Response to recent comments

As I'm continuing development of the screenplay today this blog entry will be dedicated to comments. Yes, your feedback does get taken into consideration so keep it coming!


From Gigh to Gui
Renaming "Gigh" to "Gui" doesn't seem popular and I think I agree. My inspiration behind the name "Gui" was the artist Gui Bonsiepe, however last night this ran through my head: "Gui the tree" which I think sounds a bit sill-y.

But I don't think we can call him "Gite" (pronounced Git) because in certain English dialects (including the locale one here) "Git" in fact means "a foolish or contemptible person" .

For example in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Jack Sparrow calls Davey Jones a "slimey git" as a means of insult.

Now I could have sworn "Gillian" was a female name but there's a similiar male name "Gideon". Although we could shorten "Gillian" to "Gill", I suppose it really depends how well the name flows when Panache cries "GILL! What are you doing to him!"*
* Yes, that line has been extended since the previous version of the screenplay.


Gigh growing from the tree
This effect is only in its infancy so its a bit hard to say what will happen here, though I will say the final version will look 100 times better than the latest one here. It will definitely be a lot more cohesive and the tree will sprout leaves before revealing Gigh.

I'm not sure if having him fall to the ground will work with the envisioned sequence but its something I could toy with. As soon as Panache seems him alive she rushes over and wraps her arms round him, that may work better standing but I'm not sure yet.


Panache approaches the megalith
Yes, it probably would be good if you (Panached) found a way to walk less hobbled over the tussocks. Maybe we'll need to cut a couple down to ensure they don't interfer with your walking.


Recording the sound voices
I would do this if I could be guarenteed the voices would be in sync with the mouths. But for this to happen the actors would have to perform their lines identically how to the take used in the final edit. I'm not sure if we can achieve that given we don't have professional resources. Imagine how bad it would look if the voice was out sync with the lips!

I think the safest way to do this is to invest in a portable sound recorder and get some form of external microphone which can be positioned near the actors. I'll have to look into that next week.


So a big thank you Bec, Phil and whoever else has taken the time write!

Possible changes to the cast

Today we didn't some more screen tests, this time with Guy.

First I tested him in is intended role which he seemed a bit unsure of. He seemed to develop a fondness for the Mr. Trollins character so I allow him to do an audition to which he provided a better performance. Since its more likely that Guy will play Mr. Trollins the roll of Gigh will need to be recast.

Bec recommends a fellow by the name of Neil, here's what he looks like...



I think Neil looks more suited to the role of Gigh which I'll probably rename to Gui (pronounced "gee") to minimize confusion wih the actual Guy.

Be expecting captures of those screen tests very soon...

Guy Reincarnation Tests

Its important to conduct some early tests of the reincarnation effect because I have absolutely no idea how to achieve it. The reason this tests are so important is because I need to know which shots to film on location.

Once again YouTube has trimmed them from 16:9 to 4:3.


Step #1




Step #2

Panache Screen Test/Audition

On Saturday 21st Bec and I conducted some screen tests at the first location we're planning to shoot at. We also incoporated her audition into these tests and they gave us a very good insight into the problems we're going to face shooting at that particular location.

The two most significant problems are:

1. The location faces north so during the middle of the day the sun beams directly down at the camera causing lens flares and washed out footage. We're going to have to shoot late afternoon after the sun drops behind the hills to avoid this.
   
   
2. There is a busy road nearby and the traffic is picked up by the microphone. A shotgun microphone might help to reduce this but a boom microphone might be even better. Failing that the sound track may have to incorporate the background noise.
   

Aside from that my camera work is terrible and some of the shots involve dialogue or interaction with another character. As there were no other actors or stand-ins Bec had to image them.


The blog entries have been arranged in anti-chronological order so when you scroll down you're seeing the screen tests in the order they appear in the script.

Finally, these videos are in 16:9 aspect but YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3 and heavily compresses so their quality isn't very good.

Screen Tests/Audition - Panache "Stop Hurting Gigh"

Stop Hurting Guy #1



Stop Hurting Guy #2



Stop Hurting Guy #3



Stop Hurting Guy #4



Stop Hurting Guy #5

Screen Tests/Audition - Panache "Gigh is dead!"

These videos are in 16:9 aspect but annoying YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3.


"Guy is dead" #1



"Guy is dead" #2




"Guy is dead" #3

Screen Tests/Audition - Panache "He failed to pay Trollins"

These videos are in 16:9 aspect but annoying YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3.

"He failed to pay Trollins" #1




"He failed to pay Trollins" #2

Screen Tests/Audition - Panache nods

These videos are in 16:9 aspect but annoying YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3.


Panache Nods #1




Panache Nods #2




Panache Nods #3

Screen Tests/Audition - Panache receieves shoot

These videos are in 16:9 aspect but annoying YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3.


