The Future of Me

It has been a busy month.  Suppose I should fill you in.

Following graduation from Flashpoint, I spent much of my time preparing for interviews in Los Angeles.  One week into June, I flew into LAX to speak with several companies, most of which seemed to be involved in the television business.  To make a long story short, I spent 9 days in the west, and returned to Chicago knowing that I would make the move.

6 days later, I packed up the truck and left.

I feel that leaving Chicago behind has allowed me to revitalize my love of film.  Even the trip through the Rockies allowed me to reflect on my successes and failures in the past 2 years.  My brother accompanied me on the journey, and we kept each other awake with jokes through Nebraska, but we practically didn't speak in Colorado, simply because we were too busy observing the majesty of the mountain landscape.  Funny, how mountainous terrain can make one reflect on their own life.

I didn't always plan to move to Los Angeles (just refer to earlier blog posts!) but perhaps it is for the best that I begin a new chapter in a completely new and exciting environment.  Although this type of change is probably the biggest I have ever made, I don't think it has set in, at least not yet.  After all, I've been independent for quite some time, which allows me the freedom to simply go where I need to go.

I certainly miss my friends, and I hope they will join me soon.  I do feel bad about leaving everything behind in such a hurry.  Hell, I don't even think some of my friends know I have left Chicago yet!  But as one of my enthusiastic professors told me, you can't fear the success in your life.  If you think you can do it, then you can do it.  It will happen, and it will happen effortlessly.  Take the opportunity.  Take the job.  Don't sit down and wait for things to fall into place, because they won't.  More importantly, don't believe that you can't do it.  You have failed by not taking the opportunity that could have made you happy.

This goes both ways - personal and professional.

Some may find these comments a bit generic and unoriginal, but they are the truth.  Do not fear the thought of not succeeding, for if you do not try, then you will never know if you really could have made a difference.

I have passed on opportunities in both my personal and professional life.  It's time to change that.  So I can tell you this much, when an opportunity comes about next time, I'm going to take it.  Hands down.  No fear of success.

And that's why I moved to Los Angeles.  No more hearing other peoples success stories.  It's time to write my own.

DM

The League

www.theleaguefilm.com

Click the link, and get to know the site.  One of my good friends Alec Siegel is one of the writers and producers.

Very exciting stuff, and quite a stellar website.

DM

Notebaert Nature Shoot

Just wanted to give a quick update.

Over the last month we have been working with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to film a series of 90 second shorts that will be displayed on the website and at the Museum.  Here's a few pictures to show you what we've been up to.

More to come,

DM

Reflection

It's been a pretty hectic couple of weeks, but very productive, nonetheless.  We are in the final stretch of the first year at Flashpoint, and I am already so busy that my schedule has filled the summer.

In fact, my schedule actually filled up way back at the end of January.

After being here for a year, and reflecting on my time at Flashpoint, I can proudly say that it is much more than a school.  I don't feel like I come here to do school work, I come here to better myself as a filmmaker, and as a person.  I am in a workplace, and I work with students and faculty to bring projects together.

I have been on 3 internships, two of which will continue into the summer, and I have worked on at least 10 short films over the course of the last 9 months.  I have set up and run a weekly film screening for the school and crafted a plan for a student government.  I am tired, but I am adjusting, and I feel far more qualified to be in this business than I did a year ago.

What Flashpoint Academy provides now for me is a path, which is my choice, of course.  I just don't know what it should be.  So, as we reach the end of the first chapter at Flashpoint, the time for reflection has begun.

A decision soon,

DM

Go Go Speed Racer

What makes a trip to IMAX such an exciting experience is not only the movie you see, but the fact that you can sometimes get an early screening - for free.  I was lucky enough to attend a screening of Speed Racer earlier this evening, and all I can say is that was one wild experience.

The movie begins with Emile Hirsch as Speed, racing around a dazzling display of lights and dodging cars left, right, up, down...well...pretty much any way you can dodge a fast moving vehicle.

The films greatest strength is also its greatest weakness - editing.  The quick cutting between takes can get you really excited about a racing scene, but it can also drive you up wall.  That said, I felt the racing scenes were spectacular.  The color and VFX were quite unlike anything I had ever seen before, but at the same time, I wish there had been a little less going on in front of me.  I kept wanting to push all of the extra stuff out of the way so I could just see what was going on in the background!

