T-Minus

One day left. We have put the petal to the metal and some scrambling is being done but nothing to worry about. The mic extension poles are still MIA but those are not needed yet. The finishing touches are being put on the teaser which will be shown at the room party. Storm clouds are blowing in but this is just Mother Nature's way of testing our seriousness to the cause. The new cameras totally rock and the new lens on each one totally kicks ass but the entire camera now ways seventeen pounds, without the tri-pod attached! I did decide to go and get a Rola Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier. With all the camera gear stowed in the truck there was no place to carry an ice chest. Well, back to work, I will post more soon.

Jallen

Props are Up or Down ?

These are just a few of the props that will be used in the actual film. First though, these props will be displayed in the Dirt Nap party room this Saturday at Frightmare. I must apologize as there was a garden gnome next to the mat but when I turned around to get the camera the little guy had run off. Oh well, he's around here somewhere.

Enjoy

Jallen

Zombie Walk Soon

In just five days the Zombie Walk will be here. In the spirit of the event I have made up some signs to generate some discussion or heat on what will be a fine Saturday morning.

Also, this morning we finished shooting the Dirt Nap trailer. It should be posted soon. I hope you enjoy the pic, which sign is your favorite?

Jallen

Bug Fixed

Arlo fixed the blog comment thing today. Now everyone can make a post. Sorry if posts were not showing up.

Jallen

Dolly Madness

After two hours of cutting, drilling and sanding; the camera dolly is now complete. I just hope that when someone stands on the thing it actually holds together. I added extra wood to the bottom for strength and support but now the dolly comes in at just under seventy pounds.

On a different note, both cameras arrived and they are neatly packed in their very cool camera bags. I am still waiting on the mic poles and the lens for each camera. The days are counting down rather quickly and the Zombie walk will be here before I know it. I had a quick meeting with Trish (friend and volunteer) who will be reporting the news as the Zombie walk commences. We should get some awesome footage out of this.


Jallen

Great News

First let me say that I posted a new pic of myself. My previous pic made a small child cry so I was forced to take it down. Besides, it was a Halloween Zombie pic of myself from years ago. As I was changing the picture out I saw that I was not displaying my email address. With that now fixed and capable of being read I fully expect more emails now. One email a week is just not making me feel the love.

The final shipment of gear is on its way and is destined to be here on the 27th. It will be close but I think we can swing the Zombie Walk being shot with the new awesome 500's. Good thing too, as I was starting to freak out.

I went out and bought a receipt book and a new printer cartridge the other day but forgot to mention it. Now I am really prepared for all those donations that people are going to make at the 'Dirt Nap' mixer, hint-hint.

If you happen to see a guy at the Texas Frightmare Weekend wearing a green cap that says Dirt Nap say hi.

Jallen

Swag

On Saturday me and Arlo finalized the design of the Dirt Nap caps. We used one of those embroidery stands that you find in a mall. While we were there a radio station called 'The Wolf' was doing auditions for the show called 'Glee' about thirty feet away. One interesting thing I saw was Channel 4 had a reporter and camera man at this event. Sitting on the camera man's shoulder was a Panasonic AG-HPX500PJ. Now if this camera is good enough for Channel 4 News then it should work pretty well for our purpose. About four hours later we were walking out of the mall with a bag full of caps and another realization that I actually can't stand most TV related shows.

Jallen

It's Here, It's Huge, It's all mine, mine, mine.

Fifteen days and counting till the Dirt Nap party. I feel the wheels of change beginning to roll.

The first huge, gigantic, enormous, Panasonic AG-HPX500PJ camera arrived and so did the bag and mounting plate. OK, I might be exaggerating a little as it is the same size as the old 300 model but this one can hold FOUR, count that four P2 cards in this bad boy. And you know what that means? It means that we can shoot everything and then choose the best shot out of all the footage. I must say that assembling the camera then slapping on the battery pack and putting the whole thing in the bag is very nice. I was hoping that I would not have to haul around a cardboard box and then at the site whip out said box and set everything up. Just a little more patience is required on my part to get the rest of the 'better gear.'

