tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90962569665916612982024-03-14T08:57:00.439-07:00BILL ALBERT (AUTHOR)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-3943606086097857002017-01-14T08:41:00.001-08:002017-01-14T08:41:50.879-08:00PROMOTION PROMOTION PROMOTION<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So far the writing is going great. It's the best I've done in years. It's really coming out and I feel good. about it. I've been able to pick up right where I left off. I think doing it as dictation has helped on the editing process. At least I am finding that Word checking spelling and grammar is coming up with a lot few problems. The biggest thing is checking for it getting the right word. It's really as simple as "sun" getting written out as "son." Lots of easy things like that.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My next goal is to take care of film making. That is another thing that has really stalled with two projects just sitting in the editing abyss and not getting done. I don't know what it is. It is just so hard for me to sit down and edit which used to be my favorite part of the process.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The only thing I've been working on as far as films go is promotion. I've reworked the plans for promoting them. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">There are 3 different kinds of festivals:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1) Small, completely online and very inexpensive. They can be absolutely free and you might get 20 views out of it.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2) Active festivals that have been running for several years. Usually a relatively small screening, about 200-300 attendees with an entry fee of $20-$50.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">3) Festivals with feedback and workshops. These are the really big festivals that have been around for a long time. Many will have screenings with professional guests in attendance and 500+ attendees. Some will even have readings of winning scripts and provide feedback. These usually run $75-$100+.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mostly I've been hitting the 2 level. They are good, respectful festivals and certainly nothing to ignore. For 2017 I'm changing my focus to the 3 level festivals. There are fewer of them, their cost is higher which also limits the number of entries, but the results can be much bigger. Many of these are listed in the top 100 film festivals and can have a much bigger yield with professional judges that can get more attention. I've entered the script for In the Shadows of November in to a few of them. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to that I've also narrowed the field as for location. I'm concentrating on, when I look at the level 2 festivals, those that are a few hours drive from home, Chicago, Milwaukee, etc, so that, if picked, I may be able to actually attend. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So far so good. </span></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-16312015893421627782017-01-07T14:44:00.000-08:002017-01-07T14:46:45.597-08:00APOLOGY<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here we go again. I'm really embarrassed at just how little I wrote last year. I've got full length novels and over 26 short stories all written out by hand. All I need to do is get them onto paper, well, computer paper, to get them published. Last year I did almost nothing. It shouldn't be that hard but I didn't have the drive to do it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I started out this year by updating all the dictation software and getting a top notch set of headphones. Spent some time getting Nuance Dragon Speak to understand the way I talk to it can help make it easier to transcribe what I've written. Taught it to understand Gallif, aquilus, and other words you need to know in the Land of Starpoint Mountain.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Gallif,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm so sorry that I left your story. Unfortunately life in my world got chaotic and wasn't able to get back into your world for a long time. You deserved better. This year it will happen. The Giant Lords will put you on trial for your crimes and you will face their judgement. You will change the world just by taking a stand.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Respectfully,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bill </span></span></span><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-85510068117941198822016-05-28T16:04:00.000-07:002016-05-28T16:04:43.782-07:00It's a Copyright Jungle Out There<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">As it turns out this film is kind of illegal.</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/147594102" target="_blank">One Night Near Bedford Falls</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did this last November. It's really a love letter to one of my all time favorite movies, It's A Wonderful Life, because I remember watching it at one of my darkest periods and it definitely rescued me. As an artist making my own films I am also well aware of copyright. I remembered that there was a case about AWOL falling in to public domain so I started searching.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the 80's the film fell in to public domain after the studio dropped the ball and failed to refile the paperwork. Everyone could, and did, use it which was a good and bad thing. Stations were able to show it for free and it filled a big time slot during the usually low rated holiday hours. In one way this brought about it's resurgence. People who hadn't seen it in many years, or not seen it at all, got the chance to watch it again and fell in love with it. On the bad side of things every hack in the world could use it and there were dozens of releases on video including Ted Turner vandalizing it in color. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the 90's, however, there was a change. After several court rulings it was decided that when the film went in to public domain the rights to music purchased for the film, Buffalo Gal Won't You Come Out Tonight, went back to its original holders. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed dance to it, sing to it, there are call backs to it, and it is played during the credits so it's a major part of the film. If you wanted to use it you would either have to pay them whatever they asked or rework so much of it you'd hurt the final project. It stopped a great deal of misuse and, thankfully, AWOL was able to maintain it's integrity.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">That was how I got involved in it. When I wanted to use it for my tribute I had to carefully choose what scenes to show to avoid the song. I even had to recut the sound for a brief clip and replace the music with more bells. It put it out there and it was well received.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earlier this week I put it on youtube and, in a few days, I was contacted by YT that there was a copyright notice from Paramount Pictures on the use of the film. They didn't demand it's removal but they wanted to make the complaint known and offer me a chance to defend my actions so I started researching again. As it turned out there had been a recent change in the copyright that I wasn't aware of. