Hey SS people,

As some of you know, I’ve been trying to pull together a short film project for a while. Seems like a ton of stuff always goes wrong. Anyway, it looks like the current project may actually work out. So I thought I might post a little internet diary, or cyary. Get it? Cyber diary. Cyary. Get it? (Remember I coined the phrase first. :))

It’s still early and plenty of stuff can go wrong but I’ve got a script, I’ve drawn up a (very low) budget for the project, and I’ve obtained permission to shoot from the necessary people at every location.

For those who don’t know, I work in television. I’ve gotten permission to use some equipment and Pia has graciously agreed to loan me some of her equipment if I need anything. (She even agreed to loan me her body but that’s personal between us! :D)

The next step is to cast it. That’s got me a little worried but there are a small number of roles and I feel confident I can work something out.

Once it’s cast, I’ll secure the locations and make up a shooting schedule. In the meantime, we’ve got to construct some props.

The film will be shot in the Salem, Oregon area, with one location in Dallas (Oregon), sometime in early to mid November. If there is anyone in that area interested in working on the project as crew, production assistants, or whatever, drop me a line. I’ll take all the help I can get.

I’m very excited about it because not only am I the writer/director/producer, but this has some visual effects, one of which was designed by me personally.

Title: Selfless
Logline: A woman discovers she’s not herself.
Runtime: approx. 12 min.

It’s a surreal sci-fi story along the lines of an episode of The Twilight Zone. Its main purpose is to showcase my abilities as a director.

I’ll keep everyone posted on my progress. Wish me the best. :)


Breanne

I think an internet diary is called a blog....someone already beat you to it.


Good luck with the short. Hopefully you'll give us all a squizz at it when it's done.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I think an internet diary is called a blog....someone already beat you to it.

Yeah, I know. I was just joking. Still, cyary is better. Okay, maybe not. :)


Breanne

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Title: Selfless Logline: A woman discovers she’s not herself. Runtime: approx. 12 min.

Sounds intriguing.

Breanne

Oh... the life of a director, no worries, you'll do just fine. I can only imagine how great it would be to direct something.  We've seen your talent on paper, now it will be even better to see it come to life.

Please do keep us posted.  Yes, best wishes too.

Ghost

I forgot and was looking for the "Like" button to click. Ha ha!

Good luck with it Breanne.

Cindy

Of course I'll wish you the best and a great sucess, Brea. I hope it will be one of many others film you will produce and direct.
cheers
Hélio

Breanne a director? And a producer? Whoa! Does your company accept unsolicited submissions?  :)

Good luck with this. Premise sounds very cool.

And I didn't know that Pia was loaning out her body. She did tell me once that she was gonna show me a picture of "the twins" but I thought she was talking about her daughters... hmm...  :P

But Brazil, yes, yes? :P

Send your script along with a cookie, Helio. Breanne would never refuse a bribe.  ;D

Wow. Exciting stuff. Good luck with it, Bre.

Thanks everyone. Your support and encouragement really do help. :)

I spent yesterday evening at a grill-out with friends, many of them in television or the video production trade. I learned a little more about the editing program I’ll be using and it appears to do whatever I need it to do. So if my plans work out, this thing should have some cool little effects in it. Nothing like Avatar or anything like that. This film isn’t effects driven. But it will hopefully have a few really cool smaller effects.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Hopefully you'll give us all a squizz at it when it's done.

Of course. I plan to enter it into festivals. When it gets released publicly will depend on the rules of the festivals I enter. Most, from what I can tell, have a different set of rules for shorts than features. I know some require features to debut at their festival. I’ll have to do more research whenever it’s time to submit. I also have some other plans for it but I’d like to make it available to the public as soon as possible.

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal We've seen your talent on paper, now it will be even better to see it come to life.

Wow. That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you for that. :)

Quoted from Helio I hope it will be one of many others film you will produce and direct.

You and I both, my friend. I hope to direct a feature one day. I already know the one I want to do. It’s already written.

Quoted from Mr.Z Does your company accept unsolicited submissions?  :)

Haha. I would if I could. Oregon is extremely filmmaker friendly. A lot of Hollywood films are shot up here. Too many to name. I have a fantasy about starting a studio in Oregon. Maybe someday. In the meantime, I’ll just focus on the project I’m currently working on. :)

Thank you all for the support. It really means a lot. I’ve had some experience as an organizer. I used to organize musical events and co-organize local charity events. So far this project hasn’t stretched my abilities too much, but only because of past experience. I have a feeling the casting and shooting phase is where I’m going to see my skills really put to the test. I’m looking forward to the challenge, though.

