48 Hour Film Project - Part 1
Friday - July 18th - 2008
8:00 AM Not knowing what may be needed for the weekend's 48 Hour Film Project shoot he's directing, and not knowing when he may be home again, Chad packs his car with a TV, a Korg ms2000, cut-off jean shorts, a trumpet, a harmonica, an airline pilot's coat, film reference books, and a pair of cowboy boots.
12:23 PM During his lunch break, Chad runs to the store to pick up some last minute necessities (gum, large pad of paper, hair de-frizzer.) Having never had any car trouble before, he is surprised when his car struggles to start. Bad omen. It does eventually start and he returns to work.
1:03 Chad calls Brandon to make sure he's picking up the boom and mic. Brandon, who has agreed to be the film's sound man, doesn't answer. Chad remembers he has to text Brandon.
1:04 En route to pick up the sound equipment, Brandon realizes that his iPhone seems to be of little help as he tries to find the rental store. He decides to go visual.
1:10 Chad texts Brandon to call him. They talk and Brandon tells him he'll call back when he has picked up the gear. Brandon never calls back.
3:51 Doug, who will be shooting the movie, calls Luke, who will be composing the music and running sound. Doug is just leaving his house. He needs to pick up rented lights and some other equipment, but has his 1 year old son, Graham, with him in the car. Luke joins them both so Doug can hurry in while someone waits with Graham.
4:28 Doug, Graham, and Luke get on the highway...and it's packed. Several wrong turns and agonizing minutes later, they arrive at the rental place with 2 minutes to spare.
4:58 Luke waits in the car with Graham, praying to God that he doesn't begin crying. He puts on Sigur Ros in an attempt to lull Graham. Graham begins mumbling in odd tones with which Luke is unfamiliar...not unlike Sigur Ros. Another catastrophe avoided.
5:08 Doug comes out looking fresh, vigorous, and $265 lighter.
5:20 Doug drops Luke off in the vicinity of The Red Door. Luke walks in and finds Chad sitting alone drinking a double Cuervo on the rocks. Luke orders 2 Stellas.
5:40 Chad and Luke depart for the 48 Hour Film Project kick-off event at J & J's Market, walking 2 blocks in the wrong direction before realizing their mistake. They turn around and again pass The Red Door en route to J & J's Market.
5:45 Luke and Chad arrive at J & J's and discover that proceedings will begin promptly at 6:30pm. They grab a table directly at the front. The two order coffee. It is casually discussed whether or not there are any genres that, if picked, should be declined in favor of a new "wildcard" genre. A decision is made to keep whatever is picked; unless it's "Historical Fiction/Period Piece." Luke wants Animal Film, one of the wildcards.
6:10 Doug arrives at J & J's Market, pushing the number of Nashville 9 team representatives at the event to three—one beyond the maximum allowed.
6:14 Luke's wife, Jenn, jumps the gun with a "what's the genre?" text.
6:19 Chad, Doug, and Luke each put $5 in a pool to see who can guess the genre they will pull from the hat. Doug will later win this. As of this posting, Chad still owes Doug the $5.
6:30 Group A lines up and the first team draws the universally dreaded genre "Musical or Western." There is a communal groan.
6:42 Group B is called. Chad gets in line.
6:44 Chad reaches into the hat. He pulls out ROMANCE. Luke smiles. Chad laughs. Doug thinks. They console themselves. It could be worse. This isn't bad. You know what? This is going to be great.
6:58 All teams have picked. One team didn't show.
7:00 Announcements begin as to the required elements that must appear in all films: Character (Rob or Robina Hatch - Security Consultant); Prop (Calendar); line of dialogue ("My brother had one just like that").
7:01 Luke sends out the first text messages. The machine begins rolling; phones start buzzing, wheels start turning.
7:02 The three men split into two cars and drive to Luke's house.
7:11-7:14 Everyone arrives. Jenn is grilling dinner.
7:15 Break out the dry erase board...can't find the markers.