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">AWOL is based on a short story called The Greatest Gift. Paramount had successfully petitioned the courts that since the movie was 'a derivative' of this story and they still owned the story that, therefore, they owned the film. The courts agreed. At least it's a relief to know that the future of this film is in safe hands.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">As for my film it gets to stay out there. I can't deny I was pretty surprised that the short film under a different name was able to catch the attention of Paramount. Maybe because it's used respectfully someone decided it wasn't worth making a fuss about. I probably will never really know. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-34555614183479445302016-03-25T22:06:00.000-07:002016-03-25T22:06:05.252-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF NOVEMBER REVIEW<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I entered the pilot script for In The Shadows of November in a script festival. It wasn't accepted and they sent me back a rather detailed description of what they liked and didn't like about the script. The interesting thing was their description of the pilot.</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-style: italic ! important; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the Shadows of November (PILOT) <br />By Bill Albert </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: italic ! important; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the Shadows of November - From Out of the Clouds is a sci-fi pilot set in a near
future in which society struggles to survive in the aftermath of a series of
nuclear attacks. Set in Louisiana, the story focuses on Austin, Lisa, Ross and
Sean, a group of friends who rely on each other to survive, trading now useless
electronic items for food. Unable to communicate with the world beyond their
town, the group try and piece together what cities have survived and if they can
ever leave. Two strangers arrive at the group’s home, bringing news of the world
beyond but also untold danger to their door.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The thing that struck me is they were looking at it all wrong. The story isn't about the four people in Louisiana, they only appear in the pilot episode, after that it follows the character of November as she travels across the United States. It's about how she effects people as she goes and, steadily, we learn what a mystery she really is. I felt that since it was called In the Shadows of November and the character is November it was clearer that the story was about her. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">They invited me to tell them what I felt about their comments and I very nicely responded. I explained to them where the story was headed and that I would work on a rewrite making it clearer. I'm completely true about that, I will rewrite it and stress the series that would follow is about this main character. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully better luck next time.</span></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-43473355044563354962016-03-15T06:42:00.001-07:002016-03-15T06:42:20.875-07:00DEFENDING MY WRITING<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've noticed that over the past year or so my writing has become more political and contemporary. I don't know if it's because it's an election year or I'm just becoming more socially aware and want to say things. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago I wrote a short script called A Good Guy With A Gun. It was in response to NRA spokesperson Wayne LaPierre who promoted gun rights by saying "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." Though I agree with most of the 2nd Amendment I am not much a fan of the NRA and this catch phrase is really over simplifying the situation. It is careless and dangerous and I showed how bad it was in a script.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfjrJhq7zUsdPStcNWXZsECv8I83H2Yex-FyeLToGhEZgm5uwaS4x2bGiHvlpT4n2VFTk2bW8IQuiACfHRbJPp6-QM-gVlft644K075tHqXvC7hE8SMVnEmKKkgVQcyDsAtQO-V5VkrFg/s1600/A+GOOD+GUY+WITH+A+GUN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfjrJhq7zUsdPStcNWXZsECv8I83H2Yex-FyeLToGhEZgm5uwaS4x2bGiHvlpT4n2VFTk2bW8IQuiACfHRbJPp6-QM-gVlft644K075tHqXvC7hE8SMVnEmKKkgVQcyDsAtQO-V5VkrFg/s320/A+GOOD+GUY+WITH+A+GUN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are two characters in this story, Jerry, a younger male, and a public defender lawyer assigned to him. It takes place in one scene in one room so it would be easy to shoot. I put a listing on FB and got a response from a man looking to play the lawyer. Well, he sent me the URL for his IMDB page. He was quite experienced so I went a head and started talking to him. When I told him what the premise and message was he went in to offense. The question I ask in the script his how do you know the difference between a good guy and a bad. He said that was not a problem and it was very easy to always know the difference. The situation I had set up was to far fetched to ever happen. I asked him how he could guarantee that and he said it just wasn't possible to confuse a good guy and a bad guy. He went on to tell me my protests were unfounded. There was no reason to restrict guns and I was just wasting my time. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the first time I've had to defend my writing. After a few rounds it occurred to me that he was not interested in getting cast in one of my films. The original posting made it clear the direction this film would take so, after a few rounds, I politely said goodbye to him and signed off. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've never ever had to defend my work before. Luckily it was a minor skirmish, just a few lines with a stranger online, but it was an eye opening experience of what I could face if I continue to to write in this style and fashion. I kept calm and deliberate and refrained from any personal attacks. I just stated my beliefs.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, it felt good. I also made me realize how much I've changed on things. A year ago I wouldn't even have attempted to write something like this let alone defend it. Despite everything I never really felt like an author. I'm realizing that yes, I am. </span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-2610143401466055532016-03-05T16:17:00.002-08:002016-03-05T16:17:49.423-08:00TECHNICAL ISSUES<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Things have been going along great this week despite some bad, and some good, technical issues. Wish they were all this productive.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The bad thing was the new format for footage for The Burning Room. It looks good but it comes out as huge files that aren't easy to transport and even harder to work with. Getting them compressed into a more usable format wasn't very easy either. Maybe it's just my puter is 5 years old but some programs just won't work right. It could be a PC vs Mac thing but the program everyone swore about at PATV froze up at home. It would sit for hours and hours preparing to run and then nothing would happen. Finally loaded the footage up in to Premiere Pro CC and exported it to mpeg files. I can finally edit them now. I understand mpeg is becoming the standard for video files because it can adapt to either system better than the rest. