BDM 311 (3 year project).

During our last class (23/4) there was a showing of what we shot during our 3 day location shoot at Sandy point. I've asked Don to make a very rough cut so we could see how it looked like. During the critique that was heard when viewing those scenes it was mentioned that we have not much close ups of faces. Or that some scenes did not follow close to the pre vis. So that is maybe something we can change by doing some pick ups or some re shoots. It was mentioned that the opening shot can be redone with Thai lying down on a green screen and still have the gybe and the camera turning while it goes in in for Thai. The other critique was that the actor was not really grounded in his role. I do understand the critique and my regret is that we had not enough time to do some blocking with him. But a lesson learnt and I hope before we do the green screen shoot to have some time with him and our other (younger) actress. As well as the logistics with the set so we can shoot it fluently and not having any hang ups during the actual shoot. Don, Callum and me worked on a rough cut this Sunday and also further during the week. Callum and Don also did a cut that follows the pre-vis. So these will all be shown during our class today. Rialto48 is coming up this week-end but I would like to have some days sorted for an eventual shoot by next week. Including rehearsals. I find as a Director to follow an organic way of working with actors and blocking is a main part of that. Pre vis for me is quit useful on how a scene will look like camera angles etc. But I find it harder to calculate the time an actor might take over a scene or how long some scenes be. An estimate time yes but exact is quit another task. An example is like Thai waking up from the crash site; I can guess on how long that might take but it cannot be perfect. So for me that is quit challenging in a way to focus the crew and the actor. To have my DOP work on the right shot that I want and what his vision is.      

Research on film makers (BDM 311)

I went to see Whiplash yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised. The story centres around a music student who want to be a great drummer and the abusive teacher that teaches with an iron fist.

It was written and Directed by Damien Chazelle. The role of the music student is played by Milles Teller and J.K. Simmons plays the music teacher.

Milles Teller is second from the left and J.K.Simmons is second from the right.

Simmons won an Oscar as best actor of  his role in 2015 and deservedly so.

Now it was a free showing of this film at Centre stage so me and Callum went. I admire the acting of Simmons since I watched him in the HBO series OZ one of the earlier series that HBO produced before the hype of Games of Thrones http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118421/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_117 where in he played the part of Vern Schillinger

My interest in watching this film is that the Director; Damien Chazelle made a short film in 2013 based on the same story. Which is also called Whiplash that got him the funding for a feature film. Simmons plays the same role in both the feature length and the short film. Here is a link to that short film  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2iigh0

With the 3d year project being considered as a proposal or teaser that is just what this short film is. The quality of the acting and story is really good that it got made into a feature film. The running time of the short is 17:57. The same scenes features in the film also and its a great introduction to the 2 main characters. If I had the time I would have checked the scenes and running time of both the film and short. To maybe come to the conclusion that they are slightly in tune.

I have also talked to some music students at SIT and their opinion is; drumming so hard that you're hands start to bleed is nearly impossible. And that might be considered an exaggeration in the film or just to show how hard the student is trying. In an interview with the Director he mentions anxiety and depression while in music school. So the film is very autobiographic in nature.

The 3 act structure set up in the film is very well done and the ending is exciting and unexpected. The drum sequences are very well edited and the little details of how musicians behave during performances is quit insight full. Like lowering their Saxophone so the water (spit) can get out.

The film has more background about the characters but the set up in the short makes the viewer believe in the characters. The performances make that happen especially J.K Simmons who impresses and grounds the character from the first introduction.

After watching the Avengers part II this was a breath of fresh air and I can learn more from this film than the CGI feast that was the Avengers II.

Blog out.

BDM 311 (3 year project).

Our proposed shoot was planned to start on the 13 of April but the weather was that bad that we did not go out on Location. Which was a wise decision. So the 14 was our first shooting day and everybody worked well together I made it my duty and task to ask everyone how they were and welcomed them onto our set.

Tyler.

The weather was cloudy but we managed to get some good shots during that day. Although now that I look at the footage one scene may ave to be done again due to being too dark. The original actress for the part of Kari would have been a young 6 year old girl. But we decided to not go ahead with her and replace her with Gabby (Leanna's daughter) my fear was that she would trip and break her glasses. Gabby was quit good in her role and it shows in the footage. 

                                      

Costuming and make up did a great job also and Thai and Kari looked great

The location scout we did before the shoot really helped us out well and Sandy point is a good replacement for the planet Thai lands on. With lots of bush and trees that make a good background.

Here are a few photos of our scouting for a location.

The crash site.

Callum as a stand in for Thai.

Sandy point.

Me as a stand in for Thai who falls down the hole. We had Chris running up and then sliding down where I am standing and it looked as he fell through the cave. My only issue is that the actor playing Thai would be tall enough or flexible to slide down the hill. But Luke and Gabby did very good without hurting themselves. I had 2 people standing at the ready to catch Gabby if she would slide to far.

