Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Update

Updated list of festival submissions

Bi National Film Festival, El Paso, Tx. (Winners of the Shorts Competition Jan 09)
San Francisco Shorts festival
Indie Spirit film festival
Mad Cat Film Festival
Chicago Children's International film Festival
Los Angeles children's International film Festival
Possibly Cine Las Americas Austin, Tx.

Yvonne

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Simple things

The menu which should of been rather simple, has just taken 12 hours to build. :)

Updates- Duplex has so far been submitted to two festivals. Cross your fingers.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Venue and screening confirmed

ALAMO SOUTH
DEC 14th
11am-2pm.

Our class is being combined with the advanced narrative 16mm film class. The order in which the movies will be screened is unknown at this time. Everyone is encouraged to attend. It's free, and you can bring your friends and family. Be advised that these screenings get packed quickly so arrive early!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Post Focus group thoughts

We have great commentary that will be helpful in post production.

Although we got some really nice compliments, I want everyone to remember that there is still much more work ahead of us. Compliments are great, but I want to focus more on the helpful criticism that is going to help us produce a really solid short film. I think we have all done so great so far that we need to continue to keep our focus on only making this better.

I'm so glad that our hard work is really reflecting on screen. I am so thankful that members of todays focus group appreciated the effort we all put into the entire "look" of the film. I'm anxious to continue re-shoots. I'm thinking of three specific things that need to be fixed.

If much of this sounds fragmented, its because I'm sleepy. I was just so excited that I felt the need to blog it up.

Work work work.

-YVONNE

Monday, November 10, 2008

Updates

Hello all,

"Duplex" is moving in a positive direction. We have a couple of pick ups and re shoots that we are working on. The re-shoot of the kitchen scene was 100x better than the original footage. Thank you, to those of you who came by and worked with us that day. Marita and Tommy your improv really added a lot to the opening thank you.

We've screened the rough cut for class, and we've gotten positive feedback. However, there are some parts that I do feel should be re-shot, or more appropriately I'd like to add to the footage we already have. The main scene we need to add to is the BUS STOP scene on 38th street. I'd like to schedule a short shoot to pick up some closer shots of the Tommy and Evan and re-record some dialogue. The shoot would require minimal set-up, I'd like it to be shot early on a sunday. I'll be contacting you about this very soon.

Also, I would like to have a audio session for a couple of ADR sessions for Tommy and Evan. The session is done on campus and I can work around your schedules. Mostly, the sessions are to pick up any sounds that we are lacking in our current sound. I know I need Evan's weeping and Possibly some chatter between them. That will all be decided after the rough cut this thursday.

The class is hosting a rough cut screening for a panel of people from the neighborhood. I'm confident that we will get a lot of commentary and criticism that will help us make an even better version for the final screening. The final screening is going to be December 14th I believe, however, the date is still tentative and the venue is being sorted out.

Marita, Calvin and Lisa I need to scan the agreements for you all to sign. If you have access to a scanner you can send them back to me via email, if not I can accept them by mail. The licenses are important for when we submit to festivals. I'll be sending those agreements out soon.

Thank you all so much for being so patient and cooperative with me throughout this entire process.

I'm so proud of this production, the hard work is paying off and I can't wait until you all get to see it.

-Yvonne

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

This weekend Nov 1st.

Reshoots- kitchen scene Entire scene. This saturday 12pm-4pm. I'll be emailing more info soon.

We need to schedule pick ups for Lizzy's room. We need two additional shots to transition between Lizzy in room and the outdoor porch scene. More updates soon. 

-Yvonne 

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Updated Storyboards

These are the storyboards I used during the shoot. Now complete.













