The art of documentary filmmaking is a meticulous process, one that requires detailed planning, coordination, and execution Below is an overview of our progress with the production schedule that outlines the essential phases of producing the After Ike documentary.
Conceptualization & Research
We've finalized our research for the documentary through in-depth archival investigations. This included visits to local libraries in towns situated along the Lincoln Highway that the 1919 military convoy traversed, as well as the Eisenhower Library, the Library of Congress, and various online sources.
Scriptwriting & Storyboarding
The documentary draws inspiration from "After Ike," written by Ambassador Michael Owen. The book lays the groundwork for the film, which delves into a historic military convoy from 1919. In tandem with the documentary, a new edition of the book has been released.
Equipment Procurement
Supply chain disruptions due to Covid-19 made procuring equipment difficult. However, we've successfully addressed these challenges.
Location Scouting & Interviewee Scheduling
The army maintained a comprehensive record of the military convoy, giving us insights into every location where the "truck train" halted overnight. We've journeyed across the United States several times, scouting sites and arranging interviews. Our final location scouting will be completed in Fall 2023.
Principal Photography
Most interviews and primary filming are completed. We still need to shoot the segment of the Lincoln Highway between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Canton, Ohio. The stretch from San Francisco to Salt Lake City was successfully filmed in June and July 2023.
Rough Cut
We're progressing well with the documentary's rough cut. Currently, it stands at 55 minutes, using Davinci Resolve Studio.
Fine Cut & Sound Design
We anticipate having a fine cut prepared by December 2023, which will be submitted to American University for Gregory Maassen's Capstone graduation project.
Color Grading & Final Edits
We anticipate finishing the color grading by February 2024 using Davinci Resolve Studio.
Music & Graphics
Most of the music comes from the 1919 Billboard top ten and is accessible for the documentary. We've secured all the necessary graphics for the documentray (animated maps and images).
Final Review & Feedback
We anticipate scheduling the final review for February 2024, in collaboration with focus groups and in consultation with American University.
Marketing & Promotion
The website and promotional strategy are now in place. We aim to complete the producer's package by March 2024.
Submission to Festivals & Platforms
We are actively seeking festival submissions and exploring other avenues for promotion.
Premiere & Release
We expect to launch the documentary in Spring/Summer 2024, subject to feedback from industry experts.