Production Notes

These are the ongoing production notes for my new short film “The Writer”. The film is an official entry in ThrillFest 2010 at www.dvxuser.com. Please visit the following link for the full thread for the film: The Writer – Official ThrillFest 2010 Entry.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08082010
And so I shall try again…. I’m persistent if nothing else. Now I live in Florida where there is an active filmmaking community. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed on this one.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08092010
So far so good. I posted a tentative ad at the Tampa Film Network’s site as well as Craigslist and I’m already having a hard time keeping up with the submissions. I’ll be up all night tonight putting together an audition and crew list. I spent some time while I was at work (shhhhhhhhh!) planning the shoot. Hopefully by the end of the week, I’ll have enough things solidified to add the film to Variety Magazine’s production calendar and start planning the shoot.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08112010
Well I’m having open auditions this weekend for the film and plans for the first pre-production meeting on the 21st, rehearsal on the 22nd and filming starts on the 28th. I’m sitting the fence on my decision to use Super 8mm film. I would like to but it depends on my ability to obtain a good Super 8mm camera. I have one but it’s not the best. So we’ll see. I’m having fun planning my shots and I think my idea is simple enough for me to pull off for my first time fictional film.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08122010
Just got my lead for the film! I’m still sourcing for the other parts. I think I have the film fleshed out for the most part. Now I’m focusing on set decorations and obtaining shooting permissions for another location. Still marinating on the Super 8mm thing. I’m leaning more towards “Maybe next time”.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08132010
Tomorrow, I have 4 people coming to audition for parts. The lead and one half of the couple is cast. I have at least a few people for a crew. I have the film all worked out. I’m eager to get started. I’ve changed what would have been a very cool element in the film. Tough decision but it would have been perfect for MonsterFest but not as important for a Thriller. So I’ll spend some time this weekend add a little more depth to the film. The change also means one less cast member. Which works for me. I keep reminding myself this is my first real fictional film so I need to take it easy and do a good job with a simple story and get better over time.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08142010
Yaaaay! I had two awesome women come audition for me this morning. I’m casting them both. This is pretty sweet. So now I’m going to go pick up a few items I need for the film and drag out all my gear. Cheers!

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08152010
So I just got a Canon 514XL off of Ebay for $50 and I’m planning to use it. Should be fun. Now if I can only get that sweet wide angle adapter lens for cheap too, I’ll do cartwheels.

Later today: Well now it’s on! Casting is done, our pre-production meeting is setup, all rehearsal and shooting dates are set, the Canon 514XL is on the way and found a way to make a slider for less than $45 from an awesome guy on the board here. I bought those parts today. I’m also thinking about using my 35mm adapter on this one as well. It’s all fun and games til someone loses an eye… and then it’s just fun.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08172010
Ok, I got a little silly there for a minute. I cast way too many people and had to “down size”. Sometimes you just have to realize “Hey, I can’t feed all these people”. hahahahaha Anyway, I’ve also had to really rethink the script. I’m re-writing it now and I must say I feel MUCH better about what I have now. It’s is simple yet has all the elements needed for a solid story. So far I realize that 1. I must find a location scout or two to work with all the time and 2. the same goes for editors.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08182010
I also picked up a Canon 514XL-S on Ebay for $60! Yes, I bought two similar cameras. Actually I’m taking the lesser one to Scotland with me next month to shoot a wedding. I’ll keep the XL-S at home. I really wanted the XL-S in the first place because it shoots 24 fps while the other one just does 18fps. Now, to get some of that pricey 2.5 minute film! hahahahaha

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08192010
Yaaay! My apartment complex agreed to let us use the laundry room to shoot our film! So I’m very happy about that. I find the hardest part of doing fictional films is location scouting. They are also being supportive and wanting to take photos, etc. I’m very thrilled right now and a bit nervous too. The pressure is mounting for quality. Since this is my first fictional film I just hope it turns out as well as I’d like.

Later today: I just got my Canon 514XL in the mail. This thing is sweet! Yeah, I get pumped up by the least little thing. A 30+ year old Super 8mm camera is exciting to me. hahahahaha The thing looks and works like brand new too.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08212010
I’m so happy. We had our pre-production meeting and rehearsals today and what a great group of people! Everyone is pleasant and talented and had some really great ideas for improvements. What fun! I feel very fortunate. Also, I’m sorry I haven’t had the time to visit everyone else’s entries here. I will do that tonight!

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08232010
Built my $45 Lowes slider today. It works great. I can’t wait to use it for this film. I’m going to be working on my DIY fig rig and boom poles this week too. I’ve been experimenting with different types of lighting. I’m going to take some time out today to plan for some unique visuals. Production starts this weekend and I’m so looking forward to it. I’m so eager to create some visual art! Cheers.

Later Today: I felt the urge to redo the movie poster. The story has taken on a little bit of a different tone since casting and re-writes so I made some changes. I’ll be redoing the banner as well.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08262010
I’ve been sick all week but still doing whatever I need to do to film this weekend. I’ve been doing some set design. It’s pretty tough I must say. Especially when one considers the amount of space they have to shoot in. I’m still sitting the fence on using my 35mm adapter. I’d also like to say that the $1 store here is amazing! I obtained so many cool props from there this week.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08282010
What an absolutely incredible day of filming! I am just too happy right now. I really lucked up with finding the right people to cast. I also went ahead and used my 35mm adapter and I’m so glad I did! The footage is beautiful (at least to me)!

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08292010
Well I’m done with the second day of shooting and it was just as great as the first day. One more day to go (next Saturday). The last shoot will be with 4 of the 6 cast members and I think we are going to have a great time. I also think it will go well because we are shooting 10p-4a and I should be good and rested. I was not rested for these two days because of work mainly.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 08302010
I just got my Canon 514XL-S and had to make a tough decision to abandon the idea of using it in this film for the sole reason that I can’t just walk into a store and buy the film. I was going to order film from B&H Photo today but it wouldn’t get here in time. So I’ll have to save it for another film although I really need to use it for this one. hahahahaha Cheers!

Director’s Log: Moon Date 09012010
I have the final approval to use the laundry room at my apartment complex. Location release signed, etc. So now I’m going to spend more time planning Saturday’s last shoot. I’m really learning so much during this process and enjoying every minute of it. I wonder what fun will be had when you get 6 fun loving people in a locked laundry room overnight?? Also, my Canon 514XL-S came with a cartridge of film in it. I’ll use it just in case.

Director’s Log: Moon Date 09032010
Well, tomorrow is the last day of filming for “The Writer”. It will also be the toughest shoot. We will be filming in a very narrow laundry room from 10pm til 4am (or until its done). BUT I’m looking forward to it because I think it will make for some interesting shooting and it’s the most important scene in the film. So fun times will be had tomorrow night. I’ve begun editing the footage I already have. I needed to make this film right away and get started on as much as possible because I’m leaving for Scotland next weekend to shoot a wedding. I’ll be there for 10 days so by the time I get back, I’ll need to focus on editing the film before the due date. This has really been a fantastic experience and I’m glad dvxuser.com has these fests. It’s such great motivation to create instead of just talking about creating. Cheers!