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">It brings up to one of the things that still gets me about video. You will eventually get to that point where you hit the button and just wait, and wait, and wait. Despite the magnificent things that puters can do really fast that is one thing they don't do in a hurry. Today was made up of lots of things going on with going back every 30 minutes or so to start a new export. Finally getting it done.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">On the good side of things finally got the dictation software up and running. This is making putting the books together very easy. I can sit down and do a whole page of hand written fiction in about 20 minutes. I'd definitely recommend it. </span></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-75508697250935630142016-02-28T08:18:00.000-08:002016-02-28T08:18:03.982-08:00FILMING THE BURNING ROOM<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a day Saturday, the 27th was! </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjLhDO8-RU9H5nrmAWxz5i3H-2QSst97weRB8-2_ktFj4ciRwqmU_2XalU1UTnb_H0lwFbfVy0DVH_XGEmfNsfX9ROradISW-1oj2yFhSFYm3HH9fczHi-m40OwaPpcaTczHpfM-ZFACN/s1600/12787558_1088675357855926_962975266_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjLhDO8-RU9H5nrmAWxz5i3H-2QSst97weRB8-2_ktFj4ciRwqmU_2XalU1UTnb_H0lwFbfVy0DVH_XGEmfNsfX9ROradISW-1oj2yFhSFYm3HH9fczHi-m40OwaPpcaTczHpfM-ZFACN/s640/12787558_1088675357855926_962975266_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I spent a few hours on Thursday putting the set together. I had to take out the carpet in that area of the studio and then the dance mat that had been underneath that for a long time. It gave us the floor we needed and helped create the feeling of confinement in an old abandoned place. Added wooden crates, an vent from a dryer, and girder to make it look good. I think it came together really well. Last thing I did was scatter book ashes around the room before I left.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj764m9uYCzwEcnIZikEm87EOE55PzL7NEU38WS9zJu7DhtwgBWQd4tBMjWLeL2AyjNM3ojGlO_0ycCuPAANUsDwdzQanhwww8rlhVnz5oNzqAQQHCYKRyE5xUu59C023AYG3MDoJkjMwPO/s1600/12801382_1089779194412209_8026392220244483347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj764m9uYCzwEcnIZikEm87EOE55PzL7NEU38WS9zJu7DhtwgBWQd4tBMjWLeL2AyjNM3ojGlO_0ycCuPAANUsDwdzQanhwww8rlhVnz5oNzqAQQHCYKRyE5xUu59C023AYG3MDoJkjMwPO/s320/12801382_1089779194412209_8026392220244483347_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQO4dD0NAuSW9pltAfJNOpboflL_Dlq30Iu5Rjp27IyF4c9JKkYUkggUvihpgkbL-6JCfUPQRdmfIN6t2d5maitGnR0F6oIpoiWYd1kTisP-6OnIEn4g5qvtc6GzTS9uY0E0iPg_e1gPT/s1600/12804803_1089779181078877_4529162388860157211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQO4dD0NAuSW9pltAfJNOpboflL_Dlq30Iu5Rjp27IyF4c9JKkYUkggUvihpgkbL-6JCfUPQRdmfIN6t2d5maitGnR0F6oIpoiWYd1kTisP-6OnIEn4g5qvtc6GzTS9uY0E0iPg_e1gPT/s320/12804803_1089779181078877_4529162388860157211_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing we did was just sit down and read through the script. That way we had one definitely good soundtrack of the dialogue in case there was any loss or contamination that we missed on the set. It also worked out some of the kinks in the script and got everyone in to the flow.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">After that it was make up and costume work for a few minutes. I felt bad because we had talked about putting stage blood on Chelsea's hands. I was just going to smudge a bit but it all came pouring out and completely covered her right hand with blood. Holy shit! It was all over the place. Luckily we were outside so it didn't stain anything but it'll look like something really bad happened for a few days. Had a green army jacket for her to wear. It was a bit big but it fit the character and gave the nice feel of someone on the run. Alice gave herself some bruises with the make up and it looked like she took a hit or two on the way down. Yes, she wore it home when we were done. I'm not surprised how many actors do that. Honestly, I would do.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">We started shooting on the set about noon and just kept going. Josh took over the camera work, he's forgotten more about the tech side then I will ever know, so I could concentrate on the performers and we covered a lot of territory. It's much easier when I can trust someone on the camera side. This was the most experienced cast with professional television and stage work. They knew that there were times you just kept going. It also was a benefit because Danny, who plays the State, knew to keep his locations continuous so he's saying the same thing in the same place every time. He also kept the actresses on guard and I remember Tera admitted being actually frightened the way Danny grabbed her hair at one time. Perfect.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhTM3rl91SOvW1M_4zGmGRviEdZj-Z8pYsDjbzxaLqPHX4jx5bAr55ZPSCHc-ymDn0E7-fFquwv0hLp6gATW9fnwrneW8GU6sR6T8P7ti9CLIJbWvClCfOfDE5jOB4iNEqHtWXd0cHvF_/s1600/The+Burning+Room+Hook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhTM3rl91SOvW1M_4zGmGRviEdZj-Z8pYsDjbzxaLqPHX4jx5bAr55ZPSCHc-ymDn0E7-fFquwv0hLp6gATW9fnwrneW8GU6sR6T8P7ti9CLIJbWvClCfOfDE5jOB4iNEqHtWXd0cHvF_/s320/The+Burning+Room+Hook.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had divided the filming in to four blocks. The second and biggest block was the actual interrogation. We spent most of the time on that one so there are lots of opportunities for editing choices. Then we set up a dolly and just went through it once non stop slowly moving the dolly back and forth for establishing shots. One point I thought it looked so good I just let it sit there awhile to film them. There are very few shots with all four characters on the screen at the same time but I wanted to make sure there was at least one. I purposefully want to hold of an establishing shot to give it a nice Hill Street Blues feel.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">About 3:00 or see we finished the actresses and cut them loose. Literally. As prisoners they spent most of the day zip tied to the chairs. They really gave it their all putting up with it being uncomfortable for much of the day. They were really professional.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">After that there were just a few shots with Danny. We had talked about how the State would react to everything and we shot it several ways so I'll have more choices in editing. Danny also gave it a lot as we don't see his face so 99% of his performance is in his voice. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finished the last shot about 3:30 and spent 20 minutes tearing the set down, transferring footage, packing everything up etc. We ran a bit long but I had spoken to Ray, who had the studio after us, and he was really cool about things. There might be a few pick up shots to get later but I think they will just be details of the set. It's just be close ups and easy to do without having to build the entire room.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Off to editing!