Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Set construction 101


Set construction 1
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

Today was a massive day of cleaning out our location. I really should've been on-set with Alan for Adelaide Punk (which, from the sounds of things, had a very successful day), but my presence was clearly neccessary to ensure the go-ahead of the project. With some inspired construction methods and a dedicated work ethic, we achieved an amazing amount, thanks to the efforts of Sharyn, Ashlee, Peter and Lisa. Thanks, guys.

With things wrapped up at the set, I caught the tail end of Alan's shoot, just in time to daub some fake blood on the shirt of the charming Rowan Hopkins. It was all too short a tour, but fun was had all the same.

Tomorrow, I will play hookey from Alan's set once more, but not before flying in to dress his set and make sure that all is well. That done, I will zip over to where I have secured some discount paint: thanks, Staten!

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

I don't need this! I'm sick!

Two steps forward and one step back. We're closer today to finally scheduling some rehearsals. I've also started to organise some dancers to come in as extras on the film. Unfortunately we had some bad news, though, with one of our actors pulling out. A replacement must be found... stat!

Monday, May 29, 2006

Loc Recce 9: Jubilee Annex 1


Loc Recce 9: - Jubilee Annex 1
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

It was a disappointing location to miss out on, but the Wayville Showgrounds weren't willing to let this one go for free. A shame, as it was rather perfect.

Still, I had a lovely time being taken around the grounds by an aging groundskeeper called Dave. He was a character. Dave took me to about ten different spots around the place. I've put up three or four of the best on the flickr photostream. A bit pointless, knowing what I know. Ah, it's for posterity.

Stephen Prime workshop on directing actors


Stephen Prime workshop on directing actors
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

It was a few weeks ago now, but cinematographer/director Stephen Prime came in to class to show us how to workshop with actors in order to draw out their best and most convincing performances, using the techniques developed by David Mamet and William H. Macy.

An interesting way to do things. Let's hope I can use at least a bit of this knowledge in my directing this year.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

You want some cheese to go with that whine?

I'm getting sick. That's all I need. Ah, crap.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Ready the set, let's go...

In actual project related news, I am happy to announce that the project has at long last (and with ten days til shoot) been given the green light. With all manner of other factors in play, including an attachment and a brilliant location, neither of which I got, the project seemed to hit a brick wall at every turn. Thankfully, we are now all systems go, and it's time to get going.

Our inability to source an adequate location means that we are now shooting in a storage area that we have already available to us. It will mean a lot of re-arranging of objects and, most dizzyingly, the construction of a set. This is a task that I didn't foresee having to deal with, and one that will take a fair degree of nutting out. We'll see how we go, though; I will, of course keep you posted.

Soup Of The Day

Soup Of The Day :: A relationship entertainment experience.
Soup Of The Day chronciles the life of Brandon, as he tries to juggle three very different girlfriends.

I came across Soup Of The Day on YouTube.com, and I must say that I'm fairly impressed at the calibre of this project. The producers have created online presences for some of the stars, and have given some of them their own websites. Character Franki Malankey has her own website, Missileblast.com, an hommage to website Rocketboom.com (I saw MissileBlast first). Each of the main characters has a MySpace page, something that I had thought about doing as well (easy for me to say, hey). Soup Of The Day is being released simultaneously across iTunes, MySpace and YouTube, another parallel in our project.

Check it out for yourselves; I've only watched two episodes of the 6 so far online, but I shall watch more.

Check out Rocketboom, too. In many ways, as far as online TV shows go, it's superior to Soup Of The Day. But then, they're very different shows.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

BP Set Dressing: Ooh, lovely...


BP Set Dressing: Ooh, lovely...
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

A simple joy in the world of student film-making is that it's not illegal to have a beer while dressing a set... At least, I don't think it is.

*tugs collar*

Blind Portrait Day 2


Blind Portrait Day 2
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

Lizzie is Maxx's star, and doesn't she just know it! She does such a great job of acting and is generally a delight to be around.

Blind Portrait Day 2


Blind Portrait Day 2
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

Just looking at the camera crew at work is enough to get you excited. Looking through the view finder, it's even better. This project is going to look great, and I can't wait to see what Maxx does with my project.

I think I've found my next movie...

