I plan to switch gears in this blog and try to lean more towards an insider's look into making a low-budget feature movie. Upcoming entries will hopefully offer tips and advice for up-and-coming moviemakers like myself. I have learned plenty from my mistakes and I hope to help others avoid those same mistakes.
First, however, I am going to once more compliment my cast and crew. This movie would not have been made were it not for the contributions of each and every one of the cast and crewmembers. I whole-heartedly recommend each and every one of them to any local filmmakers in need of hard working, professional, and friendly additions for their movies. I certainly hope to employ them all again in future projects.
As important as they were as professionals, the friendships gained with each of them is even more important to me. It was an honor to be on set with the cast and crew of Horror House for 15 days, many of which were more than 12 hours long. I miss them and I miss the production phase of Horror House. I love you Chad, Nick, Jim, Lion, Amy, Mike, Kat, Phil, Jay, Amanda, Kari Jo, Casey, Nicole, Emily, Anna, Gary, Natalie, Kari Ann, Aaron, and all the others who were involved in smaller capacities.
Enough gushing. Sheesh.
~Justen
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Day 15 [The Final] Wrap
How fitting that we wrapped the Horror House shoot with a 16 hour day! We did what was necessary to get all the footage needed. Our time was split today between the attic and the basement, two close locations separated by probably 20 degrees of temperature and relative humidity. One of our biggest FX shots was saved for this final day. We got that shot first knowing it may be one of the trickier shots of the entire shoot. It was. And we got it. Then it was on to more chasing. As much chasing as we've done it almost feels like the whole movie is nothing more than a chase scene. I assure you it's not. Setting up for the fast moving chase scenes is much more involved than setting up for an average dialogue scene. These last few days have exemplified the oft quoted movie phrase of "hurry-up and wait."
We wrapped around 7:00 Tuesday morning. After a teary champagne toast it was back to the Rosewood for a quick shower and a slightly longer nap before gathering at Green Mill for an informal pre-wrap-party party. It was sad leaving Hastings Tuesday night, but the most exciting part still lies ahead. When this movie is finished and ready to show, we'll all be very proud of ourselves. Especially the fact we were able to put this together with only 15 shooting days!
In the coming weeks I plan to update the progress of the movie as well as offer tips and ideas I've learned throughout the process of making this movie. I can't, nor did I ever, promise this blog would be a succinct well of pertinent information for budding filmmakers, but I hope the ramblings will prove entertaining and at least mildly insightful. Thank you for joining the ride. It ain't over yet!
~ Justen
We wrapped around 7:00 Tuesday morning. After a teary champagne toast it was back to the Rosewood for a quick shower and a slightly longer nap before gathering at Green Mill for an informal pre-wrap-party party. It was sad leaving Hastings Tuesday night, but the most exciting part still lies ahead. When this movie is finished and ready to show, we'll all be very proud of ourselves. Especially the fact we were able to put this together with only 15 shooting days!
In the coming weeks I plan to update the progress of the movie as well as offer tips and ideas I've learned throughout the process of making this movie. I can't, nor did I ever, promise this blog would be a succinct well of pertinent information for budding filmmakers, but I hope the ramblings will prove entertaining and at least mildly insightful. Thank you for joining the ride. It ain't over yet!
~ Justen
Monday, July 09, 2007
Day 14 Wrap
Back to Hastings for the final two days of shooting. Driving into town across the Highway 61 bridge felt so good and seeing Pam at the Rosewood Inn made me feel right at home. Hastings has been a wonderful place to shoot a movie and I hope to one day return to shoot another.
There was a tour going on at the LeDuc when we first got there in the afternoon so we couldn't start setting up right away. Once inside the crew worked double time and had the house looking exactly like it looked the last time we were there. The museum plaques and artwork were taken down, the exit signs and security lights were covered up, and the beautiful interior of the mansion was uglied up again for the purpose of our shoot. We had an extra lighting package with us this trip so we could handle a longer shot from an upstairs bedroom all the way to the basement stairs. Fine tuning the lights proved to be a lengthy task, but we got everything the way it needed to be, including blacking out all the natural sunlight from outside. Three hours of set up for a scene that lasts a whopping 30 or so seconds in the movie. It was worth it, though.