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-81167315581454017122016-02-23T12:50:00.000-08:002016-02-23T12:50:19.976-08:00RECONSTRUCTING GOOD KIDS<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've realized that my favorite part of film making is editing. I love that point of putting the story together so much that a few months ago I got Adobe Premiere Pro so I could work at home instead of having to go to Iowa City. This has made things easier and it's given me the chance to work on things I normally wouldn't get to do.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">After I finished the "More Than A Performance" documentary I was cleaning files and got rid off all the interviews and excess footage but kept all the footage I got during rehearsals and the one performance I was allowed to shoot clips from. To get used to the new program I just started editing one of the scenes and thought it turned out pretty good. So good I did another scene, then another, then another. I've finished it and have the entire play now. Every word of it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll admit it's not perfect. Some times the actor speaking is off camera, the darker moments are grainy and sound can be kind of wonky as the actors were facing away from the mic. Still, considering it was three different cameras, three mics, three performance and three audiences it's at least 90% good. There are great moments that are crystal clear and have just as much of the power and emotion as the live performance.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've watched it several times in the past week and it's really impressive. To make it a complete, watchable piece I even added opening and closing credits including actors, designers, stage managers, author and director.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can show a small clip. I had to put this on youtube because that way I can keep it private so only the link from here will get you there. Youtube quality isn't as good as Vimeo but you'll get the idea of what the final product looks like. </span></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyB2lf5EWRM" target="_blank">Introducing the Mustangs</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">The challenge now is finding something to do with it. It's a bit complicated because, right now, there are three owners of the piece. Naomi Iizuka owns the script, UI Theatre owns the production, and I own the film version. What can I do?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I contacted the director of the play and UI Theatre to see what he thinks and he's very excited about it. He wants to see it and then will check with Naomi and see what they can come up with. I'm hoping I can at least make it available o the actors. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Deep down inside I hope there is some way we can get this seen. Personally and professionally I think this is a very important play. To important to be forgotten. I also think having it seen would be a big win for everyone involved. I keep asking myself what the downside of having this shown be? So far nothing has come to mind.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-24037996444967550942016-02-14T10:40:00.001-08:002016-02-14T10:40:34.199-08:00THE BURNING ROOM<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">While fiction isn't going well film making is working out quite well. I've got several short films in various stages of production and casting The biggest we will shoot on the 27th called The Burning Room. It's a very politically charged film with lots of things going on. All of the cast, Chelsea Wing, Alice Doherty, Tera Cooling and Danny Peterson are experienced performers. It's the most experienced cast I've ever had and it shows. It's really unique in the rehearsal process for this one. Lots of times rehearsal and take one have been the same thing. Also got Josh Goding to take over the camera work and invited a few others to join us. I've learned the more eyes you have on a film set the better.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTdf9hGEsrhq5vlBkwgYWIwYgC1BdOr3C2VdZRRKcCiYd0Y16fy7chWhwdbrKkPXTdxUBmia2RGADIN0iZTsrF9OzfCm2vkm1hrenaEHqB0lag7BFXtgyZaZ2NUV1mkYSJDx0TRQ2SeAC/s1600/The+Burning+Room+Hook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTdf9hGEsrhq5vlBkwgYWIwYgC1BdOr3C2VdZRRKcCiYd0Y16fy7chWhwdbrKkPXTdxUBmia2RGADIN0iZTsrF9OzfCm2vkm1hrenaEHqB0lag7BFXtgyZaZ2NUV1mkYSJDx0TRQ2SeAC/s320/The+Burning+Room+Hook.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I went in and built the set. I don't want to leave anything to chance so I put everything together. I had been worried about the floor a lot. I didn't want the carpet of the studio and considered shooting elsewhere even though that would mean lots of equipment getting moved, or not being used. It was a big move put I was able to pull back the carpet in the studio and the floor mat underneath it so I could get the cement floor. I added some rusty bits of metal and a chain for details and it gives the feel of a dark and dangerous place.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sEL_C6Y7uVae3vOu6vewj-jLM6yjgWZaCd7WU7t94l0tUlF6UwMp6Rrng3Lm0cuqBJBhriD8IyFPajO_StcKhFY5yQebk5RtbaQsOR46sjVb7cJUpJNtU7VMGgC1ttsE76f8g8Ks04R2/s1600/The+Burning+Room+Set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sEL_C6Y7uVae3vOu6vewj-jLM6yjgWZaCd7WU7t94l0tUlF6UwMp6Rrng3Lm0cuqBJBhriD8IyFPajO_StcKhFY5yQebk5RtbaQsOR46sjVb7cJUpJNtU7VMGgC1ttsE76f8g8Ks04R2/s320/The+Burning+Room+Set.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've reserved the studio on the evening of the 25th so I can get in and build the set again. That way when we get in on the 27th to film it's be ready to go. </span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-17369757403571518482016-02-14T10:13:00.000-08:002016-02-14T10:13:06.347-08:00FICTION WRITING<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's really slow going writing fiction this time around. I don't know what it is. I'm excited about it, I want to do it, but it's just difficult for me to sit down and write. I'm going to try and improve things with dictation software again. I've done that before and it worked a lot. Now the problem is Windows 10 and the Nuance software don't play well together. </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-6927991545028029402016-02-07T07:51:00.000-08:002016-02-07T07:51:29.560-08:00BACK TO STARPOINT<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've realized how bad it has been just letting the Starpoint Mountain series fall by the wayside since I started doing films. I really am embarrassed by it. I should have been smarter and I better get my ass in gear and make up for things.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm back up to writing every day. Some days I get out a sentence, some times, a word, but at least I'm working on it. It's harder than I expected to get back in to the flow of things but I'm forcing myself to get moving. When I am sitting and working on it I 'm very excited about it. It's just sitting down and doing it that takes lots of concentration.