After the Headlines: It's a wrap
Thank you, thank you, and thank you. I would be remiss if I didn't start this blog by thanking all the people who helped me out on my film shoot this weekend. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE CAST AND CREW OF AFTER THE HEADLINES (and yes I know each of you deserve so much more). Although I'm really tired, I'm on my fourth, maybe fifth wind. If I actually shot on film, I would say After the Headlines is in the can, but since it is shot on digital video I'm saying its a wrap. The Martini shot (last shot on set) is done and I still can't believe it. I shot my first short film.
I know I've said it before, but I feel the need to say it again, film is a collaborative art form (thank God). There is no way I could have done this on my own. From the cast to the crew, we all came together to tell my vision of a story.
Although it was only two and half-days of shooting, it felt so much longer. I guess that's because I probably got a total of 15 hours of sleep this weekend. Friday night the crew loaded in at 6 p.m. in the evening and we wrapped our last shot at about three a.m. in the morning. By the time I dropped off Tim, my sound guy and Jaye (lead actress), it was about 4:30 a.m. when I got home. I had to make changes to the shot lists for the following day so I didn't go to bed until I finished, that was around 5:30 p.m. Call time on Sunday was initially 9 a.m, but I decided to push it to 10 a.m. I said it is the least I could do. I didn't want the crew and cast to be too drained and they weren't, everybody came with there A game.
Second day of shooting was a long one, we had bad weather and a late start. However, the fact that my two locations were a two minute drive from each other made things a lot easier for everybody. Black Rock Center, the second location was four locations in one which was a saving grace! We created, a coroner's room, therapist's office, hospital waiting room, and shot an exterior. I did my best to keep folks well feed so energy was up. Having a crew well feed is crucial. I hope I didn't disappoint. Initially, I booked Black Rock Center until 11p.m., but at the last minute decided to add two hours. We ended up wrapping up at 10:30 p.m. and loaded out by 11.pm. I was so happy. I actually was going to get at least six hours of sleep and hopefully refunded for the hours I didn't use (The producer in me watches the dollar and cents...lol).
Today, we kept our momentum and things moved at a good pace. There were times when we had to wait for lightening, but lighting is key, so hopefully when I get to the editing room I can say it was worth the wait. Everything came together nicely and it was a really enriching experience for me. I guess I knew I could do this, but part of me thought I was crazy for wanting to try. I'm glad I went against the grain and trusted my gut. I think non filmmakers would have a lot more respect for the craft of filmmaking if they worked a film or saw the sweat, energy, and sometimes tears that go into getting a shot. It is hard work and you do it because you love it.
Now that my first short film is done, I can smile from the inside out. I can't thank the cast, crew, my boyfriend and my mom enough. People believed I could do this, the trusted me, and that means the world to me. I've feel like I've hit a milestone. Although it's a wrap....it's not over, it's far from over. Footage has to be digitized and logged (which is a tedious process, I like to call it a necessary evil), then edited, then scored, then color corrected and let me not forget the artwork for the finished product, a DVD of After the Headlines. After I do all that then I will need to make copies for everyone and then submit it to film festivals and cross my fingers, hell I'm crossing my fingers now that I make it through all the steps I mentioned. It's going to cost me more money and more time, but I believe it will be worth it in the end.
This weekend was a real thrill and I know the ride isn't over. Stay tuned......
I know I've said it before, but I feel the need to say it again, film is a collaborative art form (thank God). There is no way I could have done this on my own. From the cast to the crew, we all came together to tell my vision of a story.
Although it was only two and half-days of shooting, it felt so much longer. I guess that's because I probably got a total of 15 hours of sleep this weekend. Friday night the crew loaded in at 6 p.m. in the evening and we wrapped our last shot at about three a.m. in the morning. By the time I dropped off Tim, my sound guy and Jaye (lead actress), it was about 4:30 a.m. when I got home. I had to make changes to the shot lists for the following day so I didn't go to bed until I finished, that was around 5:30 p.m. Call time on Sunday was initially 9 a.m, but I decided to push it to 10 a.m. I said it is the least I could do. I didn't want the crew and cast to be too drained and they weren't, everybody came with there A game.
Second day of shooting was a long one, we had bad weather and a late start. However, the fact that my two locations were a two minute drive from each other made things a lot easier for everybody. Black Rock Center, the second location was four locations in one which was a saving grace! We created, a coroner's room, therapist's office, hospital waiting room, and shot an exterior. I did my best to keep folks well feed so energy was up. Having a crew well feed is crucial. I hope I didn't disappoint. Initially, I booked Black Rock Center until 11p.m., but at the last minute decided to add two hours. We ended up wrapping up at 10:30 p.m. and loaded out by 11.pm. I was so happy. I actually was going to get at least six hours of sleep and hopefully refunded for the hours I didn't use (The producer in me watches the dollar and cents...lol).
Today, we kept our momentum and things moved at a good pace. There were times when we had to wait for lightening, but lighting is key, so hopefully when I get to the editing room I can say it was worth the wait. Everything came together nicely and it was a really enriching experience for me. I guess I knew I could do this, but part of me thought I was crazy for wanting to try. I'm glad I went against the grain and trusted my gut. I think non filmmakers would have a lot more respect for the craft of filmmaking if they worked a film or saw the sweat, energy, and sometimes tears that go into getting a shot. It is hard work and you do it because you love it.
Now that my first short film is done, I can smile from the inside out. I can't thank the cast, crew, my boyfriend and my mom enough. People believed I could do this, the trusted me, and that means the world to me. I've feel like I've hit a milestone. Although it's a wrap....it's not over, it's far from over. Footage has to be digitized and logged (which is a tedious process, I like to call it a necessary evil), then edited, then scored, then color corrected and let me not forget the artwork for the finished product, a DVD of After the Headlines. After I do all that then I will need to make copies for everyone and then submit it to film festivals and cross my fingers, hell I'm crossing my fingers now that I make it through all the steps I mentioned. It's going to cost me more money and more time, but I believe it will be worth it in the end.
This weekend was a real thrill and I know the ride isn't over. Stay tuned......
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xo
~Oghomwen