Suit Up Yahoo! Group
I think I've found an excellent topic for my next film. This is a new one to me:

A group dedicated to the beautiful sight of women wearing protective and fetish gear. From rubber and latex to racing gear and helmets. Feel free to post any files or pics that relate to the topic.
Brilliant.


Impromptu production meeting; Blind Portrait Day 2

With an impromptu production meeting held at Sharyn's house tonight (while waiting for Maxx to arrive with the art dept gear), Sharyn looked over our project and feel entirely more confident in the project and its getting a green light. Schedules and call sheets must still be completed, but Sharyn is able to take that responsibility on once again, bless 'er.

The rest of the day had gone well, with our only hitch being that someone had given Lizzie coffee that morning and that she was hyper. But it was still a fun day. I got my camera out and took a few snaps in the short absence of Adam's cousin, Suzie.

With the days shoot done, and our impromptu meeting completed, we spent several hours dressing the bedroom set. By about 10pm, the three of us felt that we'd done enough for the night, and that the rest would have to wait til tomorrow. I have to be there at 10am tomorrow. I should probably get some sleep now. First, though... some photos.

Monday, May 22, 2006

First cab off the rank...

Just about to head back to the set of Blind Portrait. I've spent the afternoon at MAPS going over some paperwork and awaiting a very important phone call (more on this once I get it). Everything is being held up as a result of it, and people are getting frustrated. Rightly so.

Anyways, don't want to talk for long, I'm eager to get back to Maxx's film. The shoot has had its ups and downs, but the young actress, Lizzie, is just a delight to be with: what a find she is. We've got a couple more days of intensive shooting to go, but I think the results are going to be amazing. Good luck, Maxx!

Thursday, May 18, 2006

You better put that business to bed...

Another exhausting and terrifying day, but one that was not without its excitements and successes. We held our first audition tonight - I was gonna say only, but I might be able to get another one happening tomorrow night. A lot more actors came out of the woodwork (i.e. rang me) during the audition. It would seem their agent was a bit slow to get onto them about it. We shall see what happens.

I will review the footage tomorrow morning, but for the time being, I can announce that so far only the part of Craven has been cast. Our actor, Johnny, was hilarious. That's not to say that the rest weren't great, because they were; I just need to make sure, to pick and choose. What I can say is that the calibre of actors we saw tonight have made me much less worried about the location: with good actors, everything else seems a piece of piss.

Yeehaw, motherfuckers. Yeeeeeeeehaw!

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

It's like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how i keep from going under...

Today my little sister headed off on her trip to Europe, one of her first stops being the Cannes Film Festival. How incredible. We farewelled her at the airport, then I went home and spent more than three hours ringing actors to see if they could come in to audition tomorrow night. It was a lot of work. I've slept maybe four hours in the last few days.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Things land in my lap, and for once it's not my spaghetti dinner!

Today was meant to be fairly locations intensive, but ended up being very actor intensive, with more calls from potential actors and a pile of names in my email inbox. Once we've got the audition space sorted, I'll start doing the ring-around.

The other great news (for us) is that Sharyn is back early from her work experience as of Wednseday, just in time to kick me in the pants and aid in pulling everything together. At least, those're the designs I have on her time. I anticipate some serious wand waving, but that's all up to her! Regardless, welcome back, Sharyn!

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Arrested development...

I recorded a podcast last night, but have been having trouble finding somewhere to host it. Once that's sorted you'll be able to hear on of the most boring podcasts yet. I think I need to get me a co-host to keep me in line, cause my information:wank-and-waffle ratio is off the chart.

Bumped into Alan at the Cranker last night. Good times, good tunes. Hope things go well with sorting out the film, dawg.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

FOX EXEX BAX SEX PIX, FLIX LAX CRUX BUX, STOX SINX, AX PREX

In a day of shocking developments, even Suit Up! couldn't come away unscathed.

With critical paperwork still not completed, the development of the series hangs in limbo, as the director, his nerves currently possessing the structural integrity of a blancmange, scrambles to gather locations, actors and sweet moolah. He is painfully optimistic but will need to get his ass in gear to have all pertinent documents completed by Tuesday next (16/5).

In other news, attendances were low today as Advanced students boycotted the school for its stringence on deadlines (or rather, they had a lot of other things on and couldn't come). Peter retaliated by declaring plans for a Battle Royale (BR Act) whereby Advanced students would battle each other to the death on a small island, but was duly shouted down by feisty first years.

