Thinking through some possible FX scenes.
LOTR Forced Perspective
LOTR Forced Perspective Moving Camera
Forced Perspective Shots
Giant Robot FX Test
Movie Magic Episode 5 - Forced Perspective
The Keeper Of The Cardboard Key
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Swish Blog #1
Special thanks to Justin Johnson for the idea. Swish Blogging (Or Vlogging) is a unique way to Vlog quickly. Capturing snippets of your day and then tilting up or panning left or right at the end of each clip, this way your clips transitions neatly to the next. No explanation needed, and talking to the camera isn't necessary. Very much just a peek into your day, leaving the images to speak for themselves. Very short, and self explanatory. All transitions can be done in camera, taking it easier on the editing, getting you to the upload much faster.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Ten Rules for Being Human
Ten Rules for Being Human
by Cherie Carter-Scott
1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's yours to keep for the entire period.
2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, "life."
3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately "work."
4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
5. Learning lessons does not end. There's no part of life that doesn't contain its lessons. If you're alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned.
6. "There" is no better a place than "here." When your "there" has become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here."
7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.
8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.
9. Your answers lie within you. The answers to life's questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
10. You will forget all this.
by Cherie Carter-Scott
1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's yours to keep for the entire period.
2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, "life."
3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately "work."
4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
5. Learning lessons does not end. There's no part of life that doesn't contain its lessons. If you're alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned.
6. "There" is no better a place than "here." When your "there" has become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here."
7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.
8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.
9. Your answers lie within you. The answers to life's questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
10. You will forget all this.
The Mystery of Your Thirst
(excerpted from the revised and expanded edition of
Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia by Rob Brezsny)
Imagine this scene. You're really thirsty -- so dehydrated that you're feeling faint. Yet here's the weird thing: You're walking along the bank of a wide river that's so clear you could see the bottom if you looked.
But you're not looking. In fact, you seem oblivious to the surging force of nature just a few yards away.
Is it invisible to you? Are you so preoccupied with your suffering that you're blind to the very source that would end your suffering?
Up ahead you see a man. As you approach, you realize he's holding a bottle of water. You run to him and beg him to let you drink. He readily agrees. Gratefully, you guzzle the precious liquid, then thank him profusely.
As you walk away, he calls after you, "By the way, there's a lot more water over there," and he points to the river.
Do you hear him? If you hear him, do you believe him? Or do you keep walking, hoping to find another person with another bottle somewhere up ahead?
Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia by Rob Brezsny)
Imagine this scene. You're really thirsty -- so dehydrated that you're feeling faint. Yet here's the weird thing: You're walking along the bank of a wide river that's so clear you could see the bottom if you looked.
But you're not looking. In fact, you seem oblivious to the surging force of nature just a few yards away.
Is it invisible to you? Are you so preoccupied with your suffering that you're blind to the very source that would end your suffering?
Up ahead you see a man. As you approach, you realize he's holding a bottle of water. You run to him and beg him to let you drink. He readily agrees. Gratefully, you guzzle the precious liquid, then thank him profusely.
As you walk away, he calls after you, "By the way, there's a lot more water over there," and he points to the river.
Do you hear him? If you hear him, do you believe him? Or do you keep walking, hoping to find another person with another bottle somewhere up ahead?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
It's All In The Reflexes
I'm on the old Pork Chop Express. I don't fully know what that means, or why I'm making Big Trouble in Little China references. It's probably be because I am slightly delirious. I haven't slept yet.
Been up editing a video for a client. The great thing about being an independent working editor is also the worst thing. I don't have any set hours. You get the job done when you get the job done. And I'm not going to complain when there is a last minute job to do, especially when it's paying, and especially when it's a challenge.
"It's 5pm, I need this video done by the morning." You bet your ass I'm going to do it.
And I did it. Just emailed the uploaded video. Hope there aren't any problems that need my immediate attention as I will be out of it at least til 1pm, but probably noon.
Ok, so sleepy time now, then I get up and eat something, edit, prep pages for this weekend, and plan for the next. And see how all my ducks are lined up. Coming up part 2 of the office vlog, and another vlog where I beg for your support and money for Monster Cops.
Good morrow.
P.S.
Hot Tub Time Machine is the greatest movie EVER. It's exactly the kind of movie I've been dying to see.
sleep
Been up editing a video for a client. The great thing about being an independent working editor is also the worst thing. I don't have any set hours. You get the job done when you get the job done. And I'm not going to complain when there is a last minute job to do, especially when it's paying, and especially when it's a challenge.