Panache Receives Shoot #1




Panache Receives Shoot #2

Screen Tests/Audition - "How will this bring Gigh back?"

These videos are in 16:9 aspect but annoying YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3.


"How will this bring Gigh back?" #1




"How will this bring Gigh back?" #2




"How will this bring Gigh back?" #3

Panache Screen Test - Walks towards megalith

Panache Screen Test - Walks towards megalith #1




Panache Screen Test - Walks towards megalith #2

Panache Screen Test - Looks at megalith

Panache looks at megalith #1




Panache looks at megalith #2




Panache looks at megalith #3

Panache Screen Test - Panache Kneels

Panache Kneels #1




Panache Kneels #2




Panache Kneels #3

Panache Screen Test - Panache Sheds a tear

Panache sheds a tear #1




Panache sheds a tear #2




Panache sheds a tear #3




Panache sheds a tear #4

Panache Screen Test - Panache stands up

Panache Screen Test - Panache reacts to shoot growing

Panache Screen Test - Panache reacts to shoot growing #1




Panache Screen Test - Panache reacts to shoot growing #2




Panache Screen Test - Panache reacts to shoot growing #3




Panache Screen Test - Panache reacts to shoot growing #4




Panache Screen Test - Panache reacts to shoot growing #5

Screen Tests/Audition - "Mr. Trollins Executed you"

These videos are in 16:9 aspect but annoying YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3.


Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #1




Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #2




Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #3




Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #4




Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #5




Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #6




Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #7




Panache "Mr. Trollins Executed you" #8

Screen Tests/Audition - "Teach him a lesson"

These videos are in 16:9 aspect but annoying YouTube "cuts" them down to 4:3.


Panache - "I know how we can teach him a lesson #1"




Panache - "I know how we can teach him a lesson #2"




Panache - "I know how we can teach him a lesson #3"




Panache - "I know how we can teach him a lesson #4"




Panache - "I know how we can teach him a lesson #5"

Panache Screen Test - Panache walks away from megalith

Panache walks away from megalith #1




Panache walks away from megalith #2




Panache walks away from megalith #3




Panache walks away from megalith #4




Panache walks away from megalith #5

Screen/Auditions Test Script

On Saturday I did some location tests and an audition for Panache using version 1.02 of the screenplay. This version still requires a lot of work and unfortunately when its copy & pasted from Word it loses some of its formatting.

Video captures of the footage is coming soon.

EXT. Yet To Be Determined ESTABLISHING SHOT – DUSK

EXT. ALLEYWAY – DUSK

MR. TROLLINS lurks in the shadows of the alley. He leans impatiently against a wall with his arms crossed, tapping his foot in annoyance and muttering obscenities under his breath.

He spots Gigh approaching and steps out of the shadows. GIGH comes to a halt and looks up startled.

GIGH

Mr Trollins!

MR. TROLLINS

I’ve been waiting for you boy! Do you have my money?

GIGH

No sir, I do not.

MR TROLLINS

(Furious)

This is the third you’ve failed to make payment.

GIGH

I know sir, but I got married recently.

MR TROLLINS

There are no excuses! Everybody knows what happens to clients who fail to pay me.

GIGH

I know sir, but if you’ll just give me a few more days…

MR TROLLINS

(Furious)

A few more days? I shall tolerate this insolence no longer! Clients who don’t repay must suffer the consequences!

GIGH

Please sir, Panache will be coming this way soon and…

MR TROLLINS

(Interrupts)

All the better if she sees!

Mr. Trollins lunges at GIGH shooting bolts of lightning from his hands. GIGH attempts to counter the attack with his own lightning but is overpowered and his body is enveloped with MR. TROLLINS lightning.

GIGH falls to the ground convulsing as the energy passes through his body. With a menacing facial expression MR. TROLLINGS continues to zap GIGH until wispy smoke wafts off his body.

PANACHE

(Frantic)

Gigh! What are you doing?

MR TROLLINS

(Manically)

Your husband has failed to repay me so he’s getting what he deserves.

PANACHE

(Frantic)

STOP!!! Stop hurting him.

MR TROLLINS ignores PANACHE and attacks GIGH with greater intensity. PANACHE attempts to get closer but MR. TROLLINS knocks her over a bolt of lightning then returns his full attention to GIGH. GIGH erupts into flames and within seconds is no more than a pile of ash and bones.

MR. TROLLINS withdraws his attach and laughs evilly. PANACHE buckles over in front of GIGHS remains with tears welling in her eyes.

MR. TROLLINS

Let it be known what happens to those who dare to avoid repayments!

MR. TROLLINGS storms off leaving a sobbing PANACHE to sift GIGH’s ashes between her fingers.

FADE OUT.

EXT. NIGHT SKY – EARLY NIGHT

The full moon begins to rise in the sky.

