Robin C. Farrell

I think I may have found myself a farm for the short film I'm planning, "The Stranger."

I went "location scouting" last weekend and actually had some very good luck. There are a few people who live near me (and by near I meanwithin 20 minutes of driving from my house) who live on working farms.  I had been interested in going to see these farms since May - and finally got around to checking them out.

Irritatingly, though, I seem to have lost the cord to my camera, so I am currently without away to upload the numerous photos I took. I'm left only able todescribe them. *clears throat*

I went by three.

The first one I couldn't actually get to because of an odd road detour, but from what I could see from the road, I didn't think it looked old-fashioned enough, anyway. They might have refurbished it since the last time I was there.

The second farm was pretty awesome. The owner ofthe house and farm wasn't actually at home, but I spoke to his daughterwho said she'd let him know I stopped by. I really liked it. It wasvery secluded, and somewhat small, but it seems very similar to howI've always pictured the house in my head; the illustrations, ofcourse, had influence, but when I started thinking about shooting it,this place is sort of what I had in mind. There was a LOT of trees andgreenery around, which would be very helpful for the context of thefilm; i.e. everything staying lush and green on THEIR farm, whileeverything else nearby has changed for autumn. Again, it's a bit small,and I didn't get to see the interiors, but I really liked the exteriors.

The third farm probably makes the most sense. It's a much more expansive farm; they have a LOT of different crops, including hay and straw. Both owners were there, so I actually got to talk to them; they were surprisingly keen on helping me out. They have carts, wagons, and/or other farming equipment that they'd be willing to let us use, they said we could actually shoot the scenes we needed in the fields as long as we don't interfere with the actual work going on, etc. They would even be willing to allow me/us/the crew to get footage of them at work (real farming/work) along with the other farmhands - I asked about that, because I thought it might add to the authenticity of the fact that it's a farm. It's a lot more open. I got a look at the interior, too.  It's actually an older house, being restored to it's original style; very traditional and old-fashioned. So inside is just about perfect.  The only downside that I can see is that it's a little close to a relatively busy road, which means audio might be a problem. I'd have to actually test it out to be sure. There's not much dialogue, but still.  Ambient noise is crucial.

And yet, for some reason, I haven'tconnected to this farm. The logical side of me is thinking that I havebasically found the perfect location, both interiors AND exteriors,with willing people, both of which are drastically important. If weshot there, we'd only have to get two shots elsewhere (the "country road" opening, and the scene where the stranger climbs the hill andsees the color contrast amid the trees; that requires a mountaintop, I think). But something doesn't feel right. I can't put my finger on it.  I might have just been tired that day - it was the morning/afternoonafter my first night back at work and I was really exhausted.

I'm hoping to have a few of my colleagues and fellow filmmakers come by to go scouting with me again so we can get the ball rolling here soon.

I have been thinking about music and musical themes for the project as well, and I've become hooked to the idea of using the song/music of "Something Told the Wild Geese," which is a song I sang with my middle school choir (and have heard sung by various other choirs) multiple times. Surprisingly, it hasn't been sung professionally very much.  However, I found the perfect rendition of it on the album Christmas With The Von Trapp Children.  We probably won't use it, specifically (copyrighting, yuck), but it's the exact pace and tone that I would want. I was actually thinking, though, that I might ask some of my friends who are musically inclined,if they'd be interested in playing around with it, possibly coming up with an alternative, instrumental/music-only version.

There's one more farm left to check; friend of a friend who owns a farm and who also specializes in antique farming equipment. So I might check outthat location as well.

Lots to choose from!

~ R