Well, after years of working on getting the film off the ground, I can finally (FINALLY) say the movie is a go, it's got the greenlight, etc.! We shoot in October and we're currently in pre-production. (I can't believe I've spent a day just on planning out the menu! But so goes the indie film production.)

I have a blog you can check out that's been going on for nearly 6 years now, back when "blog" wasn't even a word anyone was really using. So for that, details on the film, clips from readings and more, visit:

www.904am.com

We're also going to be planning which format to shoot on (more than likely on HDV, Z1 probably), schedules, tests, etc.

Thanks,

heath

Hey, Heath! I can't wait to hear more about your film! Is there any story or plot you can give us?

Wish you the best of luck!
~Gabriel~

It's an ensemble film that I conceived as a comic book based on some things in my life and my friends' lives, and even a series of dreams I had, back in 1995 (and some stuff that happened in 1994). I wrote the first draft in 3 days on ClarisWorks, an old Word-style program for Macs, in May 1997.

I didn't direct it then, but I did another film (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BDCEWS/sr=8-1/qid=1155529255/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-3862642-0871203?ie=UTF8) and some shorts before I felt ready to tackle it. The film is about life for some early- to mid-20 somethings, and their relationships as family, friends, co-workers and more.

Sign up for our email newsletter (no spam, etc.) at www.mpsdigital.com (lower left-hand corner) for details on this and our other projects.

Thanks,

heath

Thats great Heath!

It's good to see you have stuck with an idea for so long and now it is finally getting made, gives the rest of us hope.

Though I was under the impression that 9.am was already made, becuase its been your signature for some time.

Are you shooting with a 35mm adapter?

Also when you say greenlit, are you receiving outside funding? IF so thats great too.

Cheers.
Ben Gurvich

Don't know about the 35mm adaptor--we're just now deciding what to shoot on. As for the greenlight--it's my money, so I'm going the George Lucas route (self-financing), but if I can get someone else to put some money in, I wouldn't mind.

I'm just excited to finally be putting 9:04 AM together with my cast and crew, to shoot the darn thing! For more, check out this page on the site (http://904am.com/firstTime.php?PHPSESSID=5ff9febd9a9a870782e916faf5ec963f).

Also, I'm also 100% sure we'll be writing articles about our experiences for Chris here at the site, like with my short RELEASE ME (http://hdvinfo.net/articles/jvchd10/fordham4.php) and 3 SISTERS (http://hdvinfo.net/articles/sonyhdrfx1/fordham7.php).

heath

Okay, cool! I'll sign up for your news letter now.

Hope you make it!
~Gabriel~

I tried to sign up, but got a 'NOT FOUND' error. Did I do something wrong?

Joe,

Email me, hmcknight@mac.com, your email and I'll put it in. You'll get a confirmation after that. I'm thinking of doing another giveaway to new and existing newsletter members (no spam, etc., of course), probably something from the 9:04 AM shop (http://www.cafepress.com/mpsdigital/373381), maybe the clock.

heath

Joe,

Email me, hmcknight@mac.com, your email and I'll put it in. You'll get a confirmation after that. I'm thinking of doing another giveaway to new and existing newsletter members (no spam, etc., of course), probably something from the 9:04 AM shop (http://www.cafepress.com/mpsdigital/373381), maybe the clock.

heath

Thats a good Idea Heath... Its a great way to promote your film. Do you have a release date, or a place in mind that you plan to show it at?

~Gabriel~

I'm just waiting to shoot it first, but some time in 2007. A special screening for friends, family, cast, crew, and the public locally, then, hopefully, film fests around the world.

hwm

Cool. I can't wait. Make sure to keep us updated!

~Gabriel~

Gabriel,

Send your email address to hmcknight@mac.com and I'll put you in our update e-newsletter list (no spam, etc.).

I'm going to do a contest; win a 9:04 AM clock (http://www.cafepress.com/mpsdigital.5207449)! Sign up for our email newsletter (either visit www.mpsdigital.com and sign up on the bottom left-hand corner or email me at hmcknight@mac.com) and you'll be entered to win. People who are already signed up to our newsletter are automatically entered, too.

heath

Thanks, Heath! I sent you an e-mail. I hope you got it.... :>)

I did and you should have a confirmation.

heath

I clicked on the link and it say "Form Submission Error
Don't worry, gabrielyeager@gmail.com is already on this list!"

I take it, this means that I did it right and that I am 'good to go'?

Thanks again!
~Gabriel~

You're good to go!

hwm

Cool! Thanks a lot for helping me!

~Gabriel~

My former lead actor had to drop out due to several reasons, including a play he joined as the lead. I had some back-up actors in mind and was able to meet with my main choice and am very, very happy with the new actor, Mike Leavitt (http://904am.com/cast.php?Mike+Leavitt). Everything happens for a reason, that's for sure!

I now recommend having a back-up actor, not really an understudy, just someone you have in mind. That way, when something happens, you can have them come in and take over.

heath

Less than 3 weeks and I've re-cast 3 actors (long story, will tell it later), and am about to wrap up casting with other actors (small parts). I have my boom op and need to hire my grip. I am hoping to get some more money so I can hire an AD/Scripty/Art Director (a friend who will do all of that for me).

heath

One week until production begins (10/6/06) and I blog almost daily here:

www.904am.com

I've been doing that since December 2000 (but that's after a screw-up that deleted journals/blogs dating back to March 2000), so you can tell this has been a long-in-development project.

