Rehearsal number three last night went well -- though technically I suppose this was rehearsal number one, as it was the first with the entire principal cast. And as the three performed the script for the first time -- complete with little bits of blocking and props -- more and more of the visual started to fall into place for me.

Scott and Melissa really do have a great chemistry (thankfully, my memory didn't fail me this time around), as do Donna and Scott. And there's some really great comic delivery, too, without anything really jumping out and forcing a pause. So far -- and the hope is that it will stay this way, with a minimum of rehearsal -- everything seems to be moving toward a very conversational presentation. I do have occasional concerns of this turning into a short film by Mamet, with very stage-like dialogue, but Scott and Donna and Melissa are doing a great job allaying my fears on that level.

This weekend, I should be able to get around to finally rounding up my remaining extras, which leaves me with not much left on the preparation plate aside from meeting with the rest of the crew and making sure they're all set up with whatever they need. And then it's off to the shoot, and then a week of no film talk, no freelance web design to finance the movie -- nothing but heavy drinking, I think, to carry me through until Christmas.

The Birmingham News' Saturday edition had a review of "A ... My Name Will Always Be Alice" at Terrific New Theatre. The production features our own Melissa Bush.

"What helps this production work is the versatility of Stewart's five-woman cast -- Melissa Bush, Pam Elder, Melodie Norman, Rachel Weaver and Chalethia Williams. Though some of them are obviously better singers than actresses, and others better actresses than singers, they all are competent in both areas."

I can't believe I'm sick. And I can't believe that's the reason I'm missing out on rehearsal. Dandy.

Kenn's been so busy doing the behind-the-scenes stuff, which includes this great site.

Yesterday, he added more links for cast and crew, headshots and bios for our talented cast, and beefed up the pages for the Muckfuppet site. Plus, he set up a mailing list for us to chit-chat, though unfortunately, not behind his back.

And did he mention, he's sick?

I'm taking a few cues from other local productions, including "Hide and Creep," in how a website can help with coordination, solicitation and promotion. But Kenn's the programming mastermind, among the many hats he wears.

Next up, the wiki-script.

Well, another Thursday, plus a little bonus in the form of a mild case of the flu. Whee.

And yet, somehow, I work harder today than I have in recent past. I suspect that has to do with being at home in front of my computer and not at the office. Normally, I come home and want nothing to do with the computer, after sitting in front of one for 10 hours or so (especially lately, when we've had a lot of work to do); not having the 20 minute gap between office and home to break the momentum, though, seems to have spurred me on.

To work all damn day.

There's been some updating of the site, but most of the work was behind the scenes -- a lot of emails, a lot of clerical and technical preparations. More than I would have thought I would have put into the shooting of a ten minute film. Now I have a really hard time seeing how people shoot features while working full-time (although, to be fair to myself, I'm actually working full-time plus, in order to fund shooting on film).

What was the point of all this?

Oh, right. Pre-production. Most people tend to think of making movies as just the shoot (and maybe some post-production afterwards - the edit, music, etc.). But to anyone getting ready to shoot their first (or even twentieth) film, I offer this advice: plan ahead.

Start working long before you are going to shoot. Tweak your script until you can find nothing at all with it, until you've got every line and nuance memorized. Make checklists until you've killed a forest. Talk with your team until they've all blocked your calls; ask them if you've forgotten anything, ask them for criticism, let them do their thing. Find a good media relations person (or more than one) -- keep the word out.

Same thing goes forthe post-production process, but boil it down to one thing: time. Give yourself plenty of it. Don't rush the process just to make a deadline for a festival. Let your team do their jobs, and be open to criticism -- don't surround yourself with yes-men, unless you really want to see a final product that will likely be fatally flawed.

It's entirely possible that I'm rambling. But I'm sick, so I'm allowed.

So says the director.

We shipped out another press release today, keeping the world at large posted on our progress. And yet, so much is going on behind the scenes ...

• One of our actors is opening in a new stage production this week.
• Other crew members are busy hustling their film projects.
• Our auteur is scrambling to get the timeline done.
• I just completed level 4 on Super Mario Universe.

Crazy.

The countdown to shooting has begun with just over a month to go. I'm excited. You?