New Screenplay In Progress

I just can not get any further in Buscar. Total blockage.

On a whim, I called my alma mater and asked if I could film a short there in a couple weeks. Based on some minimal feedback, it seemed like the school would be willing. Much like Madre Sabe El Mejor, this was a project I’d only start writing if I could produce it. After this brief moment of positive energy, I tried to write something that I would only need a classroom, maybe a dorm shot, and a few cadets to film. I’d have Robert play a teacher. After a few false starts, I came up with a really cool idea which, of course, I’m going to be totally secretive about. It’s also more than a short. Which is okay because after Jean told me I might be able to do it on campus and have some cadets as actors, I realized, “Oh crap, I no longer have unlimited access to thousands of dollars of equipment.” That’s the one reason I didn’t want to leave Little Caesars. They were my sugar-daddy when it came to movie-making.

Then, last week at work, I started getting really inspired and had some great ideas and the notes & brainstorming storylines started flowing. While trolling around in myspace and facebook groups for Howe Military School alumni I found a former cadet who seemed just like how I envisioned one of the main characters. I want to grill her with questions about her experiences but … I really, really don’t want to … accidentally steal her experiences or something. But exchanging messages with her has helped keep me pretty inspired and excited about it. Shortly, I’m going to write some more tonight. 

Robert’s Red Eye

I didn’t write Red Eye. Maggie, a fellow student at the Detroit Film Center, did. It’s just so … weird to work on a movie I didn’t write. It’s very different than being in a play I didn’t write. But then … I think it would be easy to be in a movie I didn’t write. Directing is a completely different animal. I’m not sure I’d completely enjoy being one of those directors who is in their own movie.

This sort of thing drives me crazy at my day job. I hate working on everyone else’s projects and never having one of my own. One of the pastors at church said, if I may remind myself, that I need to work on someone else’s vision before working on my own but … dude, that sucks.

I just feel like everyone thinks, “Oh, you’re only the director? You didn’t write it?” or “Oh, you’re only the designer? You didn’t actually create the content?” Actually, I don’t feel – I know … that’s what they say in job interviews. And my Mom says stuff like that. I didn’t plaster my name all over Madre because I feel that’s just, I don’t know, vain. And after she watched it, she said, “You’re name is nowhere on it” which made me wonder if she even believed I made it. Yeah, I could have filled the credits with my name for every crew position, put my name as producer, director, writer, but … whatever.

I should mention the writer/director of the church musical liked the editing and such I did of her show.

I’ve been very bitter and unfulfilled lately, if you can’t tell.

The Worst Thing About Cinema D

Because of rescheduling, I think, there were two religious themed films my night. Mine, which was I like to think at least a little subtle, funny and brilliant. The other  was more like Jesus with a bullhorn and a sledgehammer. Fortunately, mine was shown first, but it was still irritating in that “I can’t believe someone else wore the same dress I did to the party” kind of a way.

Critique

An email from Natasha, my teacher at the Detroit Film Center is in red:

Hey Jay! Congratulations on your film showing! Great story! did you write it alone? where did that come from?

Well, I wanted to have as many reasons as possible for the Detroit Film Festival to take the movie. There was a slot free on latin night so everything about the story came from that. Latin actors, dialogue in spanish, Mexicantown location, and as many references to Pedro Almodovar as possible (priest, strong women, drugs, transvestite). I just needed to write & weave all those things together.

I LOVED robert’s part – really comedic.

Yes, Robert was the best thing about the film.

WHY WERE THE WHITE’S SO BLOWN OUT!!??? Your exposure was AHH!!! your F-stop open too too much

Well, I didn’t know as much as I do now about such things and, as I said in an earlier post, I scouted the location at a very different time of day when the lighting was nowhere near as bright (another novice mistake).

The actors where a little on the dry side- the mom mainly. The kids were actually pretty good. i think you already knew this….

Yes, all true and noticed by many but as I’ve also said before, there were things I could have done (there are lists in earlier posts) to improve their performance but didn’t.

LOVED the opening scene with the photo album.

Really? Thanks. That was kind of a last minute idea. I was unsure about it and wondered if it was too long.

LOVED highlighting that it WAS detroit

I’m glad no one made fun of my use of Google Earth.

So basically, your overall idea was fabulous.. it was just your production side that needed improvement but when you have such a great story, people overlook that.

I’m glad everyone likes the script as much as I do. I’m very proud of it.

BUT FOR NEXT TIME, don’t try to do everything alone.

