After years of re-writes, concept art creation, script breakdowns and budgeting for our upcoming feature film LARP, my team and I needed one last piece of the puzzle before we could confidently place our film on Kickstarter.
Several ideas were discussed, including recycling proof of concept footage we had already shot in addition to some talking heads of ourselves asking nicely for money. After seeing the amazing video for Kung Fury however, we knew that our Kickstarter campaign would live or die based on our ability to make an amazing film. We needed to show the world that we were capable of handling a budget as large as the one we're asking for.
The goals of the video were three-fold: introduce our potential audience to the film's main concept, let them know how we would use their money, and demonstrate our cinematic skills. The script came to us from a writer/comedian friend of ours and was adapted by Nicholas Dunn, the writer of LARP, to better fit our newly outlined goals. Soon, several decisions were made that upped the production value of the project considerably. What resulted was most likely the most expensive Kickstarter video ever made.
We originally planned to shoot the entire video at a local elementary school auditorium because we had access to the space for free. However, that space did not have a grid and we would therefore need to bring in our own lighting gear. For the ease of lighting the video, we changed our location from the elementary school to a sound stage at Redman Movies, the local rental house. This space included pre-rigged DMX controlled Kino Flo's and LED lights as well as a green screen and the benefits of a sound-proof room.
Because all 3 members of our small company were written into the script of the film, we needed a crew besides ourselves. We immediately attached Margaret King, who has worked on Mad Men, 24, and Nip Tuck, as our Director of Photography. We had always assumed we would shoot on our own DSLR's but Margaret upgraded the camera package to include 2 Arri Alexas, a 12-lens set of Leica Summilux-C primes and an Angenieux Optimo zoom. She also rented a small grip and lighting package from Redman Movies.
Due to the green screen in our new location, our climactic shot, which originally required our actor to cut a table in half, was changed to a huge VFX shot with animated fabric, a fantasy background plate, a wind machine and a sword lighting on fire. To achieve this, we used a combination of Adobe After Effects and Blender.
Here is the final product:
So now you're thinking, what was the final cost for The Most Expensive Kickstarter Video Ever? Truthfully, pretty close to zero. Nearly all of our props and costumes were sourced from things we already owned. Our craft services was donated by Margaret's parents and the software was already purchased for use on our corporate projects.
What then of the cost of 2 Alexas and a sound stage? We paid for none of it. Redman Movies so graciously donated the use of all their equipment to us on the condition that when we raise our $80K budget through Kickstarter, we rent all the gear from them.
Therefore it's safe to say that The Most Expensive Kickstarter Video Ever is likely one of the cheapest thanks to the courtesy of people willing to help struggling artists find their budget and make their film. We managed to get this amazing amount of equipment and talent simply because we asked. This is the best example of the collaborative spirit of the film community I've ever witnessed and the reason most of us stay in the film industry today despite its challenges.
I'm eternally grateful to everyone who helped make this video for LARP and get it this far. Now, on to $80,000!
Moving images, creative ideas, travel tips, and some occasional fashion advice.
April 21, 2014
April 7, 2014
Sign Heist at Salt Lake Comedy Film Festival
This Wednesday April 9 is your chance to see Sign Heist play at the Salt Lake Comedy Film Festival, 7pm at the Broadway Centre Cinemas in Downtown Salt Lake. Tickets are $10.
Starring:
Stuart W. Ford
Jeff Black
Directed by:
Connor Rickman
Produced by:
Topher Rasmussen
Original Score by:
Keir Schmidt
Sign Heist marks my first use of the Panasonic GH2 and Magic Bullet Looks which proved to be quite an excellent combination for this film. I was originally going to grade day-for-night but decided instead to go for a more "Bourne Supremacy" look instead.
Since shooting this film I have used the GH2 for countless other projects including the LARP sizzle reel, our award winning I am Downtown contest submission, TIC and Outlaws our two city-winning 48-Hour films, AMUSIUM's Favorite Game music video and Return to Encore my favorite test of my lenses and this camera.
The GH2 has been an excellent camera and has proven itself time and again as a superior imaging tool. Some credit goes to Andrew Reid of EOSHD who helped me navigate the menus and get the best possible image out of this camera. My GH2 has now been traded for credit at Adorama so I can buy the new Panasonic GH4. It was hard to say goodbye to such a loyal companion but I am excited for what the future holds. It leaves behind a great legacy of award-winners and entertainers and paves the way to what I hope is a bright future.
