Meet Your Maker - Production Blog

Friday, September 6, 2013

"Meet Your Maker" Official Trailer and the last vestiges

We haven't met our makers yet. In fact, we're editing. The rough cut of our film is done and we are looking to release it in October. We are about to start work on sound design and image correction. And for you backers, we are also working on your rewards. And also, backers, we want to say thanks again. And we'll keep saying thanks because this project literally could not have happened without you. The fact that you all rallied around us gave us a ton of hope and ambition and got us excited for future projects.

For those of you interested, here's some technical info about "Meet Your Maker."

Negative format: Kodak Double-X b&w negative 16mm film (ASA 200)
Camera: Arriflex SR
Shooting ratio: 10:1 (Approx. 20 400' rolls)
Shooting days: Twelve (May 13-14, May 25-31, June 11, July 10-11)
Processing house: Alpha Cine in Seattle (I'd recommend these guys.)
Telecine format: Apple ProRes 4:2:2
Editing software: Adobe Premiere Pro CS6
Post software: DaVinci Resolve 9

P.S. Why film?
Because the cameras rock (they have viewfinders that don't totally suck and they're simple and durable), the look is great, and it's a reliable archival shooting format. I've had to justify shooting film repeatedly. It's simple - the look fits our story and I like the process. Don't let the digital true believers frighten you away from celluloid. Film isn't some flaky medium, it's a reliable format that's been in constant development for over a hundred years. Ask a painter why she uses expensive oils instead of cheaper acrylics and see what a stupid conversation results. Aesthetic choices are about aesthetics.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

"Meet Your Maker" Official Teaser

A familiar Pittsburgh personality came to the laboratory to lend his chilly presence to this quick teaser.

Come and see the premier of our extended trailer on June 22nd at a charity screening of "Martin" starring our lead actor John Amplas. Get yer tickets here.

Principal photography wrapped

We wrapped principal photography on May 31. Pro tip: Don't build your movie set in a defunct walk-in freezer. One of the tricks about freezers is they are insulated. Things will get a little steamy. This here is a whole bunch of photos:

Justin with actor Kevin Koch as Cavey

Justin lounging very casually

Cori Shetter as Susan

John Amplas as Dr. Henry Malvoy

Nathan Hollabaugh nursing a post-particle-collision injury as lab assistant Jennings

John Amplas musing on profundities

Nathan Hollabaugh operating a hi-tech supercomputer. Patent pending.

Justin peering into the abyss

Metering light

Justin Francart. Very candid.

Nathan Hollabaugh and John Amplas poring over experimental results

John Amplas

Photos by Greg Neiser and me. The majority of the movie is in the can, and the cans are out in Seattle getting processed. We shot about 6,800 feet of film. We're feeling really confident right now because we haven't yet gotten the footage back. The movie in our heads is awesome.

Thank you to our crew, both those who were with us the whole time and those who showed up to help out for just a day or two. This production wouldn't have been possible without you. Next time maybe we'll pay you.

And thank you so much to our talented cast. You made our jobs easy.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Through the lens

Through the lens of the Arriflex SR. Photo by Rick Mader.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Day five of principal photography

Actors Nathan Hollabaugh as Jennings and John Amplas as Dr. Malvoy.

Anthony DeAngelis from Studio Corrida has been taking some awesome photos during shooting. Check them out here.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Set Construction

Justin and I in our nearly-complete set. Featuring my shorts.

We've been working on our laboratory set for the last two days. It's nearly done. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped. Shooting resumes on the 25th!