Twinhead Production

As of today, we'll have been shooting for exactly one month. That's the 15th of February in this year two thousand and eight, so my planner tells me. And what a month. It's been one of the most logistically complex, rigorous, aggressive, and great shoots I've been on. But that's the thing, isn't it, is that it's not just one shoot but many many shoots. In this short amount of time, we've shot: a scene of high-class dialogue, a fashion show, a subversive documentary with politicians, a parody trailer, a party, a Southern party, a sports film, and some things that are really just beyond all reason and good taste. Even bad taste, for that matter.

February 22nd
"The Games Rich People Play"

Ah, the rich. How else to criticize excess than with excess (which seems to be something we're quite good at)? This was the first shoot I had to direct, which was strange to think about since I last directed "Me and My Bot" over a year ago. The scene is simple enough -- two couples sit and discuss some new territory. And the actors -- Geoff, Cherry, Diana, and Eli -- are so talented and fucking hilarious that I knew I didn't have much to worry about except the occasional suggestion. The big hurdle was the film-makin', remembering (or figuring out again), how to make all of this work.

I didn't draw up any storyboards for the scene, convinced that it would be pretty basic wide shot, two-shots, and then close-ups. Of course, this slightly bit me in the ass towards the end, but it looks and worked out just fine. I had never seen Diana's parents' house before (which was gorgeous and absolutely perfect!), so storyboarding beforehand seemed a little futile. It was a good reminder of how to think on one's feet during a shoot. However, I will never, ever go into a shoot without storyboards, because it's such a good time to think about composition and how to show character, dominance, etc., and to just be creative so don't end up shooting bland looking crap.

Alright, I will get pictures from this shoot as soon as possible.