Rough Cut Viewing

Friends David, Sonnett and Clare were over for a viewing of French Toast (the rough cut) last night. Clare has seen much of the progress as I've gone through, but there were some new items for her as well. David and Sonnett had only seen a few moments of raw footage (and of course what David saw on the shoot's first weekend). The feedback was helpful. Mostly what I needed; I got...that I was on the right track. My main questions were: How was it for a first time filmmaker? and; How was it for any filmmaker? For a first go at it; I got, "Awesome". For a regular filmmaker; it was, "still quite good". I think that's what was said. One of David's main comments was that is should be tightened up quite a bit. I knew that was coming; as I already had an inkling it was a bit loose. David also said that some of my editing choices really, "took chances" and most of them paid off. I appreciate that they all came over to see it. I was frankly very nervous about having someone see it. Up until now, only Clare and the other half had seen the majority of it. I also asked if; once it was all up and running; would it be suitable to enter into film festivals? All agreed that, yes; it was good enough. Sonnett stated that based on some of the stuff that was being submitted (that she had seen); I should be okay. David also said that with music and sound; it was going to fill in a great many of the gaps and smooth any rougher transitions. I have had in the back of my head that the score would be so helpful, but also that I did not want to rely on that to fix any slow pace, bad cuts, etc. Still much work to be done. But, I am officially announcing that French Toast has a rough cut. It feels good. I'm hoping to have this completed within the next 2-3 months. Of course, now that I've put that down, it'll be February before I see it completed. Next step? Find a musician to do the score for me. I've got several leads; but I'm kind of unsure how to go about it. Do I show each of them the cut; and ask them to come up w/ something; and then pick the best? Audition them? Is that correct since they won't be paid; other than given credit for their work? Lord, this is all so new. Let me once again take this moment to lament the fact that I can't do this for a living. It's so fulfilling. I've made the comment recently, that I would have no problem working overtime, putting in 60 hour work weeks; if filmmaking was my dayjob. Alas.