FINALIST BLOG: AYA 02/04/10
02/03/10
I have been getting increasingly worried that everyone who meets me here greets me with “Oh, you’re the one with the difficult script”! Not only that, but I was told that the locations that I fell in love with yesterday were a no-go due to travel times. I was beyond depressed, but as with many bad things, it turned out to be a good!
After meeting with Ken (production designer) and Amy (his assistant), I was a little frazzled. Ken talks a million miles a minute and I was not really sure we were communicating well. Guess what? When I arrived at his warehouse, he had TOTALLY absorbed each and every word I had said as he had pulled the most amazing things! Did I mention that I love Ken and Amy?
A few of the props selected by Aya and her art department
Anyhow, I then got a call from the production office stating that Barrie Osborne would like to see me! I jetted back and had a GREAT meeting. Barrie gave me lots of great advice and I left feeling 100% more confident.
The location chosen for Nanna's house
It was then back to comb over the local towns for THE homes. Guess what? We found them and they could not be any more perfect. I am going to bed with a clear mind tonight, but as it is with film making, I am sure there is more drama to unfold in the coming days (like rain and the fact that Saturday is a National holiday here in NZ, meaning we cannot do any shopping, vendor work etc at all… the day before my shoot! We will just have to be extra prepared)!
02/04/10
I am on song number 38 of 722 that Gary (my production manager) has put on his iPod for me as inspiration and possible song choices for my film! Who knew that there were so many great NZ musicians around!
Whilst I listen, I have been scouring Tourism NZ’s database for photos that I can use to green-screen both James and Sean into for the photo albums. It is actually proving to be a lot more challenging than I thought, as they have to look almost identical. There have been some country changes in the script as it was easier to match the pics to countries than the other way around!
Nanna's car
Granny's Car
I also chose the two hero cars for Granny and Nanna – they came from the Wanaka Car Museum and will be driven down for Monday’s shoot. I am really happy with what I got and saw it as a sign of good things to come that Nanna’s car is the same color as the Vespa that Sean will now pull up on!
Aya hard at work, cutting the fat
Not so good news? Apparently I am over budget (eek!) and have to cut the fat. The problem is I am on my fifth revision of the script and am not sure that there is anything else for me to take out. Tomorrow I have a scout with my DP James and my AD Joe so hopefully we can get a better sense of what I can and cannot do.
– Aya
Well my dear, it would appear your double cultural heritage combined with choice of address is causing some comment. perhaps when everyone realizes you are a Japeralian who currently lives in LA they will begin to understand. Perhaps then you can begin to tell them abut your nomadic existence and all the cross cultural learning experiences. Hell…just make the
movie(s) !!! Glad it is all coming together for you. As always across the seas…. Mem
Well my dear, it would appear your double cultural heritage combined with choice of address is causing some comment. perhaps when everyone realizes you are a Japeralian who currently lives in LA they will begin to understand. Perhaps then you can begin to tell them abut your nomadic existence and all the cross cultural learning experiences. Hell…just make the
movie(s) !!! Glad it is all coming together for you. As always across the seas…. Mem
This all looks great! I’m excited for you and to see the progress and final product!
sounds like you’ve been hooked up with a great team, people who will only enhance your short… very excitinggg! sending good vibrations ‘cross the seas xx
I really like the casting of the cars. They seem fitting for the characters and will look good in the film.
Mis felicidades a los finalistas, pero tenian que haber sido 6 y que hubieran escogido tambien al español Julian Lara que ha participado pero no ha sido escogido, y tambien es bueno. Felicidades a los finalistas. Julian ya tendra su oportunidad. !Saludos a todos!
i can’t wait to see the final film. seeing the locations and props is making it seem so much more… real. keep on hustlin’!
Yo me dirigo a los directores de este concurso de cortos. Por favor ayudar como podais al español Julian Lara, que ha concursado pero no ha sido escogido, es un director de cine que tambien vale y esta luchando mucho por el cine que es su sueño desde niño, y ya ha hecho varias peliculas. Me despido deseando muchas felicidades a los finalistas.
Oh those cars are perfect! I actually imagined up something very similar when I first saw your animatic (so kudos for being able to procure them both). I’m very interested to see how the final film turns out, especially with the turnout of those garden gnomes.
Seems as if you are being guided to get to the true essence if your splendid movie. remember the Dali Lama and his teachings on needs and wants. I am increasingly confident the end result is going to be just what it needs to be. Bravo!