The First Day's Feedback.....
OK....I expected chaos.....I really did. I didn't expect that much chaos though. Let's review the top ten lowlights from the evening.
1. Lights are hot and will melt anything that is not made of metal.
2. Lights are hot, and we should have gloves when handling them.
3. Cameras need batteries.
4. When cameras don't have batteries, sound people have nothing to do.
5. Actors who were not scheduled to act often require plenty of coaching. It's not their fault.
6. Traffic is a major impediment when shooting an outdoor scene.
7. Tripods, by legal and moral obligation, should have three legs.
8. There is a ton of wasted time when people don't have assigned duties, or when they don't know what those duties are.
9. Schedules are created for a reason. We need to leave on time, and we need to return on time.
10. The clapper, does not yell "action" despite any primal urges he may have.
OK....here's what has to happen immediately, and it must occur in the following order:
1. ALL PRODUCERS MUST COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. The producers should be contacting members of their respective classes, and they should have lists of "needs" for their respective classes. Honestly, I have people wandering around with NO IDEA as to what is needed. COMMUNICATE!!!!
2. ALL COMMITTEE HEADS NEED LISTS OF "MUST HAVES." As we learned today, if you're not sure who has something, chances are its your fault it's not there. Create a checklist, and check it EVERY DAY.
3. KNOW YOUR JOB, and DO YOUR JOB. While I appreciate the volunteeristic spirit of everyone, and no, it's not a word, there is actually too much chaos when, and might I add, danger, when someone is placed in a job they're not prepared to do. I'm not complaining. I'm suggesting strongly that the jobs become assigned, and then, we do the jobs that are assigned to us.
4. Makeup needs to be applied earlier in the day whenever possible. We waited way too long today to get moving with Scrooge and Marley.
5. Costume committees need to get on the same page. Eliana, you need to talk to your people, particularly those in first period.
6. I said it once, but I'm going to say it again.... WE MUST MEET THE SCHEDULE. We cannot afford to be late again for any reason. If I say, "We're leaving at 4:15", then, we're leaving at 4:15. Tomorrow, we must leave school by 4:15. We must be back here by 7:15 at the latest. Tell your ride to get you at 7:20. Any questions?
Now, tomorrow's shot should be easier in some ways, especially having made so many mistakes tonight. The bottom line is that we finished one scene, and I think we'll get away with it. However, we need to do a much better job with this in order to create some consistency.
MjB
P.S. Major decision made....we will be building Scrooge's bedroom on the stage, and we will film all scenes there. I will talk to you tomorrow.
1. Lights are hot and will melt anything that is not made of metal.
2. Lights are hot, and we should have gloves when handling them.
3. Cameras need batteries.
4. When cameras don't have batteries, sound people have nothing to do.
5. Actors who were not scheduled to act often require plenty of coaching. It's not their fault.
6. Traffic is a major impediment when shooting an outdoor scene.
7. Tripods, by legal and moral obligation, should have three legs.
8. There is a ton of wasted time when people don't have assigned duties, or when they don't know what those duties are.
9. Schedules are created for a reason. We need to leave on time, and we need to return on time.
10. The clapper, does not yell "action" despite any primal urges he may have.
OK....here's what has to happen immediately, and it must occur in the following order:
1. ALL PRODUCERS MUST COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. The producers should be contacting members of their respective classes, and they should have lists of "needs" for their respective classes. Honestly, I have people wandering around with NO IDEA as to what is needed. COMMUNICATE!!!!
2. ALL COMMITTEE HEADS NEED LISTS OF "MUST HAVES." As we learned today, if you're not sure who has something, chances are its your fault it's not there. Create a checklist, and check it EVERY DAY.
3. KNOW YOUR JOB, and DO YOUR JOB. While I appreciate the volunteeristic spirit of everyone, and no, it's not a word, there is actually too much chaos when, and might I add, danger, when someone is placed in a job they're not prepared to do. I'm not complaining. I'm suggesting strongly that the jobs become assigned, and then, we do the jobs that are assigned to us.
4. Makeup needs to be applied earlier in the day whenever possible. We waited way too long today to get moving with Scrooge and Marley.
5. Costume committees need to get on the same page. Eliana, you need to talk to your people, particularly those in first period.
6. I said it once, but I'm going to say it again.... WE MUST MEET THE SCHEDULE. We cannot afford to be late again for any reason. If I say, "We're leaving at 4:15", then, we're leaving at 4:15. Tomorrow, we must leave school by 4:15. We must be back here by 7:15 at the latest. Tell your ride to get you at 7:20. Any questions?
