Envision & 235 Studios - "R.E.M."

[235 Studios]

I'll have to email Tung to get that sweet photo of Norm eating pizza......

Norm, I've PM'd you with the URL for teh Pizza photos should you wish to post them ..... (I also included one of myself as well- although your pic is better by far!)

 

[arielman]

Glad to see you're in Norm
The behind the scenes looked great .
Ian

 

[Beat Takeshi]

I was like I know i couldn't have missed a Norm entry but I see this is brand new.
YO WELCOME TO THE LAST MINUTE GANG. Now its you, me and Brandon. Today its DVXuser, tomorrow.... THE WORLD!!

 

[Brandon Rice]

YO WELCOME TO THE LAST MINUTE GANG. Now its you, me and Brandon. Today its DVXuser, tomorrow.... THE WORLD!!

Whoo!!! That's right! LOL!

 

[Norm Sanders]

Hmm, thanks Ryan, this one seems like a safe link to post (that way, I'm not the focus - 'sides, we've all got our mouths full at the moment - fun shot): http://www.235studios.com/rem/Pizza02.jpg

Nice BTF...
Trinity River - Tell us more....

I know 'BTS', but what's 'BTF'?

TRINITY RIVER is a semi-gritty feature length family drama. I commissioned Jeffrey Hawley, the writer of SPARROW, to pen this one based on a story concept I had of a pastor who was struggling with balancing his family life & ministry. It's a subject that's unfortunately pretty relavent, as I know a lot of families who's loved ones are in ministry, can tend to get the short end of the stick ... or more frankly the emotional/mental left overs after that person has given all they have to others. I don't want to say it's 'common', but it does happen.

Since it's a story I'd not seen before, offered a scenario/story for some great dramatic acting, and I believe it commercially viable on a number of fronts ... I wanted to make it ASAP. First draft of the feature length is in (originally a shorter concept), and budgeting & funding is up next. Then talent attachments, crew, etc.

Hmmm...I smell a dark horse ringer, here. rogar-BigGrin(DBG)

LOL, I can't believe you quoted me from that other thread! Too funny! Um, okay, so I fibbed ... we really weren't going to enter, but we had already shot by the time I made that comment. Nice catch, Blaine.

Norm, your films all have a similar style, I love it. I like someone who can establish their style in films.

Thanks Brandon. I'd be interested to hear what you thought that style was. Always cool to hear how others interpret looks, moods, etc. I think I tend to sway towards darker themes (even TRINITY RIVER), so I'd really welcome a chance for straight forward comedy, not only for a lighter theme, but warmer/brighter colors, etc.

And Evins apple boxes made a nice bed support.

Yes! If anyone is ever in need of appleboxes, Evin (ecarr) makes incredible ones at an extremely reasonable price. VERY pro & well finished. He also did a great job in throwing together that bed. The house was totally unfurnished (the Dunn's haven't moved in yet), so it was great in that we didn't have to move furniture around, but we needed a bed! So Evin threw together some 2x4's, appleboxes, and an airmattress for an instant bed. :thumbsup:

And that chick is super-fly. ... :thumbsup:

Yep, she's easy on the lens. Aside from looks, however, she is a PHENOMENAL singer! I just had the pleasure of getting to hear her sing, and I kid you not when I say she's the best I've ever heard in person. She loves to perform, so the acting was an exciting transition/trial run for her. We'll see if she decides to pursue it further or not.

Chris, Tim, Ian, JP, Aram, and everyone else ... thanks for the kind words!

 

[Cynic821]

Thanks Brandon. I'd be interested to hear what you thought that style was. Always cool to hear how others interpret looks, moods, etc. I think I tend to sway towards darker themes (even TRINITY RIVER), so I'd really welcome a chance for straight forward comedy, not only for a lighter theme, but warmer/brighter colors, etc.

you have the chance to do that with every movie, regardless of the genre. :beer:

 

[Brandon Rice]

Thanks Brandon. I'd be interested to hear what you thought that style was. Always cool to hear how others interpret looks, moods, etc. I think I tend to sway towards darker themes (even TRINITY RIVER), so I'd really welcome a chance for straight forward comedy, not only for a lighter theme, but warmer/brighter colors, etc.

