FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT: LINKS OF THE DAY

FILMMAKING: Props and Where to Get Them Cheap

When you are going to shoot your film you are going to need props. You might need something from the 1970's, or maybe a military item, uniform, or weapons. Maybe you need garage equipment that looks like it has a lot of use on it. What about old family pictures or vintage pictures of people that might be of a historical reference in your story? Do you need something you can get cheap because you are going to destroy it in your film? Whatever you need there is a one stop place where you will likely find it. Maybe not this week but maybe next week. I am talking about the large, permanent flea markets!

For my short film, Musclin', I need a pair of vintage glasses from the 1920's. How much would you expect to pay for a rare item such as this? I got two pair of these glasses, in their original cases, for $12.

MOVIE FAN CHAT: The Girl Who Played with Fire, Dexter etc...

Well after seeing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, we went to see the Girl Who Played With Fire.  Now as I wrote before, I have read the books and I can tell you, the Fire one drove me up the wall.  I was so upset over the events in the book I could hardly stand to read for very long at a time.  I knew things would probably turn out okay but everything just kept piling up against our heroine, who is under the huge looming threat of being forced to live in an institution and her life controlled completely by "Big Brother".  If any book would scare you about government officials having control to run your life to "take care of you", this series would do the trick.  So I went with a lot of anticipation of build up tension while watching this movie.

FILMMAKING: Why You Need to Attend Film Festivals

On August 6, 7, and 8, 2010, I attended my first film festival, "The Indie Gathering International Film Festival" in Westlake, Ohio. I wasn't screening a film for competition but a 4 minute "experimental art video" I edited was being shown complimentarily by Ray Szuch, the event organizer. Who said there aren't any great humanitarians anymore?

EVEN if there is no other reason for you to go to a film festival, like you can't find a movie that interests you (this is hypothetical as there is no way this can happen), and you don't have anything showing there yourself (which happens.....too often...), there are still lectures and seminars that are given by people that have been successful and are there to help you become successful too.

DAy 172: MAKING THE THRILLER/HORROR FILM CRAWL

As we prepare during pre-production for the set building to break ground - all engines are full steam on for costumes, props, and final storyboard editing - camera shots to be completed before set build begins. Have fun with the new update - we will be featuring key supporters in all future videos - we have an ocean of everyday supporters - be patient and your name will appear in our video blogs as our way of saying thank you and letting you know how important your support is for us and all indie films. Thank you - enjoy - the next update will be very soon and please remember to have all your friends become a member of the site - it helps us tremendously.

MOVIE FAN CHAT: Shutter Island, Date Night, Kick-Ass and more...

Shutter Island.  Just watched last night and liked some things, didn't like others.  Where was this island situated?  In the worst weather area of the world for sure!  From seeing inception previews, the deep resonant sound portraying fear and impending doom was recognizable and works for sure.  I became a little irriated at the main character's guilt ridden memories and was ready to commit him myself for that alone.  Leonardo is not my favorite actor so sometimes I have to overcome my dislike of his facial expressions to remember the character he is portraying.  Of course by the end I was not sure what to believe.  I remembered the eye contact between "Albert" or the federal marshall?? and various insane patients on the grounds.  It was definitely directed at him.  And the note specifically for him.  Also the amused looks and actions of the staff regarding the doctors present previously.  All of this supported the idea he was a patient, etc.  But the whole premise was a little silly.  I can't imagine any facility allowing that much license and use of all the patients to create an atmosphere for one patient.  But it kept me watching to the end.  I would have liked a definite ending as to which was true but that's not the trend these days.

 

Watched Date Night the other night and that was a complete waste of time.  Could have been a funny cute movie but it wasn't.  The only funny part was the reaction of parties when cars became stuck together.  Otherwise, pathetic.  I knew better but was hoping for a miracle.  A funny movie!!!

 

Kick Ass was a surprise to me.  I actually enjoyed it for a quirky action film.  Nickolas Cage is always a blast.  He can act so much the nerd pyschopath.  I liked the wanta-be hero and the tough little girl.  I liked the bad guy's son who longs to be accepted by tough dad but ends up liking the good guys.  All in all, a neat little movie!!!

