London thusfar

The job hunt bore fruit with contacting a recruitment agency, and getting placed in a temp role the day after the interview. I have work for the next 4 weeks. Yay! Now I just need to focus on finding a room (I’m using Spareroom.co.uk and Gumtree) and the full-time job (or paid film work).

I was a Production Runner on a promo for a web series called PAs last weekend. It was a good crew, and I found I was useful on set. I helped the Gaffer with the Lighting and the Art Director setting up. I’m shooting a trailer on Sunday with MI6 Productions.

Here are my thoughts on London thusfar:

  • There are quite a few streets that don’t have street signs. When you’re lost and are looking for a specific street, it can be really confusing. I’m looking all over the buildings and footpaths at an intersection, and I can see one street sign, but not the other.
  • While I’m at it, quite a few stores won’t have their street number. So if you’re walking along, say, Oxford Street, and are looking for a specific number, it’s difficult. I suggest looking on Google Maps first, getting a street view, and working out the shops on either side of where you’re going.
  • Keep to the right or keep to the left? It changes. In some tube stations, there are signs saying keep right, in others keep left. Follow the signs, but seriously, some consistency please!
  • I’ve decided that I like the West End, near Covent Garden. I’ve been to a few seminars at the London Film School there, and have discovered nice areas like Neal’s Place. Today I saw Rupert Everitt in Fopps, a CD/DVD store – incidentally where I saw Mike Leigh when I was visiting London last year. It’s a nice area. I’m still working out the area from Oxford and Regent Street to Charing Cross and Covent Garden, and have done a fair bit of walking round there (see below for the story).

Continue reading “London thusfar”

Fundraising for ‘A Party For Me’

Ladies and Gentleman,

We are fundraising to cover costs for A Party For Me, and would appreciate your support. 

Please follow this link to PledgeMe: https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/Crowd/Details/60

PledgeMe is a New Zealand crowdfunding site. For those who are unfamiliar with crowdfunding, to donate you pledge an amount and provide your credit card details (the site is 100% legit and safe if you have any concerns). If the project is pledged the full amount, then the amount you pledged comes off your credit card. If it does not reach its target by the deadline, then no charge is made to your credit card. $270 is the minimum we need to raise; we can exceed the target.

We are asking for $270. That is to cover the costs incurred by make-up and wardrobe, who created the look for our nine undead characters. It will also go towards the costs of hiring equipment, such as a smoke machine, lenses, and lights.

Continue reading “Fundraising for ‘A Party For Me’”

LONDON

London I’ve made it to London!

I’ve been here for nearly two weeks now. The job hunt has been taking up the bulk of my time (both for a role in Administration and Film work). The rest of it has been taken up by catching up with friends, exploring, and reading on the tube.

Last week I was a Production Runner for Televideo for the British Swimming Olympic Time Trials. The races were broadcast live on BBC Red Spot. It was my first involvement with live television broadcast, and I learnt a lot. I even did the sound mixing on some of the races.

I have a camera assistant role on a short film today. I have a meeting for another short film tomorrow. And I may be shooting a third short film later this week.

All in all, I’m keeping busy.

Rural Victoria

On my way to London, I spent a week in Victoria. I went out to Rural Victoria to visit a friend. On the way home, I shot and recorded this video.

It is the first of many of these that I am making. What I do is take photographs of a location, and then record the ambient sound of that location. Hopefully you can better experience where I was.

Please to enjoy

I’m leaving on a jet plane

Just a quick note to say that I’m moving to the UK. Tomorrow. No, hang on, it’s nearly 5am, and I’m flying out today. I’m moving today.

Spose I should start packing then.

In addition for preparing to leave and finishing up at work, I produced two short films: ‘Copper’, (21/22 and 28/29 January 2012), and ‘A Party For Me’, (4/5/6 February). It’s been a crazy busy time (which is usual for me). I’m looking forward to the ‘whoomph’ when I’m on the plane and have the chance to relax.

So, to all the people that I’ve known in Wellington: so long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, adieu. And come visit me in the UK.

One film down, one to go

We wrapped on shooting ‘Copper’ yesterday. Four days of intense shooting are being edited into a really cool little film, which I can’t wait to share with the world. Special thanks to Jack O’Donnell for directing  – film number 10!

We’re shooting ‘A Party For Me’ this weekend. I’m heavy in pre-production with the director, Amy Brosnahan.

Costume Designer required for short film

I’ve just placed a Crew Call for a Costume Designer on The Big Idea and StarNow.

Copper is the story of a deaf boy whose world is changed when he meets a Living Statue. This ten-minute short is the next film from film and theatre director Jack O’Donnell. Our aim is to create a striking visual film for submission to film festivals. The film is being shot in Wellington on 26-29 January.

The film is being done on a small budget. Unfortunately this means that we cannot pay crew (though we would love to). However we will be covering costs and will be providing catering on-set.

The Costume Designer will create the Living Statue costumes, and will be in charge of maintaining the visual aesthetic of the production in dressing the actors. The successful applicant will be able to work to a tight schedule and to budget in producing the costume; will be available for make-up/costume tests during the week of 14-20 January; will work with the Director, Director of Photography, Art Director, and Make-up Artist to create the visual look of the film.

Crew calls

I had a lovely weekend doing sound recording for a film called Mr Wilkins. I’m not sure what else I can say about the project, but can say I’ve enjoyed making the film.

This is a quick post to say that I’m incredibly busy at the moment, so apologies if you’re wanting to hear from me. I’m in heavy preproduction for two short films (Copper, directed by Jack O’Donnell, and A Party For Me, directed by Amy Brosnahan).

If you’re reading a Crew Call or Cast Call, what attracts you to a project? What dissuades you? Personally, I find poor spelling and grammar puts me off – if the crew call is in text speak, it does not bode well for the project. Does asking for enthusiastic team-players grind? Does the name of the Director or DOP help your decision? Does knowing whether you’re working with Film School graduates or the budget of the film actually help? What about asking for professional and experienced crew to work unpaid on a no-budget shoot? Or do people not look at crew calls anymore, preferring to work with filmmakers they know?

Script Breakdowns

Getting into pre-production mode means breaking down the film. It also means, for me, doing online reading from film blogs, to get me into the zone and give me useful tips.

Here are a few links that I’m going to check out when I get the chance.

New Year Film Projects

I am currently working on three short film projects. In January, I’m doing the sound recording for ‘Mr Wilkins’, a short film written, directed, and produced by Maya Hammarsal. It is the one of the best produced films I have ever been involved in.

I am producing ‘Copper’, a short film directed by Jack O’Donnell, and am helping in pre-production for another short film (more details to come). Both films are low- to no-budget projects shooting in Wellington.

We are currently looking for crew. Flick me a message if you want to remind me that you’re crew and awesome.