The rest of the overnight shoot was spent with more chasing scenes. I got beat up a little, but that's all part of the game and well worth it for the end result. I sure didn't get to stretch my legs as an actor much, but all we did tonight was still very necessary for the movie. I apologize for being vague about the scenes, but getting too detailed would spoil the movie.
We were visited on set by a photographer from the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He got some great photographs for an article to be printed in the East Twin City's paper. Look for it online under our publicity heading.
After wrapping around 2:00am (wow, an early night!), we went back to the Rosewood for some deserved rest before the final day of principal photography. Smile and a tear.
~ Justen
There was a tour going on at the LeDuc when we first got there in the afternoon so we couldn't start setting up right away. Once inside the crew worked double time and had the house looking exactly like it looked the last time we were there. The museum plaques and artwork were taken down, the exit signs and security lights were covered up, and the beautiful interior of the mansion was uglied up again for the purpose of our shoot. We had an extra lighting package with us this trip so we could handle a longer shot from an upstairs bedroom all the way to the basement stairs. Fine tuning the lights proved to be a lengthy task, but we got everything the way it needed to be, including blacking out all the natural sunlight from outside. Three hours of set up for a scene that lasts a whopping 30 or so seconds in the movie. It was worth it, though.
The rest of the overnight shoot was spent with more chasing scenes. I got beat up a little, but that's all part of the game and well worth it for the end result. I sure didn't get to stretch my legs as an actor much, but all we did tonight was still very necessary for the movie. I apologize for being vague about the scenes, but getting too detailed would spoil the movie.
We were visited on set by a photographer from the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He got some great photographs for an article to be printed in the East Twin City's paper. Look for it online under our publicity heading.
After wrapping around 2:00am (wow, an early night!), we went back to the Rosewood for some deserved rest before the final day of principal photography. Smile and a tear.
~ Justen
Friday, July 06, 2007
Day 13 Wrap
Thursday night was added to the schedule when our first attempt at capturing the 'walk and talk' scene failed. We convened not far from the location from where we were expelled a couple weeks ago. True guerilla filmmaking was the theme this evening. No grip truck. No lights. No sound. Smaller crew. The scene itself is basic exposition, but we still wanted it to look good visually. The natural sunlight made it both beautiful and difficult to shoot, but I think we came away with something that will work. Anna and Emily, of course, were spot on in their performance. So was Chad as the peeing bum, but I don't know if I'd even call that a performance as much as just a behavior.
After the shoot, several of us coasted to Elsie's for some bowling. My first bowling excursion in 5 years yielded mixed results, but my turkey in the tenth frame left me with a sense of accomplishment I have not felt in many years. Few feats are more impressive than throwing a polished sphere down a greased aisle and obliterating 10 stiff rednecks with a symphonic echo of reverberation. Bowling is fun, too.
I bet a movie about bowling would be cool. Especially if Bill Murray was in it. Maybe someday.
~ Justen
After the shoot, several of us coasted to Elsie's for some bowling. My first bowling excursion in 5 years yielded mixed results, but my turkey in the tenth frame left me with a sense of accomplishment I have not felt in many years. Few feats are more impressive than throwing a polished sphere down a greased aisle and obliterating 10 stiff rednecks with a symphonic echo of reverberation. Bowling is fun, too.
I bet a movie about bowling would be cool. Especially if Bill Murray was in it. Maybe someday.
~ Justen
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Day 12 Wrap
After a peaceful day's sleep at Country Inn and Suites in Cambridge, we were scheduled to begin shooting at 4:00pm today. Mother Nature couldn't hold out any longer and just had to drop some rain on us today. No harm, though. The rain let up by 4:30 and we got the rest of the driving sequence under a consistently overcast sky. Emily was kind enough to get lost yesterday and stumble across a great little road canopied by trees. Nick and Chad followed Emily, Anna, and me to the spot a couple miles away from the Gunderson home. I sat in the backseat and got some footage with one camera while Nick and Chad set up alongside the road and in the woods where they slapped at mosquitoes and shot the car from the outside. The driving sequence is pretty straight forward, but I want some footage to give me time to lay a cool track by the band Viscious Aloyscious.
