Production Update #33: Ray Phillips

I received word this morning that Ray Phillips -- who has delivered such a powerful, heartfelt performance as Doc Flynt in the film we've now been working on for more than 3 years -- suffered a brain aneurysm on Tuesday while vacationing with his wife in Duck, NC. He has been admitted to Chesapeake General Hospital in Chesapeake, Virginia.  Word is that he is awake but in critical care. The neurosurgeon is worried that the bleed is too big for surgery, but they are planning to do another CAT scan today to get a better sense of his condition.

I'd like to send him a card from all of us. (Apparently, flowers cannot be accepted where he is now.)

I'll let you know as soon as I receive any more information. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family..

Production Update #32: Doc Flynt’s office shoot

Ray Phillips (Doc Flynt) dropped by the college earlier this week. He is leaving on vacation but wants to know if we can shoot his last 3 or 4 scenes sometime in late October. He’s available on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21.

As you know, for quite some time I’ve been searching for a doctor’s office where we can shoot these scenes, but I really don’t want the space to look like a pristine 21^st century facility. Instead, we need a room that belongs to a longtime country doctor – full of old medical gear, a worn-out examination table, and tattered leather-bound books. That kind of thing… This is the sort of challenge that a Hollywood production designer would sink her teeth into. But we’ll just have to come up with some kind of micro-budget solution.

So please keep your antennae up for vintage props and a suitable location.  And let me know if either date works for you.

PS: I know I keep saying that these are the last 3 or 4 scenes for Doc Flynt. But as you know, if I like the way the footage turns out, I might continue to write more for him and Talia… If you do well --  and the scenes are working -- you’re always in danger of seeing your role expand… And Ray has been doing some fine work… If only he had an email address, I’d pass that along to him directly… But his character wouldn’t have an email address either. So maybe he’s gone all “Method” on us...

Production Update #31: Another 1000 feet in the can!

Last weekend, we rolled another 1,000 feet (30 minutes) of 16mm film stock during some pretty brutal 90+ degree weather... But I just got back from Colorlab and screened the workprint:  It looks BEAUTIFUL!

As usual, I'd like to thank those who were curious, dedicated, or just plain crazy enough to volunteer their time (By the way, we had the largest crew yet from McDaniel):

Special thanks to:

Anna Bowers -- for slating, and taking so many great still photographs. I'm sure we'll see them on a website at some point.

K.C. Delp -- for repeatedly saying, "Hey, I'll get that!" You have no idea how comforting that is for a director to hear.

Tom Shortridge -- for nailing that lewd comment in the tavern... (and for pushing that Blazer -- with Delp -- for 8 takes!)

Deana Villani -- for driving all the way from Richmond, VA, and letting us use your Blazer as a dolly. It looks great!

Russell Justice -- for another great, understated performance -- and for dropping that bag of garbage perfectly every take!

Linda Kirkpatrick -- for showing up with CRAB CAKES for dinner. We're going to have to keep shooting just to keep eating well.

Gordon Masters -- for putting in a 12 hour day on Saturday even after a hellishly long week of REAL work -- and for always finding a way to mic the shot even though the director tried his hardest to make it impossible.

Bob Sapora -- for shooting such awesome pictures -- and under such diverse conditions (full sun drivebys to low-key handheld night stuff). I smell Oscar!

Novia Campbell -- for letting your crazy-ass husband talk you into yet another weekend of filming... Just some wonderful moments on film, though, including the "going to sleep" sequence, and the phone call to your girlfriend. Whatever we're paying you, TRIPLE IT!

And, of course, to Scott McGee and everyone at the tavern who let us sneak in to shoot 2 pick-up shots while the place was open. And to the Leone's, who graciously let us film at their spring on Simpson Road. No more Deer Park Water for us. We're converts to Leone Spring Water now...

And to Jim Langdon and his family and employees who helped us film at Direct To You Gas in Westminster.

So, where do we go from here?  Well, I have a ton of stuff to edit... and we will need to continue shooting throughout the fall.  Stay tuned for upcoming shoot dates in mid-September (if not earlier).  Next up: It's crucial to pick up 2 scenes with Doc Flynt on the porch of the Rooming House, and that's where I'll be placing my energy...Cast and crew take a break to enjoy a cold drink of water at Leone Spring.

I'll keep everyone updated as the locations and scenes become apparent...

Production Update #30: Last Big Shoot of Summer- This SAT & SUN

Summer is vanishing fast, folks are jetting off on last-minute vacations, school is starting soon. So let's make one last big push to keep this project moving forward:

SHOOT: Saturday August 4 2007 -- NOON - 11pm (yep, it's another long one...)

