The First Cut Is Always The Deepest.

It's no Medellin, I hope.

Just shy of fifteen minutes, as is. Doesn't look to be any shorter, and Credits need to be added. 

I don't care if we fail the course based on this length, I just want it to be the greatest film it can possibly be.

Chris Rees Coiro.

Sunshine & Waffles Score.

I've recently begun the early stages of scoring the film, over the Christmas break. This involved utilising instruments such as an acoustic guitar, a ukulele and a mandolin to achieve a clunky, indie-orientated sound, akin to Into The Wild. Let's be honest, if I can pull off something half as good as Eddie Vedder did on that soundtrack, we should be laughing.

Will hopefully post some samples of the soundtrack on here in the New Year, for you good people to listen to, once I've recorded them on Garage Band with the help of my assistant.

Editing, sound and Coverage.

In the cafe, The film isn't edited so that whoever is speaking is in the centre of the frame. I've tried to do it so that questions are asked to the other character, and the talking is done toward them, it seemed like a more natural and friendly way of editing. When I did it like that, it turned out like an interrogation, and I was hoping that it would be a small fluid motionless scene, which is what we've got. Hopefully, noone will get bored.

Sound is an issue, mainly due to the fact that the equipment was terrible (That's right, Atrium, asking  PROFESSIONAL to re-do perfect takes because of sound is completely UNPROFESSIONAL. So not only did we look like a bunch of amateurs - but so did the Atrium.)

Coverage. One thing I always hear a lot about, but figured we had enough. Could have done with a lot more. 

''That's enough of that shit...''

As of 13:36 on friday 19th December, Sunshine & Waffles completed shooting. 

Several problems with sound, due to shoddy equipment, and some really shady day-for-night shooting (at midday), there was some incredible acting and aspirations of cinematography. Hopefully it'll look fine.

But both Kim and Joe were amazing - most scenes were shot in two takes, including a two and a half long take which took two rehearsals and three takes (Only because we left the (really crap) lamp in frame). Neither complained about the fact that it was six degrees and Kim was i her pyjamas on a rooftop. 

We filmed two endings also, so we'll even do a DVD extra. Ha.

It's been a really remarkable experience for me, last week they were just words on a page. 

Film Stills

 A few production stills from the first two days of shooting. Both days were shot quickly, with no more than three takes on anything. 

Friday 19th December, 2008

Scenes: Rooftop

Sunrise: Approx 0815

Sunset: Approx 1600

0700 Pickup cast.

0830 Location. Rehersal. remember to film jump as well

0900 shoot scene one

1100 Lunch

1500 film scene 8

1700 wrap - no choice

Costume

Rooftop: Annie: day and pyjamas

Make Up

Rooftop: Annie post shower = wet hair

Props

Rooftop: Box to stand on, beer bottles, football. blue sheet. Photograph

Camera:

Pans.  Circles for the night scene. TIlt from on roof, her walking to him. Long zoom toward him on wall. Close up on feet, close up on hands. close up on side of face

Notes:

Framelines - camera trickery

Sound issues.

Wednesday 17th December, 2008

Scenes: Park. Bridge/street Annie's aparment

0700 Pickup cast.

0830 Location. Rehersal.

0900 shoot scene two

1200 Lunch

1300 shoot scene 7,6, 9a 

1600 shoot scene 5 - depending on location: people, weather, brightness.

1800 wrap.

Costume

Park: Day costumes

Bridgestreet: Day costumes

Make Up

Park: Nothing.

Bridgestreet: Wet?

Props

Park: Obstacles to walk around: essentially just tree

Bridgestreet: Newspaper. 

Camera:

Park: Long take. S-RS on tree. 

Bridgestreet: Framing (Winter Wonterland)

Notes

Joggers, perhaps some nature. 

scene 91 requires writing no hand. continuity

Ladder?

Day One (tuesday 20th)

Tuesday 16 december 2008

Scenes: Coffee shop. Eric's flat.

0700. Pickup cast.

0845. Location. Set up.

0900. Shoot scene four (Coffee shop)

1300 Lunch

1400 Shoot scene three (Bedroom)

1800 Wrap

Costume: 

Cafe: Eric: Day. Annie. Day

Bedroom: Eric: Shorts Annie: Vest, Underwear.

Make up: 

Cafe:

Bedroom: Scars for Eric

Props: Menu's. Waffles. Coffee. Omelet. Milkshake. Mini candles in a jar.

Cafe:

Bedroom: Frame. Lighter colored duvet.

