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Blade Runner – Lighting Exercise – Panasonic GH5

February 10, 2018 by Aric Spence


Awhile back (7/23/13), No Film School featured an article where a couple filmmakers attempted to recreate a shot from the original Blade Runner. Well, we took that attempt a bit further with the advice gleaned from the Cooke Optics “Deconstructing Cinematography – Blade Runner” featuring the DPs Geoff Boyle & Nic Knowland along with an ASC article and an interview that Ridley Scott did with Wired.

Since we had not seen anyone successfully reproduce the masterful eye-light that Jordan Cronenweth devised for Blade Runner, we decided to attempt it ourselves. After a lot of research, and much trial and error, we figured out how to accomplish the eye-light. Once we had the technique figured out, we demonstrated it by filming a corresponding scene from the movie.

Gallery of frame grabs showing our attempt vs. the original:




This shoot took quite a bit of preparation to pull off. First of all, we had a lot of trouble finding an actress that wanted to play the part of Rachael. Once we found the actress (Elaina DeJong) through MAM, it was a mad scramble to get all the costume and set pieces together in order to hopefully do a respectable job replicating the scene before our next monthly meeting.

Everything from crafting a Voight Kampff machine look alike, creating semi-matching chair backs, tweaking Rachael’s outfit to better match the original and an exhaustive effort to try and match the tie/shirt/blazer combo for Deckard, all went into the final week before the shoot. While we were not able to come up with exact matches for everything, we did come pretty close in style and texture.




A purse from a second-hand store was cut apart to get the collar and accent items for Rachael’s costume. We then tucked the actresses coat collar inward and let the modified donated shirt collar overlay the coat. After vising all of the second-hand stores in Sandpoint, Idaho trying to find a matching tie/shirt/coat combo for Deckard, we had to settle on a close match as we could not find anything quite like the originals within the time frame that we had. The style of Deckard is kind of a mis-matched collage, but somehow what he wears seems to fit the narrative. I did not want too dark of a coat because in the original scene it adds a bit of reflective light. Ultimately, we went with what looked and felt right on the actor to us at the time.

The Voight Kampff machine was created using many left over parts including a 1980’s era JVC Walkman-like cassette player, an old digital TV tuner unit, a small task lamp, a SmallHD DP4 monitor, a lot of black foam core and Gaff tape, a bellows from an old camera and many other misc. parts. The bellows movement for the close up shots was done using a stick attached to top of the bellows to create the breathing motion.

Since our group meets in a small theater space that shows movies in the evening, we were not able to do very much pre-shot preparation. The evening before, after the movie let out, consisted of folding up chairs to clear our would be set area and getting equipment staged for the next day. The day of the shoot was when everything else took place. Everything you see was shot in under 5 hours with roughly two hours of setup and take down.


Here are a few BTS photos that one of our members, Alan Barber, was kind enough to take during the shoot. **Photo credit for this group: Alan Barber**





 


Here is a rough lighting diagram that should help people understand how we set this up.


Camera and lighting equipment used for our shoot:
Panasonic GH5 – 4K DCI, 10 bit 4.2.2, exported at FHD with 2.39 to 1 overlay.
Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adapter
135mm f/2.5 Takumar lens (vintage)
50mm f/1.4 Takumar lens (vintage)
Metabones Speedbooster XL 0.64x EF to Micro 4/3
2 – Sennheiser G3 Wireless lav microphones
1 – 650 Watt Fresnel light – Lowel Fren-L (main light)
2 – 150 watt Dedolights with imagers (eye and rim light)
1 – 2×3 Styrofoam bounce
1 – 2×3 Black flag


Here is the original scene from Blade Runner which ours corresponds to:


Final thoughts:
Here are a few things I wish I had done differently.

  1. Use a brighter back light. Possibly 2 – 650 watt lights focused onto one area on the side of Rachael’s face would have done a better job matching the originals blown out face exposure.
  2. Use a cookie to break up the light beam on the medium shot of Rachael so we would have seen streaks to more match the original.
  3. Positioned the Styrofoam bounce vertical instead of horizontal which might have helped the light falloff a little quicker on the shots of Rachael.
  4. Positioned the black flag a little closer to Deckard to create a harder shadow line.
  5. There are a lot of other things I could nit pick, but overall, I am happy with the final result.

Special thanks to the actors Rob Lindner and Elaina DeJong.
We really had a lot of fun working on this project, and we hope you all enjoyed it!

**The Blade Runner images used in this article are for education purposes only and Copyright is held by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. The original screenplay was written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples based on the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick. The original film was directed by Ridley Scott with the Cinematography done by Jordan Cronenweth.**

Filed Under: Filmmaking, Sandpoint Tagged With: Blade Runner, Eye-light, Filmmakers, Idaho, Lighting Exercise, Sandpoint, Sandpoint Filmmakers Network

Mood Board: Hobo & Businessman – Short Film

May 19, 2017 by Aric Spence

Businessman (similar to these):


Hobo (similar to these):



Waitress (similar to these):




Diner (Similar to these)



Track-side location (similar to these):





Filed Under: Filmmaking, Sandpoint, Short Film

Creativity, Inspiration and Filmmaking

February 1, 2017 by Aric Spence

David Lynch Quote

As independent filmmakers, we often think that our creative inspirations come from ourselves. I happen to think the opposite. I believe that there is a pool of creativity, a collective conscious if you will, that we can all tap into anytime we are “still” enough to find it. Yes, we are all unique, but when it comes to creativity, the people we surround ourselves with can often make or break our creative success.

