The Production Lounge

Henry Williams · December 28th, 2010, 06:25 PM

Meryem, have you thought about trying an animal wrangler? The one time I worked with one personally they were on a small shoot where I was running the show. The wrangler was not only an absolute trooper but also very accommodating about rates- this being the holiday season as well you might be able to get yourself a bargain. I was amazed at what the wrangler could reliably and safely get their animals to do on cue and how consistently they could reproduce it, take after take. Granted that shoot was working with tarantulas the size of my head (!) but the company I work for has also used wranglers for different, more cuddly animals on larger productions with invariably excellent results.

Meryem Ersoz · January 1st, 2011, 04:08 PM

I thought I was supposed to be the animal wrangler. I doubt my production insurance would cover the cost of a stranger intervening in one of Daisy and Kosmo's wrestling sessions! Too dangerous!

I put out the plea on Facebook to see if any of my film friends could bail me out with a better concept than shooting the pets. We'll see how it goes. Looking pretty good at the moment.

Lorinda Norton · January 1st, 2011, 06:00 PM

Too bad! Daisy & Kosmo even makes for a great title. :)

Every germ of an idea I have on my own or receive from others gets the ax for one reason or another. This may be the toughest theme [for me] yet!

Andris Krastins · January 2nd, 2011, 08:00 AM

Today I shot the first few shots by a semi-frozen sea. (not officially participating yet)
It was very cold, my hands kept freezing, not even mentioning the iris, focus and zoom rings of my cam and waves were clashing against the ice.
In an hour will go to shoot 90% of the rest. Then the last 2% some other weekday.

Not sure if it'll fit in 5mins though, that's my biggest concern.

Dale Guthormsen · January 2nd, 2011, 09:07 AM

Lorinda,

A couple Questions:

1. I have actually finished my film: it is 5:30 with credits included. Is that alright or do I actually have to cut the 30 seconds out??

2. I am leaving the country this week and I wont be back till the 19th. I was wondering if I could load it up on vimeo and send you the link so it could be posted at the appropriate time?

Suggestions???

Lorinda Norton · January 2nd, 2011, 11:59 AM

Dale, we have allowed 5:30 before so that is okay. Originally, the rule was bent to allow 20 seconds or so extra for credits only, but we'll be charitable since you're finished and getting ready to take off. Otherwise, I would remind you that you'd be surprised how much better a tighter film can be. (A note to those who aren't finished yet: Keep in mind what Dylan has said in past challenges...it had better be worth the extra time or you risk getting docked in the judging!)

Go ahead with your plan to submit early. Send the Vimeo link to thedvchallenge@gmail.com and we'll be sure it gets posted for you. Hope you have a good trip! :)

Trond Saetre · January 3rd, 2011, 08:44 AM

I'm pretty much screwed!

Was up in the mountains and filmed a lot on new years eve. Just to find out that nothing, absolutely nothing was recorded. (No sign of errors until I checked the recordings afterwards).

Back home again, I got my camera back up and running, after several rounds with a cleaning tape.
But there is no way I can get back there to film again. (Earlier in the morning, the camera performed very well, bummer!)

So unless I can come up with something totally new, and find time this week, I'm out.

Marc Burleigh · January 3rd, 2011, 10:20 AM

Trond, that's terrible! Was it the cold that did it? Did you find out what the problem was?

Maybe you can still put something together -- even make it based on true events. As in: you may have lost some brilliant New Year's footage, but putting it into PERSPECTIVE, your camera is still working.....

Trond Saetre · January 3rd, 2011, 01:07 PM

No, the cold is innocent. I always use a Portabrace heating cover for the camera when it is colder than 32F/0C, so the camera stayed warm all the time.
It might have been because I forgot to take the tape out of the camera from the day before. But I really don't know why it happend at that time.

I believe it was pure bad luck, and the tape clogged the camera's video heads.
Had to use the cleaning tape 3 x 10seconds to get rid of the stuff.

Interesting idea you mention. I'll see if I find time to do something this weekend.

Dale Guthormsen · January 3rd, 2011, 05:05 PM

Tronde,

Get after it!! you can do it!!!

Mine is definitely real life subtly based on perspective. What else could I do when I have to do evereything by myself out here!!!!

Mine is downloading as I write this, truly the earliest I ever finished a challenge, but then I pretty much had to or swim, and I don't swim well, just sink so I stay out of the water unless I am on my Cat.

Look forward to see what pressure can do for you!!!

Henry Williams · January 3rd, 2011, 07:46 PM

Just heard back from my lovely VFX operator but already got a replacement script in pre-production that dosen't require clever tech stuff. Decisions, decisions...

Marc Burleigh · January 4th, 2011, 08:45 AM

Surely "lovely" wins out over "replacement"?

Andris Krastins · January 4th, 2011, 12:34 PM

My actress has gone down ill with high temperature. I hope she recovers until 4day, or there is no short for the DVC...

Dale Guthormsen · January 4th, 2011, 07:09 PM

Good evening,

Ok, you videogaffers with acters and actresses and fx operators and what ever else,

Drum one up you can do all on your own if nothing else!!!!!

The 8th is not far off!!!!!

I have faith in you!!!

"ucan do it," all of you!!!

Henry Williams · January 4th, 2011, 07:42 PM

I'm on it Dale, shooting friday UK time and pre-production already underway (got my two actors confirmed today) so should be able to avoid the wall of shame...