Camera: 

Cafe: Two Set Up. Est. shots outside. Smaller shots of waitresses, customers. 

Bedroom: Long Take

NOTES: 

No MUSIC in The Pot.

Cutting up of food needs to be minimized.

Inter-cut shots of staff and other customers, less inter-cuts as dialogue continues.

Shoot scene six first. WRITE ROOF on hand. Continuity

Park, Apartment,street pictures.

Location scout: mark 2.

The Rooftop

The Roof is available between 8.30 and 5. Which means we miss sunrise, but should catch sunset. If we're lucky. Which we won't be. Also, we need to angle it so that it looks believable. So Day-For-Night shooting will have to do, some aspects of the script will ahve to be re-written to suit this, we hoped to have had the roof until 8 or 9. But beggars can't be choosers, i'm told. Otherwise, the decent folk would be ripped off.

Also.

The Pot, Crwys Road, have given us permission to film as well, so schedule-y speaking, december 19th should be the last day. 

Also, 

I'm positive it's gonna end up badly.

Casting.

Here's the resume's of the two leads. 

Annie. Played by Kimberley Nixon

Kimberley has recently risen to fame, starring alongside Judi Dench, Emma Roberts and Colin Firth. Kimberley has a very innocent and young look about her, one that fits the tone of the story well.  Her background is in theatre, which compliments the style of the film, as it is about the interaction between the characters. Kimberley was trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, and has performed many plays during her time there, including Road, The Seagull, The Crucible  and the lead in Quadrophenia. She moved on to a television mini series for the BBC, with Judi Dench. Moving on from that, she starred in polar-opposite roles in teen-girl flicks Wild Child and Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, and alongside Jessica Biel and Colin Firth in Easy Virtue,  She recently completed a short stint back in the theatre with  Girl With the Pearl Earring. 

Eric. Played by José Manjon

José, of Spanish descent, currently studying at the prestigious Rose Bruford, who's home is at Pontypridd - not far from Kimberley. José has been acting for many years and has played many theatre roles in school performances, such as Bugsy in Bugsy Malone, Danny in Calamity Jane along with roles in Blood Brothers and Grease. He participated in a course with the National Youth Theatre in 2006. This will be José's first ten minute short as the lead. José was selected because his passion for life is a natural starting block for Eric's character. Although José has not tasted as much success as Kimberley, at three years her junior, he has a promising career ahead of him. His background in theatre, as with Kimberley, was a main reasoning in his selection for this role. 

The opening scene.

I figure. I'm a nice guy. I'll treat you to the opening scene.

Click it!

Test Footage.

Over at Youtube, and kindly embedded here, is some test footage of how teh bedroom scene shall look. there's no sound. 

Take into account, this is just the basic flow of the scene, the lighting wasn't set up and only one curtain was closed. the room won't look like for filming etc etc, it's just a test with Daley and [housemate] Shane.

Obviously, there are problems with this, but it was a rushed attempt (I believe it was shot at 2:17, and the camera had to be back by 3), so just take the motion and forget the rest. 

Also, how cute are the [non-couple] in their dressing gowns?

 Eric's inital costumes.  I'm being all 'filmic', and i'll explain the colour choices. 

A blue/grey jumper and faded grey jeans. No blacks, purely because Black represents death and this isn't a film about death. The jeans and jumper would be faded with the wash, a 'watered down' version of  clothes. Hair and facial hair moderately unkempt - rugged.  His clothes are subtle and cold, contrasting to Annie's warmer colours. 

How pretentious does that sound?

 Initial costume designs for Annie.

Sketches provided by Lauren Orrels

Sunshine & Waffles Production blog.

Sunshine & Waffles is a short independent film, written by Christopher Rees and directed by Daley Nixon, it will be produced by Gareth Jones and Christopher Rees, who will also share photography chores. 

The film will star Kimberley Nixon and José Manjón in it's two leading roles as Annie and Eric respectively; with Tori Lyons with the third small speaking role of Waitress.

"a disillusioned Eric is about to go off the edge, when rescued by Annie -a girl who he winds up spending the day with, getting to know and a person he can connect with. They spend the duration of the day pondering love and memories and their personal lives. Unfortunately, there is a revelation that threatens the future of their relationship''

The film was originally conceived as a comic book, but adapted to a short movie. This was partially because of it's low location and actor count, it would be feasible to film this as a short movie, with little or no money.

Currently, the budget stands at £150. 

Four drafts of this script have been produced with distinctive differences, which will be uploaded at a future date.  As well as production photos and test footage.