I spent all day Saturday (April 22) shooting a scene where my heroin addict character comes face to face with the man he has "infected." The performances were excellent!

Unfortunately....the lighting was HORRIBLE. White-balanced for interior shots, it wasn't til after the take that we realized how BLUE on the light coming from the windows of the apartment looked.

Sigh....reshoots are planned for this coming weekend.

I spent all day Saturday (April 29) shooting a scene where we finally get to see two characters, who are best friends, figure out what is happening around them. The performances were GREAT! The lighting was terrific.

Someone had forgotten to turn on the microphone...no sound...

Reshoots scheduled for tonight.

I am having MAJOR DRAMA at my work, so not sure how much longer I will be here. We learn as we go along I suppose and learning is painful in many instances. The good news out of all this is that we can refer back to these flawed takes and attempt to get repeat performces, treating the old takes like rehearsals.

To keep with the end of May deadline, we are now shooting DURING the week, which is difficult at best considering both myself and my DP work M-F 8-5. Then shooting from 7-midnight is really taking a toll.

Having said that, the commitment being shown by the cast and crew is awe-inspiring. Nothing phases them and that, more than anything else, gives me the strength and the courage to continuing pursuing this dream. I have been known as "Mr. Doom and Gloom" by those who know me best, mostly because I can become quite cynical and pessimistic when confronted by setbacks. Fortunately, there are those around me who don't tolerate that behavior and remind me of what it is that I am doing...and why I am doing it...and suddenly, the sun is shining and all is good in the world. So a profound thank you to all those who have stuck with me through this and continue to request "diary" updates of how the film is progressing.

GREAT BIG HUG TO YOU ALL!!

P.S. I have re-written the ending. I felt it was too abrupt...and so did everyone else who read it and didn't want to hurt my feelings. The new ending doesn't CHANGE anything, but adds a new scene that makes it MUCH less dark and, in my humble opinion, a great deal more positive. I am springint the new ending on my actors tonight.

P.S. After tonight's abgreviated shoot, the cast and crew are gathering around for a DVD showing of ALIEN...a couple of my actors have never seen the film and I almost went into convulsions!!!! Thus, I am making them watch it with me tonight.

LONG LIVE ASH!!!
IAN HOLM IS KING!!!

So you just rewrote the ending -- that's a good sign you know what you're doing, even if you think sometimes you don't. Working on the fly like that can be as invigorating as it is exhausting, but as the project takes shape, one sometimes realizes that something just isn't good enough, no longer fits, or maybe never did. Sometimes the actors will bring out something you didn't expect. Working with video, it's cheap and easy and sometimes profitable to just leave the camera running even in between ostensible "takes" -- I "discovered" an actress that way, in a tiny part in my first picture -- she was so relaxed and easy in between takes, I realized I'd found somebody special, and wrote a part in the second, just for her. And another girl in the second film was having trouble delivering one line the way I wanted -- again, the camera was running, and she was practicing it sort of off-the-cuff, not knowing the camera was still on, I think, and that was the take that I used.

I'm starting to wonder if my mythical "winter shoot" for the end of this year shouldn't be a video project after all. It will serve as a "product reel," if nothing else.

Although I WILL hope to rush the fellow Boardmember who is supposed to be putting together the Official Website ...

What started out as a disaster has once again turned into a pleasant surprise. Last Friday, I tried to shoot the scenes with Jasper and Robbie, Jasper being the heroin addict that starts a chain of events that causes all of the drama in the film and Robbie bieng his best friend and having to deal with it. Well, the location we chose was Brett's room in the fraternity house. Brett plays Jasper and we were hoping for a very dark moody atmosphere, which is exactly what we got. Unfortunately, we also got the television show HOW TO BE A MILLIONAIRE from the tv downstairs and the ad hoc party that was occuring outside. I didn't know the mic we got was so good...too good. Well, I was seriously frustrated, whihc made my DP seriously frustrated which, in turn, got my actors seriously frustrated. We stopped shooting an hour into trying with nothing done. However, Noah, who plays Robbie, offered to show is his place as a possible location. We went over there and...whammo! We found our new location...our new QUIET location!! We agreed to shoot the scenes we missed out on Sunday and Monday (today).