7:25-7:47 An initial concept is free-formed by Chad. Ideas about mistaken identity, bumbling security men, cameras, romance, happy ending are fleshed out. It is decided that good friend Jenny Moss and her neighbor Chan have the perfect setup for locations; their condos are directly next to each other. Jenny (who is already at Luke's house) is asked for permission. She says yes and secures Chan's condo as well. For now, the cast is two women, one man. Michele Cook is cast immediately. Missy Zahn follows soon after. There are longer deliberations on who should play the main character - Rob Hatch. A unanimous decision is soon reached. It has to be Brandon.
7:48 Burgers and corn on the cob are eaten.
7:50 Luke's dog Vega unleashes her ear-splitting bark for the 14th time of the night to announce Brandon's arrival. He has the boom and mic and is informed of his new role.
7:51 Story ideas continue to be fleshed out.
8:24 It is decided that Brandon, who is sporting a goatee, should be clean shaven. The character needs to look a bit more innocent.
8:28 Brandon starts shaving. He gets down to the "trucker."
It is debated on whether or not to keep this look—a very different perspective on the character—or to continue on to clean shaven. The answer is neither. A traditional moustache is decided upon. Genius.
8:35 Story ideas are put to a halt. Wardrobe needs to be discussed. It is decided the girls will each need several changes of clothes - 1 pair work clothes, 2 pair lounge-around-the-house clothes, 1 pair pajamas. Color schemes are discussed. Chan's apartment is green, while Jenny's is neutral. It is decided that Missy should play the "good girl" in Jenny's apartment, wearing neutral colors and light pastels; Michele will play the "bad girl" and wear darker colors.
8:42 Jenny and Jenn call Michele and Missy. Neither answer. Missy calls back. There's a moment of hesitation on her end of the line when she is told to bring pajamas for the shoot. Jenny and Jenn explain the rationale. Michele, who is working, is texted.
8:45 Chad calls the team's editor (Todd Smith) and his wife, Julie, to let them know what's going on. It has been decided that they will both be used in the project, but the extent isn't known. It is decided that Todd should probably be kept as fresh as possible for the upcoming grueling task of editing, therefore the couple should get some sleep tonight.
8:50 Chad, Doug, Luke, and Brandon sit down to continue writing the script. Talk of utilizing a security camera as a plot element shifts to talk of a camera pen instead. A time of 11pm for the actors to arrive at Luke's house is set. The script has to be finished by then. The middle part is proving to be a bit tricky. Things are coming together, just not fast enough.
8:55 Character names are thrown out. Rachel for Missy. Sam for Michele? Don't know. How 'bout Kat. Good enough. Let's go with it.
9:03 It is decided the film will be a romantic comedy dealing with mistaken identity. Therefore double entendres are a necessity. As ideas are shouted out, it gets very dirty for the next 15 minutes. The good ones are kept.
9:24 A wall is hit. How to manipulate character change in 3/4 page of dialogue is debated. The team can't get past this. The last existing line written on Chad's computer—"Well, I'd prefer something a little earlier. Maybe you could stay for breakfast this time."—is read aloud 77 times in the next 30 minutes. Forward movement has completely stopped.
9:45 Missy is on her way. Still no word from Michele. At Jenn's prompting, it is decided to double-check the number Chad said was Michele's. It's the wrong one. New calls are made. Michele is contacted.
10:04 Missy arrives. Jenny and Jenn begin going over the wardrobe with her. Coffee is made and drunk.
11:00 The script isn't finished yet. Continue working.
11:22 Michele arrives.
11:31 With the actors waiting in the next room, everyone gets a bit antsy and frustrated.
11:34 Todd and Julie are informed they won't be needed until tomorrow.
11:48 Jenn suggests that she and Jenny take Missy and Michele to Jenny's place in the Encore Condominiums and start prepping the sets.
11:55 Luke suggests that writing be continued at the Encore.
11:56 Chad and Doug say they can't work without a script, let alone a storyboard.
11:57 Luke suggests again.