Now, tomorrow's shot should be easier in some ways, especially having made so many mistakes tonight. The bottom line is that we finished one scene, and I think we'll get away with it. However, we need to do a much better job with this in order to create some consistency.
MjB
P.S. Major decision made....we will be building Scrooge's bedroom on the stage, and we will film all scenes there. I will talk to you tomorrow.
posted by Mr. Bair at 7:55 PM
16 Comments:
I had a question but forgot it...oh yeah, the trunk of my car was empty tonight, it was very lonely and EMPTY. Tomorrow night it's really hoping to see its friend the Cyclops and several other items that would be perfectly sized for it. At least that's what it told me.
Gloves were brought up at some point when I was talking to someone, and that is something I really wanted to tell you but forgot. Also, I'll even make sure to remind people that hot lights burn and melt things. I'm pretty sure i had everything necessary for lighting, but I meant to have a check list for today anyway. Again, I just forgot. So as far as lights go, all we need is gloves. So, my question is, how do we gloves? Do we have gloves? Do we need gloves? Should I find some gloves? Otherwise, I think I've got this covered.
Correction: that uncapitalized "i" should be a "we"
Mr. Bair,
Tonight was the first rehearsal for recording the score, and it honestly left a lot to be desired. I will keep working with what I have and try one more week's rehearsal to see if things improve, and if not, I'm going with Finale for everything. In other words, I would probably not submit that contract yet.
Ian
I'm sorry, but I'm siding with the naysayers on this one. A Christmas Carol? It's been done to death and back hundreds of times. In today's competitive market, you must innovate and synthesize. What sets your movie apart from the others? Don't say motion capture. That's already been done. Patrick Stewart? Been done. Muppets? Been done. I've always thought you were pretty original, Mr. Bair, but I'm afraid you may be jumping the shark. Copying the ideas of established directors is shameful. But at least you're not doing The Princess & The Frog.
I have to disagree with you Chris. As near as I can tell, the thing that sets this movie apart from previous versions is that Mr. Bair, unlike the previous directors, has respect for the material and will try to stay true to the book. Your point is valid, but it uses flawed logic. I think it's about time someone made a good version of "A Christmas Carol." Just because so many poor versions have been made does not mean everyone should give up on the idea of a good one.
Ian
PS: No, I'm not just being a suck-up.
Mr. Bair,
1) I have, as requested, combined Scrooge's and Marley's themes for the opening of the movie.
2) Do you want me to write cues and give them to you, to edit by, or do you want me to time my cues to already-edited scenes?
3) If the latter, I need scenes as soon as you can get them to me.
4) When can I drop in to pick up scenes?
Ian
I liked the Muppet version when I was a kid. And I liked the Patrick Stewart version, if for no other reason than the "Captain Picard is Scrooge!" factor. My favorite version so far is arguably the least faithful. It had Bill Murray as a TV executive who learns to put family and giving over the pursuit of wealth. It's the same premise, but it puts an innovative spin on it. I don't think sticking to the letter of the book does it. Mr. Magoo already did that.
Mr. Magoo stuck to the text???? Credibility down the drain, my friend. As a naysayer, all I can tell you is....nay away. You're not raining on my parade. Mother Nature already did that this evening!
MjB
Ian,
I have the first two scenes, and I hope they'll be edited by 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. We'll see though. I'll let you know. Stop in and talk to me.
MjB
Chris, Where have you been the last few weeks? What's the point of arguing over what drama is doing when they're clearly already in the middle of doing it? Back when it was first mentioned would have been understandable.
Mr. Bair, I am still 100% behind Drama's making a feature film. Nevertheless, this post made me chuckle.
Going with Finale? That doesn't mean you're using those awful midi samples are you?
TLN
They cut out the Fred subplot and changed the order of the ghosts, but most of the rest of the movie (barring the songs and the bit about Broadway at the beginning) is pretty close to the book if I remember. I saw the special at my cousin's house over the summer.
http://jimhillmedia.com/tags/A+Christmas+Carol/default.aspx?PageIndex=1
See? There literally are DOZENS of Christmas Carol versions. I've seen at least a quarter on this list.
But I think I've made my point. Go make your movie. I won't stop you. But perhaps my Viking mercenaries will. This is Chris signing out.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. Bair,
I'll drop by after school tomorrow, and even come back after 6 if necessary. If I can I'll get those scenes scored over the weekend.
Thanks,
Ian
Also:
Don't worry Tallon. I have a far superior version of Finale than you are probably aquainted with. For example, I have the Garritan Personal Orchestra upgrade, so while the sound is still a little tinny, it sounds pretty good. Plus, after four years of playing with Finale, I know some tricks to make it sound relatively realistic.
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