Saturday came and this time we were ready. I wanted to finsih up shooting the scenes between Craig and Tina and, hopefully, shoot the final scene that night. The actors who play Craig and Tina were...are...awesome and it was done! The final scene was something I was dreading from a logistical standpoint. It was a new, untried location and I knew from previous experience how stressful THAT can be. It started slow...and the actors were all a bit edgy. But, DAMN, if they didn't all come through with some incredible stuff...it was almost overwhelming their intensity (it is the ONE and ONLY scene in the film where all five of them are together...and it was simply awe-inspiring to see them work). Afterwards, I made a point of going to each and every one of them and, not only congratulating them on their performances, but also to thank them for creating something so amazing that I was just awed by it. That's when I found out something that I had not thought of, at least consciously. Brett went on to tell me how special this is for him...how lucky he feels to be a part of this...how his mother doesn't even wait to find out how he or his girlfriend is anymore when she calls him before asking how the movie is going. Mark (who plays Craig) told me pretty much the same thing.

When you sit down and write something, it is a very personal endeavor. You envision it, you hear the words in your head and see the images in your mind. When you start prepping it...you are consumed with detail...wardrobe, location, camera angles...when you are shooting you're focused on performances, lighting, sound...

My friends, to actually have people you are entrusting with this vision tell you how important it is to THEM...how LUCKY they feel...how inspired they are to create the perfect performance...I cannot tell you how humbling and rewarding that is. I knew from the get-go that I had found five incredible actors...I didn't realize that I had also found five incredible human beings. It ispires me even more...because this isn't just a Joe Rixman film...this is a film that couldn't be made without the blood, sweat and tears of a LOT of people. I wish to acknowledge a few of them here: Reyes Carranza, my DP/Editor and best friend...who continually pushes me to make the story better...who finds the holes in the story...who looks for the best angle and the best performance (among many). Mark Eaton, who plays Craig and who is helping Reyes out with the editing...your trust in me blows me away and I can only hope that I ma living up to that trust. Brett Blazek, who plays Jasper...a complete stretch for him...and who brings a levity to the set that is almost as important as that first take of a scene! Amy Berman, who plays Tina with class...Lucas Livigni who takes Jake, a difficult character at best, and brings an emotional depth to him that even I had not forseen. And Noah Ullah, who brings an incredible energy and drive to succeed into his performace as Robbie.

There are a few others that I need to thank for their contributions...Corey Johnson, Chris Walsh, Michael Connolly, Jeron Moore, Toby Lau and Tricia Greenlee. All of these people have made this project something special. I look forward to working with Aaron Collins in about a month to get the musical score in place. That excites me to NO end, let me tell ya...just from a film music lovers point of view!

Thanks to ALL of you! From the bottom of my heart.

Now...lets finish this sucker up and get it out to the world!! There are other projects to do...other worlds to explore as well! Each one, I am sure, will be special in its own right...but none of them will ever...EVER...be as magical as Cause & Effect...in essence, my first-born...and without a doubt, the most satsifying experience of my life to date.

NP - Far and Away (Williams)

Toward the end of Jasper and Robbie's first scene, there is a brief scuffle between them, where Jasper, having begged Robbie to get him his Heroin fix and being given an unqualified NO...tries to get out of bed to get it himself. He fails...Robbie holds him down and he begins to cry and folds up into Robbie's arms.

The scene had my DP in tears...and I was not a little fuhklempt myself. I'll say it again...these guys are awesome!!!

Your DP in tears ... same thing happened on at least one picture I know about, Kurosawa's THE QUIET DUEL: Toshiro Mifune's big breakdown scene. Funny, many Westerners think of the Japanese as stuffed-shirt worker bees and little else, when in fact they pride themselves on being almost excessively emotional. Depending, of course, on the context. I remember a girl who'd fallen madly in love with me, on very little pretext, and she kept insisting "But this is NORMAL!"

Make us proud, Mr. InSanDiego. (Well, as I've said, we're already proud, but try and up the ante.) I REALLY want to see this one. (And as I've said before, I'm going to badger you excessively for technical details. I'm starting to think I can't get my Mythical Winter Shoot financed properly, unless I work on video. Or wait for another winter, and that's something I don't want to do.) (oh, I guess it doesn't matter WHEN it gets shot, but I want at least the chance of snow.)

By the way...progress continues...shooting continued last evening and, while there MIGHT be some issues with the lighting, the overall mood of the scenes we are shooting may make that acceptable. (lots of shadows, which Reyes says looks REALLY cool...and lots of "green" from the halogen lights...yes...halogen white light is green, just as natural white light is blue...whooda thunk?

