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

Congrats Faith, I need to re order the dvd, do you have an ETA of when it will be ready to ship?

Patrick, who is supervising the sound mixing process said to "think June" back in January. Initially this sounded so far away! but I blinked twice and we are already in March and I am not even done with preparing for DVD authoring so I can see that the pro mix is not delaying me after all, I was gonna need that long to get everything truly ready to be pressed...

Short answer: June (keeping my fingers crossed)
 
Hey, I wanted to say THANKS to those of you who pre-ordered the DVD. I appreciate it, guys. It really helps, both financially and mentally, to feel the support.

:dankk2:
 
Is there any commentary/BTS on the DVD on the making of?

I have tons of Special Features, however for the first release I am not sure how much space will remain on that Disc and how much Special Features (if any) I will be able to squeeze. But I will follow initial release with a second release "special Edition" and or a single disc to add to the first which will complete the story, showing behind the scene footage, interviews, bloopers possibly and much more.

Frank and I have been discussing space on the DVD and it's hard to tell yet how much will be included on the first release which will be a single disc release.

AS far as sharing problems I had to overcome, the short answer is this:

EVERYTHING. There was nothing easy about making the film. It was a constant BATTLE. A struggle. Biggest problem I faced I think was the lack of help/manpower. At some point we were down to TWO people pulling each shoot, Jerry and I. Volunteers were few and in between and many turned out to be rather flaky and didn't stick around for long. A few were dedicated but too busy with their day job to help more than very very occasionally. Thank God for fellow dvx users members who came to my rescue, especially Robert, Luis and Tony who each volunteered for a few shoots to help keep me moving forward. For a moment there I thought I was gonna throw the towell.

But I didn't :happy:.

And now here we are.

If you really want to know about the struglles in DEPTH, read my blog, IT SAYS IT ALL LIKE IT IS.

http://deuceofspades.bravejournal.com/
 
This is a beautifully shot film. I'm really impressed with what you've been able to do by just asking for it and putting in the work. Sometimes we forget that we are all human and often try to help one another in various ways if people just asked and had a noble cause. If a film like this can be made, there's no excuse to make all sort of other types in a similar fashion.
 
How many people were involved in making this project, what's the headcount?

It's actually a large number:

Actors and pro extras: about 150

Other extras (stock footage): another 100 maybe

Location owners: about 30

Car owners: about 150 80 of which actually came to a shoot and will get credits, the others were just there where I filmed so I do not have their names - hence no credit listing

Volunteers: about 30, many of which were on the set once or twice only.

Total shoots (I will need to count them but I guestimate about 150 or so.

Project duration, working 24/7 on it = 3.5 years (OUCH)


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UPDATES:

Patrick Cycconne and Andrew Lange came back to my house last Saturday and we spotted the second half of the film. We made a detailed list of foleys needed.

Sunday at the crack of dawn I got started on recording of hot rod related foleys, which included period correct engines, doors, cranking, idling, even a vintage gas station ding ding. I then proceeded to record additional outdoor's foleys, involving props that were specific to the film, vintage purses opening and closing, the sound of the chain and ring, wrenches, the list is long... Down to the sound of Tommy's cigarette, as it is being smoked. I had no idea they make a sound, but they do, ever so faint but pretty cool. By 10PM I was all done with my list!

Monday I had the honor to accompany world famous Hot Rod painter TOM FRITZ to the printer to order 2000 posters of the DEUCE OF SPADES collection, which currently comprises of the first two paintings, depicting scenes from the film. This is part of a licensing deal Tom and I inked last year, which covers eight paintings for DEUCE OF SPADES. Tom is incredibly talented and a very seasonned artist, and I can't wait to share his work with you!! The painting of the last race of Johnny Callaway is especially striking!!

Today I get to organise, select, tag and place the folleys I recorded Sunday. Which promises to be a time consumming task!! I must confess recording the foleys was a real blast though! I had a great time!

Reporting from Filmland, Faithfully yours :happy:

FAITH

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Faith, have you thouight about getting someone to help you write a book about all this?