I was warned about that but I honestly thought I could be the next Robert Rodriguez and everything would come out perfect with only me and no budget.

Now you have a pool of people to pick from all from DV1.

I really hope I get to work with Jose. I need to email him about some projects we discussed.

i’m really glad i met you cause i would love to help you out on anything.

I feel the same way. I’ve developed a small handful of people I will call with every idea.

the kids loved working with you too! i am sure they would love to continue working with you as well!

I’ve already got ideas in mind. Though I, actually, may snatch up Reynaldy’s dad first! That particular idea is the one I keep writing about having “writer’s block” with.

Madre Goofs

Ever since it was finished, I have been meaning to watch it solely to see if there’s food on the table before the waitress shows up, etc. Well, here are the goofs I noticed re-watching it just now:

• When we first see the family as the camera follows the transvestite into the taqueria, all three actresses have their scripts in front of them on the table. After the first cut, when we first hear Maria telling her story, the scripts are gone.
• When the waitress brings the food, she lays a plate in front of the Mom. There’s a cut and when the transvestite asks for the salt, her plate is gone, but her script is sitting in front of her.
• The camera changes again and her plate has returned.
• The scene with the bus boy … the cup he knocks over with no subtlety doesn’t show up until halfway into the scene.

I think that’s it.

Pix from Premiere

Below is Frank, the guy who sorta is The Detroit Film Festival; Natasha, my teacher at the Detroit Film Center; and me.

Three of the students who performed in the film with friends and family.

Those same three actors with me and Kathleen, the Western High School teacher who went above and beyond in helping make the movie possible.

And Here It Is

In it’s entirety.

Un Poco Praise

Frank said the editing was very good. I told him that even if it bombed tonight (which I fully expect it to) I’m still in afterglow from the success of my little flicks in Vegas, so it won’t hurt my feelings.

Clear Skies for the Final Ford Fourth Friday

I asked Frank (and everyone else I know) how many people like both country music and movies with subtitles. After last month’s Fourth Friday and Detroit Film Festival got rained out, I joked that the night my film would be rescheduled for would be country music. As it turns out …

Well, I’ve had fun chatting with Frank, the guy what runs the Detroit Film Festival. The Hard Rock Cafe has provided another awesome buffet. Not as many people are supposed to show up as last time, but a few are and by sheer chance, I will (am) actually be there as well.

Keith Anderson is the headlining country act who is playing this very moment. Apparently he’s a grammy nominated “rising star” in country music.

As Good As Or Better

I wrote the theme song for Madre Sabe El Mejor and people seemed to really dig it and say they can’t get it out of their head.

Today I composed a new one for the video mentioned in the previous entry but I think it’d be perfect for the feature I’m starting. I had two ideas but I don’t think I’d be able to write the first one. Just don’t have the life experience or cultural experience. I think this new song is as good as or better than the first.

OH! I’ve been reading oodles of film & video books over the last few months and today I got one from the library with the best title: A How-To Guide for the First-Time, Flat-Broke Film and Video Maker.

Six Tornadoes and a Severe Thunderstorm Can’t Stop Art

The re-scheduled screening of “Madre Sabe El Mejor” is September 28 at a much friendlier time of 9:30 PM. Same place.

I have two ideas for a new, feature-length movie. I’ll shoot this one with my personal cam.

Children of the Revolution in Detroit

The Children of the Revolution were friendly, fun and funny under the tent.

I missed a couple acts I wanted to see that day and I only saw a couple songs by these guys.

Fourth Friday Detroit Latin Rhythm

We arrived and the peeps were hanging out inside the Compuware building and the Hard Rock and huddled under the VIP tent. I got some video (I’ll post it soon) of people dancing in the Compuware Building and of the musicians and peeps hanging out in the tent. There was delicious chicken fettucine and the best chicken strips I’ve ever had in the buffet. We had a total of 8 (count ‘em EIGHT) drink tickets and I was only half-way through them and Nikki wanted to go home and gave three of them away. Once she realized my movie wasn’t going to show, her steam and motivation to suppress her feeling ickiness faded.

The good news is, one of the features that was supposed to show in September is having production problems so the three shorts that got canceled for August will be shown in its place. The best part about that is we get ANOTHER free dinner and another two sets of drink tickets!

Date With Nikki

It was still a very cool date. We had fun. I love her SO much.