11:58 Chad and Doug give in.
Saturday - July 19th - 2008
12:13 AM Luke's house is vacated and everyone makes their way to the Encore.
12:31 Arrive at Encore. It is debated whether to risk parking close, in a lot, and potentially be towed, or to park farther away, safely. Given the amount of equipment in tow, the lot is chosen.
12:37 The team makes their way upstairs. It is decided that a writing session involving some female perspective might be needed.
12:39 Chad walks Missy and Michele through the story. Motivation, characters, character change, specific lines are discussed. Sections are dropped. Sections are added. The middle section of the script gets close enough. Chad roughs the ending based on what has been decided before.
1:10 A scene taking place in the Encore foyer is the the first scene in the script, and it is decided that this should also be shot first.
1:12 Jenny returns from having secured Lance the concierge as the fourth and final actor. He will be playing Lance the concierge.
1:14 Everyone moves downstairs. Brandon is sent out for props. Chad asks Brandon how much money he'll need. Brandon says $30. Chad gives him $60.
1:17 Having had no time to actually work with any of the rented equipment, the team begins to learn how everything works.
1:27 Chad asks Luke if he brought a small dry erase board Luke had said could be used as a slate to mark scenes and takes. Luke returns with something roughly 4'x2' in size. There is much laughter. Chad uses the 4'x2' slate.
1:43 It is decided that Missy and Lance will improv their lines. They walk through the scene a couple of times for camera and lighting.
1:50 Chad notices that there is soft, Muzak-style music playing in the Encore foyer. It is determined that although "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is a great song, the team can probably not afford the licensing fee. Lance turns off the music.
1:52 Doug realizes there is no miniDV tape in the camera. All tapes are up in Jenny's condo. Doug borrows the key, rushes to the elevators, and finds one open and waiting. He steps inside, hits "2" while waving the security card, and waits. After about 15 seconds he realizes the elevator is out of service.
1:59 Doug returns with a miniDV tape and an extra extension cord.
2:02 First shot.
8:00 AM Not knowing what may be needed for the weekend's 48 Hour Film Project shoot he's directing, and not knowing when he may be home again, Chad packs his car with a TV, a Korg ms2000, cut-off jean shorts, a trumpet, a harmonica, an airline pilot's coat, film reference books, and a pair of cowboy boots.
12:23 PM During his lunch break, Chad runs to the store to pick up some last minute necessities (gum, large pad of paper, hair de-frizzer.) Having never had any car trouble before, he is surprised when his car struggles to start. Bad omen. It does eventually start and he returns to work.
1:03 Chad calls Brandon to make sure he's picking up the boom and mic. Brandon, who has agreed to be the film's sound man, doesn't answer. Chad remembers he has to text Brandon.
1:04 En route to pick up the sound equipment, Brandon realizes that his iPhone seems to be of little help as he tries to find the rental store. He decides to go visual.
1:10 Chad texts Brandon to call him. They talk and Brandon tells him he'll call back when he has picked up the gear. Brandon never calls back.
3:51 Doug, who will be shooting the movie, calls Luke, who will be composing the music and running sound. Doug is just leaving his house. He needs to pick up rented lights and some other equipment, but has his 1 year old son, Graham, with him in the car. Luke joins them both so Doug can hurry in while someone waits with Graham.
4:28 Doug, Graham, and Luke get on the highway...and it's packed. Several wrong turns and agonizing minutes later, they arrive at the rental place with 2 minutes to spare.
4:58 Luke waits in the car with Graham, praying to God that he doesn't begin crying. He puts on Sigur Ros in an attempt to lull Graham. Graham begins mumbling in odd tones with which Luke is unfamiliar...not unlike Sigur Ros. Another catastrophe avoided.
5:20 Doug drops Luke off in the vicinity of The Red Door. Luke walks in and finds Chad sitting alone drinking a double Cuervo on the rocks. Luke orders 2 Stellas.
