Rough Cut

A trailer has been abandoned - at least until a final cut with sound is put together.
The rough cut of the film is complete.

Progress

Well, much to my disappointment, post production is moving a bit slow. But the good news is that I will be cracking down and pushing post production. The current workflow is a bit messy so I'm backing up a bit in hopes of a better workflow. Since it's summer time that'll mean faster workflow and hopefully a faster, cleaner cut.
The hopeful schedule:
Monday 6/29: Re-Capture footage from Beta
Tuesday 6/30: Capture and Log footage to Final Cut Pro, import existing cuts/media, begin re-syncing
Wednesday 7/1: continue sound syncs
Thursday: 7/2: complete sound syncs, start trailer
Friday 7/3: Complete trailer

Friday 7/10: Basic rough cut

Welcome to Post Production

Official Crew Billing

Writer, Director, Producer: Jill Sapenoff

Executive Producer: Mike Wright

Director of Photography: Owen Levelle

Assistant Director: Nick Mann

Director of Audiography: Joe Petersen

Art Director, Script Supervisor: Mallory Westfall

1st Asst. Camera: Elizabeth Mo

2nd Asst. Camera: Parke Stevenson

Best Boy: Kenneth Gordon

Boom Operator: Marissa O'Guinn

Production Assistant: Lauren Bauman

Pictures from Mo

That's a Wrap

I swear that I will write more tomorrow.

Just got out of the shower...it's 3am.

Today:

9:00am: arrive Merwin Meadows location

12:30pm: lunch, extras arrive, supporting talent arrives

3:45pm: ice cream and dismiss extras

6:45pm: wrap Merwin Meadows location

7:00pm: arrive Village Market location

10:20pm: wrap Village Market location

11:00pm: leave Wilton, CT

12:10am: equipment drop off at 14th Street and 3rd Ave, NYC

1:10am: personal item drop off at 200 Water Street, NYC

2:15am: cargo van drop off

2:20am: argue with cab driver

2:35am: arrive "home" to 200 Water Street, NYC

Nick, my great A.D. arrived with the crew from NYC (call time at 14th and Broadway at 7:00am. Nick in the same building as me) and accompanied me from 11:00pm on to assist with returns and driving directions. He's probably had the longest day of anyone.

The Weekend

Movie Time

12:00 am (now)

5:00 am: wake up

6:00 am: pick up vehicles

6:20 am: load vehicles

7:00 am: pick up crew

7:15 am: pick up talent

7:20 am: drive to location

8:40 am: arrive at location

10:00 am: first shot up

weather: partly cloudy

Extras

For those of you who came to the Starbucks meeting, it was great to meet all of you. There were about three separate sessions of meetings that went on. Emma Lisa took copious notes on the meeting and has greatly reduced the amount of work I need to do as far as writing and repeating. I took her notes and added a few things here and there. Here are the main points that she took down that I suggest everyone go over. Of course, most of this will be repeated on set on Sunday. I ask that everyone check their e-mail leading up to the shoot to hear for any possible changes. 12:30-3:30 seems to be a locked time, but should the time be reduced or pushed a little later, we would want all of you to know.

If everyone could also e-mail me back with a subject e-mail that says, “EXTRAS Merwin # (in your party)” in the e-mail put your names and contact information.

Remember, if you have any questions, please feel free to let me know as well.

The movie is to be shot at Merwin Meadows on Sunday the 29th of March - next week. The time for the "EXTRAS" to be shot (that's us)...is 12:30-3:30.

Some important things.

1. This cannot be a 'drop in' scenario - as live shooting will be going on. Merwin Meadows will be shut down for this filming with only those in the movie allowed into the park. Everyone in the movie will need to go through a processing desk so they know everyone on set. There is a release form that has to be signed.

2. There will be REAL actors there - we/the kids are playing in the background, within the playground and grounds as the filming of the main characters is going on. These professional actors and the crew will be WORKING.

3. Please bring your kids well fed so they will not get distracted by being hungry and I would suggest bringing water/juice and a few snacks.

4. There will be a porta jon - so ok with bathroom needs

5. They should dress in play clothes - jeans, pants, skirts - but nothing made of material that makes noise i.e. those nylon sports pants that swish when the kids walk.

6. We are encouraged to bring along picnic baskets, coolers or blankets - so it seems more natural as a day in the park.

7. Production Assistants (high school and college students) will also be there to help the kids with whatever they might need

Some rules to discuss with the kids before hand:

* The kids will be playing naturally as they would whenever in the park - but will be doing so silently/speaking softly... while the cameras are rolling. Otherwise all screaming will drown out the main actors voices. So you can tell them that when Jill yells ACTION, it will mean silent playing. Jill will go over these instructions again on set.

