27 August 2008

Thanks

END is the very epitome of a collaborative project. Without a doubt the movie that we are making simply would not be possible if it weren’t for the hard work, countless sacrifices and blood, sweat and tears of dozens of individuals who have poured their very lives into making this movie a reality.

While Megan and I were the ones that conceived this cockamamie idea all those months ago this ceased being just “our” project the moment we started bringing all these other great artists along for the ride. Each and every single person who has had their hand in this feature, whether it be the actors, the Assistant Director, the Director of Photography or even our great friends and family who have picked up food, built walls and most importantly lent us moral support, their individual signature is now permantly stamped onto the representation of our dreams. For that we obviously want to say thank you and I can only assure you that each and every one that has made this possible will receive a very personal show of gratitude from us over the coming months.

That however is not the point of this post. No, the point of this post is to make special mention of the two people whose roll in all of this goes beyond comprehension, David and Susan Dunacheck. These two saints have gladly and willingly opened up their house for us to shoot in.

The moment Megan and I realized that we could make our dream a reality and that we needed to do so FAST, Susan and David immediately stepped up and graciously offered their house to us as a location for our shoot. If they had not done this we would still probably be sitting around trying to figure out what we were going to do instead of being on the verge of going into our last weekend of principal photography.

I’m sure some people will notice that Lauren Dunacheck, David and Susan’s daughter is one of our cast members and I’m sure that will cause more than a few minds to come to the conclusion that it was in the name of their daughter’s self interest that they opened up their house to us. If you know David and Susan though you know there couldn’t be anything further from the truth. There is no doubt in my mind that even if Lauren wasn’t one of the performers in our feature Susan and David still wouldn’t have hesitated in allowing us to use their domicile as our make-shift studio.

In my brief 28 years on this planet I have been fortunate enough to have many kind and generous gestures extended upon me but I must admit, I’m not sure any of them can hold a candle to this. We have made David and Susan’s life a living, chaotic, cluttered, loud, annoying hell over the last month. We’ve nailed things into their walls and over their windows, we’ve dirtied everything we can get our hands on, stained carpet and literally driven people through walls and yet through all of it the Dunachecks haven’t even raised an eyebrow and have continually asked what more they can do to accomidate us.

For lack of a better term I am humbled and in awe of their endless generosity. These two people have given every single person involved with this movie the chance to pursue their dreams. They have enabled and encouraged us and through it all have shown us what true love and friendship looks like.

My sister and I will forever be in Susan and David’s debt and I think I speak for us both when I say that even if it takes us the rest of our lives we will pay their kindness back and honor their sacrifice and compassion by continuing to reach for the stars and with luck give them a handful of their own to play with. David and Susan from the bottom of my heart and I’m sure everyone else involved in this production, thank you so much and God bless you both.

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