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Things are moving quickly now. As much as I would love to post every email, it would be a separate job to do so I will have to do all that post-filming so you will still see the correspondence eventually. Most of the main cast is confirmed, aside from a few small roles. Shooting date is set to start Sept 5th. We will shoot at the beach, and alleyway, and in my classroom for the AA scene. We've booked Hamilton Film Studios for the 6th and the rest is in the east end streets, and some private property locations. The IMDB page is being updated regularly. Here Very excited that my high school drama teacher will be playing Max's father. Producer Jeremy Major and I will be scouting on Thursday. There are 57 scenes, and approx. 44 cast members. Each, way more than I anticipated but here we are.  Another gambling town from Max's past. I would potentially use this shot in a flash edit when Max is thinking about his past. This shot was perfect accidental timing when the fireworks started to go off. We go to camera in one month, Tuesday September 5th, starting with the beach scene between Max and Keyah, then a quick exterior night scene with Keyah and Max, then the interior AA meeting scene. Scheduling will continue over the next four weeks. I'd say I'm pretty relaxed as most things are in place except some cast and locations. I did shoot a feature once in 2 hours, so 9 days is sooooo much time to me. I found an actor for Zavier, Geoff Kerman, who has been a student at the film school and acting school. Looking forward to working with him. I am also waiting on a self tape from someone auditioning for Harmony. She sings as well which is good because I am adding a song that she write, in the movie. Lyrics written from Harmony's perspective in life, feeling that she is less fortunate than others who are the same age, from the same school. She is "value village" and others are "Aritsia" Silence, violence I was meant for more I'm bent, not broken yet With one foot out the door The stars above this city are the same above yours The water at the lake is the same on your shore Where did you start, and where do I begin I want to get out but it is easier to give in Silence, violence I was meant for more The chords and tune are coming together in the video section. I'll post a demo soon as well. Yesterday I had coffee with a location scout, Laura Walker, who will come on board to assist. She mentioned a location scouting assistance fun through Ontario Creates. I have inquired so we'll see if I can get some funds to hire Laura. Recently I reached out to a high school friend who has a fancy car, and he will loan it to us for the Eddie scene where he gets out of a nice car at the bar. I posted a call on Lights Camera Hamilton for the role of Sam, the officer, and Sam's goon. I believe I found them based on what came in but I'll wait until they confirm. This is the post: Casting. Shoot is Hamilton, Sept 5-15. Non Union. Drama. Paid but low budget. 1) Alpha Male. People fear your gaze. Within a few words people know you are serious. 40+ but will consider younger. Needed 1-2 days 2) Tough female character, in looks and speech. Commands authority but is very sly. 30+ ideal. Needed 1 day maybe 2. 3) Bodyguard type. 25 + Needed 1-2 days All roles any ethnicity. Please send headshot. If available, link to a demo but not necessary. If you have the look and the ability, please send to info@bluepickmedia.com I have been writing a haiku for the film. Probably won't be spoken but I tried it in poster form. It follows a 5 7 5 5 7 9, the 9 being an error because this film is about failure so I needed to incorrectly write this haiku.  I did up this photo using Adobe Express (which comes with the suite that I subscribe to) with a bit of editing I like how it looks. It also came out low-fi which I love. The original looks crisp but the fact that my export was a "failure" seems fitting to the theme of the movie.
I picked up some oil based hair gel to hopefully grease up my hair a bit. Will test that soon with photos. I know up until now it's all pretty narcissistic of me posting all this me-me-me stuff but soon there will be more about the people involved. It's Fly on the Wall and sometimes it's just me in the room. Spoke with a high school friend today about using his really nice car, a Corvette, for Eddie's character in the movie. He is a successful business owner and could easily be the model for the character Eddie, one who grew up in this area and became successful in life. We chatted online for a bit and he is so kind and would potentially contribute to the project. I am constantly reminded that I am surrounded by so many good people and I don't take this for granted.