A book is definitely in the horizon and I don't think I will need anyone to help me write it LOL... One of the reasons I was keeping a blog was to keep record of everything that happened- so I would not forget anything. the blog will be converted into the book :happy:.
 
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For the past 10 days I have been tackling hot rod foleys and while I was at it, added more foleys ( eveyday stuff) here and there, as needed, to help my team.

The second half of the film has all it's foley's in now, except for the ones we are to record at the sound stage. Then I went back to REEL 1 & 2 and added foleys to those, exported the sound files and sent them to the studio. Next up will be REEL 3 and 4. I suspect I will be done by the end of the week.

Then I go back to the second half of the film and prepare my audio reels (5,6,7 & 8) for export, to deliver to the studio. These reels will come with the foleys already added to them this time, makes life simpler :).

Meanwhile, I am still working on the translation of dialogues for subtitles and have gathered a team of volunteers, to assume the role of translators. Film will have subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Swedish and Finnish.

Next on my TO DO list is to locate and secure a local post production house. If anyone can recommend one PLEASE PM me!!

Yesterday I was able to get my recording studio back up and running :) !! which means that I soon start tackling scoring too.

Never a dull moment ;)
 
Meanwhile, I am still working on the translation of dialogues for subtitles and have gathered a team of volunteers, to assume the role of translators. Film will have subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Swedish and Finnish.

Never a dull moment ;)

Hey Faith,
do you need Italian too ? ;)
 
And if you would consider Dutch subtitles, I am volunteering. Not kidding.

Do it!

Lot's of countries have a phenomenon about american culture and hot rods. Japan #1, I know because I use to export american performance cars to them. Finish are also good.
 
In Italy there is not really a nation wide feeling about hot rods (now they worry more about Mr. Berlusconi :) but since there are 60 milions people there, I am sure some wealthy chaps will be very interested. But a movie could be also very interesting especially if well done and with a solid story. Unfortunately the Italian movie market (as many others in EU) needs a fully dubbed movie, the ones with subtitles find very little distribution channels.
But Finns are used to subtitles and love hot cars. The problem is the in Finland there are only 5 milion people and therefore the market is very small but all love movies :)
 
I highly recommend Kappa Studios. They have everything you'll need! They are state of the art and talented folks as well! :)

http://www.kappastudios.com/

OK I'll contact them Monday make an apointment.... I am awaiting a bid from a first post house, the guys there seemed really cool, I liked them I think they would take good care of me. manager is car buff, he was very into the film :).

Hey Faith,
do you need Italian too ? ;)

Sure woud be nice :) - I assume you are Piero who emailed me, right? :)

And if you would consider Dutch subtitles, I am volunteering. Not kidding.

:) cool... Holland has been very quiet so far... As opposed to Finland and Sweden and Germany who are all big fans of DOS... So what's the scoop with Holland in terms of classic cars, car hobby in general, indie films? Anything cooking? Email me please deuceofspadesmv@aol.com :)

Do it!

Lot's of countries have a phenomenon about american culture and hot rods. Japan #1, I know because I use to export american performance cars to them. Finish are also good.

Japanese DOS translation: "Aaaaasssssoooo. Domo arigato Callaway ass hole sushi sayonara!"

LOLOLOL.. See/ I don't need any help with it. LMAO.

Yeah Japan is on my hit list. i think there is a lot of potential for the film there.

In Italy there is not really a nation wide feeling about hot rods (now they worry more about Mr. Berlusconi :) but since there are 60 milions people there, I am sure some wealthy chaps will be very interested. But a movie could be also very interesting especially if well done and with a solid story. Unfortunately the Italian movie market (as many others in EU) needs a fully dubbed movie, the ones with subtitles find very little distribution channels.
But Finns are used to subtitles and love hot cars. The problem is the in Finland there are only 5 milion people and therefore the market is very small but all love movies :)

Finland has been VERY GOOD to me so far :) - Some of my best tunes on the soundtracks came from Finland. Kick ass music.

I think that even if there is no feelings about hot rods, most countries have a strong, good feeling about the fifties. And i woudl assume Italians love a good LOVE STORY? ;) So the film woudl probably be well liked there, but getting it seen / heard of would be the challenge. We'll work on it.
 
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