Update

Update on recent events of 8/19/2014.

I have a script for a movie trailer I want to shoot, called “One by One”, and for the sake of not spoinling the surprise, I will not give any further information on what it is about. I do have a script, and casting shouldn’t be a problem, effects may be a challenge, but it it isn’t discoraging. I just need an extra set of hands or two, to do camera work, and someone to help with some practical lighting for the scene, THAT will be a trick. I have an Idea of what to do with what I have, the problem is doing it, and getting a little score for it made. It will be a cool thing when finished up.

I also have been  helping a young man with a music video he wants to do for one of the songs he did. I haven’t heard the right song yet, but his idea seems solid, and we have a script to work with. With this project, the distance is a challenge faced before, but the scheduling- not so much. I have to find a way to meet with this guy without interfering with his, my wife’s or my work schedule, and find a transport, and babysitter for who knows how long. We need to discuss several things, first being the script, and finalizing it with him. Then we have to do our story boards, and shot lists. We need to cast, one male, two female, and locations, and approval if needed, props, effects, (practical, and non-practical) Budget has to go in there somewhere, and Scheduling that fits with everyone’s schedule, including, him, me, talent, and other crew, and film it. After his approval of the cut, and effects, we can re-record the song to be more impactful, if he chooses to. And then we can call it a finished product. A lot to do, and distance being a challenge for it. I don’t know if payment will be involved, but I can honestly say I hope so. I love doing this stuff, but it is supposed to be a career. Not an expensive, gas gulping, time squeezing hobby. That will probably be one of the first things Ill tell him after we discuss what needs to be done. If he likes the script as it is, and is unable to pay for the rest of the work, Ill leave the script to him, and let him figure it out. I hate to do that to anyone, but the issue remains- there is a lot of trouble I need to be compensated for. Taking off work, baby sitter, gas money, time from the family to do the production, AND editing and vfx. Its time and money that could be placed some where else, and instead, im using it on your production. Compensation isn’t much to ask.

And another job that is most likely what will be happening more and more now that im freelancing videographer/editor. A wedding. Film a wedding, edit it together nice-like, and burn a copy to a disk. Simple, right? Not really. This, production scares me to say the least. From how I understand, there will be 3 of us with cameras, so that eases my mind a tad. But im still on editing, which means my cuts have to be spot on, seamless. I have all the time I need for that, so not too worried. I just want to make sure I get the footage I need to make sure this will be a great video for the newlyweds. I remember hearing that a basic package for filming a wedding was 750. I told the girl that, and she was “Woah,  dude, I like you  and all but, no way.” She also said her photographer was over a thousand bucks. I can understand a budget wedding just as much as the next couple, but as I stated before, I need some compensation. I would most likely have to take off work to do this one- its on a Saturday afternoon, and I am usually getting off work when the thing will be starting. So I gotta ensure I will be off that time, and my wife witll be with me on a static shot somewhere, so I need a sitter. The gas to get there, it isn’t much, because it is close,  but still a factor. And the time it will take to import, edit, and export the footage… It’s a lot of time away from the family, and that’s what will be a costly part. From the sounds of it, the other guy is doing it for free, and she wanted me to bring the Mrs, and we stay and enjoy the reception. To me, that’s kind of asking us to do it for free, like a wedding present to them or something. I can see that happening for a family member, or even a close friend, but I can say we are more of aquantinces than anything. I’m not asking for a thousand dollars like the photographer, just something to consider the time I’ll be spending to edit away from my family. Think of it like this: bring me closer to my wife at the reception, and pull us apart again to put your wedding footage together. Doesn’t sound like a winning situation if we end up at square one. However, I can help you out by NOT asking a professional price of $750 for the services, and I will do it for no less than $150. I still think We would be getting ripped off, I’d like to start bidding at $300. That’s already $150 less than half of what you would be paying at the “professionals” shop. It just isn’t a charity type of thing.

I did a lot of free work in AZ, but it was usually with the same guys all the time, and at the risk of sounding a little fruity, I love those guys. They are like a bunch of cousins that hung out all the time who loved to get the cameras and make some magic. I went to school with these guys, they have an idea of whats going on on set, and know what what is. I only had to explain screenwriting format, and effects. That’s all. With any one I work with over here, I have to explain damn near everything.

With one of the recent shorts, the dinosaur apocalypse one, a couple of guys came up to us asking if we were making a movie. Like, no, we’re hunting for treasure. I mentioned the effects of a T rex going to happen, and then the two dudes kept asking questions about it, like I wasn’t in the middle of a production or something. We had talent that was awake sence 5am, standing in the sun at almost 2pm, sweating his balls of in layers and a 5 year old director’s assistant carrying the storyboard. And they want to pause production to talk to me about them doing a movie, one of which they did not have any ideas of  one but an action thing. Oh. Acting. Another actor. I need some backstage help too, ya know. Either way- they decided to watch. The Mrs sent out some water with my DA, and even the spectators got a drink, because they were observing so hard. Well, they kept watching when I said “Action” as if I had a dinosaur in a cage in the back of the trailer park or something.. They lost interest when that shot was over, and I was doing some insert shots. Sorry to dissapoint, but it does get repeatative, and sometimes even a little boring on set,  but when it all comes together, magic has happened.

With that shoot, I had to explain a lot to my talent, because he asked, and sometimes I just thought it was a cool little piece of info to know. Something for future productions, in case he wants to work with me again. And my boy knew a bunch already. He has been around this stuff for most of his life now. Im proud of my little DA. These other dudes that rolled up into it were just curious. And wanted to see how far they can put their noses in our bidness. The only term understood that day was “green screen”. I explained to the talent the term, “poor man’s green screen” and the magic of a “back plate”. Fun day that was.

I feel as though im losing my edge as a film maker already. I don’t want to do it all myself, but I may have to to keep my skills sharp.

Another thing I have bee working on is a sort of autobiography. I am writing all kinds of stories of things Ive been through, and basiclay the people and events that helped mold me to the person I am today. I’m calling it so far, “My Name Is Not Who I Am.” I am not using my name in the book until the end. Aside from that, it is all 100% truth to me. Total honesty in this thing. I am holding back nothing in this writing, and I can say it feels good, and it feels bad. Depending on the story being told. I try to explain the thoughts in my mind, the emotions in my heart, and the lessons learned. If you read it and do not like what has involved you in it, I will tell you “tough shit. That’s what happened, how I felt, and it had an impact on me in that way. Can’t change who I am.” No one has read it yet, and I have gotten up to 44 different things, some bulletpointed, that I intend to write about. As of now it is close to 20 pages. Some short, some long, so who knows how long it will be. I do not know who will be the first to read it other than me, but they will have to be honest with me, and be open minded about what is in it about them, if anything.