I wasn't going to post, but I just can't stand to neglect the site for so long, I'm almost pushing ten days, granted I've been on vacation for the last two weeks but still. I have a lot to update everyone on, but I'm sitting here debating whether or not I want to go into any of it tonight, it's late and tomorrow is Christmas, which makes for a very, very long day - but I'm really excited to get it off my chest.

The other day I got a mile-long email from Olivier, he really spent a lot of time, energy and thought into what he wrote, which was really great - I have to tell you, when I went into this project; I was, at the most, hoping for a cinematographer who was simply 'willing' to film the documentary - but to have someone who actually is passionate about it like I am, someone who believes it has the potential to really inspire it's audience and even gain attention at festivals... as an indie-filmmaker I have to admit; I feel very, very lucky.

Anyways, I'm getting off subject; it was great to have a fresh new opinion on the project. I've had a lot to think about these past few days, a lot of suggestions... a lot of changes. I have a new budget outline to post, but it will have to wait until I get back to LA, but I can tell you that it's basically been completely gutted out and re-worked, I'm really excited about it.

I’m also anxious to get back and order a book Olivier suggested, “From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film”, I read the first several pages on Amazon and it’s got me hooked, it sounds like it could actually prove to be quite helpful. I was hoping to upload a photo of their new prototype homemade mini35 kit, which looks amazing, but it too will have to wait 'till LA - blogger is acting up, anyways, it’s much more aerodynamic than their first and previous model, they’ve really made huge improvements. For the time being, you'll just have to take my word for it.

Well, there’s tons more I would love to share, but my eyes are getting heavy on me. Merry Christmas everyone.

Labels: Pre-Production

As promised: if you click on "the production" drop-menu to the left, you'll notice something new under "the idea / storyboard" section. The sketches are in no particular order and really don't tell a story either, they basically cover everyday situations. I've started to get a feel for how the boards will be organized for the trip, [nothing final but;] when the time comes I would separate the shot-ideas by their 'purpose', example: "everyday use", "forest", "flat-lands", “desert”, etc...

This way as we travel through certain landscapes for several days at a time; the crew will have a checklist of shots to focus on capturing. They serve more as a reference than a "check-list", on top of that of course, the crew could be as creative as their little hearts desired, I just would never go into this kind of thing with no “plan”. The more ideas and input the merrier.

I watched a trailer for a film last night called, Primer, an independent film from Shane Carruth, a 31 year old first time director / writer / producer / actor / editor who's built-up quite a buzz since Sundance. Well, the film's website has a forum, which mostly consist of people asking: a) what the film meant? b) if it was coming to [fill in the blank]? And c) if they could plug their own film... but - a certain thread caught my eye, it was titled: You can't make a film for $7,000. It was written by Shane himself and despite the title, went on to say how actually it was very possible to film a feature length movie for 7'grand, shot on film [16mm] no less, not miniDV, but there was a 'price to pay' for cutting so many corners. It's a very interesting, short comment and something that without a doubt gives us "little guys" hope.

Labels: Pre-Production

Sorry, everyone for the slow pace of entries lately; I've flown back to Michigan to spend time with family for holidays. I did however gather up a handful of ‘story-boards’ before rushing off to LAX, I’ve just been waiting to pull them off the iPod and get a copy of Acrobat to build a PDF. I’ll check back in very soon, I promise, hopefully tomorrow afternoon. Just wanted to let everyone know I’m not gone from the face of the Earth.

Labels: Pre-Production

I am very proud to announce the first officially ‘cemented-in’ crew member for proj:pedal, this person is very well known in the indie-film underground and is very highly respected. Both his work and his techniques in mini35 [on a shoe string budget] have strongly influenced and inspired countless filmmakers.

Olivier Vanaschen, the founder of ‘Another State of Mind’, the creative team of indie-cinematographers and photographers that launched their careers in commercials and music videos with a short film titled, ‘Marla’.

This is really an exciting leap forward for proj:pedal, and apparently ‘good-things’ come in twos: I recently received an email from the manager of a sound studio outside of San Diego, who also happens to be an avid touring-cyclist, the studio is looking to expand beyond it’s music services and offer a “one-stop-shop” for audio-post: ADR, efx, foley, etc… the studio has offered their services for proj:pedal free of charge. This offer isn’t final just yet, but it’s nice to see the film getting this type of attention.

