ZFarms Productions presents...

[ZFarms Productions]

Hey, everyone I'm finally going to do a fest. I'm writing the script now, and can't wait to shoot it. The tentative titel is The Road of Life... it may change though. I'm writing and directing the film and producing it with my cousin (and production partner) through our company ZFarms Productions. The lead is being played by Charles Burden, who acted in my first short film last year. Here's some info of who all is involved.

The Road of Life Cast/Crew

Written and Directed by Dean Zarbaugh II
Produced through ZFarms Productions

Synopsis:
A 20 year old kid finally confronts his parents on why hes treated the way he is

[Ted Arabian]

Hey! Welcome and good luck!

Ted

[ZFarms Productions]

Thanks. good luck to you as well!

[ZFarms Productions]

I'm really looking forward to doing this! trying to get someone who has a DVX to help me... if not I'm going to have to rent one... but still looking forward to finally doing an entry for the fest

[Glideshot]

I'm really looking forward to doing this! trying to get someone who has a DVX to help me... if not I'm going to have to rent one... but still looking forward to finally doing an entry for the fest

Good luck with the production. If you were in the Central Florida area, I'd help you with the DVX, but I'm sure you're not...I seem to be the lone Floridian around here!

[Jason Ramsey]

cool, man. Welcome

Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

well, I'm in the Cleveland area unfortunately Glideshot. wish I were in FLA though...

here's a poster i made for the film... nothing too fancy...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/filmdirector1986/rolposter.jpg

I've got one actor signed on, now I just need a few more

[Jason Ramsey]

Looks like its getting kind of cold there in "hell" Snowing yet?

Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

it's just about to freeze over ;)

[Friar]

lol.

Looks cool man.

I like how your title goes with your avatar sort of.

Looking forward to it.

[ZFarms Productions]

lol.

Looks cool man.

I like how your title goes with your avatar sort of.

Looking forward to it.

thanks... i'm really buckling down with this one. going to keep going through the script for a couple of weeks and editing it to the point i'm ready to shoot it before i start getting other actors involved

[ZFarms Productions]

could someone help me make a nifty banner for my sig like everyone else has? i have no idea how to do it

[Jason Ramsey]

The same way you made your poster. Just make it to the size of the signature restrictions, which I can't remember off hand. No larger than 579x70, I think. You can find that info as a sticky in the cafe, though.
Anyways, just make what you want, and then go to your User CP, Edit Signature, upload your pic, copy the img link, paste it in your sig, highlight that img link text and click this bad boy...
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/editor/createlink.gif
and copy paste the address for your thread if you want your sig to link to it.
That should do it. :)

Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

sweet! i needed to know the link part... that's what i couldnt figure out. thanks!

[Jason Ramsey]

No problem, man. Glad I could help. I just figured it out yesterday, myself :)

Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

just added the synopsis... knew i was forgetting something... the synopsis is very brief, the film will explain better LOL.

[Beat Takeshi]

Good Luck with your first fest.

[Jason Ramsey]

I see you got you sig. up man. But the link isn't there.

Go to User CP, Edit Signature, click your sig to select it, click the link button that looks like this:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/editor/createlink.gif
paste this in the box that comes up:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=76629

That's your thread. Just make sure you don't have the http:// in there twice. I think it puts it in there automatically. Anyways, that should set you up


Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

I see you got you sig. up man. But the link isn't there.

Go to User CP, Edit Signature, click your sig to select it, click the link button that looks like this:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/editor/createlink.gif
paste this in the box that comes up:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=76629

That's your thread. Just make sure you don't have the http:// in there twice. I think it puts it in there automatically. Anyways, that should set you up


Jason

Finally got it! Wahoo! no idea what i did, but i did it!


Good Luck with your first fest.

Thanks man! good luck to you as well

[Jason Ramsey]

Glad you got it.

Later,
Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

i'm still tightening up the script. trying to get it near perfect, but i always find something i want to take out or add.... i like writing, and the 6 minute limit is tough to do, but its a challenge i'm up to doing.

[ZFarms Productions]

i'm a bit nervous getting professional actors... this will be my first film i've directed people other than friends and i'm getting nervous that the actors won't take me seriously because it would be my first film directing actual actors, and because i'm 20 years old... any advice? i know it sounds stupid, but i'm freakin out LOL

[Jason Ramsey]

Well... If they are indeed "pros" and they are good, they probably have good instincts, so trust their instincts.

