Emile Meyer -- FI
Member
Hey everybody!
My name is Emile Meyer, an indie filmmaker based in Pretoria, South Africa, and I'm the co-writer, co-producer, and director of this mess...uhm...I mean this film. I'm new to DVXuser.com and the film that I'm promoting here was supposed to be entered into Timefest, but couldn't due to time constraints. I'm glad to be a part of this awesome filmmaking community.
My first film is called X.
The film tells the story of one man who wakes up at a different time, in a different place with an hourglass that continuously follows him, that never seems to run out. The film shows, in a rather surrealistic fashion, exactly how it's affecting him as a human being as well as how it's affecting the reality and environments around him.
The film itself was conceived within an email by Louise Cochran Mason. It was written to be used as part of a test to see if it was ever possible to do chroma-keying with no money whatsoever, only using materials available to us -- an endeavor that failed HORRIDLY. The script itself was merely just a bunch of random instances that weren't even supposed to be link to one another, until we discovered the "time" elements and symbolism that were hiding in plain sight. We quickly started re-working the script until we had a decent, workable film that was festival friendly and that had an actual plotline!
We started pre-production on the film in January. After a long delay in receiving the concept, of which we only have two as the rest is missing, we moved onto the storyboards, which was done by the talented Debi Hammack. By this time, we had a full cast and crew. Here's a rundown of who's who:
Directed by: Emile Meyer
Written by: Louise Cochran Mason & Emile Meyer
Story by: Louise Cochran Mason
Produced by: Suzett Jansen van Rensburg & Emile Meyer
Executive Producer: Louise Cochran Mason
Director of Photography: Henrian C. Pieterse
Music by: Root of Eternal & Emile Meyer
Production Designed by: Nicolette Vermeulen
X -- Werner Delport
Scientist / Executioner -- Bianca Juliet O'Neill
Our entire film was shot for around US$400. We mainly used a friend's house for the locations, we used materials that were lying around our backyards for props, and we used an old Samsung Hi8 camera with two tripods and home made dolly.
After having postponed the actual shooting dates THREE times, we finally shot the film on the final weekend of May. We had some fun times, and some utterly stupid times, but it was overall a great shoot.
Here are some photos from the weekend. I'm posting them as links as the images are 800x600 pixels (considering, they WERE 3000x2000something pixels) and there are quite a few of them.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP3694.JPG
My co-producer busy working on some film-inspired artwork. I'm planning on framing that piece and hanging it on my wall.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP3731.jpg
The lead actor's (Werner Delport) girlfriend working on some of the props for the film.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4008.JPG
The aftermath of the day's work. Those were only a couple "random" cans; the rest of my friend's house was littered with numerous empty cans and bottles.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4325.JPG
The Friday evening, the first day of shooting. The set still under construction. This was the first night of shooting.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4333.JPG
Our Production Designer/Set Designer & Decorator, Nicolette Vermeulen, arriving on set.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4344.JPG
The set almost ready to shoot in. Note the dolly. Made that one myself for like a couple of dollars.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4348.jpg
Nicolette busy working on the dummy that was to be used on the next day of shooting.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4353.jpg
Our trusty Hi8 camera.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4362.JPG
There's nothing better than a cup o' fake blood to kick start your day. <img alt="
" border="0">
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4379.JPG
Our made up mannequin. That was a made up store mannequin, which we rented from a costume shop for the entire weekend. For the record, ground beef and fake blood make a horrid combination...especially when left over night. That stuff simply reeks.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4418.JPG
I'm blocking the scene with my actor. It was winter and he had to walk around without a shirt on. All I can say is that he was a trooper, and for those of you who has seen Nacho Libre on DVD (especially the bonus features) will know what I mean when I say "glass cutters."