I never EVER forget my friends...and those who have supported me throughout my life. Believe me when I say that none of you will be forgotten and there may come a time when I will have need to call upon you for your help and/or your expertise!!!

(Samples upon Request)

I've been enjoying this diary very much, and I'm really eager to see the finished film!

What has somehow escaped me until now is your love of Ian Holm!
How did I manage to miss THAT?
I've been an Ian Holm fan since the first time I ever saw him in Mary, Queen Of Scots way back in 1971!
HOLM TRIVIA: Do you know the two films that Ian's son Barnaby has appeared in?

I'm pretty sure he was in something Goldsmith-related.

Was it OUTLAND?

I will post this message as-is, then go to the IMDb to find out, because you're driving me nuts, Christopher. I will not give away the answer(s).

Go on making us proud, Mr. InSanDiego.

Oh well....

Mr. InSanDiego, why haven't you posted the credits here? The only reason I didn't is because, well, maybe you didn't want me to. Which makes no sense, since you've given them to me for the IMDb, but a great deal of life makes no sense at all. What a world, what a world ... I'd bet everyone's curious, though, and would like to see the others' names besides Mr. Collins'.

Heh, Aaron Collins is pushing twenty and he's already about to get an "Original Music by" credit on the IMDb ... who knew?

Well, I have been busy composing for all type of things. I have a concert sponsored by my county and the state of Florida featuring 9 of my wind ensemble pieces and 4 new big band tunes. Also, I have just finished incidental music for a musical, which I have mp3's available. It is a very "wacky" type of music. Also, I have been commissioned to write music for a new Library of Congress film for NASA. So, things are very very busy at this point. Plus I graduate high school next Friday.

Your H'ness(I think that is what they call you), I am not even nearly 19! I have another year before I am 19.

As for Cause and Effect, I am looking forward to it. I have no clue how I will approach it, but working with a film music enthusiast(Joe), will make it easier or even a little harder. So, I wait in anticipation. After viewing the film, I will too write a brief log! Who knows, it might be scored with chorus and orchestra, four saxes, a harmonica and banjo, etc...
WE WILL SEE!

Thanks,
Aaron

I found in high-school band that if you stick the bell of a trumpet down on a tympani and play it, it makes a great pseudo-elephant sound.

Sorry, people, Joe in particular, but don't expect the whole thing to be up until the end of May. Oh hell, what's it matter, you've already got the poster. Most of you never even GO to the database, DO ya! Ingrates!

WHY would you object to this film being scored using a BANJO???

Have you & Aaron TALKED about this?

Joe and I have talked about the score itself a few times. I am one of those people that is very open minded. But, I personally would feel more comfortable seeing the film and then go from there. I seriously doubt the use of a banjo. Joe has suggested some scores to listen to, but like I said anything could happen.

Aaron Collins

One of my actors has signed on with GATORADE to appear in an international print campaign that will take him all over the place apparently. What does this mean? Well...it means a few things...more work for Jeron, dumping a bunch of scenes already shot...reshooting, recasting...I am an extremely unhappy camper right now. Although I am completely thrilled at this opportunity for the guy, I can't help wondering if I would have cast him if I had known he was going to be heading off into the wild blue yonder before the end of filming.

So...now what? I have to recast the role and reshoot approximately 5 scenes totally a good 20 minutes worth of film footage.

Depression is setting in. I am having to push the film back even FURTHER...and part of me wonders if it is ever gonna get made. Yeah yeah...I know...I just need to hang in there and keep plugging away...but it is SO disheartening to have this happen. Fortunately, a few actors keep filling my ego with the amount of pride they have in this project...so...okie doke. I shall keep plugging away.

Two other actors will be going on an extended vacation beginning in early June...so, to be honest, I am not sure when the film is going to be completed now.

In any event, I am having a cast meeting this weekend to discuss all the timing issues that come up and we will go from there.

As always, I will keep everyone posted.

Joe

On the plus side, if there's going to be such a big gap in filming, maybe you'll make Detroit after all!

You know that I wish you the best, and as an aspiring director myself, I find these periodic updates fascinating. I have to keep reminding myself the very thing you're experiencing at present: it's never quite what you think. Plan everything to the nth degree, and yet the world will go on being the world.

