"Stay Sharp" a film by Amy Beth O'Brien

A

AmyO

Well-known member
Purple Macaroni Productions
and
O'Brien Family Films
present:
"Stay Sharp"

Stay_Sharp_poster.jpg


Starring:
Kevin.jpg

Kevin Alexander

Ana.jpg

Susana Margarita

Cheyenne.jpg

Cheyenne Elizabeth

with
Briana Ledford as "Mom"

Score by
Damian Sanchez

Sound Re-recording mixer
Ryan J. Frias

I'm doing this one solo, but I think the kids are old enough to do some grip work this time around :) .
 
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Production notes

Production notes

5/12/2009:
Second draft done and awaiting critique at Writing Group tonight. I got some great feedback from them last week, so I think I should be set. I'm picking up my rental gear tomorrow (good tripod, lights, assorted grip stuff), and if all falls into place, I'll begin filming Thursday!

Also, I'm pretty geeked out about my Igus parts order arriving today. I just have to get the hole in the carriage and I've got myself a neat little slider (see here for ZazaCast's great tutorial). Since this whole movie takes place in my cozy house, a full on dolly is too much, so having a slider will give me options to keep my shots from being too static.

Here's hoping I have stills to post on Monday! :)

5/14/2009:
Stuff happened and I didn't start filming today. But, I did get my Brevis set up and collimated and all that jazz. Also, I put together my Zaza Slider, so that's done. Gonna shoot all day tomorrow - well 9-3. Yay!

5/17/2009:
First weekend of shooting complete and I am a scene ahead of schedule. I was pleasantly surprised with Kevin and Ana's performances. They've improved greatly since "Girl vs. Boy." Will they be the next Macaully Culkin and Dakota Fanning? No. But, we had fun. and that's what this film is all about. Next weekend is Cheyenne's turn and she's raring to go!

Some BTS for ya. Yes, that is a C-stand.

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5/25/2009:
Happy Memorial Day all. I wrapped principal photography yesterday - w00t! The kids were great and took driection remarkably well for non-actors. Doesn't mean they turned in Oscar-caliber performances, but they did improve from take one to the last take, so that's cool.

My friend Briana came over Saturday afternoon and helped me out by playing the part of "Mom." I decided this time it would be better if we actually saw the character rather than her only being an offscreen voice. Briana was a great sport for coming in on her day off for such a brief part.

Now for the next phase - logging all 314 shots and starting on the edit. Joy!

.
 
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Screen shots

Screen shots

Screen Shots:

First weekend:
These are actual screen shots captured from P2CMS with no correction.

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stay_sharp_01.jpg


Second weekend:
Again, straight screen shots with no correction.

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I always enjoy your films. Great production value and good story telling. And... it looks like you will be working with children again. Good for you!

Looking forward to your entry. :)
 
You just love working with kids!

This is my second film now (in a row) working with kids (this time a bit younger)

Good luck!

Robbie
 
Thanks for the welcome, guys!

Yes, I do like working with kids. Often it is out of necessity and/or convenience. I have a more complex action script I want to produce this summer, so this is just a simple little film to keep me busy until then. It has the added benefit of being a family project.

I'm hoping to see a broad range of entries this time around. You can really play with the idea of "quest" beyond something out of Tolkien. I'm already seeing a nice variety judging by posters and the few synopsis I've seen so far. Yay for DVX Fests!
 
Thanks guys.
I started on a totally different poster and then I found the notebook paper background and decided to change my concept completely. Finished in 15 minutes. It works.

In other news, UPS tracking tells me my new camera should be here tomorrow. Sweet!
 
Thanks Michael.

With my DVX100a on semi-permanent loan to my friend Cassie for her doc, I decided it was time to upgrade to HD. Really tried to hold out for the Scarlett, but couldn't wait. Went with the HPX170 instead. Looking at all the clips on Vimeo, I think I'll have fun with it.
 
Glad to see you're back in action again.

I'll be in the game too. No kids for me this time around...well except for a teen.

I like the poster, too!
 
Actually, I'm going all out on this. I'll be shooting in HD too. I was one of the first to by the HMC150. It's a great cam. You will like the HPX170. I hear the images are comparable.

I'm trying to decide if I shoot this on the HMC or my new camera that just arrived, the Panasonic ZS3:laugh:.
 
I was so close to getting the HMC150 (partially because of your rave reviews last year). In the end, I went with the added flexibility of variable frame rates and output options that the HPX170 offered.
 
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