Wrapping Up

Oh my lonely blog, how I’ve missed you and neglected you these last 3 weeks or so. I cannot even begin to talk about how busy I have been. I’m exhausted, and for the most part, in a good way.

My third, and final, film project of the semester is complete. Well mostly. It could use a few touches to make it as perfect as it can be, but for the moment I’m pushing it back until tomorrow, and presenting it in class on Thursday. I’m relieved and overall satisfied with its completion. Main discovery in the process: it’s time to upgrade to a newer Mac. Has 5 years on this baby really gone by already?! Yes it has and while I love this dear little Mac of mine, it no longer has the up to date power I need, particularly in the field of editing software. It’s time to upgrade. This realization is both sad and daunting, but a practical necessity I will have to meet. Soon.

The one victory of tonight: talking with the dean about how to challenge taking Film History next semester and taking either Sound or Directing in its place. Excellent. Looks like it can be accomplished. I’ve debated much as to whether or not I could handle 3 classes next semester instead of 2, honestly, I’m not sure. Taking 3 classes might nearly kill me and I would have to absolutely forget about doing anything else for or with anyone else. While I want to take 3 classes, I am nearly certain that practical me will kick in and only take 2.

Other than that, I feel sad and dejected and want to crawl into a cave. Not really, but kind of…
I need sleep. I’m not sure I need anything else really.
I want a sidekick companion lol, but realistically, who has time for that? Never mind the fact that everyone I want never wants me and they are few and far in between. Oh the curse, we need to learn to live with each other. After a nice long slice of rest, I know I’ll feel better about these things. Sleep depravity does some cooky things to me sometimes. And yet here I am still up, because I’m not ready to sleep yet! God help me. *sigh*

But, going back to school stuff, maybe I’ll get lucky and win $100 in the student vote for best film of the semester. Given the load of shit I’ve watched, mine definitely has a chance. <3

Onto Project 3 Short Film

That’s right. Project 2 is DONE! Woot! Let me just say it was a TON more work than originally anticipated. But, I am super stoked it’s fully complete, watchable on DVD and Youtube, copyright in tact, and was well received at the showing. While I have my own criticisms about some of the camera work and lighting, overall I am well pleased with the finished product. The most enjoyable part of it all was writing the music score since it was a silent film. Since I’m not sure yet whether I want this blog to have any direct connection to my film projects, I’m not going to link it at this time…but, maybe later.

However, here are some stills from project 2:

Alright, so now what? Project 3…which is going to creep up hella fast if I don’t snap to it. Last night and this morning were spent writing and finalizing the shooting script. It’s 3 pages long and cannot be more than 6 minutes as a finished film. What is it about? Well, can’t tell you that yet, except that it’s a psycho-thriller. The shoot is in two weeks and there is a list of things that need to be finalized ASAP:

THE LIST:

1. Casting. I may already have the female lead. Supporting male role yet TBD. There is a small bit for one additional female, but worst to worst, I’ll just play that role myself lol.

2. Lighting – particularly for “the dark room” and the sleeping in bed shot. I want the dark room to be strongly RED and not necessarily dark…as for sleeping in bed??? Maybe we can shoot it in blue adding to the dramatic overall feel of the film. Not sure yet.

*But definitely need some supplies: bulbs, light fixtures, gaffers tape.

3. Make-shift boom mic

Supplies: need to buy a stick, a mic sock, gaffers tape, the cable from XLR to 1/4″ to plug into camera.

4. Storyboard
There simply isn’t enough time to make an awesome one, but I definitely need to sit down to make a simple plan of all the shots. I realized from Project 2 just how important this really is for me as the cameraman.

5. Costume & Props
Most important: The MASK. I’m thinking something threatening and scary under red lighting. And the fake KNIVES!

*Plus, Gloves? Undecided. Extra blood. The stuff to seal and unseal fake skin/cuts pieces. Need to make the fake cut pieces. Rope! Got to have rope. Blind fold of some sort.

That’s all I can think of for now.

