Posts from — August 2009

In the recent weeks of working on 4Pantun, I’ve been drawing the background elements for the Asian sequences….I wonder why. But before I started we had a student named (?) that designed a few of the first drawings, when she left, I took over and I used her drawings as a reference for my designs. So if you’ve been stalking me throughout my blog’s you’ll know that I love to draw Only difference with these drawings is the style. Generally when I draw I tend to be very fussy with perfection, making sure everything looks right; shape, size, detail, etc. But Adam has explained to me that these drawings are meant to look drawn, meaning he wants me to fail epic’ly on straight lines, draw abnormal circles and worst of all, overlapping…..:O

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Well, they’re not exactly twins but there’s a sort of suggestion in the story that they could be.  Today was the day Fiannah and Kate shot all their scenes together, and it was intense — with blood, swearing, laundry and designer labels - and that was just in make-up.  We won’t give too much away, you’ll have to see the film.  Here’s Fiannah and Kate not in character.

Keeping warm between scenes.

Relaxing after a hard day.

And, yes, that was a wrap.  Somehow, miraculously, everything got done — I even managed to grab a few cutaways that I was sure would be scrapped, thanks to the enthusiasm of Matthew, the 1st AD, and the hardworking and self-sacrificing nature of the crew in general.  Okay, so I didn’t get everything I wanted, but it was all covered and it was all good stuff.

Setting up for the last shot.

Thanks everyone, it was truly above and beyond.  Let’s go get a drink….

It was a cloudy day and the appearance of rain was getting higher by the hour, I felt small, alone and some what threatened. But it was this day that Adam would come over my desk and mention that I’ll be involved in the shooting of Briony’s epic film, Room at the Top of the Stairs. My mood somewhat changed and the clouds outside disappeared, I realized, I was able to control the weather!! After being told I couldn’t, reality kicked in and I couldn’t wait to be on set while filming this short film

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This was the day that the supporting characters in the film (the three housemates) shot most of their scenes.  Having had a fair bit of rehearsal, Lucy, Bryony and Ben were prepared. Still, it probably came as a shock to churn through their dialogue scenes so quickly.  Speaking of churning - it didn’t help that I, like many others on this production, was suffering the effects of a nasty strain of some kind of stomach flu. Clutching my trusty orange sports drink, I watched as the characters came to life — with all their eccentric studentish ways –drinking beer outside on a windy day, never washing up, playing the guitar rather badly and so forth.

The crew meanwhile, were suffering and even a curry for lunch didn’t seem to cheer them up (!)  But a lot got done today, that’s for sure.  The pace seems to be picking up.

A scene about someone drawing, how hard could it be?  Ha. No, I can’t just have one shot of someone sketching - they have to draw it several times, over several days, and in different moods and with different emotions.  They have to draw sometimes in books, sometimes on walls; with crayons, pencils and make-up.  They have to sketch, and paint and smudge things with their fingers.  Why?  Because it’s art, and you’ve got to suffer for it.  Apparently. But it all turned out pretty well in the end and we got through the day with plenty of art for everyone.  Plus the art department got to dress up like they were in a Fellini film as extras for the party scene, so it was win-win.  Hard work and torment and funny plastic masks.  What could be more cinematic?

Ready to draw.

The art department acts!

Madeline and Sean take a break to have some beers....No, they're actually working. This is the kitchen set.

Day 1 of the shoot kicked off this morning, with everyone finding themselves a little bewildered (a 6.30 am call will do that) and a little cold, thanks to August weather in Hobart.  The mountain was covered in snow and so were we…(not really but it felt like it).

Hmm, what to say about day 1?  A lot got done - and a lot really didn’t get done.  A few technical hitches.  But we also got some great footage for the opening scenes when the main character arrives at the house.  So, what else?… Well, there were gale force winds, there were designer outfits & glamorous make-up thanks to Liz… There was some concern that the catering tent might actually fly away, but that was just a momentary thrill.

Shooting the first scene of the film.

And, yes, there were pigeons.  A local pigeon keeper (I’m not sure what the correct term would be?) came and brought along 11 of his finest birds.  Racing pigeons they were, sleek in red and grey.  We had to keep them waiting a while — but then they were free and off like a shot…to make quite a good shot, actually. Thanks pigeons and I hope you got home safely.

Preparing to release the birds...

Waiting for their close-up