When You Finally Have a Brain

Greetings, one and all! Well, after weeks of low energy and low brainpower post-flu, I’m happy to say that my brains, will, and energy have finally returned. The first outcome of this was finally figuring out the design for an important vehicle in the current script. This was soon followed by coming up with a way that allows 70 percent of the sets to be built with twelve wall panels, six buttresses, two columns, and a reversible door. Still not cheap, but this saves a lot on labor between shoot days.

Next up, we managed a couple music composition sessions, which actually covered a decent amount of ground. This was also interspersed with prop design work, as well as digging in our collections to make sure we still have some important pieces.

Last but not least, the team met again, and this time worked on the prologue fight, as well as a sequence of training vignettes…

We also managed to reconnect with some of our contacts from days gone by, but it's still early in the cycle, so we'll see what comes of it. All in all, a productive week, despite distant medical appointments and some unexpected last minute turns.  

Well, that’s about all for this week. Until next time!

Music, Missives, and Making

Greetings, one and all! This week covered a few major points. The first of which being three music composing sessions, after which I am pleased to say we now have Block 1 completed. Two down, seven to go. Next up, another production meeting, this one centering around props and how to craft future tech from modern junk.
After that, a much simpler but still quite tedious endeavor, namely re-scheduling the meetings that were deferred due to the flu.

Last but not least, the stunt team met again, and this time both teams worked on re-working and refining fights from the script.

One, a duel-wielder versus single sword, the other, sword versus dagger. Due to its delicate nature, the latter took longer than the former, so the first team broke off into an experimental axe versus scimitar duel.

Well, that’s about all for this week. Until next time!

Ramping Up Again

Greetings, one and all! Well, after a rough start, things are starting to level out. We opened up with some set redesigns, to make the locations more visually interesting. Next up, we moved into working on the furniture for our new stunt blades, designing and crafting the guards and pommels. After that, there was a quick pass through our old contacts to see if there might be any leads on actors for the new project.

Last but not least, the stunt team met again, and divided up into two roles. The first team set about taking a fight that had been choreographed by two different pairings, and shaping it into one cohesive whole. The second team integrated the training of our newest member by developing a short choreographed fight, using the skills learned thus far.

While both groups ended up very tired, they did well, and created a solid foundation for things to come.

Well, that’s about all for this week. Until next time!

The Return of the Team

Greetings, one and all! So… this last week was a little disappointing. It started promisingly enough with things like working on props, and reaching out to potential actors. We even arranged a meeting or two. But all that came to an abrupt halt when the flu that has been racing through the local area caught up with us. It was a nasty one that pretty well laid us out.

Thankfully, it didn’t touch the three youngest, who then helped facilitate the big thing we managed to achieve this week: The return of the stunt team from Christmas break.

With the probationary period over, the stunties made sure the new member was versed in the must-have skill set for a stuntie, namely falling and dying, while also refining their own dramatic presentation. All the benchmarks were met to our satisfaction, so it looks like the newest stuntie will be able to fill some role in our next project, no matter what.

Well, that’s about all for this week. Until next time!

Updates and Outreach

Greetings, one and all! As the holidays draw to a close, we are valiantly attempting to make the most of the free time. First off, working on Mk. II of an old prop mod. Here’s the blaster at its mid-point.

Trying to make this two-tone versus a ubiquitous black provided some challenges, as we have to paint the parts that go inside the main shell, then seal it up and paint the exterior. So we did the core barrel structure, and then a quick coat around the areas that contact said barrel. Also I had to make sure we didn’t get paint inside the screw holes, so they could be filled later. Tedious, but we’ll see how it all turns out.

Next up, we reached out to a fellow filmmaker who’d expressed interest in working with us, and at the time of writing we’re setting up a meeting. Next up, we read a couple of the stunties for one of the more combat intensive roles in the script…

We are also reaching out to other former actors, to see if they’d be interested in trying out for various roles, as well.

Lastly, of course, the music sessions. There’s not much to say there, at the moment, other than that we are making slow and steady progress forward.

Well, that’s about all for this week. Until next time!