DOC: First Film Project

NICK ASH

NICK ASH

Well-known member
I have been a member since '08 and now here I am finally making my own post.:cheesy:
I am currently recovering from acute liver and kidney failure and a little over a month and a half ago, I couldn't even walk. That motivated me to start my true love, my calling, my passion.... I am about to make my first documentary film.

All I really want to say at this point is a little on the initial experience. I picked a topic of familiar subject matter and I know my target audience!

I have my trusty rusty DVX100, AT-897 and some JTL lights ready to interview! Well, I hit the computer and I hit it hard. I started researching about everything I could on the topic. I called people morning, day and night about interviews to production. So through hard work and persuasion I ended up getting a well established editor to help me with my film. Also, I got a fantastic voice actor (voice 123) to narrate my film. Then I decided that I need someone who can really work my camera better then to include knowing their way around lights and other equipment (SOUND!!)

So, I got myself a list of every single person and company working in my area from dp's to grips, editors....everything. I called the DP list and ended up talking to a guy (nameless for now) who took me on, despite my low budget. I am real excited because (A) he is experienced with such projects as lost, hunted, national treasure, hawaii 5-o to the new pirates of Caribbean that starts filming in 1-2 months. But (B) is the most exciting part, (drum roll)we are going to shoot on the RED!!! (cymbal splash)

My persistance, hard work and positive attitude is paying off. We start shooting in a week to week and a half. I just wanted to tell someone about about this and here is great because you guys really appreciate stuff like this. This site has helped so much and thank you all for that.
 
Wow, glad you recovered and are pushing forward with what you want to do. Good luck with your project.

-M
 
Everything is moving along well. I am constantly at the computer reading and sending emails. I am on the phone talking to everyone! I recently just got permission from a museum to use their copyrighted material in my film....for free. I am talking to other museums in Britain, Egypt and Japan.

The script is a pain in the butt because it is a never-ending process of revising. The interviewing will help guide the process better but non-the-less, it is frustrating but oddly enough, I am loving it. We are about to sit down and come up with the shooting schedule. I am plugging in exactly what shots I want where so we can start filming it (ie; city scape, crowds walking...ect.)

Constantly staying on top of every detail is vital in producing this. I have a notebook and I write down every person and business I talk to with names, numbers, addresses, what we talked about, time and date we talked, notes if I should call back or whatever. Keeping everything organized and people informed is crucial for having things run as smooth as they can be.

To be continued....
 
So, we had to focus in on the script more because it was too 'vague'. As we started to look at the outline it got scraped. Now, we are still going to stick with a topic on tattoos but now we are bringing it down more in a focus. Before we had some history, equipment, methods ect. So, since I am in the Active Duty Army on Hawaii and my DP is a vet himself, bringing a military theme into this is showing promise. Most of all, I have access to a lot military personnel and equipment.

I will admit that when I first received an email from co-writer in NY on scraping everything and then getting two other people saying the same thing with the same suggestions, I was frustrated. It is so much to do even the smallest thing sometimes. The bottom line is though is we want a film we can be proud of and wont put the viewer to sleep.

So, everyone is sleeping on the idea and then we talk tomorrow on coming up with a solid logline. Then I will go back and start re-writing the script, making new contacts, canceling other interviews and much much more. On top of this We have to wrap filming before the end of June because I am flying to the Philippines to get married.

This is such a great experience. There is a lot of great information on the web and it is amazing how you learn from talking to people. I will talk more about that tomorrow. Until then.....
 
Ok, so we are feeling great about the subject material and script and we are again back on full throttle. I just spoke to Shanghai Kate today and she agree to do an interview. She worked with tattoo legend Sailor Jerry. I am also working to get some other known faces but one is the money to get them to appear and other is just hard reaching.

I will say that having no money really allows you to see how resourceful you really are, how dedicated you can be to a project, the amount of support people will show/give you and of course how doors slam in your face. I love every bit of it.

How bad I fell, really? With Shawn in my corner with all the experience and equipment, well, that boosts my confidence on-set. I just make sure I pull through with my part. If I say I will do something, I do it. There is a big BUT here. I think it is important for all filmmakers to know...if I may. Do what you have to do but "not at any costs" Meaning don't be malicious to people. If someone isn't kind or willing to help you out, simply end the conversation as nicely and calmly as you began. Kill 'em with kindness.

I received more referrals with people initially told me to scram. They would email me back and refer me to someone who could possibly help. I believe this was from having a catchy logline, enthusiasm in the voice and being down to earth.

In fact, this caught me the deal with Shawn, my DP amongst others. Sometimes it works most of the time it doesn't.