People who spend their time wrapped around ideologies that do not align with ours are likely to be a hinderance to tapping into that wonderful creative pool. This is not always true and certainly must be decided on a case by case basis, but in order for creative magic to happen while filmmaking, it really helps if everyone is on the same wave length.

“At the beginning of a day of shooting, it is like there is a great gorge with thousands of feet down to some watery, rocky death. And you begin working and build a glass bridge across this gorge and only after you have gotten to last piece in place, it turns to steel.” – David Lynch

You see, we do our best work when we are surrounded with people who align with the ideas and concepts that our movie is trying to portray. If the people involved in the film are only partially signed on to the premise of it, then the end result cannot help but be lesser quality than if everyone was inspired by the core principals of the film.

This is not to say that someone who has different views than mine cannot participate in any of my films. Rather, it is to say that I just need to be sure they are aligned with the premise and creative goal of my film before I decided to include them in the agonizingly hard creative process of making a meaningful film.

Yes, we can all be professional and “do” the job at hand, but if our heart is not in it, the magic has less of a chance of happening. Making films is extremely hard work, so why waste anyones time trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Let’s be honest with each other and have meaningful discussions about what we love doing and what stirs us deeply so we can forge better friendships and ultimately create better films.

I hope this post stirs discussion about your creative process and ways that all our films can have the best chance for success. Please leave me a comment if you so inclined. I always enjoy hearing other filmmakers.

The Sandpoint Filmmakers Network shares information freely regardless of your your skill level or personal views and I hope you will consider becoming a part of this growing community of visual creatives in Sandpoint, Idaho. The “Join” button is at the bottom of the page.

Take care of each other out there…

Filed Under: Filmmaking, Sandpoint Tagged With: Creativity, Independent Films, Inspiration

Sandpoint Filmmakers Network: Interview on KRFY Morning Show

July 7, 2016 by Aric Spence

KRFYmoringShowArtSM3Rob and I had the distinct pleasure of being on the KRFY morning show hosted by Jack Peterson today. We had lots of fun talking about filmmaking in Sandpoint, several current and past projects as well as some of the films that are in cue. If you did not have a chance to tune in this morning, you can listen by clicking the link below.

Listen to Podcast

Filed Under: Filmmaking, News, Sandpoint, Short Film Tagged With: Aric Spence, Filmmaking, KRFY, Rob Lindner, Sandpoint, Short Films

Casting+Crew Call / Auditions – Peace Among Black Hills – Feature Film Promo

May 9, 2016 by Aric Spence

Greetings Actors and Filmmakers!! Auditions for the feature film promo for Peace Among Black Hills will be taking place Tuesday, May 17th starting at 4pm at the Planted Roots Productions office in Sandpoint, ID which is located at 301 N. 1st Avenue, in suite #207 on the second floor (Across from the Panida Theater, above Finan Mc Donald clothing store). More details below.

PABH-promo

Short Synopsis of Project:
San Francisco, CA, 1890, One Star thinks it’s too busy, too loud and too dirty, just like every town she has seen since she escaped the Carlisle Institute for Indians. But tomorrow her and her gang of misfit girls will be on their way to starting their own cattle ranch in Montana, where the hills are quiet and calm. One Star pats her mare on the neck and looks out over the noisy city, then out of nowhere… Is that really his voice?

Date: Tuesday, May 17th 2016 @ 4:00-7:00 PM
Location: 301 N First Ave #207, Sandpoint ID.

Please be prepared to read sides with current cast, and to change/walk to separate location for photos. On-street parking available on all main streets. (2 hour parking limit ends at 6pm). Please dress in Casual Business Attire that is appropriate for photos.

Casting for the promo is currently unpaid and for PROMO ONLY, with the possibility of becoming a permanent, paid role in the feature, depending on performance and availability. We will plan on providing costumes for MAIN CAST. All Ranch Hands/Extras will need to provide/make/rent an era appropriate costume. Costumes will need to be approved in advance so emailing a photo of your costume or bringing your costume to rehearsal will be important. If you are interested in auditioning, please RSVP which character(s) you are interested in via email at plantedrootsproductions@gmail.com to receive Sides, NDA+Likeness release and further instructions…. PLEASE  BRING your resume and a head-shot to auditions also!

NDA must be signed to receive sides!!

Full Synopsis:
Peace Among Black Hills is a story of love, loss, and overcoming treacherous hardship and discrimination during the war with the Plains Indians of the North West.

