Tarazod Films Comes to a Close

Filmmaking has been our passion for nearly two decades. From short films to our feature-length documentary, Mad City Chickens, from the non-profits and university work to the commercial gigs, it's been a fun adventure. 

However, in 2019, we were coming to place where we wanted to go in a new direction. The creative storytelling process of shooting and editing was still ever-fulfilling but not for the kind of projects we were used to working on.

Our goal was to finish up the three films we had on our plate, plus the several commercial jobs that were in the pipeline. Then we'd explore new avenues.

But the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In early 2020, we were making a huge push on our two narrative projects. One after another, we had to cancel our scheduled shoots with cast and crew. All of our fiction projects came to a halt as did most of the commercial productions. 

We did complete a few commercials in 2021, but it is now time to move on. We've made a decision to dissolve Tarazod Films LLC.

What does this mean for our three films? At some point, we will be uploading the unfinished versions of No Sleep for Ronni and Strindberg's Assistant just for the sake of all the wonderful people who worked so hard on these projects. As for Benjamin's Ride, it's the one film that still has a chance of being completed. Time will tell.

"Strindberg's Assistant" Movie Poster

Get a high rez poster image here:

https://presskit-strindbergs-assistant.blogspot.com/2019/11/movie-poster.html

Scouting for Strindberg

In a couple of weeks, we'll be shooting a few newly added scenes to our Strindberg's Assistant project. These will include two therapist office visits with our protagonist, Agda (played by Joyce Aasen) and her ally the Therapist (Tashona Smith). So today, we scouted the location which happens to be the house of our good friend Barbara Bolan. Joining Robert in planning out the shoot were Jeff Modjeska (camera operator) and Randy Slagle (assistant director).

Robert and Randy sitting in as Jeff takes a few photos with his Artemis Pro viewfinder app.

Other than covering the windows and then setting up the lighting, the room will require very little in the way of prep/art design.

MARCH 1st UPDATE: Some of our cast were feeling under the weather so we had to postpone our shoot which was set for March 1st. We're currently working on rescheduling. Unfortunately, some of our crew have other obligations so we're re-filling those roles now.

MARCH 16th UPDATE: Our shoot was on again, scheduled for Sunday March 22nd. Our cast was ready to go and our new crew set. Then the coronavirus threat nixed everything. We'll have to regroup when it all blows over. 

Updates Continue on Strindberg Scripts

As we continue to convert our short film, Strindberg's Assistant, into a series, each episode is taking on a character of its own. We're hoping to complete all the scripts before too long so we can begin shooting the remaining scenes.

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.

"Strindberg's Assistant" Retooled and Reloaded!

It was in the summer of 2011 that production first began on our long-suffering project, Strindberg's Assistant. Over the eight years that followed, the story grew and changed. More scenes were shot, additional actors recruited, and new locations secured.

And yet, we still didn't have a finished film. It just never felt right... until now. Revelations (that came to us last night!) have breathed new life into this supernatural period piece, helping us to finally discover what the hold-up really was. The format was wrong.

Strindberg's Assistant is not a movie. It's a series.

We're going to divide up the script into multiple episodes (possibly five to seven in all). A few additional actors, scenes, and pickup shots will be needed. Filming will occur sometime in the coming year.

Although things have rarely gone according to plan with this project, our goal is to release as a web series in 2020. Fingers crossed. (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.)


The late Colin Cameron as August Strindberg in the summer of 2011, filming a scene in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IVY SURYANA

Original trailer released  October 14, 2013. (An updated version will be issued sometime in 2020.)

Work Continues on "Strindberg's Assistant"

Micheal Holly was visiting from Brazil this past week, so we took advantage of the opportunity to hash out some of the story issues we've been having on the Strindberg's Assistant project. It was a very productive couple of work sessions.

More Strindberg Scenes With Nicholas Wootton

On Wednesday, we shot what was--hopefully--the final scenes for actor Nicholas Wootton in Strindberg's Assistant. We needed a number of green screen pickups. Michael Holly again ran camera.

Partway through the shoot, a thunderstorm passed through Madison causing a transformer to blow down the street. Electricity was out along the entire block for more than a hour and half. Though, we still managed to wrap up by midnight.

"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!

Edit Progresses on "Strindberg"

During the hiatus caused by the fire in our complex, we've had to temporarily set up an editing computer at the home of our good friends, Nicholas & Jill Wootton of Windmiller Media. As it just so happens, Michael Haven-Holly of Exchange Productions is currently back from Brazil for a month and staying with the Woottons.

Since we've been preoccupied with finding a new location to call home, there hasn't been a lot of time to focus on Tarazod projects. So Michael has volunteered to jump on the edit of our short film, Strindberg's Assistant. It's got a long way to go, but it is taking shape.

