyone and everyone to have a serving. Something about that final stage when you have your premiere (which we have not officially had) and no longer feel that need to "finesse" it anymore finally allows me to disconnect from the process. Of course, the film's life on the festival circuit and any other screenings is a whole other thing, but the actual creative process of making the film can be called complete. I am liberated to pursue other projects, date other ideas, etc.. I can finally be the creative whore I've always wanted to be, and be polygamous with my whims...

Really what I guess that means is that I won't be nagging myself when i start on something else with the whole, "but what about FAMILY TIE? Are you ever going to finish anything or just start lots of things?" And sure, some projects you start and they get abandoned with good reason, and maybe I would have been wise to cut my losses and move on earlier, but I really don't regret a minute spent on it. Hell, half the reason it took so long to edit it was that I loved creating the world that is THE FAMILY TIE. I loved watching and studying the actors (in moments good and bad) and deciding the best choice to "create that moment." Definitely the editing of a project is something I relish, and this was a particular treat.

I have learned lots of lessons in making FAMILY TIE, namely that doing everything yourself is NOT always the best way - certainly not the fastest! But that sounds pat and kind of simple. I could rattle on about what I learned as an artist but it's a bit early to share that type of observation (not to mention a tad pretentious). All I wanted to do was make a fun and offbeat movie that would entertain people in a challenging sort of way. And I THINK it works like that...

now if only people would watch the damned thing