This is weird.
It's arguable which comes first, life imitating art or art imitating life, but regardless, this is weird. I was reading The Coroner's Report in a past issue of Rue Morgue when I came across a very interesting story. Not just that the story itself was interesting, but that a couple of months ago I had written a short script outline for the same thing! Freaky.
To think that my mind is warped and demented is one thing, but I'm not sure which is more disturbing. That I would come up with such a twisted story or that an idea I had is twisted enough for some sicko to actually do.
Either way, I think it's pretty damn cool. Heh...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
DOB - Day 7 of Principle
June 13, 2008
Nothing like shooting a horror movie on Friday the 13th! *cue spooky music*
Other than having to cut it short due to some heavy thunderstorms that came through, it was pretty uneventful. Our still photographer slash "audio guy" didn't even break out the camera for this shoot, so I don't even have anything to show for it. I'm not sure anyone even enjoys reading these blog updates because not much goes on, lol! It doesn't matter, really. I mainly write these blogs for my own personal satisfaction. One day I'll be able to look back at these and see how far we've come.
Anywho, we did manage to get two scenes shot. One outdoor during the magic hour and one indoor. Lighting went well. Craig is getting much more comfortable, I think. He should; his lighting is looking better and better.
We finished one indoor scene just in time to check the weather and see that we were about to get hit with a terrible storm. We quickly packed up and left. The last place I wanted to be during a storm was a trailer. I'll never forget this Friday the 13th, not only because we were filming, but because Craig and I drove home in a horrendous downpour in head-on 40+ winds down a dark highway. What normally takes a little over an hour lasted an eternity. Not fun.
Until next time!
Nothing like shooting a horror movie on Friday the 13th! *cue spooky music*
Other than having to cut it short due to some heavy thunderstorms that came through, it was pretty uneventful. Our still photographer slash "audio guy" didn't even break out the camera for this shoot, so I don't even have anything to show for it. I'm not sure anyone even enjoys reading these blog updates because not much goes on, lol! It doesn't matter, really. I mainly write these blogs for my own personal satisfaction. One day I'll be able to look back at these and see how far we've come.
Anywho, we did manage to get two scenes shot. One outdoor during the magic hour and one indoor. Lighting went well. Craig is getting much more comfortable, I think. He should; his lighting is looking better and better.
We finished one indoor scene just in time to check the weather and see that we were about to get hit with a terrible storm. We quickly packed up and left. The last place I wanted to be during a storm was a trailer. I'll never forget this Friday the 13th, not only because we were filming, but because Craig and I drove home in a horrendous downpour in head-on 40+ winds down a dark highway. What normally takes a little over an hour lasted an eternity. Not fun.
Until next time!
Monday, June 9, 2008
DOB - Day 6 of Principle
June 7, 2008
Re-Shoot
Another outside night shoot under our belts. I can tell summer is almost here. It's hot and muggy even at midnight and the bugs are in full force. Tonight was a re-shoot from day 3. Craig and I both agreed that while the performances were fine, our lighting and framing was horrible. This is a key scene in the movie and it had to be up to par.
We did a little rearranging of the scene and wound up getting some good stuff. Much better than the first go 'round. The performances were even better and the lighting looked fantastic! Lori Mills had some emotional moments and she nailed it. It should come across nicely in the final edit.
All in all, I believe it was worth it to re-shoot. There is still a little section to re-shoot, but we'll get to that in a couple of weeks. The final edit will benefit for sure. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Re-Shoot
Another outside night shoot under our belts. I can tell summer is almost here. It's hot and muggy even at midnight and the bugs are in full force. Tonight was a re-shoot from day 3. Craig and I both agreed that while the performances were fine, our lighting and framing was horrible. This is a key scene in the movie and it had to be up to par.
We did a little rearranging of the scene and wound up getting some good stuff. Much better than the first go 'round. The performances were even better and the lighting looked fantastic! Lori Mills had some emotional moments and she nailed it. It should come across nicely in the final edit.
All in all, I believe it was worth it to re-shoot. There is still a little section to re-shoot, but we'll get to that in a couple of weeks. The final edit will benefit for sure. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
the greatest feeling as a writer
I imagine fame and fortune would be fun, at least for a little while. But I had something happen to me during one of our shoots for Degree of Blood that could give those two aspects a run for their money.
