Gary Sconce
Veteran
Police Station set almost complete. YAY! Mucho drywall. (I'm dusty white right now.) :shocked:
FEATURE: Stricken the Feature - A Matt Sconce Film
- Thread starter Matt Sconce
- Start date
jasonthewho
Veteran
Did you build it from scratch? Curious to hear more about that. And to see some pics of it.
Matt Sconce
Veteran
He did indeed build it from scratch. He is the man!
On another note, the local paper just ran an article on me and Stricken. People said somethings that really encouraged me. Check it out here:
http://www.sierrastar.com/104/story/48674.html
Also, here is the text of the article:
Making movies in the Mountain Area
Jill Coppler -The Sierra Star
A new American frontier, its creators are modern-day pioneers. As technology has become increasingly accessible and relatively cheap, independent films -- indie films -- have walked through the front door of Hollywood and shaken the hands (and senses) of the big players; MGM, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox.
The little guys, like local filmmaker Matt Sconce, no longer have to seek permission to make movies. Instead, they're now entering the industry in droves. The likes of "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Garden State" are proof enough that deep pockets aren't everything anymore.
"Yeah, technology has made it extremely easy to jump in," said Sconce, who, at age 28, is launching his own directing career. "The problem is that so many have jumped in, there's a lot more competition."
The appeal, said Sconce, however, is the creative flexibility.
Sconce is currently in production on his first feature film, "Stricken," which will be primarily filmed in Oakhurst and Fresno.
"The appeal of indie filmmaking is that, in the end, you made the film you wanted to and you didn't feel like you had to compromise," Sconce said.
With competition stiff, Sconce said it takes real talent to stand out -- and he's already done that. Beating out thousands of contestants, Sconce along wife, Heather, won the grand prize for their entry into a 2004 "American Idol" music video contest.
The grand prize included a new car, production equipment, a trip to meet the "Idol" contestants, and, most importantly, said Sconce, a launch into the movie world.
Using Mountain Area landmarks for filming and locals for actors and the crew, Sconce said now it's his chance to help launch others in the community into the film industry.
From photographers to casting directors and cameramen, Sconce has put together a small, but diverse team.
"I just love that they film up here," said casting director Carollyn DeVore. "It gives other directors the idea that they can film here.
"It's really nice, also, to discover local talent and to open doors for them. There is an incredible number of actors up here."
DeVore, who has a home in Bass Lake, first heard of Sconce, she said, when she read a story published in the Star about his winning the "American Idol" contest.
"Something told me I needed to meet this guy," she said. "Since then, I've always thought he would become famous."
Mike Harian, of Oakhurst, is working on production photography and agrees that there's something about Sconce's style that will take him far.
"Matt has a real unique way of going about what he does," Harian said. "There is something very unique about his approach and that is really his use of light. That's what is going to help him make it big."
Harian's wife, Heidi, will play the part of a motherly waitress in the film.
"This is definitely one of the better things that has come up in the area," she said.
The crew filmed their latest round last weekend, but Heidi's role won't come into play for another week.
"There are not a ton of opportunities up here," she said of landing a cameo role. "But, hopefully that will pick up with more films done here and in Fresno."
Heidi will also be acting in a Fresno indie film, "Finding Hope Now" based on a the real-life story of the gang-to-job ministry, Hope Now For Youth. For that film, Heidi will play, "a white trash mom of a gang member." It's going to be a lot of fun, she said.
"It's nice, really nice, to film up here," she said, of Sconce's film, much of which takes place in Oakhurst. "It's a four-hour drive each way to L.A. for auditions, so that's gets tough.
"Acting, for me, is a hobby, really. You can't totally make it full-time up here and I can't do the L.A. thing, it's just exhausting if you live up here."
For now, however, Heidi's basking in what she hopes will be just the beginning of more films --and more acting gigs -- to come.
Sconce said he's confident that will be the case.
"This film is the start for everything," Sconce said.
To follow the making of the film, or watch the promotional; trailer, log on to www.strickenthemovie.com.
