Production Log #001: Kickstarting the process.

A production log on launching a micro-budget prestige ensemble film, confronting avoidance, and finally committing to the process in real time.

Chalk on Paper by Edward Hopper “Study of a Landscape with River and Mountains” (n.d.)

Read yesterday’s update [here].

December 9th — From the frost, 8:23 PM

BURYING DORIS is a prestige ensemble drama about grief, legacy, and the emotional reckoning of an estranged New England farm family. This series, “Production Log”, serves as a year-long production journal tracking the film’s evolution in real time.

Today I touched:

Today’s focus was on uncovering and confirming the goal. After last night’s phone call with my collaborator, Chris Heck, I contemplated what my real goals for 2026 are, and making Burying Doris is one of them.

One thing that worked:

Putting my words onto “paper” helped unravel the mess of thoughts in my head. As a result, I was glad to have published the raw personal essay below.

I can't bury my Grandmother until I make this film-- and it's been five years.

One thing that didn’t:

We still need more investment, and I keep avoiding that work.

The feeling under all of it:

Bruised but clear and committed.

Tomorrow, I will:

• Reestablish a proper outline to guide the final touch-ups on the script.

• Inventory all resources my team has access to.

• Establish my formal list of non-negotiables for the project.

Together, with Faith.

M.P. Rekola

How I Sustain the Work Being a “NonDē Filmmaker” (Non-Dependent) means I rely on this community, not a corporation. If you want to support the work I do here, you can:

• Buy the Book: The Modern Filmmaker’s On-Set Dictionary

• Hire Goodworks: My commercial production company

• Book a Consult: Get 1-on-1 producing advice

• Support the Build: Follow along as I build a local micro drive-in

Every book sale, booking, and donation buys me the time to keep writing.

Thank you.