Cheng-da
Although I had a bad cold with a fever the night before, I managed to drag myself out of bed on Tuesday morning, pack up my stuff, and catch a taxi out to National Cheng-chih University. It being tomb-sweeping day, traffic was light, and I was early, so I sat out on the front steps of the building we were going to film in, hoping that the sunlight would somehow clear out my sinuses and make the world a bit less hazy.
Dean was already there, though, so I went up to check out the conference rooms we’d signed out for the day. The janitor guy was really friendly and helpful. I explained to him, since Dean had signed out the place for a “workshop”, that we were doing a workshop in which I would explain filmmaking to a group by having them go through a couple of short shoots. Did I lie? I merely exaggerated.
Actors trickled in, gathering in one conference room and talking, making fun of each others wardrobe and props, while I set up in the next room. Darrell brought his new DVX100a so we could get two-camera setups, and Paul brought the new dolly/tripod system, which worked after a fashion, but still needs some improvements. I think we’re definitely on the right…track…ouch.
After some consternation concerning line-crossing and lighting differences, we started shooting with Brian Lynch, who plays “No. 2”, the role originally created by John Locke in the original premiere Lady X episode. Brian is a former ICRT DJ, and it was a pleasure to work with him.
Also new to the set were Peter Balfry, who was the professor in “The Big Cheese”, Jerome and Graham, former co-workers from the News, and Emily, Joshua’s girlfriend. We also got Zach, who works with me and Dean at our day job, and one of Dean’s classmates to play armed guards. They looked quite impressive in their flak jackets holding Uzis.
We got all the shots with the most people in them done first, letting actors go as we went. Finally, at around 8pm (we were supposed to be out of there by 6), we’d let everyone, including our three main actors, go. It was just Brian, Dean, Paul, Darrell and myself. I’d skipped lunch and not taken any medicine aside from some vitamin C all day; I got through on a bottle of orange juice. After a search for Brian’s lost phone (it was in his bag), Paul and Darrell left in Paul’s car, while Dean, Brian and I took a taxi to our respective destinations. Brian was in good spirits; I think he had the best time of all of us that day. He got out to go to Post Home in Shilin for dinner. I declined his invitation to join him, as all I wanted to do was go home and crash. A very, very long day it was.
I took Monday off as well as today to recover, but I’m still sick. Tomorrow we’re going to do some shots of Peter in a jet. Due to the fact that we don’t have a jet, we’re going to make do with an old ejector seat and a helmet, and let the magic of CG take care of the rest.
The pictures look good. very filmic.
Comment by Darrell — April 7, 2005 @ 3:07 am
I watched the teaser of the movie.
Although the music,vocal/special effect,fighting,,.. etc seems needed enhance a little bit.
This film do have good characters.
pictures shot highly professional too.
Keep up the good job!
Comment by Annonymous-J — September 28, 2007 @ 12:01 pm