Yep, they all have a gritty feel to em' and your graphical treatment of your films is all quite similar, which puts me in a "Norm Sanders film" mode, which is good btw Graphics and stuff do change the feel and style of a film

 

[Larry Rutledge]

I know 'BTS', but what's 'BTF'?

I'd like to know the answer to that as well

TRINITY RIVER is a semi-gritty feature length family drama. I commissioned Jeffrey Hawley, the writer of SPARROW, to pen this one...

I've had the pleasure to read this for Jeff and I can tell you it will be a great film. And being both the son of a Pastor and someone training for the ministry myself, this is definitely an area that needs to be addressed. I was fortunate that my father was always there for me and balanced home and church very well. He was my father first, then my pastor, then pastor to others. But on the flipside, it can be very easy to be swallowed up by the needs of a church, and you are so busy being righteous and a servant to the people in the church, you forget that your family are also people in the church.

I was glad when Norm first mentioned this project to me, and I've enjoyed discussing it with both him and Jeff.

Always cool to hear how others interpret looks, moods, etc. I think I tend to sway towards darker themes...

Definitely, both the theme of your films and the visual impression is that of a dark, gritty mood. It has suited your films well and, like B-Dawg, I always know I'm watching a Sanders/Walters co-production and look forward to it. :thumbsup:

...not only for a lighter theme, but warmer/brighter colors, etc.

I'd also like to see you tackle this, I'd be curious how it would turn out. I'm sure it would be good, as you have definitely grown by leaps and bounds since your first entry at the ZombieFest


I'm looking forward to this film, curious to see what you guys pulled off in such a short time period. And definitely anxious to see another example of the HVX in action.

Peace,
Larry

 

[Norm Sanders]

you have the chance to do that with every movie, regardless of the genre. :beer:

You're absolutely right, unfortunately I'm just not wired that way (blame it on my childhood, lol!). There are some folks on here, whom I admire, that can take ANY genre & make it into a comedy. If I do comedy, it'll likely be a quirky Farrely Bros. style.

Definitely, both the theme of your films and the visual impression is that of a dark, gritty mood. It has suited your films well and, like B-Dawg, I always know I'm watching a Sanders/Walters co-production and look forward to it. :thumbsup:

Thanks, Larry. I've been fortunate enough to have Ryan always on the same page with regards to mood, tone, etc. so there's never been an issue of conflicting ideas. Although I will state he is one DARK puppy! If you guys heard the idea HE wanted to go with, you'd be sick to your stomach for sure, lol. :grin:

 

[Cynic821]

thats not really what i meant, i mean like a horror doesnt have to be lit all dark and blue or green. It doesnt have to have any specific look to be a horror.

 

[Brandon Rice]

Look at Suspiria for instance...

 

[Norm Sanders]

Oh, well in that case we succeeded in doing something different! We have actual distinct color in this, and didn't go with any blue/green CC. Ryan did a VERY subtle CC simply to crush the blacks a little, but there's VERY little difference in the before & after (Ryan, can you post a couple of before & afters?).

So all the color you see was done in production.

 

[Blaine]

So all the color you see was done in production.

Which is a testiment to the cinematographer. :thumbsup:

I'll keep that in mind as I watch, because I've really come to respect a DP that can get the look he's after without having to lean heavily on post production. :beer:

 

[Brandon Rice]

I've really come to respect a DP that can get the look he's after without having to lean heavily on post production. :beer:

I just like to look at post as an additional weapon in the arsenal, as I rely heavy on post for a "specific look" post cannot however correct a poorly lit shot.

Sorry, just realized this might be a hijack Norm...

Back to your film, which I'm DYING to see (get it! hehe)

 

[Norm Sanders]

Testament to both the DP and the Gaffer, I believe. Ryan & Tung work well together.

 

[khmuse]

Really looking forward to watching this one.

The BTS footage was very impressive!

 

[Blaine]

Ryan & Tung work well together.

Tung was the gaffer for Sparrow as well. It looks like you guys have built quite a team up there in the Portland area. :thumbsup:

 

[Norm Sanders]

Sorry, just realized this might be a hijack Norm...

Ha, no worries, Brandon. I'm open for discussion about any processes in here, just so it's not linking back to someone elses film as 'an example'.

Really looking forward to watching this one.

The BTS footage was very impressive!

Hey thanks! Some of the footage was taken while directing. I'd try to guess where the frame would be, then hold the thing above me or WAY out to the side, call action, and then just watch what Ryan was shooting in his HD monitor. Needless to say, I ended up with a lot of worthless BTS footage too, lol!