One of our actors came up to me during filming to discuss her character's motivation. She was to have a small exclamatory piece of dialog in a frantic scene. After building up to that moment, she felt that it would be out of place for her character to react in the way the script was written. Her feelings were by no means derogatory toward what I had written. Quite the opposite, in fact. She totally "got" her character. So much so that changing a slight reaction within the scene would help continue to build upon the moment (and the rest of the scene) and her character's hysterical behavior.
I didn't need any convincing; she was completely right. Expressing in words how I felt at that moment isn't possible. It was "cool" to say the least. Just imagine putting a lot of work into crafting something, something that comes to life thanks to the actors, and have one of them come to you because he/she understands what you've written and wants to build upon that. As a writer, I can't imagine anything cooler. As the writer and director of Degree of Blood, I can honestly say that the movie could be a total flop and I will still have that wonderful memory.
One of our actors came up to me during filming to discuss her character's motivation. She was to have a small exclamatory piece of dialog in a frantic scene. After building up to that moment, she felt that it would be out of place for her character to react in the way the script was written. Her feelings were by no means derogatory toward what I had written. Quite the opposite, in fact. She totally "got" her character. So much so that changing a slight reaction within the scene would help continue to build upon the moment (and the rest of the scene) and her character's hysterical behavior.
I didn't need any convincing; she was completely right. Expressing in words how I felt at that moment isn't possible. It was "cool" to say the least. Just imagine putting a lot of work into crafting something, something that comes to life thanks to the actors, and have one of them come to you because he/she understands what you've written and wants to build upon that. As a writer, I can't imagine anything cooler. As the writer and director of Degree of Blood, I can honestly say that the movie could be a total flop and I will still have that wonderful memory.
Monday, June 2, 2008
re-shooting blues
Doing things over again goes against everything I believe in, but sometimes I just have to. And this is one such time. I've decided to re-shoot a certain pivotal scene in Degree of Blood. Not my favorite thing to do. I hate to 'waste' a night of shooting something we have already shot. But I do believe it's for the best. It's a pivotal scene and one that can't be half-assed. This is my directorial debut and I certainly don't want to completely blow it.
Fortunately, the actors involved are understanding, and that means the world to me. Their performances were fine, great even, so it's not because of them. Our lighting, framing, and direction simply lacks the punch that the scene requires. We're on schedule to re-shoot the scenes this weekend, which actually works out quite well. Our two leads are tied up with other things anyway, which helped ease my decision.
Filmmaking is such a huge effort. Not just on my part but all who are involved. And I greatly appreciate everyone's support.
Fortunately, the actors involved are understanding, and that means the world to me. Their performances were fine, great even, so it's not because of them. Our lighting, framing, and direction simply lacks the punch that the scene requires. We're on schedule to re-shoot the scenes this weekend, which actually works out quite well. Our two leads are tied up with other things anyway, which helped ease my decision.
Filmmaking is such a huge effort. Not just on my part but all who are involved. And I greatly appreciate everyone's support.
DOB - Day 5 of Principle
Friday, May 30, 2008
Bugs, bugs, bugs! Oh my goodness there were tons of bugs! That's what you get when you shoot by a pond during the Spring/Summer. Despite the bugs, the actors were in good spirits and I greatly appreciate their patience.
The scene we shot had to be tweaked a bit due to rotten wood on the deck we were using, but I think it turned out ok. The worst part of the night was having to pause every few minutes to wait for the airplanes. We learned that our location is in a flight path for the FedEx planes, joy joy.
Even though James wasn't in any of the scenes we were shooting, he decided to join us. And of course we put him to work documenting the shoot with the handycam. I don't think he minded. Thanks, James!
We still have quite a bit to do, but it's coming together. Craig's lighting is really improving, too. He took the time to create some nice shadows for these scenes and it really paid off. And having Roger around is an advantage. He and Craig work so well together; they are definitely in sync.
Bugs, bugs, bugs! Oh my goodness there were tons of bugs! That's what you get when you shoot by a pond during the Spring/Summer. Despite the bugs, the actors were in good spirits and I greatly appreciate their patience.
The scene we shot had to be tweaked a bit due to rotten wood on the deck we were using, but I think it turned out ok. The worst part of the night was having to pause every few minutes to wait for the airplanes. We learned that our location is in a flight path for the FedEx planes, joy joy.
Even though James wasn't in any of the scenes we were shooting, he decided to join us. And of course we put him to work documenting the shoot with the handycam. I don't think he minded. Thanks, James!
We still have quite a bit to do, but it's coming together. Craig's lighting is really improving, too. He took the time to create some nice shadows for these scenes and it really paid off. And having Roger around is an advantage. He and Craig work so well together; they are definitely in sync.
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