Friday, April 30, 2010

What the ???

So the day before we start shooting, I get a four and a half hour round of bullshit thrown my way on my day job. Too unbelievable to go into here, but a royal pain in the ass. Left me with an adrenalin rush. (I'm a P.I.)

Anyway, we're scheduled tomorrow to do MODEL/ACTRESS's scene with Jesse! Cool. I am anxious to get this picture started. It's very surreal that it's here upon us. It came upon me so quickly and effortlessly. Now we're shooting.

I'm sort of bummed that Hollywood Video closed. It was so superior to Blockbuster. Figures. An actual classics section. BB employed a lot of assholes, but I never encountered an asshole at a HV. Ever. Always pleasant and knowledgeable about movies.

Someone asked me how I had so much time to write things on the computer. Well, my work has me out and about a lot of places with wifi, for one. Another thing, my current employment includes writing a stage show. Anyway, just cuz I'm home doesn't mean I'm not working. It's a dream I've had for decades and now I'm doing it.

I now know exactly how we're gonna do MODEL/ACTRESS' and Jesse's scene, staging wise.

GSR Development Ramblings

Yes, I know which direction I'm going with tomorrow's scene. Thank you, Bob Fosse. Last night I watched a bit of a particular film and saw what I was hoping to see, the way to approach MODEL/ACTRESS' and Jesse's scene. I think I know now how to best capture the essence of what I wrote and storyboarded. It's actually going to be a bit different than the originally imagined visual, but it's practical and should work.

Tonight, I have to get the costume together for MODEL/ACTRESS and gather a few set dressings, put my binder in order and checklist all the equipment. Three lights, a camera and tripod. Oh boy. Hmmm, where's that production assistant...? I hear Pauley Perette hasn't signed her contract with NCIS yet, perhaps she needs something to do!

Should be receiving an important costume piece for the Sunday shoot with Ray, Rryan and Jesse by tomorrow.

I have a production meeting on the Vegas show in LA on the 9th, so that means I get one shooting day next weekend. Have to start throwing in weekdays occasionally, of course. Or double up a bit on Saturday...

Thursday, April 29, 2010

22 Seconds

Click

The Boards Are Done!

Just finished the storyboards for the entire film, GSR!

Location

I had to drive to Palm Springs yesterday. Paul Gregory, producer of Charles Laughton's masterpiece 'Night of the Hunter' starring Robert Mitchum, wanted to meet with me about 'Secret of the Amazon Queen'. We talked about the movie's development, he shared some cool stories. I brought him a fresh copy of the latest revision of the screenplay plus the prospectus document to show the investors. He says there are some people he wants to discuss the project with... Why does this matter? Because when 'Secret of the Amazon Queen' is finally produced and hits theaters overseas and festivals here, a lot of people are going to be watching 'Greenspot Road' and 'Treasure of Kukulcana'. Yeah, baby!

I also took the opportunity to visit a location for GSR out in Yucca Valley. It's perfect, just as I imagined from my last visit. I believe that it will be especially good in black and white. There are some minor changes I'll have to make in the action because an existing object I thought was there is not. Maybe they removed it. That happens. On 'Vertigo', Hitchcock arrived at the mission to discover that a bell tower VERY integral to the story no longer existed! It had been there on his prior visits and became central to the drama. That's why it's a matte painting in the final film. He had to have it. So, this element I need for GSR will be found somehow. Even if that's shot somewhere else entirely and inserted. That's movie magic, kiddies.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Dailies

TofK:

The editor is working again!

GSR:

Met with the leading man today. He laughed at my storyboard art along with me. Everything looks like a comedy when you look at my storyboards.

God, I love cinema! Truly. That a group of people who might never have met otherwise come together for diverse reasons yet work toward one purpose is the heart of the experience. Most of my best friends I met because of movies. Most of my new friends I have met because of movies. We learn about each others' lives yet set our lives aside for a moment to bring life to a combined effort. Through our love of cinema, we enhance our lives.

This is the wellspring of the passion that must be poured into the picture.

Even my movies!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

T of K Update

DAMN that editing program!!!

Costuming

Told my actors to see how much they need to wear is something they already own. I'll be hitting the thrift shops I'm certain for a few things. Satira's dress and shoes I'll have to buy cuz it's gotta be exactly what I want.

(listening to 'DU HAST' right now...)

