7 months and 3 weeks after being notified that I was selected as one of this year's recipients for the Kick Start award, the film is complete. 2 days of filming, 2 months of editing, 3 weeks of sound and video processing and we have a completed project.
The short looks awesome and sounds just as good.
I could not have done this without the help of a boat-load of people. Firstly, the Executive Producer, Grace Gilroy. Without her support on the application form, at the last minute, I might add, this project would never had made it off my desk.
Producer Geoff Teoli. Creatively challenging me and supporting me at the same time. Thanks dude.
Shane Vieau, the most easy going Production Designer around. Beautiful sets, masterfully decorated, and all done on the cheap. Shane worked his ass off on this short film, and all of his hard work shows. Thank you man!
Our on again / off again / on again Production Manager Monty Bannister. Put me through a lot of stress, but I do that to him on a daily basis so I deserve the payback. I know he had fun and his guidance steered the production in the right direction, at this point, which is under or near budget. Thanks.
Catherine Middleton. Deserved to be named a Producer on this film. Went above and beyond the call of duty in, a) bringing me back to earth after I axed a key person working on the film the night before we went to camera (I don't think I ever told that story on this blog, and I still think I was justified) b) playing peacekeeper to bring that person back into the fold so we could film the next day, and c) chauffeuring that person to and from set along with his entire production kit to make him happy. Thank You Catherine for putting the train back on the rails on the eve of production.
Then there's Alan Bartolic. A guy who has no business being a locations scout (even though he is a very good one) and should be an editor full time. The amount of time and effort he put into this film is simply unfathomable. Great ideas, great assembly. Alan made this film what it is today. He made this film his. Thank you, Thank you Alan Bartolic.
Tom Braidwood, my Mentor. Just watching you on the set taught me a lot of what to look for in filming a scene. Your eyes and ears honed the vision I had for this film. And you wrote a pretty good score for the film as well. Is there no end to your talents Thomas?
Mr David Pelletier. A little forward off the top, but definitely the right man for the job. Perfectly lit, well shot and you helped me look at things from a different perspective. More often than not, a better perspective. Thanks Dave.
The amazing cast, Kevan Ohtsji, Shaw Madson, Reese Alexander and Denyc. You brought these characters to life, and I have never regretted casting you in these roles. Here's to much success.
And I can't forget the crew. There are too many of you to name here. Everyone who came out, donating their time on a weekend, not asking for anything in return. Hard working, creative, and they all seemed like they were having a good time. Thank you all.
The fine folks at Post Modern and Finale Editworks, thanks for making this film look and sound amazing. You were gracious and really made us feel important, as if we were spending tens of thousands of dollars producing a feature film and not the couple of thousand that you did. Thanks Linda and Don.
And last but not least, I have to thank my wife Anu. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me the entire way. Without you, I would be a shadow of what I am today. Thank you and I love you.
So this film is now complete. I say "this film" instead of my film because it truly is not my film. This film was made by all of the people above. They made my vision come to life. I am just lucky to have been the director on this film. They have fulfilled a dream of mine, and deserve wheelbarrows full of credit for it's success.
Now that the film is complete, you may think that this is the end of the blog. no more entries. Well, YOU'RE WRONG! This is just the beginning. Serum 1831 now has a life. Public screenings, film festivals, awards! Well, maybe the awards part is a bit pre-mature, but one can hope. I will keep posting the life of Serum 1831 on this blog, so stay tuned for updates. No getting off now, the ride has just begun...
Monday, June 8, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The End Is Near....
Tomorrow I go to Finale to take a look at my completed project. The Colour timing has been done, the sound has been added, and all of the effects are in as well. By this time tomorrow, I should have in my hand a copy of my completed short film. So exciting!
But for tonight, I have to try and get some sleep. Not easy to do in a house where the temperature is sitting at 29.5 degrees C. And That's the temperature inside. Ouch.
So off I go now, trying to sleep with visions of igloos dancing in my head.
But for tonight, I have to try and get some sleep. Not easy to do in a house where the temperature is sitting at 29.5 degrees C. And That's the temperature inside. Ouch.
