Last Goodbyes...

Just saying Goodbye one more time...

Even though school's finished, it's still the same week.

Gives me a chance to tell you how the extra shooting went this weekend....I managed to shoot in a Greenscreen Studio, and got shots of the toys playing cards. Some interesting angles come about when using small inanimate objects. That would be an interesting idea to incorporate into the people shots (which would have to by now be in 3D Animation)....

Anyway, I still have the small FUJI (waterproof) Camera that will be good for any final pick-ups during the week, as well as Titles & End Credit fillers. Wish I'd collected more Bloopers & Interview grabs though....

Hope everyone else's year in wrapping up well....don't forget Christmas is round the corner....

Happy Hols, & good Luck with your future prospects....

Alexandra :)

finishing School.....

So it's the end of the year.....gee it went a bit quickly didn't it....

Now suddenly, I have to actually finish my Film....! It's all a bit sudden I reckon...

I put some more photos up on my site, and they're shared online, so have fun looking around for them....

I'm thinking that there's still much more content to put up, and other things that can be said, so I plan on starting a new Blogger, which can then talk about other future prospects over the Summer, and any potential Festivals....I'll also let you know how the Film turns out in the end...

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed reading this Blogger, and perhaps we'll see each other round the block...(or the net)....

Have a good holiday everyone, and possibly see you on Campus again next year....

Alexandra :)

Wrapping it up....

Hello All,
Things have to start wrapping up...I tell you it's a bit hard when you think about it, I mean simply making a Short Film isn't actually simple. I could really go in any Direction, which I sort of worked out in the first place, especially when the Fairytale tale idea began to gel. So, if you remember, I was thinking about several ideas running through there....so there you go, an abundance of options!
And...that's about it, (so far, for the week).....better get cracking, hey?
See-ya....Alex :)

city by Night....

Just thought I'd show you a photo of the city at night...from this strange week....!

view of the City from South Melbourne (we're pretty High up, and looks even better during the Day...)

At the time I thought I can use some of the moving footage I got for the Opening Titles, because then I can definitely use a city as part of the Animation for the Title Sequence. It would be cool to have a few steps involved in the Production Title part, as this is the main objective of the Opening Titles, isn't it?

Anyway, there's not much time left, so I better work out this video thing for the web, because it takes so long to load, I'm thinking I'm going the actual wrong way....and photos...they should be easy enough...Mainly I have to work out this short Storybook idea, that's interweaving through the scripted Film, because then I could at least lay down some Narration to follow....

Anyway, hope all your weekends are wrapping up well.....I'm feeling a bit more confident about this week, after the few days break, I guess at least I got some sleep (somewhere in between the havoc)....we'll get there....!

Cheers everyone....Alex :)

strange week...

I've had a really strange week for some reason....I had equipment booked during the week, and went to visit a friend (close-by) and for some reason 3 days pass & no one was too motivated in helping me with the equipment. I'm not sure why this strange lull happens (on what should be called 'set') when it's time for Action! (in any way....) & so I finally managed to leave Thursday morning only to come back with the Camera, got some shots when I was walking back alone, and still no one felt like shooting...

I think it's wrong, as in all the years I've worked on Film Sets etc... (docos, music vids) a few people usually get involved, and the ball gets rolling somewhere along the way...

It's good that I thought of the possibilities of making some of it Animation, early on.... it's just not good to see no Action from what Crew you thought was created...it's a bit annoying really....no one's to actually blame on 'Set' but then you would say that someone is responsible for what goes on....

Anyway, the Card-Playing Characters I've decided will be a Bunny & two Mates, and possibly consider some different Animals for the other Sub-Characters....this would make it more interesting as you can get a lot of differences in personalities because Animals compare with varying traits in the end....

I'd then relate ideas I had on Animal Kingdoms & even animal families (like the Lion King reference), which could then be related to Society & Street-Culture.... If the town exists in a reality that's kind of like a Fairytale, then somewhere within that needs to exist the ideas of Gangsters, ie: playing-cards, hanging out at night-venues (with the modern influence of Clubs & Bars*) *Bars vary through the decades, and what you'd call Underworld back in the 20's, naming Gangsters 'who played cards...' compared to those cultures now. Even the Music is different in Style, Gangsters 'who listen to rap...' & the Underworld these days is even more Gothic in nature (bringing us back to its more natural origin, the Underworld of Vampires & other Dark Beings...I guess....).

It's a bit of a complex web of ideas isn't it? But I think it's coming together in that sense, I mean it's all just Philosophy, none of it would necessarily have to be rooted into the Story as such, but if all the ideas are thought of properly, and included in the Subtext in some way, it would still shine through....

