Catch the Cloth

For the film I had a particular style.  I wanted a vintage feel from top to bottom.  I dipped my hands in almost every element of the design, especially the clothes.  For my film, I did my own styling.  I wanted dresses.  Not only because I love dresses, but I wanted Azra to have Vintage, delicate element to her.  I chose to go on the vintage side because of who Azra’s character is.  She’s not a modern girl.  She’s stuck in her own time, her own world, not influenced by society, but yet she’s a fragile creature.  I had for outfits for Azra, each were picked very carefully each with it’s own significance.  All of the dresses were purchased at Forever 21, shoes & tights at Target, everything else was my own.

Click here for a better look at the blue DRESS

Yes I gave all of the dresses to my actress, except for one.

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Dead & Alive

For 3 out of our 7 shoot dates, the crew and cast set out to shoot at a location that, I’m pretty positive nobody ever thought they would shoot at.  What was it?  It was a mortuary, McNary-Morgan-Greene & Jackson Mortuary, in Oakland, CA.

Days prior to the initial mortuary shoots, myself, Director of Photography, Nico Van den Berg, and Co-Producer Matt West, went to the location to scout things out.  Let’s just say, Nico and myself, left that day with an unsettling feel.   The reality of the situation kicked in.  We were going to be shooting at a Mortuary, a Mortuary with bodies of the deceased.  We were shown the embalming room that day,  although we loved the look of the location, we were not expecting to see actual bodies in there.  We were definitely taken back by what we saw, but we had to make do.

I spent the next couple of days trying to prepare myself for the weekends shoot.  Secretly, part of why I wrote this movie was to ease my fear about death, and seeing bodies.  Being in a mortuary, and in their embalming room definitely helped.  It was kind of like getting thrown into the middle of the pool as a kid.  You just have to suck it up and swim.

I do have to say, that I am completely impressed with how the whole crew handled the situation.  Everybody was very respectful, with little to no complaints about shooting in the embalming room.  And trust me, the bodies weren’t only in the embalming room, they were in the chapels, in other rooms, etc.  The funeral director even had our actor, John Steen, help in rolling out a body.  Hey, it was great practice for his role!

It was such a unique experience for everybody, that it was almost unbelievable, what we were doing.  All three shoots went great.  It’s scary how smooth everything actually went.  The mortuary owners were nothing but nice to us.  We pretty much were the only people in the Mortuary for three days. What an ideal shooting location?

We shot anywhere, had full use of their facilities, their “props” (not props for them, but were props for us that added to the realistic feel of the set).

The result: eerie, poetic, and beautiful.  All the nerves, sleepless nights were well worth it.  Everything turned out more amazing than I could have expected.

Don’t forget to like the film on Facebook!

Rain or Shine

For our Chinatown, Chinese New Years shoot, a high budget Hollywood film would have consisted of:

Blocking off streets
Hireing extras
Renting a rain machine
Recreating a parade
And even building a set.

We did the complete opposite, and all for FREE!  Well not for free but you get where I’m going.

This first weekend of shooting was logistically the hardest and most nerve wracking shoot of the whole production.  Mainly because we were shooting in several locations that we had no control of, and technically did not have permission to shoot on, but, and that is a HUGE BUT, everything pretty much went off smoothy and perfectly!

I could not have asked for a better situation, a better crew, and better actors!  I spent months, trying to prepare ourselves for this shoot.  It was a one day shoot that needed to be filmed that night and ONLY that night.  So how did we prepare to assure that a crew of 13, 2 actors, and 4 cameras were to go out that night comfortably and without a hitch? Well my secret for that night was Socks, Trash bags, Sandwiches, and great spirits.  You heard me, socks AND trash bags!  Why you ask?  Well my crew was going out in the freezing rainy cold to shoot something for my project, so of course I had to provide them a fresh clean pair of socks just in case they needed an extra boost of comfort.

Our camera department, skillfully suited up the nights equipment with gaff tape and trash bags!  Of course we had warm sandwiches from Taco’s Sandwiches to fill their bellies and give them energy for the night.  My mother would be proud of the preparation for that nights events.

We headed out an hour later than planned, but everything from there was magic.  The rain stopped.  Streets were blocked, and no hassle from the cops or people (with exception from some rowdy kids).  Everything looks so real, it looks fake!  My DP Nico van den Berg, also wrote a blog about that nights events, you can read it here.  The last shot of the night was what he called “The $100,000″ shot.  Who would’ve thought $200 (to rent the LosMandy Portajib), a little rain, and the most amazing Director of Photography (Nico van den Berg), would have gotten us a $100,000 shot? If I wasn’t so wet and tired the whole weekend, I would’ve cried for 3 days straight because of how beautiful everything turned out.