So off I go now, trying to sleep with visions of igloos dancing in my head.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I Love This Game!
Monday morning. We all got together at Post Modern Sound to watch the wizards of the mixing board do the sound mix. The experience was awesome! Music, Sound effects, dialogue, all came together and the movie sounds just awesome! Seeing it on the big screen with a pounding Dolby 5.1 surround sound mix was just awesome! It was quite the experience. Did I mention it was Awesome?
And we me with the folks at Finale Editworks on Tuesday. Looks like we'll be getting together in the next few days to do the on-line edit of the picture and start playing with the colour. After that, it's just a matter of days until this Kick Start film is Done! I can't wait!
Oh and speaking of Kick Start films, I was going to write a post-mortem about the films, but decided against it. I couldn't get rid of the headache I had from watching these films. Actually, the headache was not a direct cause of watching the films, it was from the banging of my head against the wall after watching these films trying to figure out how these people get their grants. I'm still trying to figure out why these some of these films were made.
Entertained I was not.
And we me with the folks at Finale Editworks on Tuesday. Looks like we'll be getting together in the next few days to do the on-line edit of the picture and start playing with the colour. After that, it's just a matter of days until this Kick Start film is Done! I can't wait!
Oh and speaking of Kick Start films, I was going to write a post-mortem about the films, but decided against it. I couldn't get rid of the headache I had from watching these films. Actually, the headache was not a direct cause of watching the films, it was from the banging of my head against the wall after watching these films trying to figure out how these people get their grants. I'm still trying to figure out why these some of these films were made.
Entertained I was not.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Kick Start Time!
Tonight is screening night for all of last year's Kick Start award winners. It looks like they all completed their projects on time, regardless of the issues faced by the filmmakers, (see previous posts about that rant). They all deserve a hearty congratulations for getting their works completed. No small task, so good on you all. Looking forward to seeing the finished products tonight.
I have to say, watching some of these films in the past have brought me to the point of complete and utter frustration. I wonder, usually out loud, maybe too out loud, how some of these people have gotten their grants, and why the hell I keep getting passed over, (I can't bitch about that anymore). Some of these films are sooooo artsy that they leave most in the audience scratching their heads. Most of the time, after the film stops rolling there isn't a noise to be heard. These filmmakers try to make their film into the most thought provoking, poignant piece of art out there. They try to illicit an emotional response from the audience that they hope will propel the them into the stratosphere of filmmaking elite, but all they end up with is a 15 minute, $20,000 waste of time and effort. The quintessential "Canadian" film. And by that I mean a film that explores and tries to uncover the greater good or the moral deficiencies of today's society. Films that depress the soul, question one's existence, make you feel guilty about splurging on that $5 latte while street people have to weigh the options of either saving a friend's life or freedom? How many people really want to see that?
Now not all of the films made for the Kick Start program fall into the above category. A lot of films are good, entertaining and have done very well on the film festival circuit. Some have even gone into the distribution realm, something one can only dream of for their film. These are the few and far between. However, more and more are emerging.
And that is the direction this program should go. This program should be about choosing scripts and filmmakers that will generate some excitement in the film industry in B.C. They should focus on scripts and filmmakers that have the potential to take filmmaking in B.C. to the next level. Growth in the industry. Give these chosen director the tools and contacts to help them further their careers, get them to the next level to enhance the industry, employing the talent that this province is so rich in. No one goes to a movie to see films that, on a regular basis, is going depress them to the point of tears. This theme occurs all to much with Kick Start films, and for the benefit of the industry in Canada, maybe the focus should shift more towards entertainment and less on the moral questions facing the world.
And with that, I will go tonight to support my fellow filmmakers in their triumphant moments, showing off their films.
I better be entertained.