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To help jump start I've started advertising again, ordered some promotional items, and changing everything over to Create Space. This will help me get in to Barnes and Noble in some ways. </span></span></span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-66267548399074466042016-01-30T04:49:00.003-08:002016-01-30T04:50:07.862-08:00FIGHT FOR THE ARTISTS<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Early last year I was contacted by two professors at the University about doing some film work for them. They were recreating a version of the Milgrim experiment. This was a psychology experiment done in the 50's where people were asked to do word association tests. If they got the words wrong someone would push a button and the subject would get shocked. The more they missed the worse the shock until it would eventually seriously injure them. The true meaning of the test was to see how long the person would keep pushing the shock button when they knew someone was getting hurt. It was all staged, recorded, and no one was really getting shocked. Even knowing it was fake the set up was so authentic it was difficult to keep watching. It was quite a challenge to recreate that feeling. We put it together, they wrote the script, I cast it, made a board to use as a shock table, and we shot it over two sessions. We weren't sure which would be accepted by the ethics board so we shot two versions of the final stages. One with blood and burns on the victim and one without.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNohY096Tbt08yoVlDoMnBaYNtlmbuVa19ZM-ZePbS7FfencL2mubjpqGDyyqhXXmn286S7rHUrUlja2s5n3y_Czw0_3appTfIIx6yxwyKB0bmRbbXjfC-oXO0Uxn9WobwHYdETxd4WYc/s1600/vlcsnap-2016-01-30-05h58m24s407.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNohY096Tbt08yoVlDoMnBaYNtlmbuVa19ZM-ZePbS7FfencL2mubjpqGDyyqhXXmn286S7rHUrUlja2s5n3y_Czw0_3appTfIIx6yxwyKB0bmRbbXjfC-oXO0Uxn9WobwHYdETxd4WYc/s320/vlcsnap-2016-01-30-05h58m24s407.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP0VRJL5gZk6JJAATwsGJfc9wP3G72H82cqMIMHBzGSpjGwqqSsdAgtbxPYa2VPIKB1_3xAd2zj5V7A0sR0ZEL6oQw3prUPu6LRw5nlkszjMSefs0SFkUSVG57QTpC1jynFM4mrWAFMVd/s1600/vlcsnap-2016-01-30-05h59m00s596.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP0VRJL5gZk6JJAATwsGJfc9wP3G72H82cqMIMHBzGSpjGwqqSsdAgtbxPYa2VPIKB1_3xAd2zj5V7A0sR0ZEL6oQw3prUPu6LRw5nlkszjMSefs0SFkUSVG57QTpC1jynFM4mrWAFMVd/s320/vlcsnap-2016-01-30-05h59m00s596.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the first time I'd ever done this as a hired job for someone else. I didn't have total control and made changes from my original plans. I was putting more drama in to it than it needed. It wasn't a dramatic story I was telling. It was creating a plainly done experiment that was, in effect, torture. I'm glad this happened this way. In the real world it is rarely a one person show. Even a producer and director has other people that have input and have to be dealt with. It was a good real world film making experience. We finished in June, the professors were both excited about the final product and the ethics board approved the more intense, blood versions fairly quickly. Once they approved the project completely the money would be released and I would get paid. Fair enough.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then the wait began. Wait, wait, wait. The problems the ethics board had was not with my work, it was approved, but with the way the professors were going to conduct the experiment. Who was going to monitor? What details and who the subjects would be and how they were chosen, etc. It just kept going and going. I kept in touch with one professor who kept me updated. Missed deadlines, misunderstood instructions, all sort of things that kept pushing it back month after month. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the start of November I was told it was going to be finished. "It's a good bet." The November meeting came and went without approval. I had been trying to be nice about it, not wanting to burn bridges and prevent any recommendations for future work, so I just waited. Finally when the end of December came around I hit another missed deadline. I was also informed that one of the professors had completely lost interest in the project. One of the reasons they had missed deadlines was because he was dragging his feet and not answering the ethics board's requests. I was also told that after it was approved and I was paid, it was most likely going to be dropped. It would never be seen or used. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">So that was it! Hard work to put together something very effective and 8 months of waiting went by for nothing. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the new year started I decided it didn't matter anymore about burning bridges. Since it was never going to be seen there would be no other professors taking an interest in what I could do. It had been such work it was obvious these two professors would never do it again. I spoke with a friend, a lawyer, who've known for 15 years about what my rights were. Though we never had a contract with the professors I had kept all of the emails we'd shared and there was enough proof that backed up my claim to be paid. I considered going to small claims court, He suggested that just contacting the legal council at the university would get things moving. Even for small amounts they do not want public records against the university so I sent two requests for information. One to the ethics board and one to the V.P. of the legal council.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Within 90 minutes I got word back from legal. They had checked out the ethics board and the professors about the delay and instructed them to get it done. There was some wrangling after that, a few more delays, but last week I filed out the proper paperwork, invoice, social security number, etc so the budgeting people are setting everything up. A few days to go, maybe even today, and I'll finally get finished.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I really expected better from the University. I'm especially angry at the ethics board who ignored my requests for info, even though they are a publicly funded institution, and send nasty emails to the professors. Ethics board? Hopefully the other work that I've done, an award winning documentary on the University theater, will be seen and get people interested in more work. Since I never actually got the court system involved I believe it'll just be forgotten by the legal council so there are no bridges burned.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
couldn't help but feel it was because we were artists, film maker and
actor. Had they purchased a piece of equipment it would have been taken
care of along time ago. Since it was artists we could wait. No