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4424.jpg
The lead actor busy getting in the zone for the scene.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4437.jpg
The crew and the actor (on the right-hand edge of the photo). He was actually busy arguing with us all...but, he was clearly outnumbered and lost the argument.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4445.jpg
My co-producer. Random photo that was taken.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4451.JPG
Our scene marker. We built this baby ourselves and it worked like a friggin' charm.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4457.JPG
Me, the actor, and the make-up artist busy discussing the make-up effects for the scene we have to shoot.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4460.JPG
The actor getting his make-up on from both ends...front and back.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4475.jpg
Just had to share this: SUPER GAY!!!!! It's become a running gag within the group.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4511.jpg
The make-up artist, putting the final touches to his masterpiece. Funny thing though, that cigarette in his mouth wasn't lit and he had that between his lips the ENTIRE time he was applying the make-up, which took around 70 minutes to apply.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4737.JPG
The Saturday morning. Shooting started VERY early.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4738.JPG
The mannequin made the previous evening, in action.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4781.jpg
The lead actress arriving for the shoot. It was around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and we were 20 minutes behind schedule. All in all, we shot 6 scenes that day.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4807.JPG
The set decorator at work getting the set for the next scene ready.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4836.jpg
One of our more complex and difficult scenes that we had to shoot. The actor had to lie on that table for 2 hours, not moving at all or else all those tubes came loose. I learned that duct tape doesn't stick to human skin that well. As a result of him lying dead still for two hours, he started getting numb. When we wrapped that scene, he couldn't get up and he had to be assisted. He was a real sport for lying there and doing it.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4977.JPG
The Sunday morning. The director of photography (left) looking very confused...hehe...he had that injection needle (from the props we used the previous night) in his mouth the whole time.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4981.JPG
Crew photo.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4987.JPG
The director of photography busy goofing off. He's being compared to Chewbacca visible in his natural habitat.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5016.jpg
The final scene. We did this scene in one take due to time constraints.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5021.JPG
To me, this is just one great shot.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5060.JPG
Me...directing...like literally...see, I'm pointing. Ok, that was a stupid joke.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5072.jpg
Behind the curtain.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5078.JPG
A random extra.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5091.JPG
The production designer (left) and the actor
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5095.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5099.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5109.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5116.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5117.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5118.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5119.jpg
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5120.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5125.jpg
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5135.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5136.jpg
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5145.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5153.JPG
Some random shots of the extras and crew who helped out with the final scene.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5177.JPG
The aftermath of it all.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5181.JPG
Two bowls of fake blood later....
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5184.jpg
The film-inspired art. Our finished masterpiece, with some fake blood splattered over it for some extra character.
I've been editing the film now for the last couple of months, getting lists of festivals and distributors. I've been working on putting together some content for a DVD (here's hoping) and negotiating some deals for 4 screenings here in South Africa.
I've been working on some teaser trailers that will be released at random in the coming weeks before this film's release. Here's the first trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ueS_8l8Zj0
Also, for all the members on DVXuser.com who has a FaceBook account, swing by the group and check some more photos and support our small film.:
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11980715513
I'll put up the other links for the other upcoming trailers on here when they are available. Also, when the movie goes live on YouTube, I will post a link of that too.
Post more soon.
Cheers guys.
Emile Meyer; Chairman & Co-Founder
Fir3storm Industries
My name is Emile Meyer, an indie filmmaker based in Pretoria, South Africa, and I'm the co-writer, co-producer, and director of this mess...uhm...I mean this film. I'm new to DVXuser.com and the film that I'm promoting here was supposed to be entered into Timefest, but couldn't due to time constraints. I'm glad to be a part of this awesome filmmaking community.
My first film is called X.
The film tells the story of one man who wakes up at a different time, in a different place with an hourglass that continuously follows him, that never seems to run out. The film shows, in a rather surrealistic fashion, exactly how it's affecting him as a human being as well as how it's affecting the reality and environments around him.
The film itself was conceived within an email by Louise Cochran Mason. It was written to be used as part of a test to see if it was ever possible to do chroma-keying with no money whatsoever, only using materials available to us -- an endeavor that failed HORRIDLY. The script itself was merely just a bunch of random instances that weren't even supposed to be link to one another, until we discovered the "time" elements and symbolism that were hiding in plain sight. We quickly started re-working the script until we had a decent, workable film that was festival friendly and that had an actual plotline!
We started pre-production on the film in January. After a long delay in receiving the concept, of which we only have two as the rest is missing, we moved onto the storyboards, which was done by the talented Debi Hammack. By this time, we had a full cast and crew. Here's a rundown of who's who:
Directed by: Emile Meyer
Written by: Louise Cochran Mason & Emile Meyer
Story by: Louise Cochran Mason
Produced by: Suzett Jansen van Rensburg & Emile Meyer
Executive Producer: Louise Cochran Mason
Director of Photography: Henrian C. Pieterse
Music by: Root of Eternal & Emile Meyer
Production Designed by: Nicolette Vermeulen
X -- Werner Delport
Scientist / Executioner -- Bianca Juliet O'Neill
Our entire film was shot for around US$400. We mainly used a friend's house for the locations, we used materials that were lying around our backyards for props, and we used an old Samsung Hi8 camera with two tripods and home made dolly.
After having postponed the actual shooting dates THREE times, we finally shot the film on the final weekend of May. We had some fun times, and some utterly stupid times, but it was overall a great shoot.