5:40 Chad and Luke depart for the 48 Hour Film Project kick-off event at J & J's Market, walking 2 blocks in the wrong direction before realizing their mistake. They turn around and again pass The Red Door en route to J & J's Market.
5:45 Luke and Chad arrive at J & J's and discover that proceedings will begin promptly at 6:30pm. They grab a table directly at the front. The two order coffee. It is casually discussed whether or not there are any genres that, if picked, should be declined in favor of a new "wildcard" genre. A decision is made to keep whatever is picked; unless it's "Historical Fiction/Period Piece." Luke wants Animal Film, one of the wildcards.
6:10 Doug arrives at J & J's Market, pushing the number of Nashville 9 team representatives at the event to three—one beyond the maximum allowed.
6:14 Luke's wife, Jenn, jumps the gun with a "what's the genre?" text.
6:19 Chad, Doug, and Luke each put $5 in a pool to see who can guess the genre they will pull from the hat. Doug will later win this. As of this posting, Chad still owes Doug the $5.
6:30 Group A lines up and the first team draws the universally dreaded genre "Musical or Western." There is a communal groan.
6:42 Group B is called. Chad gets in line.
6:44 Chad reaches into the hat. He pulls out ROMANCE. Luke smiles. Chad laughs. Doug thinks. They console themselves. It could be worse. This isn't bad. You know what? This is going to be great.
6:58 All teams have picked. One team didn't show.
7:00 Announcements begin as to the required elements that must appear in all films: Character (Rob or Robina Hatch - Security Consultant); Prop (Calendar); line of dialogue ("My brother had one just like that").
7:01 Luke sends out the first text messages. The machine begins rolling; phones start buzzing, wheels start turning.
7:02 The three men split into two cars and drive to Luke's house.
7:11-7:14 Everyone arrives. Jenn is grilling dinner.
7:15 Break out the dry erase board...can't find the markers.
7:25-7:47 An initial concept is free-formed by Chad. Ideas about mistaken identity, bumbling security men, cameras, romance, happy ending are fleshed out. It is decided that good friend Jenny Moss and her neighbor Chan have the perfect setup for locations; their condos are directly next to each other. Jenny (who is already at Luke's house) is asked for permission. She says yes and secures Chan's condo as well. For now, the cast is two women, one man. Michele Cook is cast immediately. Missy Zahn follows soon after. There are longer deliberations on who should play the main character - Rob Hatch. A unanimous decision is soon reached. It has to be Brandon.
7:48 Burgers and corn on the cob are eaten.
7:50 Luke's dog Vega unleashes her ear-splitting bark for the 14th time of the night to announce Brandon's arrival. He has the boom and mic and is informed of his new role.
7:51 Story ideas continue to be fleshed out.
8:24 It is decided that Brandon, who is sporting a goatee, should be clean shaven. The character needs to look a bit more innocent.
8:28 Brandon starts shaving. He gets down to the "trucker."
It is debated on whether or not to keep this look—a very different perspective on the character—or to continue on to clean shaven. The answer is neither. A traditional moustache is decided upon. Genius.
8:35 Story ideas are put to a halt. Wardrobe needs to be discussed. It is decided the girls will each need several changes of clothes - 1 pair work clothes, 2 pair lounge-around-the-house clothes, 1 pair pajamas. Color schemes are discussed. Chan's apartment is green, while Jenny's is neutral. It is decided that Missy should play the "good girl" in Jenny's apartment, wearing neutral colors and light pastels; Michele will play the "bad girl" and wear darker colors.
8:42 Jenny and Jenn call Michele and Missy. Neither answer. Missy calls back. There's a moment of hesitation on her end of the line when she is told to bring pajamas for the shoot. Jenny and Jenn explain the rationale. Michele, who is working, is texted.
8:45 Chad calls the team's editor (Todd Smith) and his wife, Julie, to let them know what's going on. It has been decided that they will both be used in the project, but the extent isn't known. It is decided that Todd should probably be kept as fresh as possible for the upcoming grueling task of editing, therefore the couple should get some sleep tonight.