Jessica offered to be a production assistant tonight! AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
'So... you wanna be a production assistant, darlin'?? Step right this way...' She'll be fetchin' coffee and moving cow pies around the set!! Actually, I will gladly accept her application because, as an actress, she's only in one scene. Girl's got too much good energy to not have on the set as much as she wants to be there. I get the feeling she's a creative dynamo... (Lonnie rolls his eyes...)

(listening to 'She's Got Bette Davis Eyes' right now)

Wow, we start shooting Saturday. MODEL/ACTRESS and Jesse. By Sunday night, I'm gonna have two scenes in the can. Wow, this movie has developed swiftly. That's how inspiration works, I've found. I hope I can get all the one day scenes shot first, so I can focus on the longer stuff toward the end of the schedule.

I'm waiting to hear from another actor to join the cast. Just contacted him today and he'll be cool if we get him. There's about twenty people or so, including extras.

This was supposed to be about costuming. Well, I did start out with that. I gotta pull MODEL/ACTRESS's together before Saturday. Plus the set dressing. It's very simplistic, actually, just have to gather the elements. Kind of an ethereal scene...

I am listening to a long version of 'Don't Dream It's Over'. It's got a great intro, very soft lead into a pleasant song that makes me think about certain things and a certain person. Nope, not saying who she is, just sayin'. It's one of those things where the lyrics may not exactly relate to the situation or person, but the music lulls you into a feeling. "Now I'm walking again, To the beat of a drum, And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart..." Yeah, that one fits.

Anyway, I also gotta find the right dress for 'Eva The Nightclub Hostess'. I am used to shopping for women's clothes. Been married twice and still have had to buy ladies garments and underthings ever since I started doing my photography. Thank god none of the models are anywhere near my size! That might get people talking. Hmm, sort of makes me an Ed Wood by proxy...? Eva's a cool character, will look cool, too.

( now playing, Texas' 'Halo'...)

Gotta get some matching sunglasses for Lonnie and his co-hort. Now here's a great character. Lonnie's gonna nail it, too. And he's gonna look sharp. Every bit the way I imagined the character. Lonnie was the first actor I actually landed for this movie. He's in five scenes, but he needs to be around more than just his scenes, too. Lonnie's the kind of guy who brings glue to the troupe atmosphere. Mixes those damned killer drinks, too. I swear the bastard has some secret ingredient...

3am again and I'm writing about this film I think of all day anyway. That's the way it's supposed to be.

I have a good feeling about this movie...

Boarding Again

But I love it, I truly do...

I was thinking... Between the autumn of 2000 and summer 2005, I spent many months of the year out of the country. Places like Bosnia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Croatia, Jordan, Pakistan and some others. I remember being in these places a month at a time, week after week, day after day. Brushes with death were just part of the job and ended up vivid memory fodder for stories. I ruminated when I'd ever stay home and do the things I'm doing now, like these films. I started the publishing company in 2002, and that was the step toward this year when I was hired to write a Vegas show, when I was introduced to the superagent who is repping a book resulting from two years research and investigation into serial murder and the occult, and also landed a producer for my quirky adventure novel, 'Secret of the Amazon Queen'. And, most recently, meeting a bunch of cool new people making these movies with me. It feels like a new life starting, in some ways. That is really cool. All because of movies.

So I enjoy the storyboarding because it is that last step you do in creating the story before filming it. Yes, there is set dressing and constructing, and costuming the thespians (unless they're naked -- HI HO!). Very exciting this step -- designing each shot! I can see exactly what Lonnie is going to look like in each scene. I know exactly how Esel should turn her head in the diner. The image of Rryan in the final scene is stunning in my mind. Ray's face. Etc, etc etc. Right there reflected in the boards.

I listen to the movie music when I storyboard. I won't identify it here cuz I want it to have its fresh effect on the viewer. But I feel the music really works.

Can't wait to start shooting. Meeting with Jesse tomorrow to discuss this weekend's scenes.

Back to 'boarding...

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Boardin'

That's right, story-boarding again.

I subscribe to this practice, you know. It's the secret to how a director keeps control. Cuz there's never a shortage of assholes in this world waiting to pounce on the opportunity to stir the pot. It is deliriously infuriating to have even one of these individuals on your set. When you got your story-boarding tight (and the degree varies), you know exactly where you're going that shooting day. Storyboards give a director the freedom from thinking too much on the set. Thinking often looks like not knowing what you're doing. That's when the asshole pounces, the instant he sees what merely resembles uncertainty in the director's eyes. That is the reason movie directors started wearing sunglasses. It's why John Ford wore them. You thought it was so they could stare at the actresses' breasts without getting caught, but no, you're mistaken. Storyboards are great tools.