Today also marked the demise of Indy - The Movie, with director Lisa deciding to eschew the glamour of directing to concentrate instead on fulfilling obligations from the previous year, and to fill other roles on the films of her fellow Advanced students. Good luck, Lisa, and R.I.P, Indy... we hardly knew ye.

Coming soon is another podcast, and a new podcast listing (confuse, much?). Sometime this weekend, if possible. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

I just don't know what to do with myself...

I came in to school this morning for the Jason's editing lecture. Didn't learn too much that I didn't already know, but was fairly fun nonetheless. Now I'm sitting arounf, the only Advanced student in the place, wondering what to do with myself. Wondering where to start that is. I have a lot to do at present.

  • Call the kid's talent agency about our youngest actor.
  • Speak to Sharyn about call sheets and general state of play
  • Make more calls about actors
  • Make some calls about locations
  • Do storyboards
  • Sort out new podcast feed
I'm terrified. It's noisy in here, but I'm as broke as fuck, and don't have enough petrol to justify going home for the moment, seeing as I'm gonna have to come back at 6pm for Animation. This post was just a procrastination; thanks for reading. Pray for me.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

New blog layout and plans for dedicated podcast blog

Road-testing a new layout here, folks. The links, sitemeter and PayPal links, etc. have disappeared for the moment, but they'll be back in a day or so. Customisation will follow, including some new graphics I have in mind (oooooh, i bet you all can't wait!). Jokes aside, let me know what you think of the new look.

Also coming soon is a dedicated podcast blog. A current issue is that iTunes only displays the episodes of the show that can be seen on this default blog page. A dedicated blog for the podcast means a dedicated feed, ensuring that iTunes always has a dearth of episodes and allowing me to keep this blog from taking a long time to load. Don't worry, I'll still post everything here, including an announcement of any new episodes.

Jeez, geek out much? Anyways, it's gonna be awesome.

Not my main priority, though. The search for actors continues.

Monday, May 08, 2006

TRiBE shoot: Join the Empire... *bzzzt!*


TRiBE shoot: Join the Empire... *bzzzt!*
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

Fun was had at Terra Nova 3, where we were shooting Adam's film, TRiBE. That's me at the back. The tall hairy one.

Loc Recce 7 - "under our noses"


Loc Recce 7 - "under our noses"
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

We did a location recce around the school last week. Despite some promise in the drama room, nothing's quite right yet. I'm growing frustrated, with the project and with myself.

Suit Up! the production podcast #3

In this belatedly posted episode, I try and spill my guts as quickly as possible, having recorded the content earlier and then screwing things up royally in GarageBand.

  • Topics include:
  • The Da Vinci Code and its upcoming movie.
  • Sourcing actors
  • Location scouting
  • My fussiness with regard to locations
  • Fundraising developments (or lack thereof)
  • Production design for other films
  • The minutae of my life!
This podcast was recorded Thursday after school, but I haven't had a chance to get on the net until now, hence the lateness. Apologies.

As much info as I can cram into 2-and-a-bit minutes. Enjoy.

Suit Up! the production podcast #3

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Problems arise...

Looks like the Odeon Theatre is going to have to be ruled out. One of the problems with the location is that it is only available the week of the 19th of June, when Ben is shooting his film. Not to worry, we'll keep looking, keep chasing down leads... we're not dead yet!

Loc Recce #5: Greenroom panorama 2of3


Loc Recce #5: Greenroom panorama 2of3
Originally uploaded by JCriquet.

A very promising location found today, though expense is an issue. Still, I like this place a lot, and the theatre manager was such a nice man. The other trouble with this is that I'd need to change my shooting date. Eep. People might not like that.

I should probably keep looking. :(

Monday, May 01, 2006

Suit Up! podcast now available through iTunes Music Store

It's now even easier to subscribe to the Suit Up! podcast, with its addition to the iTunes Music Store. If you have iTunes, just open the program and click on the Music Store icon in the sidebar. Then, using the search bar in the top right of the window, type suit up and a number of results will be returned.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Click for larger image.

If you can't see it, try adding james mellor to the search criteria to narrow the results. Then just click on the arrow at the end of the title to be taken to the subscribe page, seen below:

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Click for larger image.

Hit Subscribe and your done! Whenever a new episode of Suit Up becomes available, iTunes will find it and download it for you! It's a cinch!