44 Plays for 44 Presidents

In October, forty four different theater companies from around the country will perform 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, a "comic romp through the legacies left by each of our commanders-in-chiefs." Each theater troupe is given the task of presenting just one president. The plays will all be shot on video, and then the clips edited together to form one film.

The Forward Theater Company in Madison was given the task of portraying George W Bush. As a favor to Jim Carrier, director of the Wisconsin Film School, we recently helped out by shooting the dress rehearsal which will be the clip submitted to the final project.

Cheap Costuming

We're nearing that time of year when props and costumes (for future film projects) can be purchased relatively inexpensively. As cheesy as it sounds, those Halloween stores that pop up each Fall actually have a lot of useful items, particularly for extras that don't have close-up shots. The prices aren't right just yet, but after October 31st, it's a different story.

Colin Cameron and Michael Haven battle it out with plastic swords.

Prop Guns for "Just God" film

In Nicholas Wootton's Just God project, a couple of scenes require a realistic-looking handgun. The film is a comedy, but the guns move the plot along. Tonight we met with actor, filmmaker, and local prop guns expert Rob Matsushita. (Among other things, Rob plays "Lloyd" on the Chad Vader series.)

He showed us his collection and demonstrated the use of a compressed air pistol. None of his pieces are actual working guns.

Breakaway Glass Experiments

Tarazod is collaborating with Spilling Latte Films and Exchange Productions on Nicholas Wootton's Just God project. As part of our pre-production prep work, we've been cooking up a sugar glass test to possibly be used in the climatic scene. Here's a clip from the experiment. It was an extremely hot day and our "glass" was in the process of melting. Yet, the "flying pieces" still looked good.

In addition, we're currently auditioning actors, locking down locations, and fine-tuning the shot list. The first shoot is scheduled for October, with a couple days in November locked in too. The remainder of the principle photography will be filmed in January.

Ashland Oregon MCC Screening

Public Screening coming up this Sunday September 9 in Ashland, Oregon. It's the Food For Thought film series (Eat Local Week) presented by Thrive. Movie starts at 4:00 pm at the Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way.