A Producer’s experience of a writer’s journey

A Producer’s experience of a writer’s journey: My debut at the 2012 Screenwriters World Conference and Pitch Slam in NYC

I shall start by saying, “Well worth the investment!” Truly, I walked away with my expectations met and my heart alight with an education and incredible experience.

My day started with a slow drag out of bed, having just returned from 11 days on the west coast and well adjusted to PST. None the less, I was up and out in a matter of a half-hour, turning down the snow-blown sidewalk toward the conference center. Although it was a mere short block from my hotel, the morning snow gave me reason to shake like a Husky in order to remove the powder from my sweater and scarf. And once inside, the warmth took care of the rest. Continue Reading

Every screenwriter should know…

I receive a number of requests asking me to review a script, primarily for the purpose of producing it. Being a good sport, I am always eager to take a gander at another scriptwriters work. As well, I like to encourage other writers, offering suggestions and professional direction.

Of all the things that might be wrong with a script, the first thing any professional reader will notice is the formatting. What very few aspiring script-writers truly understand is that formatting matters first and foremost because an understanding (or lack) of proper formatting is typically tied to the ability to tell a story well. This logic is not concrete, but the assumption follows that the writer that does not take the time to invest in his craft’s formatting probably doesn’t invest in the delivery of that craft either. Many a reader’s experiences can vouch for this theory. Continue Reading

A Box for Rob

Alexander Films provided lighting and grip, as well as gaffer and key grip, for Moving Box Entertainment and Uptone Pictures first feature, A Box for Rob. The feature was shot in May 2010 in Concord, NC.

A behind the scenes video of the making of the film can be seen here on YouTube.

Rigging the car mount with the RED

Alexander Films car mount

Aurora Award Winner – Gold in two categories

Alexander Films, working with Painted Wings Films, has done it again. The TV documentary, THE ARREST IS ONLY THE BEGINNING, has picked up two gold Aurora Awards in the following categories: Social Issues and Documentary. Judge’s comments include references to the Best Elements being the “beautiful photography and creative editing.”

The project was produced by the 23rd Circuit Drug Treatment Court Advisory Board and was shot in Roanoke and Salem, Virginia over four days in September 2009, with one pickup day in December 2009. Roger Griffin with Painted Wings Films directed. Marc A Hutchins was DP on the project, as well as chief lighting tech, working with Andrew Potter, Jonah Hutchins, and Rachael Hutchins as grips. Jonah Guelzo was on sound. London Stewart assisted as a PA.

You can see the video HERE.

Aurora Gold Award

Audience Choice Award

Goodbye To Muffy, an original family-comedy short, won the Audience Choice Award at the 2011 VA Indie Film Festival on Saturday night, Feb. 26, 2011. This was the first time Muffy screened in public, and won the hearts, laughter, and roaring applause of the audience. The Audience Choice Award speaks volumes, saying nothing short of Muffy’s appeal to a broad range of film enthusiast, film critics, and families. We are pleased with this recognition and excited about future opportunities with our films to come.

Goodbye To Muffy can be found at www.goodbyetomuffy.com

Telly Award Winner

Alexander Films, working with Painted Wings Films, shot a TV Documentary, THE ARREST IS ONLY THE BEGINNING, which has picked up a Bronze Telly Award. We are excited about this award and the opportunity for others to see our work. Marc A Hutchins was DP on the project, as well as chief lighting tech, working with Andrew Potter, Jonah Hutchins, and Rachael Hutchins as grips. Jonah Guelzo was on sound. London Stewart assisted as a PA.

The project, produced by the 23rd Circuit Drug Treatment Court Advisory Board, was shot in Roanoke and Salem, Virginia over four days in September 2009, with one pickup day in December 2009.

You can see the video HERE.

Bronze Telly Award

Lighting a short film

I had the privilege of lighting a short film this last weekend, using my truck and my gear, and all the fun tricks I’ve picked up over the last 2 years working as a gaffer and a grip. Sure, I had lighting practice prior to 2009, but a Lowel DVCreator light kit doesn’t count by my current lighting standards. To light a short film shot on RED, to make it look like a high-dollar feature, you need the toys. It’s times like these when I really love my lighting and grip truck.

The short film was shot in Oakboro, NC on a piece of farmland. We spent the entire day Friday shooting in the rain – the cold rain. There was mud everywhere, and it only got deeper as the day rolled on. To add another challenge, I did not have the opportunity to scout this location prior to arriving 7:45 Friday morning, so I had no idea about the power or load limits. Someone had the forethought to bring a couple genies, but unless all the audio was going ADR, we couldn’t fire those bad-boys up. We managed to find power from several dedicated breakers and made it through the shoot just fine.

The other joy is working with a new crew. Other than the director’s wife, who played a lead in my latest short film, I hadn’t worked with anyone on set. Yet as all films go, we gelled quick and became a filmmaking team before the first meal was catered.

Moving the grip truck