1. You cannot underestimate the importance of a crew with a good attitude.
2. Feeding the cast and crew is the hardest part of making a low budget film.
3. Cute girls on the crew can be a serious distraction.
4. Be open to to suggestions and ideas, but know when to stick to your guns.
5. Tauna Price doesn't even know what the word "tact" means.
6. A fig rig is much more reliable than a Glidecam.
7. If you treat your exrtas well, sometimes they volunteer to do more. Being nice really gets you places.
8. Practical effects can be just as hokey as CGI. Be careful.
9. Stay committed, no matter what, or you'll never get it done.
10. Plan ahead as much as you can, but don't be fraid to improvise.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Last Few Days
One of our biggest, most challenging days of shooting came near the end, when we shot the fantasy battle sequences. We were dealing with real swords, and $15,000 worth of borrowed chain mail and other armor. Once again we were in the spectacular locale of Silver Lake, and the mix up props, costumes and locations made for a spectacular scene. I don't think I've ever felt more inspired as a filmmaker then on the day when we shot those battles. And the sight of Rosie Bertrand with a chinbeard still makes me laugh. The show of Brandie's leg hacked-off is surprisingly grotesque, especially since it's just kethcup. Shawn Rose really threw himself into the physiciality of the battle, making an incredible prescence as a villain. He's like our own Pat Roach or Igor Jijikine.
The hardest location to secure was the hospital for the denouement. We eventually got the okay from SLCC's Nursing lab to shoot there, and it couldn't have been better. Porter and Brandie nailed the bittersweet emotion, and Bob Walkingshaw (Dr. Mallory) added a spark and poignance that reaffirned that I was right to stick to my gut and cast him over some other candidates.
The final day of shooting consisted primarily of two last minute additions which redeemed the character of Lance. Not only did it just leave us with a better feeling to have the kid turn out not so bad, it simply fit the Lancelot character more justly. Chase McKnight proved again what an amazing young actor he is, effortlessly rolling with this change in direction. Rain threatened to be a problem for these final outdoor shoots, but never materialized. Beau Gorley and Tauna Price got stuck in an elevator, which held us up. Andy Baker asked if we were going to have to wait until after they were rescued to break for lunch.
But we finished on time, and I was left with a mix of pride, excitement, relief, and a tinge of sadness. The most rewarding, best film I had ever shot was completely finished shooting.
Now, the adventure of post-production begins.
The hardest location to secure was the hospital for the denouement. We eventually got the okay from SLCC's Nursing lab to shoot there, and it couldn't have been better. Porter and Brandie nailed the bittersweet emotion, and Bob Walkingshaw (Dr. Mallory) added a spark and poignance that reaffirned that I was right to stick to my gut and cast him over some other candidates.
The final day of shooting consisted primarily of two last minute additions which redeemed the character of Lance. Not only did it just leave us with a better feeling to have the kid turn out not so bad, it simply fit the Lancelot character more justly. Chase McKnight proved again what an amazing young actor he is, effortlessly rolling with this change in direction. Rain threatened to be a problem for these final outdoor shoots, but never materialized. Beau Gorley and Tauna Price got stuck in an elevator, which held us up. Andy Baker asked if we were going to have to wait until after they were rescued to break for lunch.
But we finished on time, and I was left with a mix of pride, excitement, relief, and a tinge of sadness. The most rewarding, best film I had ever shot was completely finished shooting.
Now, the adventure of post-production begins.
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