Watch me “act”!

Here’s the rough cut of the first short film I wrote and directed, titled Stay.  As I posted in the comments (but not in the description… I should probably do that sometime), the rough cut was filmed first to submit to a film festival (the Vancouver Queer Film Festival) in hopes of buying me more time so I could make the film with Nelson and Minh. It was shot in one afternoon and edited quickly vs. the real film, which was shot in three days. I think Nelson and I did only a couple rehearsals before shooting too, both on the day of.  It’s imperfect and it really is rough and I wish I could’ve acted a bit better (but I’m not an actor so I excuse myself), but what’s there is there, and it’s not all bad.

Enjoy me half-naked!

The Wannabe-Filmmaker’s Guide to Making a Short Film — 5 days to go

Updates:

No new official crew updates today, although I did get an email from someone about being an Art Director. We’ll see how that goes.  I also forgot to mention my good friend and former co-worker Chris might be able to “lend a handy hand”, as he called it.  He’s good with pretty much all positions so I’ll just say he’s a wildcard.

Crew update:
Director: me!
Cinematographer: Joe
1st Camera Assistant: Chris
Gaffer: Zac

Drivers:
Elaine
Kelvin?
Chris?

To be filled in:
Makeup
Sound
Gaffer/lighting
Art Director
Camera op.
EPK
Stills photographer
1st AD

Got distracted today and didn’t get to look for a frame.  I should really stop doing that.

I also added the role of still photographer to the list, which means I have another person to look for.

For all those who actually have producing experience: is $200 to use someone’s place for a film shoot for a day a reasonable offer?  The woman whose place we’ll be shooting in has also suggested $300 if we are to be needing both weekend days.

Is it wrong of me to want to negotiate with her?  I mean, I’m more than willing to pay her something — of course she should get something.  But $300?  Hmm… my gut feeling says it’s quite a bit.  I’d feel more comfortable paying $200 for both days, but I think I need other opinions.

I also spent the day sending out emails to some old film friends to see if they’d be up for helping out.  I got one response back, and he’s in Japan.  So not going well so far.

Perhaps tomorrow will be more productive since it’s a weekday.  Let’s hope so.

PS.  If this experience has taught me anything, it’s that I really dislike producing.  Part of it is not knowing anyone/anything.

Should I be concerned about how this is all happening?  I’m sure I’ll start panicking later.

The Wannabe-Filmmaker’s Guide to Making a Short Film — 6 days to go

After turning on my phone this morning, I get a text from Joe, saying the following:

My Ear infection spread to my throat and it started to swell up so I had to go to the hospital.

My immediate response was something along the lines of, “When did you have an ear infection??  Also, OMG!!”

But seconds later, another text popped up:

But I’m better now.  It’s like that time we filmed the pill movie and I had no voice.

Six days to go and I have an almost-mute cinematographer with an infection.  Just what I need.

Updates:

We have a gaffer!  YES!!!!  (courtesy of Joe) We may also have a driver, my friend Kelvin, to help get equipment on Friday (courtesy of me).

Crew update:
Director: me!
Cinematographer: Joe
1st Camera Assistant: Chris
Gaffer: Zac

Drivers:
Elaine
Kelvin?

To be filled in:
Makeup
Sound
Gaffer/lighting
Art Director
Camera op.
EPK
1st AD

I posted an ad for an Art Director on craigslist.  No response as of yet.

Was supposed to go shopping for a photo frame but didn’t have enough time, as I had to send out frantic emails to the woman whose house we’ll be using for the shoot.  Eventually, she texted me tonight about things, and mentioned a “rental fee”, which of course, I completely forgot about.  If I were to be writing a guide book, one of the things I’d advise wannabe-filmmakers to be aware of is paying people — everyone associated with the shoot.  Not just cast and crew.  And paying doesn’t have to be money, either.  It can be food, or copies of DVDS, or a credit on IMDB or something.  You gotta work that out.  But be aware that people will probably expect something from you, unless you’ve made it perfectly clear that you are a dirty broke artist making a film for absolutely no money.

Joe said the total for the equipment rentals is about $144, which isn’t too bad, really.  I don’t mind paying it, if it’s what we need to make a good movie.

Since I have the day off tomorrow, hopefully we can sort out some more details.  Let’s hope no one else gets any infections.