I know I've got to get more focussed on the Media, and like I've really been promising all year to show you a proper Photo folio, but I imagine you've seen most of the important elements over the months....(my guess is that this is correct & more to the point an aspect you would follow because that's where the ideas stem from).... hence I've realised how hard the Photography really is, as well as showing this online, I'd like it to correlate to an actual Folio, which I can show in 'reality'. I guess to show something like this then, online, I'd have a totally separate Web Page for it, which would have its own Links & extra Special Features...this is where I'm also thinking about, Web Pages for; the actual Film (with links to good video sites), the Production Company (independent films, animations etc), & the Film itself offers ideas like Animal Welfare (which really is an endless task as there are so many cute animals), Toys & Books (so, a lot of Merchandising, Prototypes, Games & Puzzles, and other Story streams & ideas), Fairytales & Gangster related things & media really could go on for ever....I guess that's a good thing.....

Anyway, catch up soon....
Alexandra :)

Uploaded 'Shooting Script'....

Hey,

I've uploaded the Shooting Script for "A Working Title", hopefully you can access it. I'm slowly getting the hang of all these features, but I keep getting lost because there are so many options...a bit like the Production Process of the Film....
The ideas are coming together, it's just a bit of a complex process, which surely I'll get through....

Anyway, this is just a quick hello to start this week off....I know it's already Tuesday, but there are many days still left in this week....I'd like to get a Fine Cut ready for next week, something I can pull out of the Hat! (Kidding...)

I keep promising to show you a photo album, which I will do soon, just at the moment I'm resolving the Titles....believe it or not, I had a rough cut ready, but I forgot to put the actual Titles in it! Clever me.....

Feeling a bit more positive this week, and confidence is a bit important too....
Speak to you all soon....
Alex :)

Time to take Action, (I think)...

Hi guys,
bit hot today isn't it?

I was going to do some editing today, honestly sometimes I think my life might be cursed, I keep saying I'm going to do things, but it feels like everything has to get in my way...

I'm 'sure' it has nothing to do with the Film........(I hope you know what I mean)......like people always rudely ask about it, and it seems to have everything to do with the Street, like when I walk down the Street....

Anyway, I won't annoy 'you' with the details, but the photos might take a little while longer, and if I can't get any editing done, the clips are waiting too....honestly I'm getting impatient....but maybe you know what I'm talking about...

I'll check in when I'm in a better mood...hopefully with some media!

See-ya, enjoy the sunny day, that's what I'm going to try to do....

Final Concepts & thoughts....

Hello!

Hope you're all having a good week, I'm feeling more energetic today, so I'm just trying to tie up loose ends...the Film (ideas and such) is coming along. I know that I should be bringing things to a close, but if the Animation idea does resolve, I'd say this is a simpler task, than what would be proposed using real people for the actual scene....
If you have real people playing cards seriously, through the whole Film, then the concepts would need to be much deeper, and there wouldn't even be enough time to express all this. (Perhaps that's the better idea for a Feature, that would directly reflect from the Short Film, in that way...) So, to conclude, I need to get cracking & Drawing !!!! pronto.....plus other assignments need to be handed in....

I'm sure you all have important things to do too.....won't take up too much of your time :) catch up tomorrow I guess...

Cheers Aleksandra :) :)

some PHOTOGRAPHY...

Well, hello........

I've realised that I might not want an actual extra page....I reckon the main Blogger might be better left that way...I'm definitely going to put Gadgets in, because you can keep them on the same page as all the Posts....

So I'll read up on that some more, (found heaps of ideas last week, can create linx etc...I'm sure you all know...), so I'll be putting the photos on Flickr. Flickr is good, I used it a few of years ago, but this one will be linked here....

INSTEAD....here are some more photos to look at now! Hope you all had a good weekend, ( I got to actually sleep in three times (in a row), so I'm feeling so much better!), and hopefully the weather keeps up for the next week, yeah?

Some shots of the Funky Bar... (above three)

Some more shots at St Kilda Junction (above)....I thought I could maybe Animate some of the Graffiti in some parts....I'm not sure, I guess there are lots of ideas there, just as long as they work with each other...

A new little Bunny, my friend gave me....

Obviously, the shoots are coming to a wrap too, because the school year's even ending soon, so besides getting these Animations done, I have little time to work out what else would need to be shot....it's not good to leave new shots too late, because your own brain needs rendering time too!

See-ya everyone, have a good night....!

Alex :)

Hello people !!!!

It's a beautiful weekend isn't it....? It's so sunny today, I've taken the opportunity to take some photos (for the film of course), and besides that I've been reading up on philosophy and animation techniques...yesterday I was flicking through a text book; 'Media Studies', and it has lots of points and homework I could do....it even goes into online profiling for the individual....it seems that maybe people are just interested in knowing your interests and stuff like that...it doesn't have to feel so competitive...I'm sure you know what I'm talking about....

I did some reading on what you can keep in the Blogger, and there really is an abundance of options. I'd like to set up some pages for you to look at, soon, because the year is coming to a close...I have one month left to work out what my 'film' is about....! It'll be okay, I think we all need a bit of a confidence boost, to just go out there and do it...after all you're not meant to know before-hand, what it's about, because you don't know yet....bit confusing isn't it????