Thanks, all. :)


Breanne

Update:

I’ve been working really hard to pull this thing together. I finally managed to set up an audition time and date. I’m confident I can cast the project with actors I can work with and direct.

There was one snare. I had a much larger percentage of male actors contact me. I had to create a second version of the script with the main character changed to a male. I had no choice. I had to open the role to males or risk not finding anyone. Other than that, things look pretty good.

On the crew side, things are shaping up as well. I had meetings this week with prospective crew people. I’m happy to say I’ve got a DP and some experienced people to help out.

Once it’s cast, it’ll be time to secure locations. One location hasn’t worked out as I’d hoped. I have an alternative but I’ve still got a little time to try and find something closer to my original vision.

Also, I’ve got to have a crew meeting to go over equipment and stuff. Plus I need to get to work on storyboards. I’m making them myself.

More good news is that I found someone to help out with some props.

So far, so good. Looks like I might actually pull this off. :)


Breanne

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Update: So far, so good. Looks like I might actually pull this off. :) Breanne

Wow, Breanne! I haven't been around much lately and I didn't even know this was going on. Fabulous!! And why not! Knock the nay-say in the noggin Baby!

Sandra

Breanne,
Very ambitious project. It sounds exciting as well. This should really help you cut your teeth for bigger projects.

It sounds like you are having fun with it as well. That great. Keep us posted on your progress.

Take care.
Shawn.....><

Thank you, Sandra and Shawn. Things keep looking better and better. There are occasional setbacks but overall, it’s coming together step by step.

Quoted from Ledbetter It sounds like you are having fun with it as well.

You know, that’s funny. It’s been a lot of hard work but the truth is I’ve been loving every second of it. I love organizing stuff; pulling a group of people together to achieve some common goal. It’s funny how doing something you love can make all the hard work seem so fulfilling.

Thanks. :)


Breanne

Update:

Tonight I conducted my first official casting audition. I’m very excited. Everything went really well.

Some of the people I’d had prior correspondence with were no-shows. Mostly the inexperienced ones. The people who actually showed tended to be the more experienced ones. There were also some people who showed up with whom I’d had no prior contact.

I met some really talented people.

I’m simply amazed at actors. It’s unbelievable the kind of guts it takes to audition for a role in a film. And they were all such terrific people. I’m really happy with the way things went.

I’ve got to make some extremely tough decisions. I can’t describe the high I’m on right now. Wow. I f***in’ love film producing.

I’m also happy to report that I was able to manage the event well enough. I didn’t spend too much time blabbing. :D


Brea

How big of a production is this Breanne?  I'm not asking cost (because that's rude) but, rather, how many characters and locations will this be?


Phil

Phil,

There are five characters with speaking roles and a few extra non-speaking parts.

Four locations. I’ve made tentative arrangements with the necessary people regarding three of the locations. They’re willing to work with us. For the fourth location, I’m having to go over some state police hurdles but I have an alternate location.

There are also several props that have to be constructed.

We also have a few visual effects. One in particular that I designed myself. It’s been planned and developed over months. I feel good about it and the crew seems excited about it.

It’s a small independent film but it’s an incredible amount of work nonetheless. It’s an enormous amount of responsibility to take on. I find the meticulous planning eases my mind when I start to feel the pressure. So I’m planning, planning, planning.

I’ve got a good core team on my crew. And some talented actors to work with. I believe we can do this. I don’t think I could do this if I didn’t believe in it.

So it’s small as far as films go but massive in terms of work. :)

Brea

Update:

The film is cast. Let me just say that I do not envy casting directors. It feels good to tell an actor they got a part. But telling an actor they didn’t get a part makes me feel like a dream crushing monster.

It seems like I work and work and no matter how much I get done, there’s a ton of stuff to do. I’m slowly chipping away at it.

Working on securing locations. Can’t get a shooting schedule until I nail them down.

Working on storyboards still. Loved them at first, tired of them now. They really do help me focus on what exactly I want though. And I’ve learned that knowing exactly what you want is your single greatest asset when you’re trying to pull a film together. I just had no idea how darn many decisions there really were. Figuring out what I want is so much larger than it seemed on the surface.

Crew meeting next week. Got to go over all kinds of stuff. Need to start getting props worked on, make equipment list, etc.