* The kids need to follow directions - pretty simple - ACTION and CUT...After CUT, is when if they need something i.e. to go to the bathroom - they should let someone know they need to do that. ACTON is when the movie is being filmed and they need NOT to cut out to get a drink or go to the restroom - there will be lots of breaks for them to do so.

* It is critical that the kids do not look at the camera while filming is going on - as that is not real life. Jill explained to me of the cost of the filming. This is NOT digital equipment - so it is all film. If problems arise - they need to start over and re-shoot, all money out of the films budget. So this should be spoken about with the kids AT LENGTH before hand. (Jill jested that every kids will owe $10 every time they look at the camera during filming).

* Kids should not be chewing gum

Remember - you can go on this blog and look it over for more information about the movie.

http://www.theparkfilm.blogspot.com.

Lastly, just so that you're aware, there will be a donation jar there. The insurance of renting the equipment alone is a killer - and while you are under NO obligation what so ever - if you would like to make a small donation, it would help defray the cost of making the movie. Budget is close to  $4200, and while that seems like a small amount, to a third year film student - it's a serious sum of money. Even a $5 donation pays for a set of batteries in the sound department...and is greatly appreciated.

The Park: Merwin Meadows

Photos from our (snowy) location scout.

Cast, Crew, and Script are...LOCKED

We have a few changes along the way, but here is what we've got. 

The script is locked and ready to shoot.

The cast is...well, cast.

Cast:

Nick: Kevin Kraft

Annabelle: Selena Pereyra

Andrew: Adam Michael Swartz

Jessica: Sarah Koestner

And we've had some changes in the crew.

Crew:

Director/Co-Producer: Jill Sapenoff

Producer: Mike Wright

Director of Photography: Owen Levelle

Assistant Director: Nick Mann

Assistant Camera: TBA

2nd Assistant Camera/Set Photographer: Elizabeth Mo

Sound Recordist: Joe Petersen

Boom Operator: Marissa O'Guinn

Art Director/Script Supervisor: Mallory Westfall

Grips/Gaffers: TBA

Production Assistants: Lauren Bauman, Jimmy Kelley

Insurance Problems

Dear Students,

We are facing a dire situation. We are at risk of losing the Student Insurance Program that covers all of our production classes. The total losses that students have accrued (over $140,000 this academic year) and several others over the last six years have threatened the entire insurance program.

We are left with only 2 options:

1. Modify the current policy.
2. Risk the complete and total termination of our Insurance Program.

Effective immediately, the insurance rules have changed for ALL Undergraduate student productions. Unfortunately, NYU can no longer issue certificates for outside vendors. As of Monday, March 9, 2009, NYU Insurance is only available for insuring Film & TV equipment and shoot locations. NYU Insurance will no longer cover any equipment rental. Students planning to rent equipment must secure their own insurance through a third party insurance carrier. A listing of preferred insurance brokers is available in the Production Office on the 9th
Floor as well as some procedural information about contacting the brokers.

In addition, all students at the Intermediate and Advanced Levels with approved projects MUST purchase the CSI (College Student Insurance) Student Personal Property Insurance facilitated by Fireman's Fund. Students are required to purchase both the basic coverage, and the Camera Equipment Endorsement with coverage up to $25,000 in order to satisfy the deductible for NYU equipment.

Information is available at http://collegestudentinsurance.com/ - click on 'Get An Online Quote Now' in the center of the page. The smallest basic personal property coverage available through CSI is $50 - which includes up to $2000 personal property coverage with a $100 deductible. Additionally, the student must pay $60 for the $25,000 3rd party camera equipment coverage, which brings the minimum cost for this insurance to $110 annually.

Thank you for your support in this difficult situation. If you have any questions, please contact your production faculty.

")'>Sheril Antonio- Assoc Dean & Lamar Sanders- Chair of Undergraduate Film & TV

So the big question is: What does this mean for our production?
It can mean a few things. It means that the cost of production may go up by another hundred dollars or so so that we can find insurance to cover the costs of outside equipment. This includes lenses and possibly a generator. Fortunately, they are still covering the cost of our locations, which means that the production dates will remain the same and our locations are still valid.

Chet Burchett

I want to take some time away from this blog and about film. Considering what I will be doing is so community based and how so much of me comes from Wilton, I need to say something about the recent passing of Chet Burchett.

Though I didn't know Chet as a very close friend, I feel confident enough to say that we were friends. We weren't close, but we certainly were more than aquaintances. Chet's shocking and sudden death can be described as nothing short of tragic. In the nearly seven years that I knew Chet I can confidently say that he was a trustworthy and compassionate guy. Despite what seemed like a tough exterior and even some stubborness, the core of Chet was something special. Chet's antics may have gotten him into trouble every so often, but there was never a doubt in my mind that he was the all around good guy.