One Star and Jacob were born on opposite sides of the same coin, as “half breeds”. An early act of compassion brings them together as children, but the war raging around them tears them apart. In order to be together, they will have to overcome miles and years of separation when One Star is taken to the Carlisle Institute in Pennsylvania. After years at the Institute, One Star and her best friend, Melody, escape the Institute and return to Jacob’s ranch, only to find him gone.  One Star and Melody decide to explore their world and leave love behind them when Jacob does not return to his childhood home. They experience the hardships of the land, and collect a band of other Misfit girls along the way.

After realizing that none of them fit in with the civilization the world deems “Proper”, the girls make their way to a better life raising cattle in Montana. Along the way they encounter a series of unfortunate mishaps, the worst of which is the accidental death of the Silver City Sheriffs father in New Mexico, which One Star is blamed for.

The girls begin a hasty escape north to San Francisco, where they meet up with an equally misfit bunch of boys that agree to help them drive the cattle, and low and behold, one of the young boys is the long lost love, Jacob. But the Silver City Sheriff is hot on their trail.

Now that the group is complete, they must begin the treacherous journey north, through Oregon and Idaho, encountering every beautiful piece of country, and every rough part as well. They must try to reach Montana without being shot, trampled, captured by the Sheriff, or caught up by winter with 300 head of cattle in tow.

Its “Young Guns” meets “Dances with Wolves” with the perfect mix of true history and make believe, shining light on the amazing and gritty history of the Pacific Northwest.

Character/Cast  Breakdown:

Melody: Supporting Role – Female Age 25-35

Melody was taken to the Carlisle Institute as an orphaned teenager when her family was killed by disease on the trail to California. Melody is unruly and hates authority. She is completely dedicated to One Star, like a sister, and is likewise dedicated to the rest of the group. To her, they are the family she lost. Melody is extremely confident, mentally strong and physically tough. She is sarcastic, witty and generally pretty positive even when things aren’t going well.

Jane: Supporting Role – Female Age 16-25 – Caucasian

Jane is the Baby of the group. She was raised by an old rancher (Uncle Ian), until being adopted by Ian’s female friend and joining the local San Antonio whore house. Jane is extremely feminine, dainty, very beautiful, and often times clueless to the real ways of the world. Her world consists of pretty Dresses, Bustles, Corsets, Dreams of true love and singing pretty songs.

Winnifred (Aka Winnie): Supporting Role – Female age 17-25 – African American

Winnie was sold to the San Antonio whore house as a slave, but she quickly becomes family to Kate and Jane. Winnie spends her free time reading, playing music, singing and dancing. She is young, beautiful and extremely tough. She is determined not to be treated or seen as a slave. She happily joins the group of girls and adopts them as her family, knowing that they will always treat her as an equal, and that they will take her north to freedom and independence.

Jacob: Lead Role – Male Age 25-35 – Caucasian/Mixed Race – Long Hair

Jacob was born and raised on his family’s ranch in Castle Creek, SD. Jacob is half Lakota, Half English, and his Lakota mother died in child birth. Jacob is completely dedicated to One Star. He would protect her with his life, even if he is too shy to tell her right away. Jacob is strong, physically fit, and is a very observant person. He frequently shows intense emotions with a glance.

Jesse: Male age 21-30 Caucasian – clean cut

Jesse is Jacobs best friend. Jesse is young, funny, enthusiastic, kind, and sometimes bashful but generally only in front of Jane (hint hint).  Jesse is the Nephew of Ian and Mathew and was raised in the cattle business before joining the Cavalry, only to be kicked out for refusing to harm innocent Native Americans.

Wyatt: Male age 25-35 Caucasian/Mixed Race – clean cut

Wyatt is the muscle. He is quiet, observant, intelligent and extremely strong. Buff, even. Wyatt is always the first to bet on a fight, as well as join in a fight to defend his friends. He is extremely muscular and attractive, and very charming, when he chooses to speak.

Ranch Hands/Extras:  Males/Females Age 25-55 – *Provide own western era costumes

Ranch Hands will be assisting in driving cattle, so skills on horseback are a must. Ranch Hands and Extras will also be present for dancing/shindig/Bonfire scene.. Dancing, drinking, laughing, having a good time.

Musicians: Any
Musicians needed for the Bonfire/Shindig scene. To play traditional 1800’s style western music for the large group dancing, drinking, socializing and eating.

Crew Needed:
Assistant Director
DP
Assistant DP
Gaffer
Production Assistant
Set Designer
Sound Designer
Stunt Coordinator
Best Boy x2
Editing Assist+Equip

Other Unique Needs/Requests:
Anyone members have a relationship with the local band/group the “Shook Twins”???? If so, We would love to contact them about being the musicians/singers at the Bonfire/Shindig and would be interested in featuring one of their songs for the promo….

Schedule:
We have not set filming dates yet, but are looking at dates in either July/August/September 2016. Dates will depend on cast/crew availability. We WILL be doing rehearsals for this Promo, likely on location or at a similar outdoor location.
Main female cast will need to be available for a photo shoot at the end of May/beginning of June in Sandpoint, ID.

Contact:
Sarah Hines
Founder/Director
Planted Roots Productions
301 N First Ave #207
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Email: plantedrootsproductions@gmail.com
Phone: 208-597-1588

Download NDA Agreement

Filed Under: Casting Call, Filmmaking, Sandpoint

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