Crew call @ Noon at: Direct-To-You Gas on George Street in Westminster, MD 21157

Throughout the day, we will be picking up a number of shots for several different scenes (in the following order):

 * DAY/EXT: 3 drivebys of Talia's Jetta with "Just Married" & balloons on it :

-- 1) car pulls up to gas pumps at Direct to You Gas station in Westminster, Talia hops out

-- 2)  Prettyboy Reservoir driveby -- long straight stretch of road

-- 3)  Prettyboy Reservoir driveby -- cross iron bridge

* DAY/EXT --  Talia looks for drinking water (Flynt's pump is not working), encounters townsman at stream (Lineboro)

* DAY/EXT -- Talia & townsman walk to the town spring/ conversation (Lineboro)

* DAY/INT -- Talia turns on basement faucet; no water comes out (Lineboro)

* MEAL BREAK around 7pm (approximately 1 hour)

* NIGHT/INT -- 3 tavern pickups (Lineboro) set up at 8:30pm.

-- 1) Tom & KC heckle: "Hey, Cinderella"

-- 2) CU Jim's eye

-- 3) CU Lemieux back cyst

* NIGHT/INT  - Talia makes her way through dark basement and up back steps (Lineboro)

* NIGHT/INT - Talia gets ready for bed; first night at Flynt's house (Lineboro)

SATURDAY WRAP around 11pm

____________________

SHOOT: Sunday August 5 2007 -- 2pm - 4pm (yep, it's a super short one... Russell is only available on Sunday...)

* DAY/EXT - Russell pick-up shot leaning over orange fence “watching Barnyard Bingo” (we’ll fake it); he tears up his yellow bingo tickets -- Talia in overalls: "Did you win anything?"

* DAY/EXT - Russell takes trash out of the tavern/ encounters Talia -- "anybody call yet?"

SUNDAY WRAP by 4pm

Remember, these are our last major shoot days this summer -- since both time & cash are running low -- so we need to shoot as much of the aforementioned schedule as possible.

As usual, we also need student volunteers to help in all areas: pre-production organization, prop gathering, packing and moving gear, confirming actors, as well as gripping and production assistance on the day of the shoots. If you have half a day, I'm sure we can put you to good use. Give me a call to let me know. (I have two tentative assistants on Sat -- Tom & KC...)

Here's to another great shoot.  And, as always, thanks for everyone's kind words and support -- and sweat!

Production Update #29: Shoot Saturday July 21 @ Noon

As of today, I've finished editing every frame of 16mm film we've shot so far. Very promising.

Still, plenty more to shoot, of course, and that's exactly what we'll be doing again this Saturday:

SHOOT: Saturday July 21 2007 -- NOON - 11pm (yep, it's a long one...)

Crew call @ Noon in Lineboro, MD

Or: Crew call @ 1pm at:

Park & Ride (Meadowood Regional Park) at the intersection of Falls Road & West Joppa (across from Green Spring Station)

We will be picking up a number of shots for several different scenes (in the following order):

* DAY -- 8 drivebys of Talia's Jetta with "Just Married" & balloons on it as it leaves Baltimore on the JFX and travels into the country

3 city locations -- Fallsway Bridge, Charles Bridge, 45th Street Bridge

5 country locations -- Mt Carmel Park & Ride, Middletown Road, Parkton Exit, Weisberg intersection, Prettyboy Reservoir

Note: A good chunk of our day -- and energy -- will be dedicated to driving and getting these shots because they will actually be part of the opening montage.  For the 3 city locations,  I'd like to limit the crew to two cars if possible to reduce the parking challenges and other frustrating urban variables (complicated by Artscape). Gordon has offered to bring a pair of walkie-talkies if they are available.

* MEAL in Lineboro around 6pm courtesy of Linda Kirkpatrick (We'll call her once we are on our way back to Lineboro.)

* DAY - Talia looks for drinking water (Flynt's pump is not working), encounters townsman (Lineboro)

* DAY - Russell pick-up shot (one shot) leaning over orange fence watching Barnyard Bingo (Lineboro) if I can contact him in time...

* NIGHT - Talia makes her way through dark basement and up back steps (Lineboro)

* NIGHT - Talia gets ready for bed; first night at Flynt's house (Lineboro)

With the 2 night shots, we're probably looking at a wrap time of 11pm on Saturday night -- But NO shooting on Sunday if we can get everything in on Saturday...

BOB: Remember, your light meter battery is dead.  Also, please load one 400' roll of Daylight stock (use the old stuff) and one 400' roll of Tungsten stock for the night scenes. Then bring an extra can of each & the changing bag in case we need them...

GORDON: We won't be visually slating the drivebys, but I'll be able to synch the wild sound in editing.

Here's to another great shoot.  And, as always, thanks for everyone's kind words and support -- and sweat!