Also, I guess the only thing I could say would be- just make sure you have a strong vision of what you want, where you want to go, etc. Make sure you are organized and "ready-to-go". Make sure you have stuff planned out, so as not to waste their time while you figure stuff out.

Be open to ideas. Explain to them where you are coming from.

Just go for it, man. It will be a great learning experience for you, however it turns out.

good luck,
Jason

[Brandon Rice]

Organize and Plan and be confident! Don't ever think about your age. You know what you want and how to do it! Go get em'!

[ZFarms Productions]

Ya, i know what i want and everything but i've been having thoughts about them thinking i'm not experienced enough cause of my age.

[Brandon Rice]

Don't have those thoughts... be the boss, and never show signs of weakness... it's a game really.

[Jason Ramsey]

Don't sweat it man. Don't think about that kinda crap. You can't do much about it beyond just doing your job. Just focus on telling the story man. You'll be fine.

Jason

[Mark Johnson]

i'm getting nervous that the actors won't take me seriously because it would be my first film directing actual actors, and because i'm 20 years old... any advice?

I always recommend getting the upper hand by confidently looking them in the eye and commanding in a stentorian voice, "now, get those clothes off and let's have a look at you." Jack Daniel Stanley taught me that.

[Jason Ramsey]

I always recommend getting the upper hand by confidently looking them in the eye and commanding in a stentorian voice, "now, get those clothes off and let's have a look at you." Jack Daniel Stanley taught me that.

LoL. does that mean, I have to tell my self to strip for my entry? I'll do it, I guess.

Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

ya, i'm trying to get the thoughts out of my head. i have no problem working with friends, and such, but this is a HUGE step up from my friends LOL.

[Brandon Rice]

I hear ya man... it was much the same way when I took on Smuggler's. I know the feeling.

[Mark Johnson]

but this is a HUGE step up from my friends.

That really made me laugh out loud.

[ZFarms Productions]

That really made me laugh out loud.

it is funny. that's all i really had access to before... now that i have a job and such, i can pay actors, and production fees.

[Brandon Rice]

Wait... you're paying actors for this short? hm. I'd see if they'll do it for the exposure and stuff first.

[ZFarms Productions]

i'd like them to do it for exposure and such, but i dont know if it's gonna happen so i have to be prepared to pay.

right now i'm working on another rewrite, to get it concise, and in the alotted time. this is a fun challenge for me.

[jeremytuttle]

Hello, finally came across your thread and wanted to say I like what I see so far. I really like your poster, it's simple yet effective.

Yeah, offer your actors copy and credit for the first auditions if no body bites or no body good shows up then advertise pay for the next one.

Good luck with the script. It is a challenge to get it into that time span, at least for me.

[ZFarms Productions]

Ya, it is a challenge here as well. Right now I'm at 5 pages exactly. I'd like to get it down a bit more. Also, I'm no longer using the guy I had planned on using for Eric. He's on a bit of a time constraint, and I don't want to rush this.

[ZFarms Productions]

I went online to a talent agency's website and found some headshots of actors and actresses that I'd like for the film. Should I use actors from the same agency, or should I "shop around"? Should I just get in contact with the agency once I've finalized the script, and ask if they're available, and ask if they'd audition for a film for a contest? I've never had to "hire" for a film before.

[Tom Marshall]

It depends. What website? Are the actors union or non-union?

[ZFarms Productions]

it was a Cleveland Talent agency website. some i think are non union. some are.

[ZFarms Productions]

i think i'm gonna email the agency and tell them that i'm doing a short film for a contest, and i'm interested in some of their actors. what do you think?

[VersuS]

that sounds a cool idea IMO

[Tom Marshall]

i think i'm gonna email the agency and tell them that i'm doing a short film for a contest, and i'm interested in some of their actors. what do you think?

I'd say either shoot them an email or give them a call...

[ZFarms Productions]

I figured the email would be a way to "feel" the agent out a bit.

[cinealma]

Definitely find somewhere you can hold auditions at a specific time and place. That will help the with "professionalism" a lot. Rent an office by the hour in the hour, a church, anything.

Hit the colleges with some flyers in the theater department area. Or try and sit in on some acting classes and talk to some people you think might fit your project. Also check out the places that offer acting classes/programs and sit in on those. They always have a "first class free" offer.

Put up a craigslist ad under the talent gigs section for your area.


John G.

[ZFarms Productions]

thanks for the input John, I'll be sure to check those things out.

