Shoot Day 2, Eye of Dispel

This was the second, and final shoot day in Highland Park. Since we had Dakota barking when the doorbell was rung, I've added the dog into the script, this is the second time I've added a dog belonging the family that was nice enough to let me film in their house, in this case my Aunt and uncle.

I got my dad up just before 7:00am, Jack got to the house a few minutes later, we picked up Cat at her house, by the time I dropped off Cat it was after 1:00am. That's a long day, in fact it's almost two long days, but the whole cast hung in there.

Dwight traveled a long way, and still was 20 minutes early, Cat wasn't feeling well, everyone moved around schedules and woke-up, on a summer day, hours earlier than required for school - I promise, the dedication did not go unnoticed.  I want to thank Heidi and Jimmy for letting us use their house, unable to make a sound in their own home. I'm glad about them not freaking out over the stage blood, and for cast members kind enough to clean it up. (The shower really looked like a crime scene. and we were not even filming in the shower.)

We went out to this small outdoor mall in Highland Park to shoot the scene with the heroic trio of Scoobies. I was worried about getting this one done because it's shot  in one long take and in a populated place without a permit; so I suspected this will be tricky. I had a fear that we would get kicked out of the place, but it turned out the business were cool about us being there. We ran into another small problem, four annoying 12 year-olds with skateboards- very loud skateboards. Erika asked them nicely, I didn't think any boy would say no to her, but I was wrong.  Cat asked nicely, then hinted there could be some potential pain to them if they did not keep quite for a few minutes, I think that got their attention and they moved along.  

We had a lot to shoot today and for some unknown reason, the pressure resulted in the cast periodically breaking-out into singing extended passages from various musicals- what can I say, this is sort of a unique group.

Hand Springs: In the can

Principle Photography has been completed and all 3 SD cards have been uploaded, and backed up onto two external drives. I have also uploaded all of the audio files off the Tascam, and yes, backed those up as well. When dealing with computer files there is almost no way to be over-careful. this I learned one morning when I woke-up, came down stairs only to find that as we slept, some criminal entered our home, grabbed two Mac Book Pros, my mom's purse, and assortment of other items, then used our Audi as their "Get-a-way car." Insurance paid for things that were lost, but my Mac Book had my 98% completed movie "Project Shoeshine," all 380Gigs and over 1,000 hours of work. Thanks to back-ups, I was able to retrieve all of the data.

After a careful check of every clip, and assembling a ruff cut, I found a few "B" roll images that I wanted to re shoot. Two involved exterior shots of the car driving down streets needed to make room for the length of the voice-over dialogue; so once again I had to get the car washed to keep continuity. The car wash had a long line, I'm rather patient except when I'm counting down hours of remaining light, especially when I know this will be the last weekend before the leaves change. I'm happy to say I got the final outdoor footage done in time to keep the lighting consistent.

Starting Production of "Hand Springs"

It looks like our cast is: Riley Nelson: Jack Erika K. Marks: Meg Cullen Welch (Meursault Poiccard on facebook for some reason): Scott We'll be filming on 2 of the of the following days in August: 18, 21, 24, and 25. The only exception to this may be stealing Riley after rehearsal some day that week to film him walking home as it takes place later in the day, which is unlikely to happen.

Lane J Lubell Begins New Film Project

Project Shoeshine.



Lane J Lubell

 
The script is written and we are just a week away from beginning filming. This is a whimsical comedy populated by a charming, but eccentric cast of actors reacting to events that makes perfect sense to them. 

I am pleased and excited that Natalia grudzien (Robin and Her Wolf) has agreed to take the leading role of "Summer."

The cast includes a number of trusted friends, and talented actors who have come to my aid in past projects. As a high school film-maker with no budget to speak of; clearly no one is giving their time for financial gain; so I am very grateful for their friendship and continued support.





Starring 

Summer     Natalia grudzien

Vince          Jack Marrinson  

Max             Cullen Welch

Luna            Hope Clark

                                     

                                                     

"Capitulation" A Short film

Check out pnycfilm  on YouTube. There are some great films from friends I worked with in Film Class in NYC.

Curb Your Enthusiasm / Season 8

I have been spending the past days in New York at Passport NYC Film camp.

They arrainged for tickets to see the cast of HBO’s, Curb Your Enthusiasm here at 92Y. 

We got to see the first episode of the upcoming new season (that airs this Sunday, July 10^th)

The show was great. The season premiere was flawless!
The panel however, was hosted by the surprisingly comical Brian Williams of the Nightly News on NBC. Jeff, Susie, Cheryl, & of course, Larry himself were all present. It was a great night. And when Larry said his 2 biggest idols were Woody Allen & Mel Brooks, I lit up like a lightbulb.
Thanks Jeff Garlin for getting it set up so we could attend and have our picture taken with the cast.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/12/curb-your-enthusiasm-season-eight_n_848048.html

"Duel Romance" News: Sam Perry to Executive Produce and Take Supporting Role

Sam Perry - a dear friend of mine and Loyola Academy student - has signed on to EP (Executive Producer)  our new film under the working-title of "Duel Romance." She has also agreed to play the supporting role of Leighton, the regular actress of my films who was denied the lead role in the new film (in the new film). Her character will also be seen in Lane J. Lubell's character's previous films, both of which opposite Tom.

I - Lane J. Lubell - will write & direct. Other actors of the film include Lubell (me) in the lead role as Will Simmers. As well as I am currently in negotiations with James Garlin (son of Jeff Garlin (Daddy Day Care, Curb Your Enthusiasm)) for the integral role of Tom - my acting regular who becomes in tangled in a complicated web of love. I am currently scouting/casting the role of Emily, the female lead. 

Behind Closed Doors Up-Date

All principle filming has concluded. I have taken a small break to wind up school projects as well as study for finals.

I will finish with a few critical "Voice Overs" and continue editing. The plan is to have the film ready to submit to the Chicago Horror Film Festival.

Due to the longer length of this film, I'm not sure if I will be able to post it to YouTube. If not I will have to find other options.

Chicago High School Film Fest

OK, granted it's a far cry from Cannes Film Festival.

No Bob and Harvey Weinstein are not going to be in the audience looking

for the next film for Miramax to distribute. But that does not stop me from being a proud father and being happy to see that Lane's newest film made the finals.

 

Is the actual name for the larger film that is still in production.

He still has additional footage to be shot, followed by a long process of voice overs, color correction, Sound editing, cutting and even CG effects.

What he submitted was in truth a segment of his larger work. The complete film would greatly exceed the 10 Minute time limit, and there is some language and subject matter that would not "Clear the censors" at an event for Chicagoland High Schools. 

The Chicagoland High School Film Festival.

Friday from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Latin School auditorium

The Count

http://count-film.com/

The Cast (in order of appearance)

                    Quinton Hall -           Narrator (voice)

                    Nathan Goldberg -    Count Dracula

                    Lane J. Lubell -        Victim

                    Sam Perry -            Wife

                    Jack Marrinson-      Baker

                    Max McMahon -        Mayor

                        Sarah Milini -       Katia