Director Maxine talks to Kaki King between takes

Hi everyone, just thought it'd be a good time to send out another update of where we are with Musicwood. We feel like we're heading down the home stretch, which is a great feeling.

We've had some consultants take a look at the film to give us a sense of where we are and what we have to do to finish. Marshall Curry, who was nominated for an Oscar this year, looked at it and really enjoyed it. That felt pretty amazing. 

After this really valuable feedback we decided we needed to make some significant changes — the narrative arc is working well but we want to reinforce more of the dramatic moments. And we also need to get final filmed performances with artists. We're getting there, but we need one or two more and one big hitter, so if you know anyone that knows Neil Young or Eric Clapton!!!!

We also had a great experience filming with Kaki King a few weeks back. Her performance and interview were fantastic, and she has some serious skills. She was one of the few women who made it into Rolling Stone's top 100 guitarists of all time. On the same day we filmed an interview with up and coming indie band The Antlers, which was also a lot of fun. 

So at the moment we're just getting back to working full time on the documentary after some paid work, with a big hope to have an almost-finished, or "fine" cut by the end of April. We're also approaching music supervisors to help us with the correct placement of music for the most dramatic effect; getting the music placement right is going to be critical for the film.

In other positive news, flash drives, prints and postcards have all been delivered! If you didn't get something, do let us know, and we'll get it out to you asap. Also, the first batch of songs have gone out, and more are being refined, so we will get those to you as soon as they're done.

We keep hearing that if it takes a year to edit a feature documentary then that is good going, so that makes us feel much better. It's been a long road, but all of your support, help and encouragement has really made the path easier for us. We'll keep you guys updated as we move forwards and get the film finished.

Onwards!

Josh + Maxine

Hi all, just wanted to let you know how Musicwood is going and give you a little progress report on where we are.

First off I wanted to let you all know that we are indeed at work on getting all the rewards produced and sent out: songs are being written, art prints are being approved, postcards are getting printed up, flash drives are being purchased. You'll get your rewards very soon, so thanks for bearing with us...

It's taken a bit longer than we hoped to get the rewards up and out because we have been really busy with a final trip to shoot in Alaska and then furiously editing the film. The great news is that we currently have a working rough cut of the film and we were able to get it done in time to submit to Sundance! We really could not have done it without all of you and the Kickstarter funds that allowed us to focus just on the film. So thanks and wish us luck!

We still need to film a couple of music performances, and are contacting Neil Young, Arcade Fire and Rodrigo y Gabriela to see about getting them to participate. Once we get those shot, and spend the next few weeks getting the rough cut polished up, we should be getting close to having a finished film. Add in some graphics, a sound mix, music and some more editing, and we really hope that the finished Musicwood will be ready to screen in early 2012.

We'll continue to keep you updated as to how things are going!

Well, we made it. The campaign is over. Wow.

Special super shout-out to last backer Leslie Lilo who got in just at the last moment (somehow officially at 5:01?) and scooped up the massage! Amazing.

We made our goal, and we made a huge chunk over as well. And we couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. From the 1$ donations to the $5000, you have all pitched in and said you believe in this project, and that you believe in us. It has been an AMAZING ride. We really look forward to keeping you all up to date on how the film is doing. We'll move into the edit soon and have more to share with you as far as scenes, outtakes, news on acoustic performances we're filming and more.

We absolutely out of breath from all the fund-raising. We are so appreciative of everything you all have done in support of our project. You are all now active participants in this film, Musicwood is now just as much yours as it is ours.

We pretty much feel like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VY1nX9KYk8

Thank you all again.

Josh, Maxine, Matt, Alice. The Musicwood Crew.