2012 here we come

2011 was definitely the year of Laying Over. It was last January that Jake and I met for the first time to talk about it. Between raising the money, casting, finding the crew that helped make it happen, and filming, it's been a wild ride. Entering 2012, we will soon start post-production. We want to send out a big Thank You to everyone - the donors, cast, crew, extras, Sips & Bites, Heaven's Gate, Kevin McCarthy (whose work you see above), our parents, our bosses (who let us take off work), our friends (who let us invade their apartments), and who can forget Mohammed the taxi driver?! On behalf of everything and everyone, thank you thank you thank youuuu from the bottom of our silly filmmaker hearts.

As for Rachel, this is what I think she would say: Just as low as the lows were this year, the highs of 2011 were extraordinarily great. I think I'm going to remember 2011 as one of the best, worst, and most important years of my life, all at the same time. I have a good feeling about 2012...but I hope Meredith doesn't make me wear a stupid party hat tonight...

Not the cult

Heaven's Gate



We rounded up a bunch of friends and shot the band performing at Death by Audio last week for a scene in the movie. Check out their music: http://heavensgate.bandcamp.com/

"Laying Over" does Florida!

With (almost all) principal photography just a little over a week away, I thought I'd share some production stills from a little scene we shot down south last weekend starring the bold D. Seth Gleeson and beautiful Fort Myers beach...

broom stick for DIY boompole

taping the mic

the talent resting on his throne w/ nick armas - sound man extraordinaire

level checking

appears to be all good!

Lists, plans, etc.

Laying Over is a film about...

Grayson
Rachel
Grayson and Rachel
Rachel's break up
Grayson's flight
Shitty jobs
twentysomethings
wet suits
cheating hearts
best friends
first loves
bushwick
big cities
old feelings

As for me & the rest of the crew, we're in moviemaking magic mode. Locking locations, putting the final touches on casting, rehearsing, etc. We had a test shoot on Sunday. Here's a screencap from it:



Oooh, aaah...

GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!

THE CAPS LOCK IS PRESSED AND THE EMOTIONS ARE ELECTRIC BECAUSE WE HAVE FLOWN PAST OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL OF $8,000 WITH 2 DAYS LEFT TO RAISE EVEN MORE!

Okay, that might have been a little intense. But yeah, needless to say we are so happily grateful and gratefully happy because of all you fine people! I even wrote a little post about it pouring my heart out here. But for all you non backers, I just want to extend my extreme gratitude to anyone who took the time out of their day to help spread the word, visit the kickstarter page, or even show interest in our little project. Without every single one of you, this movie would just be some words typed onto a piece of paper. You guys are Dr. Frankenstein and are helping bring it aliiiiiive!

Sooooo this is probably the last time I'll push this link out (okay, let's be real, I'll probably do it once more tomorrow), but please contribute any way you can while there is still time left - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1739440328/laying-over

Thanks so much again. Y'all are the bee's knees.

Love,

Jake

Memory lane

I first read the script for Laying Over in January. Jake and I met to talk about it over Thai food. I think I got the Pad See Ew. Not really sure though. I was like "This script's cool bro, if you want me to be Rachel then goddammit I'll do it."

Nine months later I'm also a co-writer and co-producer, and we've raised over SIX GRAND. But while I signed on in January 2011, this film's been a year and a half in the making. It's a labor of love for every single person involved, including everyone reading this post. We need your help to reach our fundraising goal of $8,000. We're only one week away from the deadline!

Everyone who knows me well knows that behind this hard gangsta exterior, I have a sentimental heart. I'm secretly a big fan of babies, cute puppies, and sappy movies. Hell, I even cried during Big Momma's House (you know the scene where Big Momma comforts Nia Long).

Thinking about how far we've come is a trip down memory lane. But we're not done yet. Oh no.

Click here to donate and help make "Laying Over" happen.

Taking off...

We're at about 30 percent with the donations and couldn't be more grateful for all the support!

In other news in the "Laying Over" camp, our Kickstarter campaign just got some great coverage from Stephen Saito (IFC.com, among others) over at his cool new website, The Moveable Fest. Check it out here:

http://www.moveablefest.com/moveable_fest/2011/08/laying-over-jacob-halpren-kickstarter.html

We're beyond ecstatic with how it turned out. Still, there are only 16 short fundraising days left and although we've surpassed $2k, we've got quite a long way to go before we hit that glorious $8k mark.

So why not give a little bit? Help spread the word? Trust me, good things will happen if you do. Want proof? Proof.

can't stop/won't stop,

Jake