Fools by Martin Walker

Monday, August 25, 2008

Craziness and Magic

So we wrapped production on Love 10 to 1 yesterday.   What a ride.   I had two days left to shoot in my story--two of the more challenging days because I had a surprise birthday party scene (i.e., need extras again) and scenes to be shot at a retirement home (i.e., need extras again, but this time, elderly extras).   So we start with Saturday.

Oops, let's back up for a second.  The night before (Friday eve), I realized (at 11pm) that my new MacBook Pro doesn't have the slot that would fit the P2 cards.  Which means that we had no way of downloading the footage recorded on the P2.  I frantically called Lucy, but she didn't pick up.  I sent an email to 2 other friends who either had an older Mac or was a tech genius and could possibly help me.   Said friend with older Mac (which had the slot for P2 card) couldn't part with her Mac laptop for the weekend, but said she would come later in Sat. afternoon to help.  Tech genius suggested I look for the adaptor to fit the P2 cards.  

Day of production: Saturday.  We arrive and set up.  Lucy is now calling around to see if she knew anyone with the adaptor and/or older Mac laptop.  Meanwhile, she was also tasked with set dressing.  Lisa, my wonderfully supportive friend and roommate, was the other set dresser, along with craft services, legal coordinator (get all the releases together), and designated house-watcher.   We had use of a house for this one day, and we were going to dress 4 rooms, including a surprise birthday party scene.  

Somewhere along the way, the two resident dogs of said house (Haku and Kuma--I love you!!!) wandered off and ran outside, since we had left the gates opened to load stuff.    Owner of said house inquired about the whereabouts of said dogs, at which point, we all FREAKED.   He ran outside and saw Kuma crossing the street, that being Crescent Heights Boulevard, a very busy street.  Amazingly, having crossed the street not once but TWICE, Kuma was safe.  OMGx100! 

Despite the chaos, we got some really great shots.  Emily Kuroda was so fantastic as Ma that we were ahead of schedule since very few takes were needed.   Shireen was awesome as usual.  We were moving along.

Then the "extras" started to arrive (i.e., my awesome brother, 2 brother in laws, one cousin, and friends) as well as Art, Cazzy, Ashley and Jesse (they play Jenny's friends).  So, we decided to shoot the extras first.  There were lots of moments of people yelling "SURPRISE!"  Even today, "SURPRISE!" is still ringing in my head.  I never want to hear that word ever again.

So back to P2.   Aside: we had rented the P2 store for the day but the software didn't load.  The instruction manual said that the software doesn't work with the new Intel-based based Macs.  WTF???!!!  Fortunately, friend with laptop arrived and helped us download footage for the day.  Unfortunately, she could not help us for Sunday.  So, we were back to the question of how can we download our footage?
   
All in all, we got some great shots, and there were enough extras to not make the scene look retarded.  

SUNDAY:  The retirement home THROWDOWN...to be continued...
  


  


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About The Three Shorts

Christine Le wrote and directed the 1st story Love 10 to 1.
The first story explores the life of a 29-year-old virgin, Jenny, who desperately wants to lose her virginity before her 30th birthday. As she encounters one loser after another on dates, Jenny pines after her boss, Dustin. While at her grandmother’s retirement home, Jenny learns a powerful lesson from her grandmother about sex and the meaning of life.


Christine Le (right) directs Shireen Nomura Mui (Jenny) & Justin Klosky (Jim).

Lucy Rodriguez wrote and directed Love Song.
The second story revolves around Shane, the lead singer of the L.A. rock band, Dirty Virgin. Shane has her pick of admirers but it’s her roommate Dustin she wants to be with. Shane confesses her feelings on Jackie and Jared’s show but when Dustin meets Cali, Shane’s shot at love starts to dwindle. With Dirty Virgin about to embark on a world tour, will Dustin realize that he’s the object of Shane’s affections? Will they risk their friendship to give this Love Song a chance?


Lucy Rodriguez & David Villar (Dustin)

Laura Somers wrote and directed Diving Lessons.
The final story picks up where Love 10 to 1 left off, but from the perspective of Jim, the guitarist of Dirty Virgin. Jim sees Jenny at a swimming pool, trying desperately to overcome her fear of diving. In fact, he finds out that she’s making a list of everything that she’s afraid of and trying to overcome them, one by one. He is instantly smitten and tries to convince her that he’s not just a rock star who ‘loves ‘em and leaves ‘em’. Can a rock star find love with a virgin?


Shireen Nomura-Mui, Laura Somers & Justin Klosky




Leah Anova is the Director of Photography for Love 10 to 1 & Diving Lessons.

Additional Cinematography on Diving Lessons by Erik Forsell

Matthew Boyd is the Director of Photography for Love Song.