"It's 5pm, I need this video done by the morning." You bet your ass I'm going to do it.
And I did it. Just emailed the uploaded video. Hope there aren't any problems that need my immediate attention as I will be out of it at least til 1pm, but probably noon.
Ok, so sleepy time now, then I get up and eat something, edit, prep pages for this weekend, and plan for the next. And see how all my ducks are lined up. Coming up part 2 of the office vlog, and another vlog where I beg for your support and money for Monster Cops.
Good morrow.
P.S.
Hot Tub Time Machine is the greatest movie EVER. It's exactly the kind of movie I've been dying to see.
sleep
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
No Budget Moviemaking From Script To Screen
Just finished re-writes on the episode titled CHIMERA. I'm editing the episode called DREAD as well as planning insert shots for that. And next week we'll get all the office shots for CHIMERA, as well as for DREAD, and DEAD BY DAWN. So yes it's looking like 3 more complete 20 minute episodes before Oct. This hopefully means a DVD with 5 episodes to complete series 1. But things happen when you self distribute, so we shall see.
I'm not even going to talk about the Werewolf Episode, titled BLOOD MOON, which I have yet to do re-writes on. This may have to wait for Series 2 DVD, as I am only halfway through the Werewolf Costume.
Right now I'm concentrating on Chimera. Now that the script is finished, it's been emailed to some of the cast, and now I have to send specific pages to the rest of the cast and the crew. What do you do once you have a complete script? What needs to be done to get it shot.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
First is figure out which scenes have the most cast members in it. Let's knock that out first. The office scenes have 4 to 6 characters talking at once, with many extras in the background. Time to find out if your location is available. Our office set is free next Wed, Thu, and Fri after 5pm. I may not need all those days, but it's best to plan for that anyways. Now it's time to contact everyone to see who is free on that schedule.
CAST AVAILABILITY
This is no budget moviemaking. You aren't paying anyone. So you are at the mercy of work schedules and personal problems. They show up because they want to and if they can. So plan for something to go wrong. Everyone I've contacted is free except for one actor. This person just so happened to have a lot of lines, but he has several scheduling conflicts, so that's a no go. Note: I'm not at all angry about it. Because I fully planned for this to happen, also I fully respect my actors and their own schedules. I've planned it so his lines would be easily transferable to another actor, so no major change in plot. So I call one of the other actors to let them know they have more lines.
Another problem. I have a scene between two actors but they aren't available on the same schedule. One is only free on Thursday, where the other one is only free on Wednesday and Friday. What do I do? Cut the scene. If there is an important plot point or message in that scene that is pivotal to the story, then those lines get transferred to another scene. No problem.
PROPS AND COSTUME
Now figure out what scenes you are shooting at that location. Highlight those specific pages. Start making notes on the side next to the start of each scene. The two main lists are PROPS and COSTUMES. Make a list for each scene what props are required, what costumes. Again we are no budget, so everyone brings their own costume. It's office attire mixed with police and military gear. So contact those who are in office attire let them know what to wear. Anyone in police or tactical gear, all they have to do is wear black or camo, I've got the majority of the tactical vests (yay Ebay). Since this is a multi departmental agency mixed with all military branches, For further authenticity I ask any local cops or soldiers I may know if they want to show up on set with their gear on. Many of them are more than happy to.
I've got majority of all props, but I send out an email with a list to see if anyone can fill in the blanks. Thankfully nothing is needed specifically for the storyline, just for the look, so if we don't get it, no biggie.
SHOT LIST
When I write I keep the shots in mind so I often times write in specific camera directions. Although I've shot at this location several times, prepare for anything and everything to go wrong. Maybe a room you were hoping was available is closed off. Or they painted the walls in the hall you wanted to use, and it's going to take a week for it to dry. I keep this in mind when I write out the shot list. At the start of each scene next to your props and costumes list, I right out the shot list. This is just the basic shots and angles I need to convey the action in the script.
Script Action:
"Close up of hand as it turns the door knob. The door swings open revealing the evil monster behind it."
Shot List:
- CU/LA Hand to knob. (That's Close Up / Low Angle Hand to Knob)
- XCU Knob turning. (Extreme Close Up)
- WS behind actor door opens (WS= Wide Shot)
- Rev Shot Reaction (Reverse Shot meaning shot of the actor from behind the door)
- MS Monster Growling (Medium Shot)
Mind you this is just an example. Monster Cops is shot documentary style so the shot descriptions are more complex than this. Also there are some abbreviations that I use that you may not learn in any film school. It's short hand to myself, because I'm pretty much the only person that reads the shot list.
