we loved having the dolly.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I Decided to Go Camping
After early afternoon dailies, the crew met outside founders for our expedition over to the Bodenschatz's (friends of Andrew Rudd) who so kindly volunteered their backyard as a filming location. Additions to the crew included Melanee Hamiliton (who had baked cookies and provided great craft services but was unable to attend the previous two shoots), Sam Tonelli (Daynella's younger brother who would appear as a member of the family at the campsite), and Tammie McKenzie--an invaluable asset to the entire film.
All of us were on edge as we prepared to leave, because it had been pouring rain and was expected to snow. I was hesitant to postpone filming for another day because of the impossible feat of trying to once again make everyone's schedules coincide--and I especially didn't want to impose on the Bodenschatz's more than we already were. So I denied the rain and made everyone pack up anyway.
Miraculously, as soon as we unloaded into the backyard, the sun came streaming through the clouds. Unfortunately, the weather couldn't stay beautiful forever--but the rain did hold off (even though it was still ridiculously cold) long enough for us to finish our four-hour shoot.
We got some great montage footage while the crew set up the tent and made the campfire, and then we moved right along to the scenes between Val and the family.
This was the real challenge for me, because Nate made a cameo as the older brother, Ryan, which meant that it was my responsibility to man the camera--for the entire sequence! It was a little nerve-wracking, and I kept having to call Nate over to fix the focus or framing problems.
I felt frazzled and panicked through most of the day--only because I hadn't completed storyboards and I was constantly pleading with the weather. In the end, though, I think it was a really successful--and short!--day of shooting.
And it was even more fun because most of their screen time is all improv--I didn't actually write dialogue for the characters during their getting-to-know-each-other montage, and the stuff they came up with was hilarious!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Our Dynamic Shot
We took pride in all the dynamic shots we planned--this one was a personal favorite.
Day 2: The Library, Office, and Reception Desk
A massive crew migrated over to Founders, carrying lights and dolly equipment and food and costumes and props. We met our executive producer, Andrew Rudd, in the hallway, as he offered encouragement, (and also dropped off Aaron's costume for the work sequence).
We spent a fun-filled four-ish hours filming the work scene--the dynamic dolly shot including extras Deshanna and Liz, and then another entrance for co-worker Ruthie, the master shot (which we didn't end up using because it was inconsistent with the 180 degree plane rule), the two cover shots, and then the special focus shot. I think Aaron loved acting that scene with the gun over and over.
Once we wrapped, it was obvious that we were all exhausted from the extra early start and long morning. We took about an hour break for pizza and fellowship, before moving on to the campsite reception desk between Ruthie and Meredith.
The reception area was probably my favorite set--and the one we spent the most time on. It was full of idiosyncratic gadgets and figurines and collectibles from my house, smelled like the delicious apple pie candles my mom makes, and was a surprisingly perfect location--considering it used to be the faculty office of Dr. Phinney.
Since we didn't need sound for all of the shots, we wrapped the scene relatively quickly and then decided to try and think of an outdoor location while we still had a few hours to spare. Aaron suggested his church, so most of us packed up and went for a road trip. It was windy and cold, but we set up the shot anyway. When we did dailies later that night, however, we realized that it didn't look as rustic as we would like, so we scrapped the footage.
For such a long day of filming, it was incredibly positive and productive and tons of fun.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It's a weird spelling--I get it.
The second day of filming, 3/28/09, began bright and early at 6 am in the Everett Cattell Library. Set up took about an hour, and the talent arrived around 7 to rehearse and get sound levels for the librarian scene.
Due to unexpected family complications, Ashley White was unable to appear in the rest of the film, so the role of the librarian and all subsequent female roles (other than Joann--the redemptive mother at the campsite) went to B. Ruth Hitchcock (who was also a consideration for the role of Val early in the planning process).
We filmed solely cover shots for the scene, avoiding a master shot because of the awkwardness of the counter and the position of the lights.
Though the shoot took place so early in the morning, most of the cast and crew were amicable and motivated to start fresh. Chris and Nate set up the lights, while Connie and Deshanna ran back and forth from founders to make coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for those who wanted it.
Monica was there ready with her camera to take more stills, and Danyella took over on time logs since Brittney was unable to join us. Taylor and Tristan were there for set up, acting as stand-ins and watching the script.
We tried a few different things, like having a POV shot from Ruthie's angle, a CU of her hands clacking on the computer, and a side angle--but all were relatively unsuccessful. In the end, we used the more traditional angles, but I think it added credibility to the ridiculousness of dialogue.
We moved upstairs to film the QS sequence, framing a beautiful dolly shot of Val walking through the aisles of books--using a library cart with encyclopedias underneath to steady it. After an audio run, we packed up and moved back to the 3rd floor of founders.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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