I'm Very Proud to Announce....

THAT THE MUSIC VIDEO IS FINISHED!
Whoo! It's been a thrilling night, layering the final story bits and throwing special effects into the video. I'm quite proud of it. We'll be presenting at 1 today, Ollie Center, 119. Any actors who were a part are permitted attendance. I'll be uploading it when we find out whether or not it's chosen for the Cinemortis preshow.

Basketball, Film, and their Seamless Symbiotic Relationship

I find myself here again in the Van Buren High School Gymnasium, ready to set up and film. The live streaming of these games is a blessing. The experience is golden, and I'm doing what I love (filming, not watching sports) and people are watching my work. What could be better? I'm disappointed that I can't be helping my crew film the last of the music video, but I intend to step in and edit. That should be a blast. If you are a fan of sports, and want to view the Van Buren/Rogers games tonight, feel free to tune in. They'll be up for 30 days after they're archived. Either way, check out our channels at http://www.citylinktv.com/fort-smith-ar

Shooting, Day 2

I find myself walking on set to what looks like a house party on the fhird floor of the Ollie Center. The actors have showed up, and brought friends and girlfriends. They're surprisingly quiet and respectable, and when we begin filming, the extras filter out slowly. Shots are fast paced and beautiful, and for the extra smoothness we got with the steadycam, it was worth it for a single shot. We wrapped on our first location and a few actors, then moved on. Filmmaking tip #26, always bring a hilighter and a shotlist. Marking things off shows progress and guarantees a shorter, more streamlined experience. Hmm. Filmmaking tip list. I'm making one. Be looking out for it. Editing was a joy with our shots being checked off, until timing and shot speed/length became an issue. Thanks to our organizational skills, we even had time for a little easter egg to add to the end of the video. It's right here, for those of you who made it here. Consider it a show of hands of how many people actually read the blog.

Rainy Days and Working Actors

Just some thoughts on hindrances in the filmmaking process. If it's a rainy day, see what you can take inside. Easy enough. film the rest later. What really bums me out is when continuity depends on an actor who has a work schedule the polar opposite of the rest of your crew. Not a bad thing, just a thing. People have work, yes, but be certain that they don't start work when another actor ends class. If you cast for a film, find someone who has nothing going on. I've been warned of this,  and haven't always taken heed. Cautionary tale.

Shooting, Day 1, Music Video

Hello all! We got everything done yesterday involving story and flashbacks, as well as a few excellent shots that just happened. All that's left is the fight scenes and special effects. Editing will happen today, perhaps it will give us a taste of the feel of the video. Once that's done, we'll discuss the adjustment of the shooting schedule, as we ran out of time on a fight scene yesterday. We may be shooting Monday, in addition to Friday. Thrilled to see how I can mesh the Animatic and current footage today. It should be seamless.

Another Tuesday. A PRODUCTIVE ONE!

Today was a day of all the pieces falling into the right place. Financial aid has been awarded, as well as 20 hours per week of work study. Getting paid to hone my editing and organizational skills? Yes please! My Science professor pulled some strings to get me back into the class, though it may be impossible to catch up, and most importantly, dear readers, I've learned the ancient Chinese secret of color correction in Final Cut Pro!

I've been touching up my reel, and I might have to "digitally remaster" my western soon. Production meeting for the shoot tomorrow went well, and it looks like we may be able to pull this project off. I'll be making a digital version of our shot list out of mp3 files, so we can hear the exact music that will be playing from the beginning of the shot to the end. It'll be a pain in GoldWave, but invaluable in the field. Tonight may be a good night to pull up my documentary and look at it with fresh eyes, as it's pickled for long enough. Come disbursement date, I'll be in the market for a mac with fcp and adobe preloaded, so if any of you have a mac you're looking to sell, let me know! Message me on the facingbook or here on the site. until tomorrow, good sirs!