[Geoff_R]

I like what I see here. Your poster and banner are interesting; nice photography. Best of luck to you with the script. It's difficult getting that page count down but it's better doing it on paper rather than scrapping scenes you spent hours shooting. Looking forward to your film.

[ZFarms Productions]

Thanks Geoff for the comments. All I did for the pic was go out to the end of my driveway, pointed, shot, and put it in photoshop. Nothing too hard.

I posted this in a couple other forums but I don't know if anyone read it. Anyone in the Cleveland area able to help shoot this on a DVX? I don't have one, and I'd like to get it shot on the DVX. Also anyone in the Cleveland area good with lighting that can help me with that. Thanks.

[ZFarms Productions]

im also putting some flyers up around the campus' theater dept as well, for auditions for the lead. hopefully i'll get a bite!

[Larry Rutledge]

Woah! SNAP! Hey, ravinesedge...did I ever send you notes on your script? :embarasse:embarasse:embarasse:embarasse

I hope so, but if not let me know and I will first thing in the morning. (SORRY!!!)

Larry

[ZFarms Productions]

hey, no you didn't but its no biggie. i know you're a busy guy...


don't worry Brandon it wasn't notes on my dramafest script, it was a previous one. Larry isn't cheating on ya ;)

[Larry Rutledge]

HA HA..it'd be ok to give notes on your Drama entry too. I've consulted on several now and am writing two.

I read your script when you gave it to me and wrote some thoughts down. I thought I sent it to you already, I'm really sorry. I'll pull them up in the morning and make sure they are complete and then shoot them off your direction. If you want feedback on "THE ROAD OF LIFE" too, just let me know.

Sorry again!!

Peace,
Larry

[ZFarms Productions]

hey no problem man. whenever you get to it. best of luck to you in dramafest!

[ZFarms Productions]

I've just got done retooling the script yet again. decided to go with some change of scenes etc. probably going to go through a few more drafts before it's completely done.


Anyone from the Cleveland are interested in helping me out with the shoot? PM me if you are. I'll let you know what all I need

[kimko]

hey Dean can't wait to see it.

[ZFarms Productions]

thanks Kimko. i'll be sure to keep you updated

[ZFarms Productions]

i may have some announcments to make soon...

[Jason Ramsey]

I hate suspense. Bring it on already :)

Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

well, nothing's been finalized yet... still in talks, and still hammering out the finishing touches on the script... just about complete, going to time me and a couple of people reading it to see how close to the 6 minute mark i am, and see what i need to do to get it under the mark. i'm going to be emailing the talent agency i want to hire through, after Thanksgiving weekend, to see if i can use the actors...

[Blaine]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with this festival, Dean... :thumbsup:

[ZFarms Productions]

Thanks Blaine. Hopefully I won't dissappoint. I'm nervous with it being my first fest and all.

[Blaine]

Thanks Blaine. Hopefully I won't dissappoint. I'm nervous with it being my first fest and all.Everyone's nervous the first time. Just be confident in your vision and act like you've been there before and no one will know. :thumbsup:

Preparation is the key to success. Know going into each shot what you want and how to convey that to your cast and crew. Have a rehearsal or at the very least, a table read to work out the kinks. You'll be fine. :beer:

[ZFarms Productions]

Thanks for the advice. I was definitely going to do as many rehearsals as possible with the cast. I'll be doing shot lists as soon as I'm done putting the finishing touches on my script (which isn't going to take long, I'm just about done.)

[ZFarms Productions]

Script is done. I may tinker with it here and there if I see something I don't like, but probably not much. Just emailed the talent agency earlier this morning. Waiting to hear back from them. Probably hear back tomorrow-ish... I'm waiting very impatiently hahaha. This is big for me.

[ZFarms Productions]

The talent agency got back to me finally. They said if the actors weren't getting paid they couldn't audition there, but if I had any info on auditions to let him know and he'd be glad to post flyers up in his office... kind of worked out a bit... I also asked him out of curiousity and future reference the cost of the actors

[Jason Ramsey]

What did he say?

Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

he hasnt replied about the cost yet.. that was in my reply to his reply.

[ZFarms Productions]

well, still havent heard back about how much the actors would need to be paid... its getting close to the deadline... i may have to pull out of drama fest and shoot this when i can get actors... it pisses me off that the agency hasn't replied in a timely manner. i'd get actors from my college theater group, but the problem is they aren't good. i hate to say it but its true.

i'm teetering on whether or not to still try and get this done in time... i don't think its plausible at this point.