Ossian - a Nelson Entertainment Production

Shawn Philip Nelson

Shawn Philip Nelson

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Watch Ossian Now!
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A film unlike anything I've done. Shot on my Red using an antique (but sharp) Angenieux zoom lens, 25-250mm T3.9

Starring:

Mary Nelson www.actressmary.com
My sister and a great actress. She's been taking private lessons from Sandra Peabody for years. Sandra is the one who taught Katee Sackhoff ('Starbuck' from Battlestar Galactica) and also Teresa and Victoria from my previous entries. Mary was the lead role in a feature film called 'A/S/L' (www.aslthemovie.com) and recently was in an official Wii commercial that has over three million hits on YouTube.

Elijah Nelson www.nelsonactors.com
My brother and a SAG-eligible actor. He recently finished a significant speaking role in the multi-million dollar William Hurt movie 'The River Why'. He has been in commercials and films since he was five. He is also taught and rep'd by Sandra Peabody who compares him to a young Haley Joel Osment. He recently auditioned for a Harrison Ford movie.

An epic and yet intimate score by Herman Witkam. Herman's score takes an even more central stage because this project has no dialogue.
 
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Production Blog

1-31-09
Going public! This is a story I've been stewing over for almost a year now, ready to make this happen. It will be interesting, it's one scene, no dialogue.

2-12-09
Trying to buy a home whilst in a DVXUser fest is challenging. I'll be closing a home in a few weeks. Meanwhile, rehearsal and costume prep this Sunday and hopefully shooting the following weekend.

I've been trying to modify my angenieux zoom lens to have focus gears. I ordered the .8 gears from zacuto. Hopefully that does the trick.

I'm going to take a different approach with this short as for the shooting, I'm going to try and minimize my shooting ratio whilst still getting the quality I demand.

2-14-09
Blocked through with the actors. Mary had a great idea for adding an extra beat. A big variable is weather on day of shooting, but I'm ready to roll with anything.

2-19-09
Designed out the last costume with Sarah. I went and walked a fabric store and inspected probably a hundred fabrics and finally found one I liked. She'll make the outfit tomorrow for our shoot on Saturday. Yesterday's attempt to affix a lens gear to my Angenieux using rubber cement was a failure. Tonight I used super glue and that seems much better.

2-21-09
Shot today. What an adventure!

2-22-09
Uploaded clips

3-6-09
Music back from Herman!

3-7-09
Poster up! Debating doing ADR of non-dialogue
 
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Just spent the better half of the day reading your Timefest thread...great stuff...this is sure to be one of the stand-out films of the fest. Looking forward to it.


...word to the wise... be sure to trim your brother's & sister's eyelashes before you shoot! :):)


:beer:
 
SparkyZa said:
Just spent the better half of the day reading your Timefest thread...great stuff...this is sure to be one of the stand-out films of the fest. Looking forward to it.


...word to the wise... be sure to trim your brother's & sister's eyelashes before you shoot! :):)


:beer:
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Wow! That's awesome, I hope it was worth something to you. Aetas was an incredible experience for me.
 
puckthemad said:
how's it coming along shawn?
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Had conversations with my wardrobe lady today. I've got a distinct idea on colors and choices. We may need to get into some wool dying for the right look and feel.

The 'wardrobe' is my sister Sarah. :-). She kicks serious ass. She did the female costuming for Aetas.
 
Assuming you read my question and his reply...

First off, I agree and enjoyed his answer.

Adding on my thoughts, I might play around with character motivations at time of framing, pointing towards the earth being more dejected and/or more grounded, while up at the sky signifying more towards enlightenment, clarity, or even more disoriented (that is, not grounded).

Originally I was going to make this movie shot completely locked off and do it more classic cinematography style. I think I'll do it 90% that with some super subtle track dolly shots. I'll be shooting on a field of dirt but I've got hardwall track and a doorway dolly with track wheels, so hopefully that'd be steady enough to give me the slow creeping feeling on just a few shots.
 
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