2009 was a groundbreaking year for 17 West Productions.

We finished two short films, launched three websites and planted a few seeds for a pretty amazing 2010. Over at 17west.ca, I’ve posted the top 5 stories of 2009 as well as a look ahead at our upcoming slate of productions. That’s the official company perspective. I’d also like to offer my personal opinions on the last year.

2009 was both productive and frustrating for me. Productive because of the movies we finished and the sites we launched but frustrating because of the length of time it took to accomplish these goals.

I’m a workaholic at heart. Everything about my career and my company inspires me to be creative. Editing sports and producing movies is as good as it gets as far as I’m concerned. I just wish I had more time to do both. Balancing what essentially amounts to two separate careers leaves little room for extra projects.  Directing and handling the post-production process for Playing Through nearly wore me out.  (Let alone teaching myself web design.)

It hard to organize a team of people who all have different schedules around my limited number of days off.  It meant a lot of long days and a massive commitment on my part.  I was also lucky to work with people who were just as dedicated and that in itself is inspiring to me. It’s one of the many reasons why Playing Through was my favorite part of 2009…

Playing Through

John Steptoe and Michael Clarke

This film was easily our most ambitious yet. We shot it in June 2008 at Clear Springs Golf Course just outside of North Bay, Ontario. With an amazing cast and crew in place it was easily one of the coolest weeks of my life. (Even though it was extremely hot and we spent twelve hours a day in the sun. Actually, I was a fan of that too.)

Click to read Making A Golfing Movie. My blog detailing the entire production.

I’m extremely proud of Playing Through. I learned an enormous amount about running a production. Most of that comes from my business partner Eric who handled most of the business side of things because I was clueless. What I’ll take away from the experience is how much work I’m willing to put in to make a movie I’m happy to show off. That dedication will easily spill over into 2010 where I’m planning my second short film, The Climb.
 

Web Design

If you asked me two years ago, if I would be able to teach myself photoshop, web design and create 3 websites I would have told you that I wouldn’t quit until I accomplished those goals. That doesn’t mean I thought I would actually pull it off but I wasn’t going to quit until I figured it out.

17west.ca
jaymckinnon.com 
ericgamache.com

These three sites are the result of well over a year’s worth of research and development. Yet even now, I still consider myself a beginner with a lot to learn and nothing but commitment to get better. I really love the fact that I now have enough knowledge to completely redesign the sites whenever I want. I’m not sure if I will in the near future but I love design, I love marketing and I love Photoshop so who knows.  Web design has given me another creative outlet which has become my second favorite past time outside of writing.

Next year, my plan is to learn a lot more about WordPress and improve the look of this blog. (A plan I’ve already begun.)

Writing

I’ve been writing screenplays since highschool.  Yet I’ve never experienced a year quite like 2009.  I pretty much stopped calling myself a writer.  I thought about it all the time but I could never seem to find the time to sit down and do what I love the most about this industry.

That changed a few weeks ago when I finished Eric’s website. I keep a running list of projects and tasks I have to finish. For the last 2 years it’s been insurmountable. Every time I finished something, another 3 would pop up. I suppose it was my fault that writing wasn’t high on that list. However, after finishing ericgamache.com, my list was blank for the first time in years. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.  I was literally staring at a blank Microsoft Word document wondering what’s next.

So I started a new list. At the top? Finally finishing the feature script I’ve been working on for the last 3 years. Many who know me well, know this particular story is extremely personal and important to me as a writer and yes, I’m calling myself a writer again.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt rejuvenated as a screenwriter. A part of me was afraid I would never get it back. I’m happy when I’m writing and it’s the biggest lesson I learned this year. Make time to write.

Bring on 2010

I now consider 2009 a building year.  I spent a lot of time creating a space on the web for our films and even more time on Playing Through.  Essentially, 2009 was about finishing projects and catching up.  It was about tying up loose ends and completing plans I’ve had for years.

Now that 2010 is almost here, it’s time to shift my focus to new projects.

Writing is back in a big way and I’ve already got a list of stories I can’t wait to write.  Among those projects are 3 feature scripts I couldn’t be more excited to work on.  I’ve got several shorts that are going to be extremely challenging to pull off as well.  What’s important to me now is finally feeling like a writer again.  I’m back to rushing home after work to finish a scene.  Actually, thanks to my new phone, I don’t even have to wait that long anymore.  I love this stuff! 

Beyond that, I now have The Athletic Nerd which keeps me writing daily.  I’m finally able to say that I write every day no matter what and I’m planning on taking this site to a whole new level next year.  There are a ton of new features planned and even some guest bloggers on standby as I continue to expand this brand.  (Is it weird that I’m calling it a brand?  It’s a nerdy thing to state but I’m comfortable with it.  Read my blog about Self Branding to find out even more about what a geek I am.)

A big feature coming to this blog is updates from my next directorial effort.  Beginning in January, I’ll be updating constantly with details on pre-production and more.  The script for The Climb has always been one of my favorites.  We’ve been thinking about filming this movie for years and I can’t wait until the Spring.  We already have a talented cast in place and rehearsals are set to begin early next year.

From a directing stand point, the movie is infinitely more complex than Playing Through.  I’m going to be using a completely different visual style that will also create a fun and unique editing challenge once shooting is complete.

Just writing about all these projects has my heart racing and I haven’t even mentioned 17 West’s other projects yet.  Between Strings and a few others we are developping, 2010 has all the makings of an amazing year.

Bring it on.