Revamping the Strindberg Script(s)

When our friend, Colin Cameron, first came to us in early 2011 with a story idea involving August Strindberg--Sweden's most prolific playwright--we weren't too excited. Apparently, the 100th anniversary of his death was fast approaching. To celebrate his life and achievements, a Stockholm-based group was sponsoring a short film contest where they were accepting outside submissions.

At the time, Robert had never seen or read a Strindberg play, so the excitement Colin was feeling wasn't reciprocated. Yet, as Colin continued to present his idea, a few things stood out. The story would take place in 1910. A period piece! That would be cool. Colin would play Strindberg and we'd give it the feel of an old-time silent film. Groovy.

Colin's concept was to recreate a one to two minute scene from Strindberg's later life, couched in the format of a documentary. Robert agreed to help make the film. However, the more they talked about Strindberg, the greater the allure was to do something bigger.

The thing that sent Robert off and running on his own tangent was the fact that Strindberg had read spiritualist writings and dabbled in alchemy. Now we're talking! The possibilities for a narrative film just got interesting! Colin thought Robert was kind of a weirdo sometimes, but the feeling was mutual. So they decided to produce both projects, making use of the same footage for the pair.

Unfortunately, we never pulled the pieces together to submit to the Stockholm festival. However, by August 2011, we were shooting scenes for Robert's story called Strindberg's Assistant.

So why are we still talking about this in late 2019? Long story; short version: life happened. We got busy with other things. Then death happened. Colin passed away unexpectedly in November of 2016. To honor his memory, we want to finish this project.

In 2017, Robert invited fellow filmmaker Michael Holly (a John Truby disciple) to join the writing team. The two collaborated to clean up the Strindberg's Assistant script.

But the big news is this: Just about a month ago (November 2019), we realized we were trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Strindberg's Assistant is not a movie; it's a series. Michael and Robert are currently dividing up the script into multiple episodes. Additional scenes and characters have been added. Shooting will occur in the new year and the series will be released online in October 2020. Booyah!

UPDATE April 2020:  The Covid-19 pandemic put a kink in our plans; the remaining shoots and release date have all been postponed until the air clears.

Film Screenings in Ottawa, Canada

The eighth of October was the birthday of our good friend and associate, the late Colin Cameron. His sister, Mary Martel-Cantelon, lives in Ottawa, Canada where Colin was known to many. In celebration of Colin's life, Mary arranged a mini film festival this weekend to be held at the Mayfair Theatre. The program will feature excerpts and shorts from a few of the many (more than 100) movies in which Colin had worked on. And we are here in Ottawa to be a part of the event.

Photo courtesy of Mary Martel-Cantelon.

Included in the lineup is Don Circles the Drain, as well as excerpts from Mad City Chickens and others films in which Tarazod was connected to in some way. Plus we're showing a few clips from the three yet-to-be completed projects that Colin was the Executive Producer on: Benjamin's Ride, No Sleep for Ronni, and Strindberg's Assistant.

"Strindberg's Assistant" Still Lives!

Last Sunday, we started up again shooting scenes and recording voice-over dialog for our film, Strindberg's Assistant. The movie--which is now six years in the making--is inching ever closer to completion. The project has had many detours and delays along the way--not the least of which was the sad and unexpected passing of Colin Cameron. Colin had the initial idea for the film. He was also its Executive Producer, as well as a supporting actor with the role of Strindberg himself. Yet life continues to move forward, and we know he would have wanted us to complete the movie in which he had been so intricately involved.

Cinematographer Michael Holly was back in town from Brazil to run camera. And actor Nicholas Wootton recorded some of his final scenes before he heads out of the country for the next year and a half. We also introduced a new character played by Ivy Suryana. Plus we brought back the star of the film, Joyce Aasen, to shoot the movie's concluding scene.

One of the benefits from so many delays over the years has been time. We've had time to reevaluate the script, to develop certain characters more, and to simply make the story stronger and more succinct (many thanks to Michael Holly's input).