Pulling for ya as always, bud, and we'll hoist one for you in Detroit as well. (Detroit begins tomorrow! It's amazing ...)

My editor and I have gone through all the footage and have catalogued the scenes we are going to use. Now, it becomes a matter of capturing it into the degital editing program, acutally piecing it together, shoosing which cutaways etc to use and whatnot. The weekends of the 17th and 24th of June shall be busy ones, wherein I hope to shoot all of the rest of the dialogue scenes!! Finally, light at the end of the tunnel. My actor problems have been temporarily put to rest and we are on full go for a June 25th end of production date. Then we launch full tilt into post production and Aaron FINALLY gets his hands on my first feature film.

More exciting news...I've just completed work on a short film which I will be shooting beginning this Saturday!!!!! Yes...I am an idiot...but I must defend myself by saying that the logistics of this one are MUCH simpler, no less intense...and I was excited to discover that four of the actors from Cause & Effect have agreed to participate in this film as well!!! More info on THIS project...entitled DAMAGE...to follow! Suffice it to say, for now, that the scene I am shooting for it this Saturday evening is going to be one of the most intense (and intensive) monologues I have ever seen attempted in film (it is a 7 page "preparation/treatise/confessional" as told from the point of view of a teeneaged mass murderer. the actor I have doing this is TOTALLY psyched for it...and has read over 500 pages of research I have collected on the character from the net!! This is an alternate reality story that could VERY EASILY happen today, tomorow and, almost did just over a year ago! I'll leave the details to the interested imagination.

Hey..Aaron...interested in yet ANOTHER project???

Love and happiness...

Joe (the manic director)

The mad writer/director has written a new short script (31 pages) and principal photography begins Saturday June 10th!!!

This short film is called DAMAGE and explores the aftermath of a mind numbing tragedy from the perspective of the perpetrator's older brother and father a year after the incident.

DAMAGE is being shot concurrently with CAUSE & EFFECT and should be completed at nearly the same time for submission to the Telluride Film Festival's short film competition.

Wish me luck, my friends!

NP - Legends of the Fall (Horner)

quote:

---

Originally posted by JoeInSanDiego:
Wish me luck, my friends!

---

Perhaps I AM too nice, as I have been accused of a few times before. Perhaps I am more willing to concede an issue than fight about it...and perhaps I let people get away with TOO much...

Or perhaps I am just doing what I feel, instictually, will get my film completed in the shortest amount of time.

Shooting commenced this weekend...a final push to complete CAUSE & EFFECT. And almost instantaneously, the problems started to pile up.

I know...I know...in the REAL world, if an actor didn't show up on time...repeatedly...he would be fired and replaced. In fact, this course of action has been suggested to me over and over concerning one of my actors, a print model looking to break into the business. Word on the set is this: When he's on the set, he's good...but is getting him worth all the effort and hassle?

I've wavered on this...I have thought about it...I've AGONIZED over it...and I have decided to stick with him. Why? Mostly, because I don't want to go back and reshoot everything that has him in it already...adding even MORE days to the shooting schedule and putting me further and further behind (would have to audition again...then give prep and rehearsal time...etc..etc..). I've laid down the law..."YOU WILL HAVE THIS ENTIRE WEEKEND SET ASIDE...AND WHATEVER ELSE I NEED FOR YOU THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND!"

Thus the law is set...and you know what they say? Laws were meant to be broken....

Saturday...start time is set for 10am.

HE arrives at 1:15....excuses cascading out of his mouth like water over a broken levy...apologies babbling over as if they mattered...

I tell myself...at LEAST we'll be able to get some footage shot and be over with it in less than three days...

This is a tough day...the "infamous" sex scene...(he hasn't bothered to tell his girlfriend about this scenes existance in the script...I wonder why...I have my own personal thoughts on the matter...but they are mine to keep...for now...)...and it actually goes off without a hitch...I can now understand why most directors and actors prefer to have as few people around as possible for such scenes...not because of any embarassment factor...more likely cause the "tension" will constantly be broken by cut-ups and jokes...and nothing will get done. But, we got it..and I think it looks very good!

Sunday...we are to start shooting at 10am.

I get a call at 8:30. HIS father unexpectedly showed up and wants him to do things with him. I tell him I have a window that he can escape the set from 2-5...but I need him before and after.