For one of the driving shots, Nick set the camera tight on a puddle through which the car would drive. Knowing I wouldn't be seen at all in the backseat of the car, I decided to give Chad and Nick an early glimpse of the full moon. That footage won't make the DVD extras. :)
The night before, Emily and I were the only actors on set, but tonight we got to welcome back Anna and Aaron. Aaron had to perform a delicate scene of self gratification. I couldn't help but laugh as Jay and Mike sat nearby taking notes. And making recommendations. And performing along with Aaron behind the camera... Oh, what's gotten into me? My better judgment has been trumped by the desire to make jokes. First time that's ever happened to me. The scene described above is definitely not gratuitous, so fear not, you will not need to bathe in tomato juice after watching this movie.
We wrapped shortly after the sun reached the foggy, misty horizon. It was another very long night of shooting, but everyone was great. Let me remind you again how amazing the cast and crew is for Horror House. This movie would not be a reality without them all.
~ Justen
For one of the driving shots, Nick set the camera tight on a puddle through which the car would drive. Knowing I wouldn't be seen at all in the backseat of the car, I decided to give Chad and Nick an early glimpse of the full moon. That footage won't make the DVD extras. :)
The night before, Emily and I were the only actors on set, but tonight we got to welcome back Anna and Aaron. Aaron had to perform a delicate scene of self gratification. I couldn't help but laugh as Jay and Mike sat nearby taking notes. And making recommendations. And performing along with Aaron behind the camera... Oh, what's gotten into me? My better judgment has been trumped by the desire to make jokes. First time that's ever happened to me. The scene described above is definitely not gratuitous, so fear not, you will not need to bathe in tomato juice after watching this movie.
We wrapped shortly after the sun reached the foggy, misty horizon. It was another very long night of shooting, but everyone was great. Let me remind you again how amazing the cast and crew is for Horror House. This movie would not be a reality without them all.
~ Justen
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Day 11 Wrap
On to the exterior shots. Aside from the shot of the girls driving up to the house, all our exterior house shots are being filmed north of Cambridge. It's funny to shoot scenes 100 miles away from where they supposedly take place. Maybe not funny, but amazing. Maybe not amazing, but crazy. Maybe not crazy, but extraordinary. Maybe not extraordinary, but Kit Kat.
Tonight we had action, blood, gore, and horse flies the size of sparrows. It was a fun night. Maybe not fun, but enjoyable. Maybe not enjoyable, but pleasurable. Maybe not pleasurable, but satisfying. Maybe not satisfying, but Jenga.
Mother Nature was again very kind to us. We got started at 8:00pm and wrapped shortly after the sun came up, which this time of the year, is before 5:00am. Special thanks to the Gunderson family for letting us take over their yard, woods, house, and power, and still inviting us back for the next night. I am absolutely indebted. Maybe not indebted, but beholden. Maybe not beholden, but obliged. Maybe not obliged, but grateful. Maybe not grateful, but Meatloaf.
I am unable to go into detail about tonight's scenes because because that would blow the whole movie. Maybe not blow, but, blow.
~ Justen
Tonight we had action, blood, gore, and horse flies the size of sparrows. It was a fun night. Maybe not fun, but enjoyable. Maybe not enjoyable, but pleasurable. Maybe not pleasurable, but satisfying. Maybe not satisfying, but Jenga.
Mother Nature was again very kind to us. We got started at 8:00pm and wrapped shortly after the sun came up, which this time of the year, is before 5:00am. Special thanks to the Gunderson family for letting us take over their yard, woods, house, and power, and still inviting us back for the next night. I am absolutely indebted. Maybe not indebted, but beholden. Maybe not beholden, but obliged. Maybe not obliged, but grateful. Maybe not grateful, but Meatloaf.
I am unable to go into detail about tonight's scenes because because that would blow the whole movie. Maybe not blow, but, blow.
~ Justen
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Day 10 Wrap
Chloe couldn't get enough of Parker so they picked up right where they left off the previous night. In the interest of getting through the scene without being made fun of again, I injected novocaine in my lips to squelch any alleged quivering. OK, I didn't inject novocaine, but I am now thinking about my favorite Pink Floyd song, Comfortably Numb. Check it out on iTunes or visit your local music retailer for more information.