There is still more to do--an introduction of one addition new character, dialog to be written, and more scenes to be shot. Plus Strindberg's assistant, Bjorn, has now become the film's villain! Patrick Garvey, who last played this character nearly six years ago, has recently agreed to come back to reprise the role. Strindberg's Assistant still lives!

"Giant Chicken" sequence from Mad City Chickens

Mad City Chickens is our documentary from 2008. It's about backyard chickens...you know...they're pretty humorous animals if you spend anytime around 'em. So during pre-production, we decided that we wanted to keep the movie lighthearted, to break things up...with a giant chicken (which was inspired by the work of artist S.V. Medaris). And if we're doing that, we might as well throw in a "mad scientist" as well.

It been almost ten years since we shot these fantasy sequences. The professor was played by our good friend Colin Cameron, who recently passed away. The original clip is about 2:30 minutes and appears about three-quarters of the way into the movie. Then the story was concluded with another sequence that ran during the end credits. Both segments are now shown below in a contiguous manner.

The documentary originally premiered at the Wisconsin Film Fest on April 3, 2008 and then in DVD form on March 23, 2009.

The other players included:

• Patrick Aspinwall...Lab Assistant #1
• Justin Riley...Lab Assistant #2
• Nancy Rost...Piano Player
• Stephanie Wisniewski...Sidewalk Onlooker
• Craig Johnson...Narrator

In Memoriam Colin Cameron

Our colleague and dear friend, Colin Cameron, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on November 6, 2016 (obit). Since the 1950s, Colin was an integral part of the Madison art, theater, and filmmaking community. He acted in and was involved with over 100 films.

2006

• We first met Colin just before the premiere of Geoff Lafayette's horror-comedy Buckystein. Colin played the starring role of a wacky Dr. Frankenstein.

2007/2008

• It was because of Colin's zany performance in Buckstein that we asked him to be in our documentary Mad City Chickens. Although it was a non-fiction film, we wanted to add a fantasy sequence to maintain a lighthearted feel to the movie. It involved a Giant Chicken and a mad professor. We filmed his scenes in July '07 and it premiered the following March.

2009/2010

• Colin landed the lead role of Rusty in the short, Hits. This was a Wisconsin Film School project and Tarazod was part of the instructor team. It was during this shoot that Colin would be introduced to fellow filmmakers and future friends Nicholas Wootton and Michael Holly. Hits premiered the next year.

2011

• We began two new film projects in 2011, and Colin was on board with both from the very start. He became the executive producer on our documentary, Benjamin's Ride: An Autistic Boy & Snow White, as well as on our short narrative, Strindberg's Assistant. Whenever time allowed from other gigs, we would work on these films. For the next five years, he was a steadfast source of creative support. Both movies are still in the post-production stage, and each will be dedicated to his memory when finally completed.

• In addition to being the executive producer, Colin also plays the role of August Strindberg in Strindberg's Assistant.

2012

• He volunteered to be a zombie in all three of our television commercials for the Reptile Rapture pet store.

2013

• Along with Windmiller Media and Exchange Productions, Tarazod co-produced Nicholas Wootton's film, Just God. Colin co-starred as Satan, and his scenes were shot in January of 2013.

• He also narrated the trailer.

• Michael Holly and Nicholas Wootton with Colin in March of 2013. We attended the premiere of our short, Beast. Bike. Beauty, at the Wildwood Film Festival.

• Production begins on Don Circles the Drain, a joint project between Tarazod and Rick Richard's C Side Films. Colin was an associate producer, set photographer, and an extra in several different scenes. And he would also become the narrator and an assistant editor on the movie the following year.

2014

• No Sleep for Ronni is another narrative film we have in post-production. Principle photography was shot in 2014. The movie stars Veronica Narang with Colin in the supporting role of her doctor. He was also the executive producer.