Tung was the gaffer for Sparrow as well. It looks like you guys have built quite a team up there in the Portland area. :thumbsup:

Good catch. We're working on it. There's actually quite a few folks from SPARROW that we'd love to work with again, but simply didn't have the need for it on "R.E.M." Because of our tight time constraints, and extremely limited budget, we needed to keep this crew light & fast.

One of my favorite things about each project is working with new folks, as opportunities arrive. Going forward you'll know which composer is best suited for which project, which talent is best for what role(s), etc.

With the risk of potentially offending any talent I've worked with in the past (REALLY don't mean to, if they read this!), I can honestly state that Rebecca's the best actress I've worked with yet. She not only felt the most real in her performances (as we were filming), but was just relentless in the things she would do for the role.

She had pretty major surgery on her elbow in May, for a near severed tendon, and still has limited feeling in a couple of her fingers. Yet she'd willingly throw herself down onto the ground over & over, as we needed to make it look like her legs were yanked out from under her. Even with no injuries, I can't say I'd be excited about throwing myself into push up position & immediately onto my face/chest, from a standing position. Ryan & I also watched all the footage in post, and counted how many times we made her run the stairs & then throw herself onto the ground ... over 8 times, and that didn't count the run throughs!

She never compalined once. A trooper, to say the least. :thumbsup:

 

[jpbankesmercer]

Backstage Trailer Footage???
or
Brilliant Teaser Footage?

Us Brits NEVER admit we were wrong.

 

[235 Studios]

I've been out this afternoon- as you can tell by my lack of replies- anyway, I'll try and tackle them here...

Hmm, thanks Ryan, this one seems like a safe link to post (that way, I'm not the focus - 'sides, we've all got our mouths full at the moment - fun shot):

Yep that is the safe one!

I know 'BTS', but what's 'BTF'?

I assumed that it meant Behind The Scenes Footage- am I correct, or is that wrong- I guess it would be BTSF ...

I've been fortunate enough to have Ryan always on the same page with regards to mood, tone, etc. so there's never been an issue of conflicting ideas. Although I will state he is one DARK puppy! If you guys heard the idea HE wanted to go with, you'd be sick to your stomach for sure, lol. :grin:

Thanks! Yeah we have been on the same page a lot of the time- which makes everything a whole lot smoother, fun, and easier. Yes, I do have a dark side, and I enjoy it! I guess it comes form all those nights of watching Alfred Hitchcock and the like. I love those old movies- psychological movies have always appealed to me ....

Definitely, both the theme of your films and the visual impression is that of a dark, gritty mood. It has suited your films well and, like B-Dawg, I always know I'm watching a Sanders/Walters co-production and look forward to it. :thumbsup:

Thanks glad you have liked them- we've enjoyed making them. Each one has brought it's own challenges- this one challenged us with time restraints.

(Ryan, can you post a couple of before & afters?).
So all the color you see was done in production.

Yep I'll get right on it.

Which is a testiment to the cinematographer. :thumbsup:
I'll keep that in mind as I watch, because I've really come to respect a DP that can get the look he's after without having to lean heavily on post production. :beer:

Thanks! One of the thing I try and go for is to create the scene while on set. Can you do a tone of CC and attain the "same" look- maybe. But why not just do it right the first time and save yourself the time later. Also, if it can be done on set, I think that it has a more natural feel to it, as well as helps the actors feel like they are in the world that they are acting in.

Testament to both the DP and the Gaffer, I believe. Ryan & Tung work well together.

Yeah, we have worked well together- he has been a great gaffer as he has been able to make my vision with lighting happen. And he has even come up with additional ideas, or alternatives that make the scene that much better. He brings a lot to the table, and is fun to work with!

Hey thanks! Some of the footage was taken while directing. I'd try to guess where the frame would be, then hold the thing above me or WAY out to the side, call action, and then just watch what Ryan was shooting in his HD monitor. Needless to say, I ended up with a lot of worthless BTS footage too, lol!

You did do a pretty good job of staying out of frame for the majority of the shoot- I think you only entered it once, maybe twice- which is not bad for filming "blind".

Us Brits NEVER admit we were wrong.

You got that right! (Speaking as a second generation brit in America- for whatever that is worth, probably nothing- but oh well.)