Those of you who’ve known me over the past couple of years – or who have been following this column with any regularity – probably know of the solemn vow I have made to myself. But just in case this is still news to anyone, lemme say it once again:
I, John Skipp, being of stoned but otherwise sound mind, body, and spirit, do solemnly hereby swear that I absolutely flat-out fucking REFUSE TO DIE without making at least three (3) feature films that I am actually proud of.
The first of these features is called THE GREAT DIVIDE. It’s a project I’ve been working on for most of the last six months, with a wonderful group of wildly-talented actors I literally all but stumbled into sideways.
As the old saying goes, life is what happens while you’re making other plans.
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY OF THE STORY
One year ago, I was working on another film entirely: a “haunted concert film” about a lost ‘70’s rock star, and the super-weird shit that happens when he attempts a final comeback tour. I’d spent about a year on it. Written and rewritten the script, as well as a whole soundtrack’s worth of original songs from the rock star’s illustrious but imaginary past.
I’d even gone so far as to score myself a wig and wardrobe, because the plan was (and still is) for me to play the old washed-up version of the rocker in question, with an awesome younger actor to portray him in his heyday.
It was at that point I realized it was time to stop delaying the inevitable, and take a fucking acting class. It’s something I’d been dying to do for years anyway, mostly because I wanted to be a better director of actors. To better understand the tactics and techniques of actors, their rhythms and resistances. And mostly, to understand what they needed from me; or, more to the point, what they didn’t need from me, in terms of useless and counterproductive direction.
But now I had the extra incentive of having written myself a role, and not wanting to stink it up.
Long story still kinda long: I wound up recruited as a judge for the annual Portland Guignolfest, a super-spooky and extra-squishy 72-hour film festival, wherein teams of fun-loving filmmakers had three days to make a short horror film from scratch. And then compete for valuable prizes!
There was one actress by the name of Kate Sorfa, whose unnerving performance I was particularly impressed by. And when I asked her about where she cultivated her chops, she steered me directly to The Actor’s Lab, and a particular instructor of extraordinary skill by the name of Kristina Haddad.
Now I could talk about the brilliant Kristina all day. And in fact, I already have. (See the column entitled THE POWER OF LOVE, OR THE LOVE OF POWER, for more more more. Link at the bottom of this piece!)
But what I really wasn’t prepared for was how truly incredible my classmates would be.
So this is the point where I stop talking for a minute, and ask you to watch this nice video instead. They’ll explain it waaaaaay better than I would!
And here is the link to our campaign:
https://thegreatdividemovie.wedid.it/campaigns/12069-the-great-divide
SO TO SUMMARIZE…
For the next 30 days, our entire team will be hustlin’ like mofos to raise the $25k we require in order to shoot this lovely, crazy, darkly hilarious and sneakily satirical take on income inequality, dysfunctional families, America’s robber baron past, and the meaning of life.
In the course of that time, I’ll introduce you to our cast. Talk about crafting the multi-layered characters, building on the strengths and the skills of all involved. On how creating an ensemble piece is a dynamic swirl born of weekly improv training mixed with sets of fixed narrative goals. How the more I watched and listened, the easier it became to write perfect parts for these incredible people I have come to totally love.
I’ll show you how and where I composed and recorded the soundtrack, blending Henry Mancini-like ‘60’s caper film instrumentals with 70’s hippie folk rock, ’90’s riot grrrrl and electronic dance, slinky exotica, party prog, and whiskey-soaked New Orleans gospel soul.
I’ll take you on location for behind-the-scenes peeks at production design, rehearsal, the assembling of our skeleton crew. I’ll walk you through my creative decision-making process, my art-o-tainment philosophy, what I care about and why.
We’ll spend a little time exploring our ugly robber baron past, because historical context is a wonderful thing, even when the history blows. We’ll dig into our current out-of-control income disparities, as well, because you can’t realistically talk about life if you can’t honestly depict the shit we’re actually up against.
Speaking of glaring income disparities, we’ll take a loving look at the micro-budget films that completely inspire me, here and always, from DETOUR to MURDER PARTY, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD to FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!, RESOLUTION and THE BATTERY to RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN. Then apply the great John Waters approach that if you can’t afford big movie stars, you make your own. Which is totally what we’re doing here.
My goal is to show you why I love this movie, and these people, in the hope that you will come to love them, too. And in the process, inspire you to join us on this madcap journey. Participating in any cool way you can, from helping us promote to pitching in with funds, from helping out on set to actual creative collaboration. (And remember, all donations of cash, food, equipment, travel, and more are 100% tax-deductible, through the astonishing From the Heart Productions, our fiscal sponsors in this and many other endeavors.)
Because when this beautiful movie is done, there will be more. I’m writing the next one already. (And next time, there will be horror.)
Rest assured, I have no intention of stopping at three. I’m just sayin’ I REFUSE TO DIE before at LEAST that many happen! And I’m sixty-six fucking years old right now. Which means I don’t have for-fucking-ever.
Right now, all I care about is pulling off THE GREAT DIVIDE. A pure labor of love, made entirely of fun.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING THIS! Hope it hasn’t been a chore. And look forward to sharing all the crazy stuff in store!
Yer most appreciative pal in the cinematic trenches,
Skipp
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P.S. – Here’s the link to the piece about Kristina.
https://johnskipp.substack.com/p/the-power-of-love-or-the-love-of
And here’s a link to the piece that explains exactly where I’m coming from.