FINNIGAN'S FANTASTIC FILM >>>

Barely a month remains until The Grand Cinema's last call for Tacoma Film Festival entries (June 15), meaning right now moviemakers in the area are carefully reviewing and fine-tuning their works before sending them off. Since last catching up with Andrew Finnigan at the 2010 festival, the man has retreated into a seclusion of sorts this winter, single-handedly editing his debut feature Fantastic Confabulations. He co-wrote, directed and lent his acting ability to the tale of lifelong pals Ray (Finnigan) and Wes (David Harlos).

With a rough cut finished, Finnigan must finally deliver his baby to the rest of his post-production team, including sound designer Scott Waters (World's Greatest Dad). After many months immersed in a large-scale project throughout which he wore multiple hats, "I'm glad to hand the film off, and let others worry about it," Finnigan tells me with some relief.

He has also enlisted Revengers bassist Dustin Iacobazzi Riecan to compose a score for FanCon. They want music that blends well with a movie both inspired by and a reaction to the mumblecore movement - in other words, music that seamlessly gels the unpolished spontaneity of documentary with glossier cinematic conventions. Settling on a style has had its challenges. "We're still figuring it out," Finnigan says.

I hope we see (and hear) Finnigan's Confabulations this fall. Check out a scene from the film at www.oldloyalfilms.com.