January 1st, 2011, 06:00 PM	#33
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Too bad! Daisy & Kosmo even makes for a great title. :) Every germ of an idea I have on my own or receive from others gets the ax for one reason or another. This may be the toughest theme [for me] yet! __________________ Lorinda

January 2nd, 2011, 08:00 AM	#34
Andris Krastins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lielvārde, Latvia Posts: 326	Today I shot the first few shots by a semi-frozen sea. (not officially participating yet) It was very cold, my hands kept freezing, not even mentioning the iris, focus and zoom rings of my cam and waves were clashing against the ice. In an hour will go to shoot 90% of the rest. Then the last 2% some other weekday. Not sure if it'll fit in 5mins though, that's my biggest concern. __________________ Our Fire Films - a free film project.

January 2nd, 2011, 09:07 AM	#35
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Lorinda, A couple Questions: 1. I have actually finished my film: it is 5:30 with credits included. Is that alright or do I actually have to cut the 30 seconds out?? 2. I am leaving the country this week and I wont be back till the 19th. I was wondering if I could load it up on vimeo and send you the link so it could be posted at the appropriate time? Suggestions??? __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

January 2nd, 2011, 11:59 AM	#36
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Dale, we have allowed 5:30 before so that is okay. Originally, the rule was bent to allow 20 seconds or so extra for credits only, but we'll be charitable since you're finished and getting ready to take off. Otherwise, I would remind you that you'd be surprised how much better a tighter film can be. (A note to those who aren't finished yet: Keep in mind what Dylan has said in past challenges...it had better be worth the extra time or you risk getting docked in the judging!) Go ahead with your plan to submit early. Send the Vimeo link to thedvchallenge@gmail.com and we'll be sure it gets posted for you. Hope you have a good trip! :) __________________ Lorinda

January 3rd, 2011, 05:05 PM	#40
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Tronde, Get after it!! you can do it!!! Mine is definitely real life subtly based on perspective. What else could I do when I have to do evereything by myself out here!!!! Mine is downloading as I write this, truly the earliest I ever finished a challenge, but then I pretty much had to or swim, and I don't swim well, just sink so I stay out of the water unless I am on my Cat. Look forward to see what pressure can do for you!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

December 28th, 2010, 06:25 PM	#31
Henry Williams Major Player Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewisham, London, United Kingdom Posts: 408	Meryem, have you thought about trying an animal wrangler? The one time I worked with one personally they were on a small shoot where I was running the show. The wrangler was not only an absolute trooper but also very accommodating about rates- this being the holiday season as well you might be able to get yourself a bargain. I was amazed at what the wrangler could reliably and safely get their animals to do on cue and how consistently they could reproduce it, take after take. Granted that shoot was working with tarantulas the size of my head (!) but the company I work for has also used wranglers for different, more cuddly animals on larger productions with invariably excellent results.

January 1st, 2011, 04:08 PM	#32
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	I thought I was supposed to be the animal wrangler. I doubt my production insurance would cover the cost of a stranger intervening in one of Daisy and Kosmo's wrestling sessions! Too dangerous! I put out the plea on Facebook to see if any of my film friends could bail me out with a better concept than shooting the pets. We'll see how it goes. Looking pretty good at the moment.

January 3rd, 2011, 08:44 AM	#37
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	I'm pretty much screwed! Was up in the mountains and filmed a lot on new years eve. Just to find out that nothing, absolutely nothing was recorded. (No sign of errors until I checked the recordings afterwards). Back home again, I got my camera back up and running, after several rounds with a cleaning tape. But there is no way I can get back there to film again. (Earlier in the morning, the camera performed very well, bummer!) So unless I can come up with something totally new, and find time this week, I'm out.

January 3rd, 2011, 10:20 AM	#38
Marc Burleigh Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 143	Trond, that's terrible! Was it the cold that did it? Did you find out what the problem was? Maybe you can still put something together -- even make it based on true events. As in: you may have lost some brilliant New Year's footage, but putting it into PERSPECTIVE, your camera is still working.....

January 3rd, 2011, 01:07 PM	#39
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	No, the cold is innocent. I always use a Portabrace heating cover for the camera when it is colder than 32F/0C, so the camera stayed warm all the time. It might have been because I forgot to take the tape out of the camera from the day before. But I really don't know why it happend at that time. I believe it was pure bad luck, and the tape clogged the camera's video heads. Had to use the cleaning tape 3 x 10seconds to get rid of the stuff. Interesting idea you mention. I'll see if I find time to do something this weekend.

January 3rd, 2011, 07:46 PM	#41
Henry Williams Major Player Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewisham, London, United Kingdom Posts: 408	Just heard back from my lovely VFX operator but already got a replacement script in pre-production that dosen't require clever tech stuff. Decisions, decisions...

January 4th, 2011, 08:45 AM	#42
Marc Burleigh Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 143	Surely "lovely" wins out over "replacement"?

January 4th, 2011, 12:34 PM	#43
Andris Krastins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lielvārde, Latvia Posts: 326	My actress has gone down ill with high temperature. I hope she recovers until 4day, or there is no short for the DVC... __________________ Our Fire Films - a free film project.

January 4th, 2011, 07:09 PM	#44
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Good evening, Ok, you videogaffers with acters and actresses and fx operators and what ever else, Drum one up you can do all on your own if nothing else!!!!! The 8th is not far off!!!!! I have faith in you!!! "ucan do it," all of you!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

January 4th, 2011, 07:42 PM	#45
Henry Williams Major Player Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewisham, London, United Kingdom Posts: 408	I'm on it Dale, shooting friday UK time and pre-production already underway (got my two actors confirmed today) so should be able to avoid the wall of shame...