The Token

We've had nothing but sunshine in the west since I shelved my project (due in part to persistent rainy weekends, damn!), every ray a stab in the gut! If I drive around with the heater on it feels exactly like summer. Only the cold cold nights give away that it's the middle of winter. The stills are looking fantastic. Looking forward to seeing this.
 
That's a wrap!.. Despite some less than ideal conditions we have all the shots we need. Now let the edit begin.
Really thankfull for our rockstar cast and crew who went above and beyond and braved the freezing cold.
 
Just wanted to add this here about the journey thus far.

Matt really did an excellent job producing this piece. Thorough from detail to detail. And when I say producing I mean as the "PRODUCER / Executive Producer / Line Producer" and however you want to define those roles he did it all from end to end.

Let me give you some background. Both Matt and I were doing warfest entries. I was going to do cinematography on Matt's as well. It soon dawned on me Matt had the basis IMO of a much stronger story and I could see to get the cinematography component right would take time and planning. Due to work commitments I didnt have enough for time both and having got some feedback on my own script from a number of sources - I decided to ditch it.

Now this may seem far fetched to some however I'll tell the story anyway. Matt showed me the original script he wrote some time ago and between that time and when I read it a second time - somewhere, sometime that I cant recall I had visualised every moment albeit from my own perspective but I was able to recount the shots over the phone to Matt when he was talking about it to the point I firmly believed I had seen it before. It was extremely vivid.

Matt and I reworked his script right up until the day before shoot when I rewrote half of what was one of the longest scenes. The basis of the story however remains true to Matt's original. We held a casting session. Matt drove hundreds of KM's doing recce. Matt then drove me hundreds of KM's for a second recce. We did a complete previs (some grabs included here). Matt went out and found a crew. Matt and I held a rehearsal. Kids are a challenge as everyone knows. Matt sourced everything from props to costume to etc etc. Matt and I went over every shot blow by blow, every piece of action, every component as to what was to be shown and how was discussed and planned for every second (pretty typical), this had turned into a partnership which grew from strength to strength, which continues on now as we edit and from screenplay to direction it's somehow worked extremely well.

Regardless of the outcome from here, Im personally extremely proud of this piece, to be a part of this partnership and what it has become.

Further, we were extremely lucky to get some hard working thoughtful crew that stuck at it from start to finish. Heres a perfect example of that. On shoot day 2 - final 2 shots - both exteriors - cutting very fine on losing light. To the point we canned our planned dolly shot on the second. Get to the second shot and our Key grip and best boy had the dolly set and ready to go without our knowledge. We got the shot we wanted and it looks fantastic - thanks to the hard work and dedication of those two guys. One of them is a recent graduate, and its a note to people in a similar circumstance, don't just do whats expected go the extra mile and you'll be noticed.
 
Completely agree with everything Noel said.
This for me was the most fun I have had through an entire project and I think that is mainly because it was such a collaborative effort. It really helped having someone as experienced as Noel to guide me through. I am also very greatfull for the incredible effort the cast and crew put in
 
Cheers guys.

We have locked edit.
Cut sent to Justin for score.
Cut sent to Ryan Frias for sound edit. (Matt has to drive a long way Sunday to pick up some truck foley we need to send as well).
Grade almost complete (Would be if I could settle on the final - as theres time Im tweaking).

Looking good to upload approx 14/15 August.
 
Post sound update: First pass of dialogue editorial is complete! Excellent dialogue recording and very easy to edit. Will be doing some Foley and FX throughout the week.
 
Bananas. great shots Matt and Noel, love the background story Noel, love that you guys got Durban and Frias. This is shaping up to be a sure fire DVXuser hit.
 
Great poster. Check. Interesting logline. Check. Ridiculously awesome grabs. Check.
Really looking forward to seeing this.
 
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