Post-production update #10 plus new trailer!

Hey, folks. ADR is done and new it's all sound mixing and effects. It's going pretty well. We're looking at sometime in November to have a cast/crew/family member screening. In the meantime, here is the link to the second official trailer that was edited by Jeremy and features music by Paul Nils Olsen. Again, Facebook came through when it came to offering solid video hosting. Link below. Thanks, folks.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=167003888197&ref=mf

Post-production update #9!

Hey, folks. Things are rolling well with ADR. We had to re-do roughly a quarter of the movie's sound, because during re-shoots we had to return that nice Sennheiser mic. All my stuff is done with some more actors being recorded in the next few days. Also, Phil is an ADR champion. He had over 80 parts to do yesterday and he finished 50 of them in about 4 hours. Casey is also an ADR champion, because he sat there and engineered the whole time. I shot some documentary footage and Jeremy was making sure everything was to his design. We still want to get everything good enough to show the cast and our families the film on the afternoon of the 31st.

Post-production update #8!

Hello, folks. The picture is now a lock and sound is waiting to be completed. We've been having issues w/integrating both hardware and software in the right way so we can get rolling with ADR. However, things are quickly moving in the right direction. Here are some photos that Ian took a few weeks ago during the first assembly screening.

Post-production update #7!

Hello, folks. Jeremy has about 1/2 of the movie color-corrected, and it makes those scenes shot months apart from each other blend real well. The colors pop out like we never imagined. The ever-cliche desaturation effect has no home in this film. We got some more tracks from our composer and we like what we hear. Like Popol Vuh? You'll dig the soundtrack.

Post-production update #6!

Hey there, folks. The movie's 2nd edit has been completed courtesy of Jeremy. He's now 1/8th finished with color timing, and the movie looks even better. We're also going to be scheduling ADR soonish and some music tracks are coming in. Things are coming along well.

Post-production update #5!

Hello, folks. Jeremy completed the 2nd cut of the film which will end up being the final version we take to the sound people. The new cut includes the re-shoots and inserts and different edits of at least 30% of the earlier material. Without ending credits, the film clocks in at 85 minutes. More to come.

Post-production update #4!

OK, folks. Here's the deal: reshoots and pickups are nearly complete. We'll have the final assembly cut by this weekend, ready to go to ADR. It's been a blast, and it's almost done.

Official Trailer & Poster Reveal!

Hello, folks. Here is the URL for the official trailer of 'Damage Control':

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=115344503197&ref=mf

Jeremy did a fine job with the editing. Again, the sound needs work, but the picture is in the first stages of color timing.

The reason why I put the video on Facebook is because of the marked difference in quality. I can't get that w/blogspot. Sorry, Google, but your compression doesn't cut it.

Also, here is the official poster, designed by Phillip Marunowski.

Post-production update #3!

Hello, again. Yes, it's been a while, but not without news.  See, Jeremy and I -mostly Jeremy- have been sitting in front of the Macbook for many weeks, and it finally bore a first assembly cut of the feature.  

That comes with good news and bad news:

Bad news: We do have to re-shoot at least four scenes and a small handful of pickups for clarity and transition's sake.  Also, ADR will have to be written and performed in the next four weeks.

Good news: The movie is great. It has legs on it like I never imagined. We were shocked at the relentless pacing, energy in the editing, the solid performances all-around, and how the scenes all looked and played. It's an independent work of film art.  As amateurs we are, I still can't say enough good things about what we saw.  Now for the next test: show it to a stranger!

Post-production update #2!

Hello, folks. Why no updates? Because we took a 2-week hiatus from editing.  

Why? We never actually took a break from when shooting ended and post began. Jeremy and I decided to take a formal leave in order to properly preserve our minds so we can get back to work.  In fact, when I was on vacation back home for the 4th, Jeremy cut together two more scenes.  

We have an even better feeling about the movie. The break did us well. With the current schedule at hand, we should have the first assembly cut by the 25th of this month. See you soon!

