Putting the Pieces Together

We're still going strong! The foundations for our oasis have been completed, and now it's time for the fun part... designing the details. It's been a hot, and tedious process, and we look forward to fall weather.

During the 2 week break, Melyssa and I will be departing to Puerto Rico (we're psyched!! but we'll miss you all... really we will.) While we are gone, Liz and her entourage will be working on the set some more, and Christopher Carey, our UPM, will take charge temporarily.

In other news, we've got three of four locations locked, a dog and animal trainer committed, all of our actors are locked, and our costumes, weapons, and props are being designed by three great artistic master-minds.

As for cinematography, here's what I've been doing... in case you were interested:
First of all, I'm attempting to recruit a team of gaffers to assist me. I've also been developing ways to work around the difficult safety rules applying to pyrotechnics. It looks like we'll be creating fire with a combination of flickering light, an electric grill, fans, silk sheets, and dead bamboo leaves.
Day for night tests have been done, and are still being done. The angel is coming along slowly but surely, and we have locked the actor which will be behind that costume, so the final tests will be coming into play very soon!

There is still a lot to be done though, and we're still looking for all the help we can get. We only have two hands... as strange as that may seem.

I hope everyone has had a great summer so far, and we're looking forward to putting this project together!

Until next time,
Nathan

Building the Set

It has begun!

The set construction of this beast is already under-way. Liz prepared several sketches to design two different ramps, and platforms which are up to 16 feet wide by 8 feet long!

The ramps will be placed around our pond (a 15' pool with a transparent porthole for underwater photography). And once we have everything in place, we'll move on to the next phase... designing the forest, and mountain!

We'll be transporting these massive ramps via truck this weekend. PLEASE, if you have any time, and the least bit of strength, even if you only have enough strength to hand us water bottles... we need all the help we can get.



Here's where you can sign up:

Facebook: http://scad.facebook.com/event.php?eid=4167307883&pwstdfy=d25aa92176312cc1f618a3395aff2315

Email:
shoeboxstory@gmail.com


We can't wait to see this movie come to life. We all feel like the magic in this project can only come from all of the great people we're working with. Together we'll make it happen.

Best regards,
Nate

The hunt for locations

One particularly difficult part of this production is finding locations that match the story. We have a large oasis in the middle of a desert in the tropics, including a pond, and two large trees.
We've actually been on quite a few difficult journeys looking for these places in Savannah. Here's our story so far...


As we set out on our trek, we knew already that it would be a heck of a search. I was quite enthusiastic about the upcoming voyage. Melyssa, however, was ready for business.

From areas like Fort Pulaski, to strange parks on the side of the road, we drove and walked miles, looking for a place that was feasable to shoot in, get permission for, and... well of course that didn't have insects and snakes which Melyssa has an intense fear for.

Finally, we headed out to Tybee Island, where we combed the sand dunes. During our search, we found a very pleasing area that we felt was definately suitable for our desert scene! It's right near the lighthouse, wedged between two sand dunes.

Dry vegetation and perfect bushes litter the sandy terrain, just as the Melyssa had imagined!





After leaving for a 2 week break, Melyssa travelled around Puerto Rico, her home town, taking pictures of tropical rainforests for inspiration.

The landscapes and forests are visually stunning, and a great way to form ideas. Too bad we can't form a budget to fly our crew down for a weekend!

Upon our return, we quickly drove to a bamboo garden that we heard much about. We spoke to the owner of the garden about our film, and it looks as though everything should be okay for producing our movie on their land!




And so we have it, two locations. Now all we need to do is figure out this pond thing...

We've got a lot ahead of us.

'Til next time,
Nate