Anyway, I might catch up with you tomorrow again, I realise I haven't said much this week...I'm really trying to concentrate on drawing some Animations and finalising the PreViz ideas and research notes....by the end of it all, I'd like to create different Portfolios, so I'm going to need a lot of information....

These could be Proposals, or a Manifesto (research for example), Marketing Schemes (including Merchandising), and also Photography Folios & Photo (picture) Boards; directly from the Film....

Wish me luck, and I wish you all the same, lots of Fun and enjoy the rest of this sunny weekend....

Aleksandra :)

Summer's approaching...

Hello people...
Just writing to say Hi, for the start of another week, I better get Productive, especially if I want to make Animated Characters...
That seems to be the way things are going, it would keep it simple, to then incorporate the other tales & stories. At least there is an obvious difference between the Character Arcs...so the Story should seem to stand out, having (obviously) uniform Characters, (because they're Animations).
So, this weekend I'm shooting, hopefully it's the last main Shoot, I mean I can always borrow one camera later, it's a bit different then trying to get a few things going, isn't it? I think I might also use the Sound Studio at school to record the Narration & Commentaries, then the Sound will be clean, and obviously clearer than the Sound recorded on the Camera, which also has Atmosphere in the background...
Anyway, I'll be definitely trying to get lots of photos up for you to see, during the week, so I guess I'll let you know how to access it, (when I work it out), I might even just use Flickr directly, which is also one of the options...video clips I'm still not sure about, but there would also be Posters that would related with that, so I might try that after anyway...
Cheers...Alex....have a lovely sunny week.... :)

Ideas still swimming around...

Hey,
Things are coming together, slowly,
I think there's a lot more thinking work at the moment, as I can see some of the ideas coming into fruition, however, I'm still wondering when I'm going to get a clearer picture when it comes to the 3D Animation Characters.
A cool quite I heard on TV, regarding the show "24" was something to do with Cards and playing with Fire...interesting...???
Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to create some Poster ideas I've got going in my head, I have heaps of avenues to choose from, just not sure what the core is of everything...I'm sure it's there, but I guess I'd like to be sure...
Talk to you next week, hopefully, things pick up and get more Productive....

Alex :)

It's raining...!!!!

Yeah,
so it's raining...

I thought I would take the small Canon out, which is lucky because it's actually pouring...........

I have captured some lightning-strikes, and the rain looks good when you zoom the Camera in.

Anyway, just thought I'd quickly note that, don't have much else to say actually...I don't know, I guess maybe the shoots are coming to an end...good news

Tell you what though, there's a lot to do in just Post-Production alone, lots of Compositing and such, and not to mention the 3D Animation Characters....

The idea, I think I mentioned yesterday, seems to be coming together too. Have a think about the Animation Characters doing the Scene, and the real Characters would be about Subtext then, and Metaphors.....but remembering that Daniel the Card-Player is real, (I worked that out earlier this Arvo), so who are the Animation Characters? (Do you know what I mean? Maybe we don't know them, yet!)

Anyway, hopefully the gardens are enjoying the Rain...!

Cheers, Alexandra :)

Hello!

Hi everyone,
Just checking in at school quickly, thought I would show you this awesome photo from the other night!

Great Sunset, isn't it?

I'm shooting again this week, so hopefully the weather stays fine. Tonight it's meant to storm & rain, so I might try getting some shots then too...

After having a Consultation this morning with my Post-Production teacher, I think we resolved the Animation idea. I think that the main parts should be Animation, and then from there, I would start thinking about clever moments where you might see the Character in real-life, sort of thing.

So, I'm going to sketch up some storyboards before I do this (finish it I guess), or we'll see how we go....(?)

Hope everything works out, see-ya....

Alexandra

Deadlines creeping in (time is running out)....

Hey guys,
I said I would write, (and have media up this weekend), well I thought I'd better say Hi. Stuff is mostly ready to be shown, expect honestly I'm still gathering my thoughts, ideas change pretty fast, I'm not sure what to think of everything....
Anyway, hopefully the shoot works this week, and that my Lecturer lets me present a Cut in the week after this, but it also depends on the other students I guess... The Blogger also needs to be ready, so I better get onto it... I've got a notebook / journal for 'an independent film company' as I've told you is an old idea. But if I plan on putting it online (actually) then, like, I wan't to prepare the content, and I keep putting it off and doing other stuff (research & reading) which pushes me along, but the deadlines are creeping up a little too fast....
I don't know, what do you think?
Hopefully I get a grip,
& get a 'Post Documentation' Assignment in tomorrow...
& the Cut, well, (along with other stuff; Blogger & other references I guess), and some control over the Film would be goooood! (Hopefully, I'll get the extra week, and maybe that would be better, because we MIGHT work out the Scenes!....
Cheers,
thanks for reading...
Alex :)

Mid-Semester Break...!