April 2, 2014
Concept Art for LARP
Need something else to get you excited about Ex Machina Films' big announcement for LARP?
Behold! Concept art drawn by our good friend and author/illustrator of Cosmoknight, Rufus ZaeJoDaeus.
Be sure to follow @LARPMOVIE on Twitter for more updates. #foamandsteel
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| Leon |
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| Cindel |
.jpg) |
| Mina: The Seer |
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| The Phantom Lord |
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| Preston: The Chosen One |
March 30, 2014
Teaser videos for LARP
LARP is one of those projects that gets mentioned here every once in a while but never seems to gain any traction. Well, I can't tell you exactly what we're working on right now, but here are a few things to help whet your appetite.
For updates follow @LARPMOVIE on Twitter.
March 24, 2014
The Giver
February turned into a surprising month with an opportunity to work on another studio feature. The Giver, adapted from the popular children's book, is filming 2nd unit in Utah after a massive shoot in South Africa.
The film stars Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift and absolutely NONE of them came to Utah. However, the up-and-coming Brenton Thwaites was here along with director Phillip Noyce.
The crew is shooting the film's famous sledding scene at the Brighton and Solitude Ski Resorts near Salt Lake City as well as an aerial unit in the Wasatch Mountains. They also have two sets at Redman Movies, (home of the Ex Machina Films office) one on the large sound stage and one in the back lot.
Just released - check out the official trailer here:
March 19, 2014
Why I Enjoyed Need for Speed so much.
This post started out as an update of a previous post but I went into such detail I thought it deserved its own.
Check out the Need for Speed extended trailer here:
This movie is exactly what you think it's going to be. Fast cars, police chases and just enough plot to keep you going. Although it wasn't the best move I've seen (far from it) I'd like to share a bit about why I liked it so much.
1. It's a great car movie. For fans of Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds, Vanishing Point etc, this movie really delivers. The Fast and Furious franchise has evolved into an action franchise with a decent ensemble cast but no longer seems to be about cars. (See here) This doesn't mean they are bad films, just no longer good car films. I'm all about Vin Diesel and The Rock kicking ass, but I miss sequences like Paul Walker's Supra smoking that black Ferrari on PCH. Need for Speed brings those moments back to the big screen.
2. They don't make movies like this anymore. Earlier in the year I participated in a workshop taught by SNL DP Alex Buono. The first big film he ever worked on was Twister which he admitted wasn't a spectacular movie but nevertheless he missed it because they simply do not make movies like that anymore. What he meant was that a film about a giant tornado was made with a huge amount of practical effects due to the limited capabilities of CG at the time. That scene where Bill Paxton's truck is being bombarded by hail was filmed with a giant wood chipper shooting ice at his moving truck. Those techniques add a certain amount of realism to the performances, which are also present in Need for Speed. The powerslides, jumps and the aforementioned helicopter stunt were all real. CGI is therefore used to enhance rather than to substitute and it shows.
3. There's no gratuitous sex. Usually car movies have scantily clad women everywhere and the lead characters find some reason to hook up. Need for Speed, however, doesn't fall into this trap. In this story there's no reason for the male and female lead characters to have sex, so they don't. This is about a million times better than watching an awkward sex scene that's been added purely for the sake of itself. It makes the characters feel like human beings and not objects of the audience's voyeur.
4. This story takes its time. Need for Speed is 2 hours and 10 minutes long. That's not necessarily a long movie but in this day of reduced consumption I'm surprised the studio brass didn't demand Scott Waugh to cut 40 minutes out of it. The point is that 2 hours and 10 minutes is just enough time to tell the story, it never feels rushed and yet it never feels like its lagging either. Nothing needs to be added or subtracted.
Unfortunately this film performed quite poorly at the US box office which means it's unlikely we'll see a project like this again anytime soon. It'll be back to 90 minute action flicks with tons of CG and gratuitous boobs which seems to sell although personally it upsets me.
Take my opinions as they are. I'm probably quite biased as a fan of car culture and a long-time player of the Need for Speed video games. Not to mention the fact that I worked on this film.
