SWAY Update

I have realized over the past two years that I’m just not all that great at keeping people updated. I have never sent a Christmas newsletter, I don’t call my mom or dad nearly enough, and while I work diligently to keep my immediate family communicating, and that’s about all I get done with any regularity!

So, I’m trying once again to give you an update on SWAY. Yes, we are still making a movie. Yes, it’s taken considerably longer than we ever imagined. Even the big movie companies take years to make blockbusters, so two ladies working with great volunteers on their first indie film can take that long, I guess!

Here’s what we have accomplished:

*Screenplay is written
*All roles have been cast (Jay’s audition took 3 hours!)
*Choreography is complete
*Dancers have been selected
*Locations are finalized (over 35 locations were used including 3 colleges, 2 airports, and 3 dance studios in 2 states)
*Songs/Music selected
*Call sheets complete and distributed
*Teaser made
*Insurance procured
*www.swaythemovie.com obtained
*Record all the music
*Accountant retained
*Hardware and software purchased
*Equipment rented
*Jazz singer contacted (Yay for Debbie Cunningham!)
*Costumes done
*CD song selection completed
*Transportation set
*Crew “hired”
*Carousel found
*Music Director hired
*Successful Kickstarter campaign complete to raise an additional $6,000
*Business Licenses applied and paid for
*Set up a business checking account
*Photo shoots
*Airline tickets purchased
*Housing (if you can call it that) procured
*Tour bus spotted
*Grand piano found
*Music video for “Everything” complete
*www.feelinggoodentertainment.com created
*Meals coordinated for cast and crew
*Movie edited
*Trailer created

You get the idea! We had no clue all that would go into creating a movie. So, here’s an idea of what we have left to do (in no certain order):

*Final music tracks for the movie, trailer, and for the video for “Everything”
*Post the trailer online
*Find a distributor
*Hire a graphic designer for cd and dvd covers
*Procure headshots
*Finalize contracts for mechanical and synchronization licenses
*Focus Groups
*Update websites
*Premiere showings in Salisbury, NC, Nashville, TN and Southern California
*Manufacture DVDs and CDs
*Get CD available on ITunes
*Thank all the volunteers, friends, family, and God for all the support!

There’s way more to do that just that, but you can see that there’s so much left to do in putting this all together! We’ve had over 25 volunteer crew members, nearly 100 volunteer cast members and extras, and over 60 family members and friends (and some folks we’ve never met) to donate financially. Our largest contribution (other than Billy and I) was $1,500 and our smallest was $20. It’s been such an incredible ride and we’re just not done yet.

I did want to take a moment to thank all of you who voted for FGE, LLC (me) for the 2010 Leading Mom’s in Business competition with StartUpNation.com. There were thousands of companies/moms that submitted their profile and we were selected in the top 200 (#84 to be exact)! You can check it out here: http://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-in-business/. I was so blessed to have such immense support from those of you who voted everyday! It was awesome. I hope next year (with your help) to top that list! Again, I’m so appreciative.

Please pray with us for sustained momentum. There are days when Sarah and I can get so discouraged. God usually uses Billy or Jamie Crist to encourage us to keep going! I’m so hopeful that you will get to see the final product by the end of this year or for sure by early 2011. We are taking baby steps and trusting God that he’ll direct us as we move forward!

Let me know if you have any questions. You know where to find me! God bless.