I draw stick figures occasionally. Generally I need to see some semblance of the character. My storyboards are sometimes funny. I also like storyboards because I don't like to waste people's time. My actors and crew are giving me their donated time. As much as they love working on the film, it's still their time. I value my time, so I try to respect theirs. This ethic started with my photography, but not out of respect for anyone's time. It was because I wanted to keep the budget low so I'd try to get all the shots I needed in one hour. Saving money made me confident with shooting fast. My models always like that they're done pretty quickly when working for me. They make an hour's pay and they're out of there. But I'm not paying anyone on these films, so I work quickly to keep them from going apeshit on me. Storyboards are the antidote to apeshit.

And also to the treachery of assholes.

I use index cards. The big ones. Data on the lined side, the sketch on the blank. I also use a black ink pen, medium point. 'Medio' in some parts of the world. I like that word. Reminds me of trips to Bogota when I'd order a steak in the restaurant catercorner from the Atlantico (maybe Atlantis? Can't remember) Mall entrance. The waiter would ask how I wanted it and I'd reply, 'Medio'. With a glass of Concho Y Toro 'Casillero del Diablo'. Medio. Medio.

I'm gonna need a new pack of index cards cuz I'm almost out. Only ten or so scenes and I'm almost out of cards. This is an hour long movie.

Story boarding...

T of K Moves Toward Completion...

The editorial staff at Bury Shelly Films will be doing the final cut on the interior scene of the picture! After I give my approval, only the process shots and titles remain!

Look for release of this fabulous picture in May! I will likely screen it at a gathering for the casts and crew of both TofK and GSR, on which we'll be in the middle of production. Then TofK will be released worldwide the following day.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

GSR Cast Update



Meet Jessica Ehret!

Jessica will portray 'Eva' the nightclub hostess. She drums, too. How cool. I love that. She's the bee's knees!

More GSR Cast Talents Revealed


Lonnie England, member of the GSR cast, mixes the best damned drinks you ever drank. Seriously. We know HIS job at the cast parties...

Satira!



Here she is! Our latest cast member for GSR. The beautiful Satira will portray the 'objet desire' 'Belinda' in the film...

We are very happy to welcome her to our quirky little troupe!

Friday, April 23, 2010

GSR

Filming kicks off on Saturday May 1st!! We shoot on Sunday, as well. I can't wait to see actual footage captured. I am going to buy shoes for Rryan in a few moments. Gotta pick up some other costume pieces from the clothing stores. The nightclub scene is gonna be cool. I'm looking forward to lighting it. There's a plan there. Curious to see how it looks.

Read a little Lynch on Lynch last night. Gotta view Mulholland Drive again, maybe tonight. Haven't seen Lost Highway in years, but don't like it as much. Mystery Man is the best part. Does anyone agree with me that MD is a variation on LeFanu's 'Camilla'??

I should select a mug for GSR. I drink from my Vegas showgirls mug when working on the 'Triumph' show (opening in Vegas in October), and I drink from my Garbo mug while editing TofK. I drink from my San Francisco mug while writing 'Empire of Pan' and its sister novel (untitled). So, I must decide which mug will be designated for GSR. Hmmm, I have a Poe signature mug. Not sure that will do. No, it's got to feel right. The tea I drink from it must serve the work at hand. If the vessel is inappropriate, the elixir will be tainted. That will be reflected in the work.

Come to think of it, I need tea. The stash is getting low...

Thursday, April 22, 2010

GSR Breaking News!

I just cast a VERY important role in the film!

The beautiful and exotic SATIRA CIARA will portray 'Belinda', the center of all the drama for our leading man! More to follow...

GSR Pre-Production Musings







I met with Lonnie tonight to run through the script. He has a really cool house. Seriously. If you are addicted to TCM, as I am, and if you appreciate certain things of times gone by, you'd love this place. And it's right by an old cemetery! How cool is that? Lonnie is going to be quite a contributing factor to the success of GSR. I'm gonna like working with this guy, I can tell. He's a real human being. Of course all of us on this movie are weird, but I find that comforting...