Busy Bee

My poor little blog, ever so neglected lately! I’ve been consumed with work both during the day to survive and at night out of my passion to create.

Namely, the last week has been an overflow of working on concept art for a video to raise money for a movie trailer promo for this guy I’m sort of seeing (where’s the time to squeeze him in, right?). The perfectionist in me, as well as the artist in me, cannot seem to stop once I get going on my artwork. I put music on and get in the zone of hours upon hours of detail, drawing, reworking, recoloring until I am satisfied. Oh and somehow in the midst of it all, I’ve been managing to workout more and am starting to see the slimming/toning results of all my hard work! Which is kind of awesome in itself. But where does the time fly? It truly vanishes like a vapor.

Cool stuff up ahead:
1. Editing my short film (I’ve only gotten so far as transferring data to my computer)
2. Buying a bed (finally a real bed!!! lol) on Sunday. All is arranged.
3. Wrapping up at least two more concept art pieces by the end of this next weekend.

Creative/Productive/Exercise Schedule

Monday
Lunchtime Gym – cardio
Evening class

Tuesday
Full body weights – morning
Lunchtime Gym – cardio
Library after work – pick up more sketch books
Evening: 30 min guitar practice/song learning; Sketches for next concept piece.
Do one load of laundry.

Wednesday
Morning Cardio or morning Swim
Lunchtime reading – Filmmaker’s Handbook
After work – swing by BestBuy – Memory card USB
Evening Community Group

Thursday
Full Body Weights – morning
Lunchtime reading – Filmmaker’s Handbook
Evening: 30min guitar practice/song learning; More concept art work.
Test editing software.

Friday
Morning Swim
Lunchtime reading – Filmmaker’s Handbook
Evening: 30min guitar practice/song learning; More concept art work.
30 mins of editing.

Saturday
Morning Full body weights
11am hair appointment
Remainder of day:
*guitar practice/song learning
*editing film project 2
*More concept art work.

Sunday
Morning Swim
Morning church
Remainder of day:
*guitar practice/song learning
*editing film project 2
*More concept art work.

Little Hipsters by Michael White

Michael White is a very talented local artist and painter in the Los Angeles area just doing his thing creating.

Latest project: creating a book called “Little Hipsters” by demand of fans who wanted to see this made.

What is the the “Little Hipsters” book?

It is a collection of paintings of hipsters Michael has seen around L.A. compiled in an awesome little 64 page book.

To support this local artist, get a copy of the book, and maybe even be immortalized as a “Little Hipster” yourself, go to:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drono/little-hipsters-book-by-michael-white

For more on Michael, and the other artwork he creates, visit:
http://fabricateart.blogspot.com/

Project 2 – First Shoot Next Sunday

I have been scouting locations to shoot my next film project due to having greater flexibility on the execution of it and the story idea I came up with. As it happens, the first two places shot me down, but the third place agreed on the condition that we shoot next Sunday. This turn of events is sudden but I agreed because place number 3 is AWESOME!!! We’ll be shooting in an Art Gallery!

However, this turn of events also means I had to get on the ball of getting everything ready to go:
1. Met with actress, talked over wardrobe.
2. Finalized working script, gave copy to actress.
3. Hustling on finalizing the supporting actor via placing an ad, placing meetings, and talking to friends who are actors.
4. Setting up the work schedule for this week. (Needless to say it will be crazy)
5. Imperative I finish the storyboard. Imperative all props and wardrobe are finalized. Imperative to have a pre-location rehearsal.

Number 1 thing I need to do: bathe everything in prayer. Have a bit of faith. There are many loose ends to wrap up before Sunday and I am anxious. But, I also know the LORD is faithful, good, and taking care of everything. This is in a way a lesson in faith. I’m flowing with excitement.

Project 1 Film Presentation

Despite the fact that things did not go the way that I had wanted on the shoot, the presentation of my film went far and beyond my expectation in being so very well received. People laughed where I wanted them to laugh and many had much to say during the question and answer.

I cannot express the amount of excitement and encouragement this was, what a blessing, and how much more hope it gave me. Words cannot describe. Thank you LORD!