rockblog

From Maze to Labyrinth

2008-08-05T22:57:00.005+01:00

August has arrived and things have changed pace. Whilst 'Lord of Pain' gets committed to DvD and the web by Matt Plummer, I am now busy writing like a crazy man. All throughout the process of bringing 'Lord of Pain' to fruition I have been scribbling down ideas for other projects, from the most basic scene to larger scale concepts.

I really enjoy the story development stage of a project, taking maybe the smallest seed of an idea and discovering the right way to help it grow. The main new project I am working on is a film I first had the idea for a year or so ago. It's quite different from what I've made before and I'm taking delight in that. The story will be complete this week and the 1st draft of the script will follow soon after, ready to be honed and polished (there I go again with the creative duster). I generally write all my ideas and scripts by hand at first, as I like the immediacy of scribbling and doodling initial ideas down, before going on to format them on the computer. I'm also really pleased to have Peter Johnston working with me once again on some of the films design elements for the project.

Until next time...
Daniel

It's ALIVE!!!!

2008-06-30T10:17:00.002+01:00

Lord of Pain is complete!

We have now had 3 screenings, all in close succession, and the response so far has been great. I'm delighted so many cast, crew and collaborators have got to see the film in a group and the screening in my local cinema was a thrilling experience. Although the format we shot Lord of Pain on is very much suited to Tv it all held up remarkably well on the big screen. There is something so magical about the darkened theatre...wonderful!

So what now? Well I have a final sound mixing session for the film and I'm pondering some excellent advice given to me so I might make a minor tweak to the film before posting it online and committing it to the final DvD. I'm eager to get the DvD to the cast and crew asap so they have the film to promote their skills they lent to the project.

Then? I have ideas a plenty as to what I'd like to do but Amelia and I will spend time to get Lord of Pain seen as much as possible whilst I develop several new ideas further. I have a short film idea (well, several as usual but one main one) I'd love to make next and the feature scripts are coming together (design in process), but who knows? One thing is for certain, I'll be filming sooner rather than later...

I'm off for some fresh air and to no doubt noodle with ideas,

Let there be Rock!

Daniel

With respect..

2008-06-18T11:32:00.003+01:00

This week saw the passing of a true hero of mine, the Special Make-Up and Effects Master Stan Winston. It's the first time I've been compelled to write about a personal issue in my blog but I cannot emphasize enough the impact Stan's work has had on my love for both special effects and movie making in general.

Where Stan was different in his work was the fact that he created characters not just monsters or effects. All his designs were driven by what was best for the film, not just to create a striking design for the sake of it. Stan's body of work includes some of the most iconic film characters of the past 30 years : Terminator, Predator, Edward Scissorhands, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Iron man...the list could go on and on.

So for two thirds of my life Stan's work has inspired and amazed me and his passing leaves a great void in the film community. In a world where more and more films turn to computer generated imagery, Stan bridged the gap by always choosing the right combination of computer and physical effects to help best tell the story, something more of the film world would be best served to observe.

Stan Winston, an inspiration, a legend!

Daniel

Heading for Venus...

2008-06-09T16:02:00.002+01:00

Yes, this week it's the final countdown for 'Lord of Pain'.

All the sound is prepared and will be rough mixed this week, and if that all goes well we'll do the final mix on Monday June 16th. After I've delivered the final sound and score to Shane this week I'll be working through the final colour grading.

I was delighted that film composer Sid Barnhoorn scored a couple of the movies scenes and I feel very lucky to have collaborated with Paul Houseman, Sean Beeson and Sid on bringing the world of Udo to fruition. Naturally the score is a mix of pan pipes, de-tuned piano and penny whistles...Ok, even I can't joke about that ;-)

I've been working through a good creative spell recently and have begun the process of getting concept art for a couple of projects off the ground. I will of course be updating progress as it happens.

Keep On Keepin' On

Daniel

A Spectrum of Wonder!

2008-06-03T10:52:00.006+01:00

It's been a busy time since my last post, allow me to get you up to speed.

Juggling! I think that's the most appropriate description for the past month really. For those who don't know the post-production process, the best way I can describe it is it feels like juggling. Slowly but surely more and more balls are thrown into the performance until your hands are a blur and you hold your breath for the finish, trying not to drop a ball.

So in film terms the balls are, film editing, visual effects, title graphics, color correction, color grading, sound design, sound effects recording, additional dialogue recording, music scoring, final mixing, dvd content...you get the picture. The great news is we are very close to completing all these elements.

Amelia, my co-producer on both Fused and Lord of Pain, has begun arranging screenings. When for you ask? Screening dates and specific venues will be announced soon, with London and Burgess Hill being the main locations.

Time for me to get back working on the films sound but I'll be posting again very soon.

Now, where did I leave that ball with 'The End' written on it......?

All the best

Daniel

Back in the saddle..again!

2008-05-13T00:02:00.003+01:00

After a very successful run in the West End show, 'The History Boys', Daniel Fine has stepped back into Udo's wellingtons. I took Dan to meet up with Shane and we spent a couple of hours recording some ADR, including one of my favourite moments in the film, and Dan got to see the final cut of the film for the first time.

So the music is going great, Matt Plummer continues to send me terrific VFX work, Shane is busy working on the sound mix and I'm collaborating with a really talented artist on the titles. It's a busy, busy fun time but naturally I'm looking forward to completing the film and moving on. I have so many ideas and want to spend sometime developing them. I've been writing throughout making 'Lord of Pain' and I can't wait to be back on a set again.