I make a list of the basic shots (meaning the bare minimum of what I need in case I can't get what I really want), with side notes to any more creative shots that I might be able to actually get. Often times I don't have enough room for my entire shot list for each scene, so I write it out on a separate sheet and attach it to the script.
I have software that pretty much does all of the above, but I hardly ever use it. I'm so use to writing it all out myself. Also I do have call sheets, schedules, and all the traditional movie forms, but again, I hardly use them. With the exception of the releases.
SCHEDULE
Over a period of 3 days, starting at 6pm til 9:30pm, I need to get the shot list done. This is how you break it down. You're no longer following the script, you're relying on the shot list. Everyone should know their lines, everyone should have the proper costume, everything else is about getting the shots. So I double check that everyone will be there at about 6pm. And of course they are not. Some of them can't be there til 7:30 or 8pm. Not a problem. Figure out which scenes you can shoot with the actors that will be there at 6pm. Can't do it? Then figure out which shots you can get with the actors you'll have. Maybe you can knock out all of their Close Ups or Medium Shots. You can probably get their dialogue out of the way. Then when the other actors show up, you get their shots, then do the master shot, or wide shot, so we can see everyone in the same scenes.
So write out the times you need to get started, what scene or shots you can get at specific times. 6pm pages 4, 5, and 8, Close Ups of Martha, Jane, and Nathan. 7pm pages 7, 10, and 13 Medium Shots of Jones, Cutter, and Weir. And so on. Honestly, it never works. Why? Because people show up late. They drop their lines (especially me) and they get to laughing, alot. So your 6pm shots end up finishing at 7:30pm. And you have to push your schedule back. But it's fine, because it's good to prepare, because if you're not prepared you may be screwed. If everyone does show up on time and gets their lines right, and you're the one who's not on the ball, chaos will ensue. Chaos with a big group of people, in a location that you do not own. So keep your shit together.
This is everything I'm working on now. Soon I'll be contacting everyone to double check their schedule, and make changes to my lists and schedules as needed.
Other things you want to keep in mind when shooting your own scenes with several cast members.
- You can't afford to feed anyone, but a few snacks, candy, and definitely bottled water should be considered.
- Make sure there is a bathroom. This should be common sense. Also people need a place to change in and out of their costumes.
- Bring your own trashcan and trash bags. We are borrowing somebodies office. It's best to leave it the way you found it, which means keep and take out your own trash. This is true especially if you have a very large group of people in your cast and crew.
Here's my on set checklist. What I need to remember for every shoot:
Alot of this is common sense, but when you're juggling so much, you'd be surprised what you forget when you're in a rush. Making lists saves my life on a daily basis.
- Camera
- Batteries
- Plug Adapter / Extension Cords
- Tripod
- Lights
- Digital Audio Recorder
- Lav Mic
- Extra Batteries for both
- Tape Stock or Memory Cards
- Script / Shot List
- Energy Bar / Water (Gotta keep your energy up / stay hyrdated, think like you're running a marathon)
- Prop Box
- Costume Box
- Releases (Photo Release/Group Release) Anyone you're shooting must sign. It must be clear that 1) They are doing this for credit only, no money. 2) They give you permission to use their likeness and voice in anyway you see fit, thereby giving you the freedom to create what you need to. Also this helps tremendously when you're typing out the end credits.
This is all about organization and communication. Whatever your method is, whether you stick to traditional forms used in studio filmmaking, or you have your own techniques, in the end it's all about organization and communication. Make whatever lists you need to help keep you in order, and be sure you're in contact with your cast and crew, let them know what they need to know. Get them times, dates, directions to the location, details on make up and costume, and of course their script pages.
Do whatever it takes to help keep your shit together.
LINKS
Monster Cops The Series http://monstercops.com
Patrick's Blog http://patrickprejusa.com
Saturday, July 31, 2010
My Soccer Partner
Such a great video. Yes it's an ad. Great idea.
My Soccer Partner
Uploaded by jeannasr. - Watch more comedy videos and sitcoms.
My Soccer Partner
Uploaded by jeannasr. - Watch more comedy videos and sitcoms.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Tron Legacy
Very excited about this. Love trailer 2. Trailer 3 is not as powerful, unless of course you've been a fan for 20 years.
Tron Legacy Trailer 2
Tron Legacy Trailer 3
For some reason this all made me think of Dark City.
