On Friday, December 16th, 2011 We had sneak preview for family, cast and crew of the new film The Fencing Lesson. This was the final step to get an audience viewpoint prior to submission to the second annual Arnold Sports Film Festival. The film will be submitted in its final incarnation in a couple of weeks. We hope you enjoyed the film. We’re looking forward to the festival in March.

Wednesday, September 21st is set to be the final day of filming for the new film. We’ve already taken down the back wall. The rest of the set will be dismantled or removed next week. Production has been a lot of fun, although some of us (mainly the director) are discovering that it is better to be behind the camera rather than in front of it. After the completion of principle photography this week, there will be a couple months of editing and scoring the film before we preview it at Royal Arts. Stay tuned for that info.

Here are a few shots from the set.

One of the great things about being an independent filmmaker is that you get to do the films your way. One of the great downfalls is that it means cutting many, many corners, running headfirst in budgeting walls, space limitations, volunteer timing limitations and so much more. But it is a pure joy to do. This week we begin filming for our current short film. That means the stress level is at it’s maximum. Some of the things to do this week:

1. Pick up remaining incidental props for the film.
2. Work out the make-up for us but mostly me.
3. Load up the travel gear for the remote shot on Thursday.
4. Lighting and film tests in the venue. We have to wing the remote shoot with natural light and reflectors.
5. Practicing and rehearsing a couple of hours every day.
6. Losing a couple of pounds to make sure we’re exactly where we need to be before the shoot.
7. Wardrobe preparation, cleaning and final tests.
8. Drinking more water than should be allowed.
9. Running all of our regular classes and private lessons as scheduled.
10. Doing the “real” jobs.
11. Trying to get plenty of sleep so we look well rested for the film.
12. Finalizing camera setups, storyboards, etc.
13. Script breakdowns.
14. Audio tests. Recording room etc.
15. Constructing matte boxes and scrims.
16. Wondering where my sanity is to do this stuff.

Are we ready? Uh, no. This is the week where I stress about everything and starting last week began my normal rant that I don’t think we can pull it off. It’s a normal condition. Hopefully, I’ll keep up with the blogs as the production continues. It’s a goal this year.

Next year’s project is already under way, too…

Shooting for the next film begins in the next couple of weeks. We’ve been hard at work building the set, inhaling paint fumes, costuming, training and doing camera and light tests. Last year we used mostly remote locations, many of which we didn’t control many of the variables. This time we have no travel and ultimate control. Of course, that means it all has to be perfect!

This year’s film is fiction. More details coming soon.

Movies are ultimately about emotion, a theatre of feeling, allowing us to experience a wide variety of emotions not common in every day life to us. American Fencer has produced its share of experiences from those that know Julia as well as the general public. We thought we’d share some of them with you. Many were anonymously given to us at a screening. Feel free to add your thoughts, too!

“Excellent job! Very professional.” — George P.

“It was a fine film depicting a young girl’s dream and how focus and determination along with faith can make your dreams come true!” — Natasha P. Read more on “What People Are Saying About the Film” »

We could not find a soviet flag for under $250 and able to reach our deadline needed for the shoot. The night before the shoot, Julia sewed our very own soviet flag. Of course, she won’t allow it in the house! Read more on “Production Photos” »

American Fencer is a short film chronicling the life of Julia Richey. This is the story of a young girl discovering fencing in the former Soviet Union and being willing to give up the sport she loved to come to America. Once there, she discovered she could have fencing in America, although she needed overcome great personal hardships to produce national champions and host one of the largest, most well-known fencing tournaments in the world.

Richey, describing herself as “the most proud American,” arrived in the US in 1999 with a seven year old daughter to discover that American wasn’t what either of them thought it would be. It was better. Along the way, she started a fencing club and became the chair of the Arnold Fencing Classic. In fact, most of her American life the Arnold Sports Festival has been a part of it. Read more on “American Fencer” »

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
Tim Mills

ORIGINAL MUSIC BY
Paul Geraci

Phil Derrow as the narrator
Julia Richey as herself
Jacqueline Dennis as Young Julia
Anatolii Verulskii as the Russian Coach
Russ Halsey as a Russian coach
Payton Halsey as Katya
Janice Haimerl as a pilates student
Chuck Sholiton as a country club member
Christopher Rodek  & Chase Collier as Russian pioneers

CAMERA OPERATORS
Tim Mills, Julia Richey, Mark Ditullio, Russ Halsey, Jacqueline Dennis, Tia Proicou

THE FENCERS
Tommy Anglim, Frank Ditullio, Harry Ditullio, Russ Halsey, John Stimpfl, Eric Halsey, Natasha Jones-McDougle, Peri Tim Mills, Parents & Fencers, Serge Timacheff McDougle, Alan Smith, Liam Flanigan, Steve Bennett, Imani Williams, Tia Proicou

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF
Hunter Harrison, Mark Ditullio, Julia Richey, Tim Mills

SPECIAL THANKS
New Albany Country Club, Bexley Parks & Rec, Royal Arts Fencing Academy, Doran’s Farm Market, our fencers and families

THE IMMIGRANTS
Mark Ditullio, Tim Smith, Cassandra Williams, Curtis Wil- liams, Natasha Jones-McDougle