Hello Everyone,

Hope you're all one break as well and having fun, or having fun at school! I've been catching lots of extra shots with the mini FUJI, (no water shots yet), and videos of 'people', so that's good, we're getting more sociable,  and I'm also trying to build the Characters as I go along. I think this can catch some realness or a touch of reality to the performance. People seem almost actually comfortable with the Camera. I've had a lot of people just walk past (without a care for the Camera) and don't seem bothered that I'm there.

I've captured lots of Dogs, and their all gorgeous, and even, I think two kids, (with their parents). I plan to keep the Project within the Community (so to speak), or locally if you'd prefer to say it like that...

Only thing is I've got to find the Story still...I have several starters (and enders), plenty of keying and even Storybook Animation temps, but it's still seems a bit crazy for me, so I guess I don't know what it's about yet. Poker obviously, but reading simply a few pages from that new book I got, 'Zen and the art of POKER', I realised that it could get heavy with the Philosophy, because I'm starting to realise it might be more spiritual for people, then I'd ever realised. (As a kid...) I don't really know how to play Poker myself too well (at the start of the making the Film it was about Blackjack, I guess it still is in some ways, but it would make more sense to see Boys playing Poker together), so I guess that the 'discovery' might be part of it as well.

It's a simple idea I'm looking for, it would be, with so many other ideas swimming around...

Anyway, catch up soon, have a good Weekend............!!!!!!

Aleksandra :)

where is the Future?

Hi, it's Alex,

So it's another week, and boy am I getting tired. I got to sleep in this morning, after about three weeks of late nights, shooting and some morning appointments, it was much appreciated when I finally rose at 2:30 or something this afternoon.

I thought I'd show you a picture of me (as a little girl), in a Locket which I want Sacha to use in the Film. It's also a good way to get a Doll in the picture...

That's me on the left, when I was 7 years old (on a holiday in Poland I think) and on the right is a gorgeous little Baby which is my own little secret....

 I don't understand where all the people have gone, that said they would help. I wonder now, if I even actually knew them, because I can't for the life of me remember half the faces or names. (That's not right is it?) Anyway, some series shots I got, using the Continuous Shooting Function on the NIKON D90.

It's a better Camera than you think, and it's actually harder to nut out all the Functions and Exposure controls, compared to later or more Professional models...

I'll catch up soon, and hopefully get around to putting in some Gallery work. (I just can't seem to find the same path as last time...) Have a good Semester Break everyone, I'm trying to, I'm almost feeling awake!

Cheerio...A

Shooting in the Greenscreen Studio

Hi, it's Alex,
    For those of you who want to know, it's pretty hard getting it together to shoot in the Studio. Luckily I remembered to take everything I needed, and became a bit more creative with shots, than expected. I guess you just have to try, and it starts coming together. So far from the bits of Story I've been able to muster, by doing it myself, makes me feel like we're going on a journey somewhere. The Girl (who we're not sure of who she is), is taking the Audience and the Bears somewhere. Even I'm wondering what's going on!!!

I'm going to fully update my Blogger site soon, I'm still getting familiar with moving around, but I've found lots of options, for expanding the online content. There's are pages where you could have different Folios, I could section off the Location photos with other Set Dressing or Cast Profile shots. You can also share photos through some Gallery Site, where I'm thinking I'll post a variety of Photography. From Productions Stills to Cast shots, as well as a selection from the multitude of Locations & Settings available.

The content is collecting quite rapidly, and I can see where the Animation & Composting aspects are coming into it, it's just a bit hard to understand, because I'm sure there's a crazy amount of work to come, which will explain the idea, once we see it actually get composited together...

So, things have changed, but the ideas that were more imaginative seem to be hogging the limelight, so I'm just wondering when I get to see some real faces, or someone that can at least come and focus the Camera for me. It's a bit hard stretching you arm out a couple of metres....

Anyway, hope your weekends are going well too....
See-ya, Aleksandra....

Currently Shooting

Hello!
It's Alex...
Things are looking better, but I'm still juggling Cast & Crew issues, and trying to work out what to do. It's seems to be all up to me, so I've been getting shots of myself (home-video style), having the camera propped somewhere. It could be a cool stream of sequences, of something that's unrelated, but intrigues the Audience's curiosity. The Scenes with the Cast are really important, and I'd like them to be Portraiture style at times, and have picturesque landscapes to accompany, relatively. It's hard to see this happening, when I can only manage to ever talk to one person at a time, so it's not really up to them is it.

Semester Break is coming up, next week, so I'm going to get some Posters, & other Marketing elements started properly, and hopefully I can muster enough content to create a Trailer. I have heaps of extra cutaways, but the Narrative is necassary. I'll have a lot of movement with Titles, but more leading towards creating an impact. Hard and Strong, and a VO that's is going to enthrall the Audience to the Mystery of why all these lives have become strangely interconnected.