The opening scenes tonight went well if not a little awkward in front of everyone. I couldn't help but laugh when I'd look up and see Jay (gaffer) and Mike (1st AD) sitting on the opposite side of the room watching us as if we were putting on a puppet show. I half expected them to don reading glasses and break out a notepad and start taking notes. I also laughed many a times at the replay of a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode in which Larry David reads a misprinted bulletin to a funeral crowd. A simple 'c' for 'a' substitution in the phrase "beloved aunt" leads to a hilarious result. For more information about Curb Your Enthusiasm, check your local television listings or DVD distributor.
The remaining scenes tonight were considerably more intense than lying on a bed. Yet I still got the impression Jay and Mike wanted to take notes on the action that ensued. Luckily for me, Amy (script supervisor) has been taking awesome notes throughout the shoot which will make my editing job a lot easier. How's that for a segue? For more information on how to spell 'segue' and other commonly misspelled words, visit dictionary.reference.com.
It's hard to believe tonight wrapped our big week of shooting in Hastings. We spent six days in the wonderful little city. Thanks to the Rosewood Inn and Country Inn and Suites for lodging us, The Green Mill for feeding us, Dunn Brothers for caffeinating us, and, of course, the LeDuc Historic Estate for letting us take her over for 80 hours. It's been fun and I know we're coming back in a couple weeks, but it's still sad to leave. For more information on sadness, consult your local psychiatrist or clinician.
~ Justen
The opening scenes tonight went well if not a little awkward in front of everyone. I couldn't help but laugh when I'd look up and see Jay (gaffer) and Mike (1st AD) sitting on the opposite side of the room watching us as if we were putting on a puppet show. I half expected them to don reading glasses and break out a notepad and start taking notes. I also laughed many a times at the replay of a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode in which Larry David reads a misprinted bulletin to a funeral crowd. A simple 'c' for 'a' substitution in the phrase "beloved aunt" leads to a hilarious result. For more information about Curb Your Enthusiasm, check your local television listings or DVD distributor.
The remaining scenes tonight were considerably more intense than lying on a bed. Yet I still got the impression Jay and Mike wanted to take notes on the action that ensued. Luckily for me, Amy (script supervisor) has been taking awesome notes throughout the shoot which will make my editing job a lot easier. How's that for a segue? For more information on how to spell 'segue' and other commonly misspelled words, visit dictionary.reference.com.
It's hard to believe tonight wrapped our big week of shooting in Hastings. We spent six days in the wonderful little city. Thanks to the Rosewood Inn and Country Inn and Suites for lodging us, The Green Mill for feeding us, Dunn Brothers for caffeinating us, and, of course, the LeDuc Historic Estate for letting us take her over for 80 hours. It's been fun and I know we're coming back in a couple weeks, but it's still sad to leave. For more information on sadness, consult your local psychiatrist or clinician.
~ Justen
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Day 9 Wrap
Our first scheduled shots today were outside of the mansion. Scheduling exterior shots is like daring Mother Nature to prove she's in charge. Luckily for us, Mother Nature is on our side. The visual threat of rain failed to materialize and we were left with a predominantly cloudy sky which was ideal for matching shots. We used Amy's (script supervisor) cute little Saturn for the car in which the girls drive up to the mansion. Speaking of Saturn, watch for Emily and me in a couple Saturn television commercials.
Our first setup outside didn't work out the way we had hoped. After practicing a long tracking shot several times it became evident we couldn't frame the house in a way that made it looked completely isolated. Whether picking up the industrial building in the background or the modern addition, the shot would have given away the fact that the house in which we are shooting is no more isolated than the one moldy grape on a vine of perfectly juicy little orbs. I had a bad experience once with such a grape and I have vowed never again to eat grapes with my eyes closed. I like green, red, and black grapes equally. But I digress.
We improvised and got a second setup that worked out just fine and that setup setup a good setup for the third setup. We setup the setup and all setups ended up setting up on the up and up. I like 7-Up.
Here's a fun little secret to look for when the movie is released. As the girls walk up to the house you will see a very faint image of a person in an upstairs window. We threw that in there just for fun.
