Friday 28 May 2010
Cast, and on-own found updates
I came across a casting listing for a USC student film, which turned out to be a Thesis Film, meaning super high-end production values, et al, for a fantasy titled The Maiden and the Princess (also see its IMDB entry), written and directed by Alison Scher.
I was provided the script, which I found both intriguing, amusing, and very powerful, and auditioned one floor above Jeff Olan's offices. I met with Alison and did my best audition, and while I suspect I may end up being Very Featured "Background," I don't mind such when it comes to a very promising project. Sometimes the project is just too good to pass up. My main concern was the amount of shooting days; understandably to lose hours at my day-job, it'd be "better" to at least have a line, and on the 21st Alison emailed me to offer me "the part of Councilman" for the film (adding that as of that time she had not "entirely decided who will say what line yet"). She reiterated the shoot days would most likely be June 4th, 9th, 10th and 11th (ouch). Stressing she so looked forward to working with me, she requested my phone number for the callsheet.
The next day, May 22nd, I got an email from the project's wardrobe designeer Catherine Elhoffer, asking after my measurements. For the Councilmen she would be making "pretty stylized robes out of a grey duchess satin," and she sent along a drawing of her high-collared design.
John Dion emailed me on the 26th, introducing himself as the 1st AD on the project, conveying the four dates "I" would be needed. As one clearly could not have needed me (albeit on a more available day for me), I replied to clarify if I might only be needed on the 8th and 9th; it turned out to be a correct deduction, though later I was asked if I was available on the 11th. I was given a later calltime so I could in some hours at work that day, even after I'd accepted working the shoot.
As I began to put together this report, as I didn't want to get too behind, and end up having to put it on my "Forgetten Reports" page, I began to seek out links to give credit where credit is due, and promote those involved with the project. I was already aware of the project's impressive website, but while I could find links for Catherine and John, Alison seemed a bit trickier, until I stumbled across "her" ("secondary") Twitter account which is for progress reports on the project!
From the Tweets thereon I was able to see a bit of the project's timeline:

Tuesday 08 June 2010
Shoot: Project Day 7, my Day 1
I arrived for my 9:15am calltime at 8:45am, as always, preferring to be 30 minutes early than 30 seconds late. The finishing touches were being put on the Council Chamber by Tricia Roberts and John Robertson: it looked awesome. Pleased to see me there already, director Ali arrived, though comically the Art Design Team would not let her see the finished set until they were completed. The other Councilors began to arrive: Ed Fallin, Marc Segal, Jonathon Salisbury, Gary-7, John Bovenizer, Thaine Allison and Abe Rogland. In the Zemeckis Building lounge (where I'd worked very recently on the previous USC student film Greeters), the table was set with place-cards, our placed as we'd be on set, where we'd rehearse a few times before going to set. I indeed do have a specific line (clarifying me as a principal supporting role), newly created since the audition; Marc Segal had been given the previous line.
Vanessa Leon did our elaborate near-cadaverous make-ups (having us resemble a Jacob Marley Appreciation Society), and fellow Taurus Catherine Elhoffer helped us into our near-Gallifrayan'esque robes and hats. She admitted her design was partially influenced by Star Trek. Ironically, with the make-up Gary-7 did somewhat resemble an albeit tall Talosian.
Playing antagonist Bernard, Julian Sands arrived so suddenly, silently and without fanfare that he was simply at the head of the table. David Anders arrived, and we ran through the Council Chamber scene/s and shots that were planned to be done this day. The two leads were not aloof or snobby to the rest of we supporting players, but the two were not precisely outgoingly friendly either, which I attributed to their being on their game for the project.
Albeit what turned into a twelve hour day, it literally raced by. Ali and her crew were efficent and we got through tons of material, including but not limited to shots that initially had been thought to be done the following day. One main issue were the custom-made chairs, which sadly were a bit top-heavy. It took me to be the first for one to topple over after I rose out of mine, but on other later takes even Julian's chair slammed backwards onto the floor.
Amusingly, for a while early Ali got "stuck" mispronouncing my name ("Did you just call me ' Joffrey'?"). She explained that between casting me and interacting with me (as the production had several days of principal photography before the Council Scenes), she'd started reading Geoffrey as Joffrey, even when she knew this was incorrect. Despite constant assurances she'd correct herself, Joffrey would keep coming out. Humourously enough, Ali would proudly point out when she pronounced my name correctly, while a minute or two later "Joffrey" would still pop out. I was never annoyed at the tiny gaffe, just amused: I've certainly been deliberately called worse in my time...
I must say, Julian Sands is as awesome an actor as one would expect; asking clarifying questions and even urging Ali to interupt his performance for adjustments and/or if it is not up to the vision she wants. Understandably, David Anders is always at home doing his British accent, which is the same dialect I realize why I felt Matt Smith's voice seems so familiar; I was used to hearing the same accent from David Anders for years previously to seeing Matt Smith.
David was wrapped for the day first, then after some more coverage, Julian was sent off. The rest of us wrapped shortly thereafter, and I got a ride home by Jonathon.