Vision, Footage, Edits, more Photos are on their way, and I'm getting pretty ready to finalise some potential  Small Business ideas. At least starting a Website, (which can do on Google, Blogger...), so that should be a good easy start, because they have templates and everything. All I'm looking for at the moment, is something simple that can just put my name out there, and slowly I can add Films & Animations that I've created, and even worked on.

A cool idea I came with, could be some kind of forum board, where people could even share ideas with each other, and this would be seen as honest open content, because the Film Company I'd like to one start, would be about Independent Films, or even Underground Films. Dogma I would sometimes also see in this Category.

In the future, I'd like to work on many kinds of things, not just Directing Films, but also working in TV. This kind of experiences could be as crazy as much as you think is exciting. If you know what I mean, you would get to meet a lot of different and interesting people, as well as work some great shows. Beyond this Animation, Special Effects and even Documentaries still fascinate me after years of exploring them. An new idea is all you need, to get the imagination started, that's when you start getting new ideas for Design.

That's why I think the Film, "A Working Title" could really work if I incorporated Animation, Greenscreen Compositing and elements of Photography. I think there's something to be said, about how these elements could look interesting together, as well as tell their own Story.

Just looking for the Characters at the moment....Hopefully, what I've planned to shoot tomorrow (Card Scenes), happens, because that would take a great weight off the Story. After this, I will be able to think better about the relationship between Daniel & Sacha, or even what it really is. If we don't know about the Future, then you could even speculate that they wouldn't really know each other. But that's really about faith, that how you see things, is how you would expect them to happen...

Anway, wish me luck, tomorrow's going to cold (7ºc-min), so I'm looking forward to see if there are any interesting surprises!

Have a good night guys...
Alex :)

Good Weekend Everyone ???!!!

Hope you've all had a good weekend, there's been some mixed weather, so I got some shots of the street when it was raining...can't wait to see how the turned out. Well, anyway, the next week is going to be busy again, with the Camera Equipment coming over, hopefully we get some important scenes done.

I remembered how I wanted to shoot the Card Scenes using the other Cameras as well, sort of making it like a multi-cam scene, but some may be security or even a 'ghost' watching on. I've finally made a Cut of the Scene we shot last weekend, it seems to be coming together well, but now I'm not sure what's going on between Sacha & Daniel. I mean I really should know! Don't you think...

People seem to be really mysterious at times, as if I shouldn't whisper another word, when other times, they're all open ears to my musing and babbling about more new ideas about the Film. It will be fun to really edit, once I get my mind wrapped around all the shots and cutaways.

Really...there must be an easier way. Some of the music I've got will be interesting, I'm just waiting for a 'visual' clue to get me going. Later, I can rely on Music and Atmospheres to enhance the Film and Sense of Journey. but this will be seen more as a fine-tuning process.

For the time been...there is an element (even a small Character) that will really get this story going...

Wish me Luck, & have a good Sunday night!!!

Alexandra :)

a few more photos...

Here are some more Photos I've taken recently...

Busy 'transferring' footage into FCP, so I'll start showing some moving clips soon enough. A tutorial shouldn't be too hard to follow, heh?

Anyway, catching up on sleep from last weekend, all week, so my brain is ready to edit something. It's getting close...

The above shots are going to be interesting to see, because they based around 'playing with light' so there can be many metaphorical things to say, as well as accompany with some suitable music...

Some night shots look pretty spectacular when you let subtle nuances of colour play a role...

I just need to get some of these ideas onto the Panasonic P2, so they can appear properly in the Film...

Some more Sunset shots, it's really amazing to see how light and colour can play an important part in the image, without anything else been said, or distracting us....

Anyway, I'll give an update, to let you know how the weekend is going...

Alex :)

Things R coming Along...

Hello People!

Resolving my ideas slowly, so that's good, still haven't done much editing, but am organising things and getting notes down. I'm not sure what to do from there...there are so many different shots, you need to be sure what it's for.

I've picked up some basic computer books the library had withdrawn, so I think it'll get me going for Web ideas. At least getting ideas down onto paper seems to get the ball rolling. I'm not sure why I get stuck before anything has even happened, and before you know it, there's like 5 hours of footage to use!

Strange isn't it?

My initial compositing idea, I had hidden at the back my mind seems to be in control of things, funny really...

I remember now telling people different things, as if there really are several stories going through. For example, the Funky Bar at one stage was only going to be used for Back-Plates, same as the Local Cafe, yet when I was talking to people it was always about Casting. I never worked out the problem, and still can't...

I mean that's all okay, some people got told they'll be a voice when others are Acting in it, and I need to formulate all my ideas so I can work out who or what all these Characters are. I'm sure it'll be funny at the end of the day, once it all makes sense...

So the status of the Project I think is good, but there you go, I'm also rather confused. I mean to say, I think I'm not getting much done, but am shooting all the time, so it's good that I like the idea as it's coming along, even though I can't see where it's going...

I can't wait myself to see what it looks like, when I get all those crazy thoughts I had on the day, together into some coherent structure. It needs a Narrative, (a strong one), but it also needs Narration, so I think it's about mixing these ideas as well as those to do with actual Technology and Sound Design, and Cinematography, because it would express how life is harmonious like this...

