Wednesday, April 13, 2005
And speaking of the Joseph Campbell thing...
I realize that Joseph Campbell is kind of screenwriter/ filmmaker cliche. I mean there's a picture of Luke Skywalker on the cover of Hero With a Thousand Faces for crying out loud (as my Mom used to say.) But there's a depth to Campbell that goes far beyond Hero. Even beyond The Power of Myth, which is the Bill Moyers interview with him that basically amounts to a Reader's Digest version of Campbell, there is a tremendous depth to his work and reading his stuff always get the synapses in my brain firing at an incredible pace. Right now I'm reading The Masks of God: Oriental Mythology, which is part 2 of a four part series. It's pretty rich stuff - not light reading at all. But there is insight in it and even when he's talking about civilizations that are thousands of years old. And most of all - most relevant for the world of film - it's really all about stories. Especially the first book, Primitive Mythology, which is about story at is most primal level.
Talking with the Union
I started talking with the Union the other day. I'm a member of 600 the Cinematographer's guild - and it's becoming less and less relevant to my life these days. Basically over the last two or three years I've made just enough money on union jobs to pay my dues. Breaking even is not something I aspire to. Though I am reluctant to drop out. I worked hard to get in and if I ever get the chance to shoot it would be important. You never know?
And I watched The Shield last night. I still think it's the best show on TV right now. It's still a cop show, but at least there's some depth to it - and there is actually a story beyond the "current murder investigation." To me it's far, far closer to something like the Sopranos (which, as an Italian-American I must note that I feel somewhat conflicted about liking or having liked - no matter how much that let's-shoot-the-Russian-in-the-head-then-have-him-run-off-into-the-woods-and-never-mention-him-ever-again shit drove me crazy (though not really that much)) than Law and Order or CSI.
And I watched The Shield last night. I still think it's the best show on TV right now. It's still a cop show, but at least there's some depth to it - and there is actually a story beyond the "current murder investigation." To me it's far, far closer to something like the Sopranos (which, as an Italian-American I must note that I feel somewhat conflicted about liking or having liked - no matter how much that let's-shoot-the-Russian-in-the-head-then-have-him-run-off-into-the-woods-and-never-mention-him-ever-again shit drove me crazy (though not really that much)) than Law and Order or CSI.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Took time off of Grande for what
Oh - further to the point of my scattered mind. I took time away from this to write a pilot that I have the opportunity to get to ESPN and Showtime. So I wrote that - got notes on it - and now I'm rewriting that.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
well I'm back
It's been a while since I posted - and a while since we shot. I've had so much going on I haven't really had time to work on the script though I am convinced this film will be my salvation.
Two big things happening.
I interviewed with a group of guys down in OC for a job directing a little straight to video horror film. It's small, low-budget, and the script needs work but it has some great potential. If they hire me - they're looking at 5 other guys (damn) they seem open to rewriting.
And I'm writing another script. I know, I know, I should be working on this one - Grande - but this is my problem. My brain pigns around from idea to idea and I have to sit and work on it - or at least crank out a draft to see if it's worth pursuing or not. Someday I should go through my Final Draft documents and see how many of those there are. But this is a good one - I think - it's a good idea, can be done cheap and sexy and that's what I'm looking for.
in the land of Grande - I do have an idea to finish the script - to get even a jump on the script - for a bridge between acts. I have an idea to tie together the fragments I have. Now if I only had time to work on it.
And in other news - a 30 second PSA I directed (and shot) for a non-profit called Futures for Children starts to air in New York and San Francisco this week. Sweet.
Two big things happening.
I interviewed with a group of guys down in OC for a job directing a little straight to video horror film. It's small, low-budget, and the script needs work but it has some great potential. If they hire me - they're looking at 5 other guys (damn) they seem open to rewriting.
And I'm writing another script. I know, I know, I should be working on this one - Grande - but this is my problem. My brain pigns around from idea to idea and I have to sit and work on it - or at least crank out a draft to see if it's worth pursuing or not. Someday I should go through my Final Draft documents and see how many of those there are. But this is a good one - I think - it's a good idea, can be done cheap and sexy and that's what I'm looking for.
in the land of Grande - I do have an idea to finish the script - to get even a jump on the script - for a bridge between acts. I have an idea to tie together the fragments I have. Now if I only had time to work on it.
And in other news - a 30 second PSA I directed (and shot) for a non-profit called Futures for Children starts to air in New York and San Francisco this week. Sweet.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Just wondering
What the hell is going on with IFC. I was flipping through the guide last night and saw Dr. T and the Women listed for them. Hardly what I would call an indie.
