Last Thursday the cast and producer Scott McEntire and I got together and read the Collection Day script through from beginning to end. Known as a "table read" (for obvious reasons), this is really the first exposure the entire cast has to each other and the first chance that I (as the writer) got to hear my all my dialogue read by real actors.
I really enjoyed the results. I like this group of actors and even though this is very, very early in the performance process (no rehearsals yet), I enjoyed hearing them breathe life into these people. This script has been workshopped for about a year, so I feel pretty good about it, but until now, these fictitious characters have just been written words on a page. Getting them all together is more proof that this is going to be a completed film come April.
I also had a great chat with lead Kayla Esmond, after the read was over. Her character of Taylor is a complex person and I wanted to discuss with her who we think that person is and what her goals and motivations are. Kayla uses some pretty intense methodology to get into her characters head, and I really admire her work ethic.
I'm really looking forward to working with Kayla and the rest of this group come October when cameras roll. There is still a lot of work to be done until then, but I am only encouraged by events such as this one. I'm a big believer in doing as many extra things as possible to help your film shine and this is one of the simplest.
Up next, the Kickstarter campaign to raise our budget! Watch for it August 1st!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Recap Q&A: How Do You Archive Your Video?
Watch "Collection Day BTS: Shooting Range"
http://filmflap.blogspot.com/2013/07/collection-day-6-shooting-range.html
Sima Quickonnect
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006JQ6C/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=thefrugfilm-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B00006JQ6C&adid=06ASEQX0SR3V2SN87GQS&
Watch "Camera Stabilizer Rig for Under $5"
http://filmflap.blogspot.com/2010/07/make-camera-stabilizer-rig-for-under-5.html
Watch "Frugal Stabilizer II"
http://filmflap.blogspot.com/2013/01/frugal-stabilizer-ii.html
Watch "Mini Camera Stabilizer"
http://filmflap.blogspot.com/2011/06/mini-camera-stabilizer.html
Seagate 3TB USB 3.0 external drive
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00834SJU8/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=thefrugfilm-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B00834SJU8&adid=1JYJXT9X4CB6GX5WZ2DD&
Thumbnail image provided by morguefile.com
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/859917
Monday, July 22, 2013
Recap Q&A: What Kickstarter Rewards Do You Want?
Twitter Feed
Facebook Group
Collection Day 6: The Shooting Range
"Collection Day" Facebook page
Filmmaking with the iPad & iPhone
Watch "Camera Stabilizer Rig for Under $5"
Multi-sport cloth tape at Amazon or eBay
Flycam Nano at Amazon or eBay
Glidecam iGlide (not "Glidecam mini")
Photo courtesy morguefile.com
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Collection Day 6: The Shooting Range
Why was I doing this? Since their characters are near-future government agents who have some gunplay in the film, I wanted to give them some real-world shooting experience. Our airsoft gun replicas will look great, but they are quite tame in comparison (non-lethal, very little kick), so I wanted the talent to know what real firing felt like. Both characters shoot semi-automatic pistols and Taylor (Kayla) uses an assault rifle at one point.
We also had an excellent weapons trainer, Wade Powers, who is currently serving in the military and was invaluable to us last night. You should always have someone with knowledge and experience running this kind of thing, as firearms are deadly weapons and should be handled with care. We all had to watch a safety video at the range, but we received additional training from Wade, who was also there on the range assisting us. He also provided the weapons, which he knew very well. Wade will also be a consultant on the film and is helping us create some realistic military uniforms.
In the end, both actresses enjoyed shooting off several magazines and I hope it helps them get into their roles. I had a great time bonding with the talent and discovering a great resource in Wade. It was a productive evening and another step toward the successful completion of our film.
Up next, the table read!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Tip: Video Editor as Photoshop
Here's a quick tip that has helped me churn out custom thumbnails for my Youtube videos. In the past, I would get a picture of whatever I wanted to feature, then slog through a photo editor (Windows Paint or Gimp) to get it to the right size. YouTube wants your thumbnail to be 1280x720, so you have to finagle your graphic to get it to the right size. I'm probably just not doing it right, but it always took longer than I felt it should.
