Monday, May 27, 2013

The empty appointment book complex

I do this thing, which I have yet to decide is a good or a bad thing, where I see an open section in my calendar and promptly try to fill it. Sometimes I pack in some family and friends time, but usually I'll just start packing in smaller projects and commissions to fill in the space before my next big booking. This year I've been incredibly fortunate to be connected with a bunch of fellow film makers with their eyes set on festival season for next year. And they are all turning out to be such great projects. I'm getting to work with some new people, stretching my design mind into a little drama and a little comedy, and fingers crossed might be working on my first NYC based short. 

It's a good habit I think. :-)

But enough day-dreaming about the future. I've got some props to finish for this weekend's shoot. Wish me luck!

Friday, May 24, 2013

This year's film industry mini mixer




The FIM has returned! And in full force. To those of you who are new to the "FIM", welcome! Also, to bring you further into the light of knowledge, FIM stands for "Film Industry Mixer." It's an annual film-makers get together that's been going on for... almost 7 years now. It started off as a little BBQ in a backyard and has grown into quite the networking event. I remember my first experience at the FIM landed me a job as the production designer for a Feature shot on  35mm film. Not too shabby :) It's been a great way for new talent to get into the film scene here in CT. I've met musicians, actors, DP's, producers, accountants, stilt walkers- you name it. It's amazing how all of our random skills blend together to make movies, isn't it?

This weekend's event is the mini version of the full-monty-mixer (which will be in August)- not that it will be all that small this year. The event's being hosted at Middlesex Community College. Which means bigger spaces, proper lecture halls for the workshops and a nice big space to booze and schmooze.

Aaand, if you come in person you will get to be one of the select few to see the world premiere of the video where I am dressed as an alien gorilla having dollar bills thrown at me. No, I'm not kidding... If you can't make it because you happen to be one of my awesome readers in Russia, don't worry, I will post that video and some nice behind the scene photos from the ridiculous evening next week.

Any hoo-

Here's the quickie info for this Saturday:

The Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/299322253533154/
Admission: $20.00 at the door
                        Which includes access to all Workshops and the Meet and Greet portion
There is a Cash Bar by Ramon Morant
And rumor has it that food will be prepared on site in a traditional memorial day BBQ fashion.

And here's the schedule for the evening's events:


Workshops
3:00-4:00pm    Acting Workshop - Actors Gym
Professional acting coach and casting director Reno Venturi will be teaching this workshop for directors looking to improve the communication of what they want from their actors and those looking to get into acting as a profession.
(I have taken classes at the actors gym, it's such a blast!)

4:00-5:00pm    Developing a Web Series
Connecticut Film Producer & F.I.M. Executive Producer Alexander Andriulli delivers a nuts and bolts discussion on creating a marketable web series from concept to distribution. 
(Where a bunch of my renderings and secret collaborations for the project will be shown for the first time)

5:00-6:00pm     Directing A Scene
Professional Film Director and S.E.C.T. Film President Alec Asten breaks down how to effectively direct a scene and get dynamic performances from your actors. 


Film Industry Mixer - Meet & Greet
5:00pm - 6:00pm Trailers & Demos            
Entertaining videos from independent filmmakers

6:00pm - 6:15pm Introductions               
Film Industry Mixer Co-Directors Neal Thomassen & Alexander Andriulli

6:15pm - 6:20pm Middletown Art & Beauty        
A brief introduction to the many things Middletown CT has to offer to filmmakers by Middletown CT Mayor Daniel Drew

6:20pm - 6:30pm - Special Project Announcement

6:30pm - 7:00pm Student Film Block         
A showcase of the best work from MXCC students

7:00pm - 7:45pm Film Education Panel         
S.E.C.T. Film Director Alec Asten, Casting Director Reno Venturi, Writer/Director/Producer Marty Lang, and MXCC Professor John Schafer discuss the many ways you can learn to be a better filmmaker through educational outlets in CT.

8:00pm - 8:30pm Artistic Projection     
Projection Mapping tech demo with technology explanation. The owners of local business Artistic Projection discuss the technology behind projection mapping which involves projecting animation on real world objects for a new creative way to promote businesses and products.

8:30pm -10:00pm Demos, Trailers& Project Pitches 
Get a glimpse of the local talent in the fast paced world of Demo's, Trailers, and Project pitches.


Hope to see you there!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Back from the twilight of filming

Hello world! I'm back from the land of feature filming again! And as usual it's a total culture shock. It's wonderful to get reconnected to what's going on in the world, see your family and friends, and start eating way less comfort food, but I sure do miss the crew from this film. It was such a blast, everyone had such a great attitude and work ethic. It was also so much fun to see all the special effects make-up work and to take part in my first green screen sequence, and some of our stunts totally made my month. I'm already jonesing for our next project together.

 The good news for the readjustment-to-real-life phase, is that i'm not going to be off set for too long. weekend after next I have my next project popping up. It's a short called the Firefly Jar. And i'm stoked about this one because it's a whole new group of people to work with and a genera i haven't dabbled in for almost a year. This one's a drama, with visual effects and wish jars and magicians. So, rather than let the post-shoot-blues get me down, I'll just keep looking ahead to my next couple projects. Bring it on summer! I'm ready for you.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Oh G-sketch how you make my heart go pitter-pat

This month's Google Sketch-up.

A room I designed for a film last year. The police lobby shown here didn't actually end up in the film. We changed our location because after looking at the rendering it was suddenly apparent how many extras would be needed to make the space feel alive. That what renderings are for. I help us visual folks discover problems before they occur and resolve them before we have to scramble.

Behold the theoretical police station lobby.


Ground Plan and Model overview
view from seating area outwards
seating area


view from lobby into office

view from office into lobby