Post-production update

Hello, folks. We're deep in post-production trying to put together an assembly edit of the film. So far, we have eight scenes clocking in at twenty minutes in total.  Thirty more scenes to go... We'd like to get the film under two hours, perhaps 105 minutes without credits.  Yeah, it's a big film.  There's so much content to deliver, and we're working hard to make sure it gets delivered in the best possible way.

Official Teaser Trailer released!

Hey, folks. We decided to deliver to the public a brief glimpse of what the movie will probably look like. Keep in mind it's a work-in-progress. We assure you the actual film looks better; Quicktime compression isn't the most flattering medium for a low-budget movie. 

Editing was done by Jeremy and I. Sound design by Jeremy. Original music by Paul Nils Olsen. 

Send us some kind of feedback, please. Thanks.

We're finished!

Principal photography wrapped early Sunday, May 31st @ 5am.  We had a big night with some extras--thanks to Troy, Tanya, Scott, and Derek (no relation to Derek Marunowski).  The shoot ended quietly with a reaction shot from Phil with the core crew of Jeremy, Phil, Derek and I.  Dan showed up and helped a bit before he had to go.  Phil ended up sleeping 14 hours on Sunday.  Cripes!

It's strange to not be shooting, but we do have some pickups to shoot in a week or so.  Jeremy and I are going to start cutting a 30-second teaser to show off, with some more surprises to come later.  Thanks to everyone for support.  We won't disappoint.

Logo announcement

Hey, folks. Here's the offical film company logo courtesy of Phillip Marunowski. Expect to see this on all our films and trailers. 

On a side note, we're going to be done shooting on Saturday night.  More to come.

The Arcani Ledger, Vol. X

I can't believe it's been about nine weeks since we've started. It's honestly felt like a whole year, but we're still having a lot of fun making this movie.  We had some great things happen, as well as some not-so-great things happen, which explains but not excuses this late update.

Let me explain the bad stuff: Jeremy had to leave production for a couple of weeks because of a family emergency.  We had a very busy weekend that was planned, but it had to be re-scheduled.  He should be back this week.

So that segues into some good stuff: I picked up directing duties for some scenes.  One was shot this last Sunday and two last night.  Sundays's scene took place at Full Sail University, of course, and it so happens that building 3B doubled for a hospital waiting room.  There were some snazzy chairs that Phil sat in while waiting for the doc.  Ian Davis not only made his acting debut, but also took some pictures, which can be seen below.  

The scene that was shot on Monday night was part of a newly-added scene in order to expand the falling action of the film.  Kyle Davis (no relation to Ian Davis) let us shoot in his apartment.  It was quite moody and comes across well on camera.  

Guess what?  We're scheduled to be finished on May 30, which is just over a week away.  We have around 10 scenes to shoot.  Can we get them finished?  When will we have the final poster?  Is there going to be a teaser?  When will you get a .com?  When will Phil stop complaining about his lattes being too hot?  Will Phil ever get his hair style just right?  You'll have to find out in the next installment.  Thanks, folks, and enjoy the pictures.

Don't ask.

Cyclops monster gets an extra eye.

Phil can't stop eating SweetTarts!

Locations provided by Full Sail Universitiy. No, I'm not endorsed, yet.

I direct.

Would you trust this man with your life? Would you?

Get to work, actor.

We shot 1/2 of the scene back there to be sneaky.

Swirly, nondescript offices work great for quiet scenes.

Look at his eyes! He needs a latte!

The Arcani Ledger, Vol. IX

Hello, again. We're done with 85% of the movie!

Last week's update was rather short for a couple of reasons. First, we had no pictures to share. Second, I was real busy with meetings regarding how to save the rest of the film.

See, we had a couple of locations that fell through quicker than Master P's basketball career. So, there were budget discussions...and I use "budget" lightly...with Jeremy as well as extensive set design discussions and more locations to finalize. It was pretty tough, but at least some positives came from this.

We got to film at Orlando's own Gigabits LAN center (thanks, guys!) this past weekend, and we're also filming at Devaney's Pub sometime soonish, so that is at least two "real" locations that aren't people's homes or places around Full Sail (but there's still plenty of that to come).

