FEATURE: Exit 101 - beginner filmmaking journey

Azmyth

Azmyth

Veteran
zt6jrr.jpg

Because some exits are worth skipping....

"EXIT 101" is a feature length low/no budget horror film being developed to be shot in rural Southern GA. I am going to be directing the film as well as wearing many other hats in the production. I have teamed up with some of my former band mates to create a team for this venture. None of us have any experience in film making other than that of appearing as extras on Hollywood sets. We are using only resources we find online, in book, or videos to lead the way with experimentation along the way. We are from an area where there is nothing like this happening. The closest point of interest for film making is in Atlanta GA, some 3 hrs drive away. We decided that we wanted to bring some creativity and imagination to our area after appearing as extras in the only feature film to be shot near here in years (George A. Romero's remake of "The Crazies") We are all fans of horror, and low budget indie horror in particular. We want to share our journey with everyone from the humble beginnings of having nothing.. to a finished product (hopefully!)

So, now... some information about the film.

CAST - (Character names subject to change)
-------
MAIN CHARACTERS
-------
Sarah - Cassandra Johnson
Caleb - Joseph Lavender
-------
SUPPORTING ROLES
-------
Blake - Dennis Proulx
Reggie - Devin Ray
Erica - Raina Strickland
Colin - Sebastian Gruber
Dr. Carlton - Daniel Young
Dr. Williams - Michael Williams
Deputy Rayford - Walter Robert Duckworth

(all roles subject to change as needed)

CREW
--------
Director: Doug Cole
Producer: Joseph Lavender
Boom/Audio: Kevin Beasley
Set Photography: William Mahnken
Director of Photography: Doug Cole
Special Effects: Joseph Lavender, Branden Farrow, Jarrod Musselwhite
Make up/Hair: Brenda Phillips, Melinda Stephenson

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
--------
Camera: Canon HV40

MORE to come soon :)

for more detailed information as it comes, check out the production blog at...

http://exit101movie.blogspot.com/

Official Studio website

http://www.blackflightstudios.com


UPDATE: 9/19/2009

I went out to the location for 2 key scenes from the film to get a view of the "layout" and if the location was even going to be feasible for what I have planned to shoot there. I took a small handycam out there to get some footage, so I could visualize better.. but darnit.. if I didn't forget to bring the battery! Luckily my wife had her Nikon D40 in the car, and I grabbed that and just took some stills. I think it does some sort of video.. but I'm not inclined to know how to actually make it do that. This is the missile, that will be part of the "backstory" of the film. Most of the shots in these 2 scenes will be close or medium shots, so you don't actually see the full body of the missile until later on in the scenes. As it turns out, the way its laid out is perfect for what I already have written in the script and even though its in the middle of town right off the interstate.. It still has a secluded look and enough buildings are blocking the view to help with noise reduction. Here are the shots. I think by us being amateurs to all of us. By taking this approach and seeing what we have to work with and visualizing it way before we shoot it.. we will be able to produce a better end result, rather than just haphazardly picking spots not knowing whether or not the shots will work there. Most of this information will also be updated on the Movie's blog as well and this will be the only forum I post detailed information in. So far, we have already garnered attention from a few working actors, a professional make up artist, and other crew. I have secured this location and have full support from the president of the chamber that owns the missile and the land it sits on. She is meeting up with me soon to discuss details, and has stated that she will help in any way she can and even said she would have the area cleaned up for us by the time we go to shoot.. (its not really needed!) Seeing this kind of response this early is pretty exciting and motivational to say the least... anyway.. enough yapping.. here are the stills.

2nqslcw.jpg

3y1y8.jpg

35lzsw0.jpg

i3dh8j.jpg





​

​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thanks, appreciate the support.

I just edited the original post with a link to our kickstarter project page. Spread the word.
 
Dude, I am on the same boat as you! Except we are set to film in two weeks! I have a cast but no real crew... Me my sister, niece and friend is all. If I ever get this thing done, you will be getting a free copy. Sorry I can't afford to share the wealth or lack there of. Good luck!
Tyler
ps we are shooting in Lincoln Nebraska. Its boring but its my home and I really love the Midwest!!!!!!!!
 
awesome bro.. glad someone else is getting on board.

by the way, updated the first post with some location scouting stills.
 
NEW BLOG UPDATE!