The exterior shots in the can, we moved inside and picked up some scenes with Anna that were scheduled for the night before. The professional she is, Anna knocked out brilliant performances and we moved up to the bedroom where the love story between our two lead characters finally begins to develop. That's right, kids. Parker was finally involved in some scenes today! Only problem is he had to kiss a girl. Ewwwwww. He got through it and somehow so did Chloe. But not before Chloe made fun of Parker's lips. Poor Parker.
~ Justen
Our first setup outside didn't work out the way we had hoped. After practicing a long tracking shot several times it became evident we couldn't frame the house in a way that made it looked completely isolated. Whether picking up the industrial building in the background or the modern addition, the shot would have given away the fact that the house in which we are shooting is no more isolated than the one moldy grape on a vine of perfectly juicy little orbs. I had a bad experience once with such a grape and I have vowed never again to eat grapes with my eyes closed. I like green, red, and black grapes equally. But I digress.
We improvised and got a second setup that worked out just fine and that setup setup a good setup for the third setup. We setup the setup and all setups ended up setting up on the up and up. I like 7-Up.
Here's a fun little secret to look for when the movie is released. As the girls walk up to the house you will see a very faint image of a person in an upstairs window. We threw that in there just for fun.
The exterior shots in the can, we moved inside and picked up some scenes with Anna that were scheduled for the night before. The professional she is, Anna knocked out brilliant performances and we moved up to the bedroom where the love story between our two lead characters finally begins to develop. That's right, kids. Parker was finally involved in some scenes today! Only problem is he had to kiss a girl. Ewwwwww. He got through it and somehow so did Chloe. But not before Chloe made fun of Parker's lips. Poor Parker.
~ Justen
Friday, June 22, 2007
Day 8 Wrap
Seriously, is Parker even in this movie? Another night without any acting for me. I guess I did give lines off-camera, but that's just not the same. Anna left us early tonight when she fell ill. I'm amazed she came in the first place and I'm sorry she had to drive home feeling the way she felt. I give her props for making the effort to come to set at all.
With Anna gone, one scene that involved her, Emily, Gary, Natalie, and me had to be shot over two days. We shot Gary and Natalie's side tonight and will shoot Emily's, Anna's, and my side the next night. Ah, the magic of movies. Last night we got little inserts for a scene shot 10 days earlier; tonight and tomorrow night we will shoot different angles of the same scene. When the movie's all edited, the audience will never know how they were shot. At least that's the hope.
We spent time in the basement again tonight picking up some POV stuff for Anna's character. We were interrupted twice by the civil defense sirens. No tornado found us, but we were pelted (well, not us literally) by quarter size hail. Dings and dents on our cars and branches down in the yard, but we were all safe and the shoot was only minimally affected. I felt pretty safe in a house that has been standing for more than 150 years. I'm sure she's seen her share of storms and she has weathered them well over the years.
I can't believe we're already more than half way done with our week down in Hastings. I also can't believe I'm typing this as if it really is June 22. When I publish this post I will change the date to give the illusion I stayed on top of this blog during the shoot when in reality I'm typing this (and the previous 3 posts) July 7. Not sure if I'll keep going today or if I'll get back to editing. Only I will ever know...
~ Justen
With Anna gone, one scene that involved her, Emily, Gary, Natalie, and me had to be shot over two days. We shot Gary and Natalie's side tonight and will shoot Emily's, Anna's, and my side the next night. Ah, the magic of movies. Last night we got little inserts for a scene shot 10 days earlier; tonight and tomorrow night we will shoot different angles of the same scene. When the movie's all edited, the audience will never know how they were shot. At least that's the hope.
We spent time in the basement again tonight picking up some POV stuff for Anna's character. We were interrupted twice by the civil defense sirens. No tornado found us, but we were pelted (well, not us literally) by quarter size hail. Dings and dents on our cars and branches down in the yard, but we were all safe and the shoot was only minimally affected. I felt pretty safe in a house that has been standing for more than 150 years. I'm sure she's seen her share of storms and she has weathered them well over the years.
I can't believe we're already more than half way done with our week down in Hastings. I also can't believe I'm typing this as if it really is June 22. When I publish this post I will change the date to give the illusion I stayed on top of this blog during the shoot when in reality I'm typing this (and the previous 3 posts) July 7. Not sure if I'll keep going today or if I'll get back to editing. Only I will ever know...
