Mike Insane
Well-known member
Brilliant! I'm laughing out loud. How appropriate.
"TWISTED" - A ZazaCast Film
- Thread starter ZazaCast
- Start date
Brilliant! I'm laughing out loud. How appropriate.
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
Thanks! I can't wait to see it either...one thing I will say is it makes the camera heavy. I was BEAT by the end of the day. Hope the stuff came out all right.
You too Kyle...thanks!
... and it's SO true!Lord I love this. Ha!!
Thanks Simon, I'm still really looking forward to seeing you bounce off the walls. (wish I could do that stuff :beer
Yeah... I might have a few more to offer after yesterday's shoot!
pauly_the_hitman
Veteran
Nice there is going to be a lot of us doing multiple films should be very interesting in the end.
Pauly
Pauly
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
I know... we should have a fest to see who can make the most movies of a certain length in a given timeframe! Now THAT'S a fest...
"Multi-Movie DeathFest" ... shoot till you die!
(the winner's family gets a free trip to Hollywood so they can spread the ashes on the Walk of Fame)
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
Updates & some BTS picts from yesterday's shoot.
First, let me say, it was a long day, but the weather was great and a good time was had by all. Without giving away too much, we shot a bunch of stuff that will be used throughout the film. I think this was a good idea because the actors I'm using in this one are not very experienced and it gave them a really good idea of the process... you know, "Hurry up & wait around".
This is how I get actors for my films! (the hell with that audition thing...who's got time for that?)
Then, I start shooting before they even know what's going on...plus the drugs are just wearing off, so you get a certain 'realism'. (don't knock it till you've tried it!)
Once they realize they aren't going anywhere...or getting any food until you get the shots you need...you'd be surprized how cooperative they become...offering to help set-up the crane and all.
First, let me say, it was a long day, but the weather was great and a good time was had by all. Without giving away too much, we shot a bunch of stuff that will be used throughout the film. I think this was a good idea because the actors I'm using in this one are not very experienced and it gave them a really good idea of the process... you know, "Hurry up & wait around".
This is how I get actors for my films! (the hell with that audition thing...who's got time for that?)
Then, I start shooting before they even know what's going on...plus the drugs are just wearing off, so you get a certain 'realism'. (don't knock it till you've tried it!)
Once they realize they aren't going anywhere...or getting any food until you get the shots you need...you'd be surprized how cooperative they become...offering to help set-up the crane and all.
pauly_the_hitman
Veteran
LOL yeah I will have to try that next time.
Pauly
Pauly
alex whitmer
Veteran
This is getting interesting. Pauly punches his actors to get the realism thing going on (and save a few bucks on makeup), and ZaZa drives around in a van looking for actors (he calls it casting, the police call it kidnapping).
Anybody else want to fess up?
I can think of no better career!
a
Anybody else want to fess up?
I can think of no better career!
a
Last edited:
MOVIE MASTER
Veteran
thats the way to do it!!!!!!!!!
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
Interesting story from day one, as promised...
So, it started off as a beautiful day. The gear was all set-up, light was in our favor and we started shooting according to the shot list. So far so good...but the real fun was about to begin. We reached the point where we needed a shot of the van driving down an isolated road. When scouting, I realized that as a kid we always rode our dirt bikes on the power lines....they went on forever & we never had any trouble…so...it was a no-brainer.
We packed up the van with the actors, the custom made ‘kidnap’ hoods, duct tape, the camera & tripod…and off we went to find the a spot where the power lines crossed the main road. Once we found the spot and made sure no one was watching, a quick turn had us on the old power line. Keep in mind; this is the dirt road that runs under the power lines. Now things have changed since I was a kid and needless to say, nature happens…so as soon as we got out of sight of the main road, we encountered DEEP overgrowth. I don’t mean just some weeds…no, that would be too easy. We hit pricker trees that were all bent over and on the road from resent storms. We had the windows down and the driver figured he could just blast through. As he stepped on it, we hit a patch of trees that just about covered the entire front of the van! Branched came flying into the windows and were ripping at our flesh…remember the prickers? The sound was nasty…branches scraping along both sides, sounding like the worst ‘finger nails on the chalkboard’ you’ve ever heard. Then there were the scream of everyone inside as we all got cut-up…it was nasty & very funny at the same time!