Arlo is busy creating the opening and end of our Dirt Nap project. I took a look and it makes perfect sense to me. Dirt, grass, more dirt, are we seeing a pattern here? To head off something before it starts; I was pitching the film to a local tattoo shop. I get through my thirty seconds and the guy looks at me and asks if this is one of those art films where a pile of dirt is filmed or watching grass grow? No, it is not. This film is straight out of my imagination based on a short story. It has all the classic elements that make a film interesting. We have the good guy who is the main character, the enemy, a peak into the characters life, anger, a close call and revenge. Now who would not give fifteen minutes to check this out? I promise, this has never been seen before.

Jallen

Brainzzzzzz............

Yesterday I spoke with Richard Alvarado who is organizing the zombie walk on May 1st. He told me that zombie protesters and also the Dallas Derby Devils will be there to participate with the rest of us. Both myself and Arlo will be there to show our support by filming this fine event. Please show your support and join in, the walk is free after all. Besides, how many of you can actually say that you watched over two-hundred zombies walk and skate by?

The new camera gear is finally showing up after a few tiny issues. Don't forget that we need your support. If donations are not your thing then send me an email and share a positive word, I could use it. If you have never made a movie before let me be the first to tell you that it is not as easy as one would think. At least once a day I feel like I am about to freak then I real myself back in and work one thing at a time. I am making excellent business contacts here in Texas while honing my craft. Shooting footage is so far the easiest thing to do, it's the driving that sucks.

Jallen

Texas Frightmare Weekend - Dallas

I was asked over the weekend by my UPS friend what is the Frightmare thing? Texas Frightmare Weekend is the Premier Horror Convention. There are going to celebrity guests, film screenings, panel discussions and let us not skip my personal favorite ZOMBIES !!! Can you honestly say that life would be fun without some walking dead shambling around mumbling "Brainzzzz" while groping for you covered in black ooze. This is the first time I will be going to Frightmare but I have planned on attending all three days. Also, on Saturday night, at the Sheraton on May 1st, 2010 RADFX will be showing our very own teaser for Dirt Nap. I am so freaking nervous it makes my stomach churn. But if I can somehow get the chance to meet George Romero or John Carpenter it will be worth it. If any of you are going to Frightmare Weekend then I suggest you stop by the Dirt Nap hotel room for a drink and give us your support. You never know, one day you may be sitting in theater saying to yourself, "I knew that guy when ..."

Jallen

The Road Less Travelled

Today I took to the streets and started handing out Dirt Nap Press kits. The goal was to generate positive interest in the film and maybe find a person or two who would like to donate. I focused on small business and I learned one important thing. You would not believe how many signs there are that boldly declare 'No Soliciting.' But that is OK, because I know that if one person tells two people and two people in turn talk to four that eventually many will find out about this project.

To kick it up a notch I have decided to offer a special bonus gift to any who donate at the 250 dollar level or higher. Nope, don't ask for details because I'm not gonna tell.


Jallen

Countdown

The countdown has begun. Just 26 days till Texas Frightmare Weekend. I must say that I very excited and also very worried and stressed about having a good teaser created by then. The exchange with the cameras is almost complete and the swag for our donations is working out great. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas.

Jallen

We're on a roll now !

The second mic blimp hairy cover (dead cat) arrived via UPS a few minutes ago. Now all I need are the two mic poles to get here. The dolly wheels from PaintedSheep also arrived in the mail, so at some point we will be building the dolly for those smooth panning shots. A donation was made by Carl and Moralee Wendtland. Big Thank You for that. Every bit helps.

For all those Dirt Nappers who come back to check on us from time to time, please tell your friends to check us out and join our blog or find us on twitter.

Jallen