Shuffle

Silliness

2008-04-11T16:06:00.001-07:00

So, my partner has decided that he feels as though I don't own any part of this project. He feels as though this has all been his idea and that I just took it and ran off with it.

It is unfortunate, for I ave been nothing but upfront with him and he signaled his agreement to everything I have been doing enthusiastically until now, now matter how he may protest otherwise.

He says Shuffle is his alone because he came up with the idea for a zombie television show "years ago". I suggested the animation and the meta-narrative.

Now, let's examine the idea. Is a zombie television show an original idea?
No - to prove this I recommend the thread at allthingszombie.com about "Dead", a now defunct television show: http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7181

Did he come up with zombies?
No - To prove this I recommend the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie

Is a zombie cartoon original?
No - Might I suggest Zombie College: http://www.mondominishows.com/index.php?series=13&seriesPage=0

Is drama an original element?
No - Do I really have to reference this one?

Is animation original?
No - He did not invent a medium.

Is a zombie cartoon geared towards adults original?
No - Hence "City of Rott": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0839762/

The only original element is the structure I brought to it.

On top of that, since we have no contract between us (though I have been pushing to get one made FOREVER), copyright revert to the person who made the film, me! That is why Wal-Mart is in such trouble now: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/04/company-sells-a.html

The crappy thing is, I've done all the work. I designed the characters with the artists, I found the talent, I found the money, and I took care of it all, now he is trying to say that he didn't want to do any of it. Nevermind that he was behind the making of a demo movie, nevermind that he was there at auditions and was thankful and happy with my choices, nevermind that he showed up at editing and talked on and on about how he wanted everyone to see this film now. Now he is trying to say he didn't want to do any of this at all and that anyone could see that.

So I asked the people who met him, and they were as surprised as I, for they all saw him being very happy and all for the direction things were taking.

I also asked everyone that he and I worked with who they feel as though created the property, and they all seem to feel as though we both did. He came up with a broad concept, a zombie television show, and I developed it and fleshed it out. True, he wrote the script of the demo, but it was a script I told him to write and one that I edited.

I also designed the logo with the graphic designer.

Also, my name is on everything except for his one script. I don't see how he thinks he can take this from me.

It's just frustrating, for I have been nothing but on the up and up with him and now he is attempting to do something untoward.

And to think he accused me of trying to steal this from him.

Recent Developments

2008-04-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Now, I am sure the people that read this thing, both of you, wonder why it is so long between posts. Well, the reason is because there is a whole lot of hurry up and wait, and I only post when something new has happened.

So, I still haven't met with my partner, but we should be getting together tonight. Let's just hope.

Also, I have managed to get someone to color correct my film.

Lastly, and the part I am most excited about, I asked my choreographer to partner up with me as well. I haven't brought this up to my original partner yet, because I wanted to make sure she was interested before I did. The reason is because not only did she choreograph the fights well, she was also invaluable beyond that. She knows the business, she does not talk down to you when she tells you something you either need or should know, and without her I would not have been able to manage so many people. She kept people happy and working in a way I could not have.

I can only hope my original partner is cool with the idea, for she would be a great asset.

If this thing is ever done I will be amazed

2008-03-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

So, the sound tech's computer has been stolen, and his backup is broken. So he is going to do the sound on a friend's computer.

On top of the, my meeting with my partner in crime has been postponed because his friend has lung cancer and only has a month to live. It's really horrible.

However, my partner and I have seemed to repaired that breach between us and we are moving forward.

Also, I have shown the rough cut to some of the people at work and they are loving the damn thing.

Hope springs eternal.

Crap

2008-03-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

So, my partner and I got into it today. He seems to have gotten into his head that I am out to screw him over and steal everything. Mind you, I've tried to involve him in every step of making this demo. All he wants to do is write stuff which he won't share. I've taken my own money and found actors and convinced people to work on this and that is was a good idea and worth their time, and all he has done is supposedly write things.