Monday, October 20, 2008

SHOT LISTS

Friday

10A - Medium Shot of Lizzy opening door. Camera tilts down to see her picking up the package.
10A.5 - Master Shot. No tilt. Camera static (WS).
10D - ECU of Lizzy. Static.
10C - 2S of feet and flowers. Lizzy comes down into frame.
7A - Lizzy (and camera) under blanket.
7B - WS of Lizzy under blanket.
7C - 45 degree angle of 7B
12A - WS Lizzy sits on the bed with flashlight and book.
12A.5 CU of Lizzy on pillow
12B - MCU of Lizzy crying. (45 degrees) 
12C - CU of Lizzy’s face as she cries.


Saturday

4A Master shot of kids waiting for bus (2S)
4A.5 Insert of Raul walking to bus. WES.
4B Insert of feet swinging
4C Insert of feet moving
3A Master shot/ framed around 2 doors
3C MS2S Victor sits, Raul stands and runs, Lizzy comes out
3B CU of Raul on the floor. Victor’s feet come into the frame.
3D Insert of Lizzy bumping into package
3E CU of Lizzy's face. MOS.
3F CU of Raul's MOS.
10B Insert of Raul’s (painted) hand knocking on door. Runs away. Lizzy opens door.
6A Door POV. Focus is on kids.
9A JUMP CUT SERIES.
9B CU of Raul taking pic into the camera
14A WS. Raul walks to meet Lizzy.
14B Raul OTS
14C Lizzy OTS
14D WS, slow zoom out
14E MS. Raul walking into last scene.
14F Tighter MS of Raul walking out



Sunday

2C Master shot of entire scene
2D MCU rack focus – Raul reaching into backpack
2E MCU reaching into backpack 45 degrees
2A OTS Anita cooking pancakes
2B Reverse shot from stove (willing to sacrifice)
8A Estela’s shot (to do before 2B if running out of time)
5A MS Raul spotlight if only one desk
5B MS Lizzy
5C Insert of Raul’s drawing
5D Insert of Lizzy’s drawing
1A Master shot
1B 2S Raul and Anita on bed
1E MS of Anita. Camera follows her movement
1C MCU of Anita placing headphones on Raul’s head. REACTIONS.
1D Insert. Anita reaches into drawer; plugs headphones
11A Raul leans against wall
11B MS Raul pulls back curtain. Walks out of frame.

(STILL WAITING FOR UPDATED SHOTLIST FOR SUNDAY)


IT'S A WRAP!

Hip hip hooray!

I just wanted to thank everybody involved in this production. We packed what should have been a 4-day shoot into 2.5 days!!! Absolutely amazing! I calculated that principal crew put in a total of 43 hours of work in a 60-hour period. So if you feel exhausted, you have every right to feel that way. In fact, if you are reading this e-mail right now, after midnight, you are insane. Go to sleep.

A few reminders:

1.) If you contributed props to any of our sets and have not taken them home, please contact someone in principal crew (Yvonne, Sharon, me, Will). We are taking down sets and returning things left behind, so if you're missing anything it's best if we know now so that we can search for it.

2.) If you contributed equipment, please go through your equipment list ASAP and tell us if you're missing anything. So far so good. But please double check your list(s).

3.) Any notes taken on set should be typed up and posted on the blog. Also send an e-mail with the document attached. Deadline is one week from today (tentative). We know people have things to do, so the deadline won't be enforced. However, the sooner you get this done, the sooner you can let those notes go. We need them for editing purposes.

4.) PHOTOGRAPHERS - Can we have a copy of your stills two weeks from now? We need to choose stills for the dvd and design a dvd menu. Let us know if this is too soon.

5.) If you need anything from us at all, let us know. Maybe you want to double-check your credit in the film. Did you sign all of the paperwork? Are you requesting an extra dvd copy for scholarship purposes? Maybe you'd like the quicktime file for your demo reel. Let us know ahead of time so that we can prepare for that. A few of us will be graduating this semester so we may not be able to accommodate your needs after December.

6.) SCREENING, Sunday, December 7. Location TBD. Hopefully Alamo Drafthouse. We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, if you have anything you'd like to share with the group (pictures?), post them to the blog. We can give you administrator privileges so that you can post if you're having problems.