Just wondering
What the hell is going on with IFC. I was flipping through the guide last night and saw Dr. T and the Women listed for them. Hardly what I would call an indie.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
More writing - more distractions
Sigh. The toughest thing about writing for me is that I'll be going along at a pretty nice clip - the ideas flowing, the dialogue popping, the scenes crackling - at least I THINK they are. In any case I'll be going along and I'll think of something that pops another idea and gets me thinking about a new idea for a new script and I want to take off on that. Right now I have 4 scripts going and I just wrote a treatment for another one. Man - I need to learn to focus!!! How do you do that - how do you have time to write all the ideas you have.
I think actually what happens is that most of them are just not that good - evidence the endless list of unfinished scripts I have.
Sigh.
Still working on this one - still in love with this one - still - still - still great ideas.
I got a call from Marco yesterday who was concerned that his performance was bnot 100% - he felt. But I thought he did great for what we were doing - no rehearsals, no prep time and way too much fucking around on set. I'm definitely encouragd enough to keep him in the script.
I think actually what happens is that most of them are just not that good - evidence the endless list of unfinished scripts I have.
Sigh.
Still working on this one - still in love with this one - still - still - still great ideas.
I got a call from Marco yesterday who was concerned that his performance was bnot 100% - he felt. But I thought he did great for what we were doing - no rehearsals, no prep time and way too much fucking around on set. I'm definitely encouragd enough to keep him in the script.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
The redesign gets me cranking...
Apple has redesigned the power adapters for the laptops. The first one I had would get so hot that it would almost burn your hand. Surprise, surprise, it didn't last out the warranty.The second one got hot - but not as - but the cable wore out where it connects to the transformer. The third one stays quite cool and has a reinforcement where the cable connects to the transformer.
So I'm back and running and, in fact, blogging from there.
The Script, the script!!!!
I have a great idea to incorporate into it but I can write about it here because of my insane superstition that if I tell the story before I write it I won't write it.
Good stuff though - I got the idea listening to Art Bell.
It's funny, it's hard working on it since the whole thing took a big left turn. Or right turn, maybe it was a right turn. In any case it's getting better, but I'm having to work out things and indeed things are being worked out.
So I'm back and running and, in fact, blogging from there.
The Script, the script!!!!
I have a great idea to incorporate into it but I can write about it here because of my insane superstition that if I tell the story before I write it I won't write it.
Good stuff though - I got the idea listening to Art Bell.
It's funny, it's hard working on it since the whole thing took a big left turn. Or right turn, maybe it was a right turn. In any case it's getting better, but I'm having to work out things and indeed things are being worked out.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
the script doesn't move
Damn,
The power adapter for my iBook is shot I ordered a new one and they're back ordered or something and I only have a few hours charge on the ibook - which is where the script lives. So I have to wait. This is the second adapter for this ibook - the first was under warranty. This one isn't.
sigh..
The power adapter for my iBook is shot I ordered a new one and they're back ordered or something and I only have a few hours charge on the ibook - which is where the script lives. So I have to wait. This is the second adapter for this ibook - the first was under warranty. This one isn't.
sigh..
Monday, January 03, 2005
The script moves
Did I mention that I hate the name of this blog. Can I change it? Hmmm.
I worked on the script today for the first time since just after we shot. It's a challenge fitting what we did that first weekend into what we're doing now. The whole character of the thing is changing and apart from the humor and sexiness of the whole thing I have to tell the story - which is taking shape in my head - with free locations, no stunts, minimal wardrobe and all the rest of it.
Of course I can't tell you the story now - because if I do then it's told and I won't be able to write it. One of my old Journalism school superstitions.
It's funny too because since we're all doing this for love and fun I feel I have to check with some of my actors before I write certain things. I checked with Sarah before I wrote the shower scene and of course, she suggested doing it naked which was fine with me. Have I mentioned that? It was all in the blur of the first weekend. It wasn't really that big a deal - I'd seen her naked before (At Burningman - please keep your mind out of the gutter, one of use there is more than enough.)
I worked on the script today for the first time since just after we shot. It's a challenge fitting what we did that first weekend into what we're doing now. The whole character of the thing is changing and apart from the humor and sexiness of the whole thing I have to tell the story - which is taking shape in my head - with free locations, no stunts, minimal wardrobe and all the rest of it.