Oh, and by the way, here's the official poster for Serum 1831
I have to say, watching some of these films in the past have brought me to the point of complete and utter frustration. I wonder, usually out loud, maybe too out loud, how some of these people have gotten their grants, and why the hell I keep getting passed over, (I can't bitch about that anymore). Some of these films are sooooo artsy that they leave most in the audience scratching their heads. Most of the time, after the film stops rolling there isn't a noise to be heard. These filmmakers try to make their film into the most thought provoking, poignant piece of art out there. They try to illicit an emotional response from the audience that they hope will propel the them into the stratosphere of filmmaking elite, but all they end up with is a 15 minute, $20,000 waste of time and effort. The quintessential "Canadian" film. And by that I mean a film that explores and tries to uncover the greater good or the moral deficiencies of today's society. Films that depress the soul, question one's existence, make you feel guilty about splurging on that $5 latte while street people have to weigh the options of either saving a friend's life or freedom? How many people really want to see that?
Now not all of the films made for the Kick Start program fall into the above category. A lot of films are good, entertaining and have done very well on the film festival circuit. Some have even gone into the distribution realm, something one can only dream of for their film. These are the few and far between. However, more and more are emerging.
And that is the direction this program should go. This program should be about choosing scripts and filmmakers that will generate some excitement in the film industry in B.C. They should focus on scripts and filmmakers that have the potential to take filmmaking in B.C. to the next level. Growth in the industry. Give these chosen director the tools and contacts to help them further their careers, get them to the next level to enhance the industry, employing the talent that this province is so rich in. No one goes to a movie to see films that, on a regular basis, is going depress them to the point of tears. This theme occurs all to much with Kick Start films, and for the benefit of the industry in Canada, maybe the focus should shift more towards entertainment and less on the moral questions facing the world.
And with that, I will go tonight to support my fellow filmmakers in their triumphant moments, showing off their films.
I better be entertained.
Oh, and by the way, here's the official poster for Serum 1831
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Something to pique your interest
We're in the home stretch.
Dropped off the material at Post Modern Sound yesterday, and looks like we'll get a spotting session Thursday morning. Here is one of the things I was looking forward to. The chance to work with real post production people. These guys will take this thing to the next level. Only a few weeks to go, then we're all done!
Until then, here's some artwork for the film, as well as an option for the poster.
Enjoy.
Dropped off the material at Post Modern Sound yesterday, and looks like we'll get a spotting session Thursday morning. Here is one of the things I was looking forward to. The chance to work with real post production people. These guys will take this thing to the next level. Only a few weeks to go, then we're all done!
Until then, here's some artwork for the film, as well as an option for the poster.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Looking Good!
Got a chance to sit down with Alan today to look at the films again. But this time, it was a version Alan has been working on that takes this thing to another level.
I know I was saying that I wanted to have this film done and out on the festival circuit by the end of March, but after missing that one festival that I really wanted to get it done for, getting it for the end of March didn't really matter. Having a job to pay the bills also helped in this decision. So, after re-thinking the priorities, it made sense to take a little more time to get this done to the best of our abilities. And boy, did Alan ramp this sucker up!
What I saw today looked absolutely amazing. This is going to be a great looking film, and the extra time taken to bring it to this level is well worth it.
I can't wait to see this thing completed. We should be sitting down with the folks at Post Modern Sound next week sometime to do our spotting session, and we should have the mix done on the 25th. With a little luck, we'll have a screening before I head on down to Australia in the middle of June.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Oh, and I finished off my new website. If anyone other than me reads this, have a look,
www.anandkanna.com
I know I was saying that I wanted to have this film done and out on the festival circuit by the end of March, but after missing that one festival that I really wanted to get it done for, getting it for the end of March didn't really matter. Having a job to pay the bills also helped in this decision. So, after re-thinking the priorities, it made sense to take a little more time to get this done to the best of our abilities. And boy, did Alan ramp this sucker up!
What I saw today looked absolutely amazing. This is going to be a great looking film, and the extra time taken to bring it to this level is well worth it.
I can't wait to see this thing completed. We should be sitting down with the folks at Post Modern Sound next week sometime to do our spotting session, and we should have the mix done on the 25th. With a little luck, we'll have a screening before I head on down to Australia in the middle of June.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Oh, and I finished off my new website. If anyone other than me reads this, have a look,
www.anandkanna.com
Thursday, April 16, 2009
DONE! Almost....