This last week has been amazing for this project, I feel like I’ve been chugging along at a pace that I’m not always 100% content with… and all at once I’ve made a huge push forward, I’ve contacted 30-plus cycling magazines [probing for sponsorship or an opportunity to spread the word about what we’re doing] & filled the DP position, it’s all very exciting. Very exciting. Stay tuned.

Labels: Pre-Production

I have two quick updates I thought I would share with the rest of the class.

First off, the obvious, I'm sure you've all noticed already the 'donation' image to the left, I figured if the 'thermometer' approach has worked for, well just about everything else, then it's worth a shot. Actually, I worked on this image over a month ago, and for whatever reason, decided not to put it up. Then the other night Amanda suggested to me that I should make "one of those thermometer thingys" for proj:pedal's funds and I was reminded of my earlier efforts.

Secondly, I'm quite happy to announce that I've uploaded a fourth version of proj:pedal's budget outline [which you can find under 'the production / financial' drop-menu to the left] which, for the first time, falls under the $8,000 mark. It's actually around $500 below, while snooping around eBay I managed to find a steadicam & vest that was priced about $1,000 less than the one I was eye-balling before, actually at this very moment, they are having a Christmas special sale - which knocks $450 off the original price. And I dumped the over-priced underwater camera case, a homemade housing worked in the past for me, and it will have to work again this time around, I just can't justify spending that kind money on something that will only be used a handful of times.

Labels: Pre-Production

Something dawned on me earlier... something very simple actually, I'm a bit embarrassed it's taken me so long. I took a few steps back from this site - and thought about my reaction [if I was a third-party reading this site] to proj:pedal's s.o.s. for $8,000. Now, for a indie-film's budget, that's bare-bones, to anyone else [believe me... especially myself] it's anything but. I can only imagine how many people have skimmed over the line, "help... I need $8,000 for my film", and thought, "yeah, you and me both, buddy".

So, the revelation I had was to 'break it apart'. Yes, I know, it took me way too long to arrive at this point.

Now, instead of saying: I need $8,000. I'm going to say: I need, for example, $150 for two TV monitors. These monitors will be used by the DP and, if needed, the driver for shots involving the vehicle. Then I could say I'm hoping for 6 $25 donations, and just cross my fingers and hope for the best. Waiting until all the money for 'said item' is raised before moving on. Considering I have less than six months to raise the minimal budget of 8'grand [more than a grand a month...], I'm hoping this proves more effective than - well, before basically.

Labels: Pre-Production

I have the day off... and I would like to go to bed tonight with the comforting feeling that I "did something" with my time. So I've been starring at my computer screen for the past hour, trying to write a letter - a letter that would eventually be sent out asking for support. I'm not very good at these things though, asking for money that is, I don't usually have that much trouble with the letter itself.

Luckily, Chris, a friend of Amanda's, who has worked for a handful of major non-profit organizations, has agreed to put it in her two cents - so I have that working for me, I just have to get a rough draft to her first.

But the real problem is not that I have to write this letter, it's that I have to write this letter while I find myself editing work, while I keep working on scripted-ideas for the film, while I call the landlord to get a plumber to come and fix the garbage disposal. I'm trying to prioritize, but I keep second-guessing which step I should be taking first?

As for the editing-work situation, that is very desperately needed - proj:pedal isn't the only thing around here with empty pockets. Saying that I'm currently broke, or living check to check is an understatement. Thankfully, I've been in worse shape before so I can still sleep at night, I try to remind myself that when I decided to move from Michigan to Los Angeles, I had no money, I was actually in debt. But in a month's time I had pulled it all together and managed to raise $3,000 with one editing job, which was just enough to start a new life out west.

Plus listening to my iTunes Mix: "if you don't think this is the greatest mix ever... I will fight you", helps keep my spirits up. I have some Spiritualized [that's very fitting] in there, along with some Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., Love, and The Replacements... to name a few. It's very therapeutic to step back from my "to-do" list and just close my eyes, put on some headphones, and relive the most inspiring moments of my first bike trip: Riding down the center line of a never-ending stretch of road somewhere in North Dakota, the sound of the knee-high grass fields swaying in the wind, not a car in sight, the sun sinking into a pink sky - just dreaming of the ocean. Okay, this is starting to sound a little too much like poetry, which is my cue to go do something more constructive.

Labels: Pre-Production