Of course I can't tell you the story now - because if I do then it's told and I won't be able to write it. One of my old Journalism school superstitions.
It's funny too because since we're all doing this for love and fun I feel I have to check with some of my actors before I write certain things. I checked with Sarah before I wrote the shower scene and of course, she suggested doing it naked which was fine with me. Have I mentioned that? It was all in the blur of the first weekend. It wasn't really that big a deal - I'd seen her naked before (At Burningman - please keep your mind out of the gutter, one of use there is more than enough.)
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
where the hell was I?
let me look - hang on...
all right on with that day. Things went well - I said that.
OH - so we had his crew come to shoot us for a TV show they're doing - Booker - lt me find his card, hang on... Cornelius Booker that was his name. A very nice guy, he came with a cameraman and a they shot us shooting. It was kind of funny since we basically had what we had, but we hammed it up a bit. They did and interview with me, the DP and the actors. It was a lot of fun and I hope something comes of it.
It's really amazing what we were able to do with so little. But we all have good attitudes and a bit of talent - and that's about what it takes. Of course we'll see what happens when I start cutting the damn thing.
Back to the script.
all right on with that day. Things went well - I said that.
OH - so we had his crew come to shoot us for a TV show they're doing - Booker - lt me find his card, hang on... Cornelius Booker that was his name. A very nice guy, he came with a cameraman and a they shot us shooting. It was kind of funny since we basically had what we had, but we hammed it up a bit. They did and interview with me, the DP and the actors. It was a lot of fun and I hope something comes of it.
It's really amazing what we were able to do with so little. But we all have good attitudes and a bit of talent - and that's about what it takes. Of course we'll see what happens when I start cutting the damn thing.
Back to the script.
Monday, December 13, 2004
great shoot
Saturday went really really really well.
we shot at Connie's house -she'd been in a former movie of mine and I know her well and wrote with her voice in my head. I pushed her a bit on a few things that she had troble with (mostly because we didn't have rehearsal, in which case, she would have had no trouble - I'm convinced) but she pulled through and kicked some serious ass - in thespianic short of way. Is that a word?
Marco got a speeding ticket on his Vespa trying to get to the set. I feel bad - if we had a budget I'd offer to pay it for him, but alas... In any case he did really well - I was also surprised because I hadn't worked with him yet either. I'm going to write him into the script.
Oh yeah - the script - not much more beyond what we did. 17 pages I think - but some of that includes one line descripitions of what we already did so it's actually longer. Though it also includes one line descriptions of scenes I need to rewrite from previous drafts...
Scotty did really well too - his voice is also in my head so I'm writing for it. He was a champ because his character basically sat on a couch for the first half of the day - but he pulled through...
We need a dolly. We shot the whole thing on sticks and got enough angles and moved the characters enough so that I can cut around and keep motion in the scene without it getting stagnant, but I'd like to have a dolly. I'd also like to have a more lights and an actual crew but there you go.
uo-oh -gotta run out - I'll finish this post later... tons to report...
we shot at Connie's house -she'd been in a former movie of mine and I know her well and wrote with her voice in my head. I pushed her a bit on a few things that she had troble with (mostly because we didn't have rehearsal, in which case, she would have had no trouble - I'm convinced) but she pulled through and kicked some serious ass - in thespianic short of way. Is that a word?
Marco got a speeding ticket on his Vespa trying to get to the set. I feel bad - if we had a budget I'd offer to pay it for him, but alas... In any case he did really well - I was also surprised because I hadn't worked with him yet either. I'm going to write him into the script.
Oh yeah - the script - not much more beyond what we did. 17 pages I think - but some of that includes one line descripitions of what we already did so it's actually longer. Though it also includes one line descriptions of scenes I need to rewrite from previous drafts...
Scotty did really well too - his voice is also in my head so I'm writing for it. He was a champ because his character basically sat on a couch for the first half of the day - but he pulled through...
We need a dolly. We shot the whole thing on sticks and got enough angles and moved the characters enough so that I can cut around and keep motion in the scene without it getting stagnant, but I'd like to have a dolly. I'd also like to have a more lights and an actual crew but there you go.
uo-oh -gotta run out - I'll finish this post later... tons to report...
Friday, December 10, 2004
waiting
waiting for a friend of mine to get home from a shoot so I can borrow some of his gear. He has a mic and boom that are great (I used last time) and some small 600 arri lights that will be perfect. Also a video monitor that I'm in love with. Hope he gets home sooner, rather than later...
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Man
the name of this blog sucks - wonder if I can change it.
