FEATURE: Stricken the Feature - A Matt Sconce Film

Matt Sconce

Matt Sconce

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Hello DVXusers. I have been gone for a while getting some rolling income coming in with some illusions I created, but now that I have, I am jumping headfirst into Stricken the Feature Film. I will be shooting on the HVX200 with Brevis Adapter. :)

http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt1375754/

Let me tell the story of how Stricken came to be for those of you that do not know. I am sure some of you will remember. Some of you will care about this, and some will not. If you don't just jump ahead, because this is a long story.

Back in the twilight of my DVXuser beginnings, I entered hero-fest. I submitted a film (my first) called "Nine to Five Ninja". I used the input I got from that to attempt my first serious film for Horror fest called "Stricken". I shot it on the DVX with an M2 adapter and learned a ton through the process. The short can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aap-11vrYaM
The movie ended up being too long, so I entered it as exhibition and learned a ton and made a bunch of friends here in the process.

I then entered Stricken into the Action on Film Festival in Long beach and was nominated for Best horror film of the year and best sound design. it won for best sound design, and so I started writing a feature script. Over the next year, I finalized the script and attached actors to the project seeking a funding of at first 50,000, but later 5 million with Hyperactive Studios. Many funding deals seemed about to happen and then they would fall through. Very dissapointing times. In these times, I filmed my last short "PUSH" for Twilight Fest: http://www.vimeo.com/1275794

I submitted Stricken the Feature Script to Action on Film Festival which had now moved to Pasadena and it won Best Adapted Screenplay, encouraging me to keep trying.

I then traveled to Sacramento and pitched the project to Nehst (a producer) and was torn to shreds. I then curled up into a ball and stopped pursuing the film.

It has been almost 8 months since that time, and I have finally gotten fed up with the waiting, it is going on 3 years now since I have started trying to make Stricken the Feature. I feel like I could either wait all my life, or get off my butt and make it. I have chosen the latter. www.strickenthemovie.com :beer:

I believe in the project and trust in the skills I have acquired in my 3 years-ish time here at DVXuser. (My reel comes mostly from those projects) http://www.vimeo.com/1272507 I will be filming Stricken the feature out of pocket unless a funding soucre I am discussing with currently plays out. I have an open casting call Thursday the 19th, and already have David Fine http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0006718/
attached to the project. I begin shooting in April and will finish the majority of production by the end of May, with a couple scenes being spread out to June and potentially even July. I am excited to actually film my first feature and wanted to keep you guys in the loop. I have also been refining my directing skills by reading "Directing Actors" by Judith Weston. That is a MUST read book. It has changed the way I saw directing and I expect the direction and acting in Stricken to kick all kinds of proverbial buttocks.


-Matt Sconce
 
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Some uncorrected 50% resolution stills from the first Weekend shoot:


Ifyouevenwhisper.jpg


Drop-the-knife-2.jpg


I-see-your-lights.jpg


Pub-Trinket-OTS2.jpg


Sacrifice.jpg


More-Human.jpg
 
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ZazaCast said:
Congrats Matt... it's good to see you back on the horse! Break a leg.
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Thanks! I am going to try to break both and maybe even an arm!

Some BTS shots:
Here are some BTS Shots from the car rig and one from the cemetery! Fun Fun. Thanks again Justin!



We pull off for some rig adjustments...people oogle and we promote the website.
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Tight fit, but it works well.
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Another shot of the rig
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The rig with side and front mount and 1st AD Troy modeling
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Preparing to leave the base of operations
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Baby and Daddy director checking framing
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I rocked the cowboy hat
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Rachel beautifying Kenn
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This is what happens to a director at the end of a loooong loooong night. The tree deserved it...it was mocking me.
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There, sorry... I didn't mean to get in the middle of your reserves!
I will be watching this thread. I really liked PUSH and the version of Stricken on YouTube.
Keep up the good work.
 
Awesome, I look forward to seeing more.

then traveled to Sacramento and pitched the project to Nehst (a producer) and was torn to shreds
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I'm interested in hearing some more about this, if you'd be willing.
 
BTS updated. Chris, I will have to get into this a little later. It was a good learning experience but also left me broken for a while until I learned the lesson I needed to see through the process.
 