hurry. Maybe we'd just say "Ok, that didn't work" and let it go.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">How many other artists were waiting to get paid for their work? Were we the only ones? Don't treat the artists like they are second class workers. Never ever forget that.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: purple;"></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-30053438879001054312016-01-24T11:13:00.001-08:002016-01-24T11:13:34.180-08:00THE BURNING ROOM<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rehearsing this week for a new film called The Burning Room. It's really the biggest thing I've ever written. 10 years ago I wouldn't even have considered doing this, but here it is. It's a very politically charged piece dealing with censorship, voter suppression and media control. I've done things in the past few years with this going on in the background but this is really in your face. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">It helps having 4 very talented and experienced actors. Chelsea Wing, Alice Doherty, Tera Harvey and Danny Peterson are excellent. When watching them rehearse yesterday I was so thrilled because they were all on the same page together. They are all equally excited about it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alice Doherty as Petra and Danny Petersen as The State </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLINkHZnSsuV2pIMOCu7G6eX9I8xK-1MQ2TlyCzJdt26KfQrg4mFpQtAFN8LIgEyXtRl-acLQB_3LyMivvd2PZrFENkCGcG17yi1hIlH8nS1nv8rLWc6v2aJXF-JtpsN1jiMOL5CLGSvKY/s1600/Burning+Room++Petra+faces+off+with+the+state.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLINkHZnSsuV2pIMOCu7G6eX9I8xK-1MQ2TlyCzJdt26KfQrg4mFpQtAFN8LIgEyXtRl-acLQB_3LyMivvd2PZrFENkCGcG17yi1hIlH8nS1nv8rLWc6v2aJXF-JtpsN1jiMOL5CLGSvKY/s320/Burning+Room++Petra+faces+off+with+the+state.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tera Harvey as Jess</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlC_wnT7Kbdr4vXZAs-QU0elL2J-_qVy5N-TslnbnL0C0D3bTSLRZwLmuYLI7yXkmChDTIimkr5tKqfDgQ_-K1AX3iXAfipF1qZQaGyqJ3wZ__x99aRj_TFSAyJrAHhOKQmeNMlJ3J91Y/s1600/Burning+Room++The+State+attempts+to+intimidate+Jess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlC_wnT7Kbdr4vXZAs-QU0elL2J-_qVy5N-TslnbnL0C0D3bTSLRZwLmuYLI7yXkmChDTIimkr5tKqfDgQ_-K1AX3iXAfipF1qZQaGyqJ3wZ__x99aRj_TFSAyJrAHhOKQmeNMlJ3J91Y/s320/Burning+Room++The+State+attempts+to+intimidate+Jess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chelsea Wing as Dallas</span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgRDH-UfCXyhlvKwL7UbwT32uundgVHnHBaTbLvkqVGCyfi8xdtUD1iUpBGse1NCPWIm7cuman4gk7ti1jOlROWKl1Zh60eEVRVHnXliFttFwjAhimj8_tw1xRpYQj_bfmVhAUgCB4Jb0/s1600/Burning+Room++Dallas+refuses+to+be+intimidated+by+the+State.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgRDH-UfCXyhlvKwL7UbwT32uundgVHnHBaTbLvkqVGCyfi8xdtUD1iUpBGse1NCPWIm7cuman4gk7ti1jOlROWKl1Zh60eEVRVHnXliFttFwjAhimj8_tw1xRpYQj_bfmVhAUgCB4Jb0/s320/Burning+Room++Dallas+refuses+to+be+intimidated+by+the+State.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Three prisoners in The Burning Room</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cBMxTsGgU9nZ5J4gmIEzm_-wW3EW0jST6WPgg_qznjOMm3lCLsbAPvdBCaASipfs0WTN9y6nAGmQGPNjVTPYD-o6lKb7eEOqZNIJMXvOPF0MlpIzlJqpxa7yGfBvPHWx4mbR7ukVlS7h/s1600/Burning+Room++Tera+Chelsea+and+Alice+rehearse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cBMxTsGgU9nZ5J4gmIEzm_-wW3EW0jST6WPgg_qznjOMm3lCLsbAPvdBCaASipfs0WTN9y6nAGmQGPNjVTPYD-o6lKb7eEOqZNIJMXvOPF0MlpIzlJqpxa7yGfBvPHWx4mbR7ukVlS7h/s320/Burning+Room++Tera+Chelsea+and+Alice+rehearse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgAXpV-W-yZ0WnIZS71pgwn9XhZH_GGiy24mQMIB0w1mFFLy1etHovAscASIEy72SDR9hjLkB0SRa-RfpFZemLcd4F1C-SN89H9z_ywSXoYfElLqHdhBSInoPwEfJj9rzVVr69Co1RrD1/s1600/THE+BURNING+ROOM+in+2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgAXpV-W-yZ0WnIZS71pgwn9XhZH_GGiy24mQMIB0w1mFFLy1etHovAscASIEy72SDR9hjLkB0SRa-RfpFZemLcd4F1C-SN89H9z_ywSXoYfElLqHdhBSInoPwEfJj9rzVVr69Co1RrD1/s320/THE+BURNING+ROOM+in+2016.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLxBhC0IWnHrKdRVBNyOuwuTIpHbyWpk5INcDnAMLljGsAYj-Q7RhDp0GxGRWPwwocU5hnCT54y3aHAAFsbgP6Oleks-QtrPOwGnedOxPEYtrCH4QoPN1rP6lA4Xaf3eWNDARcQCnbT4n/s1600/THE+BURNING+ROOM+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fWgwqHKBiUvdYZul5G_jcFNC1237IJM2cFBnaK9C5_ewIP_1JQWgRElhV7QADhAWHLHwFVvmNODVeG6KTIj2ZnSkItYgK3VoHnPZBKgtDHBOaI-GcQY7UA2f6d8oF5BesejYGaVN5nKk/s1600/THE+BURNING+ROOM+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-18467514196295356902016-01-16T20:39:00.000-08:002016-01-16T20:39:46.762-08:00BACK TO THE BLOG<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, here it is. It has been to damn long since I've been here. So many things have happened, some good and some bad, I'm not really sure where to start. I'll start this revival with just a bit about what I'm doing now.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm getting back in to the habit of fiction writing every day. Only getting a few pages a week but it's getting things going again. I was a bit worried that it had been so long since I was working on Starpoint Mountain it would be difficult to get back in to character. I'm doing okay with the people and places and story but I have to admit I've forgotten some of the details. What did I name that god? What was the color of the vest her was wearing? Some of the names of the supporting characters I have to go back and check up.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still, it's going. </span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-42743822487059713742015-01-09T18:35:00.003-08:002015-01-09T18:35:47.479-08:00STARTING OVER<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">Starting over after a very long break. Will just pick up somewhere and start going with that.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-88806882139828575142013-08-11T17:30:00.001-07:002013-08-11T17:30:10.453-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF NOVEMBER EDITING WEEK 5<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">A much better week once the green screen scenes were done and it's in the home stretch for the video editing. I'm taking a few days of vacation during the next week and reserved studio time to edit so I'm sure I'll have a majority, 90% if not more, of the project done in a few days.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then it will be the audio work, some fx, and a few pick up shots. There is a scene where they are having a dinner and I need footage of the dishes, etc, so most of it is pretty easy. I'm hoping Sara can spare an hour some Saturday so we can do a few shots of her as November. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">After that it's the music that needs to be done. I'm hoping the guys who were going to do it will still be able but it's right before classes start and they may just not have the time. Starting to look at plan B in case that doesn't work out. The problem is I have no idea what plan B is.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was hoping that, at some point in the production, I can get an emotional response from the viewer. Even if it's just a smile in reaction to something good happening to the characters. GOT IT! It's one very light hearted moment but it's in the middle of a very dark story. This week I'm working on the action and the serious drama scenes. </span></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-70214073891410253382013-08-04T06:55:00.001-07:002013-08-04T06:55:07.663-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF NOVEMBER EDITING WEEK 4<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Last week I finished feeling like Steven Spielberg but this week started feeling like Ed Wood. I can only think it was because of outside influences, mom's health, etc, but I got very little accomplished. Went back on Thursday and got much more done. Sort of.