Very happy with the footage we got on our first day of shooting. I can see a few things I'd have done differently, but it's all very usable.
Ray over at Alpha did a wonderful job scanning the negative and color balancing. Very summery.
Actor, makeup, costumes look great.
There was never any question, but for the record I am so happy we're using film.
And, the pan/tilt/focus combo I did while Sarah was crossing south Ballard Ave. actually looked great the one time I thought it had.
Shoot continues this coming weekend, then Wednesdays and weekends through August!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Mondo Beacho production - Day 1
Day 1 irregular report - a beautiful morning on the beach, crab fishermen were out slinging rope pots our the spot; we moved to a better, new spot. Lots of nice takes. One minute before end of last take realized a hornets nest was in the gr...ound right by our feet, hornets woke up. Got the shot, no one was stung, moved on.
Next shot by overlook, easy.
Lunch.
Then south Shilshole Ave for one shot, and over to Ballard ave for a bunch. Standing in the street with camera on sticks, one good shot after the other, very nice. Lovely MOS performances all day by Sarah Winsor; excellent, capable crew all around.
Finally, moved back Shilshole ave, and camera mag would not re-load. Nor again. Nor again. Nor again.
Wrapped production, went home.
Monday: heading back in to NWFF to see what's up. Maybe a different camera next Sat.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Camera test: beautiful
I'm still not sure about the 18 fps thing, I will decide on that NEXT week.
However, the camera takes great images; costume and makeup looked great, our star and our two special guest extras were also lovely, and I have to admit -- I'm pretty excited about the whole thing.
Rehearsals will be going on in fits and starts through most of the shoot, but production proper STARTS ON SATURDAY.
We've had a bunch of very fine rehearsals and I am both enormously confident and feeling very lucky about the cast and crew we have.
Two bricks of five 400' rolls came in the mail today.
Tonight I'm going to figure out the order for the 100' rolls and get that in tomorrow.
However, the camera takes great images; costume and makeup looked great, our star and our two special guest extras were also lovely, and I have to admit -- I'm pretty excited about the whole thing.
Rehearsals will be going on in fits and starts through most of the shoot, but production proper STARTS ON SATURDAY.
We've had a bunch of very fine rehearsals and I am both enormously confident and feeling very lucky about the cast and crew we have.
Two bricks of five 400' rolls came in the mail today.
Tonight I'm going to figure out the order for the 100' rolls and get that in tomorrow.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Camera test next week
Just got off the phone with Kodak, ordering a roll of film to do our camera test next week.
I'm excited and a bit nervous for the test. It's do-or-die with boogiemen like the Changing Bag (the Aaton camera uses big old cores, not easy daylight spools like the Bolex). It'll also be the first time out with a small version of the crew. Shooting a minor improv scene probably down at Golden Gardens, with Sarah (Noelle) and my friend and film-assistant Erin, doing a made-up scene that
we can maybe use or not in the film. We'll shoot some at 24fps... and then some more at 18 fps. Using hand claps for the two pop in and out both.
That'll give us a nice indicator of how sync holds up at 18 fps, and how much it can be corrected in post.
Also shooting some pickup shots, depending on time and availability.
This will be between rehearsals on Tuesday, and then on Thursday. We can't pick up the audio gear until Wednesday morning at 10, so it'll be a bit tight for David our sound guy.
Notably, Kodak has been great to work with, even though we are a puny order (about 1/10 the footage of a normal film, it seems). They've also been very accommodating about getting a good rate and other perks. Hooray for Kodak!
I'm excited and a bit nervous for the test. It's do-or-die with boogiemen like the Changing Bag (the Aaton camera uses big old cores, not easy daylight spools like the Bolex). It'll also be the first time out with a small version of the crew. Shooting a minor improv scene probably down at Golden Gardens, with Sarah (Noelle) and my friend and film-assistant Erin, doing a made-up scene that
we can maybe use or not in the film. We'll shoot some at 24fps... and then some more at 18 fps. Using hand claps for the two pop in and out both.
That'll give us a nice indicator of how sync holds up at 18 fps, and how much it can be corrected in post.
Also shooting some pickup shots, depending on time and availability.
This will be between rehearsals on Tuesday, and then on Thursday. We can't pick up the audio gear until Wednesday morning at 10, so it'll be a bit tight for David our sound guy.
Notably, Kodak has been great to work with, even though we are a puny order (about 1/10 the footage of a normal film, it seems). They've also been very accommodating about getting a good rate and other perks. Hooray for Kodak!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
rehearsals II, plus updates
A few more rehearsals in, feeling very very good about things. Mostly it's been with the two bands that'll be performing in the film.
We've also found our makeup person, Amanda, and we're doing a test shoot in a couple weeks that will involve makeup tests, some look and feel footage, frame rate experiments, and overall camera/audio testing.
[post-script: Amanda ended up quitting just before the first day of the shoot. Mel Cafe helped us find another artist]
I had an interesting discussion with another filmmaker a few weekends ago. When I mentioned that I was shooting the film myself, she made a remark about that being a lot of solo work for such a collaborative medium.
I can't remember the last time I haven't been working/communicating with at least 3 people at once about every little thing on this production for the last 4 months. It wouldn't be the same film at all without the exact people we have for our cast and crew.
I guess one person's collaborating is not another's.
We've also found our makeup person, Amanda, and we're doing a test shoot in a couple weeks that will involve makeup tests, some look and feel footage, frame rate experiments, and overall camera/audio testing.
[post-script: Amanda ended up quitting just before the first day of the shoot. Mel Cafe helped us find another artist]
I had an interesting discussion with another filmmaker a few weekends ago. When I mentioned that I was shooting the film myself, she made a remark about that being a lot of solo work for such a collaborative medium.
I can't remember the last time I haven't been working/communicating with at least 3 people at once about every little thing on this production for the last 4 months. It wouldn't be the same film at all without the exact people we have for our cast and crew.
I guess one person's collaborating is not another's.
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