Wednesday 09 June 2010
Star Chamber
I arrived at 10:30am for my 10:45am calltime, and rather to my financial dismay... it turned out I could have gone to work the entire day first as I was not even needed until after the very late afternoon lunchtime (at least in the morning though, Julian Sands and David Anders [each far more relaxed with us, and we with them, than the first day], each pleasantly posed for a photo with me, which Ed took and emailed to me). Julian concurred at the near-Gallifreyan look of our Councilor outfits. I couldn't help but inquire why he'd not yet guest starred on Doctor Who, whereupon he ratcheted up my respect for him a hundredfold by conveying he'd wanted to play the Doctor...!
Over lunch Ali joined Abe, Gary-7 and me, discussing some of the film's evolution and future. She indicated that while we knew our own scenes were being shot on the RED camera, that some of the more fantasy sequences were actually being filmed in Technicolor. Ali still has to raise post-production money, which thankfully is less difficult than pre-production and actual production funds. She hopes to have it Absolutely Completely finished by January, "May at the latest." She pleasantly apologized that we would have to wait, as we were not to see any rough cut screenings.
Today generally was more coverage of the scenes from the previous day. We met Tallulah Wayman-Harris, playing young Emmy, escorted by her Liverpuddlian mother who didn't actually introduce herself to any of the Councilors. This is Tallulah's first big project apparently, and her mother was still rather lost as to some of the detailed nuances of child actors, so she consulted with the experienced on-set teacher (whose name was not on the callsheet). As Tallulah had been to school all day, she wasn't required to do any schoolwork during breaks, but she did have a limited time window.
Julian was wrapped relatively early (just before lunch was called), as his coverage was handled the previous day, and today was for his point of view angles. We Councilors were wrapped just after 9:30pm, shortly after Tallulah and David each were wrapped, as there were still a few shots needed of us. What I should have expected was, as the day before we shot my side of the long Council Chamber table, that the bulk of this day would be of the other side. We ran through the scenes from the previous day with additional coverage, and were almost relieved we'd not be needed again until Friday. It was still impressive to watch Julian and David's performances.
As always, Ali was upbeat and patient, contagiously passionate. Over lunch she told us her crew knows not to come to her with a problem, unless they already have for it at least one suggestable solution. All of us stressed we not only expect Big Things from Ali in her future film making career, but that we hope to work on many if not all of them...
As we'd broken again so late, this night Abe offered and drove me home.

Thursday 10 June 2010
Advance "no-food" warning
On leaving work for the day, I retrieved a voice mail message from producer Becca Louisell (who I'd met previously; making sure everything runs smoothly, Becca's been as busy on set as a P.A.). Her message reflected that the meal for the following day would be... burritos; chipotles, etc. Essentially, stuff I cannot eat. When I conveyed to John Dion about my dietary "restrictions," I mostly mentioned how I'm one of the few American humans who doesn't eat pizza, as often pizza is the "meal of choice" for most student films, due not only to its general appeal (if not actually universal). Mentioning my inability to eat Mexican food didn't enter my thoughts.
I returned Becca's call and pointed out if there was no other option, I could Forage, as I've had to do with other student film shoots, which also would save money on the project. A few hours later at home I got a call from 2nd AD Amanda Overton, who was clarifying at what time could I be there, and that the schedule was to endevour to have the High Council members wrapped by lunch (at which time I could either eat the [actually donated] food, or eat on my own elsewhere).

