L’Huile d’Origan [subtitled] is now available for viewing on Element35.com.

This is the first of any sort of journalistic writing I have ever posted on the internet.  I’ve always avoided Notes on facebook, feeling that they were reserved for meaningless drivel, or asking a bunch of girls for their phone number because you “lost” your phone.  I write this minutes after I’ve posted the newly subtitled version of L’Huile d’Origan on to Element35.com.  It feels, a bit, like I’m finally putting this project to bed, so I figured I would wax nostalgic about the journey that the “French Film” has been.  What was conceived after an evening of jazz consumption on the plaza in Kansas City has ended up consuming many more hours than I could have ever imagined a 15 minute film could have.  The small four person crew (the cast, myself, and my good friend/other half of E35 Ryan Bruce) ventured into the stiff and frigid Manhattan, KS air on January 10th, 2010.  I had penned the script and Erin (who plays Miranda) had translated it into French.  The original plan was to release the film with French subtitles.  A subtle slight to the audience, and a nod to the Woody Allen film, “Bananas.”  After completing the first edit of the film, I realized two things.  1) The opening credits accounted for nearly 35% of the running length of the film.  2) The movie looked pretty intriguing without knowing what the actors were saying.  I didn’t have much confidence in the dialogue I had written, and felt that leaving out the subtitles would let the visual dynamics of the film play the main role.  After the film was released, the most oft delivered bit of feedback I received were requests to subtitle the film.  I initially panned the idea, feeling I had finished the film, but something struck a desire in me to finally do it.  Upon screening different fonts, weights, shadows, outlines, and all other design elements of logistically subtitling the film (Helvetica wins out.  It always does.  Thanks to the infamous Manderson for a great conversation and insight that led to the final decision) I was finally able to sit back, watch the film and follow the story.  It is definitely a different experience, a more character driven piece, but one that is, I think, much more enjoyable.  The entire experience; from having people stare at us strangely in a coffee shop as we clap to sync audio, to digging up old high school audio recordings to use for the closing credits, to filming some of the most ridiculous promo videos to date, has truly been a enjoyable learning experience.

Thanks for watching.  Thanks for the feedback.  Thanks for reading.  Now that Element35.com is active, I think the majority of my “professional” goings ons, will find themselves there.  Leaving BRETPALMER.com to be more of a personal page.  Which is good.  Because I’m Bret Palmer.  And I’m a person.

Please spread the film to your friends if you’d like.  There’s plenty more on the way.  

SH!TWITCH is next.

BP

Oh, and the title means “Oil of Oregano”