"A word on the screenplay..."

Making THE LAST the end is something I have wanted to do for a long time. On a distant December night, I sat on the couch at my third shift job as a residential counselor in a group home, trying to stay awake. With all evening chores done, my mind wandered into the depths of the Claude Bolling tape I had on. My eyes fluttered closed as a slow jazzy instrumental ballad crept in. I was just tired enough to find myself sitting in a 1940s-ish cafe with the then-unnamed Tommy and Liza. These two children, now the main characters in THE LAST the end, were more than an idea or mere fabrication of the subconscious. No, they were real. They had their own air of tangibility and frankly, they knocked. I merely answered the door. They were two children who defied pop-culture and were brave enough to be sitting together on a rainy night, alone, with seriousness in the air. I was hooked. Just the one image and I was awake, aware, and writing on a legal pad I'd found in a side drawer next to the meds.

That was 1992. How long ago was that? All right, so I'm slow. No, I haven't been writing the script that whole time. I did, however, keep piles of folded paper, hours of dictaphone tapes, and several conversations along the way, not so carefully catalogued in boxes, tossed in folders, and tucked into the folds of my brain. Somehow, as I moved around the country, these ideas, in whatever form, always made the cut and got brought to my new town as they awaited excavation. Eventually, I invited them onto the page and heck if it didn't turn into THE LAST the end. (To make a long story short...)

Ok, so this is more like a screenwriter's note, but that was the beginning for me. This production has come into being by the same force of will, happenstance, perservearance, and serendipity that birthed the script. It is powered by a dedicated and amazing group of folks who are both excellent in their artistic skills and in their humanity. It is only such a person who has had the opportunity to meet Tommy and Liza first-hand and who is now involved in bringing their story to the screen.

Working with great actors is a treat for any director, but I have found something better: working with actors who are brilliant and don't even know it! The ten kids and one adult in the cast of the film are some of the highest calibre actors I have ever directed, regardless of age. The kids have the raw understanding of their characters that only a child could have, but they also have a humility which informs the characters and gives them a tremendous depth. I am in awe of them and how they've brought the script to light.

The purpose of this project is to create a truly independent film production. This means that we are exploring techniques of filmmaking while remaing true to the film's potential. Part of this involves allowing children, who have trained with me in movie-making, to be an instrumental part of the film. I have four students making a video documentary of the making of THE LAST the end and trust me, the know their stuff. All involved in the film production are friends, family, or becoming both. I believe that the passionate people invloved will create a true, funny, poignant, and unexpected film.

As I think back to that night at the group home I realize something. If only I had been more conscious in the vision of Tommy and Liza, I might have looked around in all directions. If I had, I would have seen all of the great people who would eventually work time and talon to bring them to the world through film. I am honored to be counted amoung them and dedicated to creating a truly valuable artistic home for them. I hope you can experience THE LAST the end for yourself sooner or later. Let's hope for sooner.

Jesse P. Howard
Director / Writer / Composer