We needed a few more shots of the game table. Fortunately, our gaffer Mike, at whose house we shot the game table scene, graciously allowed me to come back and grab the additional footage.
Doing painting with a brush like an artist doing art
I devised a way to follow our matchbox cars with a camera rig made of actual garbage (scraps from replacing my window trim), plus a rollerskate dolly and a few clamps.
This is filmmaking.
Also, Mike's cat was on hand to supervise and assist.
Traditionally this is an "associate producer" credit.
Next Time:
We'll continue our Profiles in Courage series of the brave individuals who are contributing to post production. I know this feels like a long slog to get this film done, because I'm feeling it too. But progress is being made, and every necessary step gets us a little closer to having a finished film. Thank you all for following the journey.
Jacob Blackmon has been a friend of ZOE, uh, probably since forever. If you've been a fan for more than a minute, you have seen his work in many ZOE/DG places. So, naturally, when I dreamed up a crazy anime interlude in this installment of The Gamers, he was the natural person to turn to for the drawings.
As the slow, grinding, slog of post production crawls to the finish line, I'd like to do a series of updates featuring the people helping us drag this train forward.
Let There Be Music
Meet Nick Toretta. Nick has been hard at work translating my broken understanding of music theory, incorrect terminology, and wild hand gesticulations into something that's nice to listen to.
I'm going to change my credit from Director to Bottleneck, because, yes, all the delays are because of me. Despite some setbacks (holidays, illness, electrical issue in my home office), I have not been idle. When we wrapped principal photography last year, the majority of remaining work to be done were shots that didn't need a full crew to capture. Read on for some specifics.
Travel Sequence
In one scene, a character splits off from the group for a side quest, and needs a quick travel montage, so he doesn't waste a whole 11 minutes on a casino planet. So, back to the airport I go!
I needed a bigger lens
To match the footage of the plane in-flight, I animated a 3D model
Yes, the landing gear will be raised in the final
With interior!
Which character is flying first class?
I also created a planet Earth that I can use for several shots in this sequence. Ah, damn, I just remembered our planet also has casinos on it.
Recognize that coastline?
Outer Space
This planet Earth asset will also be used for our space sequence. That's right:
The one place that hasn't been corrupted by casinos!
Check it out! I can spin the sun!
Eppur si muove
Other Post Production Updates
Both of the composers from the previous episode have had to drop out or move on for various reasons. I've connected with a new person to create the score. All other post vendors remain in place ready to go as soon as we lock.
Preview of Next Update
I'll be showing you how I'm matching some shots captured at home with the ones we got as a full crew. Until then I'll continue grinding away. I can't wait until this is done and ready to send out into the world!
Building SPACE! in Stage 2
That's all for now Gamerinos! I'll check in again soon!