Friday 11 June 2010
Project Principal Photography ends
As the bus I wanted to take decided it did not want to show up, and the last available bus I needed thankfully did, I arrived with five minutes to spare. All but one of the rest of the gang were done up; I went through as quickly as possible. David spent the majority of the time out in the hallway watching soccer on the in-house television, whilst Julian tended to pop in and out of the lounge affably (not to be confused with truly Hanging Out with us, but neither of them actually avoided us).
As we waited being called to set, we Councilors discussed such issues as grammar (the slow decline thereof), vocabulary (slang [and other misused words] infiltrating the language), et al.
The Council Chambers was finished, now sitting within its walls was a long, slightly forced-perspective hallway (long as in about twenty or thirty feet). Ali set us up tallest in back, shortest in front (meaning Marc and I in front). Marc and I flanked Julian as the lot of us purposefully march towards a very forced-perspective door to confront David's escaping Hammond. There were three or four different angles and camera lenses for coverage of our approach, and we wrapped right on planned time.
Despite the few days working on this, everyone was rather saddened that principal photography was ultimately concluded. David sat relaxing in the lounge reading whilst the rest of us changed, got out of our make-ups, and Julian went round, thanking us all. Before Julian left he posed with Ali for me for my camera (being a one-time use, and not really used up, I knew it'd be a while before it was done and developed, the shots of which I could add here below).
I stuck around for lunch as those who stayed ate; before heading up to the Red Line, I stopped by Wendys for a small quick meal, figuring about which the barely over three buck meal would hardly be worth bothering the production budget.
Now is the long wait for the finished product. I can only hope that on the DVD will be Bonus Features: specifically a detailed photo gallery, considering how many countless behind the scenes photos were taken; hopefully the super-rare student-film Director Audio Commentary? (That would be great.)

Sunday June 13, 2010
Page updating
Having been provided with his "promo card," I updated Gary-7's link to his website, where previously I had "only" his imdb entry.
Similarly, as an email was sent out by Thaine Allison (apart from expressing missing the project [and really, who of us doesn't?] also conveyed information and links to his son's print website as well as his Super-Photobooks site), but his email signature reflected his website, so I put that as the previous link, removing Thaine's imdb entry, which has less listings that what appears to be a duplicate same-name entry. Thaine also indicated understandably looking forward to seeing the other pictures and that he'd get his posted soon.

Wednesday 16 June 2010 - 1:00am
Last minute wrap party
When an Earthlink user receives an email from someone not already in one's Earthlink Email Address Book, and Earthlink isn't previously aware that the email is already known as spam, it gets shunted into a Suspect Spam Folder. The unknown email sender is sent an auto-response conveying their status, and to click on a link that auto-sends a notice to the recipient, requesting being added to the Address Book so future emails go directly to the Inbox. Having not previously been sent any emails from producer Becca Louisell, her first email went into my Suspect Spam Folder.
Unfortunately, the first email from her I received (along with the entire crew and cast), was notice that there was a same-night Maiden and the Princess wrap party... from 10pm to 2am, in Silver Lake. Had I been aware of it, or if it had been sent the previous day or even previous evening, I could have attended. But it was sent/received the same Tuesday evening, and I'd completed my "email rounds," as it were, and was up to date with my MySpace and Facebook stuff, and was watching (the first half of) Lawrence of Arabia on DVD with a friend. Having started viewing the classic feature shortly after the time that I would have had to have started out to the party (to have made it by 10pm), it was about midnight that my friend was ready to have the DVD paused to resume the following evening.
I do check my Known Spam and Supect Spam Folders manually, as Earthlink sometimes annoyingly sends Address Book Added emails to one of my two Spam Folders. When I came across the party invitation, it was far too late (even if I owned a car), for me to have made it. All I could do was send my lamentable regrets, wishes that those who attended enjoyed themselves, and looking forward to seeing what production photos people had taken. Having finished off my one-time use camera, I'd had it developed for some of the newer photos to be added below to those I'd included at first.

Wednesday 09 February 2011
Upcoming audio looping
On Monday (Jonathan Salisbury and) I got a nice email from Ali:
"I'm ecstatic to tell you that we are literally one month from FINISHING the film completely :) The reason I'm writing you two specifically is because you were the only two on the council that had solid British accents down and I'm in dire need of some British accents for ADR :) We're doing this cool thing with sound where every time the camera passes through the piping in between floors we hear muffled fairytales being told by other narrators traveling through the pipes. I was wondering if there's any way you guys could do me a huge favor and attend our ADR session this Saturday. It would be at 6:30pm at USC in the new, fancy ADR suite in the basement. I will be eternally grateful!!!!
let me know if you guys think it's a possibility :) CAN'T WAIT to show you the final film!!!"
I immediately responded in the affirmative, to which, on the 9th, Ali replied (along with some directions I don't need to include here):
"Thank you SO much :) That's amazing!!!! I'll have material there for you to play with. It shouldn't take long AT ALL! We'll start around 6:30pm.
you are THE BEST!!!"
I had to notify my friend Henry that I would not be able to perform my duties cohosting the Saturday night online radio show The Paranormal View due to the ADR work. He was okay with it, though it did mean I'd be missing two shows back to back, as back in December 2010 when I first accepted his invitation for me to cohost the show, I told Henry that Presidents Day weekend I'd be at GallifreyOne

