when i ventured out on this project to create ozark mile, I had no idea the path would be as arduous as it has become. not to say the struggle hasn’t been worthwhile…it has. but when james sheldon and i first set our sights on producing a film in MO, we both felt that it would be pretty easy to find support in doing so. and we found that we were largely correct#–the average person is so eager to help or support in whatever way they can that it is very inspiring to just talk with people about the project. but when it comes to financing the film, things take a different turn. we’ve had so many people tell us they’re interested, want to invest, plan to invest, but then ultimately we can’t seem to get them to commit. not because they can’t see the value in the project, or the promise of building a film community in the Ozarks, but for reasons we just never even hear. we have yet to find a single person who would turn us down because they thought the project would be unsuccessful#–in fact, we’ve only heard how the project can’t help but succeed.

and yet we still haven’t been able to complete our funding.

it’s been frustrating to say the least. hopefully, tomorrow our prospects will improve. we’re attending a meeting of local filmmakers and film enthusiasts that is aimed at bolstering the production of independent film in southwest missouri. hopefully, we can collectively make our point that the people of this area will not allow a film made by locals to fail#–if we do them justice by creating a product that is: high quality, entertaining, and meaningful. something they can be proud of supporting.

at this point, it looks as though we might be reimagining ozark mile as a guerrilla film#–made with just the money from our own pockets and scrimped together with whatever we can devise. a far cry from the film we hoped to bring to the ozarks, and the art the area deserves to be a part.