Anyway, there's for a bit of Philosophy for the end of the Day...
C-yas...Alexandra

End of the Weekend...!

Hello!
We got a scene done, and I think it's starting to make a bit more sense to me. We shot a scene between Daniel and Sacha, just as and extra skit scene, (that could be included earlier on in the Film). It would be more of a Scene compared to the others in the sense that you can see it 'existing' as a scene or as you might see a skit. (Always quick or circumstantial). Here the twist and turns begin, because you really start seeing ideas flow more, once you have something to look at, and it should come full circle...

Anyway, I'm sure things will start coming together, and I'll work out how to show some sequences of the actual film, so you can see the 'work in progress'. I'd like to show you some Animations I did during my Film & Television Degree, because that's where the Animation ideas might be based from....

That's a different story really, I need to get properly online so I can get into the Previz part properly. So a bit of strange concoction it's turning out to be after all...


Anyway, hope you all had a good week and weekend, mine was pretty productive I would say. Next week warnings though, there are a few storms expected, so narrow escape really....!

Alexandra.... :)

Gangster Animations & Fairytale Settings ???

Hi!
It's Alexandra,
I picked up the equipment yesterday, as you know, and the weather has been really good, except for gusts of wind. But the shots I'm getting look colourful and stuff, so that's good. So the scenes are been looked at basically, because a lot of the ideas I've gotten up front are actually related to Animation (or Compositing) whereas the Actor (People) things seem to hold a small portion of the Story.
So what I'm really trying to work out, is how to balance the Story, so that the different ideas come through, but it's a complex task I guess. The Characters could really meet anywhere, so the Locations are changing a bit there. I'm thinking that if I'm open with the scenes to some sense, and the Location changed, well then make up for that with the Animation part.
This however would be planned and related to the actual Story, so I'm not sure why I'm not getting it ????
I've got probably enough to think about Animation,  but then I can't resolve the Story, if I still have to get stuff with people.
The Casting I have to admit is a bit muddled, because one of our friends, who was playing the Antagonist (Chocka) is acting a bit psycho, and I would like to maybe get someone older for that role anyway. Then Chocka would be Sacha's father, and it would work for the Story more.
Hopefully we get some dialogue from people, even if I have to keep adding alternate streams, and start adding some talking there. (I mean I could do that anyway, as well.) See why I'm getting confused? Hopefully the answers will come one day!

Here are some photos from the last little batch of photos (still trying to think of some underwater stuff). Anything would be cool...

We've been getting great sunsets, for like the ending of the Film, or a Scene. It could have more meaning I'm starting to think. The really important things only need some recognition, otherwise you might be overdoing a simple idea, yet the Tree outside our window, really seems to be a good idea. (Interesting isn't it?)

Here is my little Teddy. I think he's a cute Character, who you'd see in Daniel's Flat, but for some reason he gets out somehow and witnesses some interesting things himself...

So there you go! Hope the rest of your weekend is eventful, and probably catch up early next week...
Alex :)

Hi Quickly...!

Just stopping in to do some Data Wrangling, so I thought I'd say that photos are on their way. A new picture of me too, so you can get a better idea of what I look like. Things are going well, still not sure myself how to get around Blogger properly, I'm sure I'll work it out, but yeah, more to the point you'd want to see some online ideas for Web Sites and maybe some Marketing ideas.

I've been thinking about these heaps, I guess it's been hectic so it's hard enough to write a simple note down on a piece of paper sometimes...

My philosophy is the more the better, and if it doesn't make sense, then you probably wouldn't do it. Or include it as an idea. Merchandising for example can get wildly out of hand, but it would be cool to consider this as an idea, because there could be a lot of cute connections to the Film. This is what got me further thinking about Animations & Compositing, and keep thinking that it might be the proper resolution for the Story. But whether to mix certain scenes and how, is now another question.

I did work out how to download the photos from the waterproof mini-stills camera! Here's some proof...

Some Night Time Photography (near our House)...

I'll probably have to organise the photos and clips a bit, as well as the Story (I guess) or Stories, but I'll show you a series of them soon enough!

Alex...

Story Update & the Future...

Hey, it's Alexandra,
Still a lot of changes going through my mind, it seems to be simplifying in one way, but by incorporating other platforms, well I can't even finalised simple things like flowcharts and post scheduling because the shoot is totally up in the air. Meanwhile, I've been looking into what I might do next year, because that needs to be thought about this time of the year. I think I've settled on Digital Design, because you can do all sort of things, including Animation and probably some Web Design. I picked up a book about Dreamweaver, so I'm going to have a flick through it. I'd like to at least design some kind of Website for the Film, even if it doesn't go on-line, but there are heaps of short-term offers where you can keep a Site for a year or something. So this could be interesting to see, especially while I'm marketing the Film, ie Festivals and getting the DVD out to as many people as possible.