• Colin continued with his tireless efforts to move Don Circles the Drain towards completion. Numerous pick-up shots were needed to fill out the storyline. He was there to assist on almost every one of them.

2015

• We recorded his narration for Don Circles the Drain over several different sessions. And for months, Colin worked side-by-side with us on the edit of the film until it was finally completed in July of 2015.

• Tarazod was hired to shoot and edit a series of educational videos for the National Science Teachers Association. Colin was asked to do the narration and everyone fell in love with his warm gentle voice.

2016

• Attending the 2016 Wildwood Film Festival in February for the screenings of both Don Circles the Drain and Just God (left to right: Colin, Rick, Robert, Nicholas).

• Colin continued to edit with us on our three remaining films, particularly Benjamin's Ride. Throughout the summer, he sat with Robert at the editing station--three to five days a week. Real progress was being made. Our hope was to get a cut completed by year's end. As it turns out, however, more paid video work came in, which meant the film projects would need to be delayed until 2017.

• The final gig we worked on with Colin was another project for the National Science Teachers Association. He resumed his narrator role, and we finished recording the last lines of the script just one day before he would leave on a two-week trip to Ottawa and then New York City. Upon his return, he had an accident in his apartment and was taken to the hospital. He passed not long after.

It's difficult here, sitting at the editing computer. The loss of his creative spirit and youthful energy is so keenly felt. Colin touched the lives of so many people. Ours will forever be changed for the better because of his close friendship. He will be missed.


Colin pictured in Madison with his sister, Mary (2008).

A Celebration of Colin's life will be held at the Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave. in Madison, from 2-5 pm on December 18, 2016.

Final Voice-Overs Completed for "Don Circles the Drain"

Yesterday we brought in actors Colin Cameron and Tim Towne to do the last of the voice-over recordings for Don Circles the Drain. Colin is the narrator in the film and Tim the "Captain Know-It-All" control room operator for Don's cable access TV show.

New Film Project - The Weather Report

Rick Richards, an indie screenwriter, has composed a feature-length comedy script entitled The Weather Report. One of the ways he's looking to promote and sell it is thru the creation of a movie trailer. Robert will be directing the project which is schedule to begin shooting August 17th.

We're working hard to solidify the cast and crew, finalize changes to the trailer script, and and create the shot lists/schedules within the next week. The story centers around a successful local radio personality who gets fired from his commercial station because of corporate downsizing. After many unsuccessful attempts elsewhere, the protagonist, named Don, ends up turning to the extremely dysfunctional world of cable access TV to make his comeback.

Rick and Robert have been reshaping The Weather Report trailer script--moving it away from its movie trailer feel and into a short film that can stand on its own. Last evening, film partner Colin Cameron met with Robert to continue this process.

New Light Kit Purchased

We recently completed primary production on our Strindberg's Assistant project, with the final couple days of shooting taking place mostly indoors at the Livingston Inn in Madison. Weeks before, we knew that we'd be needing to finally invest in a quality light kit. For years, we have cobbled together our lighting setups, but at the Livingston, we were going to require serious illumination. We purchased a Lowell 3-unit tungsten kit. Two 250 watt pro spot/floods and a 500 watt v-light flood with stands, barn doors and gels.

We're very happy with the results so far, but this is just the beginning. Adding more lights to our arsenal for future projects is still a priority. A special thanks goes out to Colin Cameron for his continued encouragement and assistance towards our filmmaking endeavors.

Livingston Inn Shoot #2 - Strindberg Wrapped!

It was long and sometimes grueling, but we did it! Yesterday we completed primary production on our Strindberg's Assistant film. The final day of shooting was on location at the historic Livingston Inn Bed and Breakfast in Madison. We began filming in the morning and ten hours later we were through.

A special thanks goes to the cast and crew who gave their all on this last day, actors Georgia Curry, Patrick Garvey, Nicholas Wootton (who doubled also as Grip), Joyce Aasen and Colin Cameron.