Here are some photos from the weekend. I'm posting them as links as the images are 800x600 pixels (considering, they WERE 3000x2000something pixels) and there are quite a few of them.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP3694.JPG
My co-producer busy working on some film-inspired artwork. I'm planning on framing that piece and hanging it on my wall.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP3731.jpg
The lead actor's (Werner Delport) girlfriend working on some of the props for the film.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4008.JPG
The aftermath of the day's work. Those were only a couple "random" cans; the rest of my friend's house was littered with numerous empty cans and bottles.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4325.JPG
The Friday evening, the first day of shooting. The set still under construction. This was the first night of shooting.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4333.JPG
Our Production Designer/Set Designer & Decorator, Nicolette Vermeulen, arriving on set.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4344.JPG
The set almost ready to shoot in. Note the dolly. Made that one myself for like a couple of dollars.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4348.jpg
Nicolette busy working on the dummy that was to be used on the next day of shooting.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4353.jpg
Our trusty Hi8 camera.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4362.JPG
There's nothing better than a cup o' fake blood to kick start your day. <img alt="
" border="0">http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4379.JPG
Our made up mannequin. That was a made up store mannequin, which we rented from a costume shop for the entire weekend. For the record, ground beef and fake blood make a horrid combination...especially when left over night. That stuff simply reeks.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4418.JPG
I'm blocking the scene with my actor. It was winter and he had to walk around without a shirt on. All I can say is that he was a trooper, and for those of you who has seen Nacho Libre on DVD (especially the bonus features) will know what I mean when I say "glass cutters."
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4424.jpg
The lead actor busy getting in the zone for the scene.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4437.jpg
The crew and the actor (on the right-hand edge of the photo). He was actually busy arguing with us all...but, he was clearly outnumbered and lost the argument.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4445.jpg
My co-producer. Random photo that was taken.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4451.JPG
Our scene marker. We built this baby ourselves and it worked like a friggin' charm.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4457.JPG
Me, the actor, and the make-up artist busy discussing the make-up effects for the scene we have to shoot.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4460.JPG
The actor getting his make-up on from both ends...front and back.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4475.jpg
Just had to share this: SUPER GAY!!!!! It's become a running gag within the group.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4511.jpg
The make-up artist, putting the final touches to his masterpiece. Funny thing though, that cigarette in his mouth wasn't lit and he had that between his lips the ENTIRE time he was applying the make-up, which took around 70 minutes to apply.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4737.JPG
The Saturday morning. Shooting started VERY early.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4738.JPG
The mannequin made the previous evening, in action.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4781.jpg
The lead actress arriving for the shoot. It was around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and we were 20 minutes behind schedule. All in all, we shot 6 scenes that day.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4807.JPG
The set decorator at work getting the set for the next scene ready.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4836.jpg
One of our more complex and difficult scenes that we had to shoot. The actor had to lie on that table for 2 hours, not moving at all or else all those tubes came loose. I learned that duct tape doesn't stick to human skin that well. As a result of him lying dead still for two hours, he started getting numb. When we wrapped that scene, he couldn't get up and he had to be assisted. He was a real sport for lying there and doing it.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4977.JPG
The Sunday morning. The director of photography (left) looking very confused...hehe...he had that injection needle (from the props we used the previous night) in his mouth the whole time.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4981.JPG
Crew photo.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP4987.JPG
The director of photography busy goofing off. He's being compared to Chewbacca visible in his natural habitat.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5016.jpg
The final scene. We did this scene in one take due to time constraints.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5021.JPG
To me, this is just one great shot.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5060.JPG
Me...directing...like literally...see, I'm pointing. Ok, that was a stupid joke.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5072.jpg
Behind the curtain.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5078.JPG
A random extra.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5091.JPG
The production designer (left) and the actor
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5095.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5099.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5109.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5116.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5117.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5118.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5119.jpg
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5120.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5125.jpg
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5135.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5136.jpg
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5145.JPG
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5153.JPG
Some random shots of the extras and crew who helped out with the final scene.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5177.JPG
The aftermath of it all.
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5181.JPG
Two bowls of fake blood later....
http://fir3storm.com/pics/IMGP5184.jpg
The film-inspired art. Our finished masterpiece, with some fake blood splattered over it for some extra character.
I've been editing the film now for the last couple of months, getting lists of festivals and distributors. I've been working on putting together some content for a DVD (here's hoping) and negotiating some deals for 4 screenings here in South Africa.
I've been working on some teaser trailers that will be released at random in the coming weeks before this film's release. Here's the first trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ueS_8l8Zj0
Also, for all the members on DVXuser.com who has a FaceBook account, swing by the group and check some more photos and support our small film.:
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11980715513
I'll put up the other links for the other upcoming trailers on here when they are available. Also, when the movie goes live on YouTube, I will post a link of that too.
Post more soon.
Cheers guys.
Emile Meyer; Chairman & Co-Founder
Fir3storm Industries