21/08/06 - DAY THREE SHOOT!

Again, another stunning days work today!
We were shooting in a hired school room and using the most amount of extras for this shoot that we will be using. I wont bore any readers about there with a repeat of precious subjects (camera excellence, preparation, performances etc), but rather share some highlights.
First and foremost today was making sure you LOOK AFTER YOUR CAST AND CREW. I had booked the room for a full day, even though I only expected to need it for approx 4 hours. At the cheap cost, it was the best option. Some advertising needed here….ANYONE in South Yorkshire region needing school rooms, training rooms, creche room, a bar / café, courtyards etc should give a look to the Burton Street Project (http://www.burtonstreet.org.uk/) as not only are the varied rooms and location IDEAL for independent film use (The Full Monty shot here), but the staff are really really helpful! Thanks to them for an excellent day.

One of my biggest challenges today was to not keep people waiting around too long. We had (via contacts made) some new cast of extras to work with and they were all absolutely fantastic. Creative, enthusiastic, excited and a pleasure to work with. There were some very young children too whose parents were on set and although I was conscious the subject matter was a little much for them, the parents were more than happy…so I went with them!

Now in terms of looking after them all….CATERING was my main aim. If you are using cast and crew, on a weekend, for free, for several hours…the very LEAST you can do is make sure you have a decent spread of drinks and food for them so I made sure this was looked after. As it happens I went overboard, but heh, I wanted to them to know they were valued enough to be able to relax.

Another pointer from today, which I would recommend to anyone, is that future cast were on set to see how we make our films, and how I run a set. We had Karolyn, who will shooting green screen for a role in this film – so would not have met up with anyone or seen a decent size cast and set in action. She also helped out with “making of” footage which was handy. And Dave Oxley, who we have for a small role in this film, and a entire future project lined up based around him. So again, this was his first taste of how we do. And we had Theo Garvey, who is a freelance Special FX Make Up whiz, who will be doing the make up for our later Exorcism scene. He brought two friends with him who also work on films and all 3 added a TON of weight to the performances! And I feel we made some good contacts with them to help each other out on each other’s future work.
Also present were the children and their friends of Dave Oxley who were there for the pure fun of it! They were brilliant also and again, as extras I will have no doubt we will have future roles for them. They were all so good it is a joy to be cutting them into the final edit.

Lee also had a friend, Jarrod, who attended. Again, he has never acted on screen before to my knowledge. He was also sublime in his enthusiasm and work. I singled him out for a very specific role which some “actors” would be challenged to take up…and while he said his nerves added to the performance, what I really noted was how he took direction. I was expected to re-direct and re-shoot as need. Not needed as he took in, processed info and turned out a first rate job.

I have already started on the editing for these scenes. I SHOULD POINT OUT that I am not posting much to do with editing techniques here as I feel this is something a filmmaker or editor should personally get in touch with and develop themselves. The only thing I would say is that I feel that to edit between shoots is a real key. Get on the editing while the days shoot is still fresh in your mind. Anyway…that is a separate subject for a separate post! The point I will make is that during editing I have found that the PREP I did has made massive payoffs. The shots I had been conscious of during pre-shoot all are playing out superbly in the edit so far. The biggest challenge I present myself is my speed of shooting. By the time I walk on set I want every shot I need in my head. Add that to knowing the pace of shots before, and shots that will come after. I use a constant moving camera for this so I am conscious of being aware what is happening with the camera movement not just for this shot, but combined with the flow of previous shots. Add that in with watching for performance quality, audio issues, lighting and the physical demand of being in all manner of positions for handheld work and I really do have a fine days work! It is all good fun and days like this prove it.

Final note is that in the very first stage of editing I have tested on some shots a post-shoot digital White Diffusion effect that I had been playing with. I am not speaking too soon when I say this effect raises the already great quality to stunning levels and I will be using it extensively on the post production work.

The day was capped by several cast and crew all chilling for a barbeque afterwards which even the crappy English weather managed to part the heavens for! It’s as if Gaylon himself had commanded his God to give us some final summer weather for a day’s wrap BBQ! Awesome…

19/08/06 - DAY TWO SHOOT!

Great days shooting! We really got some awesome shots today and I was very very pleased with the entire production, talent and visuals.
Highlights for today were really the actors involved and the stunning visuals we achieved. The Sony Z1E really does do the job! Def worth purchasing one as opposed to renting larger cameras if you shoot lots. You will save money and the results with a bit of know how are stunning.