The law is set...and yeah...I know about the broken part...

10am....HE is getting a ride from one of my other actors who lives in the area...they arrive at...10:30.

Better than yesterday, I tell myself...we start shooting. It goes well...everyone scatters to the four winds at 2...me and one of my actors talk about acting...we get stoned...I wonder if HE will return at 5...

My phone rings at 5:10...sorry i'm late...i can't get a ride...i'll be there as soon as my girlfriend can get ready...

The other actors are growing angry...rebellious...my cameraman is annoyed. I am blissfully half-asleep...having passed out for an hour after eating half a pound of potato chips...the munchy effect in full command of my senses. Ene the one actor who supported HIM during previous considerations to replace HIM is launching verbal assaults.

I don't care. A mantra has formed in my mind at this point:

TWO MORE DAYS. TWO MORE DAYS. TWO MORE DAYS.

That is all that's left. Every scene will have been shot...I just have to get through tonight and then...TWO MORE DAYS.

I go to get him.

It is now...6:15pm.

One of my actors cannot seem to get past the idea that the dialogue is not "rejected with me...", but is "rejected me..."

After the eighth attempt to get through the scene, I cover my face and cut the take.

"I am tired of hearing this...IT IS REJECTED ME...NOT REJECTED WITH ME...LET'S DO IT AGAIN PLEASE!"

He is obviously angered at my outburst! "It's not like I'm doing it on purpose...I'm not even aware I'm doing it."

The stress and frustration of the weekend has taken it's toll on me...I am not in the mood to hear this...

"Everyone else IS aware of it. Let's try it again!"

He fumes...I feel guilty for lashing out...but DAMMIT...I'm tired!"

Two takes later...they get the scene perfect.

I am pleased.

Hugs and apologies all around...all is forgiven...pizza is served...I feel like a runaway train that has sped off the track and has grounded itself in a huge pile of soft sand....nothing has exploded, but suddenly, all forward momentum is gone. I want to crawl into bed, if I have the strength, and get to sleep.

CRAP! My laundry! I don't have clean clothes for work tomorrow...

sigh....

well...the litany has begun once more...I think to myself...Ghandi would be proud of me...

TWO MORE DAYS...TWO MORE DAYS...TWO MORE DAYS...

(to be continued)

NP - IN DREAMS (Goldenthal)

I am sullen, slightly depressed, relieved, and looking forward to my next project...a short film with a 2 day shooting schedule, but with a story I really like and wanna do. Although I probably should have done the short first, THEN the feature length...but I have never been one to do ANYTHING the easy way.

Unlike the weekend before, this weekends shoots went of without a hitch, other than the fact that it was OVER 100 degrees on the sets and tempers were short...but no one blew up...things were kept pretty much orderly. I can say that the blooper reel will be a hoot...in any event...

It's over. Done with. The shooting anyway. Now comes the hard part...putting all the pieces of the jigsaw into a coherent picture. This is the part I have to admit I know the least about...thank God for Reyes. I know he'll make it work.

The actors were all probably relieved to get it over with as well, although one of our actors is assiting Reyes with the editing and two of them are working on my short film (which will emplopy a different editor and photgrapher...but that's what will make it interesting I think...).

Of course, now I want to write more things for these same actors that stuck with me throughout this production and who did so well, pulling off remarkable performaces hour after hour...but...just three things at a time please...any more than that and I start short-circuiting and spitting out "off-white goo" a la Ash from Alien (for those who think there is a resemblance between me and Ian Holm...heh).

So...editing and then Aaron goes to work. Editing by the end of July...we shall see how the rest goes...I will try to speed things up as best I can for those coming out to see Williams...I'd LOVE to show my moviemusic friends what I've done...so at the very least they can say, "Yeah, he DID make a movie!" No promises though...at the very least, I should have a rough cut of the film ready...maybe I will temp it with some really great composers music and then reject the score...LOL...I have to give Brad credit for that joke...it's FUNNY though...

Anyway, I guess that is all for now...I have a story to get back to...a story about a search...a search for a friend...and I must say part of me is curious...and part of me is very afraid...

More as the editing process continues...

My thanks to ALL of you who gave me support.

Later

(Actually I never had much problem with editing because my schedules were so tight that I tended to "cut in the camera," as they say. Not bragging, just observing. My work from those days is more or less unwatchable now, though, so I'll have to learn more flexibility.)