OT2 : Time An' A Half - The Online Diary

[fraught]

After Dave Waterson mentioned the idea of keeping a diary on the making of my latest flick, i thought why not keep an Online Diary for people to read and discuss as i go along. I'll start each new entry the same way, with the date in bold, so people don't get lost.

So... here goes.

ENTRY : 17th June 2009

Ok... so much has happened so far, so its best to summarise what has happened up to today.

Firstly, i never intended on making a sequel to the film 'Overtime' even though we filmed a 'fake' trailer for it that runs after the end credits of the first one. Since the film got the publicity that it did, i've had a number of people asking me when the sequel will be finished! The problem is we had never even started it!

Well that is no longer the case. I finished the script early January and have been slowly piecing the film together.

I've had a number of obstacles to overcome so far, including trying to find an alternative location to shoot the film in. My main issue at the moment is that one of the main actors from the first film who was to reprise his role in the sequel has decided he doesn't want a 'fighting' role. So i'm currently rewriting the script to remove him from the action but to still use his character. That's been a challenge, but i think i have it licked.

On a plus side, I've attracted new talent to this project which is really nice. I have a local band prepping a Theme Tune as well as a very talented up and coming composer willing to help score the film. I've got a DJ from the local radio station all ready for a cameo, which has been an interesting aspect... that'll help us get some free publicity! So its looking to be lots of fun this time round!

I've currently got the Fight Training pencilled in to start the week commencing the 29th June. It's been a pain to organise as we're filming right in the heart of Holiday season! Hopefully we won't have anymore delays.

[fraught]

ENTRY : 29th June 2009

Tonight was the start of our fight training. It went really, even despite some people not being able to make it. We basically worked on getting the foot work right to ensure safe distances between the fighters as well as some basic fight manoeuvres.

Everyone worked really hard, and we got some good work done.

Going to arrange another practice session next week. Should be fun!

I'm also still working on finding more Offices to film in. I have one Office giving me the thumbs up, but after visiting, it really is a bit small. It'll work for some of the scenes, but not any of the fight scenes. The hunt continues!

[Dave Watterson]

Fascinating stuff, Fraught. Can you explain a little more about the fight training? Often we see movies where it looks as if the actors have improvised fights during the take ... and not very convincingly. How much "danger" are the actors in?

Dave

[fraught]

ENTRY : 14th July 2009

First, I'll answer Dave's questions. What we are currently working on with regards to the fight training is to ensure that the actors don't harm each other whilst fighting. This is done by ensuring they keep a safe distance between themselves at all times, which is done by concentrating on the footwork. For example, if i take a step forward, my opponent must take a similare step back. This helps us to minimise actual contact. When we have the safe distance licked, we'll then start practicing on the actual sword fighting aspect.
No one is in any real danger doing this. The swords we use are plastic, and the worst you can really get is a wrap on the knuckles.


Well... planning this is really hard! There are 4 main actors in the film that all require fight training, but trying to get them all together on one day is becoming increasingly difficult! I'm starting to think i've picked the wrong month to start this! Also, the Fight Choreographer is now suffering from Shingles! Damn!

I'm hoping to get another fight session booked in next week, so fingers crossed we can work that out.

I'm also chasing up with a number of contacts with regards to various other locations to shoot in. Should get some responses soon i hope.

[Fingercuff]

Sounds like you are having a ton of fun! You've got to love low budget filmmaking!

Gotta get cracking on my next film...

[fraught]

ENTRY : 1st October 2009

It's been a while, but things have been slowly moving.

The Bad News... the fight choreographer has had to pull out, which is very frustrating. One of the locations i had my hopes set on has informed us that we cannot film there, this is a big saddening blow.

The Good News... we finally start shooting tonight in one of our alternative locations! Yay! Also, the man who did the voice of the character Chad Vader in our first film is back for the second and had already recorded his lines... and they are fantastic! He has surpased himself. We have a female composer on board this time round, and she is going to be backed up by a popular DJ... will reveal more about this when things progress.

