Red, Oh Red, Oh Red...

We are in the process of creating our workflow from the RED to a manageable data size for editing a pilot. My computer whirs with the first round of exports, for a test on Jason's editing system.  We have gone from the 4k files to a 1280 x 720 frame size, trying to match the data rate of the P2 cards as Jason's system handles files off the P2 cards just fine.  After all, the intention is not theatrical, but for the DVD players and televisions of perspective investors.  

Most times when I meet a filmmaker I have not worked with before, the phrase "the right tool for the right job" slips out of my mouth.  Usually that is in reference to some piece of audio gear.  However, it is true in every degree of filmmaking.  We shot on the RED by a chance, not by intention.  And despite the more complicated work flow and the lack of need for 4K, it proves to be a great experience for the future of Hell Hole, The Series.  

Behind The Scenes

After a long three days of filming, here are some behind the scene photos of our weekend.

Happy, happy! Joy, joy!

Day two of the shoot...and it has been one hell of a shoot! We have battled sprinklers, nosy neighbors, construction workers and let’s not forget the freeway!!! But with the help of our valiant crew we are getting gold baby, gold!

Tomorrow we shoot!

Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shoot!

Kitchen Curtains!

Just spent the early part of my afternoon sewing curtains for the kitchen window... slowly our set is coming together with the details of the perfect house.  Tomorrow we dress the living room with photographs and life magazines from the early 1960s, representing Stephanie's higher tastes of art and culture... she is, after all, trying to make her home her own with or without Jason's help.  I brought the only sewing machine I have... my grandma's old machine from the 50's or so.  Gambling on its working condition, Jorge and I went ahead and purchased the material to make the curtains this morning before even cracking it open.  The material chosen works well in the kitchen, but our characters had originally agreed upon something else... Oh! the tools of directing of which I am only beginning to observe.  

That is certainly one very unique thing about the low budget realm of filmmaking.  You inevitably will wear many hats, which is a concept I typically despise.  I would rather specialize and be a master of my craft than be acquainted (but not well experienced) in many.  However, in this instance I am able to observe the roles of others more carefully... after all, we (AOI) are all writers, producers, marketers and distributors for Hell Hole.  I also believe that you have to dive in with all your heart otherwise you won't reach anything to be proud of or stand apart from anyone else... and we are all diving in.

4 pbr down 8 more to go!!!

Okay. So last night we drank two more...Stephen handled it well but I had a hard time. Today Stephen has to work. Sound Engineer Michaela, DP R. Jason Ball and I went to pickup gear for the shoot so I couldn't drink anything. Tonight we are going to drink two beers a piece...I hope I can handle it.

Video of burning baseball!!!

Behold!!! Video of us burning the baseballs!!!

12 beers of Hell Hole!!!!

Producer Stephen and Director Jorge have to drink 12 pabst blue ribbon beers before the shoot! Can they make it. Here are photos of them drinking beer one and two. Ten more beers to go. We might enlist the dogs for help!!!!

Great balls of fire!

Today Jorge and I (Stephen) burned a couple of base balls for our upcoming shoot. What happens when you play catch with a fiery hole to hell? Your balls get burned.

Hell Hole Pilot Countdown!

In 5 days we begin shooting our pilot episode!

The Master List of Many Things (that we cannot forget to nail down):
     -fire
     -Lucifer
     -the perfect house
     -burning baseball and mit
     -sunglasses
     -sunscreen
     -script/storyboards/shotlist/diagrams
     -director's seat/couch
     -awesome camera + 35mm lens adaptor
     -p2 cards
     -microdolly 
     -bounce boards (reminder: Lucifer is providing additional light)
     -flame retardant lav mics
     -sound blankets
     -recorder/mixer
     -MKH 416 aka awesome boom mic
     -Lucifer's trailer ???
     -iced water
     -burn cream
     -PAs
     -Assistant to Lucifer

We're almost completely through collecting/renting/purchasing these random items... any ideas as to where I can find a mic that won't melt in Hell?

The Sound of the Perfect House...

Ran into a snag in our shooting plans today: the perfect house is not so perfect anymore. The I80 (commonly called the 215 by those who live in Salt Lake) resides just behind the perfect house....


AHHHHHHH! This is why I encourage productions to take their sound mixer or sound supervisor to the locations they scout! They can often hear problems with locations that others are not even considering. It would be the equivalent of not bringing your DP to the locations until the shoot day. Not a good idea.


Anyway, Stephen and Jason found this perfect house after already being prepared to shoot at another house where we took our press photos. They sent Jorge and I a photo of this new house and we instantly fell in love. It has blue wood siding and the prefect white trim. The door is framed by two symmetrical bay windows... it is what we all had in mind when first reading the original script.


Two options arise out of this problem. 


1. Take wild tracks of dialog outside our other location as we are not shooting the interiors at the same house.  This works in our favor since Satan will not be recorded on location, Stephanie has no lines and Jason has only four lines.  The only concern is dialog on CU shots will not be in complete sync and may require mad dialog editing skills.  Perhaps the edit can help us use the wild tracks.


2. Soundsoap the freeway out of the ambiance.  Although this may be an option and typically I like Bias's Soundsoap, I have little faith in the algorithms taking out the I80 without affecting dialog.


We will probably try both and see which one supports the story best.  After all, a pilot is more about telling a good story than the technical details. 


Here is a sample of the busy freeway behind our previously perfect location:
Perfect House AMB  by  m5coff


What do you think?