After the bookstore, I came home and talked with Jessika for over an hour. Very cool chick. She's a drummer! I like girl drummers. Jessika will appear in GSR but I'm not gonna tell you any more than that because it's gonna be a memorable appearance. She's Lonnie's friend and I just met her a couple days ago -- and what a whirlwind! She wants to help make GSR happen and then some, so I'm quite enthused to have her aboard...Most women I know think my pursuits are bizarre. Jessika is refreshing...

Did some more storyboarding. I am really anxious to get started. But I am equally energized to get TofK completed and premiered because I am really pleased with how that's turning out. That's the way it usually is with creative stuff, as you're finishing one thing, you're starting another... I know that Ry is going to be very impressive in GSR. I'm pretty confident I know how to draw a spot on performance from him. He's a natural. And his buddy Maleina impresses me a lot. Hell, I'm thrilled with the whole cast: Jesse's a sure bet, I know. Lonnie's solid. Toree, Esel, perfect. And Stan is gonna be surprised how well he does.

I love this shit. For nineteen years I did something else I thoroughly enjoyed and now it's time to do this. Now I have to come up with a picture featuring my dear sweet Kokopelli...

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

TofK Exterior Cut Restored!

It was a chore, but it's done.

I just restored the edited exterior portion of TofK plus added the treasure grove scene shot last week. Now all that remains in the exterior portion are the special effects shots and the airport transition footage and the exterior is done. That's two thirds of the running time.

Next will be the final cut of the interior opening of the film, to be joined to the rest.

Overall, the picture is looking really satisfying to my eye...

'Treasure of Kukulcana' Edit



Here's a shot of the cave entrance set for the film. This is actually at the bottom of the mountain, near the parking lot. I think they use it for the annual passion play. Every year, a local Jesus emerges from here. That would be a fun short: the resurrection emergence of the Jesus from each year, one right after the other, just to see how different the Jesus looks each time. You could create a really cool morphing shot. Tall Jesus, short Jesus, fat Jesus, skinny Jesus, white Jesus, black Jesus, Latino Jesus, Armenian Jesus, Chinese Jesus, etc, etc. Anyway, it's a cool set. Looks real enough for low budget homage indie flicks copping the style of 1950s back alley Hollywood.

I had to recreate last month's cut I did on the exterior half of the film. Long story, but it's almost back. Tonight I did some great restoration work, actually cut some scenes better than they were before. The 'treasure grove' scene shot last Friday looks sufficient. I can't wait to get this section cut so there only remains plugging in the process shots. Those are the money shots, really. The 'cool shit' that everyone will get a kick out of.

My cast is pretty good. I realize that as I cut certain shots. Jon understands presence and knows what to do with himself. He's good at intensity and confused frustration...Of course, that could just be his horrified reaction to my direction. Eloisa's a pro, too. She actually has these little gestures and expressions that never fail to crack me up as I watch the shots over and over to get just the right one. In fact, Eloisa displays just the right sort of amusement -- she doesn't break character, yet she's the Bugs Bunny of the picture. The one character that could look at the camera and get away with it. Ray is some good ham. I mean that with all respect, too. His face does half the work without trying, but his expressions are classic. Esel is completely at ease and I am anxious to film her again in GSR because you'll get to see more of her in that film.

Cutting gives me the true appreciation for what we've done. TofK is gonna be an entertaining flick.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Cast of GSR Continued...





I said I'd finish this today...

GSR also includes the entire cast of TofK. You already met Ray. Appearing in an integral role is Esel Lopez. Look for her in one scene of TofK and you'll recognize her very important place in the plot of GSR.

Also, Jon Kondelik and Eloisa Alaniz will appear in two scenes of GSR, so fans of TofK will be watching for them.

Majek Smith, my favorite model from my publishing company, will appear in GSR.

As the rest of the cast is confirmed, I will report it here...

On Location with 'Kukulcana'




Here are some photos of our day on location at Mt.Rubidoux...

I am pictured with star Jon Kondelik, production assistant and stand-in Robby 'Blockhead' Harkins along with star Elois Alaniz' husband who served as our unit still photographer.

I'm the fool with the 'director's hat'. That's how you can tell it's an Uncle Walty picture as I wear this hat. Of course, the day we shot in Prospect Park, I had on my twenty year old Orioles hat -- but that was a subconscious manifestation of homage to Baltimore film icon John Waters, of course.

It was quite a day, getting shots of climbing the mountain plus the action sequences at the top. Rubidoux is a great location and I had wanted to use it for a couple of years. ToK was written to use the mountain, actually. No Budget Cinema is all about available resources...