Bloodied all…we reached the spot I picked out for the shot. We got out of the van and everyone was tending to their wounds…pulling prickers out of skin…applying Band-Aids (I couldn’t believe it, but one of the actors always carries Band-Aids in his wallet…I guess for just such occasions!). I was just about to get the tripod out when the bushes all around us started to rustle…we were all like deer in the headlights.
Out of the bushes, from all sides surrounding us appeared 4 Sheriff’s in camouflage, guns drawn telling us to freeze and keep our hands where they can see them! Talk about surprised.
…to be continued.
So, it started off as a beautiful day. The gear was all set-up, light was in our favor and we started shooting according to the shot list. So far so good...but the real fun was about to begin. We reached the point where we needed a shot of the van driving down an isolated road. When scouting, I realized that as a kid we always rode our dirt bikes on the power lines....they went on forever & we never had any trouble…so...it was a no-brainer.
We packed up the van with the actors, the custom made ‘kidnap’ hoods, duct tape, the camera & tripod…and off we went to find the a spot where the power lines crossed the main road. Once we found the spot and made sure no one was watching, a quick turn had us on the old power line. Keep in mind; this is the dirt road that runs under the power lines. Now things have changed since I was a kid and needless to say, nature happens…so as soon as we got out of sight of the main road, we encountered DEEP overgrowth. I don’t mean just some weeds…no, that would be too easy. We hit pricker trees that were all bent over and on the road from resent storms. We had the windows down and the driver figured he could just blast through. As he stepped on it, we hit a patch of trees that just about covered the entire front of the van! Branched came flying into the windows and were ripping at our flesh…remember the prickers? The sound was nasty…branches scraping along both sides, sounding like the worst ‘finger nails on the chalkboard’ you’ve ever heard. Then there were the scream of everyone inside as we all got cut-up…it was nasty & very funny at the same time!
Bloodied all…we reached the spot I picked out for the shot. We got out of the van and everyone was tending to their wounds…pulling prickers out of skin…applying Band-Aids (I couldn’t believe it, but one of the actors always carries Band-Aids in his wallet…I guess for just such occasions!). I was just about to get the tripod out when the bushes all around us started to rustle…we were all like deer in the headlights.
Out of the bushes, from all sides surrounding us appeared 4 Sheriff’s in camouflage, guns drawn telling us to freeze and keep our hands where they can see them! Talk about surprised.
…to be continued.
Mike Manning
Well-known member
Omg!
alex whitmer
Veteran
And had the camera been rolling, you could have has a third film entry. This is surreal enough by itself.
Did any of the Sheriffs have a ball by any chance?
Can't wait for the rest of this.
a
Did any of the Sheriffs have a ball by any chance?
Can't wait for the rest of this.
a
ConspiracyPenguin
Nosey Penguin
You pulled me into this thread for a story, now GIVE ME THE REST OF THAT STORY! 
This is very interesting, sounds like you guys had a hoot of a shoot (hey, that rhymed).
This is very interesting, sounds like you guys had a hoot of a shoot (hey, that rhymed).
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
Continued…
Flashback to before we left for the power line road. In an effort to save time…and we weren’t really going that far, I (genius that I am) decided that it would be best if we left our actors hands duct taped for continuity. I had an idea and thought we could just shoot it quick while we were there…if it worked out, great…if not, won’t hurt the story. We would un-tape their legs and remove the hoods, because that was an easy fix before we would shoot the stuff I had in mind.
Back to the power line road…
Please allow me to draw a mental picture for you all… here stands 4 men, ranging from their mid-30’s to late 40’s, the actors hands are duct taped, one is in shirt & tie, the other has a bowtie on, out in the middle of nowhere…all standing with their hands over their heads, bleeding with band-aids, leaning against the van!
I have to say; from the Sheriff’s point of view this must have looked odd to say the least.
Shaking in my boots (this really was scary) and being the filmmaker, I would do all the talking. I politely address the officers and was promptly told to shut up. (that didn’t work so well..)
One of the officers began to ask each of us for ID. This was a problem for the actors (I’ll be writing a new book on how to impress new actors with your filmmaking chops soon if anyone’s interested?). They were in costume with hands duct taped …no ID! Finally, I got to speak… but then again, I had ID (remember filmmakers, always carry proper ID). I explained that we were making a short film and these were my actors, the duct tape was part of the story (thank God we took the hoods off!). A little more talking, showing them the camera, replaying some footage and we got things straightened out…I was from the town and they were good guys. (sometimes it pays to be involved in the community) We all had a laugh, once they went through the van and all the gear cases.
