Back to School

Well, for better or worse, school's back again. It's been strange, actually, getting reaquainted here and gearing up for the workload ahead. Second year's hard, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's a strange year but (crossing my fingers) hopefully a good and rewarding one too.

Summer went well, I was a little too busy for my liking. One of the highlights was of course teaching a one-week filmmaking intensive class for students grades 5-8. In only five (full) days of classes, we sure got through a lot and they turned out some really fun work! I will, however, most likely never be a teacher. Not because I dislike teaching, but really because I'd much prefer to be ON set, DOING it and not sitting back.

Speaking of being on set and just "doing it," I was on set this past weekend for a three-day shoot... yes, into memorial day. The shoot was for director Clay Delauney (http://www.claydelauney.com/) / Jeff Cole Productions (http://www.jeffcoleproductions.tv/) (alumni, the same production crew I talked about in earlier posts for the short "TomThumb") with an ambitious script titled "20 Second Rule." Unlike "TomThumb," this short was shot in a variety of locations across the OC with a handful of extras, supporting/day players and a great comedic lead (actor Jay Laisne - http://www.jaylaisne.com/). In addition, DP Eric Petersen (http://www.eric-petersen.com/) chose to use two Panasonic HVXs complete with Letus 35mm lens adapters (which look EXCELLENT) which posed only a small challenge for the two of us - I once again worked as 1st AC / Focus Puller on this shoot.

Here are some screengrabs from the raw footage:




All in all, it was a long, grueling, but excellent shoot. The crew was awesome, and a fun group to hang around. Now, it's on to Sundance for "20 Second Rule" AND "TomThumb" - wish them both luck. The shoot's opened up a few new (paid!) opportunities for me as well, including a new web/tv series "The Hallway," but more on that later. Now it's on to the second week of classes!