FEATURE: Epitaph: Bread and Salt Feature film

[Nathyn]

Picked up a 500gb drive for $35 bucks and the guy is willing to give me the other for 25. This will be my primary drive. I plan on getting 2 1TB drives for file storage and back up. I have a 60gb firewire drive for testing. I may consider doing like El Director and getting two more 500 drives versus 2 1TB drives. But with all the special effects work I'm thinking I'll probably need more space. But that $25 deal can't be ignored either way.

Be sure to have a talk with a soundguy also....

And yes I will keep repeating this :2vrolijk_08::-Laugh(DBG)::-Dum(DBG)::-HeadPhones(D

LOL. I will be sure to talk with a sound guy, especially not that we're doing sound through the 5D.

Awesome. Not sure if they have any stabilizers, but I can speak from experience now, shooting on a stabilizer REALLY makes shooting with DSLRs so much easier (helps prevents jello).

Also, be careful for moire. Urban settings and textured clothing can be a nightmare is disguise!

We will be using a tripod and a dolly. I know it's old school but that's how we roll. Although I must admit the DP has a pretty steady hand. And thanks for the moire info. And we'll probably stay away from too many textures and also try to stay with solid colors as far as clothing is concerned, I know that can be an issue too.

-Nate

 

[El Director]

Honestly Nate, shooting with a DSLR hasn't been a big deal for me. Just treat it like a cinema camera and you're good to go. Another cool thing, if you do any pans, keep the pivot far behind the sensor. It reduces skew. Like if I pan with my shoulderpod, where the camera sits in front of me, as long as I'm the pivot, the shots turn out fine, even at higher speeds.

 

[Nathyn]

One of my actors apparently believes my script is bigoted and now he is threatening to make trouble for me on Facebook. This outta be a hoot. One actress give the post a thumbs up and I simply wrote her a letter that said, "Seriously, you know me. Not cool." And she unliked almost immediately. I don't think she even knew what was in the script. Also this actor believes himself to be the protector of love and goodness or some silliness as well as believe himself to know why we are here and our purpose. Hm. Sounds like your average religious fanatic. (That's what he called me by the way). I can only imagine what El Director must be going through...oh wait, I went through that with my first film. LOL.

Update:
Actress has unfriended me, says it was an accident, but I will stay unfriended since I assumed she unfriended me. So far the only damage done is a chick who dropped out of my last film unfriended me. Okay, not gonna push it.

-Nate

 

[Rick Burnett]

ahhh, the joy of actors Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of great ones, but the ones who aren't and think they are great, they are something to behold.

My favorite line from an actress "You better use me now while my rates are cheap because once I go to LA, I will be out of your league"

That was two years ago....

She served me Sushi not too long ago at a restaurant I didn't know she was working at She's still *almost* going!

And her acting was HORRIBLE.

 

[dre83]

It's the same in Belgium: the actors who are "famous" find themselves not being "celebreties" but rather "actors".

They don't argue if they have to do a studentshort for free and have to remind there own continuity, or have to do there own make up...they don't mind if they have to wait....they don't mind if a soundguy asks something...and they say hello and hi to everyone..

Then you have also the "would be actors"... in dutch we say "dikke nek"... They complain every second...if you ask as a soundguy "don't smash the glass during your line" ,"oh no I can't...I have to be in my role..." Weird...others can do it..

 

[dre83]

ahhh, the joy of actors Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of great ones, but the ones who aren't and think they are great, they are something to behold.

My favorite line from an actress "You better use me now while my rates are cheap because once I go to LA, I will be out of your league"

That was two years ago....

She served me Sushi not too long ago at a restaurant I didn't know she was working at She's still *almost* going!

And her acting was HORRIBLE.

We want names !! :grin:

 

[Nathyn]

Well, I've been unfriended by the actor too. In an IM this dude said:

you have much to learn about this world and its people and the reasons we exist.

I didn't know I was speaking to The High Evolutionary. He goes on to say:

It's interesting that you changed your previous comment, obviously trying to poke fun at the situation and deter people from seeing the true content of the script. You know what you have done and your soul must now bear the weight of that decision.

I did change it because I got way too serious. I guess my soul bearing the weight of that decision? My soul is bearing the weight of the decision to add him to my group! The guy just unfriended me after he couldn't make his argument hold water. His last comment was:

Make fun and judge all you want. I know what I read and I know who you are and now I know what you stand for. And what you stand for is not something I can uphold and something of which I must use to educate those that might be confused or tempted because they want to be involved what, at first glance, seems to be a cool project.

Wow. And this guy didn't make the cut for Batman or Captain America? Seriously? No one talks like this out side the pages of a DC or Marvel graphic novel. I didn't judge the guy, (Although I did say he spoke like The Mighty Thor). I hope this is done, why do I know it's not? Honestly though, if it keeps up I'm going to have to make a formal complaint.

