06 Jan Blackbox Trainer Crowdfunding Video
On the set of the Blackbox Trainer Crowdfunding video The shoot for the Blackbox Trainer app went quite smoothly compared to previous shoots I’d been involved with in the past. We had everything pretty much set up before any of the talent had showed up, and the shot list all planned out from beginning to end. Once we got everything set up, Christine and myself went about making sure I could pull her around while she worked the camera on the dolly, while Kellie Penna went about contacting the talent and Kenny Horton went about learning how to run the…
05 Jan Moth to Flame’s New Years Resolutions
We are officially a week into 2015, which is about the time statistics say people have already lost momentum towards the resolutions they made on new years day. To avoid falling into this pool, below are some tips to help you reach your goals. Before all steps, write down your top goals and make yourself accountable by sharing it with as many people as you can. In our case, we like to broadcast our most important goals loudly, so that all of you can hold us accountable. Instead of saying what you aren’t going to do, create a list…
30 Dec Filming A Bird’s Nest Short Film by Director of Photography Alex Walker
Director of Photography, Alex Walker talks about filming A Bird’s Nest They say film crews are the ultimate problem solvers. Shortly after Katrina hit NOLA back in 04 I was working on a production when the Key Grip remarked that filmmakers should have been sent instead of FEMA. After the experiences we had shooting A Bird’s Nest, I tend to agree. The script paints a picture of a troubled child who turns to the macabre for his outlet in life. The challenge was to create a sense of understanding between the audience and the anti-hero of the story without betraying…
25 Dec Stop it!!!
Ah the dual nature of stop motion animation… The first side: all the planning, and prepping: It can be anything from sand, to Legos, G.I. Joes, to drawings, to the classic “Claymation”. You spend hours plotting out the story, making the background, each individual frame (if required), and then you finally shoot it. Which, if anyone is wondering, takes several more hours. The second side: you’ve accomplished all this work!!! Then you play the footage……..it lasts 8 seconds. Literally. 8 seconds le sigh That’s it. You might be able to stretch it to 10-12 seconds, 15 if you’re really good….
24 Dec Moth to Flame’s 2014 Holiday Special
This was almost the Holiday Special that was never uploaded, but thanks to the awesome Kellie Penna she got it all done and uploaded. Now here it is for you to view and enjoy. Tomorrow Kellie herself will give you a rundown of all the hard work that went into producing this video.
23 Dec We got a little present for you
….but you’ll have to wait till tomorrow for it. Check back tomorrow at 10am for our brand new holiday special.
18 Dec Throwback Thursday: A Week before Christmas
Here’s a little blast from the past about how a new Santa adjusts to our modern times.
17 Dec Suma & Shreyas – Engagement Photography by Moth to Flame
To be a filmmaker and an entrepreneur means you require a lot of support. Nobody can stay sane and do it alone. One of my dearest friends and former wifey/roommate, Suma Nagmote, is one of these special people to me. Without her, I would be depressed and nowhere close to where I am right now as a filmmaker or as a person. Suma is one of those people whose smile lights up the room. Among all my friends, she is the mom out of the bunch. I am always amazed by all the details she remembers about everyone’s lives because…
15 Dec A Word From The Director of A Bird’s Nest
Director of A Bird’s Nest talks about life On Set… I often tell people that filmmakers are crazy. Only filmmakers will spend hours in the rain and mud, brave poison ivy and spiders, and completely rearrange an entire house in order to get one perfect shot. I am one of those people. For me, the final product is just the icing on the cake. The best part about filmmaking is the process. The time leading up to the final finished product of “A Bird’s Nest” yielded some of my most vivid memories. I can still remember the moment my co-producer,…
12 Dec A Bird’s Nest Producer talks about life on set
A Bird’s Nest producer, Adam Duncan talks about life on set… When I think about “A Bird’s Nest” I feel like a proud parent. Perhaps the proud weird uncle is a better term. I’ve been fortunate enough to see “A Bird’s Nest” grow from the tiniest speck of an idea, and to see it through to a full blown adult sized award winning film. The process was memorable, rewarding and grueling. Christine Chen and I had long discussed our desire to make a festival quality film with gravity, with emotional depth and a strong emphasis on cinematic value. After writing…