Perhaps I wish that I had known Chet better, but despite the sparcity of moments I had with him they all meant something to me. Little memories of exchanges with Chet flicker through my mind now and I'm angry with myself for not remembering them with more clarity.

The only that is really clear to me now is that whatever Chet had suffered with is gone. We're here to feel sad and shocked, but there's no doubt that Chet had changed us, affected us in some way or another. Slowly but surely things will fall back into place, but I know that in some part of me and in some part of everyone he knew, there will be Chet and he'll live forever through all of us.

Chester Wayne Burchett 1989-2009

Casting Boot Camp

We'll be going through the bulk of our auditions this week. So far we've auditioned on girl for Annabelle and we'll have 10+ Nicks coming in this week. I've just managed to pump out a newer and simpler draft of the script, which I think in the long run may help when it comes down to shooting. Many thanks to the following people for their feedback:
Mallory, Nick, Robby, Yemane, Sam, Mike, and anyone else I may be forgetting.
What people seem to forget is that a script with many revision or a lot of feedback isn't necessarily a troubled script, just a weighty one. For me, it's a matter of refining and focusing those areas. Perhaps I'm trying to say too much in a short piece when I can keep the situation simpler. It may become even simpler before shooting begins. The deeper essences may be missing, but many times less is more. Perhaps I may even look at this particular shoot as a starting point for a longer script. But for an 8-minute film, this is what I've got.
I'm really excited to be moving ahead forward with this project. I'm utterly exhausted after doing three shoots this weekend, but I guess that's all part of the learning experience.
Remember, we are still looking for donations and contributions. Anything and everything helps!

Moving Along a month away

I really haven't written much in awhile, but a lot has happened since the last time I wrote. Mike and I plan on going back to Wilton to do a little more publicity. We've had several auditions for our leading actor. The script had been locked and after some feedback and my own thoughts on the script, I'm deciding to put it through a massive re-write. No worries though, this will have no effect on cast, crew, or plot really. It's just a matter of refining the dialogue.

We're going through the final paperwork to book Merwin Meadows as our primary location and NYU recently approved our insurance for the location. It's a huge relief considering the insurance step can be the most difficult.

Other really great news is that we had our first financial contribution about a week ago. It was a very generous contribution and the money alone will greatly help our camera department. Remember, every little bit helps. $5 here, $10 there - anything and everything helps. The smallest of donations may seem insignificant, but it may be that extra few bucks that gets us the batteries for our sound department, gets us our first aid kit, or helps our few pieces of construction. Whatever it is, it all helps us and the film will be better for it.

Tomorrow we will be audition the first of several children for the film and throughout this week will be the bulk of our auditions. It's really only about a month away, less really and it's scary, but exciting all at the same time.l

Updates

Annnnnnnnnd the latest newss

Please note the latest addition to our crew. Two amazing additions:

Owen Levelle as our cinematographer

and

Matt Porter as our assistant director

Mike and I brought a Wilton-based prospectus (click here to download it) in hopes of finding some funding and catering for our film. We have yet to hear, but it's been less than a week since we were in Wilton. No worries. We're hoping to find enough local business/restaurants to contribute food. We're even hoping to convince businesses to donate one meal or to split the total food and meal contribution with several businesses in order to feed the cast and crew for those five meals. We'll see what happens.

We've gotten verbal confirmation of our two locations and we will soon be clearing the insurance policies for both of those locations. Those will be The Village Market and Merwin Meadows.  

Many thanks to Nancy at the VM and Scott at Wilton Parks and Rec. for all their help.

A small sampling the Village Market location scout:

Starting of February

And we know what February means, right? Just over a month until shooting time!

The latest updates:

The greatest thing about working on this shoot is that I'll be working with some of my best friends. Thankfully, I know they'll be able to put up with me for the most part on set. It gets stressful and after having worked with most of these guys before, things should run relatively smoothly on set. With that being said, Joe Petersen is currently in a production sound course and will be doing the sound mixing for the production. Mallory Westfall has a lot on her plate as the script supervisor and art director (overseeing mostly hair, makeup, and wardrobe).

Mike and I did a thorough breakdown of producing responsibilities to be split between the two of us.

I will be meeting with a promising cinematographer on Tuesday.

AND tomorrow is the big day. Mike and I are headed with the hopes of getting locations booked and finding possible donors for the film. It should be exciting. It's a little nerve-wracking at the same time, but hopefully it will all work out. We'll be taking note of almost everything for our crew and will probably come back to Connecticut again with crew members so they will be prepared to work in the spaces we want to book.

Latest Production Meeting and Shooting Dates

Yesterday I had another production and another long day.

What did we get done?

