Edit, cut, splice, review

There is lots of editing to do and many sound fx to gather to get the film complete. We still have to shoot a missing scene that was skipped the first day but it is a small car scene and should not be difficult to add in later. I have a small raw trailer posted at http://www.zombiesquadron.com/downloads.html so feel free to download it and give it a watch. Yes, I do know the trailer is vague and does not give away any secrets but that is how I plan on getting each of you to watch the entire polished film. On a side note, I was asked a couple of days ago what was the hardest part of the film. That is an easy question, the heat. At one point during the second weekend I think it reached 104 with 110 heat index. Next time I think I will have an air conditioned trailer follow us around (wink).

More to follow.


J. Allen

What's a wrap ?

Having just woke up from a nap I realized that shooting the film is over. Well it was actually over as of Sunday at eight pm. There are a few scenes to film once more and a couple of scenes that we just did not have time for but the film is mostly complete. Sound and editing are next up and much needed rest for our tired bodies and aching bones and I mean that is the most literal sense. I learned quite a bit about making a film and I would not have the slightest hesitation in sitting on a panel talking to new directors about to take the plunge for the first time. Heck, I wish I knew someone like myself who could have pointed out a few things but would I really have listened? The real trailer is being made right now and we will have it up very soon, the footage you will see is right out of the film and I hope you enjoy it.

J. Allen

Round 2 (ding, ding)

We are geared up for round two and see some holes we need to fill and a few pickup shots that will need to be addressed but otherwise we are doing well for our first film. This weekend should be easier as there is no special fx work needing to be done so we won't sit around waiting for four hours. Plus, we shot a few extra scenes as time allowed to give us some breathing room for this weekend. For those of you who really read this blog and actually keep up with the story so far, this weekend will have some 'fun' built into it. You will all just have to wait and see.


Later

J. Allen

Half Down and Half to Go

Fifty percent of the film is in the can. So far I really like the morning light that we have been working with as it adds a softness to the overall effect of the film. Now jump to the end of a two day shooting spree where we were up for 24 hours. Strange things begin to happen to your body, feet burning with every step, eyes are worn out, zero energy and spines feel like a solid rod of steel. I am just now getting back to normal. It is hard on the crew as well as the actors but every single minute I was learning something. I have read too many stories, and heard first hand accounts of horrible film projects where people are abused by the directors. I am constantly worried about the time table and having to push hard enough to get through it all but at the same time I was really worried for our main character Mike (Chad) as he went through some tough scenes. From minute to minute I felt like a ping pong ball of emotions and sure there is ton of stress but this is the very first time in my life that there is no manager, supervisor or VP giving me the orders. It is a hard line to walk when you wake up one morning and know that there is a plan connected to a timeline connected to people connected to an end goal. Mastering the control or use or the ability to balance all of that in my mind is what a director ultimately needs to understand. I'll give all I have to get this project finished as that is the least I can do for all the people who are right there beside me. Side Note: To my wife, my crew, my actors and all the fans. Should you see me stressed out or about to collapse the magic word is "muskrat", just blurt it out when you think I need it, I will know exactly what it means.

J. Allen

Production weekend photos...

We just finished our first major week of production - whew!

Check it out on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/radfx

Back from the beyond...

I have rested up and I thought I would not need to post anything more for a few days but I can't help myself. I have just burned through a ream of printer paper, I can barely walk through my computer room with all the film gear everywhere and I have two dead flamingos casually thrown in the corner. On the positive side of things the bug bites have almost healed. I am heading over to double check the film sets on Friday and drop of some of the gear so I won't kill my back. I have to stop and wonder if this is what Spielberg or Cameron or even Shyamalan have had to go through because if someone would have shown me the business plan on day one I would had a few things to say and a ton of questions to get answered. In all honesty I feel like I have been driven over by a truck. But it is almost game time and I intend to bring my A game.


J. Allen

Much Needed Break

After driving all around town and searching high and low for those last elusive movie props, I decided to take a small break, a breather. With just four days till the serious filming begins I feel a small beast trying to get out of his cage. Is it fear, nervousness, apprehension or just the sheer monumental size of this task I and my team are about to undertake? Yeah I know I have planned everything down to the last detail. I have tried to cover my bets but you never know what will come around the next corner. There is nothing left to buy, build or find. So with that said, there is only one thing left to say.

Lights,

Camera,

Action!!!



J. Allen

Props to the great 'Dirt Nap' project

Here is a sneak peak about what 'Dirt Nap' could possibly be about.

Don't forget to check the RAD FX Studios Facebook for recent on set pictures.

J. Allen

Edit, Edit, the camera hums so we just let it

Well it is a few days later and I now count over 50 bug bites on my legs. The first batch of footage was reviewed and it is 95% good. We have more than enough footage to work with and now we head on to the August 14th shoot date. The Texas temp is still sticking to around 105 but we won't be shooting in that heat any more. Nothing but mornings and evenings and mostly inside work from this point on.

J. Allen

Yes, we have film !

Yes, we have film. After five straight hours of shooting we have film in the can. FootMart (check) and wooded area (check). Please keep in mind that this is Texas and the high temp for yesterday was 105. We were doing pretty well at the Food Mart in the air conditioning but then we moved outside to shoot the gypsy scene and were promptly set upon by mosquitoes and chiggers. Our Line Producer Mark actually was taken down by a pesky critter that was the size of a small bird. Something long and green decided that Cam A's tripod was a tree (it was either a Walking Stick or a Preying Mantis). I think dehydration was the biggest enemy during those ninety minutes but good thing we had an ice chest with water to keep us on our feet. Lot's of lessons learned here. More to follow.


J. Allen

Dumpster Diving

I just got back from the Food Mart, well let me go back in time for you and give you the play by play. I wake up, I have three missed calls from Alicia, I call Alicia back and find out she lost her passport and in three hours her plane leaves back to England. With my hair sticking up in all directions and mind you I have not shaved in a week I throw on a pair of dirty shorts and t-shirt right out of the dirty clothes hamper and jump in the car and drive to the Food Mart. Keep this image in your head as it gets better. I hop out at the Food Mart and proceed to walk around the parking lot looking for the passport, I then go inside the Food Mart and decide to go through the ladies room trash, it is early morning and there is nobody in there so I help myself. After looking in the women's trash I look in the men's room trash, I then do a quick walk through of the store and head back home. Having doubt's I turn around and head back to the store again and decide to dump out the trash can in the ladies room floor to make sure the passport is not in it (only a penny was of value in there) then I put it all back, repeat the same thing for the men's room, the Chicken Express trashcan (I find the film props from yesterday in this one) and the outside trashcan. Nope nothing there, I even have the manager open his safe and look and see if by chance the passport was put in there (nope, nothing but money). On the way back home I get a call from Alicia, she found her passport under the car seat of her sister's car, how it got there I have no idea and neither did she. I know, I know, some of you will say I am a decent guy for doing all that and some of you will think that I am suppose to do it because I am the director and she was my actress, but once you dumpster dive for someone I think you get the friendship badge. (wink)

J. Allen

Nap VLog 01 - August 1, 2010

Thought I'd give video logging a shot, maybe it will help to keep everyone update on our activities with Dirt Nap.

Cheers!