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">There is a simple scene with Sean, David Mione, and Hank, Kevin Litten, in a garage. There's no fx or fancy lighting, etc, just some camera movement. You can even hear me saying it'll be an easy scene to shoot on the sound track. I think that's a curse just like "How hard can it be?" or "What else can go wrong." </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to get some actual camera movement for this scene. As much as I like the ability to keyframe scenes and create movement with Final Cut Pro I still wanted the feel of actual camera movement but it turned out to be harder than I imagined. I put the camera and tripod on a Radio Flyer and gently moved the whole thing across the floor in front of David. I kept the frame wide so that would cut down on any vibration. In itself that sounds like it should work but when you add the uneven surface of a well used garage floor it just isn't so easy. It was just to hard to get a smooth surface and make the movement work. I tried several takes from several angles hoping I could get enough good footage to string them together in editing. I looked over every second but I couldn't get it to work especially when I added the reverse shots of Kevin talking to him. Luckily I also shot the scene from a still tripod so I could use that footage instead. Still, at four hours, it's the longest time I spent editing any scene in the production. </span></b></span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-64651312923533001732013-07-26T17:10:00.003-07:002013-07-26T17:10:35.991-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF NOVEMBER EDITING WEEK 3<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I took advantage of my vacation year starting over and took some time off from work and spent three days editing for 4 hours a day. I've got 8 scenes down and it clocks in at 15:05 as it is. In theory it supposed to translate at one minute of screen time for one page of script. At this rate it's just a bit more than one minute per page. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The only major change I've made was to swap some of the scenes around. Three of the characters have scenes outside of the main building where the story takes place so I could poke around and give the viewer a hint of what the world they are living in is like. Originally it was two drama heavy scenes then a third lighthearted scene. I swapped the last two scenes because I thought it would balance the feel a bit better. They also give me a chance to slow the pacing down a bit. It just feels like it's going so fast. Spent about 45 minutes editing one of the few exterior scenes into a series of 12 cuts. Watched it and realized I was doing it completely wrong and found the best take so it's now in one shot with a very short insert. When it's said and done it really comes off as a much more personal conversation between two characters.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Also edited the first of only two scenes that involve green screen. I have the basics down and got everything across in the scene it needs but need to try and expand it a bit later. We took some footage of Jenn facing the green screen and delivering her lines. My goal is to get just one shot of the two actors together, even though there's 4 months between the actual shooting. It'll take a great deal of time, trial and error to get it right but my goal is to have a video edit done first. That way I can pass it on the two people who, hopefully, will do the music and then work on the details. Same thing with turning the video we shot during the day into night scenes. I found a tutorial on how to do it with Adobe After Effects but it's a complicated process so I'll do it in the second draft of the edit. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">For the most part the scenes I've edited remain very close to the written page. Twice I changed the dialogue order to flow better and there were a few lines I got rid of. Also have to admit there was one cringe worthy line of dialogue I took out. I'm sure there was some logic when I wrote it but once I actually heard it and saw it I just shivered. Luckily none of the other actors in the scene reacted to it so it was easy to remove. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Plan is to take a few days away from it, nothing this weekend, then go over two evenings next week. </span></b></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-32917504060005130392013-07-21T18:27:00.000-07:002013-07-21T18:27:09.156-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF NOVEMBER EDITING WEEK 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">Only got over one night this week for editing. I was editing one of the very first scenes and it turned out to be a bit trickier than I thought. There is some sound contamination that will have to be dealt with later on. It's not bad, just a steady buzz in the back ground from all the lights and microphones in the small room. Planning on doing a few intensive days of editing, with time off from work, next week.</span> </span></b></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-86793990173110148152013-07-07T00:42:00.002-07:002013-07-07T00:42:59.761-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF NOVEMBER EDITING WEEK 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I had an idea for a promo for the video that included shots and dialogue of all the characters. I went through the script and singled out which scenes would be best to build up the mystery and excitement of the video to hook viewers. I had some other ideas and collected some photos and sounds to use to make it more colorful. I went down to PATV today and started to collect the clips and put them together and after about 90 minutes at it realized I was doing things completely wrong. I was wasting lots and lots of time putting together special clips for a promo and would end up repeating a lot of it doing clips for the final edit. I saved that idea for later and just spent some time reviewing the footage.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I watched some of the scenes that I tried camera movement in. It's a very difficult thing to do right with the resources we have. We don't have space for dolly tracks so some times we had to try some pretty basic moves. Some worked and some didn't. There were other times that we just did a simple pan as a person moved and I think those cam out best. There are also some editing tricks I can do to get movement in the frame but I'm resisting to use some of them. Camera movement can be very effective if it's used properly but some times directors can get carried away with it and it takes away the effect. <i>"Star Trek 5,"</i> the Shatner movie, was one of them. I remember how often he used camera zooms and, by the end of the movie, it was getting pretty obvious and had no effect on the scenes. I remember there is a scene in <i>2010</i> where two characters are sitting and talking about what they miss from Earth while they are on a ship to Jupiter. I didn't even realize it the first time I saw it but the camera was very slowly closing in on them during the scene. It was so subtle I didn't catch it while it was happening but it really enhances the characters.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Going over to the station and focusing on the editing on Monday. I'm hoping, since I did so much prep work that it won't take long but there is lots of footage to go over. My target is to have the video editing finished in August but, I've learned, it always takes longer than I plan.