To the credit of the Wachowski's, they pretty much through the rule book out on this one.  This movie was undeniably insane, and yes, people did walk out after the film saying "that was really unrealistic."  Yet, I'm pretty sure that they wanted it that way.  Yeah it's unrealistic, and they knew it, so they went way overboard!  For that, I applaud them.

Sometimes unrealism in a film can really drive me crazy, but not this one.  This one was crazy enough already.

Go see Speed Racer, at IMAX.  Go Go.

DM

Chicago & Formosa Betrayed

These past couple weeks, I have been lucky enough to intern on a feature film, known as Formosa Betrayed.

I won't divulge too much information on the movie, but here is a brief synopsis for you to read through.

Formosa Betrayed is set in the 1980's, where a young detective investigates the murder of a well known professor.  During the investigation, he uncovers truths that send him on a collision course with the chinese mafia, chinese government and U.S. state department.  He must then not only uncover the mystery of this professor's murder, but also fight for his own survival.

That's pretty much the idea.  My life in the production office wasn't nearly that exciting, but I'm not complaining.  

Working as an intern gives you the opportunity to do several things, from distributing script revisions to running errands - to places that you don't really know about.  (This allowed me to get to know some filmmaking places that I will be using in the future, provided I shoot a film in Chicago.)

Chicago filmmaking is on the rise with films like Formosa, Dark Knight, ER, and much more.  (Yes, ER has been here a while)  But the industry is returning to Chicago over the next several years, and the hope is to have a thriving film community as soon as possible.

Some say we can only hope...I don't think we need to.  Filmmaking is on its way back to Chicago.  It's simply a matter of time.

DM

Son of Rambow

Last week I was able to attend a screening of Son of Rambow, starring two young actors, Bill Milner & Will Poulter.

Set in the 1980's, this film is about their fascination with a pirated copy of First Blood, which prompts the start of their own homemade sequel, against the wishes of their school and their families.

Rambow is fun and entertaining, but I didn't feel that it was anything extraordinary.  I'm not saying that Rambow was bad, but maybe I expected something a little different because of some preconceived notions.

Nick Goldsmith and Garth Jennings make up the team Hammer & Tongs, who started work on Rambow more than 8 years ago.  That's not to say they were constantly working on it, because they weren't.  They were in fact working on a studio picture for much of the time, known as Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Perhaps some of you have heard of it?

Hammer & Tongs paid a visit to Flashpoint the day after the screening, and we were able to ask a few questions about the process of filmmaking, and how Rambow became what it was.  They talked about their lives during the process of making a film, and working with child actors (since there were plenty in this film) and what it's like coming off of a studio film and doing something on a smaller scale.

All in all, Rambow was entertaining, warm, and heartfelt.  Unfortunately it suffers from the cliche story line at times, and one of the side stories could have been done without.  I won't spoil it for you though, in case you plan on a viewing.

Later this week I'll have a report on the feature Formosa Betrayed, which I am currently interning on.

DM

Chicago 2016 - Part 1

In 2016, Chicago holds the possibility of hosting the Summer Olympic Games, which would turn the city into a hub of activity.

Not that it isn't already...

But hosting the Olympics would present Chicago with the opportunity to improve the city's economy and quality of life on a grander scale, even after the Olympics have come and gone from the city.  

The USOC picked Chicago over Los Angeles last year, since only one American city is allowed to compete for the Olympic bid.  From that point on, the city has been preparing and praying for an event like this to come to the shores of Lake Michigan.

And why shouldn't they?  There's 29 miles of shoreline, a beautiful skyline, and plenty of able venues to host the games (i.e. The United Center & Soldier Field.)  We are a hub of sporting activities, and we have a powerhouse of great players.  Even if you disagree, you can't say it hasn't had a lush history with some of the greatest players in the world.

And nothing represents diversity like Chicago.  There are over 25,000 people in each of the more than 25 nationalities in the area.  The Mayor and others have overseen making the city the greenest in the United States.  Over half a million trees and the restoration of parks and landmarks are making Chicago more beautiful than ever.

This may seem like a bit of an advertisement for the Olympic bid, but what I am getting at is the amount of manpower involved. Just imagine the magnitude of people working towards an event like this.