Now I use my video editor (Sony Vegas Pro 12) to do the very same thing. The difference now is that it's a much faster and simpler process. See the above video for a full explanation.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Recap Q&A: How Do You Prepare Your Actors?
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker/
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker
"Collection Day" movie info: http://collectiondaymovie.com
Watch "Tip: Cheap Audio Sweetening"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsDwG9BF7jY
"Directing Actors" by Judith Weston
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0941188248/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=thefrugfilm-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0941188248&adid=0PPH6E1JRR2GDBJCQDYV&
Free thumbnail provided by morgueFile.com:
http://morguefile.com/archive/#/?q=lifting&photo_lib=morgueFile
Thursday, July 11, 2013
$10 Budget: USB Grip Boxes!
Another trip to Dollar Tree, another load of booty! Nothing amazing here, just some helpful cheapies that may make your filmmaking life a little easier. The only online item is the tablet holder, which may come in handy for those looking to mount their tablet on their rig somewhere. While Deejay (featured in the link) found his on eBay for $11, I found one on Amazon for $7. If you have a tablet, it may come in handy at a lower price point than other mounting options.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Recap Q&A: Which Audio Mixer Do You Use?
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker
Watch "Camera Crane / Jib for $30"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2_Ye6dP5Lw
Watch "Frugal Crane / Jib 2.0"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VvJB2RT3xc
Toslink optical cable (10 ft.)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LT2C5W/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=thefrugfilm-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B004LT2C5W&adid=1HMV5VEX17VK828M5D7K&
Watch "Tip: Cheap Audio Sweetening"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsDwG9BF7jY
Behringer Eurorack MX1604a Audio Mixer (discontinued)
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/MX1604A.aspx
Watch "Camera Stabilizer Rig for Under $5"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZtlSVgG1h8
Watch "Frugal Stabilizer II"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esc8tPaBqh0
Opteka Xgrip (Retail Skateboarding Rig)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PBB4ME/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=thefrugfilm-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B003PBB4ME&adid=0SZGKVKWN0CMGCP2GVCA&
"Collection Day" (thesis film) Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/CollectionDayMovie
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Big Box of Fotodiox Stuff Arrives
I have to admit, I love getting stuff in the mail to review. After talking about Fotodiox's Macro Extension Tube, they have since agreed to keep sending me stuff. Recently, a box showed up at my doorstep (okay, so I wasn't home and had to nab it at the post office) chock full of goodies to review. I won't reveal all the contents of this box of mystery, but let's just say it's full of affordable and very useful items.
Stay tuned!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Camera Grip Handle
Here's a basic camera grip handle that mounts into your camera's 1/4-20 tripod mount similar to this rubber grip or foam grip handle. Also works well on stabilizer rigs that might need a handle or two.
PARTS LIST
Bicycle grip, rubber or foam (rubber is more durable, foam is cheaper)
*DISCLAIMER* The grips I used in the video were obtained from a grocery store (!) long ago, and I've never seen this model since. I'm linking to a set on eBay, but have never used them and can't vouch for their ability to fit over the coupler. All I know is they are the right material that "should" work.
1/4" machine screw or bolt (machine screw is preferable so you can access through handle with a screwdriver)
1/4" lock washer
1/2" PVC slip plug (hexagonal shape preferred (Lowe's Hardware) for easy locating of center)
Watch "Tripod Dolly" video for demonstration on center drilling these plugs
1/2" PVC coupler
1/2" PVC pipe, 3 1/4" in length
Flash shoe adapter, dual nut version (single nut version has smaller surface area)
TOOLS
Drill w/ 1/4" drill bit
PVC cutters (or hacksaw, but cutters are WAY easier) at Harbor Freight Tools or Amazon
Brute Force
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