After I checked that all my actors were on their way and that all my equipment was in order, I headed on over to the office with my 18 year old amigo to get the keys to the location, expecting an easy-breezy filming process. Unfortunately, the new manager in my neighborhood wasn't aware of my filming plans and the lady at the front office who I did speak to, numerous times, stated that it was out of her hands; she apologized and told me that the manager wouldn't allow me to film unless I had an adult adult who leased a complex to accompany me. Ugh.
With all the adults busy at work and some of my actors beginning to file in, I decided that I had to make a quick decision to change the location to my friends' house nearby who said that she wouldn't mind if I used it as my 70s disco location (hallelujah.) I informed all actors about the change in location and things were beginning to turn up!! After about an hour of set decoration and getting costume/makeup together, filming began.
The other big change that was made during filming was the role of Thelonious. The day before filming the original actor I had planned to play the main antagonist informed me that they would have to leave early during filming. In order to solve this problem I decided that recasting the role was the only way to go so I asked my dear friend Cassie if she could step in to play it instead. Although I had originally envisioned Thelonious as a male character, kind of the cliché "pimp/suave gangster" that is seen is Blaxploitation, I decided that by changing the antagonist to be an opposing, "bad ass" female, it could create an interesting character dynamic, thus making my plot more interesting.
Also, due to time restraints and everything falling apart at the last minute, had to change one of my favorite things about the opening! Because I hadn't tested the dolly shot before hand things kind of fell a part on the day of the shoot. I had the skateboard and the tripod ready, however I didn't realize how dangerous it would be for Mina if she had to balance on the skateboard and share the room on the board with a camera/tripod. Because of this I had to make a quick decision to instead to do something similar by having my trusty assistants pull Mina away from me on the skateboard while I zoomed into her face with the camera. Although it wasn't what I had planned, I think the shot still feels incredibly dramatic and that it coincides with my major themes.
Now that I am looking over the footage, I do think that the changes set me back, but I am still extremely excited with some of the shots I got and I cannot wait to start editing!!
stay cool, kmp
With all the adults busy at work and some of my actors beginning to file in, I decided that I had to make a quick decision to change the location to my friends' house nearby who said that she wouldn't mind if I used it as my 70s disco location (hallelujah.) I informed all actors about the change in location and things were beginning to turn up!! After about an hour of set decoration and getting costume/makeup together, filming began.
The other big change that was made during filming was the role of Thelonious. The day before filming the original actor I had planned to play the main antagonist informed me that they would have to leave early during filming. In order to solve this problem I decided that recasting the role was the only way to go so I asked my dear friend Cassie if she could step in to play it instead. Although I had originally envisioned Thelonious as a male character, kind of the cliché "pimp/suave gangster" that is seen is Blaxploitation, I decided that by changing the antagonist to be an opposing, "bad ass" female, it could create an interesting character dynamic, thus making my plot more interesting.
Also, due to time restraints and everything falling apart at the last minute, had to change one of my favorite things about the opening! Because I hadn't tested the dolly shot before hand things kind of fell a part on the day of the shoot. I had the skateboard and the tripod ready, however I didn't realize how dangerous it would be for Mina if she had to balance on the skateboard and share the room on the board with a camera/tripod. Because of this I had to make a quick decision to instead to do something similar by having my trusty assistants pull Mina away from me on the skateboard while I zoomed into her face with the camera. Although it wasn't what I had planned, I think the shot still feels incredibly dramatic and that it coincides with my major themes.
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| Still from editing featuring new actress Cassie as Theo! |
Now that I am looking over the footage, I do think that the changes set me back, but I am still extremely excited with some of the shots I got and I cannot wait to start editing!!
stay cool, kmp
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