January 6, 2016
You are probably wondering why I haven’t uploaded the latest script by now. The reason why is because I am afraid I will change it and I will have to update it again. I’m trying not to waste paper. This thing is 11 pages long (front and back, making 21 pages worth of ink.) The story itself I would say is locked, but I may need to tweak a few words here and there. You see, none of the drafts have been read aloud and what looks good on paper is different when it is actually spoken. Luckily, I plan on having a table read with my siblings today. Hopefully by tonight I will have a script lock that I can print out.
Otherwise, I’ve been trying to use every “free” moment I get to work on the storyboards. It’s long and a little tedious. I’ve only finished scene 5 (a short scene mind you) and I’m about halfway through 6. I don’t plan on storyboarding every scene because doing 42 may just take forever. I need to have a visual way of getting coverage though, as to not waste everyone’s time on set.
January 7, 2016
I’ve got the script locked! I will be uploading it along with this journal entry. I’ve started to storyboard the beginning of the film. I’ve finished scene 1 and scene 2. The process is still very slow and I may need to jump to the scenes we are most likely going to shoot soon so I can get the best use out of them. The beginning is the slowest part of the film in my opinion and if we need to cut down on time, it will probably be the first thing I cut. Right now, I don’t think we need to make that decision, so it stays.
Tomorrow is a big day. I’m giving the pitch of the short film to potential crew members tomorrow when we meet at the Square. This meeting will pretty much determine how the rest of the production process is going to go, either with success or disappointment. Jack was not able to notify the group about this meeting, so a majority of them do not know about it. With my luck, half the people that I want to talk to will not be there. I have to take the chance though. I hate to say it, but the success of this project is riding on these people.
I need to get prepared for this meeting and tonight I am doing just that. I want to bring the script, the storyboards I’ve completed, and a job list as you can see below:
*Camera Op: Uses the camera and rigs for the camera. Controls the camera presses the record button. (Only need if we have a monitor.) 1 Person.
TOOLS:
Slider Dolly
Tripod
Wheelchair
Spider Rig
DSLR
Slate/ Script Supervisor/ Taskmaster: In charge of marking the takes with the slate and writing down notes on good ones. Also check for continuity by keeping eye on the script. Keeps us on schedule. 1 Person.
TOOLS:
Slate
Script
Boom Op: monitors the audio with headphones and holds the boom pole. 1 Person.
TOOLS:
Boom Pole
Shotgun Mic
Lavalier Mics
*Sound Engineer: (we need to get quality monitoring headphones.) Monitors the audio levels.
May be combined with Boom Op. 1 Person.
TOOLS:
Audio Recorder (Zoom H1 and/ or Zoom H2n)
Field Recorder
Production Assistant (PA): go wherever they are needed. The skeleton key of the crew. Help set up equipment. Control the green screen. 2 People.
TOOLS:
Green Screen
Props Master/ Make- Up/ Wardrobe: (will do ourselves if no one is willing.) Makes sure we have the props we need for the scene and that they are in place. Puts makeup on the actors. Checks to make sure the actors are wearing the right set of clothes for the scene. 1 Person.
TOOLS:
Make Up Kit
Mascara
Clothes for character’s wardrobe
Gaffer: In charge of lights and reflectors. 2 People.
TOOLS:
Lighting Kit
Reflector
Documentarian: Responsible for getting behind the scenes footage of the production either with stills but mostly with video. When the cast or crew members have off time, hopefully the the documentarian will take the time to interview them. They are gathering footage for a (hopeful) behind the scenes documentary. 1 Person.
TOOLS:
Video Camera or DSLR (Reese)
Shotgun Mic attached to the top (Reese)
I am going to need 10 people for this specific job. 10 people, not including me, Jack, or the actors. That’s a lot of people to feed. I’d say our biggest scene, the classroom ones, will include 15-18 people maximum. (I’m counting on using the crew members as extras for students because I can’t imagine bring set of 10 people to be a part of it just for extras.) I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come it it. Right now, I just need people.