BOX

2008-02-27T14:16:00.000-08:00

Starting to freak out a little. 3 weeks till we shoot and the script isn't settled. Everyone seems to have their own ideas of what changes need to be made, and what one person loves another person hates. Almost every issue brought up, people don't agree. I know I'm going to need to make some changes but not sure what to take and what to leave. It's just scary because this film is so expensive I want it to be as good as possible... ahhhh...

2008-02-24T21:34:00.000-08:00

Wow, so much has happened since I last blogged. We held auditions last weekend and callbacks this weekend. It was fun and I have to say I am so impressed with some of the actors! After the callbacks we watched the tapes. We didn’t all agree on who should be Winston and who should be Lyle (it was between the same 2 boys). In fact, everyone had a strong opinion one-way or the other and we debated. After watching the tapes again, I have made my decision. I feel strongly about this. So tomorrow I will be calling these people and telling them they got the part. The only problem is we still need to find a Maddie and a Drew’s dad.

On the locations front, we are also doing well. We have the High school (Hoggard) we also have Drew’s house (Ross’s house), Lyle’s kitchen (Ross’s house) and Winston’s kitchen (my mom’s house) and even though I haven’t confirmed it yet, I have seen very promising pictures of some bridge type things and will be seeing them in person next week I think.

Things I still need to figure out:
Find an AD (waiting on a response)
Find a Best Boy Electric (waiting on a response)
Find a hair/makeup person
Find someone who can draw pictures that are to be Winston’s drawings in the film.
Find someone to do extras casting

Meetings:
I need to meet with Amanda who is doing costume design to figure out a plan of action.
Meet with Blake to get some decorations.

Things I need to fix/ get updates on:
I need the budget from Scheli.
I need the shooting schedule from Scheli.
I have to fix the shot list and print it out
Gotta make final changes on the script.
Insurance!
Need to igure out a name for the film!

2008-01-31T13:15:00.000-08:00

Things are moving fast now!I met with Tim Bass about the script a few days ago and met with Andy yesterday and with Scheli. Tomorrow I meet with Andy again to go through the script line by line. Then, Chris and I are going to meet and he will have a shot list ready and we will plan the film shot by shot. Scheli (producer) has been very very helpful. She is doing so much organization and has been keeping everyone moving. Because I haven't met half of my crew yet tomorrow we will are going to meet tomorrow to get on the same page. I gave all the sides/char. descriptions to Rachel who is sending the call out now. Auditions will be Fri Feb 15th 12-5 in King 101 and then Sat Feb 16th 10-3 in King 101. Liz is working on finding locations. We still need a person to do costumes. Scheli is also working on a budget and schedules. This has been an interesting process. It's weird because I have never worked on a narrative with a big crew and here I am in the middle of it. I'm not 100% sure I am doing all the right things but I am trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do, and when, and all that. I have this combination of feelings, in a way I feel totally insecure about it then I have this enthusiastic confidence and I hope everything will fall into place. It is SO different working on narrative because it's not what I'm used to. I'm not talking about content wise. I'm just used to working by myself and having total control. Now I have all these people helping me and it's great because I don't have to do as much myself, but a part of me wishes I had more control. I want to know exactly what is getting done when.I just need to remember to breathe.

2008-01-24T18:41:00.000-08:00

I met with Blake about set design and Rachael about casting today.

Blake can help more when we find locations, and we can go to goodwill to find some stuff.

