1. Initial reading of the story.
It seems obvious that one
would have to actually read the story to
know what it is we are doing but for anyone joining us at a later date
I think that it is imperative that they first read the complete story.
The story, Dare's Tractor,
by Louella Bryant may be emailed to anyone who is interested in working
on the project and gives us an email address so that we can add them to
the group list serve. The story is protected by copyright laws and not
available for any other use without permission from the author.
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We currently have three people who have
read the story and have agreed to begin developing it for screen.
Steve, Jeremiah and Lisa. Ellie, the author, is acting as
consultant. Others have also expressed interest generally but are
yet to indicate they want to work on this specific story.
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2. Legal permission to use story needs to
be secured
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Ellie has proposed a contract which
Steve is reviewing.
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3.
Production Group needs to establish business entity.
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Steve has been researching this.
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2. Breakdown of story into Scenes
I found it useful to breakdown the story into a
tentative list of
scenes that were derived directly from the text. In an effort to
adhere as much as is practical to the author's original intent I think
that this is a useful list to have because it gives us a way to refer
to specific areas of the text. The scene list may
be found at http://www.geocities.com/mirrorpondmedia/scenelist.html
Please note that this is NOT
the definitive list of scenes that
will be shot but rather a list of scenes as they exist in the actual
story from which the screenplay will be derived. The list will change
as the screenplay is refined. |
Scenelist is available online at
http://www.geocities.com/mirrorpondmedia/scenelist.html
This list will change
as we add or delete scenes from the final screenplay.
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3. Writer's 1st Draft of Screenplay
Writers will develop preliminary draft versions of
screenplay
using their own interpretations of the story and working on certain
areas that they are particularly interested in. |
Jeremiah has submitted a 1st draft of
screenplay and Lisa has begun outlining her interpretation of the story. |
4. Writers will review 1st draft
screenplays.
We'll decide what to include in final draft.
we can still decide to include certain scenes now which we may exclude
in final editing so lets develop as many ideas as we can at this
point.
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We had a meeting Saturday but there was
confusion over location so meeting was cut short. Wednesday at
6pm on the 20th of
Dec. is our next meeting. Or Later?
at Ri Ra's Pub in
Burlington.
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5. Final Draft of Screenplay
We will write the final draft from which we will
develop storyboard sequences to shoot from where necessary.
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We will need to assign
someone to do the final draft.
Or mabey we want to break it into sections?
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6. Reading of Final Draft Screenplay-
We may still modify this as we get into shooting but we will establish
this as the final draft but include some scenes that we may opt to
eliminate in editing.
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We can do this all online.
(assuming everyone has internet access)
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7. Secure Shoot locations. Visit
possible locations, photograph locations making notes of lighting
conditions, ambient sound, and generally walk through production based
on Screenplay. Revise Screenplay if needed.
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Lisa has mentioned
possibility of having location available and Ellie has also mentioned
availability of location. Currently it looks like we need one location,
a street scene, possibly at night for scene#13 (Dare rescues Homer) one
location inside a house in a bedroom and multiple locations outdoors on
"Dare's Land"
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8. Casting
We need two actors and a really smart dog |
suggestions welcomed. I
think the male lead needs to be physically fit and between the ages of
33 and 45.
I think the female part needs to be the same age and
have a small build. Someone to cover wardrobe and make-up would be
useful too.
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9. Develop Storyboard Sequences.
I think this will really save time in the long run and allow us to fine
tune things BEFORE we start to shoot.
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Steve has posted a few
general storyboard suggested sequences which are linked to the
scenelist at
http://www.geocities.com/mirrorpondmedia/scenelist.html
Please use a standard storyboard "blank" to sketch out any sequences
you want to work on. There is a three frame storyboard blank
available at
this link...storyboard blank
I'd like to put everything in a three ring binder as it gets drawn. We
are shooting in 16:9 aspect ratio in a mini dv format. Remember
these are strictly "working" diagrams, not finished art.
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10. Complete Storyboard for writer's review
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We will need to review
this with camera people and writers to discuss any changes that need to
happen.
I don't think all scenes will need this level of development but its
easier to plan on paper than while shooting or editing.
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11. Discuss storyboard/ screenplay with
actors and production people. (Rehearsal)
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we'll have an all hands
meeting prior to shooting to make sure everyone is on the same page. We
might be able to combine this with a location walk through on a day
prior to the outdoor shoot.
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12. Assign directors
Director will direct actors and camera and sound
people during the shoots.
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I think we should assign
different people to different sequences to divide up the work of
directing.
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13. Set up shoot schedules and
schedule rain dates
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Currently it looks like we
could shoot the indoor scenes and
scene#13 before the rest of it. I think the main part
needs to be shot around May 1st
and I'd anticipate two mornings of shooting not counting the other
scenes. The main outdoor scenes need to be shot early in the morning so
we would need to schedule a walk thru day before the shoot day.
There are also probably two scenes of birds, one of a crow, and
one of a cardinal that could be shot at any time. Some of the dog shots
could also be shot separately.
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14. Reserve equipment for shoots and
schedule a raindate
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I currently have access to
one and maybe two panasonic ag-dv100 mini dv cameras, medium duty
tripods, two wireless lavalier mics, one wireless boom mic. lots of xlr
cable, videotape and battery power for about six hours before having to
recharge. I also have a red chainsaw. We would need to reserve
the camera equipment well in advance of the shoot to be
assured of its availability and it would be good if someone could
arrange backup equipment in case of the unexpected.
(like Linea runs over the camera with the tractor.)
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16. Arrange to feed everyone on board.
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Can't work unless you eat.
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17. Shoot the actual sequences as planned
in the screenplay and storyboard development.
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Sounds like this is
critical but we can always keep at it till we get what we need.
Tape is cheap. I hope our actors have patience.
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18. Review rough footage
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I anticipate shooting a
minimum of four hours of tape.
Most will be junk. The better we pre-plan, the easier the editing will
be.
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19. Rough edit the project
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I currently have an imac
g5 with Final Cut Express for editing. Jeremiah also has access to
editing software.
I have a 200gb Lacie drive that I can dedicate for storage. The
mac has iDVD for burning dvds but I wish I had
Toast. Mac idvd is pretty poor. I also have a superdrive
for burning dvds but wish I had a more rugged unit. I don't trust it.
We can also record back to dv tape thru the camera...I think.
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