Today we finally finished the fine cut. Actually, Alan finished the fine cut. I just watched, and put in my two cents every now and then.
But I did do the end credit sequence all by myself! And it looks mighty fine, if I do say so myself.
So now it seems that we are rolling along on this short film, approximately 1 month behind schedule. But I figure there is no real rush in getting this done. We'll take our time and make sure what we put on the screen is the best possible product that we can produce. And from what I see so far, it will be amazing.
In two weeks, we'll hand it off to the sound guys and the post production house to add their magic. It's getting exciting. This is the part of the project that I was actually looking forward to the most. I have always been my own post production house. Everything was done by me, here in front of my Mac. Now with this project, I get a real post production crew, professionals that will, without a doubt, take my project to the next level. I can't wait... again.
But I did do the end credit sequence all by myself! And it looks mighty fine, if I do say so myself.
So now it seems that we are rolling along on this short film, approximately 1 month behind schedule. But I figure there is no real rush in getting this done. We'll take our time and make sure what we put on the screen is the best possible product that we can produce. And from what I see so far, it will be amazing.
In two weeks, we'll hand it off to the sound guys and the post production house to add their magic. It's getting exciting. This is the part of the project that I was actually looking forward to the most. I have always been my own post production house. Everything was done by me, here in front of my Mac. Now with this project, I get a real post production crew, professionals that will, without a doubt, take my project to the next level. I can't wait... again.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Glad that's over
The TV Pilot I was working on...on the short.
I've gotta say, that was one of the stupidest exercises I have been through. Not the people I was working with, but the locations we were filming in.
We were in a house where the owner was just too overbearing. Insane contract demands, insane location fees, and now, insane restoration demands. Laughable. And we had the opportunity to go with another location, well in advance of ever filming there, but never took the chance. Frustrating.
And then there's the nutbars in another part of town, that see a film company coming and just want to bleed every last penny from them. These retailers are hurting because of the economy, and their solution is to hold a film company ransom so they can stay in business. I mean, we weren't even filming on their street, didn't park any vehicles on their street, had nothing to do with their street. They weren't even open for business when we were filming! And they demand huge amounts of cash for loss of business? The nerve of some people.
But it's all over. And it seems that a lot of TV pilots are wrapping up at the same time. Looks like the whole post production team on my short will be jobless for a little while, all at the same time, and it seems that we may get this film done in fairly quick order.
Alan's almost through with the rough edit, and from what I've seen so far, it looks really good. Some things are a little washed out, but generally the picture looks great, the performances are great, and I am happy so for. I can't wait to see the final product. Hopefully Alan will have something ready by the end of the day, or early tomorrow.
I've gotta say, that was one of the stupidest exercises I have been through. Not the people I was working with, but the locations we were filming in.
We were in a house where the owner was just too overbearing. Insane contract demands, insane location fees, and now, insane restoration demands. Laughable. And we had the opportunity to go with another location, well in advance of ever filming there, but never took the chance. Frustrating.
And then there's the nutbars in another part of town, that see a film company coming and just want to bleed every last penny from them. These retailers are hurting because of the economy, and their solution is to hold a film company ransom so they can stay in business. I mean, we weren't even filming on their street, didn't park any vehicles on their street, had nothing to do with their street. They weren't even open for business when we were filming! And they demand huge amounts of cash for loss of business? The nerve of some people.
But it's all over. And it seems that a lot of TV pilots are wrapping up at the same time. Looks like the whole post production team on my short will be jobless for a little while, all at the same time, and it seems that we may get this film done in fairly quick order.
Alan's almost through with the rough edit, and from what I've seen so far, it looks really good. Some things are a little washed out, but generally the picture looks great, the performances are great, and I am happy so for. I can't wait to see the final product. Hopefully Alan will have something ready by the end of the day, or early tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Long time no see.
So it's been a long time and I have no to film to see.
