Wow, it's been a good 2 months since I've updated the blog here. Life and the responsibilities related to the project were a bit more than I bargained for. But, like a speeding train, the time came to shoot the thing, and my crew and I prepared the best we could with what we had. And it turned out AMAZING!
Where to begin? Well, I said in the last post I'd begin with casting so I'll suppose I will begin with that.
We had a great cast lined up. I chose Jo Crandall to play Junior. I actually considered him to play one of the bigger Shakespeare roles, but he was able to bring the kind of humor that was required of the Junior character, and did an amazing job. Couldn't be happier.
The original actor chosen to play Dr. Giles bailed out on the project, but Matt was able to find a more than adequate replacement in Alan Gallant a mere two days after I received the news from the other actor! Giles was my most challenging character, but Alan lent a campy edge to the character that meshed well with the tone I was going for in the story.
Natalie Strissel played Lisa, who I think lends an innocent connotation to every scene she's in. I was worried about Lisa being "likeable" but I don't think I have to worry about that since Natalie's in the role.
Justin Bowen, an actor who's made his rounds acting in many UCF Films graciously accepted the role of Dr. William Shakespeare in the first post-transplant. He lends so much energy into anything he does, is patient, and is pretty much down for anything. I have seen him work on other projects in the past as well, so I knew he was also great to work with. Couldn't have picked a better Shakespeare 2.
I sensed an eagerness in Josh Ingle when I spoke with him about acting in student films. It was a bit risky to cast him as Dr. Shakespeare after the second transplant but he ended up working out really well. He exudes a different energy than Justin, which worked for that particular phase in the character. He told me on set that he didn't sleep to prepare for the shoot, and was on time to set - that surprised me, but really made me glad that he would offer so much dedication to my project. A real pleasure to work with.
And of course, Matt Deicke, the Final Shakespeare. I thought that the character should go out on a big note, and Matt really delivered. Few words can describe how fun he is on set and in during the pre-production phase.
And there's everyone that volunteered to be onscreen to get slapped in the face for the Montage. That was a fun little part of the production. I even got the opportunity to implant a Director Cameo! Fun!
Of course there are all the players BEHIND the camera who was there to lend me a hand. You all know who you are, and I extend my gratitude to you all for making the production run smoothly.
From now on this blog will be used to chronicle the post-production process. I will occasionally also reminisce about everything leading up to the production: rehearsals, art production, etc. There's a lot of material and photos to blog about so also expect more frequent posts in the future.
That's all for now, as I wait for this 7D footage to convert..
November 20, 2009
September 7, 2009
The pitch, and a crude cartoon!
Beth's been wanting to see what I did to some of her drawings so here it goes.
But before that, just some updates. I was not a finalist for the Capstone Grant, but I am very glad my friends and classmates Jamie, Alex, and Chris. Everyone who knows who I am talking about should give them a big high-five. I wish them all the best of luck.
I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I would be when I found out the news that I wasn't a finalist. In fact, it was a bit of a relief, because it meant one less thing to worry about. On top of casting, other classes, and worrying if my financial aid is going to come through, I just did not need the added stress of having to do another pitch. And my production is minimal anyway, so I'd probably end up just wasting most of what would be given to me. I know why I wasn't a finalist - my pitch just was not that good. But I really have to thank Christina, my producer, for being there. Christina did the best she could on short notice. I feel bad for dragging her through that when it probably wasn't necessary for her to be there.
Anyway, I actually animated some of the storyboards for the pitch, but not all of them were used since I there was only so much time and I didn't want to bore them with a strange video:
The video illustrates some of the camera motions and actor blocking I am going for. Hopefully this is doable because the end result will look pretty cool in real life. At least in my mind.
Stark white backgrounds, minimalist set design with some camera movement. A campy, cartoon-ish tone.
Thanks again to Beth for drawing a lot of these up.
Next post will be about casting. We had our first one over the weekend, and I am currently waiting on the audition video to make an overall assessment.
Till next time!
But before that, just some updates. I was not a finalist for the Capstone Grant, but I am very glad my friends and classmates Jamie, Alex, and Chris. Everyone who knows who I am talking about should give them a big high-five. I wish them all the best of luck.
I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I would be when I found out the news that I wasn't a finalist. In fact, it was a bit of a relief, because it meant one less thing to worry about. On top of casting, other classes, and worrying if my financial aid is going to come through, I just did not need the added stress of having to do another pitch. And my production is minimal anyway, so I'd probably end up just wasting most of what would be given to me. I know why I wasn't a finalist - my pitch just was not that good. But I really have to thank Christina, my producer, for being there. Christina did the best she could on short notice. I feel bad for dragging her through that when it probably wasn't necessary for her to be there.
Anyway, I actually animated some of the storyboards for the pitch, but not all of them were used since I there was only so much time and I didn't want to bore them with a strange video:
The video illustrates some of the camera motions and actor blocking I am going for. Hopefully this is doable because the end result will look pretty cool in real life. At least in my mind.