Then there’s rehearsal, clothes, etc.

The list goes on and on. Slowly I turn… inch by inch… step by step…


Brea

Can't wait to see this. Crack the whip, Breanne! Make those bastards work.  :)

Pia and Z, thanks for the boost. I appreciate it. :)

I’ll try not to let you down. Sometimes the pressure starts getting to me and I wonder what the heck I’m doing. I have to keep reminding myself I have a plan that will work. :o


Brea

Update:

The crew meeting went well. I’ve got a ten person crew. That’s the perfect size for this project. It’s small enough I can manage but large enough to spread the work out so I don’t wear everybody out.

Still having to work with people at some of the locations. One pivotal location has been set. Looks good but we’ll be on a tight schedule at that location. One other location is going to be set tomorrow. I’m still working on a third location but I found a new avenue from a crewperson at the meeting.

Lots of great suggestions from my crew. It’s a good group. I feel very confident in them.

Still have props to work on. Got some more help in that department.

Working on scheduling a rehearsal with the cast. Things are really taking shape now. Looks good. Feels good. :)


Breanne

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Slowly I turn… inch by inch… step by step…

You're producing a short about the Susquahana Hat Company?

I don't envy you for what you're doing, Breanne.  You have a lot of work ahead of you,  I'm sure that, when you're done, you'll be very glad you did it.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe You're producing a short about the Susquahana Hat Company?

It’s set around Niagara Falls.  :D

Quoted from dogglebe I don't envy you for what you're doing, Breanne.  You have a lot of work ahead of you,  I'm sure that, when you're done, you'll be very glad you did it.

Things seem to be shifting into a more managerial mode now that a cast and crew are organized. When I first started, it was more like a sales mode. I was pitching the thing to everyone, trying to excite people about the idea. Now that it’s beginning to take shape, it’s more a matter of managing people and resources. I’m like Br’er Rabbit thrown into the briar patch though. I love every second of it.

Honestly, I’ve learned more already about filmmaking than I ever really knew or understood just as a screenwriter. I think my writing is going to benefit so much from this, I recommend every writer produce their own film. :)


Breanne

Update:

Miss Breanne has been working hard this week.

Storyboards are done! They suck. I’m a terrible artist but they’ll do.

I’ve secured all locations and a shooting schedule will be out either today or tomorrow.

Got props and stuff to work on. I’m going shopping later today for some more prop related stuff.

Aside from that, I’ve got to concentrate on equipment for a while.

I made a lot of progress this week. I’ll have approximately a month to focus on props and equipment. I’ll need it.

Rehearsal was set but I have to change it to another date.

The film’s interior shots (and one exterior scene) will be shot over the course of November 5-8. There will be a 5th day of shooting to pick up some other exterior shots.

Everything is looking good so far. We’re on schedule. :)


Breanne

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Update: Storyboards are done! They suck. I'm a terrible artist but they'll do. Breanne

Use ToonBoom Storyboard pro -- You don't have to have artistic talent & the wealth of options and drop ins they have are more than suitable.  You can, if you want to, even do all your voice over work inside it and have it animate them on the fly with reel to reel feel.  I use ToonBoom and Twisted Brush pro for everything I do.  All of my Coffin Canyonâ„¢ illustrations and storyboards are done on ToonBoom Storyboard pro.

I do have artistic talent, but not at pro-level.  I can churn out some amazing stuff with Toonboom and Toonboom Storyboard pro, though.  Very clean.

Anyways, g'luck on the project.  Lots of work to be sure.

Balt,

I checked into some of the free software out there before deciding to just draw them myself. I don’t mind sketching them, it just gets really old after awhile. It’s not something I like to do a lot of.

The script was 13 pages and the storyboards were 19 pages. A short’s not too bad but when I get ready to storyboard my 115 page feature, I’m definitely going to look at alternatives. I’m not hand drawing 170 pages. Not me. No way. Uh-uh.

I’ll check out ToonBoom for the next project. Thanks Balt.


Breanne

Update:

Shooting schedule is out. Everything is a go!

Rehearsal is set for next week. I’m working on scheduling the next crew meeting.

Been concentrating mostly on props. Most of the simpler ones are ready and the more complicated ones are all in process. We keep running into new problems and coming up with creative solutions.

I’ve worked out most of the equipment issues. There are a couple of special pieces of equipment we have to build but we know how we’re going to do them. Once we get to a certain point with props, we’ll build the remaining pieces of equipment.