Ok enough blabbering.  Here are some amazing photos of the nights events!

AND PLEASE PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO BECOME A FAN OF CATCH THE CLOCK ON FACEBOOK! CLICK HERE AND PRESS “LIKE” AND “SHARE” (ON THE BOTTOM LEFT).

The more fan we get the more behind the scenes we release.

Welcome to the spotlight

So here I am, Friday night.  What do you suppose I’m doing?  Well, I’m preparing to step into the spotlight.  No I’m not about to step onto the stage to perform a gracious dance, nor am I setting up to sing my little heart out.  I am however, making a movie.   Yup, the time has finally come.  Our very first shoot date is in less than 24 hours.  How am I doing you may ask?  I’m not really sure.  The exhaustion seems to have finally taken over.  I’ve sat in my room, trying to put everything together to make sure we have everything for the weekends shoot.  I’ve sat in front of my computer making documents, excel spreadsheets, emails, everything to make sure we are organized.  Now all that’s left to do is sleep!  I can’t even seem to do that.  I just want to check and keep checking everything until I know it’s set.  I’ve been doing this for the past two days and I can honestly say I feel as prepared as I should be.  Don’t get me wrong, I love love love pre-production.  It’s my speciality.  I love documents, paperwork, and the running around that comes before a shoot, but yet I still get anxious. I guess that knot in my gut won’t go away until I scream “Action!”

 

I’ve also built up  a tiny superstition.  I found these Clock earrings, and feel the need to wear them everyday that I do something involving my film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s to a great weekend of shooting (hopefully NOT in the rain!)

 

Dont forget to “Like”, Catch the Clock on Facebook as well.

Countdown

COUNTDOWN:  4 more days until Catch the Clock‘s first shoot date.

So here’s a couple words giving a sneak peak of what our first weekend of shooting consists of:

Still confused?  Ok, fine I’ll explain.  Our first shoot will take place on Saturday the 19th, the night of the Chinese New Years Parade.  Lights, color, life!  This scene is the turning point for the main character, AZRA.  This is where she comes to life, and what better setting than Chinatown during the Chinese New Year Celebrations.  I’m actually extremely excited and frightened about this shoot.  There will be four cameras out that night.  I want it to be raw and natural.  I’ll be sending out my 2 actors to roam around the city and enjoy the nights festivities.

The location for the next day is also an odd one, but I chose to shoot there because it is one of my favorite spots in the city.  I’ve chosen not to spill the name of this location for several reasons.  Instead I will leave you with pictures taken by my Cinematographer for the film Nico Van den Berg.

Catch the Clock

Entrance Way

You know what, now that I think about it, ALL of my locations are unusual ones.  The rest of the film takes place in these locations:

1. An Apartment (ya I know normal)
2. Farmer’s Market
3. Antique Shop (Which by the way we still need one, so help?)
4. A funeral home

Yes, a funeral home.  I said it, we’re gonna go all My Girl on this film.  Minus Macaulay of course.  Seeing as how Azra, is an undertaker, I felt it was appropriate to make this film as realistic as possible.  We’ve been searching for a Mortuary since last December and we finally snagged one, a huge thank you to McNary-Morgan-Greene & Jackson Mortuary.  What’s more amazing than these people actually allowing us to film in their mortuary, is the fact that little details that I wrote into my script describing the location, is actually seen at the location.  I’ll stop talking now and give you guys a little glimpse of the Mortuary.

Alright thats.  Make sure you “Like” the Catch the Clock Facebook page! I know you have a Facebook,  and you’re probably going to look at it after you’re done reading this.  You probably found this link ON facebook.  So please “Like” and share with your friends.

Catch the Clock

Sutro Heights Park

So, I’ve talked about it before, my main purpose for this blog was to introduce the world to my Senior Thesis film titled, Catch the Clock, but yet I’ve been hesitant to actually tell the world what this film is.  Well here it goes:

Catch the Clock
Offbeat and introverted, Azra has been surrounded by death her whole life. It has led her into the undertaker business, interacting with the dead more often then with the living. She is taught how to live with the living after she meets Trevor Yao, a Chinese American man who comes to the funeral home with his grandparents.

Azra has spent her whole life surrounded by death. Because of this, she has found a morbid comfort in her career as a mortician. Her job has become her art, making the dead look their best. Her work has made her introverted and socially awkward. Azra speaks volumes with her body language rather than with her words.