Stark white backgrounds, minimalist set design with some camera movement. A campy, cartoon-ish tone.
Thanks again to Beth for drawing a lot of these up.
Next post will be about casting. We had our first one over the weekend, and I am currently waiting on the audition video to make an overall assessment.
Till next time!
August 29, 2009
Lots of updates today. First week of school, what can I say?
During the first week of school I asked myself if I had bitten off more than I can chew with 4 classes, each involving their own special amount of attention from me. I probably did and I will likely learn this by the end of the semester. Right now I am just going to take things as they come to me.
New draft of the script here. After hearing some of the lines out loud of the previous draft, a lot of things didn't gel with me, so I included some more character development in places that I thought should need it, while also deleting or shortening scenes, and trying to keep some of the funny in it too.
One thing that a lot of people have been commenting on the script is that Dr. Shakespeare's name is too distracting. Perhaps if you read it off the page, seeing "Shakespeare" every two or three lines would be distracting. Though characters only say it once or twice throughout the whole script. When we reach the end product it won't as distracting as people currently think it is. That's a promise.
And as for why he's named Shakespeare.. Well, that's a good question. Many things go unexplained in the film, kind of like when someone gets shot in a cartoon and nobody gets hurt. In one scene, for example, Junior brings up the question of where they get all the donor bodies from - the film nor any character ever offers an explanation. The film is intentionally full of questions without answers. His name is one of those questions.
Pitch is next week. I'm making a powerpoint including some storyboards that Beth and I drew up, plus it one or two that I've animated. I'll post those after the pitch along with how the pitch went next post. I will have one of my producers join me for it as well.
What's that? I have producers? After searching high and low for a producer, I now have two:
Welcome Christina Hebert and Lindsay Garvin to the project! They will offer logistic and scheduling advice as well as recruiting a talented crew for me.
Chris Tharp has graciously signed on to DP. He'll be recruiting his own camera crew and I'm very excited to be working with them as well.
Matt Deicke has also been working hard for me as well as my casting director. He's been immensely helpful and we even have a casting session set up at Full Sail on September 5th. We hope to have a big turnout. I have even posted ads on various local casting websites.
Some bad news with my Production Designer, Sara. Her school schedule doesn't allow her as much free time as she'd hoped so she had to resign. Completely understandable. But luckily, her boyfriend, Mike Santini, is prepared and available to take over the position. Sara will be taking an advisory role from now on, but I appreciate all the effort she has already put into the project.
That's all for now folks. I will let you know what happens after the pitch!
New draft of the script here. After hearing some of the lines out loud of the previous draft, a lot of things didn't gel with me, so I included some more character development in places that I thought should need it, while also deleting or shortening scenes, and trying to keep some of the funny in it too.
One thing that a lot of people have been commenting on the script is that Dr. Shakespeare's name is too distracting. Perhaps if you read it off the page, seeing "Shakespeare" every two or three lines would be distracting. Though characters only say it once or twice throughout the whole script. When we reach the end product it won't as distracting as people currently think it is. That's a promise.
And as for why he's named Shakespeare.. Well, that's a good question. Many things go unexplained in the film, kind of like when someone gets shot in a cartoon and nobody gets hurt. In one scene, for example, Junior brings up the question of where they get all the donor bodies from - the film nor any character ever offers an explanation. The film is intentionally full of questions without answers. His name is one of those questions.
Pitch is next week. I'm making a powerpoint including some storyboards that Beth and I drew up, plus it one or two that I've animated. I'll post those after the pitch along with how the pitch went next post. I will have one of my producers join me for it as well.
What's that? I have producers? After searching high and low for a producer, I now have two:
Welcome Christina Hebert and Lindsay Garvin to the project! They will offer logistic and scheduling advice as well as recruiting a talented crew for me.
Chris Tharp has graciously signed on to DP. He'll be recruiting his own camera crew and I'm very excited to be working with them as well.
Matt Deicke has also been working hard for me as well as my casting director. He's been immensely helpful and we even have a casting session set up at Full Sail on September 5th. We hope to have a big turnout. I have even posted ads on various local casting websites.
Some bad news with my Production Designer, Sara. Her school schedule doesn't allow her as much free time as she'd hoped so she had to resign. Completely understandable. But luckily, her boyfriend, Mike Santini, is prepared and available to take over the position. Sara will be taking an advisory role from now on, but I appreciate all the effort she has already put into the project.
That's all for now folks. I will let you know what happens after the pitch!
August 7, 2009
The crew so far.
The newest, more final version of the script can be downloaded here. Fixed typos and a new ending!
What? New ending? What's wrong with the old one? I'll talk about that when I have a slower week.
There were a few snags in recruiting crew. Kind of feeling like I'm running behind, but I hope to have my key players set by the first Capstone class: Producer, Production Designer, DP, and 1st Assistant Director.
