Post by theselected on Jul 4, 2018 18:36:31 GMT
I was a school teacher until last month, today I became a director and independent filmmaker. We had our first "table" reading under an outdoor octagon-shaped aluminum pavilion at a park this morning at 10:30 am. We stopped at one o'clock because the heat was unbearable (here in Florida). When we stopped, we had a revised script and had two run-throughs - one-timed, the other untimed. The psychological experience we had today coming as individuals and leaving as a Cast and Crew (all 3 of us) was incredible.
To see the story I wrote come off the page and into the spoken word was a feeling that is difficult to describe. A great script is nothing without the right people to deliver your vision. My leading man and lady did a great job today. They made some excellent revisions which really should pop out to the judges. Yes, the ship is important, the mission is important, but our story focuses on two people along that journey. The people, George Lucas said, should always drive the story.
My script focuses on the story of these two people on an incredible mission to Mars. The scale is so grand, yet the story is so intimate that I hope it works to our advantage when it comes to judging.
Becoming a Director
More than being the writer, I am also filming and directing the entire film. My learning curve is STEEP. I have had to learn what production logs are; I ordered a scene clapper the other day from Amazon. Not because it was cool, but because it is necessary. We have a four-scene production, which will have about 5-hours of footage that will be trimmed, molded, and carefully sculpted into a great story in 5 minutes or less. It is nice to have a cast which is responsive and want to know what I meant when I wrote a line. Today I told them "I wrote it, but that character is yours."
"You have to think about your character, and what his or her background is. Where were they born, where did they go to school, what traumas have happened in their life?"
"Why if we're not having lines about that in the film?" asked my leading man.
"Because when we go to shoot the film, the audience is going to be looking for what is behind your eyes. Your story. Is there a tragedy that affects the tone in which you deliver the line? Who that person is behind the eyes is what you decide and what you create. The backstory is yours to make," I said.
I found myself making movie references to help characters, "slow down, on that line."
"Go up on that line. Talk faster, but intelligently."
"What do you mean" asked my leading lady.
"Well - think about Hermoine Granger and how she was quick but cunning, and intelligent."
From the pavilion in the park, I could be heard saying things like "action," and "cut!"
We had a full read-through of the script and it came in at 6:30.57. While I recognize we will have to shave off some parts to get the finished product to 5 minutes, I was incredibly proud of what transpired today. Also the fact that these people would give their time freely to be a part of this.
Getting Filming Permissions
I have learned a lot about requesting film permissions. We received an email back from Delaware North yesterday that our filming request packet had been received and was under review for the Kennedy Space Center. The application packet was about 10-pages long, and we were required to submit a copy of our script to KSC for review. They want to make sure the brand is appropriately represented, and rightfully so. Today I reached out to Walt Disney World for filming permission for a greenhouse scene. The scene is 80-seconds long, but the A and B roll with this particular location would take our film to new heights. Literally.
We have decided that if we win any level of prize money; a portion will go to ensure an all-expense paid field trip to the KSC Visitor Complex for a group/class of underprivileged children if KSC is kind enough to grant us permission to film there.
Learning Jargon and Tools of the Craft
I ordered a scene clapper from Amazon the other day because I realized that I was going to have multiple "takes" of multiple "scenes" and there would need to be some kind of video reference to mark time and such. I have been watching YouTube videos about how to use Adobe Premiere Pro CC because I have it on my computer, but have never opened it until this project.
The Happiness of a Man
I am happy, and I feel a sense of freedom and liberation by making this film. Taking an idea out of my head, putting it on paper, then having those written words become spoken, recorded, and presented as a work of art is such an incredible feeling. Even if we don't win, all of us have agreed that in making something together, we have made art, and we have made a contribution to the world.
Happy filming,
-Chris Barnhart & The Cast & Crew of "The Selected."
Florida, USA
To see the story I wrote come off the page and into the spoken word was a feeling that is difficult to describe. A great script is nothing without the right people to deliver your vision. My leading man and lady did a great job today. They made some excellent revisions which really should pop out to the judges. Yes, the ship is important, the mission is important, but our story focuses on two people along that journey. The people, George Lucas said, should always drive the story.
"The people should drive your story" - George Lucas
Becoming a Director
More than being the writer, I am also filming and directing the entire film. My learning curve is STEEP. I have had to learn what production logs are; I ordered a scene clapper the other day from Amazon. Not because it was cool, but because it is necessary. We have a four-scene production, which will have about 5-hours of footage that will be trimmed, molded, and carefully sculpted into a great story in 5 minutes or less. It is nice to have a cast which is responsive and want to know what I meant when I wrote a line. Today I told them "I wrote it, but that character is yours."
"You have to think about your character, and what his or her background is. Where were they born, where did they go to school, what traumas have happened in their life?"
"Why if we're not having lines about that in the film?" asked my leading man.
"Because when we go to shoot the film, the audience is going to be looking for what is behind your eyes. Your story. Is there a tragedy that affects the tone in which you deliver the line? Who that person is behind the eyes is what you decide and what you create. The backstory is yours to make," I said.
I found myself making movie references to help characters, "slow down, on that line."
"Go up on that line. Talk faster, but intelligently."
"What do you mean" asked my leading lady.
"Well - think about Hermoine Granger and how she was quick but cunning, and intelligent."
From the pavilion in the park, I could be heard saying things like "action," and "cut!"
We had a full read-through of the script and it came in at 6:30.57. While I recognize we will have to shave off some parts to get the finished product to 5 minutes, I was incredibly proud of what transpired today. Also the fact that these people would give their time freely to be a part of this.
Getting Filming Permissions
I have learned a lot about requesting film permissions. We received an email back from Delaware North yesterday that our filming request packet had been received and was under review for the Kennedy Space Center. The application packet was about 10-pages long, and we were required to submit a copy of our script to KSC for review. They want to make sure the brand is appropriately represented, and rightfully so. Today I reached out to Walt Disney World for filming permission for a greenhouse scene. The scene is 80-seconds long, but the A and B roll with this particular location would take our film to new heights. Literally.
We have decided that if we win any level of prize money; a portion will go to ensure an all-expense paid field trip to the KSC Visitor Complex for a group/class of underprivileged children if KSC is kind enough to grant us permission to film there.
Learning Jargon and Tools of the Craft
I ordered a scene clapper from Amazon the other day because I realized that I was going to have multiple "takes" of multiple "scenes" and there would need to be some kind of video reference to mark time and such. I have been watching YouTube videos about how to use Adobe Premiere Pro CC because I have it on my computer, but have never opened it until this project.
The Happiness of a Man
I am happy, and I feel a sense of freedom and liberation by making this film. Taking an idea out of my head, putting it on paper, then having those written words become spoken, recorded, and presented as a work of art is such an incredible feeling. Even if we don't win, all of us have agreed that in making something together, we have made art, and we have made a contribution to the world.
Happy filming,
-Chris Barnhart & The Cast & Crew of "The Selected."
Florida, USA