NOW GO TO SLEEP.

Lots of love,
Cristy, director of photography

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Props and Wardrobe













Sorry for the crappy quality.








List of Props we have/have purchased, by contributor

Please add to this list under your name on anything I have missed or anything you plan to contribute. Yes color in descriptions are important to see which colors are dominant so taht we add more the the mix. If I'm borrowing from someone I know, I'm putting the person's name on the side so that we know it comes from a separate party.


Duplex EXT

Yvonne
  • Multicolor sidewalk chalk
  • Red bucket
  • Orange Pumpkins (2)
  • Red Car
  • Multicolor popsicle sticks
Sharon
  • Red Radio flyer (we need to pick up)
  • Red or Green Ball





Kitchen INT

Yvonne
  • Purple Vase
  • Clear Vase 
  • Colored glass beads for inside vase
  • Green plastic tray dish
  • Orange Place mat
  • Blue cup with straw
  • Red fork and spoon
  • Yellow dish rag
  • Orange bowl
  • Red rimmed wall clock
  • Polaroid film 3 boxes
Cristy
  • Blue plastic tray
  • green and blue cups (3)
  • green and blue bowls (4)
  • Red, yellow,blue,green purple,orange tea light holders (6)
Sharon
  • Assorted color bowls
  • Orange kitchen accessory



Raul's Room

Yvonne
  • Multi Colored solar system hanging set
  • Moon illuminated wall hanging (need AA and AAA batteries)
  • Light wood 3 drawer dresser ( RUDY TREJO)
  • Red Dictionary (RUDY TREJO)
  • Multi color solar system wall art
  • multi color solar system poster
  • Dinosaurs (3)
  • Green Vintage handheld radio (need to buy or borrow headphones)
Sharon
  • Blue space lamp
  • Blue paint
  • Twin size bed with 2 dinosaur rubber heads attached
Cristy
  • Glow in the dark stars
  • BLUE CURTAIN PANELS (2) just added at 7:15 pm
Tommy Scott
  • Tie die comforter SET (bed in bag) multi items (update number of units)
  • Lego's objects (update number of units)
Will 
  • Blue piggy bank (needs to be collected)
  • Blue globe (needs to be collected)
  • Blue hippo figure (needs to be collected)



Lizzy's Room

Yvonne
  • Purple and multi colored book
  • Yellow care bear
  • Purple curtain panels (2)
  • Multicolored Canvas paintings (4)
  • Yellow rubber ducks (multiple)
  • Multicolred Lamp ( DIANA OCHOA)
  • Green Flash light
Sharon
  • Pink/Orange vintage care bear
  • Orange/red curtain panel
  • Assorted acrylic paint (please update colors and number of units)
Cristy
  • Orange twin comforter reversible (needs to be picked up)
  • Assorted china ball lights
  • Assorted acrylic paints (# of units)
  • Paintbrushes (# of units)



CLASSROOM

Yvonne
  • Crayons (2 boxes)
  • Paper (unlim amount)




WARDROBE

Yvonne
  • purple scrubs (2)
  • green school bag (maybe)
  • Blue girl's skirt 
 Tommy Scott (Raul)
  • Blue girl's sneakers (pair)
  • Multicolored socks (4 pairs)
  • Red Converse Sneakers (pair)
  • assorted boy's polos (3)
  • Assorted boys shorts (3)
  • Blue Back pack (need to sew on patches)
 Evan Underbrink (Lizzy)
  • Striped pj pants
  • Girls tops 3
  • Girls pants/skirts 3
  • Red backpack
  • Purple girls leggings




SXSW 2009

Let's submit the film to SXSW 2009!

Films screen in the following categories:
Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short, Experimental Short, and Music Video

You decide which category is appropriate for your film, keeping in mind...