Rachael and I decided auditions will be Feb 8th and 9th. Things I need to give her:
1. Sides
2. Character descriptions
3. A synopsis of the film

then she will contact agents and make posts for the call

2008-01-23T16:20:00.001-08:00

Meeting with Glen 1/22/08

-We talked about people who would be good for the project (ACs, gaffers, grips, sound)
-We decided to shoot super16mm on the SR1.
- Not use a Jeep but another manly car with not as much noise.
-Spring break would be ideal and would cut costs
-Possibility of renting prime lenses
-Car mounts
-Bus scene (dolly would look great.) Would have to pay for the gas and the driver. To get the bus we need to go to the Wilmington Film Commission and talk to the picture car coordinator. He suggested we watch movies with bus scenes.
- We talked about getting a real stunt person –I’m not sure that’s the word I’m looking for- but someone to make the bridge scene look realistic
-Adding details to the script (cigarette, jerseys, bus driver’s glance), Justin just standing there

2008-01-23T16:08:00.001-08:00

Well, had a very productive week Chris and I met with Glen yesterday for a few hours. I met today with Liz about locations then met with Andy. Tomorrow I meet with Blake about set design and then meet with Rachael about casting. I finally got in touch with a professor of costume design; hopefully someone from theatre will help me with that. Tim Bass still hasn’t gotten back to me about the script but keeps telling me it will be soon. Anyway, here are some notes from my meetings.

Notes from meeting with Andy 1/23/08

-Plan to shoot March 1-6th then take a day off (watch dailies) then reshoot if necessary.
- We talked about insurance (may be up to $1200) for the bus and the equipment.
-We talked about the script. I think I’m going to add little touches to Lyle’s character and Winston’s too!
-He suggested I watch the endings of Donnie Darko (I love that movie) and Heavy.
-He showed me how to split my script into beats. And said I should always ask what the objective of the scene is (what does the main character want.)
- I need to figure out what the budget for camera is and give it to Chris. He gives me a wish list of grip, electric, and camera needs then we figure out what is essential and fits the budget.
- I need to write a list of the locations in order and figure out what days to do what. I also need a shot list (overheads would be great)

Places to find actors:
-Actors Anonymous (contact Tracey Kilpatrick)
-Craig’s list (esp. for actors)
-Southern casting call

2008-01-20T17:33:00.000-08:00

Liz Wilson said she would help location scout, yay! This is what we need:

Locations INT/EXT Notes

Lyle's kitchen INT Quirky and small house
Lyle's house EXT
Winston's kitchen INT Clean nice kitchen (maybe my mom's)
Bus stop EXT Bendy quiet road with a Bench
School bus INT/EXT Rent one?
Highschool Parking lot EXT
School Hall INT
School entrance EXT
Cass room INT
cafeteria INT
Teacher's office INT
Science lab INT
Drew's car INT/EXT Jeep Wrangler
Side of Road EXT Quiet road
Bridge with stream under it EXT
Police Station EXT ???
Drew's house INT Dumpy

here we go

2008-01-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

Well I have two experimental films and a documentary that I’m proud to graduate college with, but now it’s narrative’s turn! It seems almost backwards to be learning all about narrative now but I feel that the timing is good and it just feels right. I’m so excited. I feel like having a blog for this film will help me stay organized and will help me with my assessment later.

So much to get done in so little time!

I had my first meeting with Andy yesterday and I’m so excited because he seems like an awesome person and was so encouraging. We talked about budgeting, and decided that shooting 16mm would be the best option because 35mm would be three times more expensive. We also talked about what crew members I need. I already have my DP, Chris Lymberis who worked with me on our documentary about transgender. Chris needs to find a key grip, first AC, and a gaffer. Brenda agreed to be my AD. I still need a sound person, a boom person, a production designer, and a costume designer. Following Shannon’s recommendation, I e-mailed some theatre professors and asked them to recommend exceptional students who are interested in costume designing and set design. Also, Meghann recommended Blake who worked on the Jaunt with her. I need someone to do location scouting and also someone to help me cast. Rachael seemed interested,
Andy is going to include my script with the other scripts his class has to produce. The three who choose my script with make this very organized binder for me as well as being on set for 2 days each (hopefully I can convince them to be there longer).
Andy also told me basic things that were good to know like that shooting two pages a day would be practical. So that means a 6 day shoot and 2 extra “just in case” days. Also, no longer than 12 hr days! Another important thing is that I’ll need at least 12 rolls of film.

My priorities are assembling a crew then:

1. Casting
2. Locations
3. Schedule
4. Budget