Good luck Matt. What's the budget on this? Were you able to find investors due to the success of Stricken the short?
 
filthrich said:
Do you have anytricks that magically makes money appear in my pocket?:Drogar-Love(DBG):
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Wish I could. I would put money in all of our independent film making pockets.

I need some help guys. I need a Brevis Flip with nikon mounts for shoots from April to July. Any of you out there have one that you would let me borrow for the film shoot? If so, I would give you or your company special mention in the credits of the feature film. Let me know. I will treat it like my very own baby and take care of it. If it breaks for any reason, we will buy you another. -Matt
 
Matt Sconce said:
Wish I could. I would put money in all of our independent film making pockets.

I need some help guys. I need a Brevis Flip with nikon mounts for shoots from April to July. Any of you out there have one that you would let me borrow for the film shoot? If so, I would give you or your company special mention in the credits of the feature film. Let me know. I will treat it like my very own baby and take care of it. If it breaks for any reason, we will buy you another. -Matt
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Still need the brevis, but on a side note,

I have been dealing recently with SAG and I must say it is an interesting maze, filled with twists and turns that surprised me and my pocketbook. I do have to say Fatna at the san fran SAG branch has been extremely helpful, but whatever you think you will pay actors...double it for fees, workers comp, etc. Things are moving forward though, little b little. We still start filming on the 3rd. I have my final audition today for three roles and we should be locked. -Matt
 
Matt,

I liked what you did with the Striken short, there was some very nice work in there. The sound mix was sweet, I can see why it got an award.

A few questions about your up coming shoot:


So how are you planning on scheduling your shoot days? Weekends only?

Where are you planning on shooting?

Where are you getting your crew and actors from?

How large of a crew will you have?

Is SAG making you pay for your talent?

I would love to hear some details.

I noticed that you had a link on Vimeo to a test shot with a Handy 35 adapter, how good a product is that since you are looking for a Brevis? Or is it just the wrong size adapter for the camera that you are planning on using?

Chris
 
visugeek said:
Matt,

I liked what you did with the Stricken short, there was some very nice work in there. The sound mix was sweet, I can see why it got an award.

A few questions about your up coming shoot:


So how are you planning on scheduling your shoot days? Weekends only?
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Since I work 8-5 on the weekdays, all shoots will be on FRI-SUN. We shoot from April to July, shooting scenes when the actors are available. David Fine will be traveling up one weekend a month so he has 12 shoot days.

visugeek said:
Where are you planning on shooting?
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We will be shooting everything in Fresno and Oakhurst. We will be filming at various locations all around the area.

visugeek said:
Where are you getting your crew and actors from?
Click to expand...

I cast locally through Devore Talent Studios to get most of my actors and Have been working with David Fine for 2 years on this project.

visugeek said:
How large of a crew will you have?
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My crew will most likely be 5-6 trusted people so we can move quickly and we know what it takes to work together. If any DVXusers want to come to the shoot dates, let me know. I will be posting a shoot date schedule on the main page.

visugeek said:
Is SAG making you pay for your talent?
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Any SAG actors must be paid 100 dollars a day minimum. That translates into about 200-230 after workers comp, insurance, payroll fees, social security etc. The no SAG actors are working for feature film credit on the IMDB.


visugeek said:
I would love to hear some details.

I noticed that you had a link on Vimeo to a test shot with a Handy 35 adapter, how good a product is that since you are looking for a Brevis? Or is it just the wrong size adapter for the camera that you are planning on using?

Chris
Click to expand...

The handy 35 is a good adapter for my hv30 but I would rather use a brevis for the HVX200. -Matt
 
I'm in San Ramon, which is neighbored by Dublin/Pleasanton (165 miles from Fresno).

If you do any shooting around here, PM me if you could use an extra hand.
 
Awesome, will do.

UPDATE: Secured the Pub location for the script. David Fine meets Stephanie for the first time on the 14th. Scheduling is going well. My parents, who do not have a ton of cash, told me they believe in me and have invested in the film as the Exec Producers. I am grateful and humbled. Now it is time to make them proud!
 
Sounds like an ambitious schedule, good luck with it! If my schedule permits. I might be able to give a weekend in June or July.
 
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