Actors Georgia Curry and Patrick Garvey

Actors Nicholas Wootton and Joyce Aasen (with Production Manager Tashai Lovington)

Actors Colin Cameron and Patrick Garvey

A huge thanks to DP Michael Haven for his non-stop professionalism and to Grip Ivy Suryana for her dedication.

Photo from mid-September shoot (left to right): Grip Ivy Suryana and DP Michael Haven along with Director Robert Lughai and Actor Georgia Curry

Production Manager/Script Supervisor Tashai Lovington (with actor Patrick Garvey)

Director Robert Lughai

We're also most appreciative to Executive Producer Colin Cameron for all his assistance in getting this film shot. And to David and Peggy Furlan for their patience and generosity with us as we took over their beautiful home two weekends in a row.

So now begins the intense, yet very satisfying task of editing the nearly 7.5 hours of HD footage down into a tight, succinct final film.

Strindberg Pick-Up Shots

Yesterday, we shot pick-ups for a couple of short segments where we still needed footage. The first was a street sequence of Strindberg (played by Colin Cameron) with another 1910 gentleman (Brad Goldworthy).

Next was a shot of our housemaid, Katina (Georgia Curry), waving goodbye from the deck of a "green screen" ocean liner.

Rehearsals for Strindberg

Immediately following our appearance at the Edgerton Book and Film Festival today, we darted back to Madison for rehearsals for tomorrow's Strindberg shoot. We met at the home of Joyce Aasen who is playing one of the leading roles in the modern day segments of the film. Practicing lines with her was Nicholas Wootton, who only this week came on board the project. He graciously agreed to fill in at the last minute for a role that had been assigned to another actor but who had to back out.

Joyce, Robert, Nicholas

DP Michael Haven and Co-Producer Colin Cameron also joined us and chimed in with some valuable suggestions.

Mike

Photos courtesy of Colin Cameron.

More Strindberg Weekend Guerrilla Shoots

On larger projects, it's important to always make the effort to get all the proper paperwork signed, release forms in order and licenses paid for. Otherwise, when it comes time for distribution and sales, these things could come back to haunt you.

However, our Strindberg project is a no-budget narrative short. So there's no money for getting permits or permission...or practically anything else either. Rather, we show up on location in the early morning and shoot with a fast-working skeleton crew.

Anatomy of a guerrilla alley shot...

Ági Rédei plays the prostitute and Colin Cameron is August Strindberg.

[CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE]

Robert directs as DP Mike Haven shoots Colin and Ági.

Mike takes a bead on Ági's prostitute boots.

We had another scene where Patrick Garvey as the Assistant must enter and exit a building on two to three separate occasions. Our location was an old house-converted-to-apartments. We shot it in the morning and then returned later in the day to catch it with the changing light. But on the second time around, the landlord of the building came out and shagged us off the property.

Illegal Shoot

We weren't done, though. We still needed to shoot Patrick exiting, this time with black soot exploded on his face. So when the landlord finally left in his truck, we returned once more and shot the fastest takes we've ever done on this project.

Patrick on ground waking up with soot on his face.

Skeleton Crew: Mike Tashai, Robert

Water For Elephants Fundraiser

Recently, Robert and Colin Cameron attended the gala premiere of Water for Elephants at the Al Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Now you may ask, why in Baraboo? Because this was the home of the world famous Ringling Brothers Circus.

TICKET

SOVEREIGN PROGRAM

Today, Baraboo hosts the Circus World Museum which actually loaned the authentic circus wagons and expertise to be used in this Hollywood production.

Also in Baraboo is the elegant and historic Al Ringling Theatre (where the screening took place). Built in 1915, the design was inspired by the opera house in the Petit Trianon of the Palace of Versailles near Paris. Al Ringling, the eldest of the 5 brothers paid $100,000 to have it built.

Proceeds from the screening went to support the museum and theatre, both non-profit organizations. Photos of the wagons at the Circus World Museum in upcoming post.