FEATURE: DEUCE OF SPADES - How I made a period full feature film all by myself on ZERO budget

[Deuceofspades]

Heh? Mexican's with machine guns and guitars are now in the movie? I guess I could live with it if they were period correct guns and guitars? LOL

This is THE most under rated thread on the board!

Go Faith!

Thank you Chip ... I noticed that on forums, there is always the ONE guy who LOVES to give people a ONE star, just to f*** with their rating.

No matter. If the thread has insightful info, and is inspiring to others, they'll see it and follow it just the same. ONE star rating or FIVE star rating.

I recently got an email from a published writer who discovered my film. She quoted Victor Hugo and said (I quote)

"You are the poster child for the saying: "Nothing is as powerful as an idea who's time has come" "

That really hit home. I now have adopted the quote :thumbup:

 

[Deuceofspades]

Wow. Thick thread. Awesome stuff...

Did anyone ask what camera is being used? Looked like a RED in the pics...

RED???????????

I think I could afford ONE knob from the RED camera... That's about it LOL.


No, it was quite a feat gathering enough money to buy the set-up I have now, which is humble, (but in the right hands, will do the job quite well).

I am using Letus Extreme (First Generation) (no, no upgrades on it) and the panasonic HVX200, plus a nice selection of Nikkon prime lenses: 24, 35, 50, 55, 100.

I love everything about the HVX200 except fo it's noisy allergic reaction to LOW light. LOL. Because, I (as a cinematographer) THRIVE in low light and low key lighting is my thing, I must say it has been a challenge.

The Letus for the price is AMAZING. i LOVE it's low light capabilities. It has it's limitations though and hs been temperamental on and off.

For above reasons, I think that if this film does OK and I am able to tackle the sequel, I will upgrade both.

Heck, maybe I'll even be able to afford a RED then? (yeah, right sister! Dream on! LOL)

 

[Deuceofspades]

SCREENGRABS

This is a scene we shot in 30 minutes at sunset. I had no crew. Just me and the two actors (we referred to them, most of the time as "the kids").

I did the hair of Alexandra standing by the side of my truck, on the side of the road. It was very windy up there, that evening. She did part of her make up herself, using the truck side mirrors.

I did Tim's hair while he was sitting in the grass .


We then went to town and filmed away until the light was gone.

Some of my favorite shots, great setting.

 

[bato]

I have to read this thread...
Respect to the Lady of the spades!

 

[ChrisHurn]

Agreed! Fantastic grabs Faith.

 

[Deuceofspades]

Thank you you guys!

UPDATES

Another week-end spent entirely chained to my computer, editing. Such sweet slavery though

. I find myself editing around the clock, having no set schedule as far as sleeping and eating go. As a result, I ate dinner at 5AM, had a 4 hour nap, went to bed at 4:50 AM and never left the house for 48 hours.

Hey, whatever it takes to edit THE LAST FLASHBACK SCENE left to edit (scene 15 out of about 40 flashbacks). This is a very MEATY scene, with flashbacks within flashbacks taking us all the way back to 1942. I hope to have it done tonight.

Meanwhile my camera's 35 mm adapter is back from repairs and the deuce is almost done, so I am going to be ready to film the modern day scenes at the same time as I am done editing the flashback scenes.. More or less... So far so good...

Drove the deuce to work and back today, it was real good roadster weather... The ride was heavenly. Was on cloud nine pretty much the whole way... Smile up to my ears... It's been three years and I still feel the same way... I guess the "honey moon period" is not over yet

.

On another note, I was finally able to get my way with Imdb. I got my cast listed in the RIGHT ORDER. Which goes to show: "Never give up! Never surrender!"
So now my photos look right and my cast listing looks right but my video trailer has vanished from my Imdb listing.

LOL

It figures!

 

[cinebuddy]

This thread is phenomenal...i'll never complain about **** I need to shoot again. Kudos Faith, f'ng kudos.

