shoot day

We just had our second shoot day for the new short film. Everything went VERY well. Let's see. What went right?

1) The home made camera boom nailed the shot. The movement was smooth and it looked great on the preview screen (we'll see how it looks once I import it for editing).

2) The faux legs I made out of plaster? They also looked awesome! They were heavier than I thought they'd be, so it took some steady arms behind the scenes, but darned if they don't look like someone floating past behind the star actress. So cool!

3) The stunts went over great. First we did the shot where Ray pulled Amy down the hallway by her hair, she spins around, and kicks him off. Then we did the shot (sequentially before he pulls her down the hallway) where he pulls her back off her chair, by her hair. It was awesome. The actors both did what they needed to do and I think it'll look great. I loved it!

4) The actors were great. The tag-alongs that came with one of them were also great. The people, all around, just nailed it. Heather helped with setting up a scene that was giving us trouble. Mary Beth, who I'd never met before, totally came up with the idea of padding the ground so Valerie didn't hurt herself when she went backwards over the chair. Just all around the people made it happen. It was just perfect.

I'm really happy with how well today went. Just awesome. Thanks to everyone!

Not blogging enough?

I've been informed that I'm not blogging enough. I can hardly argue since I'd have to be blogging at all to be blogging enough. I'm just not that fond of my own voice, but if someone's complaining I suppose I should heed the call.

I am working on a new short. The name for it (this wee) is Sweet Dreams. It's been a couple other things because I just haven't been able to come up with anything really good yet. So far Sweet Dreams appears to be the best, but that doesn't mean I'm sold yet.

Things I could blog about it?
- Well the script was done in record time by the talented Morgan Richter. I just had a jumbled outline and she whipped it into shape for me.

- I've had one day of shooting so far, that went pretty well I think. I've also done a couple single pick up environmental shots and had a crack at opening credit footage (which I think I'll have to redo).

- I made my own camera boom. The things are bloody expensive so I made my own out of $50 worth of supplies from Home Depot. More than one person has told me that I should sell them. I'm pretty sure that no one would really want to buy my half-assed design, but it's flattering. The funniest part is that it's heavier than my cheap-o tripod and perpetually in danger of snapping the head off of my tripod. It's sort of a use-with-caution item at this point.

- I love my tripod dolly. I bought the thing for cheap off of Amazon. This one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YB862E. Apparently it's currently unavailable, but the thing rocks.

- You don't need to be an actor to be convincing. No one on my projects is ever a pro. I don't know anything about SAG, and I prefer a lack of attitude about things. Even so a couple people turned out inspired performances that I can't wait to edit together.

- Software upgrade. iMovie has it's advantages, in that it's free with anyone's Mac, but it's limited in many ways. Right now I'm trying to learn my new editing software. I feel like a beginner with this stuff which is something I haven't felt with software for a long time.

I think that's about it for now. Today I'm going to be doing some prep work. Painting plaster legs, that sort of stuff. Next Sunday is another shoot. Good times!

Thank you if you're bothering to read my ramblings, by the way.