Update #34: "Schermann Song" Pre-Production (Report 1)
Pre-production formally began on May 21, 2010
Now that I'm knee deep in getting the project ready for a July 1 shooting date -- here are some of the things I've been working on:
SCRIPT BREAKDOWN
I broke down the script using Excel. I don't have the luxury of Movie Magic Budgeting/Scheduling. My own template gets the job done -- as I'm the one scheduling everything and keeping myself on track to make each day with the help of an assistant on the set.
Creating the schedule myself helps me know what needs to be done -- and how long I have to do it. The next step will be to create a shot-list for each scene.
Click picture to enlarge 
EQUIPMENT
We will be shooting with the Canon 5D and 7D HDSLR cameras with a lot of practical/available lighting (carefully planned and placed) to give a more documentary like feel. We will have an essential lighting kit with some nice gadgets, but plan to keep the aesthetic of the film to be more raw and "in the moment". However, a few of the song and dance numbers are planned to look more polished to contrast the world of reality and fantasy.
LOCATION SCOUTING
Thankfully more than half of our locations are locked in. This coming week, I'll be hitting the streets to look for a bar, coffee shop, street exteriors and a few rehearsal spaces and theater spaces (at low/no cost). I plan to take pics with the new camera to document our search.
SCHEDULING I used WORD to create the shooting schedule for everyone in the cast and crew for their call time and location information. Again, I don't have the professional software to do it for me -- but doing it on my own also helps me learn the schedule to keep abreast of the scope of the production.
Click picture to enlarge
VOCAL RECORDINGS
We will be recording our vocals at Sync Sound. Needless to say the cast is eager to get in the booth and sing! I'll be filming the day we record and will share the footage soon after. Everyone is extremely excited about the music Joe Schermann has written.
SCRIPT CHANGES
From initial talks with my cast, some scenes are evolving already which I'm all about -- I like to tell my actors that the script is the blueprint, where we will build the house together. In the coming weeks I'll be meeting with the leads (Joe Schermann, Christina Rose, Debbie Williams) to discuss their characters and any potential new ideas they can bring to the characters. This is one of the best parts of directing -- letting the actors flesh out the story themselves (with careful guidance).
I hope I can steal time to film some interviews with the cast to help everyone learn more about them.
Stay tuned! More to come!
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This project successfully raised its funding goal on April 18, 2010.
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Project By
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I discovered the joy of watching films at an early age thanks to my parents. It was only later in life that I realized I wanted to make them as well. I studied Psychology in school and entered a career in Human Resources, but was not fulfilled creatively. After 5 years in the corporate world, I walked away and in 2006 moved from the Bay Area/Silicon Valley to New York in order to pursue filmmaking full-time. I haven’t looked back since.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have 5 feature films under my belt: 3 works of my own and 2 “for-hire” films. I prescribe to the “one for me – one for them” philosophy where I love making both commercial and personal films. My latest feature is a musical/drama “How Do You Write A Joe Schermann Song” which has been 2 years in the making (many thanks to our Kickstarter backers!!). I’m excited to share it with audiences in 2012.
When not working….oh who am I kidding I’m “working” all the time now in some fashion because I love what I do. I’ve got movies on the brain.
