DOC: First Film Project

[NICK ASH]

Auditions went Successful

Auditions went Successful

I had a great time yesterday during our auditions, yet very tiring. There was a lot of talented people who showed up but I was so happy when we had actors that fit the role perfectly. Now I am just getting their sizes so I can get their costumes and I am also setting up a table read so they all can sit together and get a feel for one another.

This week I am meeting with a stunt coordinator and an explosives expert so we go over what and how we are going to film what we need.

That will be followed by scouting our location and planning exactly where we will have all of the scenes.

This coming Tuesday we have an appointment for another tattoo shop called House of Ink. What is cool about this shop is compared to Aloha Tattoo where it was primarily focused on traditional Americana, House of Ink is Polynesian style. So we will get a really contrasting side if the range of style and art.

The last aspect as far as casting is getting my Vietcong background actors. I have really cool costumes for them and in fact, everyone is going to look great!

Last night after auditions, I interviewed a Soldier who is an Iraqi Veteran. Coming up this week I also have some other Soldiers who will be interviewed and their stories are so powerful.

.

 

[randin]

Sounds great! I love the idea of the reenactments.

 

[NICK ASH]

So we have busy as hell getting ready to shoot Sarge. I am still waiting for my U.S. Army uniforms to arrive and my wife is making all the Viet Cong costumes from head to toe. I have a SFX guy who is working at cost of the materials. There will be mortars blowing up and squibs on the soldiers....it will be great.

I am really excited to film this and waiting for the gear to come is nerve wrecking because I really need wrap this up within a month. I'l get some pics soon.

 

[randin]

Good to hear! I was starting to wonder why you'd gone quiet.

 

[NICK ASH]

Under the Skin: Never Give Up!

Under the Skin: Never Give Up!

This summer has been an insane roller coaster for me to say the least. I have been truly put to the test with my film mostly from indirect sources. In the event you haven't read my earlier posts, I am in the Army and more so, I am a Wounded Warrior in recovery from chronic liver and kidney failure and continue to suffer from a slew of additional ailments.

So, having spent the summer in and out of the hospital (mostly the ER), I kept faith in my talents and in my film, in that, I and my film will persevere. Last weekend I proved that point by having an outstanding shoot at the Naval Air Museum at Barber's Point and hands down, it was insanely awesome! I had two actresses in a CH-53 running through a 12-step emergency engine fire procedure. They did nothing but practice this all day and in flight suits and helmets. When the Sun went down, we hooked the bird up to a generator and what the camera captured is better than any Hollywood scene I have seen. I always find that Hollywood has a knack for goofing up military stuff from uniforms, language to drill and ceremony (DC) related material.

In addition to having my actresses rehearse their lines all day, I was simultaneously having all the actors run through Urban Ops, which is combat in urban terrain. The scene called for a hostage rescue, so I had them kicking in doors, proper weapon handling to an onslaught of military procedures to ensure they "looked" the part. The biggest factor that I was working with is time. The harder they worked and the later it got, the more everyone fatigued under the baking Sun. The fatigue matched with the sweat and dirt is what gave the look and feel of the real deal!

Right before Sunset I took the actors I had left, as a lot had prior engagements, and we headed out to an abandoned building. We slipped inside and filmed "entering and clearing a room" a classic battle tactic in the service. Anyway, it was awesome!

This coming weekend I am filming a segment set during the 18th Century where Cpt Cook comes ashore and comes face-to-face with the local Polynesians. I managed to get access into the majestic Waimea Valley and the awe-inspiring beauty is just breathtaking. In addition to that, I am working to gain access to the infamous Kualoa Ranch where so many films and television series are shot ranging from Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young to the t.v. series Lost. Although it is a very outplayed area, I find it a challenge and a feeling of conquering a mountain having the opportunity to film there. It is like filming on a Hollywood lot in comparison.

So, after this weekend I will be in the middle of my project and ohhhh what a great feeling it is. After this, I will be moving on to film the eras of the Revolutionary War, Civil War and then the Vietnam War. Once this is completed I will have everything edited together to make a promo which will help bring this to new levels.

Well, it has been a while since I wrote but it just means I am busy as hell behind the scenes. If you want to see some of the stills and screen grabs of what has been going on, check out my Facebook page, HAN page or check out all the pics at FlickR!

Thank you for reading and I am aiming to have the trailer up and running by October early November.

Gregory Hines.....a.k.a. Nick Ash

 

[NICK ASH]

Stills.....

Stills.....

Here are some stills from two different shoots.........more at the links I provided above.

 

[NICK ASH]

Casting Call on Hawaii 5-O's Slot

Casting Call on Hawaii 5-O's Slot

As I sit and write this, my new casting director is down in Waikiki under a UTS casting tent amongst other food and vendor tents. At 5pm Hawaii time Monday 13 September 2010 the premiere of Hawaii 5-O kicks off and all the stars come walking down the carpet and so on. So, having our tent there will undoubtly bring in talent and God knows what else.

It sucks that I ma stuck here until I am released around 4-430pm. I will miss the initial intro of the stars and stuff but at least I have my people there! I foresee this project moving along quite nicely at this rate. I will bring the camera down there and grab whatever pics I can to share with you all.