Dark City
Tron Legacy Trailer 2
Tron Legacy Trailer 3
For some reason this all made me think of Dark City.
Dark City
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Burgess Jenkins Acting Reel
3 Weeks of work. Pulling video from several projects. Burgess wanted something a little different from a normal scene by scene reel. I kind of went movie trailer style with it. Thankfully Burgess had some really great footage from several different projects to work with. Here's pretty much the final cut, kinda.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Use What You've Got
Finished up an Ad for Hoodie Buddies. It's a fairly neat little product. A Hoodie that you can plug your mp3 player into, and use the drawstrings as head phones. Got a few of them to use for the ad. I've been so busy I just haven't had time to give it my attention, but I at least wanted to submit a straightforward ad explaining how the product works.
Special thanks to Julie Keels for letting me use her as a model. She did a great job. Shot a few minutes worth of footage. As I was done with the ad, I decided to use the footage to test out some color correction, white balancing, and also some simulated depth of field, using cookie cutter as well as the masking tools. I actually found a few tools I didn't know Vegas had, it was like Christmas I was so happy.
Changed the aspect ratio, added defocus, softness, and rendered to 24p. Also played with rendering to different file formats, trying out quality. The following is the test, rendered to WMV, HD24p, uploaded to YouTube. I may try an alternate upload on Vimeo. Music is by Maktub featuring the amazing Reggie Watts. Feel free to watch it in HD over at YOUTUBE.
SCENE TESTS with the Leftover Footage
"Girl In The Hoodie"
Special thanks to Julie Keels for letting me use her as a model. She did a great job. Shot a few minutes worth of footage. As I was done with the ad, I decided to use the footage to test out some color correction, white balancing, and also some simulated depth of field, using cookie cutter as well as the masking tools. I actually found a few tools I didn't know Vegas had, it was like Christmas I was so happy.
Changed the aspect ratio, added defocus, softness, and rendered to 24p. Also played with rendering to different file formats, trying out quality. The following is the test, rendered to WMV, HD24p, uploaded to YouTube. I may try an alternate upload on Vimeo. Music is by Maktub featuring the amazing Reggie Watts. Feel free to watch it in HD over at YOUTUBE.
SCENE TESTS with the Leftover Footage
"Girl In The Hoodie"
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Crazies 2010
Written by Scott Kosar
and Ray Wright
Original 1973 Script by George A. Romero
Original Music by Mark Isham
Cinematography by Maxime Alexandre
Film Editing by Billy Fox
Starring: Timothy Olyphant
and Radha Mitchell
I really, really, really, enjoyed this movie. There was only one thing that I didn't like, and in the end that didn't really matter. Well paced. Beautifully shot. Good tension. Great scares. And some well thought out scenes.
As a movie lover I like to sit back and really take in a good movie. As a movie maker I always end up thinking of ways I might have written or directed a scene differently. I have to say both sides of me were very pleased with this movie. Not much I would've changed and a whole lot I really enjoyed. I'm pretty sure I would watch this over again.
I sincerely had fun watching this.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
It's Everything I Stand For
It's a bold statement, for sure, but it's what I thought of when I saw this poster for an upcoming event at The Dryden Theatre. Fred Dekker (Director of Monster Squad and Night Of The Creeps) and Tom Atkins (Star of Night Of The Creeps, Halloween III, as well as several other movies) will be at this double feature. Wish I could be there.
Saw this poster designed by Jason Edminston and I was just blown away. Ok so maybe it doesn't stand for everything that I stand for, but it does fully encompass and pay tribute to two movies that heavily influenced me. I can't even begin to describe how much I absolutely love these two movies, and how much they inspired so much of what I want to create.
We're not just talking about low budget horror flicks here. What set these movies apart from most within the B-Movie Genre is the charming and lovable characters to go along with the action, and the heart to go along with the horror. To top it off, these movies were the epitome of fun. And in the end, that's all I ever wanted. To have fun.
Here's the other awesome poster that pays tribute to Tom Atkins.
Season Of The Witch was dogged alot when I was growing up, mainly because die hard Halloween fans were disappointed in a storyline that didn't have much to do with Michael Myers, but in all honesty it's a fairly creepy movie. And as for The Fog, I model alot of my kind of scariness in my movies after those eerie Pirates in that movie, especially in my next couple of features.
Wish I could be there. But if you can make it out to Rochester, NY this Friday July 16th, then by all means, have a blast on my behalf.
Thank God for FRIGHT RAGS.
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