More on this later...

DM

Carlos & Will

Amidst all the chaos these last few weeks, I had a chance to see R. Carlos Nakai and Will Eaton in concert this afternoon.

For those who don't know, R. Carlos Nakai (RC) is a rather famous Native American Flute Musician.  He plays a wide variety of flutes, and has released well over 30 albums since the 1980's.  His music is soothing, peaceful, and extraordinarily graceful.  This is the perfect kind of music to let your mind wander.

In fact, that's what RC said during the concert.  When he plays his music, he wants you to use your imagination to take you places.

Will Eaton joined RC on stage, and played the double head harp guitar, which is so elaborate it has its own computer built in.  Yes, a computer.  It even has its own little monitor.  This allows Will to play multiple instruments in one, and bring in certain elements of song that you wouldn't normally be able to do with only two people playing.

What was really impressive was their collaboration on improvisation.  After a standing ovation at the end of the performance, the two walked back on stage to play one more tune.  Will turned to RC and said "you wanna just do another improv?"

The crowd cheered, and they began a 7 minute song.  They fed off of one another, using plenty of instruments to quickly find the right beat and then bring the song to life.  Everything from the bass, to the guitar, to the piano, to the Native American flutes were used.

This music took my mind out of the stresses of life for two hours.  Sometimes that's all you need.

DM

9 to 5

As I sit here putting the finishing touches on the production binder for Don't Russian, I realize one thing...

There is not much time for sleep.

I'm not really bothered by it, since this is a profession that I am choosing. If I wanted plenty of sleep I would go work a 9 to 5 job.

The thing is, we don't do that as filmmakers. I am constantly in contact with my group, and other groups, (and for some reason everyone calls me at the same time!) I am up many hours of the night, sending and recieving e-mails from anyone throughout the day. I think my phone bill will be rather high this month...yuck.

If you are a passionate filmmaker, you think about a project all day. You constantly tweak and improve the concepts. You make plot and character changes that alter the experience. Then, when all is said and done, you go back home and you think about it some more.

We are on the ball 24/7.

Am I a workaholic? Say what you will, but I am constantly on the move, and I am finding it very rewarding.

Before I get back to my work, I must recommend the film Gone Baby Gone. A pleasant surprise of Ben Affleck's directing abilities, not to mention that his younger brother Casey had a solid performance in the lead role. It is ultimately a moral story that will leave you guessing until the end of the movie, and thinking about it long after the credits have rolled.

DM

That's a Wrap

There isn't much time for sleep when you produce. Last night we wrapped the second Flashpoint film project and celebrated a successful shoot. I don't really have the energy to give out a lot of details, but I will post a few pics. Hope you enjoy them, and I'm sure we'll be having more soon.

It feels wierd not seeing the crew. It's awkward not talking to the director every hour. A bizarre feeling indeed.

Get some rest, gang. You did fantastic.

DM

Student Film Screening

On Wednesday, Flashpoint Academy & Flashpoint Film Society hosted the 1st Official Student Film Screening. We organized the event over the last few weeks, in hopes of getting a pretty big crowd.

After all the planning, stress, and running around, it was an amazing success.

Along with the extraordinary turnout, we had some fantastic short films by several students, who were very excited to see their finished products on the big screen. I talked to a few new students after the screening who were inspired by the films. We even had a visit from Howard Tullman, the President of Flashpoint, who gave congratulatory remarks for all the students efforts.

Here's some pics from the event. Thanks to Howard Tullman for the pics...

A great success, indeed.

DM

Red

The top dog, the head hancho, the Camera of Cameras. The Red.

I'm not super saavy on the technical aspects of the camera, but I can tell you how it worked on the set of "The Intruder." For starters, it has the ability to shoot at 4K, which is unbelievable considering that HD is just over 1K (1080). The picture is simply amazing.

Before the shoot, the production team decided to use 8 gigabyte cards instead of a 350 gigabyte hard drive. Seems like an odd choice, but they have their reasons. First of all, if by some chance the hard drive becomes corrupted, the entire days footage is lost. Is it likely? No, but nonetheless I can understand the argument.

The other reason is because of downloading time. It takes forever to download a gigantic hard drive at the end of the day, while doing smaller cards is done throughout the day at a much quicker pace.