When I think about it, I am not really sure how the script came about.  I had an idea here and there, but one day it just happened.  As I stated in a previous post (“Moving Pictures”), this began through a photo, but my original concept that I had began with, seems rather opposite of what I have now.  It went from a quirky romantic comedy, to a life story about death.

People always told me to, “write what I know”, but for my senior thesis, I chose to write what I don’t know.  Death has always been something that intrigued me, something that left me curious.  However, I have been fortunate enough to not have to experience death in my life.  By making this film I am allowing myself to live a life that I have not yet experienced.  It is not an alternate universe with robots, and flying saucers, it is someone else’s life.  Movies are meant to give the viewer a perception of fantasy.    My film is a reality that most do not experience.  It’s not about sharing the same occupation as Azra, it’s about experiencing that moment.   The moment that everyone experiences, that causes their life to change.  It brings them to life.  It can be an event, a person, or even an object.  For Azra, it’s the one thing that forced her to be the way she is, it is death, that brings her back to life.

What I’ve learned through this process, and many discussions with other people is that I actually did write what I know.  As a matter of fact, Azra is more like myself, more like all of us, than I thought.  The reason why I was able to write Azra, and to create a whole new life for her, was because I incorporated a part of myself into her character.  Her objective for this film is to understand life and death, but in the end, isn’t that what we are all doing?

saved by the what?

Right now I feel like I’m in an episode of Saved By the Bell.  More specifically the episode where Jessie Spano becomes overwhelmed with life and starts taking caffeine pills to help her catch up.  Except I’m not taking pills.

Refer to this:

Ya it’s hilarious and depressing all at the same time.  Good thing I have a Zac Morris to help stop me from freaking out and resorting to caffeine pills (I’ve taken up attempting to cook instead).

But Before I go on with my ranting, I have to say that I feel guilty for neglecting this blog, and ignoring my plans and goals!   My last post was November?!  I mean come on Jaena!  Get yourself together.

With that said,  so what happens when everything you’ve planned for seems to crumble right in front of your eyes?  Well, you grab a broom and clean up the mess.  Imagine, the actor you’ve wanted, and visioned for the role in your film isn’t able to do it, and now you have have to set your production back and find another leading man.

That is what I am going through right now with my senior thesis film.  I thought planning ahead starting pre-production early would set me to smooth sailing, but I was wrong.  Once I was informed that my perfect main actor couldn’t take on the role, I was devastated.  I pouted, I sulked, I was sad and heart broken, but the show must go on.  Thank God I have a strong back bone of producers and friends to make sure I don’t pull a Britney and shave all my hair off in a state of panic.

Since my mini meltdown a couple of weeks ago, we have held casting calls, and done more locations, as well as other productive tasks that  are all jumbled in my head.  Yes I still have mini meltdowns and anxiety attacks every other day, but hey at least they are not as bad as good ‘ol Jessie Spano’s.  Oh how it hurts to be an over achiever perfectionist.  It’s ok Jessie Spano, at least you guys left us with a motivating music video to accompany your breakdown.  I guess in the end, everything will work out.  I just have to remember to remind myself that constantly, and also to remember to “GO FOR IT!”

 

Now that casting is done, on to

Location Scouting
Production Design
Styling
Meetings
Meetings
Meetings

Less than one month until our first shoot date.  ahhhhh!

Let’s get the show on the road!

I feel like I’ve spent so much time producing, and working on other people’s projects that it has become quite hard for me to actually work and focus on my own work for once.  It’s finally time for me to go full force into my Senior Thesis.  I admit,  I AM COMPLETELY TERRIFIED.  You would think by now, with all the productions under my belt, that mine would be like riding a bike to me.  WRONG, it’s the complete opposite.  The more I work on it, the more I think about it, the more my bones begin to shake.

I’ve been questioning a solution for this problem of mine.  The problem which consists of two things:

1.  How do I stop from going into full anxiety mode over my film?
2.  How do I let go of control that I’m so used to having?

For my film, titled, Catch the Clock, I have taken on the role of Director, Writer, and “Producer”. Producer is in quotations because I still can’t seem to let go of this role, and hand it off to those who are actually producing my film.  If it were up to me I’d be DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER, PRODUCTION DESIGNER, PRODUCTION MANAGER, etc.  Control freak much?  Sigh.

