TREE

Rough Cut 02

This week saw a big leap forward in the editing process of the film. Ralph Foster our editor was able to spend some time cutting, during lunch breaks and after work, to get a more fleshed out edit of the film ready for Friday.  It was important to get a cut ready this week because we are applying for some completion funding to help us with the post production of the film and the deadline for submissions was 5:30pm on Friday.

Unfortunately we need extra funding at this stage due to a problem we had during shooting that only came to light after we had wrapped.  It appears we had a fault with two pieces of our sound equipment not quite talking to each other in the right way.  This means a lot of the location sound that was recorded is unusable.  To be fair, even if we had that sound it would still largely only be a guide, due to the fact that when ever we turned over, some man deep in the woods would start his chain saw up at the same time! 

The up shot of all this is that, the sound design guys at Fonic will have to try and reconstruct a lot more of the sound than was anticipated.  It is annoying, but I have a lot of faith in Fonic.  Thank goodness it is a non dialog film, but nonetheless, there will be a huge amount of foley work to be done...which costs money!

Ralph did a great job in patching some atmos, spot sound effects, and music together for this edit just so it didn't feel so empty.  However now that I have had some time to review the edit again, we may have gone a little over board with the musical cues.  Its too busy, and some of the tracks don't quite fit right.  I always knew that sound and music would play a big part in this film, and it will be a fine balancing act to get them just right.  For all its rough cut edges, it is encouraging to finally see a film beginning to emerge.   

Now for something completely different...

Went for a walk this weekend back to see the TREE. It had lost all its foliage and was looking very stark, but still beautiful.

Autumn this year is very late, but the colours this weekend are extrodanary.

Clive Brunt

When we were auditioning for Tree we meet with some great actors, and I use that term to encompass both sexes.  But after meeting Clive I had a strong gut feeling he was the right for our character, and now having finished filming I can safely confirm my gut was absolutly right.  Clive was so easy to work with, and was always ready to give.  He has one of those faces that just photographs so well, but despite his tough looks he is in fact a real teddy bear. 

Clive sent an email and asked me to post this for him on the blog:

"On my first meeting with Phil and Liz I was impressed by their script and their attitude. I wanted to be involved in the project at all cost. It was great working with you all on Tree. I've seen a couple of the rushes and I'm really proud to be part of it. 
Beth put in a great performance; a really generous and exciting actor to work with. She has a lot to be proud of.

The crew were so hardworking and professional.  Many thanks to everyone. Jo for her work on the wig, what a trooper! Everyone in costume, braving the rain with us. One of the real stars has to be Roy, (Phil's father) who doubled up on most jobs and was always a friendly face around.  Liz Chan for all her hard work, and most of all to Phil, who is talented, hardworking, and has true vision. He brought out the best of me and I hope that we can work together again.

The only bad point for me on Tree is that it had to end."  - Clive Brunt

Clive can presently be seen in Woyzeck at St Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn until December 5th.

East End Film Fest

Submissions are now open for the East End Film Festival 19 - 26 April 2007

The deadline for all submissions is 26th January 2007.

The  East  End  Film Festival will be screening at major venues across East London.  To  download   the   submission  form   and   guidelines,  please  visit
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com

Silence is Golden wins TMC Shorts 2006

Congratulations to Chris Shepherd, Maria Manton and everyone at Slinky Pictures. 
Silence is Golden was named winner of  the 2006 Turner Movie Classics Short Film award last night.

You can view the film on the BBC Film Network for a short period.  One warning though, the film does contain some strong language.

www.slinkypics.com

Puritan

Next Friday, November 10th, in selected theaters around town there is a new film released called PURITAN,  a modern noir mystery which I strongly suggest you go see.  Why?  Well, one reason is that our very own Peter Ellmore was Director of Photography on the film, so it is sure to look the bees knees, and two, its a rather good movie.

Incidentally, Peter is also going write up a little piece for the blog about the camera kit and stock we used on TREE, and give you his D.O.P's view of the production.  So look out for that in the coming weeks.

Hot Fuzz

Was watching the enjoyable video blogs on Working Titles website today for a film called Hot Fuzz. 

Its the new film from the Shaun of the Dead team.  When I got to Video Diary 10 I had to smile.  Its not just a small film like ours that gets washed out by the rain, it happens to the big boys too!

Take a look.