FEATURE: Rise of the Beast-the new feature from STARS Pictures

El Director said:
He actually ended up doing the jump about six times. We shot it wide like you see in the night shot, and also from down low with him sailing over the camera (a parkour movie classic). We also used the same two shots for a smaller jump in the last movie, so I wanted to have a throwback to it. The above shot during the day isn't a jump, it's just tossing the backpack to his crew below. The idea is that they've hidden supplies all around the city in places only they can get to. After their home is stormed by a CDF team, they have nothing, so they pick up one of their packs before breaking into an abandoned car (which leads to a car chase)
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Sounds like a pretty exciting premise - can't wait to see it.
 
Wow, that sounds amazing. I love the fact that the movie is more urban now too. Give it a bit more gritty feeling.

-Nate
 
Thanks guys! I can't wait to release this thing =D

Oh, so I gave Windows XP and Vegas a facelift. Thoughts?

Last year:
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This year

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Hard to believe that's the same software ;)
 
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If it works for you go for it. That set up would drive me crazy. I'm so used to FCP, Photoshop and AE. You're always looking to the right or middle (where the graphic is). I'd have to get used to looking to the left and operating on the right.

-Nate
 
I just can't stand looking at a small window while editing, so I use the external monitor. The preview on the left is really just because of how my desk is built. The left side is the only place I can stick the TV. I hope to change that eventually.
I've also gotten tired of people saying that Vegas doesn't look "pro" enough, so I sent it to the dark side =D
 
They say what? Who the heck care what the NLE looks like? That doesn't even make sense? If you can cut a feature on it and get professional quality, that's really all you need. I mean if iMovie had all the functions, I'd see no reason not to edit on that and that's free. The only reason not to is because it doesn't have all the functions. BTW is it me or is the new iMovie like...really complex? Seriously.

-Nate
 
I totally agree, and I wish more people would too. My other reason for changing the UI was because I edit at night. This is so much easier on the eyes.
 
Ah, that makes sense. I think people see Avid and FCP and figure that's how ALL NLEs should look but there's is room for difference. Not to mention most NLEs offer some kind of set up where you can switch things around.

-Nate
 
From my latest production journal:

Friday, September 10, 2010
We manage to do a bit of shooting last weekend. We shot some of the escape scene. Initially we were going to be filming the opening chase/fight and the mountain scene, but due to actor availability, it fell through. I did manage to cut my finger down to the bone too. That was fun. It didn’t bleed so I didn’t get stitches. So here we are in the middle of September. Summer is over and fall is upon us. The goal is to finish up all of our outdoor shots this weekend. Then we just have to do the market stuff and the CDF Hub stuff. We’re so close!

I spent the day today giving my editing suite a facelift. I love the look of the darker interfaces because I edit mostly at night. Vegas 9 came with a slighter darker interface, but it wasn’t enough for me. I went online today and downloaded a new Windows XP theme that shrunk the start menu and turned everything dark. Then I told Vegas to use my XP theme instead of it’s own. Finally I went through and customized my track and envelope colors. I have to say, I love it! I also went into the settings for After Effects and darkened it to match Vegas. That way when I switch between programs, my eyes don’t have to re-adjust. Finally, I moved my TV monitor onto the same shelf as my computer monitor. It just felt like time for a change.
Had Mark the composer come over again the other day. We cleaned up and finalized the emotional music we were working on as well as started on Shane’s Theme. It’s sounding good! Once we get the Hub stuff shot, I can send a DVD to my other composer to start on those scenes.

Future projects: I think I mentioned this before, but in case I didn’t, here goes. The summer of 2011 will be a busy one. I’ll start off acting as a DP for my former producer for his action adventure movie. A week later we’ll start shooting my action adventure. I’ll take another week or two off and then shoot my movie that attacks spiritualism. I figure that way I can release both of my movies at the same time. By running camera on three features back to back, I’ll be that much better of a DP by the end of it all. Plus, I’ll be able to edit two movies at once. If I get tired of one, I’ll just switch over to the other. Hopefully I’ll have my new edit setup by then.

