That's a Wrap!

Inspiration reached a major milestone last weekend as the team completed principal photography. The grueling three-day shoot included many of the key dramatic scenes, with numerous set-ups.

Thanks again to Grace, our talented lead whose star is quickly ascending, and to Jessica and Jonathan for their hard work and dedication in creating this special family. Major props to our tireless crew, who helped make the creative vision happen and who deserve some rest and serious fun. Sincere thanks to Jacob for allowing us to build the world of Inspiration within his own world. And to Hiroki Sugiyama for the beautiful photos.

A star-spangled clapboard slates a kitchen scene.

Grace Brakeman (Claire), Director Jackie Carr, and Jonathan Thomson (Jack) discuss the opening breakfast scene.

Jessica Webb (Jennifer) and Grace Brakeman (Claire) during the dinner table scene.

Director of Photography Jess Dunlap sets up a shot.

A view of Claire's bedroom scene through the monitor.

Jennifer discovers Claire's secret.

Next stop... the editing suite!

More Ink for Inspiration and IS Films

The Angels Behind a Student Project
Industry largesse plays a vital role in 'Inspiration'

Martin Zaharinov majors in directing narrative fiction at Emerson College, but don't underestimate the importance of his minor in leadership and management. Lately he's demonstrating plenty of that important filmmaking skill known as getting it made.

Zaharinov is founder and president of IS Films Inc., a nonprofit intended to help fund student films beyond the normal thesis projects. And he and the IS (Independent Student) team, which includes treasurer Elizabeth Daly and non-student board members Paul Turano and Glen Livolsi, have reeled in some serious bounty for their first production.

Inspiration, filming in and around the city this month, is a roughly 25-minute film with a cast of four, written by Michael Gray Beckett (Emerson '84) and directed by Jackie Carr (an Emerson senior). It's the kind of indie often shot on the most threadbare of shoestrings.

But Zaharinov and company have scored a ton of film-industry largesse to get Inspiration done right: the loan of a complete 35mm camera and equipment package from Panavision (worth low six figures to rent for a few weeks), a film stock grant from Kodak (worth perhaps $3,500), and processing from the FotoKem post-production company that Zaharinov said will probably be worth $30,000 or more.

All this is just the beginning, says Zaharinov, who is credited as executive producer and assistant director. He hopes IS Films will become a producing umbrella that will help many more students realize their filmmaking dreams.

Click here for complete story.

First Weekend Shoot... In the Can

The tireless Inspiration cast and crew wrapped up the first weekend of shooting this past Sunday. As usual, the film gods were watching over us and managed to limit the rain to Saturday night... so both outdoor shoot days were classic autumn in New England. (Whew!)

Thanks to Grace, Abi, Jonathan and Jessica for their patience, professionalism and high spirits doing take after take. And to the crew for an epic amount of work. And to Julie Haberstick for the photos.

And it all happens again next week! The magic of Inspiration continues...

Inspiration Highlighted in Emerson Magazine

The October issue of Emerson College Today includes a feature article on Inspiration, IS Films and the student and alumni working to bring the film to life.



Students find 'Inspiration' in film and win major grants
by Christopher Hennessy

A film produced and directed by current Emerson students, with a screenplay penned by an alumnus, has won three major grants, including an equipment grant from Panavision's New Filmmaker Program with an estimated value of $500,000. The filmmakers have also fundraised more than $17,000 to support the production of the film.

The 35mm film, entitled Inspiration, is scheduled to begin shooting late this month and into November. The other grants the film has secured include a Kodak 35mm film stock grant and a Fotokem grant for post-production processing, dailies printing and answer printing.

Click for full article...

Inspiration Draws a Line in the Sand

...Well, actually, in the South End asphalt.

Inspiration Executive Producer Martin Zaharinov and Director of Photography Jess Dunlap proudly display the permits that will mark the location for our outdoor shoot later this month. Kudos and fist bumps to Martin for successfully navigating the Byzantine channels of city hall to acquire these sacred placards!

Inspiration Spotlight: Executive Producer Martin Zaharinov

What's your background and why do you want to work in film?
I have always had a passion for cinema and films. My father comes from a TV and journalism background. He used to anchor for the news in Bulgaria back in the early 90s and I always enjoyed seeing him on TV and envisioned myself being in his place one day. When the time came for applying to college I asked myself “What do I love to do most in this world?” After a year of deliberation, I decided to apply to film schools. Once I got to Emerson, I quickly realized that I love this school and that filmmaking is what truly makes me happy. I believe it’s what I was always meant to do.

Why did you choose Inspiration to be your first major production?
Inspiration, at a first glance, touched me on a personal level. I could relate to the story in a deep emotional sense, for reasons that I will keep to myself. Upon a second read I found that I really liked the characters, enjoyed the interactions between them, and was drawn into the story. As I was rereading the script, prior to my meeting with the writer, I found myself “watching” the film, seeing the scenes come to life in my mind. I really enjoyed it and I was actively looking for a major project to take on. I knew from the beginning that this will be an enormous challenge and that it will be either all or nothing, and when dealing with absolutes I said to myself: Yes, this is manageable and I can do it!

Explain what the executive producer does on a film.
The Student Executive Producer is the spearhead of any student-produced film. He/she (or they…it is recommended to have at least a couple of Execs) are the people who essentially put the film together from A to Z – the beacon for the rest of the crew to rally around. The EP handles all business issues, assigns responsibilities, and secures the finances for the film. The EP has final say and veto power of any and all decisions on a student-produced film, and is in charge of the entire team.