I think I shot this short at the right time of year. Since then, the film industry in Vancouver has gone absolutely insane. Everyone is working. And not just working - working like mad. IT'S MADNESS I SAY!
I am in the middle of a 6 day straight stretch, with another one coming up next week. I may have to work this Saturday as well, giving me no days off until Good Friday. And others are in the same boat.
Alan hasn't been able to get too much done. He's chipping away, but the TV pilot he's working on is as insane as mine. The visual effects guys are being kept busy on another pilot they're working on as well. Haven't heard from them for a few weeks. Like I said - good thing I shot my short when I did - no one's available to help now and it looks like the rest of the year will be just as busy - but maybe not quite at the same pace.
However, all of this production in Vancouver poses one problem - the Post Production houses will be getting very busy as well. Right around the time that I need to do post on my short. I hope that doesn't get too expensive for me.
So regardless to say, no new news on the Serum 1831 front. Alan is still editing and says everything looks great. Hopefully he'll be able to cut some things together and we can meet up near easter to look at a rough cut. Release date now looking like end of April.
I think I shot this short at the right time of year. Since then, the film industry in Vancouver has gone absolutely insane. Everyone is working. And not just working - working like mad. IT'S MADNESS I SAY!
I am in the middle of a 6 day straight stretch, with another one coming up next week. I may have to work this Saturday as well, giving me no days off until Good Friday. And others are in the same boat.
Alan hasn't been able to get too much done. He's chipping away, but the TV pilot he's working on is as insane as mine. The visual effects guys are being kept busy on another pilot they're working on as well. Haven't heard from them for a few weeks. Like I said - good thing I shot my short when I did - no one's available to help now and it looks like the rest of the year will be just as busy - but maybe not quite at the same pace.
However, all of this production in Vancouver poses one problem - the Post Production houses will be getting very busy as well. Right around the time that I need to do post on my short. I hope that doesn't get too expensive for me.
So regardless to say, no new news on the Serum 1831 front. Alan is still editing and says everything looks great. Hopefully he'll be able to cut some things together and we can meet up near easter to look at a rough cut. Release date now looking like end of April.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Stills and Editing
After a short vacation in Vegas, landed back in Vancouver on Thursday and got back to business. Picked up the Stills photos from Goga, and boy do they look great. Words can't describe the photos, so you'll just have to see them for yourself. I put a few on the website ( www.silverdolphinfilms.ca/serum1831.html ) for anyone reading this to take a look.
Also got my first look at some of the footage yesterday. Alan put together the first scene and I gotta say it looks pretty good. Little bit of continuity issues, but overall the scene worked well. Then the second scene.
All started ok, but then turned sideways pretty fast, as the dolly move wasn't quite executed as hoped. I have 2 actors sitting across from each other in an interrogation room, and it seems that everytime one actor starts saying his lines, all I see is the back of the other actor's head, obscuring the actor delivering his lines. We noticed this on set, and it was brought to the attention of the camera department, but I don't think they got the message. The timing is just not there. Useless if we can't see the actor speaking his lines. Too bad, some of those shots were beautiful. Beautiful, but useless.
So the process goes on. Tomorrow I pick up my next drawdown of funds, and that will keep the editing ball rolling.
Until I have something more to say, enjoy some pictures.
Also got my first look at some of the footage yesterday. Alan put together the first scene and I gotta say it looks pretty good. Little bit of continuity issues, but overall the scene worked well. Then the second scene.
All started ok, but then turned sideways pretty fast, as the dolly move wasn't quite executed as hoped. I have 2 actors sitting across from each other in an interrogation room, and it seems that everytime one actor starts saying his lines, all I see is the back of the other actor's head, obscuring the actor delivering his lines. We noticed this on set, and it was brought to the attention of the camera department, but I don't think they got the message. The timing is just not there. Useless if we can't see the actor speaking his lines. Too bad, some of those shots were beautiful. Beautiful, but useless.
So the process goes on. Tomorrow I pick up my next drawdown of funds, and that will keep the editing ball rolling.
Until I have something more to say, enjoy some pictures.
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