I’m calling it film shooting rather than a movie shoot because to me movies are Hollywood product and what we do is film making. It’s a canvas and you paint on it. There are no rules or standards to follow only one’s artistic vision as with any true art. It’s not made to sell or please anyone but the artists.
We shot last Tuesday on location, Friday at the studio on green screen and the entire weekend, all green screen. The rest of the week was prep when we weren’t shooting. Another words it was a very long 7 day week. Mary and I worked hard and although I’m use to much longer shoots and longer days in my career, at age 69 I definitely felt it a bit more.
The shoot went very well and a it did so because we worked with a group of beautifully talented friends we love dearly. Everyone gave their very best from the actors to the various crew positions.
Mary Cacciapaglia, Emel Durson, Raul Arteaga, Steve Altman, Robb Wolford, David Alan Graf, Tammy Klein, Whitley Strieber, Walter Evans and our producer, Dr. Chris Landon. Not a large crew but one of the very best I have ever had the pleasure or working with. Additionally I want to thank Paul Gentry and Paul butcher for there creative and technical input, you were both with us in spirit.
Now that everything is in the “Can” (as they would say) we move on to post production. On this film I have worn many hats, producer, director, director of photography, writer and makeup artist. Now I become the editor, visual effects artist, and more.
Glen Campbell will be doing a couple of VFX shots for us and Raul who has been the sound man and assistant director will be doing sound effects and sound editing. Raul was invaluable during the shoot with his many outstanding ideas and suggestions that really improved the look of this film.
Mary produced and worked the set from feeding lines to the actors to keeping everyone on top of their game. Between Emel’s and Mary’s producing along with consistent attention to details, script, schedule shots as well as making new ones I overlooked, we had the coverage we needed for a good edit.
Today I take a rest but will be back to the studio tomorrow. I will do a little editing and compositing today because I just can’t wait to see a little less green and a actual composited shot. After two days of green screen it’s hard to wait to see how it will all look with the animated backgrounds. The art is just getting warmed up!
Robb Wolford and Steve Altman 
Raul Arteaga 
Walter Evans and Steve Altman 
Tammy Klein 
Whitley Strieber
The Art of Steve Neill 