The Weather Report - Crowd Scene

Two weeks ago today we shot the "crowd scene" for The Weather Report. Here's a few productions pics from the shoot.

As he exits the building, Don (Odari Kimani) is confronted by news reporter Trudy Webster (Veronica Harper) and a throng of screaming fans, mostly women. Don slips down the steps, past the reporter and her camera operator (Jeff Blankenship), but he isn't as elusive with the waiting mob. His pants, in particular, don't fare too well.

Left: Nicholas Wootton (production manager), Nate Lowe (PA), Ken Wood (grip/sound); Right: Robert Lughai (director), Ivy Suryana (PA/sound).

Michael Haven (cinematographer), Veronica Harper (actor), Jeff Blankenship (key grip and stand-in actor).

On lower steps: Kelly Lajter (script supervisor), Odari Kimani (actor); Far right: Craig Olsen (PA/sound).

Crowd extras.

Far left: Tashai Lovington (Tarazod partner); Holding signs: Portia Genevieve Adney (actor) and Tara Ayres (actor); Hands on hips: Hannah Craig (actor).

Photos courtesy of Colin Cameron.

Addition image courtesy of Kelly Lajter.

Creative Cloud Upgrade

Adobe's new Creative Cloud subscription is not cheap...$50/month. But for current users of CS6, they were offering a 60% discount. The deal, however, was only good until the end of August. It was either get in now or wait quite a while before taking the plunge. We got in.

Already downloaded Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Speedgrade, Audition, and Dreamweaver. More to come.

Our News Team on The Weather Report

In The Weather Report, actor Veronica Harper plays Trudy Webster, an investigative news reporter for the fictitious network affiliate, WYZB TV.

One of our actual crew, Key Grip Jeff Blankenship, stepped in for a few scenes to play Trudy's camera operator. The JVC shoulder camera is real but was used just as a prop in the shots.

A few stills from the parked car scene...

Photos shot by Colin Cameron.

Principle Photography Completed on The Weather Report

The final full day of production on The Weather Report was slated from the beginning to be the most ambitious one yet. Starting at 6:45am yesterday, it took close to twelve hours to complete---with three separate locations, dark barroom shots to bright sun-lit outdoor scenes, a near full cast plus twenty five extras, and around fifty separate setups on the shot list. We even got in a green screen before the day was over.

Yet, the cast and crew once again showed their true colors. They worked fast and efficiently, under time constraints and sometimes in very uncomfortable high temperature conditions, both outside under the sun and inside under lights. We never once heard any complaints or dissension.

The cast and crew showed themselves to be professional and willing to do what it take to make good film. It'd be a pleasure to collaborate with any of them again on future projects.

Call For Extras - Want to be in a Film?

CALL FOR EXTRAS THIS SATURDAY (tomorrow August 24th)!

We need a large crowd of people for a scene in the short comedy film, The Weather Report. We'll take as many bodies as we can get, this Saturday from 8:30-10:30am. Age range: upper teens to senior citizens (no younger children). We mainly need women in the crowd, though some males will be OK too.

Meet at 8:20 am in the parking lot behind the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson St. in Madison. If you'd like to participate, please let us know. It'll be fun! Try not to wear clothing with corporate logos.