I don't know what to do. I've tried to get him down here so that we can write out everything we want out of this and work out protections from each other, but he doesn't seem to have time for that.

Still, he accuses me of wanting to steal this idea of his.

Fuck. Just fuck. There's not even any money yet and already this shit is starting.

Computer

2008-03-13T03:29:00.000-07:00

So, my computer broke.

The sound tech's computer has been stolen.

And the editor's computer hasn't arrived yet.

What a day.

James

Rough Cut II

2008-03-10T21:17:00.001-07:00

So, the rough cut is done and my partner is happy.

I got to say, this has turned out a lot better than I thought. After all the misery and bad luck we have gone through, this is a pretty damn good film.

I am, however, thinking of making a 30 second animated trailer instead of working animation into the film. Though I may still use animation to enhance some shots.

Right now, though, I am trying to get a cinematographer for color correction. There is some issues in getting the cameras to match.

But who didn't expect that (besides me)?

James

Rough Cut

2008-03-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

So, today I am finishing the rough cut.

I am very nervous, since it will be the first time that my partner has seen any of this.

Let's just hope it goes well.

James

Post Production

2008-03-02T06:32:00.001-08:00

So, my editor has ordered a new computer. It will be two weeks getting here and then we will start post production.

That's okay, because it gives me time to put a post production team together.

As hard as I have worked, I'm still surprised to be here. Filming was such a draining experience. If I can put the rest together, I will be truly amazed.

Wrap

2008-02-21T00:29:00.001-08:00

So, everything started two hours late, but it is done. The filming is done. Oh god, the filming is done.

Now, onto post-production.

James

This is it

2008-02-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

So today is supposed to be the last day of filming. One actor has bronchitis, but is still showing up. Another has optical neuritis and is now blind in one eye, but is still showing up.

Everything seems to be going swimmingly.

Now I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop and my stomach is in knots from worry.

Hope it goes well.

James

Making It

2008-02-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

So, I've gotten a make-up artist. Now I have to put together call times. But to do that, I need to know how late everyone is willing to work and how early they can start.

But I got the damn artist.

James

Make up artist

2008-02-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

The make up artist has an emergency and is going to be gone for three weeks.

I am trying to get a new one in time.

If not I will reschedule.

Here is what we have survived thus far.

Pancreatitis.
A mugging.
A hernia.
Bad weather.
Car chases.
Insane property owners.
The flu.
A train.
Disappearing cars.

We can do this. We are almost there.

James

The Car

2008-02-14T06:38:00.000-08:00

You know why I haven't posted in so long? It's taken me this long to reschedule. Every time I go to shoot, it rains. In the middle of a drought, it rains. In fact, in rained when I was going to shoot this Tuesday, so I rescheduled the car shoot for Wednesday. It went really well. The actors were fantastic, so much so that everyone kept asking where I found these guys. It felt really good, just really fucking cold. But as I kept telling everyone, "It's not raining, so who cares if it's cold?"

Getting the car was quite the debacle. First, the car I had lined up for free broke down. Then the guy who provides cars for movies flaked. Then I saw a great car outside the Earl, but no one knew whose it was. So they told me to talk to John at the drive-in. So I go to his house, tell him what is going on, and lets me, a complete stranger into his house, and calls some friends. No go on a car from them. So now I am riding down the street, and I see this great car. My roommate, Victoria, asks me if she wants me to catch him. I say yes and it was the slowest car chase in the world. We are two cars behind him at the stoplight, so I get out of the car and bang on his window. He then opens the car door and tells me to get in, so I do. I tell him what was going on and he agreed to let me film his car.

It was a great shoot.

James

Latest Fiasco

2008-01-30T04:58:00.000-08:00

Alright, so I managed to raise the money for the insurance and was all set to shoot tonight. Then, my main actor fell sick with the flu. Hopefully I can shoot on Monday, but damnit. Just damnit.