 

[JonathanLB]

Watching the videos on the first page again, it's funny how gorgeous it all looks, great production design, from what I could see really good acting. I mean you have to be kidding me, this film looks like a $30 million studio film from those trailers! It's pretty darn impressive... and it doesn't look like the HVX200, it looks like the RED. Not saying I don't love my HVX, too, just saying it's really pretty.

 

[bato]

Ok, I’ve read enough of this thread to say something... Here’s my 20$ for Lady of the Spades!
First, you are too conected to your film; its great but its also problem. You want it so much, and its the only way, in my book, but be patient, do not hurry when you end shooting. When you end shooting, you have rough edit material, then rest little end disconect yourself from your movie – go to road trip for 20 days, maybe. Then when you start editing, do not alow actors to see it, they are your friends but its not their place next to you while you edit. Do not forget – many times, the best shoot is not the best for your film! Film is NOT 50% of genius shots, nor even 20%... Find gradatia(?) and think of clarity of the story... After you have first cut, its very good to do next – you have friends, choose 3 friends. 1. someone that even do not like films, average guy; 2. someone very smart, but not artist (maybe doctor, or engeener); 3. some artist, but that has no knowledge of film (writter or painter...) – than show them first cut and ask them to tell you what is wrong and their honest opinion. Think what they are saying... Next, find some very expirianced profesional editor and ask him (her, not to be sexist to tell you not how good but how bad it is and ask for help. And so on... Do not forget, the only thing that is worse than failure is sucsess! Hide your ego from your film... In this forum we are all saying “great, keep the good work” and so on but its the sword with 2 edges now for you...
Thats it from me; sorry for bad english and do not get me wrong, I wish you all the luck with your film – consider this as reminder not my critic to your work.
Ciao!

 

[Deuceofspades]

Ok, I’ve read enough of this thread to say something... Here’s my 20$ for Lady of the Spades!
First, you are too conected to your film; its great but its also problem. You want it so much, and its the only way, in my book, but be patient, do not hurry when you end shooting. When you end shooting, you have rough edit material, then rest little end disconect yourself from your movie – go to road trip for 20 days, maybe. Then when you start editing, do not alow actors to see it, they are your friends but its not their place next to you while you edit. Do not forget – many times, the best shoot is not the best for your film! Film is NOT 50% of genius shots, nor even 20%... Find gradatia(?) and think of clarity of the story... After you have first cut, its very good to do next – you have friends, choose 3 friends. 1. someone that even do not like films, average guy; 2. someone very smart, but not artist (maybe doctor, or engeener); 3. some artist, but that has no knowledge of film (writter or painter...) – than show them first cut and ask them to tell you what is wrong and their honest opinion. Think what they are saying... Next, find some very expirianced profesional editor and ask him (her, not to be sexist to tell you not how good but how bad it is and ask for help. And so on... Do not forget, the only thing that is worse than failure is sucsess! Hide your ego from your film... In this forum we are all saying “great, keep the good work” and so on but its the sword with 2 edges now for you...
Thats it from me; sorry for bad english and do not get me wrong, I wish you all the luck with your film – consider this as reminder not my critic to your work.
Ciao!

Bato, all above sounds like a good plan to me, and more or less what I have been doing already. Looks like I am on the right track. Thanks for taking the time to share your advice.

I guess I could start to get an ego, but then, editing scene #15 for 4 days now and seeing all the little continuity details that didn't quite match and came back to bite me in the fannies, keeps me humble LOL. I still have a LOT to learn.

 

[Deuceofspades]

Watching the videos on the first page again, it's funny how gorgeous it all looks, great production design, from what I could see really good acting. I mean you have to be kidding me, this film looks like a $30 million studio film from those trailers! It's pretty darn impressive... and it doesn't look like the HVX200, it looks like the RED. Not saying I don't love my HVX, too, just saying it's really pretty.

Does my footage look that different from other HVX200? I have nothing to compare with. In what way is it different? I have been hearing this a LOT. You say" It's really pretty" what is it about it that made you think it is really "pretty" ? Color? Contrast? Lighting? or is it the composition or camera moves... I just wonder how much of the "pretty" attributes are truly due to the camera itself... It is a humble HVX200 and I am using normal settings, more or less.

