"Lancaster: Come for the Movie Shoot, Stay for the Gimlets"
As the summer is winding to a close, I am also FINALLY finishing up production on this never ending movie!
Despite all the struggles, it has also been a blast with some memories not soon to be forgotten by me or the cast anytime soon. And of course, I have learned SO MUCH getting this off the ground that I already have plans and ideas that will make my next movie run so much smoother.
Yes, there will be a next movie. I already have an idea, and even a couple cast members on board! :)
Anyway, I stopped to blog quickly about recent events in movie-making land!
I think I like Connie's take on the whole continuity issue - if you notice then there's something wrong with you - yeah, that's the ticket!!
Really, considering I've filmed bits and pieces of the scenes in this bar, in non-sequential order, over the course of a full year, it's amazing we don't have more issues. At least I know I white-balanced properly!
Good news, though - the fight scene is finished!! Finally!!!
Just a little more to go and I can throw a Wrap Party - otherwise known as "Thank-God-we-finished-this damn-movie-after-two-years-of-shooting" Party.
Or perhaps a "Oh-my-God-how-long-will-I-be-editing-this-thing?"Party.
Or how about "I-need-to-buy-new-shoes-because-Lola-ate-them-all"Party? :)
Off-topic for a minute, check out the trailer I edited for the movie Tribute This! I think it came out pretty cool.
Maybe someday you'll see the movie in a theater near you ... :)
Yesterday Lola (my big, furry, destructive but very lovable dog) found Jordan's most current bar scene footwear. Jordan will have a third pair of shoes in the same scene---does Kristen really need to shoot my feet?
I wore what? Oh, those shoes? Sorry, dog ate those shoes months ago. Earrings??? Oh, lost one...maybe left it at someone's ..I was blonder? Oh, well, look...as a "striking woman in her forties" I have the power to change my look and my wardrobe ...a LOT. So, for those who have nothing better to do than scrutinize those tiny, tiny inconsistancies ...you need to spend more time in Jordan's bar---any bar!
Besides Jordan is very conflicted. If she can't choose between Eric the old loser and David the young handsome lover than she can HARDLY keep the same look together throughout the night. So, there. I'm keeping in character!
Yep, here is a down and dirty update of all the crazy things that have been happening in my life!
1.) I cleaned up my "Project Direct" submission and entered it into 2 film fests - and one of them accepted it. So last month I had my very first screening on a big screen in front of an audience - thanks to Gate City Women's Film Festival!
2.) I finally finished my project for UPenn - and I'm actually pretty proud of it!
3.) I moved - I now have my own place, which I love. Only problem is that I don't have any couches - since I'm waiting on the check from the aforementioned UPenn project!
4.) Production on the movie is temporarily on hiatus, until I have time to shoot. Turns out I have a million things going on in May, including a voice recital, Luau, bat mitzvah, house warming party for my sister, visit from my parents ...and then on June 7th I leave for a week in London!
Yeah, so, I'm busy. But once I get back from London it's all movie, all summer. I have a goal of a Fall premier. And no body better get in my way!!! :)
The next shoot for Happy Hour isn't until December, but that doesn't mean your crazy Director hasn't been hard at work on other projects!
YouTube posted a contest asking people to make a 2-7 minute film that included the following:
1.) Someone passing a picture
2.) The line of dialog "I demand an explanation for these shenanigans! What do you have to say?"
3.) A character facing a situation above his/her maturity level.
At first I thought I didn't have the time to do this - but then, at the last minute, I decided to go for it. I wrote a short script, recruited two actors from Craigslist (more on that later), cast Mick's daughter in one of the parts and somehow - after lining up three different possible locations - ended up invading Mick's house on a Saturday night to shoot!
I didn't have time to audition the people from Craigslist, so I went with my gut - and boy did I luck out.
Amanda Vacharat (above left)- who plays the older sister Jenny - came with her lines memorized and was a complete pro. She "got" the character right away and I was really pleased with her performance.
Daniel Ellis (above right) already had professional experience and a music career, but he was completely dedicated to my little film, and never complained when he was slapped, or rolling around on the cold basement floor! And did I mention he's a hell of an actor?
Of course, I can't forget to mention Faith McCleery, who for a 10 year-old has a real instinct for acting. The camera just loves her and she even had *her* lines memorized! That's more than I can say for the Happy Hour cast most of the time! ;)
Anyway, I feel really lucky that everything worked out - and I hope we make the top 20, so people can vote!
If you want to watch my submission, here it is:
To see all of the other entries, check out this playlist, kindly put together by a fellow youtuber: Project: Direct Playlist
Since the last time I blogged so many things have happened I can’t even begin to cover them – and it really doesn’t matter anyway. What matters is that we are VERY close to finishing production, and I’m bothering my cast constantly asking for their availability as we try and try again to schedule the last few scenes.
But, while I struggle to make this happen (it is my job) I thought I would share an amusing email thread from a little over a week ago. I was laughing so hard reading it, I decided I had to put a transcript on the web for posterity – rather than have it die in my in box.
So, it was late Friday afternoon and I sent an email asking for extras for the big bar fight scene. Little did I know that craziness would ensue because of that “reply all” button!
(As you read, keep in mind this went out to about 20 people – at their work email addresses! It makes it more amusing …) Enjoy! :)