Turns out, up here in the northeast, it’s ‘harvest time’….and I’m not talking apples. Marijuana…the killer weed! There just happen to be a big field of it not 30 yards off the power line road from where we stopped. The Sheriff’s were on a stake-out waiting to catch the growers…and here we come in a white van. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! They released us and reminded me that the power line roads are owned by National Grid and I shouldn’t trespass anymore. What a day…what a story…nothing is stranger than real life.
Jumping back in the van, licking our wounds (both physical AND mental at this point), we turned around and headed back out to the main road. Realizing I still didn’t get the original shot I needed, I talked the driver into stopping once out of sight of the officers. I grabbed the tripod & camera, ran up in front of the van set-up, rolled tape and waved the van by…. That will be the shot you see in my film.
All I can say is what a day….the things we do for art.
(...and if I ever meet art, I'll give him a piece of my mind!)
Flashback to before we left for the power line road. In an effort to save time…and we weren’t really going that far, I (genius that I am) decided that it would be best if we left our actors hands duct taped for continuity. I had an idea and thought we could just shoot it quick while we were there…if it worked out, great…if not, won’t hurt the story. We would un-tape their legs and remove the hoods, because that was an easy fix before we would shoot the stuff I had in mind.
Back to the power line road…
Please allow me to draw a mental picture for you all… here stands 4 men, ranging from their mid-30’s to late 40’s, the actors hands are duct taped, one is in shirt & tie, the other has a bowtie on, out in the middle of nowhere…all standing with their hands over their heads, bleeding with band-aids, leaning against the van!
I have to say; from the Sheriff’s point of view this must have looked odd to say the least.
Shaking in my boots (this really was scary) and being the filmmaker, I would do all the talking. I politely address the officers and was promptly told to shut up. (that didn’t work so well..)
One of the officers began to ask each of us for ID. This was a problem for the actors (I’ll be writing a new book on how to impress new actors with your filmmaking chops soon if anyone’s interested?). They were in costume with hands duct taped …no ID! Finally, I got to speak… but then again, I had ID (remember filmmakers, always carry proper ID). I explained that we were making a short film and these were my actors, the duct tape was part of the story (thank God we took the hoods off!). A little more talking, showing them the camera, replaying some footage and we got things straightened out…I was from the town and they were good guys. (sometimes it pays to be involved in the community) We all had a laugh, once they went through the van and all the gear cases.
Turns out, up here in the northeast, it’s ‘harvest time’….and I’m not talking apples. Marijuana…the killer weed! There just happen to be a big field of it not 30 yards off the power line road from where we stopped. The Sheriff’s were on a stake-out waiting to catch the growers…and here we come in a white van. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! They released us and reminded me that the power line roads are owned by National Grid and I shouldn’t trespass anymore. What a day…what a story…nothing is stranger than real life.
Jumping back in the van, licking our wounds (both physical AND mental at this point), we turned around and headed back out to the main road. Realizing I still didn’t get the original shot I needed, I talked the driver into stopping once out of sight of the officers. I grabbed the tripod & camera, ran up in front of the van set-up, rolled tape and waved the van by…. That will be the shot you see in my film.
All I can say is what a day….the things we do for art.
(...and if I ever meet art, I'll give him a piece of my mind!)
alex whitmer
Veteran
And in the meantime, with the officers busy shaking down some filmmakers, a small band of growers were grabbing what they could.
If there is an Oscar for most harrowing story, this would win! Got your blood, bodily injury, guns, hooded and bound actors, and a director that always carries I.D.
Imagine the stories the Sheriffs are telling right about now.
Love it, in a morbid way. Thanks for sharing.
a
If there is an Oscar for most harrowing story, this would win! Got your blood, bodily injury, guns, hooded and bound actors, and a director that always carries I.D.
Imagine the stories the Sheriffs are telling right about now.
Love it, in a morbid way. Thanks for sharing.
a
alex whitmer
Veteran
Me too. I just can't over what that must have looked like from the Sheriff's point of view.
a
a
Michael Anthony Horrigan
More Cowbell Pictures
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
Sounds like a great comedy and you're just the man to write it! I'll expect an outline & rough draft tomorrow.
ConspiracyPenguin
Nosey Penguin
What a great story. Thanks for sharing! I will now recede back into my igloo.