Editing scene 15 though, I have to say that sometimes you just "stumble" upon great setting/lighting/angles. For exemple my lead man Tim McReynolds looks so painfully gorgeous in that scene... I don't know what it was... I think the combination of the green leaves in the background, the many oranges in the tree, and his blue shirt and blue eyes, plus great sunlight complemented on some of the shots, by a little Tungsteen. It yielded some of the most gorgeous close up shots on him. The stills don't give it justice actually.

I was trying to figure out what I did that day, to get that. Cause if I could figure it out then I could duplicate it ... I think the shot below was 100% daylight, and a bounce. All I had was one crew person that day but I taped the boom to a C-stand and freed up my crew person to hold bounce or flag.

But what really did the trick was that when I blocked the scene, I was smart and had the car parked under the orange tree, which provided for more diffuse sunlight. Cause we filmed all day for two days and all the shots look decent, nothng harsh or blown. The orange tree saved me. :thumbup:

You know what I do like about the shot above? It is the angle of his face. I is parallel to the angle of the steering wheel and makes his face look very triangular. PLus you have a kick light on his left side (probably from the sun hiting the light colored ground and bouncing off him) and then also the direct sunlight backlighting him on his arm and right side, plus a bit on his hair.

 

[ChrisHurn]

I just wonder how much of the "pretty" attributes are truly due to the camera itself... It is a humble HVX200 and I am using normal settings, more or less.

I think it's more to do with your really nice lighting in the shots, nice compositions etc. Your grabs have depth to them and nice colours etc. which makes everything look great. I guess people aren't used to seeing nice production value with films shot on an HVX, so thats where it comes from. Many of the DVX or HVX films out there ave plain white wall backgrounds, poor use of light (even bad use of natural lighting etc). It's refreshing to see something so rad looking. It helps having good looking stuff/people to fill the frame with!

I love that shot above!

 

[Ted Spencer]

Agreed. Most of the shots Faith has posted here are very well lit and composed (IMHO). Those are among many technical things that aren't done very well in most micro-budget indies. Along with her really impressive attention to period details (not to mention having the nerve to attempt all that in the first place), it makes for a really compelling "tease" here on DVXuser.

The big story in any movie though, is...the story. If she's handled that as well as the technical side, then we could be witness to the beginning of a very promising career. I'm most definitely rooting for all that to be the case...

Go Faith!

 

[bato]

Bato, all above sounds like a good plan to me, and more or less what I have been doing already. Looks like I am on the right track. Thanks for taking the time to share your advice.

I guess I could start to get an ego, but then, editing scene #15 for 4 days now and seeing all the little continuity details that didn't quite match and came back to bite me in the fannies, keeps me humble LOL. I still have a LOT to learn.

Faith, I know what are you taking about and I told you to look at my posts as reminder :beer:
Did you started shooting that 40% of todays time sceens? They have to be different visualy... Do not think of after efects. They have to have "mistake", something that separete them in reception of the viewers. Offcourse it comes from your idea, it can be connected by this oldtimer you use in both times (making it looks more and more, in fotografy, like dream car, as she search it to find thuth and than we just turn in the past prepared). But without this car what is the difference in fotografy in these times?! I say again you know all this, but never the less I say it...
rogar-Smoke(DBG):

 

[Deuceofspades]

Faith, I know what are you taking about and I told you to look at my posts as reminder :beer:
Did you started shooting that 40% of todays time sceens? They have to be different visualy... Do not think of after efects. They have to have "mistake", something that separete them in reception of the viewers. Offcourse it comes from your idea, it can be connected by this oldtimer you use in both times (making it looks more and more, in fotografy, like dream car, as she search it to find thuth and than we just turn in the past prepared). But without this car what is the difference in fotografy in these times?! I say again you know all this, but never the less I say it...
rogar-Smoke(DBG):

I don't seem to remember there was a difference in photography in "Fried Green Tomatoes" or even the English Patient... At least I don't remember noticing it when I watched the films. So if there was one it must have been very settle. Maybe I'll have to rent them again and double check.

