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?  

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!


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