Check out the Need for Speed extended trailer here:
This movie is exactly what you think it's going to be. Fast cars, police chases and just enough plot to keep you going. Although it wasn't the best move I've seen (far from it) I'd like to share a bit about why I liked it so much.
1. It's a great car movie. For fans of Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds, Vanishing Point etc, this movie really delivers. The Fast and Furious franchise has evolved into an action franchise with a decent ensemble cast but no longer seems to be about cars. (See here) This doesn't mean they are bad films, just no longer good car films. I'm all about Vin Diesel and The Rock kicking ass, but I miss sequences like Paul Walker's Supra smoking that black Ferrari on PCH. Need for Speed brings those moments back to the big screen.
2. They don't make movies like this anymore. Earlier in the year I participated in a workshop taught by SNL DP Alex Buono. The first big film he ever worked on was Twister which he admitted wasn't a spectacular movie but nevertheless he missed it because they simply do not make movies like that anymore. What he meant was that a film about a giant tornado was made with a huge amount of practical effects due to the limited capabilities of CG at the time. That scene where Bill Paxton's truck is being bombarded by hail was filmed with a giant wood chipper shooting ice at his moving truck. Those techniques add a certain amount of realism to the performances, which are also present in Need for Speed. The powerslides, jumps and the aforementioned helicopter stunt were all real. CGI is therefore used to enhance rather than to substitute and it shows.
3. There's no gratuitous sex. Usually car movies have scantily clad women everywhere and the lead characters find some reason to hook up. Need for Speed, however, doesn't fall into this trap. In this story there's no reason for the male and female lead characters to have sex, so they don't. This is about a million times better than watching an awkward sex scene that's been added purely for the sake of itself. It makes the characters feel like human beings and not objects of the audience's voyeur.
4. This story takes its time. Need for Speed is 2 hours and 10 minutes long. That's not necessarily a long movie but in this day of reduced consumption I'm surprised the studio brass didn't demand Scott Waugh to cut 40 minutes out of it. The point is that 2 hours and 10 minutes is just enough time to tell the story, it never feels rushed and yet it never feels like its lagging either. Nothing needs to be added or subtracted.
Unfortunately this film performed quite poorly at the US box office which means it's unlikely we'll see a project like this again anytime soon. It'll be back to 90 minute action flicks with tons of CG and gratuitous boobs which seems to sell although personally it upsets me.
Take my opinions as they are. I'm probably quite biased as a fan of car culture and a long-time player of the Need for Speed video games. Not to mention the fact that I worked on this film.
February 5, 2014
Need for Speed Superbowl Trailer Released!
Back in July 2013 I got a very exciting phone call. I was told to drop everything I was doing and drive to Wendover NV where I would get a chance to work on Need For Speed starring Aaron Paul, directed by Scott Waugh and Photographed by Shane Hurlbut ASC!
I immediately did what I was told and although my job may have just been to push an air conditioner around the desert so a particular starlet wouldn't sweat too much in the desert I was rewarded with many prizes.
UPDATE (03/19/14):
I've now seen this movie and it's exactly what you think it's going to be. Fast cars, police chases and just enough plot to keep you going. Although it wasn't the best move I've seen (far from it) I'd like to share a bit about why I liked it so much.
1. It's a great car movie. For fans of Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds, Vanishing Point etc, this movie really delivers. The Fast and Furious franchise has evolved into an action franchise with a decent ensemble cast but no longer seems to be about cars. This doesn't mean they are bad films, just no longer good car films. I'm all about Vin Diesel and The Rock kicking ass, but I miss sequences like Paul Walker's Supra smoking that black Ferrari on PCH. Need for Speed brings those moments back to the big screen.
2. They don't make movies like this anymore. Earlier in the year I participated in a workshop taught by SNL DP Alex Buono. The first big film he ever worked on was Twister which he admitted wasn't a spectacular movie but nevertheless he missed it because they simply do not make movies like that anymore. What he meant was that a film about a giant tornado was made with a huge amount of practical effects due to the limited capabilities of CG at the time. That scene where Bill Paxton's truck is being bombarded by hail was filmed with a giant wood chipper shooting ice at his moving truck. Those techniques add a certain amount of realism to the performances, which are also present in Need for Speed. The powerslides, jumps and the aforementioned helicopter stunt were all real stunts. CGI is therefore used to enhance rather than to substitute and it shows.
