Squattocracy - GIMME SHELTER Production Blog

The Long Run - The Finish Line Is Now In Sight

2007-06-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

Well, we're into the final week of filming now. All that remains is "Baby" Dave Gregan's voodoo horror opus, 90 Mile Desert, and Dragan's autobiographical epic, The Village. I've managed to thus far survive the most physically and emotionally draining shoots of my life. I've seen some things that are going to look fucking amazing on the big screen and I've also had a fair share of painfully dull moments.
Speaking of the painfully dull, I had some spare time today (shocking really) and I've drawn you guys images of some of the films. If these are popular I'll probably go ahead and do one for each film. (The images are not very clear so you may have to click on them for higher res versions.)
Back to the DEAD:Defender:
The Ogre:
Just Kidding!
The Ogre (For Real, this Time):
Next up I'm hoping to scan the first few pages (If I ever get them finished) of my comic adaptation of Jen's The Ogre and get some feedback from you guys.
Till Then...

All The Right Friends - Shoot Over! Thanks To All Involved!

2007-06-02T23:30:00.001-07:00

Well, we made it. The GIMME SHELTER shoot is complete. It all went rather well (with the exception of the cops raiding us after we wrapped) and I think that the film is actually going to be bearable... Thanks to all the cast and crew for doing such fan-fucking-tastic jobs and not revolting at my incompetence. Thanks to everyone else who helped out as well (in particular the woman who catered - my Mum.) I'll leave you with some of the great photos from the shoot courtesy of the excellent Dragan Radocaj.

I'm So Tired - Pre-Production Complete!

2007-05-24T01:57:00.000-07:00

After many stressed filled days (and sleepless nights), the process of pr-production was ended. Peter gave us the green light (or little red communist star as it appears on the board!) so on Monday the terror/joy of shooting commences.
We've set up sets, organised catering and are in the midst of finalising our props. All actors are signed off and prepped (although there was a minor fiasco yesterday when our hitman pulled out and was swiftly replaced.) Tomorrow is our first rehearsal with the leads, essential considering the ridiculous amount of dialogue that runs throughout the film. The cast is an interesting one and features a stand-up comedian, an ex-cop and a German transvestite dancer.
Wow, it actually looks like the film will get made.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to collapse...

UPDATED: Today is one of the greatest days of my life. Not only am I getting a film made but BOB DYLAN has just announced his Australian tour - with Adelaide ON THE LIST OF SHOWS!! Now I'll never get to sleep! Too excited!!

Another Brick In The Wall

2007-05-17T23:43:00.000-07:00

With Tuesday and the beginning of production fast approaching, the advanced crew discover a barrier between themselves and the completion of their projects....

"Heroes" - MAPS Award Winners And Other News

2007-05-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

Attended the YAP awards last night. Was a fun night, I got a balloon! Congratulations to the MAPS winners - Daniel for "Squeaky Clean" and Sarah for her "Festering Turd." Peter was there too, but I don't think he's talking to me for some reason...

In more relevant news, we have no problems using the alleyway from the previous post. On Monday I'm going to go see if I can get the location signed off after I've completed Dave's storyboards for "90 Mile Desert." This is my fourth storyboard gig after my own, Danny Steel's and Phil's (of which I am particularly proud of!)
On top of this we also held auditions this week. We have two actors definitely on board, one of which is something of a local hero in the MAPS gang. Comedians have also been contacted for the lead role of 'Lincoln' the wise-cracking hobo (aren't they all?)
For more info on the film, check out Jen's blog where you can find a more 'detailed' account of the production.
No drawings this time, sorry (Peter breaths a sigh of relief). I'll try to lift my game for the next post.

I Manned Up Hard!

It's The End Of The World As We Know It - According To Peter

2007-05-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

Peter went on a big tirade yesterday that went something like this...Same ol' stuff really.

In other news, this past Saturday whilst out enjoying the wonders of "Free Comic Book Day," I happened across a nice little alley way that I'm pretty keen on using in the film. Here is a glimpse of the sweet little slum.

