Demonica Shooting #1

We are filming Day 5 by actual days however with the long hours we are on day 7 shot list wise as we .  Prescribed Films "Demonica"  is and interesting set full of quirks, mickey mouse and jimmy rigged quality steady cam and camera accessories.  We  have been pulling long hours averaging 14 hour days plus hour round trip for commute to set.  It is nice to be filming with a 4pm call time with a mandatory wrap time by 11p, versus our normal 9pm call time with a average wrap of 10-1030am.  My script  supervisor job is pretty easy.  While being digital, I am using an excel to capture shots without using Scriptee Program, however I not using the script to mark up.  I've learn very quick each production, each director does things different and as a film maker regardless of job one just needs to be able to be flexible and adapt.  After this movie I need to definitely to brush up on my traditional Script Supervisor skills to get back into practice and conformity that other productions use. 

This film has really taught me or better yet is teaching me to go with the flow and it is not easy. As a low budget no budget film you would think from the makeup, special effects, and the acting  that we were working on a pretty decent budget film.   I am not particular to night shoots but you need to film when you can and be available when needed.

I love watching the interaction of the actors and the life they bring to a camera via  the monitor and staged. The rain really made the shoot today for this particular scene as it is the introduction to evil.  Today's scene takes place in 1962 at an old rustic tavern.  The location could not be more perfect, while a bit small it was workable and accomplished what was needed.   This is the opening scene that sets the tone for the movie.  It was and hot day, the rain made it cool outside, but inside on set in the small space we are filming in due to the heat of the day and set lights, it is sweltering sauna, and raining  bullets upon talent and crew.   Heat doesn’t play well with neuropathy, but I 'm hanging in there, even though its challenging.  Like with all sets there is a lot of receptiveness, however  on this set we keep it fun interesting.  One of the highlights of journey into Prescribed Films, an alternate universe to the Twilight Zone, is in the note section of the slate we put off the wall one liners instead of serious slate notes as the rely on me as Scriptee to keep actual notes. 

Shooting has been wonderful at our previous locations as well; the skating rink in Oskaloosa, Hotel Ottumwa (one of the most haunted places in Iowa) in Ottumwa,  and independent house for bedroom scene.

At the skating rink 2nd day on location I tried skating, while I did not fall down I was a wall stopper keep the wall up.  There is a reason I haven't skated in 20 years, there is also a big difference between skates and roller blades and ice skates; however, neither I want to do it again.  Its interesting how, and commendable where one scene had nudity last week in the script that no actress wanted to do the role unless a compromised was made for at least keeping the bra on for simulated male and female sex scene.  We had to find an actress who would do that scene and a couple actresses for a girl on girl kissing scene.  

People don’t realize how sensitive boom is and ever little sound even outside is finely picked up during filming and even more so during room tone.  It is a joy to work with this cast as crew and I look forward to the weekend of filming , with that said I detest the night shoots however its worth it and is the art of filming that allows me treasure such shoots.

Demonica- Working on Set with Family

I love being a filmmaker, and I love having the ability to wear multiple hats in the industry.  When "Demonica" presented its self, I was more than happy to jump at the opportunity to work on this feature indie film.  Not only did I had the privilege of knowing the Director Jason Bolinger personally as well as the other members of team by reputation, this was an opportunity to work with my cousin on the set.  I adore my cousin who is currently 15 and is a gift in my life.  She is very talented and I love her artistic abilities.  I can not tell you how excited i was to share my world with her.  While I do wear many hats in the industry and overzealous for the love of what I do, when it it comes to wearing the Script Supervisor/Continuity hat my awkward social and personal interactions and personality becomes more awkward, unintentionally offensive, or misunderstood especially when narrow minded and focused on work.  As a Script/Continuity Supervisor my filmmaking OCD and anal retentiveness kicks in more than any other hat I wear in the industry. Working on an 80's period film, or any period film for that matter makes continuity issues all that more important.  I cannot watch a movie at movie theater without picking it apart as continuity issues really throw a film out of enjoyment for me.

So last weekend while filming on location the bedroom scene in Oskaloosa. I inadvertently offended my cousin Amanda Zombie Pratt, after she worked hard on a poster for the film one in which I actually loved.  After bringing it to the director's, Insane Mike Saunders attention first I informed him that we could not use the poster as it featured currency with its modern day look versus the way it looked back in the 80's. As Script supervisor I have been overly attentive since it is an 80's film making sure that everything is period pieces.  I brought it to Mandy's attention and while I told her i loved we just could not use it due to the new money designs. And in translation to a 15 year old it means their hard work especially as it was the best of all the posters she did that We did not like it.  Mandy also was helping with makeup and the actresses were asking how their makeup was after Mandy did it, as I have the experience as they put it. Mandy did a great job and that hurt her as she thought people did not like her makeup.  We just had to make it darker because we were on camera for lighting issues. Unfortunately even when run by director because felt her work wasn't appreciated she dropped out. The other part is and was and I take responsibility for it is that she thought I was bossing her around too much, actually asking her to do too much.  While I did not ask her to do more than anyone else I asked of on set as we were short crew and I was informed on a Prescribed Films set that everyone does everything when on set when we are not busy, its difficult for someone new to understand that and what a role of production assistant is. Even when I am hurting , very muck lacking sleep or sick I always ask can you, and please and thank you to everyone. I learned a long time ago to be hyper aware how you treat talent and crew as i go out of my way to make sure they have what they need.