So, part of the Story's resolution comes from the research I did on Demon Rabbits (because of the Bunny), and I thought that a group of friends could be having a pass away conversation out the front of a Church, talking of Demon Rabbits, and joking about Bunnies. Things start going weird, and my impression would be that the Church overheard this conversation, and say freaked out or something. (As the Demon Rabbit actually refers to a Cathedral in France somewhere, in case you're not sure.) Well there's a strange path to go down, but hopefully I get the answer to some strange riddle that's actually taking me around in circles.

I'll chuck some more photos I've taken, tomorrow hopefully, and some of me too...
Alex :)

Story Madness; not sure which way to go...

Hello!

The Film seems to be taking many twists and turns and the Story seems to be getting more and more intricate. I've realised that I possibly have all the Footage I need, yet I still haven't found how to shoot the main Scenes. An idea I was thinking more during the Development Stage, was to have some 3D Animation Characters featuring in some of the Scenes, and they could even reflect doing some of the same things that the Main Characters are doing.

I'm trying to start on some kind of initial Cut, yet I'm not sure which foot to start with really. Once I create some visual frame for the overall Film, it should become pretty simple, but each idea has a different angle or perspective, it gets rather jumbling.

It's actually interesting to notice that the Film really could be a multi-platform kind of idea, which has made be realise how many different medias and crafts I could still be interested in, but haven't really found it yet. I think the Film is a bit like this artistic kind of journey, yet it's taking me through paths related to Philosophy and Mythology, even though it's actually hard to see how these ideas and lines actually connect.

Hopefully I can pull something out of the hat tonight, because then I'll be able to actually reflect on something that's a little bit more tangible.

Catch up on more news soon,
meanwhile, have a good next few days,
hopefully this week we get some more sunny days, hey?

Alex....

Pick-Up Shoot Sequences...

Hey,
I've been shooting some more sequences this week, it's all coming along slowly. The Story is still in minor repair, where I'm juggling ideas and options, trying to work out why the main Story isn't kicking off the ground.
I captured a great Sunrise, Wednesday morning, where the sky looked like a coloured layered cake. Pink and Yellow tiers blending up to a soft light blue. I'm still a bit muddled as to where all these little elements are going to feature, but the more I think about other ideas, I believe that I might be onto something.
I could always combine Animation Characters into it, much like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", which would be created into the Real Fairytale Environment. A couple of small scenes like this could be pretty funny, however, I'm still to find what's blocking me in getting Principal Photography completed properly.

At the moment I'm really at the stage of bringing together all my ideas for Marketing, but to do this I need to have resolved all aspects and elements of the Film. This includes the main themes, all the way down to little symbols. Thinking there is always a reason for something been where it is, or sometimes it's pure circumstance. Either way, everything has it's own Story to tell, every Picture, Sound and Idea, is encompassed with it's own History and Message.

I'd like to also start developing a Website, which much the same way, would reflect the Elements and Characters from the Film quite directly. The idea is for the Audience to feel like they know the Characters from somewhere, yet all the while, there is a somewhat timeless quality blanketing the small Town. Many question begin to emerge, not just where the Characters might come from but also their awareness of who they are. Simple universal questions that ponder philosophers back many ages also go through my mind as I think of all the reasons Daniel is who he is.

The Film continues to take many twisted paths, but I'm feeling some kind of answer to this riddle may be just around the corner. The more daring your idea, the more you'll find yourself going round in circles...

Anyway, cheers, Alexandra....

Filmography....

I'm back,
& thought I'd show you two quick grabs of the Sunset from a couple of weeks back, but I'm still having trouble uploading, probably in the wrong Format or something. (Using the Mini Waterproof Still Camera I just got...) It's a pretty nifty little gadget, & definitely won't be parting with it. Hopefully someone helps me soon...

I also thought I would give you a brief Filmography of mine, so maybe it'll give everyone a better idea of the kinds of Films I like to make, as well as other things. Docos, Animations and hopefully I'll get to make some great TV one day too...See you there...

SHORT FILMS

2011 Currently (HD)            "A Working Title"                   
Gangster-Fairytale                    15 minutes


2010 (Graduation Film)         MIZ ROCK                             
Music-Love Story                    10 minutes


2009 (16mm Film)                "CHANGE"                            
Comedy                                      7 minutes


2008 (HD)                                 Sinister                                    
Sinister Comedy                    2 1/2 minutes


2008 (HDV)                             Pink Lady                                
Short Comedy                        90 seconds


2001                                           C.P.M.I.                                  
Action-Comedy                      31 minutes


2000 (R.M.I.T-Tafe)             A Taste of Wine                      
Comedy-Romance                    12 minutes

These are Short Films for the most part Written & Directed myself...other Shorts I've worked on, include;

2001 (Tropfest)                      Knock Knock                          
Comedy                                        5 minutes


2001 (VCA Film)                  A Joint Effort                          
Comedy                                      15 minutes


2000 (R.M.I.T-Tafe)              Frog Spiral                              
Cult-Comedy                             5 minutes

DOCUMENTARIES

2009 (Sound)                         Austin (Film Projectionist)      

Educational                                     10 minutes

2008 (1st Year Doco)            PAINT THE STREETZ        

Graffiti-Doco                                      6 minutes

2000 (ESPY comedy)           "Anybody Seen Trev?"       