Until then............

 

[Martay]

Good to hear you're putting in work on it.

I was thinking about this project the other day when I was with my Dad and he was showing off his Tunnel Rat tattoo to a doctor who inquired about it. He was a Tunnel Rat in Vietnam.

Keep it moving.

-Martin

 

[NICK ASH]

Tunnel Rats have the most respect from me. Please thank him for his service.....

I finally left Hawaii about 3 going on 4 weeks ago. Last weekend despite my absence my crew filmed the last segment to my promo, the Vietnam segment. I can't wait to see the footage in that. The rest of all the footage is enroute here and should arrive this week. The trailer should be complete within about 2 weeks, I am hoping. It has been a long and expensive summer.

I learned so much though. I know now make sure that you have every little detail ironed out in your pre-production before even thinking about production because the chances of you failing or running up a hefty bill is very likely.

I am starting the actual pilot now and we are starting from Day 1:
o Script
o Story Board

This OUR way, may not be THE way but it ensures we know exactly what we want, are doing and can set everything up accordingly.
We also already have production and MOST IMPORTANTLY post production in the works. We have Randin Graves (props brother) and then we have a few editors and cinematographers and so on we're looking at. Then of course there is the marketing, distro and so forth.

There are so many parts but in the end it is the most fun I ever had, I love working with in this type of field and the people are great...some are douche bags but overall it is an awesome experience that few can say they do.

I look forward to sharing this trailer with you all and mostly the actual film. Our goal is to film in Florida...St Augustine as we have many connections there and then the final product will see its way to the film circuit as I think it will give us some credentials and see how it responds to audiences.

Lastly, although backwards, I am glad I filmed this promo as it is bringing in a ton of interested....people/business ect....

Good to hear you're putting in work on it.

I was thinking about this project the other day when I was with my Dad and he was showing off his Tunnel Rat tattoo to a doctor who inquired about it. He was a Tunnel Rat in Vietnam.

Keep it moving.

-Martin

 

[NICK ASH]

So finally the footage is coming into my hands for some post work. I am really excited to see this thing get completed. I wish I was good at editing because I would do this myself which I may have to. I am looking for an editor now. My business partner said he may have a person who will do it as he owes my partner a "favor".

The footage has been recorded mainly from the RED but we have some DVX100 and after I left Hawaii my crew was so dedicated, they filmed another segment for me. They filmed a Vietnam segment that I have yet to see and I don't know what the hell they even used...I know I know...craziness.

I just downloaded the DVX footage and made a quick "Behind the Scenes" thingy. I just got some new software and it is fun to play around with it. If you want to see it check it out on my FB.

I am waiting on the VN footage to get here form Hawaii and when that does I will take it all and send it down to Florida where the editor and my partner are. I estimated there is about 20+ hours of footage for this promo BUT we are not using the interviews anymore so that brings it down A LOT!.

I am still writing the pilot and making connections with various reenactment groups form Romans to Rev. and Civil War. I always get everything done as early as I can, that which I know I will need...collect and maintain assets.

My short segment with the Romans will be cool as hell after seeing how the Captain Cook piece came out. Everyone thought that would be dull as hell but ended up to be one of the best days we had. Very spiritual. I will post some pics of this place and our day as it was hands down, simply a spiritually moving event. The day I scouted the locale, when I opened my car door and got out, I swore I heard a 1,000 voices in the wind....that kind of place. You just had to be there....anywho...

I will get more material up to see but the link I provided is all on the DVX100 no adapter. You can see how dark it was in the building we we were in and it it did well considering.

 

[NICK ASH]

I thought I would post a pic of my DVX. It is old and it has taken a beaten but it goes to show how they keep on ticking. The mic snapped in transit form HI to NY and ticked me off something fierce.

The area where I am has lend itself to a number of reenactors and historical sites so I am going to make full use of them and grab some shots of 18th Century segments and perhaps do a short over the winter while my other project is being edited. If there is anyone northern NY area or Canada on the West side of Lake Ontario who wants some work let me know. In the mean time I will keep posting as I progress through.

 

[NICK ASH]

I posted an updated version of one of my segments called 'The Mission'. I used only the DVX100 under really bad lighting conditions. I added it here if you want to check it out. Always interested in what you all think. The footage from the RED is being done as well as another segment from another prosumer that depicted a Vietnam War segment. That will cool when that is done. Enjoy.

The Mission

 

[pixelated]

Nick - put me down as another happy lurker rooting for you. Looks like you've got some awesome footage!

For Martay - Just happened to catch your post about your dad being a tunnel rat. Please pass on our thanks to him. Bravery just doesn't come any bigger than that - words cannot express. Be Proud.

Nick - if there was ever a tat with a story -

Best wishes.

 

[NICK ASH]

thanks so much for the kind words. That really means a lot. As a Wounded Warrior in a Wounded Warrior Unit and personally having a lot of ink, this project is very near and dear. I am so proud of what our military is doing and being a part of it and the hurdles that everyone is overcoming with their injuries. I hope this film reaches out to everyone and shows just what it really costs to maintain our freedom....our amazing American way for life.

