Ugh.

Ever watch something so many times that you can't tell what's working anymore? My sound has been thrown off sync, and I'm fixing it, but I need to take a small vacation from my cut so I can approach the thing with eyes fresh enough to know what the hell I'm changing.

Also, the sound thing is a huge pain in the arse.

Happy Holidays.

Deux

I've got a new cut. And it's comin' to class. Brace yourselves.

Sleigh Bells

So, updating during post is pretty difficult. I would just post random clips of stuff I'm improving, but that'd take all the shazzam out of showing another cut, which I intend to do.

I've re-cut my opening to Blue Christmas, and I'm rather loving it. Music is becoming really vital to the project, as is displayed in my teaser.

I need to find a sound designer for post to help me with some ADR, and I'll be meeting with Phil soon to get an idea of what we're going to do musically for the fantasies. Right now, we just have sleigh bells ringing everytime one happens, which is actually pretty funny, but I want more (naturally).

I'm not sure if seeing the pure magic of some of the other films (Has Heppe's cut finished circulating yet?) has pressured me to strive for perfection, as it ought, or kind of relieved me, as I now know that our screener will be bested by no one. Regardless, I'm still slaving away, smiting all of my other classes in the process.

Anyway, off to work on my sorely neglected feature.

SWAT

So, here I am, on campus - doing some editing like a good film student on Wednesday night - and I figure, okay - let's get a CD out of my car and pull some music onto the sequence.

I walk out into the hallway - toward the snack machines - and this guy, in full SWAT armor, complete with visor helmet, swings out from behind a wall with a GUN.

Turns out there was some training going on. The entire team soon spilled out in equally terrifying armor to ask me wtf I was doing at school in the middle of the night (10:30). They told me to leave, and I did, unscathed, but, all the same, I figured I'd share.

Moral: Edit during spring break - get shot.

Be careful kids.

Trailer?

Okay - so, this isn't a real trailer, because it gives EVERYTHING away. But, this will give you guys a better idea of what I'm goin' for.

Enjoy (and comment)

Window Shopping

This image is perfect as a title card to my film. It sums everything up. So, here we are, a day after shooting, and I have the following to say:

First of all, Desiree has been amazing. I didn't have to worry about anything on set, and she even took care of the equipment return sans moi.

The set went really smoothly. We are missing one vital shot - the coverage of which, in one take, is done with the eyeline in the wrong direction, but I should be able to handle it.

Phil has helped me do a pass of my first half rough cut, and I'm very happy with what we've turned out. We've discussed some of the music ideas we've got - sound design will be crucial in this project.

Anyway, just wanted to pop in. Enjoy some stills from the shoot, I had to brighten them a lot to get them to look decent a la the computer, so I'll fix that tomorrow - I'm going to sleep.




This is the cafe - all Christmased up. It looks fantastic. The frost on the windows was a nightmare to get off, and for the record, I hate that stained glass door.




Jesse was the comic relief on set - thank God. In this photo he's being moderately obnoxious. It's also a fantastic display of the fake Swiss Alps-esque landscape he created with his top-notch production design.



Fantasy Christmas apartment - looking lovely

Second wind

Yesterday was productive - we had our final production meeting, and assigned last-minute jobs around the table, I met with Johnny (my A.D.) and Jeanette (my 2nd) to hash out the schedule that matches the finalized cafe shot list, and at the end of the evening, I went over to Jesse's to look at some truly spectacular decorations he's picked out for the apartment.

Today, we'll be going to look at stuff for the cafe, which will be minimal, since Jesse's take on this elaborate place is that we'll be getting rid of decor much more than we'll be placing it - and he's absolutely right.

Ginan, my catering manager, may be more stressed out than me. She's got our cheesesteaks and pizza, as I mentioned in class, and I'm sure lots of wet naps, and is hounding Atlanta Bread to help us out as we speak. Hopefully everyone will be well fed on Sunday.

Speaking of which, we've got plenty of extras as far as I know, which is a relief. We'll need holiday shopping bags (if anyone's got some) to pass around, assorted gift wrap, etc.

Anyway, all is looking great. Let's hope it stays that way.