As well as locations, we are also organizing auditions, catering and make-up effects. Storyboards are complete and tonight we're "auditioning" a local celebrity at the Boho.

Ja Mata!

Splendid Isolation - End Of Holidays Blog Update

2007-04-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

I've been lying low fer a while, figured it was about time I put up another humorous yet informative post. But, I couldn't come up with anything informative, or particularly humorous for that matter, so instead, here's a drawing of what the MAPS building will look like next week when casting begins...
Oh, and listen to Warren Zevon.

Mata Laishu, Kisama!

Hungry Like The Wolf - Soundtrack Discussion

2007-04-18T00:54:00.000-07:00

What direction should the soundtrack take for a film named after a Rolling Stones song? Well, rather than take the obvious route, I'm going with a song by the very cool (and unfortunately, very dead) blues musician Howlin' Wolf. Namely the song entitled "I Smell A Rat." You should give it a listen sometime (by strictly legal means, of course.)
Since I can't resurrect Mr Wolf and ask his permission for the song...
I guess I'll just have to find someone to recreate a soundtrack based on that specific piece of kickass music.

In other news, casting starts next week; I'm in the midst of storyboarding now; and Rowan's blog is really, really self-indulgent and uninformative (and this is coming from a guy who puts his own pictures up on his blog.)

Down On The Corner - Location Scout Part II

2007-04-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today I wandered the streets of Adelaide in search of a slum for the opening scene. I had in mind something along the lines of fire escapes, dumpsters and other standard hobo spots. Turns out the city is cleaning up these areas so my search didn't prove to be as fruitful as initially hoped. However, I did find a nice looking carpark behind 'jive' with some awesome graffiti that would look cool in the scene.
Anyways, because of my incompetence as a location scout, I'm asking anyone who knows any such slums to send us some possible locations. Something along the lines of the backdrop for the Bob Dylan video for "Subterranean Homesick Blues"...

Don't Follow Leaders, Watch Your Pawking Meters...

What?!

With A Little Help From My Friends - Introducing The Crew

2007-04-11T23:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Peter not 'getting' my script after 'reading' it...

In other news, pre-production is well underway now with casting, locations and the all important catering being organized. The crew list for "Gimme Shelter" is as follows:
Producer & First AD - Jen Wildwood
DOP - Tom Gaskell
Editor - Daniel "Danny Steel" Leek
On-Set Audio - Rowan Graham
Post Audio - Phil Hunt
Lighting & Production Designer - Nicholas Cleary
Stills Photography - Dragan Radocaj

Catering & Make-up are really the only positions to fill at the moment. Our shooting schedule places us alongside Daniel Vink's zombie film "Back to the Dead."

PS - Are looking for a throne for Peter to sit on during his visit to the set, so let us know if you find anything fancy.

Going Mobile - In Search of a Setting

2007-04-11T02:28:00.000-07:00

Went out location scouting with producer Jen Wildwood today to find our safe-house. Above are the photos I took of the area. The site was my place of work (so we really didn't look very far at all) the Windsor apartment building on Carrington street. The exteriors look good but the images I have of the rooms themselves don't really do them justice. I should also have mentioned in my first post that the film's title is "Gimme Shelter" after the Rolling Stones song. I was so caught up in all my Nic Cage bashing that I forgot to mention this, somewhat vital, detail.

Overture - The beginning stages of a Student Film

2007-04-11T00:50:00.000-07:00

To open on a high note - I hate blogs. As I also hate myspace, msn and most other internet or technology related things. I also hate Nicholas Cage. Then again, I hate most things. Probably didn't win any friends there. However, I accept the existance of the internet, blogs and Nicholas Cage. I don't have to like it, but they exist and blogs (unlike Cage) have their uses. So, today I begin the role of hypocrite and start the blog for my independant film with the worst kind of vanity post (hopefully my last.)

My film centers around a wise-cracking homeless man who fabricates a story that makes him witness to a mob hit in order to gain access to a house and other perks within the witness protection program. I'm hoping that hilarity, or at the very least, mild amuesment, will ensue.

Hope my spite hasn't scared you all off. I'll be back once my pride has regenerated.