THE WEATHER WAS ALMOST AGAINST US TODAY!
An early start for park shooting was a must due to crowd control and background staring issues and this worked wonderfully. And to boot the natural lighting was again stunning. It was a fine cut for main scene shoot with the rain JUST starting to come down as we were leaving......
...however, a lesson on improv here today as during a secondary shoot high on the hills of Sheffield, the rain was clearly visible coming in from the valley!
But here was our approach today for combating changing light and weather conditions.....
Firstly, once everything is in place...move fast....you HAVE to. You could loose the whole days production if you shoot half and cannot do the rest. So MOVE FAST! The only other option if you see it working against you may be to either change location (not possible in this case) or to abandon the shoot altogether so as not to turn in shit work. This ALMOST had to be the case. But, when the heavens opened, instead of sitting on our asses and doing nothing, we got prepped ready for if it stopped to get shots fast. And I also took this time to work with our actress for today, Emma, to go over the approach to her lines and delivery.

Which brings me to the second highlight of the day....the ACTORS. It is a blessing to have enthusiastic and talented people today and I would like to give 3 examples of difference today. Lee (in lead role) knows this character and dialogue like the back of his hand....so his work today was EXCEPTIONAL! It really is a joy to see him exporing his character and adding flourishes not possible to write on the page. And he stands up well to my need for reshoots! A true genius and talent at work.
Then we have Andy, playing a vicar. Now Andy is a very talented guy with much experience on the stage. But he has never done film before so this was something in my mind that I may need to be on Directorial duties if the performance was more stage, than screen. I had no need to. He shined today in his role and again brought a real flair to the character. He may have been thinking more about this being his first time in front of camera for acting like this, but in terms of his delivery, he really delivered! I was watching magic happen before my very eyes. He also stood well to some physical work....key point here. If you are putting an actor through some physical challenge, you MUST put them in control. I made it quite clear to all involved that if he said STOP, we stop. No question. You cannot abuse and treat actors like cattle just to get your shot. Give them the control to stop filming...again, leave your ego at the door. They are not there to work FOR you...you are there to work together.
And the third contrast was Emma, playing a role she had shot before, but not with dialogue. Now Emma is not an "actress" (she is now..obviously, she is in a film!). So my challenge here today was to get her to deliver a performance when she has no teaching on the matter.
She was such a trooper today and of all 3 took the biggest step! While the rain came down we worked on how best to deliver her lines. It is easy to take for granted on a shoot like this where people are working for free, that someone who is not an "actor" and yet has been thrown into a role with acting abilities needed can deliver anything you give them. You have to be ready to coach and...well...direct. That is what a Director does, no?
So we really worked on ways to deliver lines that meant something, trying out different approaches. She really challenged herself and took her first step into loosening up on screen and becoming an actress! It was inspirational to see someone overcome their fears!
Overall.....extremely pleased with todays work all round and I cannot wait to get into the editing!
Another point of note which I have mentioned before. We take a camcorder along for "making of" style material for later use. This came in particularly good today for a reason I had not considered before. To break up monotomy. We had two guys playing hard-man, bouncer, security type roles today and due to their action coming later in the shoot...they did have lots of waiting around and watching to do. So three quarters of way through the first section of shooting, when we had been at it for a few hours, I heard mention that they wanted to get involved soon and I felt it being a tad restless for us all. So we held up main shoot and used the camcorder for some "spoof" making of material involving them breaking up a fight with our main actors having a temper tantrum fight. All good fun, great for later, but most important broke up the waiting which can always be a chore.
Awesome scenes today, great visuals...I am a happy filmmaker and I live for this!

18/08/06 - READY TO ROLL ON SHOOT DAY 2!

Just a quick update to say that we are hours away from starting a full weekend shoot.
One addition to the second day of shooting will be extra hands who are coming to help for their CV, or just for fun. Others coming to watch. All are welcome as if they are interested, then they will be excited and enthusiastic, and that can only spread!
I have sorted out some catering and also some extra jobs that can be given to anyone willing to help. I don't care what anyone says....anyone can hold a damn boom mic!

The Saturday shoot is still weather dependant...but once again (see previous post) I have multiple backup options! Rain, snow, hail, or the apocolypse will not stop me getting some awesome shots this weekend! I am 100% adaptable (the rain may even make for some stunning shots!).

I have some new props...you'll be amazed how much a toy BB gun can look like a real one on camera! So many things have happened or are in place that are really covered in principle by previous posts...so wont bore you.

