This week my efforts...

In this week my efforts went into costume making (and transcribing my damn script). The costume thing wasn't really for the movie; it was for Halloween (which I don't know if I will do anything for... other than one hell of a kegger 2 nights ago). The costume makes the man, and I was dressed as Clark Kent (which looks retarded when I write it out by hand, BTW) half way to Super Man. The reason why this is important for my movie is that the costume cost me a total of 30 dollars.

The costume consisted of a pair of kaki dress pants, a black button down shirt, a super man shirt, and a pair of glasses. Thankfully I owned the pants and shirt already, so the search was on for a super man costume to wear below. A quick trip to Bayshore showed me quickly that I couldn't get a super man costume (that’s right... not even a child’s costume.) so it was off to run the mall for a super man T-shirt. When the shirt totalled 35 dollars, I decided to check Zellers. I found something that "worked". The size 10, children’s costume. That was fun... because I barely fit. In the end, although the choice to be Clark Kent (rather than Super Man) was a style one, it was a very practical one.

How does this tie into the movie?

If I have learned one thing this weekend, it is that you can be drunk and still pour a keg. Since I learned at least 2 things, I learned that you could have practicality in a costume for Halloween (or a movie) and still have a good-looking costume. So for future reference, if a characters costume costs me more than 30 bucks, they need a new costume.

Good news is I now have glasses for an actor (if needed) and a super man shirt (if needed) for this upcoming movie... hot stuff.

In other news I am still transcribing my script ( a process I will lament about next week) and I am writing a "How to make Indie movies" feature for the Fulcrum. Be sure to check it out when it hits shelves some time next month (I will also post it here... but thats only because I am starved for content).

Welcome to the world of The Mary Men.

Thanks to the gift of prewriting, this post not only goes up on time, it also contains revelant content... look forward to similar situations in the future.

The Mary Men is the sorrid story of the little rock band that could. This story driven tale tells of the life lessons uncovered by 6 teens in the small town of Arthur-Fox. It centers around the band, The Mary Men, who are the name sake for the film. Lead singer Mary is the fiery but ever distant punk rocker who seems to pull most of the strings. At her right hand side, her boyfriend Trevor who's free spirted mother implicantly trusts her son. Susan is the Pretty in Pink character whos overbearing parents have diven her to the limited underground life that Arthur-Fox has to offer. Jeffery bassist to their pop-rock phenom, who spends the film figuring out his sexuality. Nathan is the drummer who has the power to shape the future of the band... if only he would see it. Finally, the new girl, Katrina steps into the picture, she is dealing with her new found pizza related super powers.

At the start of the film, the band is offered the record deal that they have been waiting for. Unfortunatly a wrench is thrown into the machiencery when Mary and Trevor break up, forcing the band to go on hiatus. The film follows their misshaps and mysteries as they attempt to reconsile and move on.

Written and Directed by Brendan Butt, this dark romp through a teenages addeled mind is sure to be a pleasure for all involved*.

*Not really... its actually more likly to be a painfully cheesy experience, that only a mother could love... and since she is not around to do that, it won't be loved by any one.

Writing a monologue

Thats where the challange is. Any jackass can string a few words together, bastardize the english language and make a script.

Steven

I told you it was a good movie

Harris

I refuse to admit that this was worth watching.

Steven

But it looked so good

Harris

But the writing was horible... who would say that shit... Blue-haha is not even a word

Steven

Nurr!

Look! I just did it my self. Unfortunatly it takes a genious to take those musings and roll it into one long and deeply personal confession about humanity. Thats what a good monologue should do, it should express something to an audience that couldn't be said in a mere 10 words. Observe!

Steven

See, I told you that was a good movie.

Harris

What are you talking about. That movie was so contrived. It sounded like that author just wanted us to belive that he was making a new and pithy point about society, when really he was looking for a good excusse to show some skin on camera. Don't try to argue that the nudity enhanced the films meaning in any way. The nude scene could have been completely removed from this slug fest and I would still think that this movie was a waste of a budget... hell even I could write better dialague than that. who would say that shit... Blue-haha is not even a word.

Steven
Nurr!

Harris

Fuck you.

You see the difference? No! Ofcourse you wouldn't. You wouldn't know good writing if it bit you on the ass... but then again if good writing bit you on the ass, its more likly that it was a dog and not good writing.

Whats the point you ask? There is no point, and that my friend is the point.

Movies and Books

Another post, another day late.

So last week I talked about the movie I was going to see a way independant film. Well its exatically what I expected it to be when I told you guys about it. The only issue that I had is that half way through the cheesy teen movie the projector broke down. I hear that Louis is getting 50 percent compensation... wich is good... the investment might help him produce a new film...

The one thing this experience confirmed for me is that; No, you cannot make a teen movie with a small budget.

That being said, I had a good week. I first and formost picked up a cupple of books. I purchased a coppy of "How to shoot a feature film for under 10000, and not go to jail" and "Silent Bob Speaks" and "Digital filmmaking for teens". I only read the first one, so far... but I am in the middle of the second one... both of wich I love so much. Hopefully they help me make a bigger and better film.

I also spent most of my paycheque on movies this week... This should be a fun week for movies. On my list this week;

Saved!
In Good Company
Anchorman
Clerks X
Freddy Got Fingered
The Motorcycle Diaries
American Pie 2

All but one of these movies are comedies... guess wich one it is.

The last thing I want to talk about at this point is the introduction for my script. I wrote a great (and telling) introduction to my film. Now those of us who will get to read the script will know a lot more about the person who wrote the script. For the rest of you... I may or may not post that... I don't know yet. You may need to wait for my commentary in the DVD (I am TOTALLY making a DVD).

Next week I will actually tell people about the movie (since I realised that we never talked about the movie itself).