I'm finalizing the camera (HVR-Z1u (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10014&p=2&sp=141&id=78439); couldn't get the V1u (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/minisites/HDV1080/HVR-V1U/index.html)) and we're picking up the lights, grip and electric next Thursday. I brought aboard a production coordinator, since I can't do everything alone. She'll be helping out with all kinds of stuff, and doing make-up, too. Not bad!

Rehearsals are going well, and this is more than I've done for any movie. I used to like things raw, emotional, only 2 takes maximum. But we're getting the story, rhythms, and more down, and it's cool and working well. We work on the scenes beat-by-beat, moment-by-moment, then the actors and actresses play it out.

We're blocking next week, in costume, but not at our locations. Many of the actresses and actors are coming from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale (also New York City and Conneticut), so it's tough to get up to West Palm Beach (50-80 miles north of Ft. L and Miami).

Crew flies in Wednesday (Jon Fordham (http://hdvinfo.net/articles/misc/fordham6.php) is the DP, Boris Cifuentes (www.borisnyc.com) is the gaffer), the rest of the crew is local.

So, what else can I say? Oh yeah, I bought 50 Sony minidv tapes, just in case we need them all. I have a feeling I'll be selling some back to friends and my boss, grin.

I'll do my best to blog here, but the craziness is underway. We're starting to buy food/water this weekend (non-perishables) and I'm finalizing costumes, locations/set decoration, the schedule (always in flux), etc. Um, oh yeah, I bought a 300 gb firewire drive (www.fantomdrives.com) to cut on and I think that should be good. Though I may need another for the uncompressed HD final file I'll be making for 24p conversion, output, etc. (Thanks to Graeme Nattress who came up with it.)

heath

Congratulations Heath and best of luck! Sending you an email.

Mike

Thanks for the email, I'll reply shortly!

heath

Congrats Heath,
Your story is a great lesson for every filmmaker out there who wants to make their film, but can't seem to put it all together. It takes time and effort and a non-stop attitude. You have stuck to it for such a long time now on this film. Keep moving forward and let the shooting begin! Looking forward to reading more about your production.

Oh yeah, I bought 50 Sony minidv tapes, just in case we need them all. I have a feeling I'll be selling some back to friends and my boss, grin.
heath

DV or HDV tapes?

DV--the Sony Digital Master are out of my budget, but are great tapes. If I had $500, I would've gone with that. Sony minidv tapes are just fine.

heath

Congrats Heath,
Your story is a great lesson for every filmmaker out there who wants to make their film, but can't seem to put it all together. It takes time and effort and a non-stop attitude. You have stuck to it for such a long time now on this film. Keep moving forward and let the shooting begin! Looking forward to reading more about your production.
Thanks a lot! In filmmaking, hiring a great cast and crew goes a long way, along with skills as a writer and/or director. But perseverance always pays off in the end. And trust me, I needed it for this film!

heath

Check out this video for a show-within-the-movie, created by Matt Miller (www.mattmiller.net):

http://904am.com/clips_play.php?id=12

During the movie, this show is brought up and plays a small roll in it. It's funny, trust me.

heath

Thats really cool, Heath! The graphics are stunning!
I think that you got yourself a good crew there...

I read your update on the website. Its good to hear that things are going good, and its all starting to form together.

Keep up the hard work!
~Gabriel~

Thanks a lot!

hwm

We're off today, but had 4 great days of production. Check out my blog:

www.904am.com

hwm

Wow looks like everything is going great. Keep it real!!! And send my regards and best wishes to the crew. I´m sure they don´t know and care who I am, but since their fellow filmmakers, I care, hehe...

Can´t wait for the next update...

Regards
Van Zijl Loots

They're very cool and say thanks. One of my students is going to help out at some point and he's from South Africa, too.

THANKS!

heath

ps-We're fiddling around with the HVR-V1u while on set.

Day 10 is done, and we're off one day (sort of). We start back up for the final stretch and it's looking cool so far!

www.904am.com

heath

Good luck with that...

Regards
Van Zijl Loots

Just wrapped the film. Check out some photos here:

http://www.904am.com/photos.php

heath

Just wrapped the film. Check out some photos here:

http://www.904am.com/photos.php

heath

just think, we can say "we knew him when!"

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of mattebox were you using?

I thought it was Croziel, but I don't think so.

heath

I thought it was Croziel, but I don't think so.

heath

From the photo, the design looked cool, like you could adjust it without openiing up gaps between the flags. Maybe your friend John could enlighten us when he has time?

We used the Chrosziel matte box, plate, and 15mm rod support. The follow focus attachment was manufactured by Red Rock Micro. I love the Chrosziel design. The Chrosziel Z1 MB is almost identical to the Chrosziel 95mm clamp on MB that I use with the Ziess DigiPrimes. So it was a comfortable solution. I was not impressed with the Red Rock design. I personally feel that the Chrosziel FF design is much better.

Thanks, Jon.

hwm

Just wrapped the film. Check out some photos here:

http://www.904am.com/photos.php

heath

Post Production is a botch. Good luck with that...

Regards
Van Zijl

Thats pretty cool...do you have a place in mind for filming (Locations...)
Anywhere near Atlanta...if so i'll be happy to "Crew it Up".

Already shot it. Wish I could change the name. I'll start a new thread with news on post.

heath

New thread with more current details:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=78958

heath