So finally we are about to shoot which is a huge relief. Will post some pics and stuff later.

[fraught]

ENTRY : 6th November 2009

It's been about 4 weeks since my last update and lots has happened since.

First up, one of the main actors has had to drop out due to personal reasons which was a real blow! We managed to replace them but have had a recent issue with the replacement. It's all sorting itself out, but is giving me an exercise on creative planning!

We've had about 3 succesful night's filming, with our next session next week. I've also been doing some rough editing with the footage that i've shot alongside working on the Lightsaber FX. This is helping me work out what shots need to be reshot, or don't work, or what i need to shoot extra.

I've also had time to upload a new Teaser Trailer with some of the new footage to YouTube & Facebook.

[fraught]

ENTRY : 20th November 2009

Ok... i'm heavily involved in the editing and sorting out the VFX for a bit. Will finally put some links up at the end of this bit.

Did some filming at the weekend, most of it went well, but after reviewing the rushes i'm not totally happy. So i've decided to reshoot some of it. Just need to get everyone back again.

Anyway... here is my latest teaser trailer : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wo5_Gg4Aog

And here are some stills from the film : http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak ... 4206_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak ... 2701_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak ... 1075_n.jpg

[fraught]

ENTRY : 21st December 2009

Things are still moving along slowly. I've still got about 4 or 5 nights worth of filming to organise, but whilst i'm trying to do that, i'm editing and working on the Visual FX in the evenings.

Having lots of problems trying to get people together on the same night, which has caused me to get creative with my editing at times. Since we've been filming since November, i'm starting to get requests from some of the actors about getting their hair cut! Do i let them go an get a trim? Do i let them go for a full change?! Not that it's really down to me to say, but i've been trying to persuade them to hold out until the film is finished. Which is difficult with Christmas just round the corner!

Was due to do some filming tonight, but because of the snow, everyone is trapped at home! Another day lost! Oh well... back to the calender to organise another day.

[fraught]

ENTRY : 7th January 2010

Snow again is stopping us from filming! Basingstoke is just a snow-go area! The weather is really hampering the making of this film!

[Fingercuff]

ENTRY : 7th January 2010

Snow again is stopping us from filming! Basingstoke is just a snow-go area! The weather is really hampering the making of this film!

I can completely relate to what your saying! I'm meant to be filming on Saturday. Fingers crossed!

[Dave Watterson]

Is it problems of getting cast and crew to locations - or just that snow does not fit the scenario?

These diary snippets are fascinating but a shade more detail would be great ... you could trickle feed info in twitter-like bursts maybe.

Dave (intrigued)

[fraught]

The problem is getting everyone to the Location at the moment Dave. Basingstoke was really hit by the Snow and it's now just a sheet of ice!

I think as things progress... i'll probably do more of the trickle-feeding like Twitter. I'm on a deadline now as i'm determined to get the film shot by the end of January to give me enough time for Post Work before my wife gives birth to Twins! I probably wont have much time to look at it after that!

[fraught]

ENTRY : 13th January 2010

We managed to film last night. The snow thawed just enough for most people to get to the location. We managed to shoot all that was needed, and fingers crossed we won't have to return to the location as I think we're all done there now.

What I found interesting shooting for the first time after Christmas were the comments from the ladies involved... who all found it a struggle getting back into their costumes! I certainly didn't notice a difference, but they felt it.

I just have to sort out filming in a lift, and filming in a car park. Working on that!
I also have some Green Screen work to do, which i need to organise.

Then I guess it's all down to the Post Production!

[Dave Watterson]

Don't let the post-production work take too long ... once twins arrive you will have not a moment for anything so frivolous as film! I know one guy who managed to juggle fatherhood and film work ... but he got up around 5am to do a feed for the child then stayed up working on his films till breakfast. He could cope with only a few hours sleep a night. Most film makers take a hiatus in the hobby until the children are at least sleeping through the whole night and usually until they are toddling.

Dave