So far let's list everyone who's signed on 100%:
Production Designer: Sara Englehardt
Set Builder/Key Grip: Jayson Caissie
Storyboard Artist: Beth Stuebben
Not a bad start, I don't think. Sara was the Production Designer on A Beautiful Belly, a local UCF-affiliated feature that I had the distinct pleasure of working on over the summer. We met to talk about the script earlier this week and she had some amazing ideas. Jason and Beth are both good friends of mine with their own special skills, and I've done a lot with them this week as well.
I had a producer, but now I don't. I've sent out emails to prospective people interested, based on a list received from Lisa Cook, and some friends for possible referrals. So far I've gotten about 3 bites and I'm waiting to hear back from them. I'm talking to someone about Cinematography, though I have not had a chance to meet with them. Same goes for the 1st A.D. position.
I've completed the storyboards with Beth, so hopefully I will have those available to post soon!
What? New ending? What's wrong with the old one? I'll talk about that when I have a slower week.
There were a few snags in recruiting crew. Kind of feeling like I'm running behind, but I hope to have my key players set by the first Capstone class: Producer, Production Designer, DP, and 1st Assistant Director.
So far let's list everyone who's signed on 100%:
Production Designer: Sara Englehardt
Set Builder/Key Grip: Jayson Caissie
Storyboard Artist: Beth Stuebben
Not a bad start, I don't think. Sara was the Production Designer on A Beautiful Belly, a local UCF-affiliated feature that I had the distinct pleasure of working on over the summer. We met to talk about the script earlier this week and she had some amazing ideas. Jason and Beth are both good friends of mine with their own special skills, and I've done a lot with them this week as well.
I had a producer, but now I don't. I've sent out emails to prospective people interested, based on a list received from Lisa Cook, and some friends for possible referrals. So far I've gotten about 3 bites and I'm waiting to hear back from them. I'm talking to someone about Cinematography, though I have not had a chance to meet with them. Same goes for the 1st A.D. position.
I've completed the storyboards with Beth, so hopefully I will have those available to post soon!
July 26, 2009
The Characters!
For those interested, you can now download a current version of the script here.
So here they are, the players in this strange entertainment:
DR. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Dr. Shakespeare is an old man past his prime, and he's putting his brain into a new body using his expertise as a.. brain doctor. And he's the only person to have successfully done so. Though despite his genius, he's a little misguided - he's a total horn dog. Maybe he's using the brain transplants for some ulterior motive?
Think of..
meets
DR. GILES
Giles is a long time colleague of Dr. Shakespeare, just as old, give or take a few years, but not quite to the level of genius. Giles assists him in the initial and subsequent brain transplants that he undergoes. He comes off a bit authoritarian, but he's dedicated to science and understands the greater importance of the brain transplant. He's a little strange in how he gets his point across. Say what you will about him though, he runs a tight ship.
Think of..
meets
DR. GILES JR. (AKA "JUNIOR")
Fresh out of med school and the son of Dr. Giles, he's here to assist his father in transplanting Dr. Shakespeare's brain. He has more in common with Dr. Shakespeare than his father, it seems. But he's a little more open about it, and perhaps a little more cunning than he makes himself out to be. He's quite the little imp.
Think of:
meets
(but funny)
LISA
Lisa is the object of everyone's affection. Shakespeare loves her because she's not really high maintenance, but still has class and self-respect. She's got that bit of sass but also a bit of sweetness to her too. She's also just as horny as he is. But lately, she's become very frustrated with how their relationship has turned out.
Think of...
meets
(minus so much psycho)
These descriptions should provide SOME idea of what these characters are like!
Next post: crew recruitment!
So here they are, the players in this strange entertainment:
DR. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Dr. Shakespeare is an old man past his prime, and he's putting his brain into a new body using his expertise as a.. brain doctor. And he's the only person to have successfully done so. Though despite his genius, he's a little misguided - he's a total horn dog. Maybe he's using the brain transplants for some ulterior motive?
Think of..
meets
DR. GILES
Giles is a long time colleague of Dr. Shakespeare, just as old, give or take a few years, but not quite to the level of genius. Giles assists him in the initial and subsequent brain transplants that he undergoes. He comes off a bit authoritarian, but he's dedicated to science and understands the greater importance of the brain transplant. He's a little strange in how he gets his point across. Say what you will about him though, he runs a tight ship.
Think of..
meets
DR. GILES JR. (AKA "JUNIOR")
Fresh out of med school and the son of Dr. Giles, he's here to assist his father in transplanting Dr. Shakespeare's brain. He has more in common with Dr. Shakespeare than his father, it seems. But he's a little more open about it, and perhaps a little more cunning than he makes himself out to be. He's quite the little imp.
Think of:
meets
(but funny)LISA
Lisa is the object of everyone's affection. Shakespeare loves her because she's not really high maintenance, but still has class and self-respect. She's got that bit of sass but also a bit of sweetness to her too. She's also just as horny as he is. But lately, she's become very frustrated with how their relationship has turned out.
Think of...
meets
(minus so much psycho)These descriptions should provide SOME idea of what these characters are like!
Next post: crew recruitment!
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