-Nate

 

[Nathyn]

Okay, so far things have cooled. I had a long conversation with an actress and let it slip that she was in the film, LOL, but other than that I'm cool. I did get some encouragement from a woman who told me not to let the PC police control my project. That was cool.

-Nate

 

[cap10kirk]

(Although I did say he spoke like The Mighty Thor).

-Nate

LOL!! Don't sweat it. Just keep it moving.

 

[Nathyn]

LOL, doing just that. I have two more auditions lined up today and an actress that is just insistent that she show me her vampire outfit. Can't really find it in me to be upset about that though.

Comupter Update:
I'm going to take the new (used) G5 to the Mac store and have them run a check. I believe the computer is the victim of the old logic board problem. But I'll see if I can get Apple to fix it. If not, it goes back on eBay and it's hello Intel Mac Mini. Not shooting until mid-september anyway. There's a chance it can be the memory. I doubt it, but if it is, I'm buying memory today.

-Nate

 

[KNIGHTBLAZE]

Is there anyway possible to post the entire script so we can all read and get an idea. Maybe they saw or interpreted something you didn't . 30 pages is ok but the reader will be tuned in to know what happens next it's like leaving the audience hanging. But again religion is a hot topic so. My film has some religious themes but I am being careful not to step on toes or offend anyone. . That might be a good suggestion for anyone to post their screenplays for others to read and either give constrctive criticism or suggestions after all isn't what it's all about we are here to help and support each other? At least I truly hope what this site is for. Actors are a dime in a dozen. You may think that person could have been truly perfect for the part and you might not find anyone else like them but WRONGO. And really it's their loss cause when the film does become successful they will be kicking them selves in the ass that they were not a part of it in the beginning. That's happened with me and now I have an ex-actor begining to be a part of the next project after they saw how successful the first one took off. And when I say begging I MEAN BEGGING. Offering to lend their truck, get their favorite resturant to offer food, getting a store to contribute costumes, etc this person is DESPERATE. But from their past experience of putting everyone through such crap on our last production. Everyone is threatening they refuse to do the production if this actor comes back. And this cast has been with me since the first project. Even my DP has refused to do the project if this person returns.

 

[Nathyn]

Is there anyway possible to post the entire script so we can all read and get an idea. Maybe they saw or interpreted something you didn't . 30 pages is ok but the reader will be tuned in to know what happens next it's like leaving the audience hanging.

Great way to make the audience buy the DVD. LOL.

But again religion is a hot topic so. My film has some religious themes but I am being careful not to step on toes or offend anyone. . That might be a good suggestion for anyone to post their screenplays for others to read and either give constrctive criticism or suggestions after all isn't what it's all about we are here to help and support each other?

I understand where you're coming from, but you're saying censor ourselves if we may offend. But much of what I see on shown on TV and the big screen is offensive to me. I rarely watch TV anymore. I mainly do Redbox.

I just had a conversation with an actress about this in a coffee shop up the street. The fact you're dealing with religion is in itself, to many, offensive. You can not be non offensive because of what people read into it. (Actually my movie talks about this in a way). If you are doing religious based films at least those people will side with you. I walk a fine line of secular entertainment that many times is about openly religious characters who have openly religious views. Views not consistent with those of modern society. But no other view EVER has to be censored. We can show graphic violence, sex and whatever, but if you add a spiritual ideology (particularly a Juedeo-Christian one) to all the chaos and suggest a right and a wrong, then people get upset.

At least I truly hope what this site is for. Actors are a dime in a dozen. You may think that person could have been truly perfect for the part and you might not find anyone else like them but WRONGO. And really it's their loss cause when the film does become successful they will be kicking them selves in the ass that they were not a part of it in the beginning. That's happened with me and now I have an ex-actor begining to be a part of the next project after they saw how successful the first one took off. And when I say begging I MEAN BEGGING. Offering to lend their truck, get their favorite resturant to offer food, getting a store to contribute costumes, etc this person is DESPERATE. But from their past experience of putting everyone through such crap on our last production. Everyone is threatening they refuse to do the production if this actor comes back. And this cast has been with me since the first project. Even my DP has refused to do the project if this person returns.

LOL. It seems the same is happening here. A few people are reading the script and dropping some common sense on the actor, but most have simply jumped on the bandwagon. I believe EVERY film has an agenda. It may not be the writer's intention but art comes from somewhere and that place is usually from within the artist. So it pushes that artist intentions. I'm very open about what I do and I don't try to hide. My scripts are offensive to some because of what they contain and I can easily see all of my screenplays having the same elements. I enjoy creating around my faith. Ong Bak did it, but if I make the same film with Christian themes versus Buddhist it would be controversial. Either way this may make for a very interesting production diary.

I really liked the actress I saw today. She was the perfect fit. I hope decides to be on the project, but she was open about being uncomfortable with some of it. I told her I understood and wanted her to make sure she wanted to do the film. I will hire her if she wants to do the project, but I won't go around censoring myself in my writing.

