Edited Test Shots

After the test shots were compiled. I went through them and pieced together what the shots might look like in Premiere and started working on some simple VFX for the scenes.

Here is the first rough cut I did with FX intercut and a few tests for the Hologram FX.

I noticed after my first tests that I had to adjust how I shot some stuff using the green screen. My original plan was to not use a green screen on location, and just cut out the actor in after effects.

But that process was more time consuming then I imagined. I though that since they didn't move, it would not be too bad. But they move enough to require me to rotoscope out each scene.

To save time, I plan to use a green screen on location for the FX shots.

Revised Shooting Schedule

I took the schedule I had from October, the one that I had planned to shoot over one weekend, and stretched it out over several. I thought this would allow for more time to set up shots, while not feeling rushed or under pressure. I also thought it would keep the actors fresh by keeping the days short. Setting up the green screen behind Nykole for her shots will take a little time for each setup.

My main worry is if everyone will be able to dedicate that much time to the shoot. It is 4 weekends, although most days are 4-6 hours, with only a few longer days in there, I believe this is manageable.

I guess right now it is a rough schedule, but at least I have a foundation to work with. I feel bad asking so much from everyone, but it is my dream. I have to push for it.

Recording Sessions

In my story, there are a few voice overs, most are of Commander Brax telling the story through personal logs, similar to a captains log in Star Trek. So I used that as a tool to build the history behind what was happening in the script, a way to set the stage so to speak.

I got together with Jesse (Commander Brax) and recorded his lines at the studio at the school. I had extracted the voice over lines from the script and placed them in a new document so they were easy to read. I gave minor suggestions to Jesse, and let him play the lines for each take. It took about  forty five minutes to get all seven of the lines done and only recorded two to four takes per track. I'd say it went well.

A few days later, I got together with Nykole (C.E.R.A.) and recorded her few lines as Brax hears them inside of his head. Unfortunately, when Nykole and I got there, the computers were all down due to a virus. So we didn't get the session I was hoping for. Luckily, Shaun Denaven was there and let us use his recorder in his office, and I was able to get the tracks I needed for C.E.R.A.

More Inspiration

I really needed a little more inspiration today, and got a TED talk from my father-in-law that really hit home for my project. A man in Montreal named Martin Villeneuve talks about how he made his film for virtually no money. Which isn't entirely true, but when you look at a big budget film in Hollywood these days, 2.5 million isn't much compared to 30 million. This is what he had to say.

I then tracked down the trailer for the film "Mars et Avril" and really enjoyed the ideas put forward in the special FX. I would love to meet Martin Villeneuve or even work with him.

Then I remembered something my friend and DP showed me last week. A fake commercial from the film Prometheus that he thought was a good example for C.E.R.A.

This is all fuel to keep me moving forward. I feel like I have a long way to go, but I need to keep focused and moving forward if I want to see this project completed. I can't wait to post the small test clips I have for some of the VFX. Coming soon!

Costumes 2

Here are the final costumes for Brax,

and C.E.R.A,

and C.E.R.A. in the dream sequence.

I did not get a picture of Rachel during the tests, but I do have video of her. I can try to get a screen capture of her.

Hold up...Wait a Minute

Well, I had it all planned, for months, to shoot my principle photography this weekend. Unfortunately, my professor suggested that I test my shots and postpone my actual shoot. Overall, I agreed with him on this recommendation and decided to go ahead with that plan. I had asked everyone to take time off and I felt horrible trying to get them to change the plan with me. But fortunately, everyone was on board and supportive of the new plan.

We decided to pick out several shots from the film that would be challenging and focus on making them work. We shot test footage in the studio with a green screen as part of the dream scene.

We also shot some stuff at a cliff so we have a plan for Commander Brax's fall in the script and I feel like we have a safe way to shoot that now. I asked a friend of mine, Jerry Howard, to help us work out a way to safely do this and he had a great plan, scouted the spot he felt was safe and brought the gear for us to use. He also set up the harness and made sure it was safe, he is an avid rock climber after all. We gave him the titles "Stunt Coordinator" and "Safety Manager" for the production.

We also went out to Moe's Valley to get some shots to test out shooting a clean plate for a scene and roto-scoping out the actors. This was used to test Brax falling through C.E.R.A. in one scene. We also experimented with the fire light scene and have footage now to test out some of the walk through a canyon with C.E.R.A. zipping from side to side while scanning.

Location Scout #3

A week before the shoot, I was able to get out to the site with Dustin, my DP. He and I went around the location, getting ideas of the set up for each shot and I was able to sit in as Commander Brax in a few.

Scene #1

Scene #2

Scene #3

Scene #4 & 5

Scene #6

Scene #6a-6b

Scene #6a-6b

Scene #7

Scene #8

Scene #9

Scene #12

Scene #15

Scene #15

Scene #16

Scene #17

Random Scene

Random Scene

Update: After some discussion with Ben Braten and Darren Chase, it was decided to move the Sunday scenes, which are camping scenes, to a new location. The area is closer to town and more conducive in using lights for moon light, if needed. Here are some images of the new location, Moe's Valley.

Good place for a landscape insert.

View of the Location

Scene #4

View of the Location

Scene #5

Scenes #9 & 11

Scene #16 

Scenes #9 & 11

Scheduling

Luckily, I have a great friend (Darren Chase) who is helping me put this all together. He is a master at scheduling and break downs. If it wasn't for him, I don't think I'd be as far along as I am on this project. We might run into getting the help we need, but it is a small project, and I believe we will be fine with a small crew.

I've scheduled the main shoot for October 16-19. I believe I can get the entire bulk of the film, or principal photography, done in that amount of time. I may need to find some additional time to get shots from other locations without the C.E.R.A. character in the shot.

Below is a detailed schedule that Darren came up with.

We start in 4 days, and I'm nervous, excited, scared, overwhelmed and worried. But I believe that it will be fine in the end, no matter how it turns out. I hope at least I have something to show for all of Darren's and my hard work.

Props 2

I finally got my design figured out for a backpack which is more what I envisioned for the shoot. I also have a more usable implant for the C.E.R.A. device.

Backpack:

I used foam and some creative geometry to build the pack. It was assembled with glue and painted, then detailed. I added some straps, and there you go. Future sci-fi backpack. I still need to add some roughing around the edges, but it looks pretty good.

C.E.R.A. Implant:

This shows the two versions, one for the main shots as a single unit, and the special one for opening up using tools on and in close ups. Also formed from foam, glued and painted with transparency film used to make the lettering and circuits on the disk. I still need to add the roughing details on this piece, but it also just about ready.