"I've Just Been Getting Acquainted With the Church of Rome"

So...yesterday was definitely interesting. But there are some things you just have to do in order to get what you want. Evidently especially in video production. So I went to mass yesterday... I know, yes, I am not Catholic, but I had to speak with Father Tom. So after sitting through about an hour and finding it in me to turn down the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (and yes, it was difficult, they use real wine, enticing i know), and after the congregation had fled and Father Tom took off his robes I asked permission to use St. Bernard's sanctuary for one of the scenes in my student film.

And he said...

Yes! I was pretty happy, it's absolutely beautiful in there, and I get to film there now. I asked him if Monday would work, he said to call "Al" tomorrow at the parish (whoever that is) and he would let me in. So thank you, Father Tom.

Stoked about hopefully probably beginning principal photography tomorrow. Talk to ya then.

Ladies and Gents, I have a script

Well, that's correct, the rough draft has been completed. It is about 16 pages long. According to Mr. Larson, if it is in proper script form it should be also about 16 minutes long. That's if I did it in proper form. I think it may be longer. Which is a little frightening in some aspects. But also means it is something to overcome.

Also today Nate and I went to Waterloo and took some shots of different buildings we may want to shoot for the opening and ending sequences. Parts of Waterloo are definitely pretty rundown, and there are certain spots that may just look pretty sweet. It is going to come down to editing, however, to make this sequence look convincing. It will be a challenge to edit, but one I think we are up for. Now it is time to draw up some storyboards for the sequence from the footage we've taken and create a proposal for the mayor. Oh, and I need to talk to the Waterloo Diner about filming in their parking lot. Hopefully this will work and soon we will be shooting early some Saturday morning. Pray that the city lets us do this.

Speaking of the look of film

Camera shake. I love it. Realism cannot be created so greaty as when you make the camera one of the characters in your film. It goes beyond Point of View shots. I like to call it, for lack of a better term, camera shake.

I don't know if its the shutter speed or what, but sometimes, things just look way more believable in this viewpoint. You really feel like you are there. It is something that is much more difficult to describe than to actually see. If you see it, you will understand.

The film look for the movies I have just sampled is a very gritty, earthy, feel of realism. Less color, almost monochromatic...but I like it. I feel like I am there, like I am observing the story from their point of view. The look of Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and Saints and Soldiers, to name a few, is outstanding.



It is art, and that is what I want my stuff to look like (eventually). This is the kind of film that is inspiring.

But i want a plastic gun, Joe

Well, so much for that idea. It was a good try, but I guess I will have to get my dummy weapons from somewhere else. Frustrating yes, but I only need two, so hopefully it won't be too hard to find. If anyone has a black airsoft M16 looking rifle, please let me know. Money is tight around here.

In other news, however, I stopped by St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Beautiful, beautiful building. Mr. Larson, you said the Catholics knew how to do it right, and you are correct. I would love to film there; now I just have to get in touch with Father Tom. I was fortunate enough to run into one of the caretakers as she was leaving and she showed me the inside. I think Carol was her name. She told me her son was in film classes at a Catholic School in Minneapolis. But anyways, yeah, that is on my list of things to do. Along with writing up that proposal for Waterloo.

Me and Nate will be driving to Waterloo on Thursday and taking a little scouting video in the area we will hopefully be shooting on. I need a solid idea of what I am shooting so I can bring the proposal to the mayor. Hopefully I can do that by next week so we can finally get the ball rolling for this thing.

Well, thats about all I got right now. Did a little writing for the final scene last night. Just a couple things I need to think about for that and I can convert it all into proper script form.

New Actor Scheme

Well, as discouraged as I was losing the possibility of doing the opening scene with soldiers, I think that things have changed a bit. I talked to Nate Reese and Josh Deiss (both ROTC) and they both seemed very interested, maybe even excited to work on the project (hopefully I'm not reading too much on their excitement). Reese also told me that I could possibly get dummy M16s made out of plastic that they use for training. So on the list now is to talk to Joe Diener (sp?). He is the ROTC guy responsible for loaning out equipment. If all works out I have Reese as the main character and Deiss as the second soldier on the mission at the beginning. I now need to do some location scouting with Nate. Hopefully we will be able to do that tomorrow afternoon. It would be really awesome if we could. If all goes well, maybe by next week I can talk to the mayor of Waterloo again and bring my proposal.

In other news I have another scene, one which I believe will be quite powerful for the ending. We shall see though. I need to get all of this in proper script form too.

Awe-Inspiring

This is cinematic. There is no lie there. This photograph is probably one of my favorite. The risk to even obtain this picture was immense. The risk, but more than risk, the sacrifice of the men in this photograph is something that needs to be told. It is stories like this that capture people. Who were the men in the photograph? How many even made it out? Questions like this need answers, and film is an awesome answer, but one that does not do these stories justice.

Actors

Alright, tentatively, this is who I know will be in my roles:

Main Character: Joel Stevens
Main Character's Ex-Wife: Kristin Heesen

That's all I have for solid right now. However, I do have ideas for other characters:

Main Character's Father: Mr. Kowinski?
Main Character's Grandfather: Mr. Kowinski?

Parts I need ideas for:

Main Character's Daughter:
Main Character's Civil War Relative:

Yeah, got a little work on my hands. Hopefully, though I will have some ideas for my first scenes storyboarded by Monday.

Didn't get to shoot this week. Neither Kristin or Joel could do anything, they hopefully will be available next week.