EXT. ABUELO’s ABODE - NIGHT

Establishing shot of Abuelo’s abode.

INT. ABUELO’s ABODE – NIGHT

ABUELO is reading a parchment when PANACHE bursts into the room.

PANACHE

(Distressed)

Abuelo, Gigh is dead! I need help!

ABUELO

Dead? How?

PANACHE

He failed to pay Trollings…

ABUELO

Did that scoundrel electrocute?

PANACHE nods. ABUELO begins foraging through the junk behind him and produces the shoot new tree which he passes to PANACHE.

ABUELO

Plant this shoot in the soil before the stone. Sprinkle Gigh’s ashes at its base and water them with a tear.

PANACHE

But what does this do?

ABUELO

You must hurry as this ritual must be preformed under the full moon.

ABUELO ushers the confused PANACHE to the door before she can respond.

PANACHE

How will this bring GIGH back?

ABUELO

You must have faith.

PANACHE leaves into the darkness.

FADE TO.

EXT. NIGHT SKY – NIGHT

The moon rises to its highest point in the sky.

EXT. ALLEY WAY – NIGHT

PANACHE kneels before GIGH’s remains. She scraps some of the ashes into a pouch, places it in her pocket and leaves.

EXT. VALLEY – NIGHT

A saddened PANACHE makes her way into the valley, carefully traversing down a slope with the shoot in both hands. Upon reaching the luscious valley floor the giant stone emerges from the darkness.

When she is metres away she pauses briefly and she brushes the tail of her jacket aside to reveal a trowel. She removes it and kneels to the ground. After digging a small hole she places the shoot inside of it and covers the hole over. She pats the soil down around the shoot with both hands then stands.

PANACHE retrieves the pouch from her pocket and begins sprinkling the ashes over the shoot. She leans forward, grimaces and sheds a single tear which trails over her cheek and drips onto the staff.

Suddenly the shoot begins to grow. Two more shoots emerge from the top of the original shoot and begin growing outwards in a “Y” formation. The original shoot becomes a shrub and the new shoots rapidly become branches which sprout leaves and sub-branches of their own.

The foliage continues to grow and beneath it traces of GIGH can be seen. The leaves fall away and the reincarnated GIGH opens his eyes and looks up. The overjoyed PANACHE hurries over and wraps her arms around him.

GIGH

(Dazed and confused)

Where am I?

PANACHE

Mr. Trollings executed you for failing to make your repayment!

GIGH

That bastard! Someone must put a stop to this. He can’t keep killing people.

PANACHE

I agree and I know how we can teach him a lesson…

The two walk arm in arm out of the valley.

FADE TO.

C and Z Grade

In the previous entry I mentioned there were C and Z grade movies, so in this entry I have extracted some information about those kind of movies.


From Wikipedia.

The terms C movie and the more common Z movie describe progressively lower grades of the B-movie category. The terms drive-in movie and midnight movie, which emerged in association with specific historical phenomena, are now often used as synonyms for B movie. A more recently coined synonym is psychotronic movie.

C movie

The C movie is the grade of motion picture at the low end of the B movie, or—in some taxonomies—simply below it. In the 1980s, with the growth of cable television, the C grade began to be applied with increasing frequency to low-quality genre films used as filler programming for that market. The "C" in the term then does double duty, referring not only to quality that is lower than "B" but also to the initial c of cable. Helping to popularize the notion of the C movie was the successful TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988–99), which ran on national cable channels (first Comedy Central, then the Sci Fi Channel) after its first year. Updating a concept introduced by TV hostess Vampira over three decades before, MST3K presented cheap, low-grade movies, primarily science fiction of the 1950s and 1960s, along with running voiceover commentary highlighting the films' shortcomings. Director Ed Wood has been called "the master of the 'C-movie'" in this sense, although Z movie (see below) is perhaps even more applicable to his work. The rapid expansion of niche cable and satellite outlets such as Sci Fi (with its Sci Fi Pictures) and HBO's genre channels in the 1990s and 2000s has meant an ongoing market for contemporary C pictures, many of them "direct to cable" movies—modestly budgeted genre films never released in theaters.

Z movie

Main article: Z movie

The term Z movie (or grade-Z movie) is used by some to characterize low-budget pictures with quality standards well below those of most B and even so-called C movies. Most films referred to as Z movies are made on very small budgets by operations on the fringes of the commercial film industry. The micro-budget "quickies" of 1930s fly-by-night Poverty Row production houses may be thought of as Z movies avant la lettre. The films of director Ed Wood, such as Glen or Glenda (1953) and Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)—frequently cited as one of the worst pictures ever made—exemplify the classic grade-Z movie. Latter-day Zs are often characterized by violent, gory, and/or sexual content and a minimum of artistic interest; much of this product is destined for the subscription TV equivalent of the grindhouse.