So that’s about all I have right now. We’ll keep you posted!
-El
 
So we're finally shooting the opening scene ten hours from now. What an evening! My cop actor couldn't make it so I called up my actress friend Erin Downhour, who starred in a couple of my earlier short films. She said she'll do it. So now, not only am I using every trick I know, but I'm working with many of my previous actors as well. This is turning out to be "El Director's Ultimate Movie".
Alexander Bonds/Yelena Tsribko/Ariel Cansino/Jon Jordan/Erin Downhour

New to this movie:
Charles Rash/Rachel Fisher/Kevin Lonham/Ben Baker/Chelsea Raugust and more!
 
It's it cool how that all works out. Sounds to me like Someone's picking the actors they want you to work with. Just a thought.

-Nate
 
It's it cool how that all works out. Sounds to me like Someone's picking the actors they want you to work with. Just a thought.
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Someone may be choosing my actors, but someone else doesn't want the movie made. Erin texted me this morning saying she's been puking since 4:30am. The joys of Christian filmmaking. Last time around all our issues were in post. This time it's actually getting the thing shot. I pray tomorrow works out better. I will NOT abort this movie, I WILL finish the flick, and it WILL be amazing. lol
 
It will all blow over. As for the post problems bless your equipment when you start (or before you start) your editing. Things will go smoothly. Like you I had sound issues during "The Fourth Beast". The movie sound was fine, but every time some kind of point was made in reference to the Endtimes the sound would get low. For some reason the shotgun mic would go out and the we'd only get sound from the camera mic or it isn't picked up.

In fact it happens in all most every scene with some sort of spiritual significance and the whole scene where they're talking about what the endtimes scriptures means the sound is coming from the camera the whole time, not the mic because of (what assumed to be) internal break in the cord. Ironically that "break" didn't seem to affect anything else but those particular parts. And keep in mind these parts where being shot in the beginning middle and end of the film, yet everything else, sound was clear.

There's some very interesting things going on with me right now too. Just as I thought things would calm down in my life and I wouldn't have to struggle so hard financially and could concentrate on the film, I was dealt a pretty decent blow. But my heart was calmed and I will continue as if nothing's happening. I know it was done so I can't focus as I don't like uncertainty in any kind of way, but that's cool. I'm still being provided for and will take care of my business and the film as needed.

-Nate
 
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Like you I had sound issues during "The Fourth Beast". The movie sound was fine, but every time some kind of point was made in reference to the Endtimes the sound would get low. For some reason the shotgun mic would go out and the we'd only get sound from the camera mic or it isn't picked up.
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Funny how that happens on these kind of pictures. Makes me push even harder =D
 
Well, I just got more bad news. So I'm a bit angry (fuming mad actually at one point) and upset. In my heart I know it's being taken care of but it pisses me off when certain things just don't work out right even when you know they should. Everything is a catch 22 type situation or some kind of trap. When you think you've got something set up, you think thing are at least beginning to change for you even a small bit, then everything falls apart.

This time the trick is to take as much money from me as possible and when I don't have any, take more. Ironically the film's going fine so far. LOL. It's funny because I feel no uncertainty. I mean in my mind I want to, I know I'm supposed to, but I just don't in my heart. I'm angry things didn't work out the way I felt they should've and that things weren't done right. But that's just what I see in the natural. I know a way is being made. I guess now it just comes down to making the calls and going through the motions. Then again I guess that's what my film is about, faith versus all the demons that come against you. A metaphor for my life right now.

-Nate
 
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There's always a bright side to everything, we just need to find it. Since Erin couldn't make it today, we decided to shoot some more end chase stuff with Alex and Ben. We went to a parking garage at a local mall and I spent the day on skates again. The stuff looks amazing! We also shot some BTS stuff that I'll try to post. So I'm happy now. Tomorrow we try again for the mountain scene.
 
Shot the mountain scene finally which means I had to act. lol. It was funny, my lead ran camera and everyone worked together to help direct me. Also, I think my dog steals the scene ;)
Pics coming soon!
 
Man, you guys keep pushing and keep the faith! This is what Indie Filmmaking is all about. If everybody could do it, they would.
 
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