I met with the president of the chamber of commerce today for our city, at one of my major locations for shooting. Not only did we get permission to use the location, she also said that she would help us in any way that she can. She has connections with the schools, and pretty much anyone who is anyone in our town. The door has now opened to be able to do alot more with our film than we originally intended. A buzz has already started around town, and she said that there was already a list of people verbally stating that they would love to help make this a reality. So EXIT 101 is moving forward alot faster than I thought!
 
New BLOG UPDATE!

We had a crew meeting this weekend at a local mexican restaraunt. We got all locations cleared, and had a great time meeting and greeting. Casting starts in December and principal photography sometime after casting is done. We did change the camera we are shooting with from the DVX.. but since I feel those kinds of things are irrelevant right now.. I'm not mentioning the model we changed to.
 
NEW updates on Blog..

The character Breakdowns are now up, and we have been taking submissions from actors for a week or two now. We've gotten alot of interest both locally and regionally.

I also did some random test shots in preparation for the film.

Here's stills from that.

20j0cg8.jpg


wa3ej4.jpg


2dgktpf.jpg
 
Last edited:
Looks good so far. Do me a favor and try to do something different from every other horror movie director.

Glad your first meeting went well, but the first is always fun. Once things get serious people will leave and drop out if you're not paying them well. I would also read Dov Simons Reel to Deal book.

By the way what camera are you now using. I used DVX100b.
 
Thanks. We are trying to do something slightly different. I don't know how its going to turn out yet. And since you mentioned it.. what is it that every other horror movie director does?

We've already had some people leave, but not due to not being paid. I've been triple checking with people before they even sign on as to what the project is about. That doesn't mean they won't still bail.. but I'm hoping by doing that I've covered myself so noone can go "But I thought I was getting paid"...

Canon HV40.
 
Doesn't matter if they know they're not getting payed. They're still gonna no show or show up late or just be hard to get a hold of.

Pay them even if it's a little bit. If your cast isn't showing up on time for makeup then your shoot is going to run late then your whole schedule is going to out of whack. Make a tight schedule. I got everything done in two weeks. None of this shoot now then shoot again two months down the road crap.

As for every other horror director, ummm, have you ever seen a horror movie? They're all the same formulaic crap. Cheap scares where something jumps out, characters always end up alone and die one by one, etc.
 
This film is... I dunno, different.

People still die one by one, but its not really about that. I don't want to spoil it, but its not typical. Or at least I like to think that its not. Its going to be "campy" at times.. but in a good way I hope.
 
UPDATE!

We had our first day of casting yesterday. It was an open call style casting, and we started at 8 am. We got there at 7 am to set up and there were already people waiting.

We started off a bit slow trying to get the momentum of things, but picked up the pace rather quickly. We had a few snags such as people who shouldn't be in the casting room for a few actors (we remedied this quickly), and during the last part of the day it started to get kind of "lax", but we didn't see but one more actor during this time.

We wound up seeing about 60 actors/actresses. Ranging from really good, to really bad, to "moldable". I watched the tapes last night, and its definitely a different story on tape. Some people I thought were good at the audition, were not so hot on camera. And some people who weren't so good at the audition, were alot better on tape.

On top of that, there were some that weren't "acting" that were better for the characters. They were the inexperienced actors who just happened to "be" the character in real life. The way they talked and their movements were just naturally what the character should be.. without even trying.

I hope to defintely be able to cast some of the ones we saw, and we are doing a closed call this coming weekend with more experienced actors.

If there's one thing I've learned about casting.

Its that experienced actors aren't always better than amateurs. We had some with extensive training who just weren't good at all.
 
Casting is OVER! We may have to do a few single auditions for some key characters we don't have anybody good for, but we were able to cast the bulk of the film with two days of auditions. We haven't gone through and made the final choices yet, but we should be doing that very soon.
 
Any updates on this? I have spoke with you before over at Atlanta Film Community I believe. If you need any audio/sound help in post let me know. Im not sure of dates,times, and locations for your actual project. I wouldn't mind helping out a day or two. Let me know.

Nicole
 
Last edited:
Hey thanks, yeah I believe you have probably. The project is actually located in South GA, probably about 2.5 hrs from Atlanta according to the actors we've had so far that drove down. I don't have a full schedule setup yet. But we are hoping to be able to shoot the whole thing in about 14-15 days, maybe a tad more pending any delays. Of course the entire thing will be done on weekends as all of us have dayjobs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top