Silliness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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