Cinematographer Notes

It’s been a struggle this summer.  Usually the winters are bad.  The messed up economy has really put a dent in everyone’s schedules.  From what I hear lots of folks have been hit hard.  I’ve managed however to book 4 new short films for the month of August & September.  Unfortunately no features but I’m guessing it’ll be  a while before anyone has the dough to book me on a month long feature.  It might be that I’m the next director I shoot a feature for.  I hope so anyway as I’ve really enjoyed the past 3 short films I’ve made.

Up next is a short comedy called Honey for Suzanne Guacci, the director of Cycles and Hope & Possibility.  Also shooting a drama for Anthony Nero called Until the End of the World.    I’m shooting another serious dramatic short for  a local director Christian Vogeler whom I met through Westchester Filmmakers.  A meetup group here in Westchester.  I may possibly be shooting a short film called The Dress for another local Westchester production company if they’re able to secure funding.

In other news Sneakers & Soul has finished color correction, a sound mix and a score and is being prepped for our screening on the 29th.  I’m so psyched.  I sat in on the color correction phase with colorist Drew Ravini.  He was definitely a find.  I was a bit nervous about it but once we got to talking my mind was quickly put at ease.  We share a similar sensibility about natural lighting and a realistic look and Drews own experience as a DP contributed to his sensitivity to my input.  It was a very creative and relaxed working environment and Sneakers looks exactly as I wanted it to but better since Drew was able to compensate for all the shortcomings of the HVX camera’s limited dynamic and color range.  Jon Zelanak, the director was looking to bring more color and life to our originally muted look and I was up for it only very cautious.  To me, colorful HD can look be a candy colored trainwreck if it’s not handled with care and Drew helped us hit that balance very well.  I plan on recommending him to productions in the future.

In other news, Drawing With Chalk is opening the Idaho International Film Festival in September.  I am heading out there for the event.  It’s a pretty big festival and last years runner up for best picture was Let the Right One in.   I feel we’re in good company.  It’s being held at the Egyptian Theater in Boise which seats about 1200 people.   The screen is enormous.  I’ll be there a few days early to hand out postcards, put up posters and promote the film around Boise.  I want to help Todd pack the house if we can.  Being the opening night feature, I have a feeling it’ll be pretty full.