What are your goals for Inspiration?
Since I started this project, I have been quite vocal about how great I want to make this film, how good of an experience it will be, and how many grants we will be entrusted with. The naysayers rolled their eyes about us getting a Kodak grant. Or Panavision. Or Fotokem. But we got all three. Ninety percent of the things that I set out to do are taking place, and I must admit that I’ve been talking up Sundance since Day 1…

Tell us your five favorite films and why.
I'll give you more than five, since I rank a lot of them equally, but will keep the descriptions brief, deal?

1. The Fountain — I can write a book on why.
2. Beautiful Mind — Great performances, great story, great cast, great team, great interpretation, great mind. I can watch this over and over again, and I think it has one of the best film titles out there.

3. Shawshank Redemption — Amazing! The story is beautiful, the telling of it is even better. Morgan Freeman has always been great in everything he commits to. I don't think that I have ever seen a movie that has drawn me deeper into the world it depicts than Shawshank. By the time the movie is over I don't ever want to leave nor can I ever tell the passage of time when watching this film.

4. Forrest Gump — One of the greatest acting performances of all time. Tom Hanks is spectacular and magic always flows when he works with Zemeckis. Like Shawshank, Gump draws me into a world of running, war, shrimp, ping-pong, and drama that I don't want to leave once the credits roll.

5. Lord of the Rings (Return) — When have you enjoyed yourself more at the movies! Best entertainment ever!

6. The Prestige — Amazing story and cinematography! Nolan kicks ass directing this one. The twist is amazing and the film has one of the best plot structures I have ever seen! Plus I have always had a soft spot for and a fascination with magic!

7. Love Actually — Everyone needs a bit of lovin’…

8. Leon —Loved it as a kid and I couldn't get enough of it! Really hard to come by, but a great movie.

9. Seven Chances - Buster Keaton. Hilarious!

10. The Matrix - FUN!!!

And many more. All film majors have 50 Top Five movies. It just depends on the time of night you ask them the question!

Inspiration Awarded Fotokem Grant

Inspiration continues to receive recognition and support even before we shoot the first frame. We were recently awarded the Fotokem Student Filmmaker Grant. This competitive post-production grant covers the cost of film processing, print dailies, and answer printing and is valued at $10,000. The grant assures that the project will be able to transition seamlessly into post-production work as we get ready to ride the film festival train in 2009!

Kudos to our EP Martin for pulling together another solid grant application. The Fotokem grant is another feather in our cap, which includes the Kodak film stock grant and the Panavision equipment grant. The strength of the project and the production and creative team have helped earn this industry support... and with the addition of our talented cast, to be finalized next week, Inspiration is on target for further accolades.

But we still need to complete our pre-production fundraising. Visit our IndieGoGo page and make a donation of ten dollars or more. The clock is running... Help us reach that final $1500 finish line. Spread the good word about Inspiration, and thanks for supporting independent filmmaking.

Yard Sale Paparazzi Pics

The Inspiration fundraising yard sale was a great success. In fact, it inspired us to hold another in July. Before checking out the glam photo spread below... remember to visit the Inspiration IndieGoGo page and make your donation. Help us meet our $5000 fundraising challenge in the next few weeks!! Thanks for supporting indy film!

People came in waves on the first official day of summer to score cheap stuff and offer donations and words of support. Thanks to everyone who bought something and wished us well!

Our Executive Producer Martin beckoned passersby to check out the goods for sale... including the magical blue fog machine next to him (hmm... did someone buy that? Was Donna Summer in the 'hood that day?) Note the low angle shot... adding to Martin's always imposing physical presence.

Production Designer Rachel and Director Jackie added a dash of high-class retail style in their crisp cotton aprons... with big pockets to hold lots of cash!

IS Films Board Member Glen impersonates The Fonz from Happy Days in a nod to Henry Winkler, one of Emerson's illustrious alumni.

Note the 21st century update to a Polo shirt instead of the Fonz's leather jacket. Ayyyy.

Glen practices for his future coronation as the epic film producer of the 21st century. All he needs is a crown, a handful of Oscars and a Palm D'Or.

Okay... we got a bit punchy toward the end of the day.

Yes... Martin can now officially claim to shedding blood, sweat and tears for Inspiration.

We will never hear the end of it.

Roaring Out of the Gate

As Memorial Day fast approaches, the Inspiration team is geared up for a whirlwind summer to put a thousand pieces in place and begin shooting the film in late September. But wait.... we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Inspiration is a 23-minute, 35 mm film that follows precocious young Claire's journey of self-discovery through a portrait she is secretly painting. The film is the cornerstone project of IS Films Inc., a Boston-area nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for college and high school students to create, work on and learn about film and media productions.

Inspiration is directed by the vivacious Emerson College BFA candidate Jackie Carr and written by Emerson alum Michael Gray Beckett, based on his short story. The miraculous Martin Zaharinov is Executive Producer and chief bulldog for the ambitious endeavor. A talented posse of creative and producing talent round out the team... and will be introduced over the coming weeks.

Since Martin and Michael first connected at Christmastime, a tremendous amount of work and planning has been underway to get to where we are now... looking forward to weeks of fundraising, location scouting, casting, production design, schmoozing, arm-twisting, negotiating, begging, cajoling, nail biting, caffeine stoking, beer-and-pizza scarfing -- and surely a lot of laughs. And when the dust clears... a beautiful film.

Inspiration was a successful published story that was adapted into a script and now will be transformed into a film. The determination of Claire to learn who she is and what she's capable of is a real-life metaphor for the team as we work to bring this project to fruition. The plan is for a gala premiere in Boston in December and to rock the festival circuit next year. Between now and then, we'll keep you posted on our adventures in independent filmmaking... and our own journeys of Inspiration.