So....night before...maybe this is just my work style, but I treat it like a sportsman the day before a big match or event. Get in the zone...get organised...check your camera gear, check your props, run over your shot choices again, check the script again, think through the pacing, think about your cast and crew, how each works best, who is doing what.....leave NOTHING to chance! The more prep you can get done day before....the more fun you can have on set!

Let's roll! See you on set!

15/08/06 - BACKUP!

Just a quick note prior to this weekends filming.....

You MUST have some back up plans in place for when things are not in your control and COULD change. For example I have 3 possibilities that may change.

Issue 1: I have some script issues that may need to be resolved on the day if the actors or mood dictate it will not work as written.
Resolve: Have some backup dialogue ready, or what must change on the day (like reduced lines or story alteration)

Issue 2: I an addition to a scene we have already shot. It was a glorious sunny day and is NOT likely to be sunny this time. Some things I can fix with digital effects, but you cant really hide a totally different climate.
Resolve: A change of place. Instead of the grand open shots I had planned, I will plan some closed in shots in a place that will not matter. Like a car interior, or a secluded doorway. So long as it does not affect the tone or pace, have a back up plan for location issues.

Issue 3: I have a park in mind to shoot in. All my shots have been planned with it in mind. But it is a public park and I am told there may be a Fair in it. Cannot shoot with a fair in the background!
Resolve: Look for another park! I am scouting tonight on some more secluded spots in case location 1 is not available. So have a secondary location in mind if you are not in control of the first!

07/08/06 - MAKING CONTACTS

A recent development from out of the blue occurred that shows the power of contact making and fortunate events.
Lee has landed a role in a short horror film. During a head casting for prosthetic make-up he mentioned to the make up artist about our movie and that one of the scenes featured a mock/spoof on The Exorcist and how we intended to do some make up effects. I was planning to do as I normally do if i don't know a craft...and learn it from scratch with my own research.
But the guy was an up and coming make-up effects man and he and Lee agreed that for payment of materials only, he will come and do some "proper" make up effects on Amanda for the role. Result!
We moved schedule on shooting to acommodate Lee taking this role too, and if nothing else, it is worthwhile for the fact that we now have the enthusiastic services of an effects artist to work on the show! He wants exposure and his name on the credits of work, and we want some cool make up effects. Win win....once again!

01/08/06 - IT'S A GROUP THING

One quick note about working as a creative group. When we finished Jester's Tale, on which myself, Lee, and Amanda were very much the core of, we started crafting the next project, which was quite dark and serious, we could not agree on where to take it. THAT IS OKAY! The pull and push of ideas is a healthy creative thing and should be encouraged! Do not see this as a bad hing for the group. Gaylon was very much an offshoot which Lee created a character for and I have spearheaded for writing and direction.The next likely filmable project is being headed up mainly by Lee on the writing, who is developing a film based around an idea I wanted to do, and starring a new member of our extended cast who we are using for a small role on Gaylon. So that is a healthy extension of the process. Amanda will be working on a few ideas she has had and we had talked about before which likely will for the next project after the next one etc. So it is OKAY for each of you in a group to do your own thing and develop in the group. It is healthy and encourageable for anyone to bring ideas into the group, and if you follow my previous advice and LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR, then it will result in a boost in confidence all round and some really cool ideas!

01/08/06 - "WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU GOT?"

We are now all set up ready for the next weekend of filming so not much to do till then on this front. But this does bring me to another aspect of how we work and which I feel is vital for any would be production crew. HAVE MORE THAN ONE PROJECT ON THE GO. As we are working on Gaylon Peglegg, we already have a new project that is well into development phase (and will likely be next project we film). I also have detailed ideas for a Jester's Tale TV series, should the TV deal lead to morework for us. VITAL to have something else to offer up. Any interest in your work will surely have the question attached..."What else have you got?". You better have something ready! I also have story outlines, ready to (quite easily and quickly) develop to final script form for two more Gaylon Peglegg episodes. And we have/had several concepts to develop to story form from a project we began on BEFORE Gaylon took over. So all in all we have about 5 or 6 projects, one of which is in big development phase and two others which given a need would be ready to film in no time at all! So....HAVE SOMETHING UP YOUR SLEEVE! If you wait until someone expresses interest in your work, you better have something else to back it up and show your talent...not "well, we can think of something?!" Also, we have learnt that if you do things properly, with attention to detail, then the development phase of a good film can take several months writing and pre-production. So if you wait to start another when your current piece is finished, you are adding extreme time to your work and your creativity may just get impatient! Our ideal is to overlap constantly, so by the time we have finished shooting Gaylon, we will be straight intothe filming on the next project.....which is shaping up to be very very exciting. Let's get ready to rumble!