Baby Low Light MOV Test

From Julian - Reduced file size (internet friendly) on baby test. Shot on Canon 7D. 1280 ISO at 30fps. F3.5. This sequence is reduced (for web) but what is great is the lack of noise in the blacks and the definition held. The soft box works well (we have 3) and the fluid head tripod is a dream. Boris Wexler strikes again!!! Good gear.

Low Light Camera Tests

From Julian: As we get ready for camera on 1/08/10, I am now running various low light and camera tests using my stunt baby on a ladder. I am using a soft box to illuminate the child and looking at how the light wraps around the child. This kind of advance testing helps me determine how to move ahead. Boris just picked up an 18-55mm lens for me and it is lovely. Nice conversion factor at 1.6X magnification (due to the 7D chip size) means I have a 42mm - 80mm short zoom. This will be my most used lens as it gives me a nice lens for a master and a decent CU range. The follow focus unit we picked up allows me to focus quickly on the fly with this lens. Here's a shot at film resolution size.

Now Casting Extras!

CASTING EXTRAS - Please see dates and times for below. If you would like to participate, please send an email titled “FALL AWAY EXTRAS” with the dates/times you are available, your full name, phone number, and email address to our Production Coordinator Brian Johnston, ironmistproductions@gmail.com . Please attach a picture of yourself to the email – not necessarily a headshot, any picture is acceptable. We will contact you during the first week of January to indicate which slots we would like you to attend. Some of the available slots are odd/nighttime hours. If at all possible, please try to make yourself available for at least one of those. Thank you!
Saturday 01/16 02:00 AM– 08:00 AM (Bar scene)
Saturday 01/16 (night between Friday and Saturday) 10:00 AM – 03:00 PM - (Bar scene)
Monday Jan 01/18 07:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Record shop scene)
Friday 01/22 04:00 PM – 05:00 AM (diner scene – several groups needed in 5 hour timeslots – please submit times available)
Saturday 01/30 03:00AM – 09:00AM (night between Friday and Saturday) - (bar scene)
Sunday 01/31 12:30 PM - 04:30 PM – (park scene)
Saturday 02/06 (night between Friday and Saturday) 02:00AM – 10:00AM – (bar scene)

Happy holidays!

With only two weeks left before we start shooting "Fall Away" I want to wish everyone a great holiday season. It's so exciting to think that we will finally be making this film, after two years of striving towards it. This could not have happened without our amazing cast and crew, whom I would like to thank for all the hard work they have already done, as well as the effort to come, and our investors and donors, whose support I'm eternally grateful for. Thank you!!

Band Logo

From Julian: This is what the band will be called in the film. Route 65 leads (home) to Nashville and I wanted a name that reflected the overwhelming need to be true to one's origins - hence this moniker. Look for 65 Home T-Shirts, stickers and banners as the film unfolds.

Last Rehearsals for the Holidays

From Julian: - Have completed the last 3 weeks of rehearsals and am very happy with the cast. Worked with Mel & Jake at length today and am happy to say they are wonderful, creative and talented (just like all of the cast). We worked on a couple key scenes with Grant and Erinn today and they shone. As we close down for the holidays and take this time to be thankful for those that we love, I am proud of all of my cast and their accomplishments. Happy Holidays everyone.

The remarkable Canon 7D

BW suggested that we shoot this film on the new Canon 7D camera and at first I was skeptical about going to war with an experimental weapon. The idea of shooting a feature film on a 35mm style still camera seemed unthinkable and yet BW suggested I do some research and see what I thought. I spent many hours cruising the web, reading about the gear and seeing the tests. It was friggin' remarkable. What a tool. He rented a rig for me to try and Grant and I hit the streets looking for the 'sweet spot' - the lens and light combo that would serve us for the film. I'm a big believer in testing and retesting new gear and I wanted to push the camera to the limits as I worked outside. Here's a frame grab from the tests we shot. No lighting. No nothing. Just the right combination of f-stop and lens. I'm a convert.

Grant Stokes

The original story for FA came from producer Grant Stokes. When I first moved to Chicago, GS was instrumental in helping me meet other actors and performed in my award winning film, MAIDENHEAD. When he came to me with FA and introduced me to BW, I was thrilled to be able to come onboard and help take this story to the screen. FA is unlike any other picture I have made before and the combination of GS unique and subtle story and the chance to work with BW (one of Chicago's most recognized producers) was irresistible. Here, GS can be seen in early camera tests as we work in the Wicker Park/ Bucktown community. I want to use natural light and augment as little as possible. Both BW and I are fans of European art films and we wanted FA to be an art film that just happened tobe shot in America. GS was all for this.

Crooked Willow Rehearsals

Test rehearsals with the band are gong great. They totally rock and the film will be great.

I set Boris' car on fire!

Zounds. Meeting with BW and going over stuff for the film, I inadvertently dropped a cigarette n the papers in his car. Long story short, lots of smoke and a fire averted by BW's quick thinking. He is the first producer I have ever set fire too. We both laughed and were quickly chatting about the film as it all comes together. He's done a great job in assembling the crew and lining up locations. His team seems really good and they mesh well with my guys. We are less than a month to camera and both of us feel good. I'm glad I didn't totally destroy his car. :) That would be bad.