Doco-Comedy                                 10 minutes

I've worked on lots of Documentaries and also filmed Gigs for Jazz Musicians and Rock Bands. Some of these included important Fund Raising Events, where the footage was later collated for special purposes, or to create a Event Reel.

So there you go, now you know a little bit more about me, and maybe you know me but haven't realised it yet! Spooky things can happen...

Alex :)

Hi, it's Alex...

So, the Project is coming along. Still doing a lot of writing, so hopefully this will enhance the meaning and subtext in the Final Project Outcome. Next week, hopefully I'll get most of the Scenes out of the way, so I'll be able to see how the Project looks as a whole, soon enough.

Besides that, the important thing to really think about now, is Marketing the Film, and looking at potential Film Festivals around. They're actually quite hard to find, because there are Format Restrictions, or it's for a particular age. There is also the point that it's just a Short Film, and also has a specified Duration. (Of 15 minutes.)

Last week a Guest Speaker spoke to us in class about planning for a Small Business, and different on-line methods for establishing a Business as well as promoting Film and other Media. It's a good base for a Film to have, because people know how to contact you easily, and you can start seeing your Film in light with other Films and ideas.

I still have to collate all my Photography, but I'm still wanting to take more photos for Wardrobe and Art Department. The Set-Dressing items keep adding and changing, and so I want to be able to include all the great ideas I've got along the way. Drawing and Sketching ideas is one way to go about it, but there must be something more productive.

Anyway, I should get to some of that more productive stuff, and some more paperwork and scheduling, so hopefully I can start showing some more evidence!...next week after I'm sure of where the Film is really going, I'll also give an update on the Synopsis and Cast along with info on the Key Creatives making this project happen. Should also get some good weather next week everyone, so enjoy!

C-ya  ...Alexandra....  :)

some new Photography...

I bought a mini-stills-camera off a friend of mine, which is actually Waterproof. I've been interested in Photography since I was a kid, so I thought it might be useful to have something I can carry around. It's pretty convenient, and I was lucky to capture a hot Sunset up here in Prahran, on Chapel Street, about a week ago.

Since the 'theme colour' for the film is yellow, I thought I could use some of these photos and clips in the End Credits, to add some colour to the 'rolling credits'. The Film will still have a lot of different colours featuring as important, particularly for the different Settings. The simplest way to put it is the Fairytale-style Exterior Scenes where there is lots of natural life, the main colours would be peaceful Green with Blue, whereas inside the Venues, where you'd expect people to be enjoying Music, or Games such as cards, it would possible be more red. The Venues, and Interior Set-Dressing ideas also have more of a Dynamic Colour Range, but the Exterior Sunsets can always balance this out.

This photo was taken at the Tram-Stop on Dandenong Road, near Chapel Street. I've noticed a lot of pale-yellow Sunsets lately, I just wish I could capture them all...some other interesting ideas could come out off a sole building (tower-size) where there's been deep yellow sunsets, but still subtle enough for the simplicity of the view.

This is the Tree outside our window, which you've seen mostly likely before. We get some great Sunsets, especially since we're not so far from the Beach. That's why I want to incorporate aspects like that into the Film and its settings. I've worked out that by using multiple sets to construct Daniel's Flat, our room would be the downstairs Bedroom.

Anyway, everyone, I might give you an update about some of the movies I've been seeing, and some interesting TV shows, later this week. I've noticed heaps of things in Films I wouldn't have thought of straight away, that triggered ideas for many little elements that could still be included in the Film.

Have a good night, or week...
Alex...

Progress Report....!

Hi guys!

It's me Alexandra again.

As you all know, I'm into Film-making and would like to become a Film-Director. My other interests include Cinematography and Sound Design. Currently I am a student at Swinburne University in Prahran, and am studying a Bachelor (Honours) in Film & Television.

The holidays were quite productive, with more ongoing research happening and getting as much shooting out of the way as possible. We had a bit of bad weather, especially near the start, but hopefully things will still pick up. Next week I plan on shooting the main Scenes, so I'll be able to start editing something...

Last week was the first week back at school, (semester 2), so I've been getting my thoughts together, and doing so more reading and taking notes, before things really start to pace up.

There are so many things to finalise, and meanwhile I'm thinking about Marketing and possible Film Festivals for the Film. I'd like to keep the attention local, but it would be great to catch the eye of some of the bigger Markets overseas too.

Lots of photos coming and clips to see....

Anyway, this is just a quick catch up, I'll fill you in on all the important things as we go along...

Alex  :)