I think the flashbacks should be identifiable strictly from the way they are introduced, not so much by the way they look. In fact, I am pretty darn sure I am NOT going to fade out my flashback colors and follow the usual "flashback trends". On the opposite, I want the fifties to look as BRIGHT as they can. And I am considering fading out the present instead. Because I find life to be more "dull" in the modern time and was more "vibrant" back in those Golden days. So basically, I might end up doing everthing in reverse and go against the stream. :beer:

 

[DCP]

I don't seem to remember there was a difference in photography in "Fried Green Tomatoes" or even the English Patient... At least I don't remember noticing it when I watched the films. So if there was one it must have been very settle. Maybe I'll have to rent them again and double check.

I think the flashbacks should be identifiable strictly from the way they are introduced, not so much by the way they look. In fact, I am pretty darn sure I am NOT going to fade out my flashback colors and follow the usual "flashback trends". On the opposite, I want the fifties to look as BRIGHT as they can. And I am considering fading out the present instead. Because I find life to be more "dull" in the modern time and was more "vibrant" back in those Golden days. So basically, I might end up doing everthing in reverse and go against the stream. :beer:

Faith, I agree with you. I think a less saturated 'dull' look for the modern sections will serve better with your story and your reasoning is definitely relative. Ironically I had dulled down my feature (also shot with the HVX200) because i didn't want the film to be 'beautiful' and I wanted it to reflect the mood and environment.

You are on to something and I wish the best for you (and as I said before, I love the fifties and I look forward to seeing your film!).

Todd

http://drawingchalkpictures.com/video/dwc_trailer.mp4

 

[doubler83]

Faith, I don't know if you've answered this already, but how long was the shooting period on the film? I noticed in your first post you mentioned a three year commitment, but I assume that included pre-production and post-production.

 

[bato]

I don't seem to remember there was a difference in photography in "Fried Green Tomatoes" or even the English Patient... At least I don't remember noticing it when I watched the films. So if there was one it must have been very settle. Maybe I'll have to rent them again and double check.

I think the flashbacks should be identifiable strictly from the way they are introduced, not so much by the way they look. In fact, I am pretty darn sure I am NOT going to fade out my flashback colors and follow the usual "flashback trends". On the opposite, I want the fifties to look as BRIGHT as they can. And I am considering fading out the present instead. Because I find life to be more "dull" in the modern time and was more "vibrant" back in those Golden days. So basically, I might end up doing everthing in reverse and go against the stream. :beer:

English patient?!:zombie_smiley:
I have problem of language here... Every good solution for this problem is settle, and I was talking about that; I understand your idea, for you flashback is modern time shoots. Are they going to be "bright as they can"? For viewer it is not important to understand this but to have subcontius reception! What you call very settle, I call "mistake". But in this you have object that is in both times - oldtimer. Just think about this conection and how much you can get or lose with some solutions... Your oldtimer is also main actor in your film!
I have only best wishes for you and good luck!
:thumbsup:

 

[Deuceofspades]

Faith, I don't know if you've answered this already, but how long was the shooting period on the film? I noticed in your first post you mentioned a three year commitment, but I assume that included pre-production and post-production.

Yes, includes everything. but I am not filming in a traditional kind of way: basically I am in pre, prod and post and even in promotion phases SIMULTENAOUSLY. It probably wouldn't make sense for anyone else but me, in my very unusual 'DIY one person does it all ' situation, to do things this way.

Currently I am done filming and editing (as of 4Am this morning YEYYYYY!) all my flashbacks, which consitute about 70% of te film.

Now I do one last rewrite of modern day to insure it is as tight as it can possibly get then I start preproduction on modern scenes and production and post production.

My schedule is as follows (jungling with a day job):

Week days: Do pre production work (line up locaiton, actors, casting calls, crew, props, etc...) while at my day job during the week days. edit during the week night. Film on week-ends.

And to quote Alan, who owns OMEGA PROPS and is now a friend: "She is maniacal" - Insane in deed.

:thumbup:

 

[Postmaster]

... I find life to be more "dull" in the modern time and was more "vibrant" back in those Golden days.

Word! :beer:

Frank