-Nate

 

[Rick Burnett]

I really don't care if my film offends anyone, because I'd be offended at myself for not making it how I want I've learned one thing, you can NEVER make everyone happy. So I just concentrate on myself and those I respect!

 

[Nathyn]

I really don't care if my film offends anyone, because I'd be offended at myself for not making it how I want I've learned one thing, you can NEVER make everyone happy. So I just concentrate on myself and those I respect!

That's keeping it real Grimepoch. Someone's offended by something everyday.

Computer Update

I am writing you from my Powermac G5. Apparently the problem wasn't the logic board, it was that I was being a goofy and installing the memory wrong. When I bought this machine it stated it was a dual 1.8 untested as they only checked to see if it powered on or not. The only thing missing was the memory and harddrive. Well, as it turns out a friend of moved back into the building and tossed his old computer. It had 2gigs of PC 3200 memory and a 60gb harddrive. Something told me these would come in handy, so I snatched them. Later I saw this G5 for sale and figured for $150 it was worth it. (G5s still sale for $300 - $800).

I stayed on the phone with Apple for about thirty minutes yesterday. The funny part is for some reason the serial number registered this as an iMac, which the Apple guy new was wrong because one of the numbers is a date. After working on that he urged me to go to the Apple store and have it checked to be sure and then they would see what could be done.

I took the G5 on a bus tour of the Northside then to the Apple store itself. They took me right in on the Mac/iPhone/iPod side for repairs. Jared, the Apple "Genius", at first gave me a grim report, that Apple doesn't make the parts anymore and they had none in stock at the store. But he said he would test it to be sure. He took it apart, took out the memory and got some new sticks. He asked the cute Muslim chick that works there if the memory was in right. They looked it up and he installed it properly and IT CHIMED! So they took it out and put mine back in correctly and it worked again. So we're in business! I'm going to get back with the dude from Craigslist for that other 500gb drive soon (for $25, seriously).

-Nate

 

[Nathyn]

Okay, I'm gonna' check it out. I haven't been on the site in several months anyway, so I need to go and see what's happenin'!

Another thing about keylight, is it does a great job a pulling a key even from a wrinkled GS. One thing about a huge greenscreen is it gets wrinkled often with very few ways to "unwrinkle" it. But it seems Keylight will still pull the key and do so cleanly. I'm messing around with it now to get a good idea what it can do myself.

-Nate

 

[El Director]

This should come as no surprise from me, but I'm with Grimepoch. Offend away! People need to be stirred up now and then. =D

Hey, about the wrinkles, I don't know if this is possible with your material, but can you iron it gently when it's on the frame? I was able to do that to mine and it worked like a charm.

 

[Nathyn]

This should come as no surprise from me, but I'm with Grimepoch. Offend away! People need to be stirred up now and then. =D.

Yea, and any attempt at real discussion is blocked. Everyone draws a battleline before the war is even declared. And no one listens to what the other person is saying.

Hey, about the wrinkles, I don't know if this is possible with your material, but can you iron it gently when it's on the frame? I was able to do that to mine and it worked like a charm.

LOL, my producer tried to iron it one time, now there's burn right in the middle. (I'm sure the iron was up too high). But the burn can't be seen when you turn it over. But I may try this. Someone suggested a steamer, but I have to find someone with one or buy one (and I really don't need to spend anymore money right now).

-Nate

 

[Nathyn]

First "Epitaph: Bread and Salt" Special Effects Test

​

Okay guys, this is the first Effects test for Epitaph Bread and Salt. There's a magic user named Fallen. I wanted to test two things, first Keylight and my ability to pull a clean key (basically do I know what the heck I'm doing), secondly I wanted to play around with the particle generator because I wanted to see what it would look like to have energy flowing form someone's hand. It's very basic, but all served their purpose.

By the way, this was pulled from the highly wrinkled greenscreen I talked about earlier. Keylight managed to pull a great key, so between it and a matte choker, it worked out pretty well.

-Nate

 

[El Director]

Looks pretty good man! The lighting matches fairly well, and the key looks clean. My only suggestion would be really watch the horizons and make sure they match. It looks just slightly off. Other than that, well done!

 

[Nathyn]

Thanks and just slightly off you say. LOL. I just slapped it together to see what it would look like. For this test I lit with one light and actually found a background to try to match up, in the field obviously I'd be doing the reverse, but yea, the key is pretty clean. I was shocked to find out how easy it was. I watched that Video Copilot tutorial on Keylight and pretty much did as instructed.

For some reason I was screwing up the motion tracking and stayed up the other night trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, but I found a simple tute on Youtube and it worked out perfectly. That energy was basic particles. Energy is always bright and glowing on TV and movies but I think this simple effect hits the mark more. I had done this one without music but I thought a quick run through Garageband would add to it a bit. I do something like this every time I do a film, to show the actors that I'm not on some old bull and am serious about this. This was shot on the HG10 by the way.

-Nate