Major News: Production Delayed, Lead Role to be Recast!

Well, this is something that I didn't think I would be talking about.

This was supposed to be the post where I'd be sharing with you stories about the first part of shooting as production began on MOTW.

Instead, I'm sad to report that production is going to be delayed. Again.

Two reasons behind the delay. Locations and casting.

And with the casting, it looks like the lead role will have to be recast.

Here's the story. With about ten days or so to go before shooting was to begin, I got a message from my friend Adam, who was supposed to play the lead. He told me he couldn't make it out for the shoot because his job wouldn't give him the time off. Now, that's understandable, things like this happen. But, when I asked him whether he could reschedule to come up here, he couldn't commit to a specific date. Needless to say, I was quite ticked off with that turn of events.

With so much happening and a lot on the line, I couldn't deal with him having to make a last minute change yet again. So, in spite of the fact that he was my original choice for the role and that he had been interested in it through several changes and delays, I had no choice but to let him go.

This was very disappointing for me to do. Especially with someone who had been involved with it from the beginning. But in the long run, I had to do what is best for the project. And Adam was OK with the decision, albeit disappointed. And, our friendship is still intact, in spite of my decision.

If Adam had told me this say, two or three months ago, things would've been fine. It would've been fine even if this happened a month ago. But with the short notice, there was just no way I could get someone to take over, rush them the script, and have them ready to go.

Then came the matter of location. I had one location set to go, but two other places I thought would be good fell through. Then we couldn't find a third place that I thought would work for the movie as well. When that happened, along with the casting issue. I had no choice but to officially delay production.

So, pretty much things are back to square one. And even though this is a setback (and believe me, this is pretty major), I chalk it up as a lesson learned. And I go back to what I first wrote in this blog long ago: If for any reason things fall through, then I have no problem pulling the plug and holding things off for another time. I rather do it right then not at all.

Now that production has been delayed, when will things ramp up again for MOTW? Pretty hard to say, but I can say that things are happening behind the scenes and there will be some kind of report pretty soon.

But no matter what happens, I believe things will all work out in the end. And I have no doubt that MOTW will be ready to go in 2007.

Count on it.