Trailer for Strindberg's Assistant

Here's a first look at Strindberg's Assistant. While the final film still needs a lot of edit work before it's ready for release, we have to say that after two years, we are pleased to finally be able to show a glimpse of what's to come.

Strindberg's Assistent is Not Lost!

It was in the summer and fall of 2011 that we shot the footage for our short narrative, Strindberg's Assistant. A lot has happened since then, unforeseen events which delayed the post-production for far longer than we would have liked. Yet, two years later, we're happy to say that the project is still alive. The film's edit is progressing. Plus a trailer is near completion and will soon be released online.

Actors Georgia Curry and Patrick Garvey (as Katina and Bjorne) on location at the Livingston Inn in Madison.

Photo by Ivy Suryana

Strindberg's Ghosts

Here's a glimpse at the two ghosts in our film Strindberg's Assistant.

Katina (Georgia Curry)

  Bjorne (Patrick Garvey)

First Press for Strindberg Film

Two weekends ago, we were shooting scenes at the Livingston Inn for our Strindberg's Assistant project. While there, we noticed that the owners of this Madison Bed and Breakfast, David and Peggy Furlan, were being interviewed in another part of the house by well-known Wisconsin State Journal writer Doug Moe.

Peggy and David Furlan. Photo by Jeanan Yasiri.

It's an old home, and at the time, we had two separate light kits in use. So it was inevitable that at some point, we'd be tripping a circuit breaker. It happened twice, both times during the Moe interview with the Furlan's. It wasn't on purpose, of course, but it is one way of getting noticed.

Doug inquired as to what the heck we were doing out there, and as a result, we ended up receiving a few paragraphs of ink within the Furlan's piece.

Four months on, they [the Furlans] are open for business and things have calmed down at the Livingston Inn. That's if you don't count the film crew that took over the first floor last Sunday morning, and, literally, blew a fuse.

The production company that made "Mad City Chickens" is filming a period piece titled "Strindberg's Assistant" and shooting in the house. The film is set in 1910 Stockholm and modern day America. The Gothic Revival mansion built in Madison in the 1850s was deemed a perfect backdrop.

On Sunday, Dave and Peggy told the film crew where to find the fuse box, and then repaired to a sitting area off the back of the house to discuss their ongoing adventure with the historic property that's known as the Leitch House, at least when it's not known as the Harman House.

Cool beans! Read the entire article at the WSJ site.

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.

Today's Strindberg Shot List

It's been nearly two and a half months since we started production on our Strindberg's Assistant film. The challenges of a no-budget project have been great, today's upcoming shoot being no exception. Yet, if all goes well, we could be calling it a wrap by day's end.

With a 5-page shot list and conflicts with actor schedules, we have a lot of work to do in a limited number of hours. We'll see where we're at when evening comes.

Page one of today's shot list...

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

More Strindberg Pick-Ups

Our Strindberg's Assistant is truly a no-budget project. We have begged, borrowed, and then spent the little cash we have to get this movie made. The cast and crew work for nothing but food and a desire to collaborate creatively on a film that we believe will live up to our expectations. Most of those involved have other jobs that pay their bills. As a result, getting everyone together is often a daunting challenge.

So for some of the pick-ups, Mike the DP and Robert the Director have been cheating the shots. Last week, we needed to get Bjorne the Assistant (Patrick Garvey) coming down a set of stairs, then back up. But Patrick at the time was working in Chicago and unavailable.

Instead, we simply went to Mike's house, put Robert in a pair of black shoes and gray pants, and ran him up and down the basement stairs. Shot from the waist down, we had our 1910 footage of the Assistant on the steps!

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.

Livingston Inn Shoot #1

Yesterday was our first shoot inside the historic Livingston Inn in Madison. The Strindberg's Assistant story involves two different time periods, 1910 and modern day. Both culminate at this Bed and Breakfast

It was a long, intense day of shooting, but by day's end, we'd successfully made it through five different modern-day scenes. Actor Joyce Aasen (below right) plays Agda, a woman who's long dead grandmother is haunting her in her dreams. Grip Ivy Suryana (left) looks on...

Nicholas Wootton (right) plays the modern day Bed and Breakfast owner who's home Agda has been drawn to. Gaffer/Sound Technician Jim Bugge (left) fits Joyce with a lavaliere...

Georgia Curry (right) play Katina, Agda's grandmother as she looked back in 1910...

Michael Haven, Director of Photography...

Tashai handled the script supervisor duties on set...

Robert directed....

Photos by Colin Cameron

We're nearing completion on Strindberg's Assistant. Just a few pick up shots to get this week, then one last all-day shoot at the Bed and Breakfast again next weekend. After that, all principle photography is finished on the project.

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.