This post follows Tunnels of the Shadow People Part 1, 2 , 3, 4 , 5 and 6 where I share the process of our film project Tunnels of the Shadow People that will be launched on Steemit later this year.
Yesterday, Ted and I talked for about two hours. Afterwards, I received the following messages:
Ted:
Backlighting and golden hour should be best for a dreamlike setting.
Slowmotion or high fps for my end will help
I really like that dream like feeling whenever you're holding the stone - it'll be a little more difficult to film, but it'll add another contrast layer to the production. It'll also be fun to make
I meant to say that it'll be a little harder to edit - not film
Meditation stone - should we sell some of them as Merchandise? ;>)
Now let met add some context to the above...
Yesterday morning, while meditating - using an app called 'Calm' - I heard the following phrase:
"Look at your thoughts as a scientist. With objectivity and fascination."
It's an awesome way of looking at things. Distancing yourself from whatever is troubling you and not making everything ( overtly ) personal. I especially like the word 'fascinating', as it's a very positive word. And looking at things in as positive a way possible, is always a good thing.
A meditating scientist
In the afternoon, not too long before my Skype filmmaking talk, I was trying to get into character. As mentioned in earlier posts, Ted and I will act in our own project. I was thinking of the scientisty guy, that I will be playing and of how to blend in elements ( from my life ) into my character('s life). I then thought of meditation. What if this guy was actually meditating?
As soon as I told Ted about this, he mentioned using the ( humming ) stone in the meditation scenes. Now let me tell you this, stones will be playing an important role / part in our story. In fact, while talking story today and envisioning the first two episodes, we decided that the aformentioned stone might play a central role in almost every scene.
Alright, enough about the stone, before I spoil too much.
Sunglasses
I also told Ted a story about my sunglasses and how first one glass fell out and then - when I hit my head against a tree branch, the second glass - I kind of liked the look of the empty frame, I wore it for hours yesterday and consider wearing it for my part. It's kind of nerdy and cool all at the same time. The kind of thing my ( scientist ) character could wear.
The above reminds me of this awesome 80s song, that I got to know thanks to the game Grand Theft Auto. Remember browsing through the radio stations and listening to 80s music while racing a stolen car?
A decade and a half ago, while being on Summer holidays with a bunch of friends, they started to nickname me The Glasses. It was meant in a cool kind of way ( referring to my sunglasses ) and I listened to this song many times:
Corey Hart - Sunglasses at Night
Today I received some more messages:
Ted
Looking at some of my older tunnel footage - I might need some extra lighting in a form of a lantern
I won't use it all of the time - but I think it'll visually help keep things interesting
Ted
Just a flashlight was ok for a quick movement through the tunnels, but if I plan to be in there longer... I'm gonna need more lighting - especially since one of the only shortcomings of an iPhone is low light filming
Me
Morning, I am at the water today, trying to relax
I am reading everything you say
and will get back to you at a later time
have a nice day!
Ted
The main issue would be long shots - when the flashlight isn't pointed down the tunnel - the wide shot will make it difficult to see me and a shadow creature - getting some new ideas with this too
Ted
Have a good day - jog time
Enjoy your fish foot fetish!
This whole talk about lighting - a topic Ted and I discussed plenty of times while working on past film projects - reminds me of a general filmmaking rule:
There is always too little time, light and money
Not sure what to add to all this now, I need some time to ponder things. But, I can tell you one thing, I can't wait to actually start filming myself, sending footage over to Ted ( I know he can't wait ) and - by doing this - giving him new ideas to move things forward. For now, the guy needs to feed on my words only and there will come a day that my words - no matter how sweet they are - won't satisfy him any longer...
TO BE CONTINUED
The image above this post isn't taken at our filming location, but I like it and it was free to use: Source - Pixabay