 

Not much out there right now.  I am looking forward to seeing inception, even if it does have Leonardo in it.  lol  Special effects in previews look awesome.  Even though it had excessive violence and the usual shoot em up solution to problems, I will never forget the first time awesome look of the Matrix action clips.  Great visual effects!!!

 

One of my favorite tv shows, Madmen, has started and its great to see all my favorite characters again.  Love Dad but hope he gets his act together and quits acting like a real heel.  One of the great things about this show is its vintage time.  The scene about Don finding out about his good friend and wife of the man whose identity Don stole was great and revealing.  He discovers she is the only one who doesn't know she has terminal cancer.  The doctor has discussed it with everyone else but her.  I had forgotten there was a time when doctors did this.  They decided who should know and who shouldn't know about a terminal illness.  Forget about patient rights.  Hard to believe in this day and time.  I love Peggy in this series.  The scene with her climbing on her desk to spy on Don was hilarious!!  And the cliques everyone believed back then, even the women against women:  such as, Peggy must have slept with Don to get the job position she had in the business.  And this by a secretary who had slept with the boss.

 

Isn't the young boy who lives down the street from Don's ex-wife and kids a real creepy kid????  He scared me the first time I saw him in the series and now even more.  Be careful what you say in front of this young man!!  You may get more than you bargained for!  Does Don's ex hate him or what!!!  And what a saint her new hubbie is.  Wonder how long that is going to last.  So many twists and turns in this series, as in all good stories.  Can't wait for Dexter to start.

 

Certain reality shows are great fun.  I still love Project Runway, and Design Star, and the newest one, Art Works or some such title.  I really enjoyed this one!  Maybe because I paint myself and could really connect to the contestants.  What an opportunity for these young artists to meet with very influential art promoters, gallery owners, and well known artists in New York.  Love Chopped too.  Makes me a wreck with the short time period and the usually horrible ingredients but enjoy the show.  Aren't those judges really nasty or what???

 

Being a bit old-fashioned, I still love Survivor and Amazing Race.  Can't help myself, just love em!

 

Till next time.  

SHIRL'

  

DAY 163: MAKING A THRILLER/HORROR FILM CRAWL

So far - so good on the pre-production route for the filming of the movie CRAWL. The heat here is still over 100 during the day - but that won't stop Nikki and I from building the set of the movie within the AC filled warehouse - which - if you watch the video blog below - you will learn lots more about ;-)

Please be sure to become a MEMBER of the site - and if you are already a member - please get at least one friend to sign up - it literally is the lifeblood for Indie FIlms - and - helps so much with gaining screening for the finished movie ;-)



Stay tuned for more updates as the approaching date for filming the THRILLER/HORROR MOVIE: CRAWL is fast approaching!

Thank you much:
Oklahoma Ward

DAY 157: MAKING THE THRILLER/HORROR FILM CRAWL

Moving forward in pre-production - almost have control central set up/edit bay. A special nod in this video to filmmaker David P. Baker (@davidpbaker) and a glimpse of our unique DSLR camera. It's a hotter than hell video....

DAY 154: MAKING THE THRILLER/HORROR FILM CRAWL

   Here's a quick update from the state we are going to do our filming in - Oklahoma: so far we have looked at over 15 warehouses/buildings to film in - currently -  right before we make the final decision on what building we choose - we are also looking at building a a brand new 30x60x14 foot warehouse with a level concrete floor and bathrooms and edit bay - if we do this - we will be offering the warehouse for Indie filmmakers and Indie projects - for very cheap - and I do mean #extremeindie cheap! For now - Nikki and I are working furiously getting the space for the edit bay up and running - waiting on the AC guy to instal the AC for/becasue it's 107 degree HOT currently - and you all know how G5s react with extreme heat! Here's some footage for you to view of our search for buildings - more updates coming soon as we continue counting down towards filming the movie CRAWL ;-)



   Be sure to become a member of the site - becoming a member is free and it helps support independent films/movies - and we all want that lol ;-)

Oklahoma Ward