3. There's no gratuitous sex. Usually car movies have scantily clad women everywhere and the lead characters find some reason to hook up. Need for Speed, however, doesn't fall into this trap. In this story there's no reason for the male and female lead characters to have sex, so they don't. This is just about a million times better than watching an awkward sex scene that's been added purely for the sake of itself. It makes the characters feel like human beings and not objects of the audience's voyeur.
4. This story takes its time. Need for Speed is 2 hours and 10 minutes long. That's not necessarily a long movie but in this day of reduced consumption I'm surprised the studio brass didn't demand Scott Waugh to cut 40 minutes out of it. The point is that 2 hours and 10 minutes is just enough time to tell the story, it never feels rushed and yet it never feels like its lagging either. Nothing needs to be added or subtracted.
Unfortunately this film performed quite poorly at the US box office which means it's unlikely we'll see a project like this again anytime soon. It'll be back to 90 minute action flicks with tons of CG and gratuitous boobs which seems to sell although personally it upsets me.
Take my opinions as they are. I'm probably quite biased as a fan of car culture and a long-time player of the Need for Speed video games. Not to mention the fact that I worked on this film.
I immediately did what I was told and although my job may have just been to push an air conditioner around the desert so a particular starlet wouldn't sweat too much in the desert I was rewarded with many prizes.
- I got to meet Aaron Paul
- I witnessed a helicopter lift a car and fly it over the Bonneville Salt Flats
- I got to see the unreleased and unannounced 2015 Ford Mustang GT
- I talked to Shane Hurlbut about how I played poker with him at NAB 2010
- I got a per diem because I was technically an "out of town" worker
- I got my own room at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino which I stole toilet paper from
UPDATE (03/19/14):
I've now seen this movie and it's exactly what you think it's going to be. Fast cars, police chases and just enough plot to keep you going. Although it wasn't the best move I've seen (far from it) I'd like to share a bit about why I liked it so much.
1. It's a great car movie. For fans of Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds, Vanishing Point etc, this movie really delivers. The Fast and Furious franchise has evolved into an action franchise with a decent ensemble cast but no longer seems to be about cars. This doesn't mean they are bad films, just no longer good car films. I'm all about Vin Diesel and The Rock kicking ass, but I miss sequences like Paul Walker's Supra smoking that black Ferrari on PCH. Need for Speed brings those moments back to the big screen.
2. They don't make movies like this anymore. Earlier in the year I participated in a workshop taught by SNL DP Alex Buono. The first big film he ever worked on was Twister which he admitted wasn't a spectacular movie but nevertheless he missed it because they simply do not make movies like that anymore. What he meant was that a film about a giant tornado was made with a huge amount of practical effects due to the limited capabilities of CG at the time. That scene where Bill Paxton's truck is being bombarded by hail was filmed with a giant wood chipper shooting ice at his moving truck. Those techniques add a certain amount of realism to the performances, which are also present in Need for Speed. The powerslides, jumps and the aforementioned helicopter stunt were all real stunts. CGI is therefore used to enhance rather than to substitute and it shows.
3. There's no gratuitous sex. Usually car movies have scantily clad women everywhere and the lead characters find some reason to hook up. Need for Speed, however, doesn't fall into this trap. In this story there's no reason for the male and female lead characters to have sex, so they don't. This is just about a million times better than watching an awkward sex scene that's been added purely for the sake of itself. It makes the characters feel like human beings and not objects of the audience's voyeur.
4. This story takes its time. Need for Speed is 2 hours and 10 minutes long. That's not necessarily a long movie but in this day of reduced consumption I'm surprised the studio brass didn't demand Scott Waugh to cut 40 minutes out of it. The point is that 2 hours and 10 minutes is just enough time to tell the story, it never feels rushed and yet it never feels like its lagging either. Nothing needs to be added or subtracted.
Unfortunately this film performed quite poorly at the US box office which means it's unlikely we'll see a project like this again anytime soon. It'll be back to 90 minute action flicks with tons of CG and gratuitous boobs which seems to sell although personally it upsets me.
Take my opinions as they are. I'm probably quite biased as a fan of car culture and a long-time player of the Need for Speed video games. Not to mention the fact that I worked on this film.
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