I love making our own stuff! We’re doing something that just won’t be seen in every movie. Not trying to brag, but if what I’m planning works, it’ll trump even the best CGI. It’ll literally look real, not like a cartoon the filmmakers call realistic even though it’s plainly animation. So nyaaa to all the Hollywood CGI. I’m going to beat Hollywood’s best CGI with a simple magic trick - mwahahaha!

Back to Earth. Okay, it might not be as great as I claim… but it might. ;D


Breanne

Congrats, Breanne! Very happy for you! BTW, what's the process of getting/making props in general? Is it costly? From what I've seen and what I've heard, both in film school and my own industry experience, both props and CGI seem considerably more accessible than one would think. I couldn't even count the number of airsoft guns I saw in college.

Just curious...

When I drew up a budget, I made a list of every prop I would need. Then I looked at how I could get them.

If something is cheaper to just buy, then that’s okay. If it’s expensive, we looked at low cost ways to fake them; for example, using cheaper materials that can be painted to look like whatever.

Yes, CGI is more accessible than ever. And there will be some visual effects. But for one particular effect we’re trying to do, CGI just wouldn’t look all that real. I prefer to use special effects that can be captured in camera and garnish them with visual effects.

Another issue is that I want effects that are unique, not just what a program can do. I don’t want people to look at my effect and say, “Oh, that’s the ____ from whatever program.” I want them to look at it and say, “How did they do that?”


Breanne

It is that a true director does, Brea! Contratulations, dear collegue!

Thank you Helio for the kind words. :)


Update:

Rehearsal went well. I have to sort of switch into a different mode when dealing with actors. It’s fascinating.

Crew meeting next week. Have one more rehearsal and two more crew meetings before the shoot.

Still have a lot to do. I hope to get started on the construction of our “big prop” and a special piece of equipment this week. Almost all the smaller props are either done or in progress.

Also trying to work out food for everyone.

At this point, working around people’s schedules has proven to be tough. I’m managing though.

The shoot is less than a month away! I’m super psyched! :)


Brea


P.S. I wrote the script for my next film this week. I think it’ll make a great follow-up.

So, very soon we're gonna see some production stills. Yes? Yes?  ;D

Haha. Yes! We’re going to have a still photographer on set. He’s awesome so we’ll probably get some great photos.


Brea

Update:

Had a tough couple of weeks.

The crew meeting went well. A lot of issues were fleshed out.

I’m having a hard time getting the entire cast together for a rehearsal. I may have to have a stand-in for one cast member.

We had a big setback. The owner of one of the locations called me this Monday and informed me that his store is closing and the doors will be permanently closed by the end of the month. Prior to our shoot. So it’s no longer available to us. I’ve been working hard to find another location. I’m working with another locally owned store but locally owned options are few and time is crucial.

The location problem is also going on in the middle of the construction of an important prop. We’re having to work extra hard to keep up.

There is some good news.

We put together a prototype for the piece of equipment we’re designing to get one of my specialty shots. It turned out to work really well. We’re going to be able to get my shot with a much simpler apparatus than I originally thought.

More good news. We did get one problem prop built finally. Now all the props are complete except for our one big one.

Also, some of our costumes arrived in the mail.

Also, I’ve tentatively got the food situation worked out.

Also, I’ve been doing lots of test shooting and a lot of issues are getting solved.

So it’s been tough but we’re driving on. I’ve learned that producing a film is a steady stream of problem solving. It’s one thing after another and you can’t put any of them off for long. It’s tough. I have to keep my eye on the prize, that film at the end of the tunnel.

I went to the Salem Film Festival to watch some shorts and it really energized me for my own project. I’m extremely excited at the possibility of seeing my own film on that screen someday. The festival gave me a much needed boost. :)


Breanne

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Yes, CGI is more accessible than ever. And there will be some visual effects. But for one particular effect we’re trying to do, CGI just wouldn’t look all that real. I prefer to use special effects that can be captured in camera and garnish them with visual effects... ... I want them to look at it and say, “How did they do that?” Breanne

That's the type of talk there is simply not enough of these days.

Also, keep putting on the updates. At least someone here is actually making movies.  Good luck with it.

R ox

Keep it up Breanne... we have complete faith in you... piece of cake.  Look forward to the opening.

Ghostwriter

Thanks guys. I’ll try not to let you down. :)


Brea

You go girl.

