Alan Wake Fan Film Shoot

Alright, before I really get going I probably should apologize for nothing anything for almost a month… nope, Chuck Testa. I don’t feel bad at all. I was on vacation in Mexico. Then I was going crazy finding new work, and building my portfolio… this blog just fell to the way side.

But Alan Wake is why I’m writing to you now. It’s the first in a series of projects I’m working on. It was a very ambitious fan film for a videogame by Remedy Studios. After my accident (which I’m recovering from quite nicely) I played the game for the first time. Finished it that day. Bought all of the Downloadable Content. And played it until I had 100% completion for it, the DLC and it’s little sister sequel American Nightmare. I knew I had to make a fan film.

Plus, the game’s stellar use of noir style lighting was going to give me a chance to try out all these lighting ideas I had.

I wrote the script, tracked down props, had a nightmarishly stressful prep week (considering this is a fan film, and the general idea is supposed to be FUN) as people bailed and equipment wasn’t available. But I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and said “I’ve done all I can. The prep work is finished. If this fails, it’s not because I wasn’t ready.”

Then the phone rang the guy who was letting us use the property said he couldn’t be there. And also the light kit I was borrowing, was no longer available. And more people bailed. And the cable for the monitor was broken.

It’s ok… you still have this.

And we did. Despite a plethora of on set SNAFU’s, we pulled it off, only going over time by 45 minutes. Things like failed lights, unable to use green screen, bad mosquito bites, and other small issues didn’t stop us from getting decent quality footage. All that prep work allowed me to change and salvage the project. Some crew didn’t even notice things were falling apart. They said all in all, it was a very smooth shoot.

This was also my first time really using the Canon 5D. And let me tell you, that girl can sing. Reviewing the footage… so many shots are useable because of it’s low light capabilities. And the lack of noise at high ISO (relative to the 7D, which is what I own and normally use.) is incredible.

This prop Bourbon was aptly named "Apple Sauce" By Tim Lundy because we used Apple juice and Soy Sauce to get the coloring. 

I’m very excited to release this project in October. Until then, thank you for all the love and support.

James

Adding a Little Flare

Normally this would go into my blog over at IEFilms. But it’s resting in a state of Limbo, while I decide it’s fate. So, for now, here it is…

A "Submarine" that i hit toys in and slept in.

I used to make a lot of my toys. I could make just about anything out of cardboard and shipping tape (I have my parents to thank for supporting that creativity). Over the years that grew into prototypes for items I thought people could use. Objects for games like Paintball and airsoft.

I started collecting my own tools and building my own kit in college, coming up with increasingly difficult and time consuming projecting. And then I all but stopped. Maybe graduation gave me the sense that I have to spend money to be “legitimate.” That I can’t, or shouldn’t build props if I want to be taken seriously.

That’s a very expensive mentality.

I’ve been scrounging for props for a new video;

An old fashioned typewriter. Luckily, we had one in the garage.

A tweed jacket for my actor, Timmy… Done, $6 at Goodwill.

And finally, a flare gun. $68-75 on the internet. This was killer. I wanted to so bad. But I wasn’t going to be able to afford spending that kind of money.

I begged people whom I thought would have one. Nothing. I was searching online… Nil, at least without spending loads of money I don’t have. I was ready to rewrite the script.

And then FreddieW (A youtube group made up of Freddie Wong and Brandon Laatsch posted a video commentary on their video “Real Life Portal Gun” where they say “We didn’t have the real thing. So, we made do.” That might be me paraphrasing. :)

And I’m trying to reapply that mentality where I can. My girlfriend might shake her head at that, as she’s been saying that for months. Other friends have said it as well.

So there I am, grubbin’ on a burger at Red Robin’s when BAM! It hits me. I have a plastic toy revolver that I found from when I was little, Gorilla Glue, a PVC pipe that happens to be the size I need, and one can of obnoxious Safety Orange Spray Paint. This is what I need it to look like.

Real                                                                       

1.5 hours later, I’m holding a prop that I’m pretty satisfied with (keep in mind, a lot of that time was spent waiting for paint to dry.). Oh, and I saved $75. Booya.

Finished Piece

 

Would John Woo accept that in a close up? No. No, he would not.

Am I John Woo, or have a John Woo budget? No. A resounding no to both of those.

But I think this will do great. I’ll keep you informed as I can. Next post like this will be lighting (Inspired by Ryan Connolly of Triune Films and Film Riot.)

For now, Good Night. :)