We have a budget! We're legit shooting for around $3500 still with hopes of shooting in Connecticut. The complete breakdown of the budget is available to those who ask. I'm not sure if I'm going to put it up on the blog or not yet. We are also more or less set on crew. I have to put their complete updates up as I am waiting on their bios and pics. The prospectus is more or less complete. Mike and I are ready to venture to CT for some final scouting and some fundraiser planning.

As of today, we also have a shooting date. Production dates are set March 27-29.

The film will be shot outdoors during the day. A "rain" script backup is in the works as well.

Script Feedback

My professor looked over my script for feedback today. For all those concerned, over all, everything was good. There are a few minor details that will have to be changed with the script. There are things that obviously to be trusted to me as a director to convey that can't be contained in the script. 

The most difficult piece that I tried fighting for may be changed. I intended my story to be shot at night, but this provides a few problems. This includes problems such as eliminating noise from generators, trying to light for night, losing depth in frame, keeping cast and actors warm and awake, etc. Plenty of problems that I can change easily enough and will be coming in the future draft.

The ending will (thankfully) be scrapped as well. It's always provided so much difficulty that thankfully my professor said that the ending is there, it's just a page too long. He said ripping off the last page of my scripts (literally) would put me in the right spot.

Production Meeting #2

So last Thursday was my rather crazy day. My schedule that day:

8:50 Leave Dorm

9:30-12:15 Screenwriting Class (Waverly and Broadway)

12:30-1:45 German Class (14th and 4th Ave)

2-4:45 Directing Class (Waverly and Broadway)

5-6:15 Dinner/Production Meeting

7-9:15 Acting master class (4th and LaGuardia)

9:45-10:45 Coffee

11:20 Back at the Dorm

Needless to say, Thursdays are usually rather crazy, but for some reason or another they also make the most sense for me to schedule production meetings (particularly with Mike). The master class (amazing) made my normally busy schedule even more hectic that particular day. But like always, we did schedule a production meeting and met up with a few friends to discuss their films as well.

The topic of this particular meeting was focused mainly on budgeting. We hope to get the costs of film down so that future investors will know where all the funds are going to.

I have to go back to Connecticut sooner or later to look at a few locations as well as confirm the ones I have in mind.

What's the estimate? I'm estimating about $4000 (transportation, extra film, possible lens rentals, craft services, etc).

Starting the Semester

So happy Presidential-Hand-Off-Day everyone.

Upon my last trip to Connecticut, I was able to confirm a location. I've received a verbal agreement and upon completion of the prospectus for a formal presentation, we can rest assured that one of my main locations is secured. To build up a little hype, this will be the Village Market in Wilton, Connecticut. So if anyone is there and really wants to help us, continue buying your groceries, mention the film and create a little excitement and some buzz.

You can find their website here. I used to work there so I know the staff fairly well. I look forward to shooting a few scenes here and to more or less know that we will indeed be shooting in my hometown.

Starting Preproduction

In the past 24 hours the following has been accomplished:
Completion of script (though another revision or two are imminent)
Start of prospectus for investors
some minor work done to the blog

As more crew members and actors come together, their mini bios will be provided on the right-hand side of the page here. At the moment I've got myself and Mike listed. There are other people I have in mind for my crew that I have yet to confirm.

First Production Meeting

Last night I had my first production meeting. Mike Wright, a fellow film student will be co-producing my film (though I think I'll be more of an assistant as he's teaching me). Mike's an experienced producer and a talented director. He spent this past fall semester in Dublin with the film school's music video production program.
Last night, we attempted to get a majority of the logistics down. Major location scouting has also been done by myself and it will be a matter of securing those locations. There's also the matter of making sure that the script is locked (relatively so) so we can get a better idea of the budget and the script will be better prepared for the workshop.
I'll be advertising auditions for the film and the search for extras in Wilton, Connecticut, which is where the film will hopefully be shot. We will be looking for adults and children to be extras. This will probably be sent out in the elementary school newsletter. I'll also start advertising at the high school. We'll be looking for will and able teenagers to help on set and to help with the fundraising process (a helpful college resume boost as well).

Introduction

So hi to everyone who has come on to this little film blog of mine. This blog is for anyone interested in the development of my film, "The Park" to be filmed for my intermediate level course work at *breath* the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. From here on out, I will address the school simply as either NYU or TSOA (Tisch).

In my upcoming posts, I will post a summary of the script and will also include the latest developments. This includes anything from crew news, script revisions, casting, etc.
I am, of course in the preliminary phase of the film and still working on my best draft possible before presenting and pitching when the course begins. The Spring semester has not yet begun. It is the hope/assumption that my script will be workshop-ed in class before the film's actual preproduction begins. But as I've learned, one can never have too much preproduction, which is why I want to start work now.

Also, please keep in mind that a copy of the script will not be posted on the blog or online for my own copyright issues. The script is available to those interested in making donations (either with finances or services).