Saturday 12 February 2011
ADR and other adventures
My friend Max had previously notified me of the Los Angeles premier screening of his written/directed science fiction feature film Atlantis Down was Sunday the 20th. We discussed my bringing to GallifreyOne informational promotion cards for the areas that have such. We agreed to meet at my Sherman Oaks rental box around 1:30pm. Unfortunately after an hour and a half of travel, as I emerged from the Universal Station, Max texted me that his car was broken, and he'd mail the promo cards.
With so much time on my hands, I handled an errand in Hollywood, took my time busing down to USC where I casually ate at the Wendys there.
It was still only about 4pm.
I got to the Lucas Building and figured I'd find out where the ADR studio was, and go relax someplace. On exiting the elevator, there was Ali, thrilled to see me but understandably having to indicate she didn't have the ADR studio until 6:30. I went upstairs and relaxed until 5:30, as Ali suggested if the person ahead was done early maybe they could get me in.
I came down as Becca came across me, and set up snacks for those working on the ADR. A little after 6:30 Ali retrieved me and we went in. Ali took some shots of me with my camera; I did a few takes and filled with high praised compliments, Ali thanked me for coming out to do this. She said the film should be finished in about a month, so I figured most likely more like early April.
The route back was easier than expected, and I got in around 9pm'ish.

Friday 25 March 2011
Trailer
We received a wonderful and thank-filled email from Ali, that an official trailer for The Maiden and The Princess had been posted on youtube, that the film had been outputted to tape and was done. (In the trailer I spotted a quick but recognizable shot of me at 0:20 seconds...)
Ali added that it's premier screening would be May 15th (I presumed it would screen at the Norris Theatre on USC campus, as she mentioned it would screen with five other USC thesis films).
She added their current shopping for DVD authoring places, the film's poster being designed, and film festival submission/s (in my reply I recommended the United Film Festival/s, as it holds its film festival/s across the country and overseas throughout the year).

Wednesday 13 April 2011
Fan page
Ali Scher created and posted a Maiden and the Princess Fan Page on Facebook.

Saturday 23 April 2011
A call to arms... or... wallets anyway...
Ali sent out an email-blast:

Subject: Maiden Kickstarter Campaign! Date: Apr 23, 2011 5:11pm Hello Wonderful Cast and Crew! I've just launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund Maiden's festival journey! All the HDCam tapes, shipping and DVD screeners add up :) If you wouldn't mind just spreading the word, that'd be amazing!! Even posting it on your facebook walls or tweeting about it would be incredibly helpful! Here's the link: kickstarter.com/projects/1396193475/the-maiden-and-the-princess An email invite to our May 15th premier will soon be going out. Can't wait to see you all there!! Thank you so much, you are all AMAZING, Ali ps- if you don't feel comfortable posting it to your walls or passing it on, don't worry about it! Just have fun watching the trailer again again :)

Tuesday 10 May 2011
New publicity still/s
Ali tagged me (tagged each of us really, except for Julian at the far end, at the head of the table, to whom she refers in the photo's caption...), in one of the photos she posted in her Publicity Stills photo album at the The Maiden and The Princess Facebook page.

The Grand High Council of Fairytale Rules and Standards, led by Julian Sands as Bernard
(I'm still second from the right, next to Marc...)

Sunday 15 May 2011
Screening
I arrived characteristically early. First to start arriving were the filmmakers whose five shorts would be shown. Ali brought an easel, the large poster, and somehow in her diminutive form, a trunkload of nervousness.
Wearing a super cute silver outfit she likened to the High Counsil, it appeared at first glance more classic era Star Trek material (which for anyone who knows me, is perfectly fine...). While we were waiting, Ali conveyed to me a rather Big Secret I was not to reveal until she made to all her official announcement thereof.
Someone eventually arrived to unlock the building (Ali was almost to the point of no longer joking about kicking in the doors' glass). Inside, the doors from lobby into the auditorium were guarded (by myself as well), as upstairs they were testing the images from the projection booth. I'd already had the foresight the moment the building was unlocked, to bring my stuff into the auditorium and lay claim to my seat down front. I'd been to enough such screenings at Norris to known each filmmaker's outro ends with introducing the next filmmaker's film.
The film was very impressive and I was quite proud of having worked on it (one shot of me, puzzled as to whether David's character's narration is going off script, got a nice audience laugh).
During the evening, I managed to snag some video of the filmmakers, the intro to Ali's film and Ali's subsequent comments (of which posted on my Career Progress Group on Facebook she was rather embarressed: not by what she said, but in a Speaking On Camera sort of way).