camera + pvc pipe + crane + field = ?

Well, our first live action shoot is done. Between the hours of 3:00 and 4:30 we filmed in the one vast field near our homes, one that will (hopefully) pass for jolly ol England. This would play the backdrop for the race, on top of which will be composited model cars tearing through the peaceful clearing, with live actors composited behind the wheel. Here was our setup:

1) Canon® GL1 with wide-angle lens attachment

2) Glidecam® Crane (8ft max height) with tripod and detachable dolly wheels.

3) homemade glide cam of pvc pipes put together 10 min before shoot from spare pvc from a failed crane with a 1/4" bolt, 2 nuts, some string to secure the camera, and a 3lb barbell weight.

25 min of footage, now to see if we can grab any clean shots from that for a 3 min sequence...

"velvet lace" progress . . . ?

Amid school and other day to day time-wasters, the project must now kick into high gear.

Costumes continue to be a struggle, but we've got to the point where 3 male costumes are taking shape, and its time to buy more source materials. Tonight we test the ornamental system that hopefully will make the costumes come to life. If it fails, we're in a little worse position than when we began.

In order to get all the shots defined before shooting (to help in the later compositing), I've had to learn a 3d program. After fumbling with Maya for an evening, it's back to the old 3d Studio Max that I've had a little experience with. Once a sequence is created, we'll upload the rough 3d storyboard footage.

Oh, and the story has been scaled back significantly for the May deadline: one sequence, hopefully completed, in a little over a month. Wish us luck! More to come soon.....

project codename "velvet lace"

The work continues on the new project. Costuming has run into a slight snag due to an uneven ratio of complex design to current skill level, but attempts continue. 70s suit jackets are getting lace and piping accents, fake fur and uphostry samples are making their way into traditional formal attire, and its all being held together with the bonds of hi-temp hot glue. But we dig the rough, hands-on side of filmmaking.

Next step: create a basic 3d environment to represent the locations, place cameras and storyboard the film via this animated 3d world. Shoot live action accordingly.

There are new additions to the video section ( n pickle productions ), some recent, more corporate video work "The Team" and "Pik-Me-Up Walkins".