Yes, it was a tough week. The script re-writes were because of pre-edits done to the raw footage. There were some things we really didn't like, so last week saw tons of changes. Ian, our photographer, helped out immensely.

All this is to give you folks, the fans, a real moviegoing experience. We have a movie that is much better than it was before, and we're all going to benefit from it.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from Gigabits. Thanks for visiting!

Omar came by to be an extra.

This guy couldn't get any more smug. Punch him for me.

Derek: "We've secretly replaced Phil's underwear with sandpaper. Let's see if he notices..."

Good job with that padding, dude.

"Oh, no! Phil's latte was too hot! I'm done for!"

"Did I hear 'close-up'?"

Framing, and some set decor.

I'm trying to help direct while Jeremy is framing and focusing.

Phil saw some pretty colors.

A look at some Gigabits that we didn't use.

The Arcani Ledger, Vol. VIII

Howdy. Here's a list of things going on, because folks like lists.

1. Principal photography is planned to end May 30.

2. A teaser trailer will be cut in the first week of June.

3. We are having to make big location changes.

4. Jeremy has to build things. 

5. I have to call in some favors.

6. Script has a new scene.

7. We love our fans.

8. We do see the light at the end, and we are excited.

The Arcani Ledger, Vol. VII

Hello, again.  

This week sees two key scenes to lens on Full Sail University's backlot starring Steve "M." VanZandt (to avoid confusion with the actor/musician) and Kyle Davis.  By the end of this week, we will have around 60% of the film finished.  We have roughly 38 scenes in the script, and we've filmed about 20.  Jeremy and I actually see the "light at the end".  Most trauma sufferers also see this light, but we would like to think that it's coincidence.

We got the infamous briefing scene finished this last Sunday, April 26th, and here are some pictures taken by Ian Davis (no relation to Kyle), our documentarian.

Phil hates it when he can't get his child's temperature soy nonfat caramel latte.

In other words: arrogant actor bastard.

Set decoration.

Expect to see a spinoff film featuring these two (L-Jared, R-Scott).

"I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart."

Liam & Troy

Liam was really scary that afternoon.

It's a good thing my character's a slob. Check out those wrinkles!

Jeremy looks mad. I don't know why.

I told Phil that his name would be off the credits if he screwed the scene up.

Liam really appreciated the prop design. 

Liam's picture wrap was on Sunday, and this was what Jeremy got.

The Arcani Ledger, Vol. VI

Hello once again. I apologize for the late update.  

Here's a rundown of things that are happening:

  1. We are 50% done with principal photography.

  2. The official poster and company logo are just days away.

  3. Re-writing unshot key scenes to further accent the characters.

  4. Ian's pictures from Saturday the 18th's outdoor scene are below. 

  5. The amounts of caffiene that we are imbibing are increasing.

  6. Jeremy and Chad's sleep week is less than 31 hours per person.

  7. The rough scene edits showcase solid performances from all cast.

  8. Phil spends 5 minutes before each shot preparing his hair.

  9. We are working with a music composer named Paul Olsen.

10. Feeding your extras beer keeps them happy.

Here are the pictures:

The view w/Derek trying to get more extras.

Jeremy is prepping the scene.

Staging. 

Foods. Watch out for that grease!

Staging, part 2.

Stunt burgers aka hockey pucks aka brillo pads aka skipping stones.

The real foods.

Your shoes's untied.

Band photo. (From L to R: Matty, Puddin', Jeremy)

Hot feet.

We were thinking about having a Southern Baptism.

Nobody likes Phil.

One of these people found the prize in a Cracker Jack box.

Jeremy lives on the edge of death, 24/7.

I don't know.

Funnin'.

Wide staging w/gear.

The chip thief is spotted!

Script w/notes by Jeremy.

Dan & Gigi.

Beer crown.

Our photographer surfaces.

Nice watch.

Master of his domain.

Glimpse at the rare neckless cyclops monster.

--"Daddy, tell me a story..."

--"Well, son, it goes like this..."

Phil is always checking for close-ups.