 

[Martay]

For Martay - Just happened to catch your post about your dad being a tunnel rat. Please pass on our thanks to him. Bravery just doesn't come any bigger than that - words cannot express. Be Proud.

Thanks, I will and I am.

I appreciate it.

-M

 

[NICK ASH]

I might as well post this... If there is anyone you know or you yourself has served (can not be current) in the military with a story to share in relation to experiences with combat, wounded warriors and/or cultural aspects of the tattoo and how soldiers use them for self identification, pride in the unit to honoring a fallen comrade I would love to in interview them/you. Currently, I am filming in the Northeast and interviews usually run 30-60 minutes. For more info please inquire at undertheskin.doc@gmail.com.

A film by a Wounded Warrior for Wounded Warriors with a percentage of the proceeds going to a Wounded Warrior Fund.

 

[NICK ASH]

So my new dilemma is trying to take the footage that was shot on the RED and formatted on a Mac and is current;y residing on a Mac hard drive to transfer that over to my PC hard drive so that I can edit it on my PC. My brother is helping a little with it and so far we only get sound but no visual. I need to get someone with a Mac and Final Cut Pro but after placing ads in Craigslist I am going to get charged like $600 a day. I am pretty resilient so I will find a way some how. It is just that all the important footage is on this thing. All the interviews with the Wounded Warriors to the tattoo artists to doctors. Even the military action segments. I am really a stand stall right now until I figure this out. If anyone has any ideas I am open ears....

 

[NICK ASH]

I hope your that your holiday season is going well. I just received a copy of the footage of my Vietnam War segment that was shot in Hawaii while I was in transition here in NY. What a mess! It is an editor's nightmare as there are barely any solid shots. Everything is zooming, panning, flipping around around....I had to do what I could do with what I had. I am fortunate enough to have help with converting my footage that is formatted on the Mac and even help me cut my promo. This is huge as it will really give me a boost forward. I really am nearing completion of this project with only a few more interviews away. However, I would really like to more reenactments and go for a docu-drama but I will make that decision on what investors have to say about that. So anyway, I decided to post this here before I post it to Facebook and show the friends and stuff. I am interested in your thoughts so please leave a short comment as it really helps me guide this project to what is and is not working. Thanks for reading. <Dustoff>

Greg Hines

 

[NICK ASH]

So, some good things are going on as others are still frustrating. First I want to say that after being away from my fiance for over a year due to my illness and recovery, my chain of command finally let me go on leave (vacation) and I married the love of my life. With that being said, she is a Filipina and as you can imagine everything is very cheap in the Philippines. I get costumes, screen printing, embroidery to so much more made there at a fraction of a cost than what we pay here in the states. For those in need of something and want to save money, PM me and maybe I can help.

Anyway, a frustration I am still having is that I use Sony Vegas Pro 10 for editing and all the footage I shot while I was in Hawaii will only show up as audio files...no video files! Arrgh! The footage was captured on a RED ONE camera from which I contacted both Red and Sony Vegas. I am still waiting to hear back from the Vegas team.

The good news is a fellow DVX User, Dick Campbell took it upon himself to help me and my cause and is cutting me a trailer in appreciation for being a soldier. If that wasn't enough, he put all the footage that was on a Mac hard drive onto a PC hard drive for me at no cost. Words can't say enough when people show such kind acts. So, Mr. Campbell is cutting the promo and I both excited and a little nervous to see it. A lot rides in this in regards to promoting financial backing. I just hit the point in the film where I need financial backing to do this right.

The way the film will work is there will be a major Wounded Warrior fund behind this film (currently working with obtaining a particular fund) and a percentage of the gross income will be donated directly to the fund. As mentioned, I am talking with a fund right now to help out Wounded Warriors which gives me a new hook, "A film by a Wounded Warrior for Wounded Warriors". This allows me to create a film with positive attributes to help in a positive light while giving back to those in need.

In addition to some positive aspects with the film, I just had "Shanghai Kate" Hellenbrand commit to the film. She is a legend in the tattoo industry as she was mentored and worked with the tattoo legend, Sailor Jerry. She has even been on Howard Stern which gives the film that much more credibility. The best part about that is she is coming into NY, only a few hours away form where I am.

Lastly, I just had a new logo done and I am curious to see what you all think. I think it is really catchy. Thank you all for reading and please support our troops and most of all our wounded.

Gregory L. Hines

 

[NICK ASH]

I am very happy to say that today I had 2 Wounded Warrior Funds come aboard with us in this film. The way it works is a percentage of post sales will go to the funds. In return, I use their logos and notoriety in my promotional campaign. Simply, the better I do the more money the funds make.

The bad news is that my camera just died. I have a major interview next month with a tattoo celebrity that I mentioned in earlier posts and I need something reliable. It couldn't have happened at a better time. So, I am looking at possibly going HD and if I go after the HVX or a less expensive brand. You can really twirl your mind a thousand ways and I have read so many posts on here where people are like that, where they get caught up in the "what should I buy".

I am working on getting this website wrapped up as well so once that is complete I will feel a lot better. So in the meantime, I will keep trucking away and see what luck comes my way.