Fundraising
At a time when so many things are not-functioning normally, we are finding it possible to make some forward progress on our film as we approach the beginning of the end in post-production.
Thanks to the tireless and innovative fund-raising efforts of Executive Producer, Rachel Raz, and generous contributions from many in the community we now have less than $10,000 left to raise for completion funding.
End of Production Phase
We completed Production last month, when, with the dedicated help of Anne Perlmutter and Rabbi Gideon Estes of Congregation Or Ami in Houston we were able to get video of the Space Torah before the shut down. We wanted it to look as if it were floating in space…but their sanctuary has a big circular skylight…so our Houston Director of Photography, Erik Sanchez had to construct a ‘dark room’ around the Bimah. This has provided the dramatic shot of our “co-star” that we wanted to have to introduce the Torah the first time it appears in the film.
Post-Production
We’re continuing to refine, the Rough Cut of the film is near to completion. We’re getting the first pieces of the original score from our composer, Billy Novick, and have begun to lay them in and are seeing how well they will reinforce the film’s narrative. At the same time, our Video Effects Editor, Ben Reichman, is creating elegant visual treatments and transitions…and our recently acquired researcher, Heather Merrill, (both are regular contributors to projects for WGBH) is queuing up to take on the vast archive of NASA, to make sure we get the most accurate, highest quality video to illustrate Dr. Hoffman’s various mission and spacewalks.
Completion
It’s risky to make predictions about anything under current circumstances, but we’re hopeful that, pending arrival of completion funding, we can make a realistic projection of doing our sound mix at Heart Punch Studio by early June…and be ready for release by mid-month.