'Damage' Make up test

Hi folks.

Today has been a productive one; I have arranged a cast rehearsal for Thursday 7th of March at midday    
this will allow the actors to meet for the first time and see how well they act together.

But the main part of today was the first special fx make up test for the film. We sat a member the production crew down in a chair to get some make up applied to see what it would look like, the results were awesome.

A timelapse of the make up test can be found here. This makeup looked awesome and will look great in front of the camera and lights.

Cheers the now

Production meeting #2

Hi folks.

Today was another production meeting. We discussed final dates so I can work out the final draft of the shooting schedules. My lighting operator has confirmed insurance to book the light kit out for the production. In addition we discussed using the zoom h4n sound recorder to get the audio for my film.

So far so good. Next thing on the to do list: cast rehearsals. Once I have arranged a suitable day for both my actors to attend, the rehearsal can go ahead.

That's all for now

Cheers

Week plan 25/02/2013

Here's the update:

- the animation deadline must be moved to another date so that I can get all the material together that I need to complete my animation.

- a make up test is arranged for tomorrow which will be filmed and shared on here. Looking forward to it.

- continue with paperwork. Make sure everything is in order

- start kellys post production project- I am doing the visual effects and motion graphics. Should only take 2 weeks maximum.

That's a for now

Cheers

Cast Meeting and Project update

Hi folks,

Here's the update about the meeting I had yesterday:

I met up with my main actor, Martyn, who would be playing the main character Chris. Unfortunately, Felicity (playing Amy) could not make it to the meeting. However, I filled in Martyn with the details of the shoot and the terms of the acting agreement. In addition, I had Martyn sign both a Cast Agreement and Release form. Now I need to get the same forms signed by Felicity and that will set everything in stone...hopefully.

I am planning to schedule a crew production meeting next week to keep the crew involved the progress of the Pre Production phase. I also plan to schedule a quick rehearsal with both actors. This meeting will allow the actors to meet and act with each other, take some photographs of them as a 'couple' (for the picture in the locket and picture frame in the film).

On another note, I am still working to the deadline for my Animation Unit. Once this project I will upload to vimeo and use as a trailer.

That's all for the now

Cheers

Cast Meeting 21/02/2013

Hi folks,

Tomorrow is the first cast meeting where the main actors will meet for the first time to discuss the film.

This meeting will cover the following bases:

• Filming dates - Thursday 21st - Saturday 23rd of March.
• Cast Contracts - Once dates are confirmed, contracts and release forms can be completed.
• A script breakdown - which scenes will be filmed when.
• Locations - Apartment (Short term lease), Green Screen Studio, Gary's Flat and staircase.
• Filming arrangements.

This meeting will be informal and will explain their part in the production.

If everything goes well tomorrow then the project is truly underway. I'm looking forward to working on this production. Only thing is, I need to do quite a bit more paperwork before shooting starts... But I'm getting through it.

Cheers

Location meeting

Here's a quick update on locations.

I have been in contact with the writer of my script and he has confirmed that I can use part of his apartment and the staircase leading to it. I have received photos of the location and they suit the films look.

As I searched further into locations, after searching on booking.com I found apartments serviced by staycity. I contacted them asking to use an apartment for the day. The costs for this are as follows:

£85  for the apartment
£15 for a parking permit
And am optional £10 for an early check in.

I am considering to use the early check in to get the most out of filming. So total costs will be £110. This will be added to final budget after the project is finished.

That's it for now.

Cheers.

Week plan 18/02/2013

Hi folks here's the plan:

- gather last remaining parts of animation unit footage ready to be added to my animation.
- send off storyboards to camera operator for him to look at.
- complete recce forms with risk assessments.
- get a crew contract signed for hair and makeup.

There will be a cast meeting this week to get the main actors to meet and rehearse some lines. More info on that later.

Cheers

Google Maps

Hi folks,

I watched a cool tutorial from Andrew Kramer on videoccopilot.net. This tutorial was about an Earth zoom using high quality satellite images from a provider like Google Maps. So I thought that this idea would be interesting to use a similar effect in my films opening sequence (Animation Unit). When I started looking into obtaining images from Google Maps, I found that the images are Royalty Free and can be used in an Online video, on the condition that each image is correctly attributed. So I have obtained some 'screen grabs' ready for working with in After Effects. This effect will be good to practice with anyway, even if the shot doesn't work for the project.

Here's the link for Google Maps Licensing Agreement: Licensing Agreement for Online Video.

That's all for the now.

Cheers

Week Plan 11/02/2013 and GU2 update

Hi folks.

My major project is coming together nicely, just need to keep on top of the paperwork. At the moment, scene breakdowns and storyboarding is taking place and should be completed by the end of this week. To make things easier, I have linked my script with my storyboard so that every line of dialogue and action is accounted for. Over the rest of the week, I plan to include a technical breakdown for each scene which will lead to me working out an accurate shooting schedule for the three days of filming.

On another note, my animation unit is halfway to a rough cut, I have scouted out some timelapse footage of Edinburgh which would be useful in establishing my location for the film. So I have been in contact with the person who shot the footage and has allowed me to use it. I am setting a personal deadline to complete this Unit by the end of February. This deadline will allow me to focus all my attention on the other things I am being assessed on.

Technical decisions: I have decided to use Premiere Pro CS6 to edit my major project, show reel and any other projects I take on this year as I find it works very well with the rest of the Adobe Creative Suite. In addition, I have located an excellent plug in for After Effects called Knoll Light Factory, this plugin generates realistic lens flares and lighting effects which will give a more professional look to my film and is a no brainer to use in my film.

Now as usual, the week plan:

• Complete Storyboarding with rough shooting schedule which can be moved on to the camera operator to look at and add any ideas.
• Keep in constant contact with the actors to make sure everything is going smoothly.
• Design a rough look for my website to be sent to my web developer to look at.
• Start the search for foley sounds, backing tracks and atmospheric noises.

That's it for the now.

Cheers

Actor Meeting Arrangements

Hi folks,

After a search through gumtree, Starnow and emailing people directly, I have found the actors I intend to work with in my film. Now I have arranged to have a meeting with both the actors on Thursday 21st February at 5pm. This meeting will have myself, my writer to discuss the roles, character breakdowns and the dates they would need to be in to film.

So far the project is coming together ok at the moment, but I can't be too complacent.

More info to follow on this.

Production meeting #1

Hi folks

Today was the first production meeting for damage. All members of the crew were present and crew contracts are now signed with production dates fixed (21st - 23rd march).

A basic swatch has been forwarded to my camera operator so he has a rough idea of the kind of shots I'm looking for. Character breakdowns are almost completed and ready to be sent to my actors once casting has been complete.

Now all I have to do is keep in contact with my crew and cast. Good communication.

That's it for production meeting #1. More meetings to follow.

Week plan 04/02/2013

Here's this weeks plan:

- find a suitable apartment location at a relatively decent price.
- schedule what scenes will be filmed on each day of production.
- continue learning visual effects suited to making my film better.

My major project is becoming a very tough job. But I will complete it...

Major Project Update

Hi folks,

heres a quick update on the major project...

I have completed character breakdowns and have received interest from potential actors for my film. The next part of the process is to cast the actors, arrange final dates. Due to the fact that we must work around class time, my original shooting dates (18 - 20th March) will not be suitable. So I am changing the filming dates to 21st to 23rd of March. All members part of the project will be notified. I am holding a production meeting tomorrow to discuss dates and sort out crew contracts.

I still have a month until I shoot, but I can feel the pressure setting in. If I keep at it, this project will pull off hopefully.

More info to follow

Cheers
Mike