How's the progress?

[Michael Gibbons]

The story boards are prety much done. I need to write a voice over. My monkey is busy building props. I have a wife, 2 little ones, a full time job and I'm taking 16 credits this term, ao there'll be no shooting until spring break, which is next week, so I wont really be able to take advantage of the expanded time limit. That makes me a bit sad, I would have like to have had more time in post.

[Hugh DiMauro]

ANYTHING will be better than last night's episode of the Sopranos. We did have fun shooting our segment, however. As a matter of fact, the burly detective just came to my desk and asked me to meet him and the tall guy for coffee at a local cop hangout. It's off to discuss our next project! NO. I will NOT be eating doughnuts!

Now, if these meatheads would only study their lines! Ahh the camera LOVES pretty beefcake actors. If they would only study their lines.

Thanks, Ed! If you want, give me your e-mail. I will fly you some screen shots.

[Lorinda Norton]

Originally Posted by Hugh DiMauro

Other than that, we had a blast shooting our segment of the challenge. The rest is up to my partner in crime.

If you're the type to keep track of such things you may be wondering why you didn't see Hugh's name on the sign-up list. That partner in crime would be me. Yes, we're doing an East meets West movie! Good thing we had this extra time; we're gonna need every second of it.

You held out on me, Hugh! That's great behind-the-scenes action--an adventure on its own. I just hope you got some really good stuff to make up for mine! :)

[Hugh DiMauro]

Dear Lorinda:

I was hoping you'd read about it on here! It's funnier on the written page as opposed to hearing it verbally. Besides, I didn't give it any mind until I started reading about everybody else's trial and tribulations. I didn't know everybody would be sharing such stories

One thing's for sure, Lorinda: No one else is privy to the funny outtakes you and you alone will be getting in the mail! Besides, I am really counting on you to save my audio from the wind monster. Girl, do you have your work cut out for you! PLEASE! SAVE MY 90 SECOND SEGMENT!

Other than that, dear friends, my segment is going out to Idaho for final edit tomorrow. Filmmaker extraordinaire, Lorinda Norton, is putting it all together for our DV Info friends. Thank God for her.

[Edward Slonaker]

Originally Posted by Lorinda Norton

If you're the type to keep track of such things you may be wondering why you didn't see Hugh's name on the sign-up list. That partner in crime would be me. Yes, we're doing an East meets West movie! Good thing we had this extra time; we're gonna need every second of it.

You held out on me, Hugh! That's great behind-the-scenes action--an adventure on its own. I just hope you got some really good stuff to make up for mine! :)

Oh man, how sweet is that??? I would kill to have that kind of help in my back pocket. I love editing but really cringe about getting out there for the acquisition part. Smart thinking guys.

[Hugh DiMauro]

She likes to make me out to be the brains, but please, folks, trust me, I am a moron compared to the depth and breadth of her intelligence.

Trust me on this.

Might I suggest that others follow suite: Movie making is a collaborative process. Team up with filmmakers from different cultures, backgrounds and geographical locations. If we can get Dylan to extend production times to accommodate those of us who'd like to collaborate with others from other parts of the country, heck, who knows? We just might need that extra four days to mail out segments to our collaborator!

Just a thought.

[Rob Lohman]

I wouldn't count on that production time extension ;) It's a *challenge* after all!

[Hugh DiMauro]

I just meant for mailing time.

[Dick Mays]

Can't shoot at Waffle House. Can't get corporate permission. So I had to make due with a local coffee shop. Only half done shooting becuae my male actor got a paying job for the weekend, emcee of some trade show event. I hope the exterior lighting next weekend matches yesterday's shots...

Reviewed footage last night. A couple of shots with soft focus, but not a problem for web viewing. I guess I won't spend the $5K to have my short transfered to 35mm.

[Joe Lumbroso]

I was really looking forward to the DVC. Unfortunately, the events my documentary is attempting to document are taking their sweet time to unfold, providing me with a fantastic supply of footage but thoroughly exhausting me and my crew. I also just got my second commercial job!

All things considered, unless a brilliant and simple (read: low-budget) thought strikes me like lightening, I shall proudly take my place on the wall of shame. I will however complete a 3 minute teaser/trailer for my doc as an alibi.

[Hugh DiMauro]

Hell, Joe! Everybody knows REAL paying jobs/documentaries take precendence over fun DVCs. I vote to keep Joe's name off of the wall of shame.

[Jay Lee]

I have a job (paying) coming up that is going to take all of my available bandwidth to deal with, so I guess I'll have to sit this one out and wait til DVC6. I do have an idea that only takes a couple of actors and a long road to nowhere, if you're stuck, I'd be happy to share it.

[Robert Martens]

So I finished shooting the scenes a few minutes ago, for the second time, and it looks like I'll have to do it yet again tomorrow; still too damned dark. Working without a proper production monitor and no real lighting instruments (beyond the worklights I've got that make such horrible shadows) is quickly becoming a major pain.

Got some shots of my example setup, but they won't do much good, as I'm still very unhappy with the footage.

Better luck tomorrow, maybe. I'll see how it goes.

[Lorinda Norton]

Originally Posted by Dick Mays

A couple of shots with soft focus, but not a problem for web viewing. I guess I won't spend the $5K to have my short transfered to 35mm.

LOL, Dick! As usual, you crack me up with your ultra-dry humor. Hope it works out for you this weekend.

@ Robert: Don't know what look you're trying to achieve, but consider this as an inexpensive solution: Buy a good-sized white china lantern at an import store, a 250 watt bulb, and a "socket on a cord." Hang it from a mic stand, the ceiling--whatever. It makes soft light that bathes a wide area. You can use poster board, black foil, etc., to flag unwanted light. And for a monitor to check lighting, what about a little TV?

@ Hugh: You're such a softie. :) Nope, no matter what comes up, if we can’t submit a movie in time it’s straight to the wall. Now, keep in mind that so far this wall hasn’t materialized; however, that doesn’t mean it won’t go up for DVC5! So come on, you guys. At the risk of sounding like an old-timer, back when this thing first started we only had a week. The winner, Aaron Koolen, shot and posted his in six hours!

[Lorinda Norton]

Oh, and Robert...the way your luck's been running if you do this lantern thing make sure the bulb stays in the center of the lantern. I'd sure hate to feel responsible for your house burning down! Might be a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher handy... :)