Thank you, Screenrider. I will. I will go. :)


Update:

I found a location! It’s not the same type of location as before. I had to develop an alternate way to make the scene work. It’s also available on a different day. I had to revise the script again as well as the shooting schedule. But the location is secured and it will work!

I’m going by there before the rehearsal tonight to take reference photos for planning. We’re back on schedule though. Darn I’m good! ;D


Breanne

Update:

We wrapped principal photography last night. It was the end of a four day shoot. Actually five. One day was setup for the following day.

It was a ton of work. I had to keep up with an unfathomable amount of stuff. I learned an incredible amount of things about filmmaking. I can’t even begin to describe it. I also learned some new things about myself.

I had an awesome cast and crew. I was extremely impressed with them all. They really jumped in and delivered. I couldn’t have done it without them. And when I say that, I don’t just mean because of the extra hands. I mean that in every way. They contributed in so many ways. On every level. At every turn.

I still have a lot to do. I need to get some pickup shots. I need to shoot the opening. I have to square some things before I can head to the editing room. It’ll take a while to transfer and catalogue all the footage. I’m excited about getting to the point that I can edit. I feel good about the material I’ve got. I only hope the shots turn out as well photographically as they looked when we were shooting. If they do, and if sound isn’t too huge of an issue, I really feel I can cut a great flick.

I don’t see any reason to keep blogging about it during the editing process. I plan to start a public Facebook page where people can go and get updates about the project, its release, and see behind the scenes photos. I’ll post a link whenever the page is active.


Breanne

Nice job Breanne - can't wait to see it...

Top notch Breanne,

You have done some real growth stuff here. Talk about learing the fun/hard way. It seems you have a working format going for you. When you get the facebook page up and running, do let us know where it is.

My hat's off to you. Be proud of yourself and make us a good movie.

Shawn.....><

There is now a Facebook page for the film. Click below and check it out. There are a few screen captures to look at. Feel free to check it out and “like” it if you want to keep up with it in the news feeds.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Selfless/132210576834755


Breanne

Ohhh... a psychiatric clinic... I like...  :)

The great Breanne's show has begans! Great, dear screenwriter! Keep on the focus, baby!

Looking very forward to this, Breanne.


Phil

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Thanks guys. I’ll try not to let you down. :) Brea

This goes to show you the "good stuff" that Breanne is made of.

We're sending you all of our positive thought waves!!!

You WILL do it!!!

Sandra

Z,

Ha ha, yeah, there’s a psychiatric clinic in the second act. The third act gets even wilder, though. ;D

Quoted from Helio Keep on the focus, baby!

Are you saying some of the shots are out of focus? Ha ha, just messing with you.


Phil,

Thanks.  I appreciate that.


Sandra,

I’ve got my yin in alignment with the sun, I’m in touch with my inner Shekhinah and good vibrations are coming from my love chakra. Or something like that. It’s all interchangeable to me. ;D


Thanks everyone.


Breanne

Thanks, Pia.

You’re making a feature before me so you’re my inspiration too. Be sure and let me know what you learn so I can use it. :)


Breanne

Breanne,

Still finding my way around these boards and came across this. Congrats on the film and best of luck with it.

I need to stop making excuses and pull my resources together at least one of my short films made! :)

Thank you, Matt.

I occasionally get a script produced by someone else but there’s nothing quite like doing it yourself. I learned so much. The day after shooting wrapped, I listened to Sinatra’s My Way with a whole new understanding. :)

The film should hit festivals later this year.


Breanne

After watching the finished product, I have now read this pre-production and production thread. WOW. What an incredible undertaking. Kudos.

I'm on pins and noodles here…

What now? How was your film received at the festivals you mentioned?

John

Reading through this old thread brings back memories. Wow, it was more work than I remembered. The new film seems like a breeze comparatively.

John, it's too early to have heard back from most of the festivals we entered. We're in one small local short film festival so far. I'll face my first audience by the end of this month. :)

Festival updates can be found at our facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selfless/132210576834755

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Reading through this old thread brings back memories. Wow, it was more work than I remembered. The new film seems like a breeze comparatively. John, it's too early to have heard back from most of the festivals we entered. We're in one small local short film festival so far. I'll face my first audience by the end of this month. :) Festival updates can be found at our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selfless/132210576834755

Good luck and all the best…This industry is looking more and more like a LONG DISTANCE marathon as opposed to a 50 yard dash to the finish line (also read to the pay window).

John

Quoted from XL Good luck and all the best...

Thanks! :)