Keep on Keepin' on,

Daniel

"Let there be rock!"

2008-05-07T00:55:00.004+01:00

Just a quick update today..

I'm delighted to announce that the 'Lord of Pain' score has been brought to life by composer Paul Houseman along with Shane Van Leeuwen. It's very exciting to work with these fine musicians and I'm delighted with the results so far. Work on the score will be complete on May 17th.

More will follow soon,

All the best

Daniel

Post, Post and more Post

2008-04-26T18:26:00.003+01:00

'Post' A term that right now seems to be attached to everything I do. Like a limpet clings to a rock post clings to me, I cling to post! How is it all going? Well I'm really pleased with the progress we're making. I've worked out the overall color grade of the film. It's been quite a meticulous process to find a 'look' that works consistently throughout, something that captures the right feel of Udo's world.

Shane and I have sat down and chatted in depth about the sound required for the film. In an ideal world we'd go back through and ADR the whole movie of course, but as we're not able to do that I'm happy to report the onset dialogue has worked out just great. Sound is so important to any film and this is no exception. The more 'real' we can get it to sound the better.

Dan Fine, playing Udo in the film, finishes his fantastic run in the 'History Boys' tomorrow night. Amelia and I saw him a few weeks back and he was just brilliant. Dan and I will be getting together with Shane next week to record some dialogue for a special part of the film as well as some basic ADR. So after Dan's stint away doing what he does best I'm dragging him back down into the land of Udo and a nice trip to Basingstoke. The glitz, the glamour!

Ok, time for me to prep' some shots for tomorrow's meeting. I'll not say anymore now (I'm such a secret squirrel) but I will say it's a side of the film making process I'm rather excited about...

Keep on Keepin' on

Daniel

Set phasers for stun!

2008-04-20T22:14:00.003+01:00

So we're now moving into the final post-production phase. Amelia, my co-producer on Lord of Pain, and I met up with Shane Van Leeuwen today and have gone through the sound and music design for the film. It was great to sit down, view the film and share ideas on what the movie needs. On Wednesday this week I'll be turning over the final cut of the film for Shane to begin his work in earnest.

On the VFX front, Matt Plummer continues bringing moments of the film fully to life with his digital manipulation. It's hard to comment on the work he's doing at the moment without giving key parts of the film away but I can say the VFX work covers everything from projectors to binoculars, brick walls to weather patterns.

Yesterday, Saturday 19th, Amelia and I met up with actor Michael Gabe to record some Lord of Pain ADR with him, as well as a voice over Michael is providing for the film, 'Poppies' by director Ashley Wing. It's always nice to catch up with Michael and we wish him well with the rest of his sell out tour of 'And then there were none'.

That's it for now,

Daniel

Polishing the 'Lord of Pain' edit

2008-04-13T00:09:00.004+01:00

So now it's time to get out the digital duster and get buffing. On Friday I concluded editing the 'chase' sequence of the film with Daniel Batt.This means that the main edit is complete with tweaking to be completed by Sunday night. Batty's assistance with the edit has been invaluable. It's great to have him onboard!

Batty and I filmed a pick up shot today that is part of the conclusion, so I'll be coy and not say to much on the content. All I will say is that Batty took a blow to the groin area when he was least expecting it. Ok folks, keep it clean..

It was a good moment to see the film rough cut on the timeline and get a gauge of the scenes flowing from one to the next. The running time of the film is exactly what I first predicted, 40 minutes. Sitting in between being a short film and half a feature feels a comfortable place to be right now. My goal was always to try to create a 'mini-feature', a film with the heart of a short but the scope of a feature. I think it's been £1200 well spent, I hope you do to!

Keep on Keepin' On

Daniel

'Lord of Pain' VFX

2008-03-31T13:08:00.004+01:00

Lord of Pain contains a number of shots that we've created in the digital domain or enhanced to create the required illusion.

VFX Supervisor Matt Plummer is working tirelessly to tweak and manipulate shots to help create the films defining moments and touches. Certainly the majority of the vfx work is invisible, removing doors, wires and creating lighting/weather effects, but we do have a number of more fx heavy shots that would have been impossible to create without our digital toolbox.

rockblog..

2008-03-29T00:25:00.000Z

Welcome to the rockutainment blog!

The aim of this blog is to keep you up to speed on all the latest info regarding my film projects.

2008 has been a good year so far with the following being the main events:

'Fused', my BAFTA 60 Seconds of Fame entry won the South Region and took me to the BAFTA's for the second year running. I'm proud to have now won two different regions two years in a row. Will there be an entry next year? Unlikely, but never say never...

I've recently returned from being Assistant Director on a short film, 'Poppies', directed by Ashley Wing. Plenty more information to come soon but from the footage I've seen and the way the shoot went I'm really looking forward to seeing the final film.

AND...my black comedy short film 'Lord of Pain' is currently in the final stages of editing. The tale of eccentric ex-magician Udo Reinman is in the home straight. VFX artist Matt Plummer is busy working on two key scenes in the film whilst Daniel Batt and I start to polish the edit. Sound Mixer Shane Van Leeuwen will then be working on the ADR and mix.

I'm really pleased with how the project is shaping up and Producer Amelia Saberwal and I look forward to screening it in the near future.

Ok, I'm going to get back editing. I'll be posting soon with more in-depth information on 'Lord of Pain'.

Keep on Keepin' on

Daniel