</span></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-44266009412130714872013-05-26T20:59:00.005-07:002013-05-26T21:00:09.740-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF NOVEMBER UPDATE<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">We are so close to getting the shooting finished I some times want to scream! Almost there. One full scene, 2/3rds of another, then the exterior fight scenes and this portion of it is done. The biggest difficulty in this production has been organizing to get people together at the same time. It's a constant process with last minute changes. There are things I've had to throw out because of scheduling but we are getting lots of good performances.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I was trying to get the other half of a trading post scene done yesterday. We shot Jenn's footage a few weeks ago in front of a green screen but had to get the other two actors together at the same time. Luckily in the scene Jenn's character was on one side of a table full of weapons and the rest were gun dealers on the other side. We could shoot them separately and edit them together in post. I also shot a few seconds of Jenn with her back to the camera looking at the green screen so, if possible, I could put her in the foreground.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I found an actor, John, to play Rick the gun dealer and had an actress to play his wife. I tried to schedule the actress for ten days but got no response from phone or email messages. I tried to line up someone else in the last few days but nobody was definitely interested.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I got to PATV and set up the scene. Someone had used the tarp I had bought to stand in for a tent wall and there was lots of stage blood on it so I had to clean that off. I managed to get it into presentable shape. John was there and ready to go but still no actress. I decided to shoot the scene twice. We did it once as written, camera on John, and had him look to his left as I read the actresses dialogue. Then we shot it again but I gave John the wife's lines, changed them a bit, and had him refer to his wife as being off in another part of the tent. This way I have the choice of how to use the scene. The small bits we had to rewrite we did keeping in mind that Jenn's dialogue was already shot. </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Right off I can call the scene done and edit it with the second version. I'm planning on keeping it that way unless I would hear from someone who really wanted to be in a scene. </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Still waiting to hear from one actor for next weekend's shoot. </span></b></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-39617130430368365272013-04-07T21:17:00.003-07:002013-04-07T21:18:11.701-07:00STARPOINT MOUNTAIN<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I had hoped to have the 3rd book finished by May but I don't think I'm going to make it. It's just moving slower than I expected. At least it's moving and that's much better than I can say for a while.</span></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-12073931724059638272013-03-24T20:59:00.002-07:002013-03-24T21:00:39.928-07:00In the Shadows of November March 23<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">This video for PATV is coming together after a few months of problems. It seems like it was cursed from the weather gods because every time I'd plan a big shooting day we'd get ice and snow. It's spring now and I planned a shooting day for Saturday and by Saturday night it was snowing again. Yes, the weather gods are pissed at me for something.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">By my estimate we've got 60-70% done. I did some editing on part one and we have only three scenes to shoot and I'll have that all together. I have a copy at home to look at and take notes on because I want to get all the pick up shots I need by next Tuesday, April 2nd. We have our last big shooting day planned, hope no ice, and I'd really like to get as much done as possible. It's difficult to put these days together because we are all volunteers and have classes, jobs and families to take care of so I figure the less time spent on this project the better. I'll still have lots to do with editing, etc, but I've met with someone who will take over the sound editing and that will be a big help. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">They are really great actors and I owe them a lot for investing their time and energy in to the video. There have been a few times that I was so in to their performances I completely forgot I was behind a camera and had to give them exit lines or read other parts. There are some moments in there that will really kick ass.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I've been very active at promoting the production as we've gone along. Doing more proper announcements and releasing photos on Facebook. It's kind of tricky because there are some things, some shots, that I think are really cool but might give away to much to soon. Will have to decide when it gets closer to the finish if I'm going to post them or not. </span></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-60709129455638994022013-03-17T11:37:00.004-07:002013-03-17T11:38:50.213-07:00HOLY CRAP<b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, my, it has been a long time. Didn't realize it had been 7 months since I updated here. Forcing myself to get back into the habit.</span></span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096256966591661298.post-78549596578855604692012-08-18T11:46:00.003-07:002012-08-18T11:46:53.795-07:00IN THE SHADOWS OF THE BOMBS<div style="background-color: white; color: purple; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It's been a good week for writing. The sky opened up and a lot of good ideas dropped out and solved some problems. I realized I hadn't focused enough and did some hard thinking about the characters. I had to concentrate on how they would change during the story. The really brought things together and I finally got a good eye on things. I went back and rewrote it and the characters are coming off a lot stronger now. I also got a lot of work done on the second, and final, episode. The other result of the new characters is there's a lot more conflict and tension, more drama, between them.</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: purple; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Since the whole idea behind the story was changing the title "November Girl" didn't work anymore. It wasn't about her any more. I had considered "November Girl: In the Shadows of the Bombs" but that and the individual episode titles got to be to confusing. "November Girl: In the Shadows of the Bombs. Episode One: The Long Winter" was way to much. I finally decided to pull "November Girl" out of the title. I also think "In the Shadows of the Bombs" is a pretty interesting and attention getting title. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="background-color: white; color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will most likely finish the script this weekend.</span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0