Director's Weekly Post Production Blog WEEK 59 Saturday December 20th...

I am now in Potosi, Bolivia. It is my first time in South America and thus is quite a thrill. I am trying to enjoy the trip as it is a once in a lifetime experience but at the back of my mind all time is the film and indeed the voice of Creditor X!
 
After polishing off "Pamela" in 6 days, I am now finishing a biography of Simon Bolivar before starting the behemoth that is "Clarissa". Cerro Rico, the silver mountain that dominates Potossi, is where Bolivar planted the republican flags at the culmination of the wars of liberation, having made his impassioned oath for South American liberation in Rome some 20 years before.
 
Despite Roger repeatedly asking me not to worry and to relax, I have been in contact with him via text. The review of the grade was pushed back during the week but was finally done yesterday. Apparently there were repeated interruptions and something that should have taken 4 hours took nearly 11 hours. By midnight UK time, Roger texted me to say that, bar one shot that had strangely gone missing(!), the review was completed and that despite JC being exhausted they had pressed on regardless to its conclusion. Caroline, I believe, was also in attendance and was much pleased with the end result.
 
I am sad that I couldn’t attend. This is the first film I have not attended the final review on but if I can trust anyone, I can trust Roger.
 
I hope once the missing shot has been found, that Neil can walk the film round to Molinaire and the preparation for the de-spotting can start next week.
 
I estimate we are now 8-9 weeks from completion and it seems we are finally able to keep to our schedules.
 

 I am now in the Atacama. The last three days have been the best so far with salt flats, altiplano lakes and deserts galore. Despite my stomach not being well (probably after eating too much llama and viscacha), altitude suckness and sunburn, I am ploughing through "Clarissa". Lovelace - what a
character!

When I came out of three days of no mobile coverage I was pleased to get a text from Neil telling me that the DI had been signed off on by Roger at that Neil had walked round to Midnight Transfer reels 2,3 and 5 so that they can start prepping for the de-spotting due to start on January 5th.

Why these three reels rather than 1-3 I am not sure but at least they are there and we have progressed. Neil further said that the other three should be there next week.
 
Next week also Caroline should receive from Neil a copy of the graded picture so she can re-constitute the trailer with the right grade. We should now also consider re-doing the poster such that the look is uniform again.

We are now 7-8 weeks away from finishing the film.

I am now in Valparaiso, a once glorious city that reminds me of both Naples and Brighton! I am over half way through my book and can see the end in sight now of this break and actually am quite looking forward to the final hurdles on the film, especially that moment where at long last sound and picture are combined for the first time since the edit.
 
While in Santiago de Chile for new year, I got many texts from cast and crew members wishing me a happy new year. Of course, none were more profound than Julie’s text. A few people also texted asking when they can see the film - the answer is the same time as I see it - when it’s finished. I hope that will be very soon.
 
Neil texted me saying that there was no particular reason why those three reels in particular had been sent over and to allay any fears I might have, also reminded me it didn’t really matter which order they are done in. The other three reels should be with Molinare on Monday which is also when the de-spotting should commence.

Back in Santiago de Chile. I will soon fly back to cold and wintery London, something I am actually looking forward too! Southern Bolivia has certainly been the highlight of the trip with its deserts, salt flats and volcanoes. Amazing landscapes.

I am just finishing “Clarissa”. Although sceptical beforehand, I now think the novel great. The mixture of comedy and tragedy is wonderful and very powerful, indeed maybe one of the most powerful books I have read that was written in the English language.

Neil has confirmed with me by text that the de-spotting is progressing as planned and that Molinare now has all 6 reels. The titles, I hear should commence on Monday. Neil has delivered them the proofs from Caroline. Yesterday also, Caroline received the graded picture such to re-configure the trailer although she has told me she is busy for the next two weeks.

I can’t wait to commence the final push.

Back in the fresh and cold British air. After the high altitude of Bolivia and the intense heat of Chile it feels great! I walk down the street inhaling deeply with almost a spring in my step! “Clarissa” is finished and I am now back at the coal face. Apart from finishing DEP this year, I hope also to shoot “The Power”.

I’ve spent most of the week going through e-mails, post and all the others things that have built up since I’ve been away. In the evenings also I have been zealously watching BAFTA screeners I didn’t get before Christmas.

Checking the Elephants bank account yesterday I was disappointed to find that not much had been raised since I went away. I will see Jonnie on Monday to do some more admin and pay outstanding bills. Our application to the DCMS was filed before Christmas. We now have to survive until we get the tax money back.

Next week I hope to go visit Molinare and see how the de-spotting has been going. As it has been going over a week now I hope that it will be well advanced and we will be closer to combing sound and picture at last.