Next 2 days of shooting

Sunday was another long day of shooting. I had five scenes planned for the day. We headed out to Leeds, Utah to shoot some of the harder scenes and I forgot to grab the XLR cables.

  

So it wasn't the best day of shooting. But that wasn't the worst part. I also forgot to apply the implant to Brax. So we ended up shooting the entire day without his implant on.

We were able to view the scenes, and it was lucky that we got the shots from the side of his head where there was no implant, for the most part. 

We had to shoot two more shots for coverage of the implant and wrapped up the shoot around 6:30.

Monday was a shorter day. I had only 4 scenes planned, but needed it pick up one part of a scene we missed on Sunday.

We started with the fall off the cliff and then moved to the other shots after lunch. It was nice to be done by 4:00.

I have to plan on more day of green screen shots for C.E.R.A. and that should wrap up the shots I need to finish the film.

Shooting Additional B-roll

While I was editing, I noticed that I needed a lot of filler between scenes. Since they all happen days apart from each other, I could see that I needed more footage of Brax walking in different places.

 

So this week I was able get Jesse for a few hours, and Dustin as well. Then we got some nice shots of Jesse walking through some red rocks in various ways. Eating while walking, etc. Which will add to the overall presentation of the film.

Digital FX

While the edit was underway, I was able to start piecing together some of the digital fx shots.

I started out with the hologram fx, which are still a work in progress. But this version is the closest to what I think I want to accomplish with the effect.

Then I began to play around with the HUD, which I discussed in an earlier blog, but am still tweaking the look of that. I've added some extra elements and animations so far.

I put the pieces together for the eye scanner, which turned out really nice. I animated the circle shapes for the eye, and then incorporated them into the scene.

Then I put together some planet and nebula elements for the sky above the landscape. I put together a test shot, but the nebula doesn't look realistic enough. So I'm thinking about just doing planets and moons at the moment.

Finally, I will put together a crash sequence, which will probably be the hardest part of the digital fx. I hope it all works out for this part, because it will be a challenge for me I'm sure.

Poster Revision

I decided to get back and revise my poster design. It is a nice diversion/side project that I feel I have more instant results from than the film. I have to shoot 9 more scenes next weekend, so once that is done and edited. I think I will be a little less worried about the whole project.

This is the poster I was able to get out of my changes. I'm really happy with the results.

Inventing the C.E.R.A. Heads Up Display

I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but wasn't sure how to execute it. So I took a little bit of inspiration from the Ironman HUD from the films and put my own spin on it.

It turned out pretty good right from the start, but then when I added animation and some glow effects, it really came to life.

If I can just figure out a few more complex animations, this will be ready to go. Here is a video to show the animation. It is not final at all, just a sample.

After this, I move onto the animation for the crash and the words that turn to sand in the opening sequence.

Early Editing

I decided to get an early start on the editing while I had a delay in shooting. It was a humbling experience to say the least. I'm an efficient editor, but had never touched anything like this before.

I started out just logging the files and making the audio files and video files names match, at least for the files I had to sync. Then I brought stuff in to Premiere to watch shots and put together some sample clips.

It was overwhelming at the beginning. It took around 12 hours at least to get the files in order with names and folders so that it was organized into scenes. As I got more shots from Ben Braten, I added those into organized folders and such.

I also spent the good part of the second day converting files from MXF to a more manageable Prorez 422 (LT), which is easier to edit with. 

Once all of that was out of the way, I started to go through the takes, find the best shot and piece together scenes. 

I got through a good amount of scenes after that and played around with some FX as well. It is fun to see the scenes come together and build the film little by little. But it is a huge undertaking, although well worth it.

Second 2 days of shooting

This weekend was successful as far as green screen and shooting the dream scene and flashback scene. So the change in plans was a wise one.

It was great to have Laci come out and her husband Dane did make-up for the Rachel death scene. It looked great and I can't wait to get it edited together.

It was great to see how the green screen might come together in the final cut as well. I'm eager to begin editing what I have so far.

For the shots I missed, I've asked if Nicole and Jesse can come back for 2 more days at the end of the month. If that works out, I will have all of the scenes shot and will then have to plan one more day for Nicole on green screen to finish up the shoot.