James

Insurance

2008-01-14T20:43:00.000-08:00

So, I have gotten approved for a policy, but I have not been able to get the money up in time. So I have had to cancel tonight. I am trying to talk the gentleman to let us sign a waiver instead, but he is being a douche.

James

Panic

2008-01-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

So, the owner of the property I am shooting at calls me this morning, asking us for insurance. He won't let us shoot without insurance, and no one has mentioned this to me until now (otherwise I would have it taken care of already). Now I am scrambling to get it.

James

Third Night

2008-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

So, the third night of shooting went a whole hell of a lot better. Everyone felt good and no one seemed frustrated. The lady playing the prostitute was worried about her car, but thankfully, I was able to get her done and out pretty quickly. The only real problem that seemed to happen was when one of the actor's broke a hole in the wall. (He wasn't supposed to.) I panicked for a moment, but I just walked up to the owner, told them what happened, gave him money for the labor, and promised to come back the next day with a patch. He was cool about it. He could have thrown us out and would have been right to do so. Next time I do this, I am going to plan my budget around half the money I have available just to make sure I have some available for unexpected problems.

Tomorrow I have another shoot, but this time I have planned out what shots was are making and in what order. Also, I have managed to stagger the call times, lastly, I am going to the site tonight to plan out where the lighting is going to need to be. Let's just hope it works. I only have 8 shots, so wish me luck.

James

Second Night

2008-01-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

When I got home I wanted to cry. Set up took so long and make-up took forever. We managed to get some stuff in, but I kept getting stopped by having to put out fires. Either the actors weren't happy (understandably so, though them complaining did not help, because dealing with their complaints slowed things down, causing them more discomfort), or the owner of the location wasn't happy. I managed to talk him out of compensation when he realized that no one is making any money off of this thing. The crew was unhappy, and it hurt that work kept them later and so they had to set up later.

Really though, I should have planned it better. I have rescheduled the exteriors, but I will have to work extra hard to get call times set to prevent the fiasco that was the second night of shooting. I know, live and learn, but I should have had the foresight. Thankfully the actors and crew are forgiving.

In fact, for any film you work on, at teh very beginning, walk up to the director, hug them tight, and say "I forgive you". Just go ahead and establish that. The director may be baffled at first, but by the end, they will thank you for it.

James

First Day

2008-01-07T22:45:00.000-08:00

So, we wrapped up the first day of shooting an hour late. But it went well. I had a mad scramble for hats and wardrobe, but everyone pitched in and we pulled through. This is despite the manager at Stefan's being a prick. Tomorrow is more difficult, because it is outside, but hopefully it can work out. My crew director has gone AWOL, but I have a gaffer-esque person.

All of the actors were very patient. The lady who is playing Lyn definitely enjoyed her outfit and make-up.

Let us just hope that the weather holds up for tomorrow's shoot.

(Pray it doesn't rain.)

James

First Day of Shooting (Prelude)

2008-01-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

So, I am supposed to start shooting this damn thing today. After worrying about make-up for so long, I have gotten that handled, and props are coming along well. Yet still, there are more fires. The sound guy who has been involved since the beginning has disappeared. He is not answering his phone or e-mails. The two wardrobe people have gone incommunicado. Lastly, our gaffer has gone no-show. The last two I can handle, but I don't know what to do about wardrobe. I can only hope that my Crew Director has it handled, but since I cannot get a hold of her, I don't know what is up.

I just hope that when I show up it is taken care of. (hope hope hope).

James

Shooting Schedule

2008-01-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

So, I have made the revisions to the script for shooting, at the last second (of course). On top of that, I am redoing the shooting schedule to fit the changes and the needs of my actors. The thing is, I don't know what I am doing. I have made a grid, I have lists, but I don't know which scenes are going to take the longest to shoot. I am breaking up one scene into two parts, but other than that, I am stuck.

I guess I will just have to take a hammer and beat the shit out of it until I come up with something, because no one else is available to tell me what to do.