You are hearing me talk!

This is basically a test of my ability to post using e-mail. Feel free to ignore this entry.

Less than 2 hours later...

At the end of my "research period" this evening, I noticed something in the commons area. It was a poster. "What did this poster say, to make you update midweek and less than 2 hours after you wrote your last post?" you ask. Well this simple poster talked of 2 movies that are premiering this Saturday (the 15 of October) at Silver City (Gloucester).

Now being a fan of independant productions, I have every intention of going to see this film (Even thought I will have to call in "Sick" to work), and I invite you all to come with me. For information go to Ice Beam Studios.

Damn! Am I sorry.

Honestly, I don't know why I am apologizing... I mean this is (By "this" I mean the blog) meant mostly for me, and yet here I am saying I am sorry for missing the Monday deadline. Its not an excuse, but I was busy all day, then I went off and saw some friends at night... That was FUN!

Now that I have made my obligatory apologizes, I will get on with the show.

Over the past several hours I have done a metric fuckton of research. I started in class, but ended up sitting in the commons trying to figure out one thing. How do I get costumes for cheap?

Now, I know I could ask who ever happens to be the actor (or actress... I am not sexist... Just lazy) in question to bring in a costume for themselves, but that leaves me with a few issues. What if the costume doesn't fit the tone of the film? What if it has a large logo that I can't get the rights to use? What if I hate the look of it? What if? What if? What if?

To be honest, I haven't come up with many alternatives. So I think I may be forced to go with the classic University stand by... BEG! BORROW! And STEAL! This may not be news to any one of you, but I am cheap. Cheaper than cheap. I wouldn't save my mother from the ravenous bug bladder beast of trall if it involved me spending a dime (or going back in time... I detest time travel... Stupid paradoxes).

Not every costume can be begged off. Where Trevor's T-shirts in many scenes could simply be a promotional shirt that we got out of sheer luck, Trina's PizzaGirl costume will be much harder to procure (Any one in the audience wear spandex?).

So, with out many other options I will make a public outcry. Currently, I am looking to make these costumes on the cheap... So if some one knows a retailer who would be willing to part ways with a few shirts, pants, and skirts for a mention in the credits (or in the movie... I am flexible with product placement... In fact I am looking into that now... And may talk about it next week) please, send them my way... There free shit, is my free shit... As it where.

So until next week, keep your head out of the gutter, and remember to have your pets spayed and neutered.

And now for my next act...

I have here for you my favorite scene in the whole movie. This happens to be the best scene in the film. Now that may be an overstatement on my part, but I can name a few reasons for this scene being great. This is some of my best writing, it features the counter point of seriousness and comedy that I have loved in other feature films. This scene comes about halfway through the film, and makes a great addition to the movie. Its going to be shot outside a bar... perhaps in my mothers home town (I will talk more about that later). Now I could keep talking about this scene... or I could show it to you. So here it is.

Trina and Trevor leave the bar for the outside. Trevor is still very much drunk, Trina is painfully sober. (We could shoot this scene outside of gavins... same with the scene before*)

Trevor
You are really nice... You know that. Hey, hey... Why are you helping me?

Trina
Because... This is my bar. And you are some drunk. And I have a certain ammount of respect for this bar, so I don't want you passing out in there. Its just not Kosher.

Trevor
But why do you even care... You are pretty... You could be in there picking up any guy you wanted... but you are out here with me.

Trina
Well maybe I don't want to meet just any guy, maybe I want to meat some one cool.

Trevor
You wouldn't... would you. You probbably want to meet a nice guy... a good guy. Maybe some one cute. Some one funny.

Trina
You know you are a good guy, Trevor... you know that right.

Trevor
Some times I don't think that. I wish I was an asshole some times... and asshole. I know that I am not... its kinda dissapointing, but I was never raised to be a asshole. But I alway wished I could be one.

Trina
Why?

Trevor
People don't like assholes. It means that people don't hang out with assholes, so it avoids bullshit. I think I like that better. I don't what to have to deal with bullshit... and people... people make bullshit. I hate that... Bullshit.

Trina
You realise that is bullshit. You know that right? By being some one that you are not, in your case an asshole. You are lying to your self and others. that lie will fester within you and will make you unworthy of what you do have.

Trevor
So what do you do... This is my sheild, its stops me from being hurt. It is hard for me to drop that sheild. I only ever did that with Mary... or when I am drunk.

Trina
You find some one who doesn't judge you... and doesn't give you that bullshit...

Trevor
(He looks up at her) Thanks. Your a good friend.

At this point he tries to kiss her, but Jeffery and Nathan bust out of the bar, running and giggling.

Nathan
Come on, Trevor... Run.

Trevor
Huh (Sobering up quickly... but not completely) What happened.

Jeffery
Long story short, there is a man named lucey that isn't very happy with us.

Cut to Jeffery and Nathan standing at the bar next to a biker dude.

Nathan
Wait... wait... wait... Are you trying to tell me that your name is lucey? like... seriously. Lucey?

Lucey
Yep.

Nathan
So when your husband comes home... does he ever say, "Lucey! You got some S'palining to do"?

Jeffery
Or do you ever hold a ball for some bald headed kid... and then he falls on his ass.

Nathan
(Dead pan) No, seriously... do you... because that would be awsome.

Back to them running

Nathan
Punch it, Chewie!

Trevor
Bye, pretty lady!

Trina
(She is odly sad when she says this) Bye.

Now none of you may be asking why I would use my moms home town for this scene. It is an hour out of the city, it is small... well, the reason is simple. I know the town... not well... but well enough. I know that I could call in a few favors and get us a "nice" bar to shoot the movie in. Plus it makes a good place to shoot the scenes for Susans house (thats right, my grandparents home would make a great place to shoot a "rich" home).