This was going to be the scene where the monster runs towards Thai with the trees providing a good field of depth for the Monster running towards Thai. But I was not happy with that as it looks very one dimensional.

Day 2 of filming.

Kari (Gabby) in the tree where she is cornered by the Monster

The GPS that Thai is wearing to find his sister.

The crew was very organised and without the help of volunteers we would not be able to make it happen.

Time for a break while the next shot is being set up. i was especially proud that everybody was wiring their hi-vis jacket as it is quit a busy road at where we were filming. 

Arjun.

The BTS crew was on the ball and when asked to not film anything they listened great work Don.

Luke Page who plays Thai was cast a few days before actual filming began. I do regret not having the time to fully do some blocking with him and Gabby.  But even with last notice he did a great job on the part.

Sarah getting interviewed by the BTS crew.

Chris ( runner on set )

Vincent ( continuity and art)

23/4.  Today we had our first ever meeting after the shoot with both Rachel and Patrick present.

It was great to catch up with everybody and to hear where we are going to go next. Lee spoke about the possibility of having a green screen location sorted so that was good news. I spoke to her about doing the test shoot before the actual shoot so the actors have an idea about the green screen as it is not easy to imagine a world from nothing. And also for the art team so they can set dress and then the camera team can see how it can manage. This might take a midday or morning to set all that up but I think it is necessary to have this done to avoid a messed up of difficult shoot. And I think the whole team thinks about it the same way. I got contacted to do some more internship hours for Pete's Dragon, this time on location in Invercargill. But due to problems and bad weather they ran behind schedule. So there was still talk about me being on the shoot but they just could not confirm when. The idea for a test was to do it this Sat or Sunday but due to Anzac's day memorial that might be a problem and some people are not available on the week-ends. Today I received an e-mail saying that I will be on the shoot this Monday so I will not be available. The other few days might be Tuesday and Wednesday night. On the week-end of 1 of may I am shooting Rialto48 and a few others of the crew will be involved in that also. But the week after that I would like to have some basic set up done and some test shooting to then finish on the 2 and 3 of May. The film students talked openly to Patrick about the negative and positive aura on the set and it was great to hear how people felt about it.

Blog out.

BDM 311 (3 year project)

My first time into the Tin shed was after my internship at 6/4 and it was great to see all the props getting put together.

The prop master and art team are very much on track.

A great idea of what is still to be done.

Designs and props .

Production Booklet for Pledge Me.

The Pledge Me video was brilliant and well put together with a voice over suiting the short. It was quirky and introduces the crew and Producers. The Director is not shown in the short as I was on internship. Lee also showed me the progress of the Small Colossus web site and that is coming along greatly.

The Production team Lee, Callum, Sarah and Iris great crew. One thing I wanted to add is that I miss having my own PA not to cry or being a diva but it makes the job a bit easier having that extra person available. As somethings escape my mind.

During 6/4 me and Vincent arranged the story boards for the previs and was great to see how well they are followed up from the original idea.

Vincent working on the storyboards

 7/4 Iris, Chris & John working on props. 

7/4 The Production did not have a lead cast so we decided to get a few others to read for the part. Virat, Nathan Mora and Callum.

On Wednesday I contacted Luke Page to come and read for us and he did. I was wondering if he would be great for the part. he just came in before I was going to work and the charisma and down to earth attitude made me see that he would be great for the part. Yesterday I watched the footage of that and I was right in my thoughts. I sent Lee and Callum a message to lock that role for Luke on the same night he came in. There was another actor I met with but due to his family commitment I thought it better to not go through with him. It would have made his personal life a challenge and I wanted to avoid that.

Luke Page as Thai.

8/4 Due to a mistake of mine the storyboards did not follow up to each other. So me and a few others Michale and Vincent, with added help from Chris and Shaun put them in the student lounge and sorted it out. The communication was well handled by all and we figured out the problem. Virat got also involved.

9/4 We went on a test shoot to Sandy point and got through some differences with VFX and the DOP. Again communication went very well and we all know where we stand. Looking at problems and issues like, the noise made by a possible generator. The road and the wearing of HI vis vests for everybody. I brought up the issue of our little Alien creature and her escape from the tree. I wanted it to be an older child as a six year old would be too much hazard and time consuming. So we managed to get it played by Lee's daughter who is 12 (?). The locations are locked and we have access to them ready for our shoot tomorrow.

9/4 Presentation of the finished Pledge Me video in the Tin shed.

 The to do board is ever changing.

  People noticing that I am running around a lot.

I work till about 8:30 in the evening and on my way home I walk past the Tin shed just to catch up and encourage our crew. Here is Lee working on the Small Colossus web site. Ann and John still working on props into the night.

And through all the hard work there is still some sense of small relief. Awesome bunch of people working hard to deliver a great product with heart and soul. I am proud of them all.