Hell, I am the one who is supposed to be telling everyone else what to do.

James

Blocking and Storyboards

2008-01-02T21:24:00.000-08:00

So, finding a storyboard artist turned out to be impossible. So we decided to make a video storyboard instead. It took us three nights of sitting down and making notes about how each and every scene was going to be broken up, and how each shot was going to be composed.

So then we got a camera and tried to shoot each shot using people to stand in for the actors.

Now, every night that we have been there, the place has been empty, except for the one night we decided to do work that needed people to not be around. So we couldn't do it.

Then the holidays happened. And then the money disappeared. And then I just couldn't get up and do anything. And then I got sick.

Then through some very very fast talking with my relatives and my roommates relatives, we got the money back. I was still sick, but I could get out of bed. Then we got to the bar tonight while it was closed. The people who were standing in could not be there, but I managed to get someone in really quickly. Thankfully, he was one of the cameramen, so he needs to know how it will be shot anyway.

The actual blocking went down really well. We did some tweaking, found out what tables and chairs we could move, and it all worked.

Plus there are these great superhero moments in the film when the G-men spring into action.

Now I just need to get makeup done and the wardrobe and the schedule done and blah blah blah.

I just want the damn thing over so I do not have to schedule any besides me anymore.

James

Rehearsals

2007-11-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

Yeah, so I haven't posted in awhile.

That's kind of bad in the early part of a blog.

In any event, I have managed to get some rehearsals under my belt. It was not easy, considering that everyone who had a scene together seemed to have conflicting schedules, but by shear power of annoyance and calling incessantly or by sending a whole lot of e-mails, I managed to get some done.

I wasn't really that insane about it, but it did take a lot of calls.

However, all of the rehearsals went great. Everyone is giving a top notch performance. They have managed to get in the spirit of the characters quickly. They are really talented. I just hope I can keep them going on this project.

Meetings and more auditions

2007-11-04T16:22:00.001-08:00

So, I must say, the meeting went super duper wonder well. Yes, I know that is not a technical or business term and I don't care.

We set our rehearsal schedules and our production schedules. Also, we brainstormed on marketing ideas and a whole bunch of 30 second spots.

The best thing was to finally get everyone together in one place. I had spent so much time reassuring everyone that things were happening and that I did see everyone and that they were not the only ones working on this thing. So I know that a good number of people were relieved to see that the other people did exist.

Tomorrow I am holding another damn audition. You would think with all the people out there who want to be actors and actresses, getting them would be like shooting fish in a barrel. Nosirreebob!

This one is at an actor's studio and has been posted on five different sites, as well as put out in a couple of newsletters. If I cannot get actors and actresses tomorrow, I am hanging up my hat.

James

Meetings

2007-10-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

So, tomorrow is another creative team meeting. Also, I am having the actors come over to be measured. I tell you what though, it is like herding cats. Someone can't make it because their car broke and they have no money. Others can't because of work, of course they are the people I need there because the make up work needs doing and prosthetics need to be built. This person has to come early and leave before the official time and this person has to come late because of work. The crazy part is that I see everyone, just not at the same time. I only seem to see people one at a time, and so I worry that people feel that they are the only ones working on this thing. It's frustrating, to say the least. It also makes it hard to organize.

Still, gotta keep on doing it. Why? I don't know, but I'm gonna anyway.

James

I hate people

2007-10-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I decided to contact and actor's studio to cast these last few parts.

I was talking to the owner of one of them and he asks me about the parts and the project, and since I am trying to get this developed into a television show, I thought it important for him and his students to know that there was a strong possibility of future roles if this thing works out.

It was then that he butt in and said, "You know, no one is impressed if you say it can lead to future roles."

I wasn't trying to impress the guy, and I told him so. He then tries to play it off as just trying to give friendly advice. I'm sure that in his head he was doing just that, however, I am working with a whole bunch of talented and experience people, and they all give advice, and none of them are condescending, patronizing assholes. In fact, the people I am working with are the most kind, helpful, and respectful people I have ever met. They're great.

