Lost Children - Mark Harris

Mark and Zak,

Thanks to both of you for sharing some insight on your approach to casting and working with actors. I think this is something I could definitely do better as a director and it is insightful to hear the different approaches you guys take.

Thanks for sharing and good luck on your films!

Daniel
 
Zak Forsman said:
no, i know. feel the same about you.

"why make the movie" is overstating it. just an (overblown) expression of my desire to keep exploring and reworking the material on camera. I have to admit to a low threshold for... i don't know what to call it, but I get off on rediscovering the movie as we are shooting and again as we are editing it. the actors can speak to this. sometimes, I see an actor doing a bit of business between set-ups and I'll have them incorporate it into the scene. I definitely want to share a vision. i think my vision just keeps evolving as we make it. i don't mean to say i get bored recreating what i've already dreamed in my head, but I'm excited by the spontaneity and the risk inherent in the way i work. it definitely necessitates shooting as close to chronologically as possible and some late nights after the cast and crew have gone to bed.
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I think you have a much clearer idea of what you're after aesthetically, than I do. I'm still feeling it out, and kind of want to make something like IFHY as much as make something like RPDM.

And to a degree, this short will be an experimental blending of the two. At least one scene is going to be very very verite in shooting, improvised, with a couple of specifically chosen lock-downs, and other scenes will be extremely precisely planned compositions, camera moves, dollies and jibs and such. The content and visuals in this one are very closely tied together.

Also, you were right the first time about the D90. I love love love it, but ultimately, it simply would not give the visual I wanted for this. Thus the RED. I can see using it other times, but it definitely pushes you to work within its confines.
 
Hey man, I am shooting with aram and Hetch the day after your shoot, Friday the 13th in Ct. After I am going to swing into NY to meet up with Tim and Luis who are in town. Hope you can chill.
 
I think it's going to be very interesting to see what you to with an improv based short. The other films of yours I've seen are so perfectly specific, and it's going to be interesting to see how you mold this.

Nice rehearsal pics. I love rehearsal, but due to the distance of the actor I really needed to work with, was unable to do it this time. Bartholomew Saxton would have been a mess if I hadn't been able to rehearse. I'm sure with all your prep work, you'll be golden.

You and Zak's argument over casting is an interesting one. I think that while being open-minded and willing to alter roles is crucial, sometimes story takes precedent. I wonder if Zak would have been willing to cast a brilliant 12 year old in IFHY, and completely rework the story. I don't even know how that could possibly work, but I guess Zak could probably figure it out.

Anyways, I'm rambling. Best of luck on your shoot!
 
Wow. Lots of wisdom in this thread, especially pertaining to casting. I'm just trying to soak everything up. Everybody's doing even bigger things this time around. I'm gonna end up being a groupie. Looking forward to seeing this Mark.
 
Thanks man,

I am going to do some more blogging over the weekend about process, but a quick update:

We are all set up for the first two days of shooting this week.

Costumer is meeting with Leah one last time on Tues to fit the altered dress, and do a make-up test.
I am making a scene diagram so Aram can think about the lighting plots.
I will be getting many props today.
Cast is all set.

And our last major shoot date is set for the 20th as well!

So hopefully by the weekend of the 21, I will have just about the whole movie shot! Then spending that whole weekend cutting so I can lock picture for Herman and Gigi(EFX) as quickly as possible.
 
Added first attempt at a poster to first post. Here as well. I suck at this, so if anyone wants to jump in and make us a killer poster...er, I won't complain...

the-lost-children-poster.jpg
 
Great thread. Great insight into casting and rehearsal, planning. I'll just say thank you for that.
Can't wait to see this one, loved RPDM.
 
Just sent shot list for Wed to Aram. It includes detailed descriptions of the shot, that match what's in my sketches. It also has frame rates for each shot and lens suggestions. Of course, ultimately, that is up to Aram, but I will say things like: "Long lens, get the camera back for this shot..." or "50mm?" or "Wide angle, try to get the whole room in..."

I have some more things I want to blog about, but they might have to wait until the weekend. I still have about 5000 things to do for Wed shoot.

Man, it really sucks to live in NYC when you need props like Pepper-Spray...
 
Mark Harris said:
Man, it really sucks to live in NYC when you need props like Pepper-Spray...
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That's funny. Your right. I remember hearing about that a long time ago. I would never have remembered this law in NYC, because CT folk don't remember things like that. I would have purchased the pepper spray and bring it to the city for a shoot, and get arrested.

Its a prop! What's the worst thing they can do?

On a side note, I'm a big fan of your short films on this forum. They are usually the first ones I click during a competition. I know I'm getting quality.
 
Sprocketboy said:
On a side note, I'm a big fan of your short films on this forum. They are usually the first ones I click during a competition. I know I'm getting quality.
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Ha ha, thanks. Just this time around don't look too closely at the pepper spray, because you might recognize it as a travel-sized shaving cream...:)
 
Running around getting props and last minute set-dressing, etc.

Then heading to Aram's, to the costumer, to Kwan's, all for gear, etc. take it back to the set, spend a late night dressing the set, and tomorrow we shoot!

M
 
Good luck on the shoot

Good luck on the shoot

Wishing you all the best Mark - kick ass tomorrow

Mark Harris said:
Running around getting props and last minute set-dressing, etc.

Then heading to Aram's, to the costumer, to Kwan's, all for gear, etc. take it back to the set, spend a late night dressing the set, and tomorrow we shoot!

M
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