So, currently I am focusing in on finishing the narrators so he can see it and adding details to the questions for the interviewees. Also, I am trying to get some well-known faces and names in the film. I only mention it now as it gives me added material later on to talk about. We may end flying out from HI, to CA and then Alaska! Oh boy, what a doc!

I know if I had a choice to hire anyone right now, it would be a knowledgeable producer. As much as I love wearing the hat and so far I am doing pretty good at it, it would be a great relief to be blessed with someone to help me out in that arena.

So, on top of this, I am looking ahead at promotions and distribution and what path will be best. I ask myself "what if we get some backing to this film or so-n-so signs on", well never a guarantee for anything. But it helps. I do admire all the help I received though. Then at the end of June I am taking off to the Philippines to get married. I will be there for 30 days from which I will be working from my computer. So yes, all footage will be shot before I leave...I think.

to be continued........
 
Well, some great resources and referrals. Through a great resource that decided to help me out and offer me names and resources, I have now collected some great leads. One of which is Shanghai Kate who is a legend in the tattoo industry and worked with Sailor Jerry. She is now in Alaska so that means flying to her for the interview. I also have the contact information for other "tattoo legends" who if they sign on means we will stop into Cali. for some additional interviews and footage.

We are putting our ad out tomorrow for Soldier interviews here in Hawaii. We will begin shooting beginning on the 9th or soon thereafter. I am going to talk to my chain of command and other resources here to get some footage of helicopters to bang bang stuff. I will feel better if I can get some of these guys to sign on. My fingers are crossed XX
 
My documentary is a film about the evolution of military tattoos in the United States, military memorial tattoos and "Wounded Warriors" using tattoos as a way to help recover from battlefield injuries.
 
NICK ASH said:
My documentary is a film about the evolution of military tattoos in the United States, military memorial tattoos and "Wounded Warriors" using tattoos as a way to help recover from battlefield injuries.
Click to expand...

Very cool idea. I'm not a tattoo person myself but lots of folks are and this topic sounds pretty intriguing, especially the modern use with the wounded troops.

Definitely want to keep abreast of your progess so keep posting.

-M
 
Hey, I am starting to get some call backs from these tattoo artists....very cool. I also wanted to share another link to RED USER for those of you interested in seeing a series from my DP, Shawn Booth.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=609682&posted=1#post609682

Check out his reel as well. http://vimeo.com/3902426

I'll post soon with some names of people we are interviewing and additional stuff we are doing.

Also, since this is a documentary on military tattoos, memorial tattoos and such, if anyone knows any servicemen/women with tats please let me know. We are conducting interviews here on Oahu, HI in addition to traveling to Cali, Alaska, and possibly Oregon, NC, Vancouver and beyond!
 
Last edited:
Aww, shucks! But I assume we're going to go way less ethnic with the new (and very smart) focus on military tats. Nuthin' but snare drums & bugles. Maybe "All Along the Watchtower" at some point. :)
 
Ok, after reading the guidelines, I took away its excellent info and advice. With that being said we are asking for help.

http://www.indiegogo.com/Under-the-Skin

The website has additional information on how you can help.

Thank you for your support.

Gregory Hines
a.k.a. Nick Ash
 
Last edited:
So yeah, there is a lot of work just for us to shoot Army stuff and we haven't even got to other branches yet. They request an entire file of everything we are doing. Type of equipment, people involved, bios, where we are shooting how long we will be there. In addition, they need the script for approval and we need to tell them how the Army will benefit from giving us permission to shoot Army....stuff. Then after it is complete, we submit it back to them before it can be released to the public. They will also tell us exactly how to word out credits.

So, I understand why this is done, I mean I am in the Army after all, but good lord! I have a new found respect for the pre-production phase. How important it is to have this done before even attempting to shoot. What we are doing is lining up our non-military sources and locations and we will be shooting all of that while the Army approves our request. Then by the time we are done moving across the Western U.S. with interviews, we should be ready to start filming on the Army bases and stuff.
 
Well, here we go!

Tomorrow is our first interview and I am excited, nervous and ansy. I can't wait to see what the first images will look like on the red. We will be shooting in Honolulu at a tattoo removal clinic to get the scoop on the process of tattoo removal and all that is incorporated in it.

I am hoping Shawn (DP) gets his photographer there or I will have to come up with something on the fly. I want some pics so I can post something for everyone to see.

Also, I want to give a shout out to Christian Halberg whom I met here on DVXUser. He is making us a poster for this project. He is incredibly talented and I am very excited that he agreed to help us out. I impatiently wait for his results!
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=209914
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=179889


Wish us luck!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top