~ Justen
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Day 7 Wrap
Well, another day without any Parker scenes. For the second billed actor I sure haven't had a ton to do yet. Who wrote this screenplay? Parker should be in every scene! Oh, wait a second... I wrote it (with help). I've got plenty of scenes coming up. It's been kind of nice sitting back and watching the other tremendously talented actors do their things. And it's fun sticking my head in scenes once in a while just for fun. :)
We shot in the basement for the first time tonight. The lowest level of the LeDuc is amazing. Earth accounts for most of the floors in the basement and the natural stone walls and extensive halls and room arrangement give it a catacomb feel. Phil and the guys created a green-tinted hue down there that looked amazing. Pair the atmosphere with Anna's incredible performance and we came out with some more groovy footage.
In the above paragraph I used the phrases "green-tinted" and "groovy." I don't suppose anyone reading remembers a song by Mr. Big called "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind." Look it up on iTunes. I think I'm going to go download it now. I miss that song like I miss Frankenberry.
We had some dead bodies on set tonight. Nicole (makeup) and Kat (Asst. DP) paled themselves up and laid on the dirt floor in the basement. Casey (grip) was nice enough to sweep away the bat poop before they laid in it.
At the end of the night we picked up a couple inserts for the dinner scene that was shot 10 days earlier. Luckily I had cut the scene together and realized we missed a couple angles. We didn't have to set the entire room; we just needed to match candles and small portions of the background since the shots were so tight. We did, however, need to set up track and the dolly to stay consistent with the camera movements of the scene. It was worth the effort to get the inserts because the scene will now cut together a little better. Sometimes a little better can make all the difference.
~ Justen
We shot in the basement for the first time tonight. The lowest level of the LeDuc is amazing. Earth accounts for most of the floors in the basement and the natural stone walls and extensive halls and room arrangement give it a catacomb feel. Phil and the guys created a green-tinted hue down there that looked amazing. Pair the atmosphere with Anna's incredible performance and we came out with some more groovy footage.
In the above paragraph I used the phrases "green-tinted" and "groovy." I don't suppose anyone reading remembers a song by Mr. Big called "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind." Look it up on iTunes. I think I'm going to go download it now. I miss that song like I miss Frankenberry.
We had some dead bodies on set tonight. Nicole (makeup) and Kat (Asst. DP) paled themselves up and laid on the dirt floor in the basement. Casey (grip) was nice enough to sweep away the bat poop before they laid in it.
At the end of the night we picked up a couple inserts for the dinner scene that was shot 10 days earlier. Luckily I had cut the scene together and realized we missed a couple angles. We didn't have to set the entire room; we just needed to match candles and small portions of the background since the shots were so tight. We did, however, need to set up track and the dolly to stay consistent with the camera movements of the scene. It was worth the effort to get the inserts because the scene will now cut together a little better. Sometimes a little better can make all the difference.
~ Justen
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Day 6 Wrap
Tuesday was packed. After Monday's wrap, I think I made it to bed around 5:00am and slept lightly until eight bells. A quick trip up to Minneapolis to shoot a Vikings promo with Emily and then back down to Hastings where Emily and I were interviewed on KDWA radio. Then back on set at 4:00pm for another 12 hour shoot. I loved it! Doing anything else for 20 hours in a day would run me ragged, but when it comes to acting and talking about acting, you don't need to stick a quarter in me to keep me going.
Tonight we shot our first death scene. It was intense! The footage we got was equally beautiful and disturbing. It certainly wasn't easy to get because of the cramped quarters and hot lights. I can't get much more detailed without giving away too much of the movie, but I think the scene we shot tonight will be one of the more memorable scenes in Horror House.
As short as the mentioned death scene is in the movie, it took us several hours to get what we needed. The only other setup of the night was a pair of kitchen scenes that equalled nearly 8 pages of the screenplay, and that footage was captured in just about the same amount of time. I was so impressed with all our actors tonight and it's due to their professionalism we were able to capture as much as we did in a 12 hour shoot day.
