The Mill

Whoa! I've been busy shooting, shooting, compositing, editing and shooting.

Yesterday I was out doing some location shots... at the Pub! It's a hard life isn't it, I may use that as an excuse in future, "Just going to do some location shots, back in two hours". Glug, glug, glug.

Now, here's a trick. When you're a one person shooting team and you have no actors, lights, or other filming equipment that will disrupt someones business, just turn up and trust your charm and luck. I started with the outside shots, without announcing myself, and gradually worked from the long shots to the close-ups and cut aways. That way, by the time one of the employees came out with, "Who are you and why are you filming our Pub?", I had already finished the outside shooting. If they told me to take a hike I'd already done half the work and hadn't wasted my time. Then, in my sweetest but professional manner, I explained the concept of the film festival and asked to speak to the manager about getting some shots of 'beer taps'. Luckily the manager was totally cool and after explaining the exact shots I needed, a little more than beer taps, she kicked the two alcoholics out of the front bar and I had free reign of the pub for a half hour. Lucky! Another location shoot done and in under an hour.

The rest of the day was spent shooting, shooting, compositing, editing and shooting. On what? Well, here's an example. I had to include a pontoon from a local river in the film (guidelines) so I've turned it into a sky elevator.



Anyway, I've got my actors coming into town this weekend for my blue screen session and a lot of friends who are going to be extras will be turning up as well. Fun! Fun! Catch you all soon, only two and a half weeks left til deadline.