Still The Water
In the spring of 2019, a lifelong dream came true when I finally got to sit down in a feature film’s director’s chair to bring to life one of my very own works of fiction.
Still The Water is the story of brothers trying to reconnect many years after a domestic tragedy drove them apart. Like all of my writing, it’s an angsty, painful ride. The MacAulay brothers, Nicky and Jordie, shadowed by their hopeful younger brother, Noah, have no clue how to reach each other. Too much of life’s pain has gotten in the way and muddied the waters.
I was thrilled to work with actors Colin Price (Nicky) and Ry Barrett (Jordie) to bring this story to life. Rounding out the cast was Spencer Graham (Noah), Christina McInulty (Abby), Sherri-Lee Pike (Alice), Thane Clarke (Doug), and newcomer kids George Woods (Sam) and Autumn Scarlett (Emma).
The Little Movie That Could
We started calling Still The Water ‘The Little Movie That Could’ because we experienced a lot of challenges along the way, yet it always seemed to have a will of its own and an inherent determination to get made. For one, we were raising the funds privately through a provincial government Community Economic Development Business program (selling shares that were monitored and government regulated through the Departments of Finance and Securities) and if you have ever tried to sell shares in something as abstract as a first feature, well, you’d understand the challenge. I was working full time and the money was dribbling in, we were dependent on a lot of elements such as locations and crew availability, and time was ticking away. Finally we decided to stop chasing our tails, and we chose a date to go to camera. I had to leave my job - I had three weeks left in my contract, but it was either have a complete meltdown or devote my days to the movie.
I chose the movie. Hey, passion’s got a will of its own, right? A creator needs to create. (Joy! Bliss!)
We shot in late March, April, and early May. Twenty-three days in all. Cinematographer extraordinaire Christopher Ball (the kindest, most gentle man on earth, even when he is working with newbie film folks) took the helm of the camera department. The rest of the crew was, for the most part, new. Some days it was like herding cats. Other days it was simply magical.
We have no idea how the movie will do. Early comments are that it is well done, well performed, and well paced. My brother says he’s impressed, and he’s the harshest critic I know. I find it hard to look at it objectively any more, but I still get lost in it and I still cry during certain scenes, and I catch myself holding my breath in others.
Regardless of how Still The Water does, I am very proud of it, and humbled by those who helped it all come together. Mostly, I thank my Mighty Ocean Film Inc. peeps, Rick Gibbs and Nicolle Morrison, and my friend Edith Cole, for staying in it for the long haul and for believing in its power.
To the cast and crew who ate way too many sandwiches on the shoot, and who endured long, cold days, I am eternally grateful.
Still The Water has a message to share - forgiveness IS possible. More than anything, I want to get that message across. There’s a lot of pain in the stuff I write, but ultimately there is healing too.
Luv ya.
Susan