I'm lucky my itch to act was scratched in the morning because I didn't get to do any Horror House scenes tonight... except for a quick pickup shot with Gary right away when we got to set. The third take of the shot Gary improvised a ridiculous line and I proceeded to take my shirt off and run after him. Too bad Horror House isn't a comedy because that was my favorite take. :)
~ Justen
Tonight we shot our first death scene. It was intense! The footage we got was equally beautiful and disturbing. It certainly wasn't easy to get because of the cramped quarters and hot lights. I can't get much more detailed without giving away too much of the movie, but I think the scene we shot tonight will be one of the more memorable scenes in Horror House.
As short as the mentioned death scene is in the movie, it took us several hours to get what we needed. The only other setup of the night was a pair of kitchen scenes that equalled nearly 8 pages of the screenplay, and that footage was captured in just about the same amount of time. I was so impressed with all our actors tonight and it's due to their professionalism we were able to capture as much as we did in a 12 hour shoot day.
I'm lucky my itch to act was scratched in the morning because I didn't get to do any Horror House scenes tonight... except for a quick pickup shot with Gary right away when we got to set. The third take of the shot Gary improvised a ridiculous line and I proceeded to take my shirt off and run after him. Too bad Horror House isn't a comedy because that was my favorite take. :)
~ Justen
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Day 5 Wrap
Though days 5 through 10 are somewhat blurred together, I will try to comment on each day individually, albeit a bit later than I had hoped. My goal is to have a trailer cut together by the middle of July so editing is a major priority right now. And the neverending paperwork. It's a sad day when I have to make paperwork a priority. But it's a happy day when I use the word 'neverending' because it prompts me to break into a chorus of Limahl's "Neverending Story." Look it up on YouTube.
Day 5 went very well. I was thrilled to have more than three lines of dialog in a scene! We spent the entire day in one of the second story bedrooms. Thank goodness for Heidi's fan! With all those lights pointed down on us in the scene it got awfully hot in that room. Troopers that we are, we got through everything and even wrapped a little early. At least I think we did. After going nearly 14 hours 3 out of the first 4 days it was a nice break to wrap early. With a bigger budget it would have been great to be able to spend 8 hours a day and spread the shoot over a couple months. Future projects, right?
We were able to leave all our equipment at the LeDuc overnight which saved us a great amount of time. Most of the crew spent the night at the Country Inn and Suites where Mark Larson took care of them, and a few of us stayed at the Classic Rosewood Bed and Breakfast where Pam Thorsen cared for us. Without lodging in Hastings this shoot would not have been a reality, so I am thankful we were able to make arrangements that worked.
The cast and crew worked hard on Day 5 and we got some great footage. All the scenes shot today were tame. No blood or scares today, unless you count my look in glasses a scare. Speaking of those glasses... they are actually prescription glasses and they would really hurt my eyes if I looked through them at distant objects. Ironically, they were fine for reading the magazine I was holding in the scene. It probably would have been healthier to buy fake glasses, but for $2.00 at Goodwill I'll take what I can get. :)
~ Justen
Day 5 went very well. I was thrilled to have more than three lines of dialog in a scene! We spent the entire day in one of the second story bedrooms. Thank goodness for Heidi's fan! With all those lights pointed down on us in the scene it got awfully hot in that room. Troopers that we are, we got through everything and even wrapped a little early. At least I think we did. After going nearly 14 hours 3 out of the first 4 days it was a nice break to wrap early. With a bigger budget it would have been great to be able to spend 8 hours a day and spread the shoot over a couple months. Future projects, right?
We were able to leave all our equipment at the LeDuc overnight which saved us a great amount of time. Most of the crew spent the night at the Country Inn and Suites where Mark Larson took care of them, and a few of us stayed at the Classic Rosewood Bed and Breakfast where Pam Thorsen cared for us. Without lodging in Hastings this shoot would not have been a reality, so I am thankful we were able to make arrangements that worked.
The cast and crew worked hard on Day 5 and we got some great footage. All the scenes shot today were tame. No blood or scares today, unless you count my look in glasses a scare. Speaking of those glasses... they are actually prescription glasses and they would really hurt my eyes if I looked through them at distant objects. Ironically, they were fine for reading the magazine I was holding in the scene. It probably would have been healthier to buy fake glasses, but for $2.00 at Goodwill I'll take what I can get. :)
~ Justen
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