I also realized that I didn't upload the TV series version of East End. That is now in the Treatment section. It removes any curse words and mainly hints at violence. This is for a Fibe TV pitch which is a community channel. I actually think it's "cleaner", easier to read, as I had to make it make sense for someone else reading it, as opposed to writing it for only me. I’m I have been reading through the treatment often so I can get a real sense of what is needed cast, crew and location wise. I feel like I’m on track but as the Hamilton Film Festival creeps up, I know things will get busy, quickly. As a supplement to the story, I know that Max is always walking because of a DUI. I am certain that one of my moms friends was in the paper for refusing a breathalyzer. She doesn’t remember but it stands out in my memory, which is what the movie is based on. I may include this in a teaser trailer or as a memory flash in the actual movie. Looking at modern “mug” shots locally on the news, it seems they are just against a grey background. The quality is pretty low as well which is odd considering modern technology. here are 3 versions. 1) Out of camera, 2) a bit of colour correction, and finally 3) emailing myself and selecting “small” to automatically lower the resolution.    So much has happened since I last gave an update. I received 7,500 from the City of Hamilton Enrichment fund. My application was removed from the Ontario Arts Council as I apparently didn't upload a visual treatment. Not sure how I missed that but I'll take the ownership on that. I did miss the deadline for Canada Council so I see a pattern! You know how much I LOVE submitting for grants...not. I did a zoom pitch to Bell FibeTV1 to make East End a series. 7 episodes about 15 minutes each episode and my ask was 30k so we'll see. I'l get this thing made either way. I bought a waffle pattern hoodie from LL Bean that is a bit oversized but I love the texture, especially if I make the film black and white. Hair is growing so I'm almost there. Since I didn't get OAC, I can start filming anytime. I'll be looking at casting this summer and maybe a few shoots for some of the "quick" scenes. Having said that, I do need the short shoot insurance and that is good for 15 days so it makes sense to wait and do everything in that 15 day period.  Will have a meeting with Bell FibeTV 1 to make East End a series. The ultimate goal would be to take the series and then stick it into a feature film after the series release. Not sure how that will affect the grant applications for a feature film if I am to receive the arts fundings. It comes to this though when you are trying to get something made in Canada. Limited funds mean being creative with the approach.
I also am updating the scenes with Eddie and Max. Originally Max was going to scam Eddie by pretending they knew each other from way back. I will know make Eddie an old high school friend who "got out" of the East End and became a successful business owner. They will eventually have an argument as Max is shifting blame, when they both came from the same place, but chose different paths. I will update the treatment soon on this scene. First draft of a pitch deck that I might use to get funding support. Generally it should have a synopsis, look-and-feel, cast / crew, and contact info. I made each page the aspect ratio of the movie. 
Realize as I put the date in, this is the date my father died back in 1992 I believe.
My nephew Avery tested the ND filters and they weren't "stop" enough so I ordered the ND 32,64, 128 pack. Cost listed in the budget section I hit some more east end location and fond a great one and its in the video section called Dad's Variety. Its exactly the kind of location I am looking for. Residential meets industrial. My grant for the City Enrichment Fund was approved so that's $7500 towards the budget. Now I have to make up the rest of that as the $7500 has to be at least 30% of the total budget. The OAC (Which I applied for 40k) needs to see that you have at least 90% of the total budget in place or that portion is forfeit. With things happening so quickly, it would be another job just to keep adding things to the FOTW website so I will continue, but primarily in this blog section. You won't miss anything!
Jeremy thinks he knows someone who could play Harmony so he's sent them some script notes for a self tape. The belt buck I bought looks great, too great, so I bought some 80 Sandpaper to take the shine off. I'll post a pick of the before and after. Been scouting locations, many listed in the LOCATIONS section. Pretty sure I have the camera rig sorted out. iPhone + Anamorphic + Rig + ND Filter. Just need to add an iPhone mic just as a back up. My hair is growing and I have started the beard. Gonna suck in the hot summer but oh well. |
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