These are just a couple of the features I got to witness while on the set of the film. The Red Camera is said to retail at about $18,000, but I have seen prices from everywhere from $15,000 to $60,000

There was one delay. Apparently there is a setting on the camera that shows more than is actually seen in the viewfinder. This almost plagued the shoot because of lights and equipment being seen in several shots. With the 4K recording ability, however, the editor was able to simply crop the image and knock the resolution down to 2k. Basically, no one would know the difference. The picture is that good.

Maybe someday I will work with one...

DM

Key to Success

Today, several students along with myself began shooting a documentary on the short film "The Intruder." We had the opportunity to interview the 1st and 2nd assistant directors, as well as the director of photography and the 1st assistant camera. (You can see below the DP and his 1st assistant working on a crane shot.)

All four of these jobs require great discipline and an extraordinary knowledge of the subject matter, but none of these people could do their jobs effectively without someone to help them along.

"Anticipation is the key to a professional" said the 2nd assistant director during our interview. Knowing your superiors next move is essential to becoming a better employee. If you can make their job easier, than you have become much more important in the grand scheme. This can be true of all professions, not just filmmaking. And yes, the name of the game is collaboration. If you can't work with each other, then you can't do it at all. The assistant director has to bark at a lot of people to keep them moving, but it's not because he's a jerk and it's not because he doesn't like you. It is because he has a schedule to keep, and a budget to watch. People have to work together to get things done, and that's what measures how successful a production is.

The documentary shooting went rather well, and we will actually begin the editing process very soon. Once complete, it will be posted here along with other projects I have been working on over the last couple months.

An unrelated side note: It is Super Tuesday. If you have not already done so, please vote.

DM

Western Resurrection

Many say the western is dead. They do have a point, since good western films these days are few and far between. But "3:10 to Yuma" helps me remember how much I love a good western movie experience. It has always been a genre where I can sit down and genuinely feel that every character is in danger. Western films are not afraid to put all the characters in peril, and yes, sometimes the bad guys win.

Maybe that's what makes the genre so exciting, and at the same time, maybe that's why some people don't like it. People want a happy ending, and westerns don't always deliver.

"3:10 to Yuma" is a well crafted film, with a solid balance character development, suspense, and good ol' gun fights. There's even a stagecoach chase. Classic.

Christian Bale and Russell Crowe are both excellent in their roles, of course I can't really think of a movie where they didn't act well. Even clunkers like "Reign of Fire" were made slightly tolerable because of Bale's performance. But the real show stealer I felt was Ben Foster. No western film is complete without a wacko bandit running around shooting everything he sees...and enjoying it.

So is the western dead? Since westerns were popping out of the oven in great supply years ago, maybe people think it has overstayed its welcome. I feel that the western may not be nearly as influential in the movie industry as it once was, but that's not to say it's gone the way of the dodo.

Perhaps if these westerns only came about every so often. It seems to have worked out rather well so far. After all, I don't mind having a good western once in a while. Maybe it makes the genre more exciting to see. The less there are, the more entertaining they are when they arrive at the box office.

So here's to waiting for the next great western.

DM

So Young

During pre-production of "The Intruder" I caught some extra time to take some shots of the set. It's obviously still under construction, but rather impressive looking...considering that 4 days earlier it was an empty stage. Take a look at these photos.

On another note, Heath Ledger died today. 28 years old. It is very unfortunate in this day and age when someone with so much going for him can have his life end abruptly. Especially at that young age. I mean, i'll be 24 in less than a week! I can't imagine why someone would want to end their life at such a young age.

Maybe I just don't want to imagine it.

Work hard, have fun, live happy.

DM

Cloverfield

I was lucky enough to attend an early screening of "Cloverfield" yesterday afternoon, and after stewing for a day, I feel it's time for a review.

MINOR SPOILERS HEREIN!!

You've probably heard about this film at some point over the last 6 months. From the moment that unnamed teaser hit movie theaters, this film has been cornering the market in advertising.

The film focuses on Robert Hawkins, who is leaving for Japan to start a new job. His friends throw him a surprise going away party, but drama ensues, and people are gossiping back and forth. You know, a typical college party - until a gigantic fucking monster decides to take a stroll through Manhattan.