Oh - and a TV crew is going to come and shoot us shooting for a show on indie filmmakers. Hmmmm. Don't know anything more about it....
writing - stuff is good - some funny lines...
Oh - and a TV crew is going to come and shoot us shooting for a show on indie filmmakers. Hmmmm. Don't know anything more about it....
writing - stuff is good - some funny lines...
Friday, December 03, 2004
new script
the script is changing. It's become funny... no more hard core drama for me - no more indie-sensibility-life-sucks-then-you- find-out-the-main-character's-a-pedophile-and-it-gets-into-sundance films for me. This one is going to be funny and sexy and probably very weak in the technical area (I'm still quite the neophyte in sound - one of only two film set jobs I've never actually been paid for - the other is make-up) but that's as it may be...
I'm writing and enjoying it more.
Oh - we're going to shoot again on Dec 11...
I'm writing and enjoying it more.
Oh - we're going to shoot again on Dec 11...
Friday, November 26, 2004
Uh-oh
So the plan was to shoot again - up at a cabing in the mountains - but...
Sarah (her character name) went into early labor - a month early - and is on bed rest and such and now I'm rewriting. Cause I ain't got my female lead to shoot.
Well, since I didn't start with a whole script to begin with I guess it's not that big a deal - gotta toss about 30 pages. hmmm....
Time to think.
What do I have?
Think of locations, cars, houses, where can I shoot where I don't need
a permit,
a caterer
a honeywagon
cops
fire
Money
Sarah (her character name) went into early labor - a month early - and is on bed rest and such and now I'm rewriting. Cause I ain't got my female lead to shoot.
Well, since I didn't start with a whole script to begin with I guess it's not that big a deal - gotta toss about 30 pages. hmmm....
Time to think.
What do I have?
Think of locations, cars, houses, where can I shoot where I don't need
a permit,
a caterer
a honeywagon
cops
fire
Money
Sunday, November 21, 2004
after the first weekend
So here's the update. Things, things, things have happened and I'm so far behind on this blog I can't even conceive of where to start. Where to start, where to - START?
Man - my last entry - which I just looked at - was before the first day of shooting.
Here's how it went.
OUCH!!!
Take -
1 director
1 DP
1 sound man/boom man/ actor
2 actors
1 extra
1 apartment
1 camera (DVX100)
5 lights
3 c-stands
a few rolls of tape
and
way too many pages of script and try to shoot a movie.
It actually went really well. Much better than I expected but I was exhausted at the end of it. We shot for two days and it was way too much. almost killed me. I was exhausted at the end of it. Thinking of characters and shots and coverage and filming/videoing the whole damn thing - and setting lights and stands and everything - was totally exhausting. A crew of two - is two too few.
yeesh.
All that being said - I made some decisions. the script - as it played out - without rehearsals mind you - something that is a first for me - well - a second - but I don't think those love scenes needed rehearsal - you know? I guess you don't because I haven't really let you in on my background - have I? Hang on - let me check the blog...
Nope -guess I haven't - I'll save that.
Where was I? Decisions - the film - as it's playing out is damn dark - and that's not really my style. It was torturous for me. Scary - got way too into my head. Sarah (i'm calling them by their character names) turned out to be a great actress - she was a friend from Burning Man - but I had not had her act yet and she turned out to be great and sexy - even 8 months pregnant - which I never expected because I AIN'T into that - and her character just ate away at me and I didn't sleep - and when I did I was dreaming about the damn story. Which made it all that much tougher.
So I'm going to change a few things. but more on that later. Right?
Man - my last entry - which I just looked at - was before the first day of shooting.
Here's how it went.
OUCH!!!
Take -
1 director
1 DP
1 sound man/boom man/ actor
2 actors
1 extra
1 apartment
1 camera (DVX100)
5 lights
3 c-stands
a few rolls of tape
and
way too many pages of script and try to shoot a movie.
It actually went really well. Much better than I expected but I was exhausted at the end of it. We shot for two days and it was way too much. almost killed me. I was exhausted at the end of it. Thinking of characters and shots and coverage and filming/videoing the whole damn thing - and setting lights and stands and everything - was totally exhausting. A crew of two - is two too few.
yeesh.
All that being said - I made some decisions. the script - as it played out - without rehearsals mind you - something that is a first for me - well - a second - but I don't think those love scenes needed rehearsal - you know? I guess you don't because I haven't really let you in on my background - have I? Hang on - let me check the blog...
Nope -guess I haven't - I'll save that.