The great thing about being a script supervisor is that you are responsible for the film;  your notes and attentiveness is what the director and editors rely on in order to make a quality film and. save money.  it is department of 1 however and that makes things hectic and keeps you glued to the set without the down time as the rest of cast and crew has opportunity for because our downtime is out time to play catch up with notes and paperwork.  Again as a one department person I nned to know makeup, hair, wardrobe and set continuity.  I have to know it all.  I have to pay attention to light if its day or night. how pillow were thrown and every little thing of the film  at every moment between each shot, when we shoot sceenes out of order or multiple days so I am in focus mode.   For me its filmmaking period so I as a Scripty  have to e on toop of everything and sometimes trying to keep things on schedules time and shooting.  There are times I am squeezed tightly in one spot and cant movie in order to stay out of shot and everything where i have to have someone bring me things.  For all intensive purposes Scripty doesn't move. n9t even to use restroom unless there is a company break.

Its is very sad not by her fault or excuse, but as the excuse given that she doesn't want to work on the film now because she feels I boss her around too much when in all actuality especially during the shooting part I have very little reaction most talent and crew when I am Scripty mode, except when i am calling for makeup to be flown in for re-powdering of the face so its not shining on my monitor, as well as drinks for them.  I was so looking forward to working with Mandy as we both share the passion of Demons, Monsters, and Zombies not being turned into the Demon myself and taken as if i was the bullying for doing my job even when i ran everything through the director myself.  I even suggested a few positions to the production team as I thought she would be perfect for working them.  This is a chance of a lifetime working of film sets, the long hours, the film family, the fun times and adventure, and knowing that you worked on something great.  Am I bothered by the whole situation, yes I am. Can i do anything about it no as she won't change her mind. I need to move forward now not because i don't care but because i have to focus and not be distracted for day 3 shooting

My film making question to filmmakers is how do you work with family members on a film set without offending them, or them feeling like you are bossing them around especially if they are new to the film making process?

Prescribed Films- Indie Filmmaking Holding True to its Name

After being in Utah for 3 weeks for filming 2 commercials and a short film, casting for my film "Take Stand," two table reads, a photo shoot, shooting my Indiegogo campaign video, securing donations for Silent auction, speaking to a group against bullying and suicide and walking the Red Carpet for the premiere of the new Soap Opera "Proper Manors" [www.propermanors.tv] I find myself  in a strange new world, another planet, galaxy or even possibly what could be the gateway to the twilight zone. This place, which can only be entered into through some rift in the space time continuum in Iowa that really creates a reality that my no means know what the concept of normality is, this vortex or gateway is called Prescribed Films.

Prescribed Films is a indie film group and company that supports the concept of no or low budget feature film making. While the group consists of very talented and highly qualified crew and Talent and looks like a regular film set, in reality has been the metaphorical rabbit hole of film making turning my concepts and training upside down, twisted and kinked, to the point that these filmmakers are sane compared to the quote unquote filmmakers I am used and by no means are they conventional.  I had to learn very quickly what to eat and what to drink in order to survive this truly unique land of wonder.  Prescribed films is about being a family and not being defined by particular labels or ideas of film making while having fun and treating each day on set as an opportunity to run with the bulls or run among the stallions as this is about having fun, adventure, and for the mere thrill of being part of something greater than one person but about the ability of the team and family.  I had to quickly adjust to quirks lack of seriousness , while giving myself a just let go enema as I needed to quickly stop being a tight assed, anal retentive cunt who takes her job too seriously.  Every director has their on way of doing things and as was described to me we have many professional quality people who work with prescribed films who refuse to work on any other films besides prescribed unless they are very similar to the mission of Prescribed in order to avoid the politics, egos, and annoying I am all that attitudes.

While I have worked on many film sets this team this family working on "Demonica" is by far the greatest set I have ever been on.  I don't mean this as a slam to the wonderful people I have worked with in the past on various project.  If a film shoot can get me to not me an uptight tunnel visioned filmmaker especially as the Script and Continuity Supervisor by day 2 then there is true magic on this set.  While my continuity eye is key for this film, I am doing unconventional means of script supervisor paperwork and such and its okay. I hate to say it especially when I'm very OCD about stuff like this, that I don't have to be perfect. Just have to be who the director needs me to be.

While I am overzealous I am learning to relax breathe and take it easy.  I do not have to do everything and I( just need to enjoy the adventure.  Prescribed Films is a wonderful group to be working with and I am greatly blessed, honored, and privileged as a filmmaker to be working with this group and invited into their world.  This feature production is a journey on opening the mind and just flow and I know I will be learning a lot from these great filmmakers.

What is worse than Demons, Demons on roller skates.

 (picture is a general stock photo of me filmmaking in Utah nothng to do with Prescribed Films)

The directors Jason Bolinger and Insane Mike Saunders owned up to March of this year the Insane Asylum, a cult movie, collectable, and horror emporium in Ottumwa, Iowa.  If you are looking for a old cult or horror VHS or DVD let me know and i will see if he still has it for sale still as the still have merchandise available.

When I move out Iowas my place place is going to be a tribute to all film making.   Prescribed Film members also have nicknames that we go by and usually something that is associated with our live as people and filmmakers.  My film nickname is "Phoenix" as it is part of the logo for my company as well for me represents empowerment, strength, renewal and healing, life, and the ability to rise above and and overcome.  So as a filmmaker I am Phoenix.