I just wonder about this studio guy.

James

Second Audition Results

2007-10-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

So, I still don't have all the parts cast, though I do have most. I still don't have my lead, though, nor my favorite G-Man. Both are difficult parts. So, I am going to have to do another audition.

It's frustrating. You know, you hear all the time about how hard it is for actors, but so far I have not seen a whole lot of get up and go. The few people I have cast have it, but it seems to me that if something really is your dream, you kinda have to work at it. Hell, making a movie isn't even my dream, it's just something I thought would be fun to do.

For the most part, it has been, but it is still frustrating. I still haven't even gotten over the shock of how far I have gotten on this. Hell, I even got funding today. Not much, just $500, but that will buy food and water during shooting, maybe even a couple of costumes.

I believe I am meeting with my fight choreographer this Wednesday as well as my programmer. This Thursday I am meeting with the owner of a production company to talk about a possible partnership.

It's still odd to day that I am doing any of these things. I hope that feeling never goes away. I hope I am never comfortable calling the shots, or leading people, or making deals. I hope it always makes me feel like someone else should be doing this, that I am doing it just because there is no one else around to do it for me. I just don't want it to be that this is what I do.

And I don't know why I feel that way.

Oh well...

James

Zombie meeting

2007-10-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

So, we had zombie meeting yesterday. It went pretty well. We figured out what props we needed and finished up the character designs. It pretty much took sitting down with the artist and describing this person until he drew the damn character.

I had a conversation with an artist one time about this project. He wasn't producing and I had to ask him why. He said to me, "You can't rush creativity." I yelled (but only for a moment), "You damn well can!" The truth is, you can. You do something often enough it gets easier. Plus, I'm not looking for genius. You can't rush genius. I'm just looking to get things done and done how I want them. I don't even want my artists' genius. I just want what I ask them to do done. Yeah, you could argue that I am relying on them to translate my vision, and I am, but that doesn't mean that it has to be done on their time and not mine.

I am holding a second audition this Saturday at the Earl. Hopefully holding at a public place instead of my house it will go better, especially since it is a lot more centrally located.

Wish me luck!

James

The Audition

2007-10-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

So, today was a bust. I had a couple people show up and they read and it was nice. A couple I am going to call back, but I will have to do a second audition for sure. I am having a couple of private auditions tomorrow night. I was expecting a bigger turnout today, especially after all the phone calls and e-mails I received. They just didn't translate into people coming out.

I hope to throw the next audition at a venue. That will probably help a bit, but still, I was hoping for more today. It's still not as discouraging as trying to get work out of people (especially artists).

James

Fighting

2007-10-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

So, I met with my fight choreographer.

I know. I have a fight choreographer. Weird, isn't it?

It went pretty well. She seemed impressed with how much things had been thought out and seemed happy to work with a first time film-maker. We got to talking about how the struggles were going to work and she seemed to be really into it.

I managed to find her at a meeting of film-makers that a customer and friend invited me to. She was kind enough to hear my spiel.

What amazed me in general was how much people are willing to work together at this stage. You hear about these dramatic rows in the industry, but right now, everyone is just trying to get experience or that ability to say they worked on this great project with so and so. It makes me really wonder where that line is where that eagerness is lost. Or if it is lost at all and it just happens that we only hear about the crappy stuff.

James

Nervousness

2007-10-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

So, I am auditioning people this Sunday.

I can't stop thinking about it. It's nerve-wracking. It's strange to have people asking me to work on this instead of the other way around.

The thing that gets me is that I have no idea what I am doing. I really don't, but people expect me
to. I know what acting I like and what I don't, but I cannot articulate what that is. I know what I have pictured, but I don't know how to explain it or how it looks. Yet, it is expected of me not only to tell people what I want, I have to get it out of them, and I don't know how.

