BY CYNDI GREENING, PRODUCER, PHOENIX, USA — We leave for Zambia in one week (almost to the minute, in fact, since I'm typing this at 8:45 pm) and I can hardly believe it! I think we're all in a weird conumdrum . In the early months, there were days that it never seemed like it would never leave. Now, time is rushing so fast, we're wondering where the time went!!!

Tomorrow, Alec, Jabbes and I leave for Sundance for the Independent Producers Conference. When we found out in early June, it seemed a century away. On top of that, it delayed our departure for Zambia. NOW, I think it was a REAL GIFT to be selected for the conference just because of all the things we'll learn but, even more importantly, it was a major blessing to have four days to get away before we start shooting. It has forced us to finish everything up and it will allow us to recharge ourselves. Jabbes and I need the break and I am quite certain much of the crew needs some "down time" prior to leaving!

I have to give a lot of recognition to the storyboarders. JACOB FELIX and ERIC AGUIRRE have done an incredible job. They have been working with Jabbes non-stop since Monday. They were both there when I left tonight. HEATH McKINNEY has been terrific, too. He was also there when I left. All four of them look bleary-eyed and beat. Fortunately, MARIO CARBAJAL came in the last two days to lend a hand. A very detailed illustrator, Mario was great at rendering a number of pivotal scenes. Even better, he was a fresh set of hands to help visualize the film. It's really helping the rest of the crew be more successful. I know both Jabbes and I are really grateful for their hours and hours of hard work!

Life is a million details, now, competing for our attention. We keep leaning on each other and hoping we'll handle enough of them to make the film a success!