Gary Sconce
Veteran
Yeah, but it is all 'movie magic'. I used 7' tall "L" 's made from 2"x4"'s with 3' "feet" on one side, braced them at the 4' level with diagonals and then put on drywall directly on 8' spans on the fronts. I ballasted the wall supports with around 120 lbs. per panel. I used an office structure, so I have the office style floors and the 12' sound panel ceiling with the fluorescents for work lights. The borrowed building is 40'x35' and has great access. I have an exterior office room, a detective's office and an interrogation room complete with armored mirrored window. All walls move and can be repositioned for other scenes and moved out for flexibility of shooting at the Director's whim.
Interesting how strong unsupported 4'x8' 1/2" drywall becomes when double-taped and mudded to each other on 8' spans. I was pleasantly pleased with the final product as it looks exactly like any real wall in any office or police station. Happily, I had the drywall and used 2"x4"'s from some construction I have done and will only have to buy the paint for the whole structure. When done, I'll strike the set and still have it for future use. YAY! :happy:
I am sure Matt will post some pics without giving anything away after filming the police station scenes... :violent5:
jasonthewho
Veteran
Nice write-up! I'm not sure if I would use Slumdog Millionaire as my example of a modern indie film, however...
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Haha! I did not use it. It was the reporter, Jillian. I made no references to it and found it interesting it was in there. :engel017: -Matt
jasonthewho
Veteran
Oh yeah, I didn't mean to imply it was your reference. I just think sometimes newspaper writers are a tad silly.
Gary Sconce
Veteran
It is 1:40 am and we are shooting some great shots. Four more and we wrap for the night. Our special effects worked as planned and Matt and Troy are still going strong. All of the actors are such troopers and are hanging in so well. :zombie_smiley:ME. The zombie...
Gary Sconce
Veteran
rogar-BigGrin(DBG) 4:29am... Energizer Bunnies say: "Still Going!" Nothing stops the STRICKEN crew... All actors but one wrapped for the night... Day?... Coffee+Chocolate= AWAKE!!!
Matt Sconce
Veteran
This was the longest shoot I have ever had. From the time I arrived on set until I put the final equipment into the car = 22.5 hours straight. WOW. I was definitely a Zombie the next day, but after a brief nap, I was able to pull it together a little for Mother's Day. The shoot went wonderfully. We accomplished many many shots including some effects work that will be quite mindblowing.:beer:
Thanks Brad! So far, we do not have a sound guy. I mixed everything for the trailer and am still figuring out what to do at the end. We may use Mike for some ADR work, but he will be busy with Finding Hope Now (The Feature) so we have to do something different for Audio post. I will keep you in mind. -Matt
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Update. Here are three grabs from our 21 hour film shoot. They are very compressed because I used the dvxuser album here, but the HD version look glorious.
Brad S.
Well-known member
Thanks, Matt. I sent you a PM.
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Great talking to you Brad. I will be in touch soon. -matt
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Here is another Grab from last weekend.
jasonthewho
Veteran
Matt Sconce
Veteran
What kind of movie is this Matt?
I was extremely proud of my actors in the above scene. It was their first scene of this kind and they both were troopers. I think there may be a blooper from my direction during the kiss (Where I wanted them to kiss harder so I could use it as a cut)that I think consisted of the inept words, "One more passionate thing!" which launched them into laughter... but other than that it was great. I live and learn. After the 21 hour shoot, I have to say that Stephanie (My lead) remains my favorite actress (Not related to me) I have ever worked with. She never says die, never gets gripey, always gives 110%, is beautiful, prepared, and focused. If any of you want a crazy good actress for your films and you are in L.A. Contact her. Your movie will rock the house.
When all is said and done, Stricken will be almost identical to the script which won best adapted Screenplay at AOF last year. It is crazy to see the words on the page actually exist visually. I read the script and think "Wait, that has been filmed already" and it is a very good feeling. Kind of like watching a dream be born.
Gary Sconce
Veteran
Police Station completed. Lights being set as we speak for Friday night shoot. I really love the interrogation room. It turned out nice.
HerzogisGod
Well-known member
where did you build the station? Did you research police stations for authenticity; furniture, paraphernalia etc
Matt Sconce
Veteran
There are two scenes that we needed the station. One is the interrogation room complete with one way glass. The other is the disheveled office of Detective Scott Aro. We had the complete picture in mind before the building began, and my dad built the walls of the office in his highschool classroom (drywall and everything). The classroom has an 8 foot tall ceiling so we can get lights over the walls. He basically used the classroom as a studio and built a set. Should be great!
-Matt