To keep things organized, I've created registration forms for people to fill out when they come here so that I can keep them all straight. I'm really bad at names and faces, so this really is a necessity. I strongly recommend it to all of you.

My form asked for the person's name, age, sex, contact info, what parts they were interested in, which ones they were not interested in, when they were available for shooting, whether they were interested in crew work, and what skills they had. I also put in a place for me to make notes and a space to assign them a number. I plan on writing in the number as I take people's pictures so that I can put a name to each face. I am really that bad at remembering names and faces.

I'll let you know how it goes down.

James

Concept and How It Started

2007-10-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you who wondering what Shuffle is supposed to be about, (and mind you, I'm not going to tell you everything), it is zombie horror. But besides that, it is going to be an adult dramatic cartoon. You see, I sell comic books and one of my customers and I got to talking about how some of these would make great cartoons and that we want to watch these. So, him and I decided we were going to try to do just that.

I never expected to get past the bullshit talking about stage.

So, after we came up with a concept, I started talking to people, mostly customers, who I thought had talents that would behoove the project. I first started with people I hung out with. This is the part many people don't tell you, how to put a team together. You do it much in the same way you get dates. You ask. You ask a lot of people and you get rejected a whole lot. By starting with people I already knew, no one's expectation was that high and it kept it fun. I didn't know anyone in the film-making or animation industry. None of us had ever done anything like this before, and no one had taken any classes to do this either.

So, after I had a couple of writers and an editor together, we decided on a meeting place an time and we met every two weeks.

Things went quickly for a while. Things got written and there was a bunch of excitement.

This is another thing people don't often say. How painfully slow things get and how hard it can be to get work out of people. Things will get slow and nothing will get done for the longest time. Also, people will start showing up to meetings sporadically. The method I used to counteract this is bugging the shit out of people. Don't be afraid to be annoying and call. Also, when you do call, don't be angry. No one likes to work for a dick. Ask people what is going on with them, first. The people who have talked into working for you want to feel respected and cared about by you. If they ask why you are asking, tell them the truth. You want to know why they haven't been doing what you ask of them and/or why they haven't shown up for meetings lately. Remember, if people are working for you, their problems are your problems. Help them if they need it and if they need a leave of absence to take care of something, let them. Think about how your favorite boss acts and emulate it. If you don't have a favorite boss, think about the biggest prick you have ever worked for and avoid everything they did.

Not being a dick gives you an added bonus when it comes to working with people (and yes, I realize what I am about to say is rather dick-ish). When you do get upset (and you will, eventually), it matters and it means something. The people you have working for you will know that you have done everything to make things run smoothly for them and to see you get upset (not angry) or hurt or disappointed in them is something they do not want to see and will work to avoid. Think about the people who care about you. Doesn't it hurt to see them upset? Won't you do anything to set things right when they are? If you actually take the time to care about the people working for you, they will feel the same when they let you down.

If anyone that is working with me reads this, I really do care about what is going on with you, whether you wish to believe that or not.

James

First Hand

2007-10-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

Hello. This blog is meant to detail the process of creating the zombie film and animation project known as Shuffle. I am sure none of you have heard of it now, but hopefully everyone will hear of it later.

Also, I hope anyone who reads this blog will get inspiration and insight about the process of film-making. Mind you, not the several million dollar film-making, but the I hope I can pay rent film-making.

Often it is the case when you read some director's account of how they accomplished their project or how they got to where they are, they leave out important details, or even entire steps. It is though everyone went to penniless and then world famous without any in between. It is that in between space that is important. It is there that people have questions.

I know that I am waiting a little late to start this thing. I should have done it the day that my compatriots started this whole thing. However, I honestly never expected to get as far as we have. Since I am doing auditions this weekend, I figured it was about damned time for me to get off my ass and write about what I am doing and how it is getting done. This way, when whoever reads this thing decides to do their own project, they will be more prepared than I was (and I am not prepared at all).

I will write about concept next time. Now I just have to figure out how to handle the auditioning process.

Good night.

James