Damned Video Bar

OK,

If you ever come here and the video bar is anything but stuff related to me, blame Google and Blogspot. Randomly they will choose to ignore the keywords and link and list a bunch of crap totally unrelated to Uncle Walty...It should be AdventureMan6399's channel on YouTube...

Greenspot Road Begins Shooting in May


It looks like GSR will start shooting the first weekend in May...This one is NOTHING like TofK, so don't expect adventure...The first scene we shoot will feature the lead Jesse and our lovely veteran MODEL/ACTRESS. This one's gonna be simple. Of course, simple shouldn't imply easy. Nothing perverse in this scene, but we're just getting started...

T of K Preview!

Coming soon!

On the Set of 'Kukulcana'




Here are some more images from the set of Treasure of Kukulcana, featuring the cast and DP for the interior scenes, writer/director Austin Bosley of Bury Shelley Films...

'Treasure of Kukulcana'




I told you I am about to release the first official 'no-budget cinema' picture, 'The Treasure of Kukulcana'. This one stars Jon Kondelik and Eloisa Alaniz, along with Raymond Howard and Esel Lopez, who all appear in GSR, by the way.

TofK is an 18 minute adventure mini-feature in a more traditional adventure mystery vein. It was filmed in Highland and on locations at Mt Rubidoux and Prospect Park in Redlands. We wrapped up principal photography on Friday and all that remains are a few green screen process shots. I'll be announcing its release here as I am very proud of this picture. It was a lot of fun and the cast was great to work with...

Greenspot Road Cast Photos





Here's a look at some of the cast of 'GSR':

Ry

Ray Howard

Maleina

Cast So Far of GREENSPOT ROAD

Jesse James Cowser: I met with Jesse for the first time at Cafe Royale in Redlands. He's got some good theater experience and if Jesse and Mark Wahlberg and Thomas Haden Church were brothers, Warren Oates would be their father. Jesse is full of confidence and enthusiasm. He plays the role of 'Johnny', whose odyssey the picture chronicles. I think he's gonna be very impressive...

Ry: I have photographed Ry a couple of times now for other ventures and, quite frankly, this picture was created for this very interesting individual. Ry transforms, to put it mildly. I'm quite intrigued with the presence and know viewers will be, too. You're gonna be hearing about Ry a lot more in the near future beyond this film...Ry plays 'J' in the film...

Lonnie England: He responded to my ad on Craig's List and upon meeting him at Starbuck's in Riverside I could tell immediately that he would have the presence I was looking for in the role he plays. Lonnie and I spent a few hours talking about old movies and some of the alternative themes in Greenspot Road. I can work with this guy. I look forward to capturing his performance. Lonnie has been in bands and has theater experience. He knows his way around the stage and life. This is the kind of actor whose presence brings a texture that enriches and elevates any film...

MODEL/ACTRESS: I photographed her a few months back and found her to be a very sharp and friendly person. I am quite pleased that she agreed to appear in my movie. I think you will be impressed...


Raymond Howard
: A character actor I have already worked with in my first no-budget picture to be released soon, 'The Treasure of Kukulcana'. Ray has that look and presence you just can't pass up as a director. He's also a regular at the Cafe Royale where I originally ran into him. Ray and I have had many interesting and bizarre conversation on strange and mystical topics. If I can write a role for him in every picture, I will!

Wow, it's getting late and my neck hurts from sitting here all day. I'll return to discuss the rest of the cast tomorrow...

One Sheets


Hey, check out the official one-sheet for the film! This one features a supporting actor in the film, Maleina Mone'y...

Welcome!

To all of you who wander here, I am grateful. This is the place to read the latest announcements and peruse the musings and reports related to the production of my 'no-budget' motion pictures written, directed and produced by me, according to my vision. These movies will be distributed via my website (link to be announced) and other internet venues where lovers of truly independent cinema seek out films that Hollywood would never produce.

For those who may know me for the other things I do in the media, I warn you now that what you see Uncle Walty create may not be what you expect nor appreciate. Here you will find the pictures that come from a different corner of my psyche. These films will be explorations to horizons tangential to my usual norm. Case in point, my second offering to be shot this summer: 'GREENSPOT ROAD'...

In the coming weeks and months, this blog will be a sort of diary of the production of the film. You will meet the cast. You will see on the set images. You will experience the agony and the ecstasy that is motion picture production.

Again, thank you for giving me and my cinematic musing some attention.

And here we go...