- to qualify as a short, your film must be 40 minutes or less
- experimental shorts are those without a narrative thread

SXSW Film does not accept trailers or works in progress. If you send us a rough-cut, we cannot guarantee we'll have time to view a finished product, particularly if a new tape is sent after early January. Your film has a better chance of being selected if SXSW is able to review a finished product.

NOTE: We cannot consider film submissions sent to us via URL (e.g. YouTube, MySpace, Google Video, or Quicktime uploads). All submissions must be sent on DVD.

Submission price is $25 for shorts and $35 for features until November 14, 2008. At that time prices will increase to $35 for shorts and $45 for features until the final postmark deadline of December 12, 2008.

Applicants will be informed of the status of their project no later than February 16, 2009.

Have a question that's not addressed on our film submission FAQ page? Send an email to film@sxsw.com

CLICK HERE WHEN YOU ARE READY TO SUBMIT YOUR FILM

Monday, October 13, 2008

Support our generous sponsors



Austinuts Inc.
2900 W. Anderson Lane, Suite 19-B
Austin, TX 78757

info@austinuts.com
www.austinnuts.com

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Production Schedule






I just wanted to say...

I'm so excited about our project. Yes, I am stressed and worried and nervous and everything you can feel before something big, but I'm SUPER EXCITED too!

We have a wonderful crew, an amazing cast, awesome locations, and things are finally falling into place!

We also have a lot of support from so many people who may or may not be directly involved with the film. Thank you for believing in us and in this project.

I'll see everybody on Friday and keep an eye out for the shooting schedule and locations. Sharon will be e-mailing all of the details soon. We have high expectations of everybody, including all crew, minor or major. If there are conflicts with anything, let us know now. We can't afford to lose anybody the day before a shoot.

So rest up this week because we're going to be exhausted. But it'll be a lot of fun and a great learning experience for everybody. We're aiming for festivals so let's give it all we got.

I have faith that this is going to turn out to be a beautiful film.

Thank you for sharing your talents with us. I'll see everyone soon. Until then, sleep.

Equipment

EQUIPMENT CHECK-OUT, RTF DEPT.

Cristy:

Sony Ex1
Tripod Miller DV
3 15-lb sandbags
3 c stands
2 large flags
2 50' extension cords

Yvonne:
1 large flag
1 extra small flag
3 quads
4 cstands
1 small flag
1 small silk
2 c clamps
1 go kit lowel
1 kino flow
Macbook
80GB hard drive

Monserrat:
has various audio equipment, not sure what she has exactly


MOPAC MEDIA RENTALS

Cristy:
Panasonic HD monitor 17"
Monitor Stand
component to bnc cables
Lowel 3-light kit (with two 500W omnis and 750W tota)
3 dimmers
3 sandbags




Is there anything we have missed?

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Sound

Sound Design

Our first step in the sound design for Duplex is to create as real a world as possible simply using sound. Everything, from backpack zippers, to doors, smacking lips will be recorded to make this world. Most of the sound should be recorded on set, but we may go back and get foley of some of the more important sounds.
In many ways, the antagonist of the film is a sound itself, Lizzy’s parents arguing. We will most likely record these arguments during ADR sessions to get a nice clean sound and either run it clean or put it through filters given the cameras relation to the source of the sound. Also, we intend to play with the volume of the argument, occasionally letting it get so loud as to be overpowering for even the audience, so they can relate to Lizzy and Raul.
In contrast to the argument, we also have the music coming from Raul’s headphones, which is important in combating Lizzy’s horrible home life. We intend to have an original score that has a sort of electronic and arcade sound to it, but is still playful. We will use this score along with the arguments and change the volumes between the two, letting the score eventually win out, creating peace for Raul and Lizzy.
We will also help the audience to get inside the characters heads during the scene when they are drawing by also having layered sounds representing what would be going through their minds. The arguments, talking to Raul’s mom, playing with dinosaurs, the music, will all be playing in the background as they draw, giving us more insight into the characters.

-Will Cooper

"The Look" presentation






script (excuse the grammar and typing errors)