8:50 Chad, Doug, Luke, and Brandon sit down to continue writing the script. Talk of utilizing a security camera as a plot element shifts to talk of a camera pen instead. A time of 11pm for the actors to arrive at Luke's house is set. The script has to be finished by then. The middle part is proving to be a bit tricky. Things are coming together, just not fast enough.
8:55 Character names are thrown out. Rachel for Missy. Sam for Michele? Don't know. How 'bout Kat. Good enough. Let's go with it.
9:03 It is decided the film will be a romantic comedy dealing with mistaken identity. Therefore double entendres are a necessity. As ideas are shouted out, it gets very dirty for the next 15 minutes. The good ones are kept.
9:24 A wall is hit. How to manipulate character change in 3/4 page of dialogue is debated. The team can't get past this. The last existing line written on Chad's computer—"Well, I'd prefer something a little earlier. Maybe you could stay for breakfast this time."—is read aloud 77 times in the next 30 minutes. Forward movement has completely stopped.
9:45 Missy is on her way. Still no word from Michele. At Jenn's prompting, it is decided to double-check the number Chad said was Michele's. It's the wrong one. New calls are made. Michele is contacted.
10:04 Missy arrives. Jenny and Jenn begin going over the wardrobe with her. Coffee is made and drunk.
11:00 The script isn't finished yet. Continue working.
11:22 Michele arrives.
11:31 With the actors waiting in the next room, everyone gets a bit antsy and frustrated.
11:34 Todd and Julie are informed they won't be needed until tomorrow.
11:48 Jenn suggests that she and Jenny take Missy and Michele to Jenny's place in the Encore Condominiums and start prepping the sets.
11:55 Luke suggests that writing be continued at the Encore.
11:56 Chad and Doug say they can't work without a script, let alone a storyboard.
11:57 Luke suggests again.
11:58 Chad and Doug give in.
Saturday - July 19th - 2008
12:13 AM Luke's house is vacated and everyone makes their way to the Encore.
12:31 Arrive at Encore. It is debated whether to risk parking close, in a lot, and potentially be towed, or to park farther away, safely. Given the amount of equipment in tow, the lot is chosen.
12:37 The team makes their way upstairs. It is decided that a writing session involving some female perspective might be needed.
12:39 Chad walks Missy and Michele through the story. Motivation, characters, character change, specific lines are discussed. Sections are dropped. Sections are added. The middle section of the script gets close enough. Chad roughs the ending based on what has been decided before.
1:10 A scene taking place in the Encore foyer is the the first scene in the script, and it is decided that this should also be shot first.
1:12 Jenny returns from having secured Lance the concierge as the fourth and final actor. He will be playing Lance the concierge.
1:14 Everyone moves downstairs. Brandon is sent out for props. Chad asks Brandon how much money he'll need. Brandon says $30. Chad gives him $60.
1:17 Having had no time to actually work with any of the rented equipment, the team begins to learn how everything works.
1:27 Chad asks Luke if he brought a small dry erase board Luke had said could be used as a slate to mark scenes and takes. Luke returns with something roughly 4'x2' in size. There is much laughter. Chad uses the 4'x2' slate.
1:43 It is decided that Missy and Lance will improv their lines. They walk through the scene a couple of times for camera and lighting.
1:50 Chad notices that there is soft, Muzak-style music playing in the Encore foyer. It is determined that although "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is a great song, the team can probably not afford the licensing fee. Lance turns off the music.
1:52 Doug realizes there is no miniDV tape in the camera. All tapes are up in Jenny's condo. Doug borrows the key, rushes to the elevators, and finds one open and waiting. He steps inside, hits "2" while waving the security card, and waits. After about 15 seconds he realizes the elevator is out of service.
1:59 Doug returns with a miniDV tape and an extra extension cord.
2:02 First shot.
Labels: 48 Hour Film Project, Ellen's Diner, the nashville 9
posted by The Nashville 9 at
6:58 PM
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