The reason I say it like that is because it is catches you off guard. One minute your listening to people gossip about breakups, the next your dodging a Statue of Liberty head. This movie doesn't waste much time on the setup, and at only 84 minutes long, you don't really have time to spare.

A friend of mine said that the camera is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. So here we go...

The camera - extremely shakey. Trust me on this one. One in our group did, in fact, get sick following the screening. Just be prepared for a lot of movement. Perhaps you should eat after the movie this time. On the flip side, the camera movement added to the sense of urgency. This movie engages you and then turns you upside down. You are in the movie, running alongside these New Yorkers. I found myself pointing at the screen at one moment, almost blurting out "RUN! IT'S THERE BEHIND THE BUILDING!"

The characters - Rob is our likable fearless leader. He is emotional, and usually that's what people get like in a psychotic situation. Lily and Marlena tag along. Marlena was accidently thrown into the mix, while Lily is good friends with Rob. The real show stealer though is Hud, our funny camera man. Hud breaks the tension with silly remarks, but we can't help but laugh. His character is behind the camera most of the time, but make no mistake, when the shit hits the fan he is just as scared as the rest of them.

The Music - Stay through the end credits. Just stay. Listen.

The Monster - scary as hell. No more or i'll spoil it.

How scary is it? - Do you remember sitting through Spielberg's "War of the World's"? Yeah. Do you remember being literally on the edge of your seat because you were terrified of those tripod machines vaporizing everything in sight? Yeah.

This is ten times scarier.

All in all, "Cloverfield" is a movie well worth seeing. Now, is it ground breaking that will revolutionize the industry. Some have said it. I'm not ready to agree. But this movie will most certainly keep you moving back and forth in your seat until the very last second.

4.5 out of 5.

DM

Directing vs. Cinematography

A couple of things today-

I hope you can spare a few seconds to look at these awesome production photos from a movie called "The League" which is currently in production. Click the link below to view the pics.

http://greyraven75.blogspot.com/

This is also the link below known as "Alec Siegel - Filmmaker" which is where you can view more information on the film, due out later this year.

In other news, "Lost Wallet" is expected to be finished this week, which begs the question, what's next? Flashpoint has made it known that the next productions will be bigger and longer, but at the same time not everyone will be directing. I know that I will want to be involved with the cinematography. That's not to say that I won't ever direct again, but lets just say that I enjoy using the camera a little bit more.

The director and the cinematographer have always worked very closely. They almost have to in order to come out with a great looking film. I feel that, in many cases, a film and its director can only look as good as its camera work.

But I suppose this is true of the art direction, sound, music, etc.

Lastly, here's a couple photos to chew on. Still walking around with that camera in my jacket pocket.

Enjoy,

DM

The Strike

Flashpoint Academy is back in full swing for its second semester, and with the writers strike underway for several weeks now, a friend of mine recently joked about how easy it would be to get a job as a writer now.

Yes, and once the writers strike ends, you'd never work again. Ever.

It has been the topic of discussion for some time now, as well it should be. One of my film teachers is even sporting a beard, much like David Letterman and Conan O'Brien, who recently returned from hiatus.

After going on for several weeks, those who had a confident feeling that the strike would end by Christmas, now agree that it may not even end until spring. The last writers strike took place in 1988. Costs were in the $500 million area after a 22 week bout with the studios.

This strike is shaping up to be quite a battle.

(I just hope it ends before Scrubs does!)

DM

Sound Challenges

When I started filmmaking, I knew that at least one department would be a challenge beyond any other. Sound is that department, and I recently had a chance to work on the sound design of "Lost Wallet" with the film's talented sound designer, Kevin Weber.

I have a profound respect for recording artists, for they have the patience and determination to take on such a task. Kevin sat through the film a couple of times and gathered notes on what sounds he needed, and then went to work. The level of care and detail that goes into sound design is unparalleled. Each frame is important, and although most movie goers may not notice great sound, they can certainly notice bad sound.

That is why Kevin, along with other Flashpoint recording arts students, are working hard to make these films work. "Lost Wallet" is very sound dependant, and with its complicated story already, it is quite a challenge to overcome.

For you filmmakers reading this, I will have picture lock tomorrow morning. Very exciting.

DM