Rained Out

After the storm passed and things started to clear up, the schedule resumed … which was cool … the Children of the Revolution played … we sat next to them in the VIP tent and joked around with them and Frank, director of The Detroit Film Festival, sat at our table … but the film festival was cancelled because we wouldn’t go on until, like, 2 AM, so my movie will show in September. Frank was unassailably cool. So were the CotR. Footage of me, Nikki, and the CotR to follow. I have to call everyone to tell them not to come. We get free food and drinks in September, TOO!!

Fourth Friday … the countdown

The following was written over a period of time while I captured, edited, rendered, and uploaded the three videos:

I’ve been down there twice so far to tape activities. Very sunny & mostly blue skies just after noon and starting to get gray skies but still very hot just after five. Weather.com forecasts thunderstorms for the rest of the evening and they made an announcement about possible inclement weather. As long as I get my free buffet and free drinks from the Hard Rock Cafe, it can rain though I’d much rather my movie actually did get screened.

In the first video, you’ll see the band Universal Xpression and some shots of the park and surrounding landmarks including one of those weird motorized trollies (as if they could replace the ones we gave San Francisco). That was taken just after noon.

The second video is about six or so. You’ll see 2-4 couples that are local and national champion tango & salsa dancers and some salsa lessons. One couple has been married and dancing over 30 years.

It’s starting to get dark out (it’s about 6:30 PM) but sunset isn’t until like 8:20 PM.

Uh oh … I just heard some thunder … a couple in a row … and it’s really dark out … I’m waiting for Nikki who is supposed to meet me here at the office … otherwise I’d rush down there and get my free food & drink now. I keep hearing the words “tornado watch” and it’s all giving me a real big rock in my stomach.

At 7:08 … the Severe Thunderstorm is definitely here. I’m sure Comerica Park is emptying. It’s the worst it has rained all week. I wonder if it stops if the music will start again and if they’ll still have the film festival…

The good news is, as of 7:24 PM it is ten degrees cooler, so if everything isn’t cancelled, it’ll be much more comfortable.

Raining again today

I hope it doesn’t rain Friday night. How much plainer can I say that? Last night it wasn’t supposed to rain like it was supposed to (I heard 80% chance) but it was disgustingly humid so we left the Tigers game early. It would have been more comfortable had it rained.

I hope it doesn’t rain Friday.

Credit Where It’s Due

I, just in the nick of time, remembered I needed to put Robert’s stylist/costume designer in the credits. She, who goes by the name orangesperm.com, is shooting a commercial tonight in Hart Plaza.

Thunderstorms

According to weather.com there will be thunderstorms today, tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

It’s been raining for two days

What if it rains Friday? What if it rains all week and stops in time but the park is all wet and no one feels like being outside?

Madre TV Show?

I was really thinking about it but this morning I realized there are already far too many shows with fathers who are absent or inept. I don’t need to add another.

Over lunch,

I met the director of the Detroit Film Festival to drop off a new DVD. He gave me some posters for that night that have my movie listed and told me me and another person from the movie get free parking, free dinner for two at the Hard Rock, access to a catered VIP area and three free alcoholic beverages each! I’m thinking Robert would benefit the most from networking and such. I should make sure Josue gets in, too. Being, like, 16 or 17 though … dude… he could be the designated driver!

He assured me that everyone at that organization loves the script and what they’ve seen so far and they’re promoting the fact that it was filmed in Southwest Detroit heavily. Wow. No pressure.

Added Subtitles for Maria’s lines (in English)

for the exchange between her and Andrea about boys and blow … um … *ahem* … I’d hate for the audience to miss that.

I’m Even More Excited

Than I was before. All these little changes and tricks that make it better … I’m so excited. Both Rebecca and Dan said they’ll be there.

It sounds so much better

I’m using the 3 Band Equalizer filter and just dropping the High Frequency and High Gain as low as it’ll go. Next I’ll try getting rid of some rumbling and other noise.

Hurray for Filters!

Tonight is class. Tonight is Final Cut in class so I opted to do my editing in the air-conditioned comfort of my office on my dual 2 GHz 5.5 GB RAM machine rather than the original iMacs at the Detroit Film Center where it’s ten billion degrees.

Natasha gave me a quick introduction to the audio filters before class began and I’m cleaning the hiss off my audio tracks in Madre Sabe El Mejor. Also, I finally found out how to apply drop shadows to text! AND how to copy that attribute to multiple clips! It’s a very good evening. My subtitles look much, much better.

I continually learn how important planning and pre-production are. If nothing else, taking your time in both pre-production and during the shoot. Sure, there seemed to be a lot of wasted time the nights we shot at the restaurant, but it’s easy, I think, to get disorganized when you’ve got people without well-defined roles when everyone is taking turns and, like my Madre project, little time for planning or shooting.

