I have just spent the last 24 hours creating all the elements for a region-free DVD of The Infectious Imagination Of Henry Bramble, to send with our submission to The Cannes Film Festival.
I had to roughly mix the most up-to-date dialogue, sound fx and music tracks together alongside the picture from the locked off Final Cut offline. I then exported out to ProRes 422 (LT) version, which I opened in Quicktime to convert into an MPEG 4 720p version. I then imported this to a new iDVD project, creating a menu from one of the more tasteful template designs on offer. I also added a small section of Henry Bramble music to it, to get you in the mood. I then burnt off four DVD's (3 extra just in case I messed up along the way), opened a new photoshop file and using the elements from my poster design, created the images and text that will be printed onto the DVD.
I had to drive to my Dad's to haul my decrepit Epson Stylus Photo R200 printer back home, only to find the cartridges were empty. I sped off to Tesco's to get a cheap compatible set only to discover it was £70 - The same price as Epson's own?! Frustratingly there's plenty available online for £15 or less, but the earliest they could deliver was Monday which is cutting it a bit fine, as the screeners have to reach the festival office no later than March 7th.
Eventually I found a small ink cartridge refill shop in Maidstone and rather than going to sleep (I've just worked a 12 hour night shift), I jumped back in the car to collect a refill set for a more reasonable £36. I then get back home and installed the cartridges and a new printer utility software for OS 10.7.5, only to have to clean the nozzles three times, before I was satisfied it was safe to print. Finally at 12:12 on Friday 1st March, I have my God damn DVD. All I need to do now is bag it up and pop it in the post via Airsure for a mere £9.24!
All this just to have our film considered - but just imagine if we do get selected in competition, I'll get to meet Steven Spielberg (this years president of the Jury) who can then convince the jury to hand over the short film Palme d'Or. ....oh it's good to dream!