Where was I? Decisions - the film - as it's playing out is damn dark - and that's not really my style. It was torturous for me. Scary - got way too into my head. Sarah (i'm calling them by their character names) turned out to be a great actress - she was a friend from Burning Man - but I had not had her act yet and she turned out to be great and sexy - even 8 months pregnant - which I never expected because I AIN'T into that - and her character just ate away at me and I didn't sleep - and when I did I was dreaming about the damn story. Which made it all that much tougher.
So I'm going to change a few things. but more on that later. Right?
Friday, October 08, 2004
Found the gun
With our weekend shoot looming upon us - I went digging in a box in my closet looking for the air gun I bought for the OTHER film. It was there and I now have a key prop.
Busy today. Have to rent a wide angle lens adapter, buy some tapes, pick up a mic and lights my friend R is lending me and scout a location.
And get my daughter off to day care.
Have I mention we're making this movie for $0. That's right - no money - just a bunch of friends getting together and shooting some scenes.
Busy today. Have to rent a wide angle lens adapter, buy some tapes, pick up a mic and lights my friend R is lending me and scout a location.
And get my daughter off to day care.
Have I mention we're making this movie for $0. That's right - no money - just a bunch of friends getting together and shooting some scenes.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Meeting
Had my first meeting yesterday with the two leads. They're both friends. We discussed my 38 pages of script and where it might go and when. We're shooting the first few scenes this weekend, which means that we are literally writing it as we shoot it. BUT I figure since most STUDIO films seem like they were made that way anyway, we should hit big with this one. You never know.
Shooting in Scott's (the character name) apartment. Two characters for most of it and I'll play a third part.
I was worried about shooting Sarah naked - or relatively so - but she's up for it. Good, good, good. I think it will help make the film. Not a lot of pregnant women naked in movies these days.
Now I just have to build a steadicam and find a prop gun. I may still have one in a closet from the last movie. hmmm...
Shooting in Scott's (the character name) apartment. Two characters for most of it and I'll play a third part.
I was worried about shooting Sarah naked - or relatively so - but she's up for it. Good, good, good. I think it will help make the film. Not a lot of pregnant women naked in movies these days.
Now I just have to build a steadicam and find a prop gun. I may still have one in a closet from the last movie. hmmm...
Friday, October 01, 2004
Sitting and blazin' and writing and tearing out what little
hair I have left. Blazin' away on my new G5 which I bought primarily to cut the wedding videos I'm doing to support my indie film habit - and my family - I decided to do an indie film.
Here's what I had - have:
a camera - Pana DVX100
The G5
Final Cut Pro HD
a pregnant actress friend
and a few others willing to do something just to have fun.
Of course we're doing it without a SAG contract - which is the only way we can AFFORD to do this at the moment.
Here's what I had - have:
a camera - Pana DVX100
The G5
Final Cut Pro HD
a pregnant actress friend
and a few others willing to do something just to have fun.
Of course we're doing it without a SAG contract - which is the only way we can AFFORD to do this at the moment.
Monday, September 27, 2004
What, where, when - who
Hey, if anyone's reading this - are you? Hello?
I'm a filmmaker and this is called film garage because I make films in - my garage. I used to make films on HOLLYWOOD LOTS - and made a lot of stuff back when I was hourly wage grunt schlepping camera gear and pulling focus. But I gave that up - working for the man, as it was, and have gone into the realms of INDEPENDENT film and even a little late-night skinemax soft core (shhh. don't tell anyone.)
but now I'm down in the garage making films and videos and all kinds of crap on my Panasonic DVX100 and cutting them on my brand spanking new 1.8 dual G5. I had to step up after my 400 mhz G4 just finally threw up it's cyber hands and said - sorry - can't do this anymore.
But I've started on two projects are of interest. More on that as we go.
I'm a filmmaker and this is called film garage because I make films in - my garage. I used to make films on HOLLYWOOD LOTS - and made a lot of stuff back when I was hourly wage grunt schlepping camera gear and pulling focus. But I gave that up - working for the man, as it was, and have gone into the realms of INDEPENDENT film and even a little late-night skinemax soft core (shhh. don't tell anyone.)
but now I'm down in the garage making films and videos and all kinds of crap on my Panasonic DVX100 and cutting them on my brand spanking new 1.8 dual G5. I had to step up after my 400 mhz G4 just finally threw up it's cyber hands and said - sorry - can't do this anymore.
But I've started on two projects are of interest. More on that as we go.
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