All in all, both experiences have taught me a lot.

I’m still craving more audio and lighting experience/learning. My bosses got me a DVD called “How to keep your do-it-yourself video from looking like you did it yourself.” From what I’ve watched, it’s not very good. I was hoping for – with lighting, for example – a person standing in various lighting setups on camera so you could see the difference. It’s all lecture though. Why make a DVD? Why not just write a book with no pictures?

With Madre, I learned that I need to allow myself more confidence and authority as a director.

Something that sticks out for me from the Red Eye shoot is having to stop repeatedly while the air conditioning or something turned on and waiting for it to stop so we could begin filming again. That’s something I wish I’d done with Madre – allowed myself some flexibility. The situations are different, of course, but still.

Natasha is a much better teacher than the teacher of the first class I took. Note to self: don’t forget to ask about audio filters.

Oh. Crap. I. Just… remembered … something … I am in serious trouble …

Pix from Classy Class

I’m tempted to get some footage on my own. Of Robert driving to the airport, of the airport, him walking through it. It’s not like we’re graded or it’s a competition, but I still feel like I’d be cheating. I suppose I could share this footage with the others. But then my project will … you know … yes, I want an advantage … that’s really my whole life. What can I do that’s special? That no one else can? When do I get recognized and set apart? Where are MY Mary Janes?

Below are pix Natasha, the teacher, took during our first couple nights.

First is Danny. He’s one of the people who suggested we film this elaborate fantasy sequence involving an evil clown or something. Danny missed a couple weeks of class and when he showed up for the first night of filming I totally didn’t recognize him and asked him if he was taking a class there (at the Detroit Film Center). He said yes and I asked him what class.

The Detroit Film Center is moving. To Eastern Market, which is very cool but not within walking distance like the current location. They’ll have air conditioning at the new location which will be very nice for the people who can get there.

In the locker room at the Y, there was a notice with little phone numbers to tear off for space in an artists’ thing at Eastern Market. Apparently, there’s a common area with common equipment and individual areas or spaces you can rent. The rent was super cheap. I’m doing a crappy job of explaining it but, wow, wouldn’t that be cool? I took a number but don’t know what happened to it.

Speaking of the Y, the blubber is melting off which makes me happy. I’m glad I have class tonight and tomorrow – I have an hour or two between work and class to work out both days.

This is me with the shotgun mike that really wasn’t working. See how chubby my cheeks are? I really don’t like my mouth or chin. As a young man, I was good looking. Now I’m just … ridiculous.

Here’s Maggie with one of the Joe’s in the background (and, of course, a cup o’ joe in her hand). The poster on the wall is for a Roy Orbison concert in 1970, I think. The whole restaurant is full of cool knick knacks. I need to at least get shots of those. And of Robert through the window. Well, as long as I’m doing that, I may as well get him driving to the airport, etc.

Jose and I going over the shooting script and shot list on the second night. Jose helped me with my subtitles on Madre a wee bit.

I think this is getting ready for a shot of Ariana dropping off coffee or french fries. The fries were never as good as the night we came to scout the restaurant.

Maggie, Jose and the other Joe on the first night of shooting. What I like about this is we’re done at 10 PM or so. When I shoot at night for Little Caesars it is often an all-night affair. I don’t think we’ve ever finished before midnight even on an early finish.

Natasha and Joe (and Roy Orbison).

I want to mention how scummy the hotel is this restaurant is in. When you walk from the restaurant into the entrance of the hotel … the smell assaults you like a homeless person crazy on crack covered with their own urine and puke. I remember this hotel from 20 years ago. When I was just going into the Air Force, we stayed there. It was disgusting then and seems as utterly depressing and revolting now. The bright spot is that City Club and Labyrinth are downstairs.

Robert looking thoughtful.

Okay, I’m not done

Just watched it with my wife, La Niksta. I forgot subtitles on the very last scene which has an important line in it – when the priest invites the transvestite to church. Also, Nikki confirmed a hunch I had that even the English parts should have English subtitles. Oh, and I definitely didn’t keep the subtitles within the safe zone … I don’t know if that will matter on the big screen but I should probably do it anyway.

Crap

I used a Mac OS X wordpress widget to make a couple posts and they totally disappeared into limbo – or worse. I can’t even remember what one of them was about. Oh yeah … the movie is finished. Like, completely, I think. I hand it over to the Detroit Film Festival on Thursday.