Well, what I’ve been quickly learning, and have been hearing from several people is to NOT PRODUCE AND DIRECT MY OWN FILM.  Even though I do somewhat believe that I am a robot, and convince myself everyday that I can do everything for my film, I really can’t.  When it comes down to it, my main job is the director.  I need to do just that, DIRECT.  Which brings me to my other point and passed off advice,  have people on my crew who fully support me, and most of all believe and know my film like the back of their hands.  I can firmly say, that I have the best people working with me.  I have a hand picked crew, who were my first picks, even though my indecisive mind made me list pros and cons for every singe crew member on board (and those who I have yet to ask).  I have chosen individuals who I know I can trust, and that I can push around when things need to get done, and at the same time push me around and force me to let go of some of my control.

Goal for myself (that all of you reading can help me cope with):

1.  Let go of control.
2. Don’t be afraid to discuss my film, this means finally posting details on this blog, and talking to others about the project.  I mean this blog is for the project.  I just have to realize that I can’t be scared to share my story with people.  It doesn’t matter if everybody doesn’t like it, all that matters is that I love it, and I believe in it (but it would be nice if everybody liked it too ).  Damn these human complexes.

Alright, so one accomplish goals, and FINALLY share Catch the Clock with the world.

In the meantime, please check out the amazing new film I am producing titled NUCLEAR FAMILY directed by Dominic Mercurio.  Make sure you click on the Nuclear Family Facebook page and LIKE and SHARE (on the bottom left of the page)!

Here’s a little teaser for you guys:

“Nuclear Family” Behind The Scenes Promo 1 from Dominic Mercurio on Vimeo.

Ode to Motivation

7 months…

7 classes…

2 quarters…

1 senior thesis film…

That is what is left of my college career.  It’s amazing to think that 2 years ago I still had…2 years to go. I was terrified, and back then 2 years ago seemed like the longest time ever. But I do have to admit the past two years here in San Francisco,  at school have been some of the best of my life.

It was about becoming my own and pursuing myself for a change.  I’m not going to lie, although this was some of the best times, these were also the most challenging.  I’ve often felt like quitting and hiding in a corner.  If it wasn’t for my own fear of disappointment I would not be where I am now.  It isn’t only disappointment with myself, but for everybody around me too, everybody who has put so much into making sure I succeed.

My mom has been my biggest fan. Although I’m really hesitant at times to share the work I’ve done at school, she still pushes me and motivates me to work even harder.  I have to say my mom is the best publicist.  I’ve heard news about myself from other people before I find out on my own! She’s constantly sharing my work with others, even though she may not know what the subject matter is, or doesn’t exactly get the humor.  She goes to the end of the earth to support what I do, even when that meant opening up her home to 15 guys she’s never met, and catering them for three days straight!

The next 7 months are going to be some of the toughest in my life, but knowing I have a such a strong support system will help ease the pain.

So thanks Mom, for everything and more.

John Steen

As a student filmmaker, I have to say I have been extremely fortunate enough to work with some amazing and respectful actors in the Bay Area.  It always seems actors are a little bit skeptical when I put up a casting call.  They immediately see “Student” and run away screaming.  But there are the very few who have jumped on the opportunity, and we definitely appreciate them for doing so.

My most recent endeavor with working with an actor is in the short film, Decomposing Wayne, directed by Matt West.  I had the pleasure of working with an amazing crew, and cast.  The film stars John Steen, with Zach Hensler, and Molly Gazay.

For this blog entry I want to highly commend Mr. John Steen.

I do have to admit, that when we first started working with him, through rehearsals and finally shooting, we thought that he didn’t like us!  He would converse with us, but remained quiet and to himself for the most part.  We quickly realized that it wasn’t because he didn’t like us, it was that he was completely enthralled in the role of Andrew Mueller.  He became Andrew Mueller.  We all gazed at him in sheer awe.  Each take was flawless.

John Steen and Director of Photography Matt Rome

Even when our shoot moved to the desert, in the freezing windy cold, he nailed every shot.  John became one of us even though we were putting him in the most undesirable conditions.  He joked around with us, with my mom, and even suggested that we play a trick on the director Matt West causing Matt to run away and hide behind our camera team (sorry Matt! Too too funny.)

John it was a pleasure to work with you.  Even when we got the opportunity to chit chat and relax after the pre-screening, I was still in complete and utter awe of your talent, and how much time and effort you put forth for the role of Andrew Mueller.

You are an amazing actor, the gun scene in Decomposing Wayne gives me chills EVERY SINGLE TIME.  I would love to work with you once again, and I encourage any filmmakers to work with John if they had an opportunity.

Myself, Associate Producer Donnie McCormick, Director Matt West, and Actor John Steen

MUELLER MUELLER MUELLER!

check out John Steen at JohnSteen.com
or follow him on Twitter.com/JohnSteen