Indianapolis - Take II!
Post date: Mar 6, 2011 11:02:19 PM
At the end of January, Director Sean Gaston and FAHS graduate Zach Strine took a second trip to Indianapolis. The primary purpose of this trip was to take additional footage of Frank working on the sculpture, since it had progressed greatly since our last visit in September. Sean and Zach were also able to tie up some additional loose ends and record even more photographs than were documented during the first visit. Below are Zach's thoughts on this experience.
1/28/11
Hey all! Right now I am in Indianapolis doing some production on the Misa's Fugue doc! We
had to come down here to redo some vocal work with the doc's subject, Frank, and shoot some more b-roll.But phew. What a long day. We headed out around 5:30 am. We drove, and drove, and drove, and we finally reached Frank’s house around 3:30.The drive, while long, was quite exciting. The scenery was marvelous. The mountains of western PA and even the flatlands of west Ohio and Indiana were beautiful. Everything was covered in snow and so undisturbed. I had several instances from the Shutter Bug to get out and take a picture, but we were trying to make good time. When we finally made it to Frank’s, we talked a bit about what we were planning on doing and I took it upon myself to take several pictures of the surrounding area. We’re at an inlet of a lake and it’s frozen solid and covered in snow so the view is stunning. I also was able to get some shots of birds and ice. I can’t wait to develop them and see what I got! (During shooting I also took several behind the scenes shots.)
After dinner we began some b-roll shooting. For two hours we did several shots of the sculpture that Frank is working on which is a focal point of the doc. We did several dolly shots (and attempted a “vertigo zoom”…it went okay) and lots of experimental one-light lighting to get some very dark, emotional shots that played with shadows.After that we did some interesting shots of Frank’s grand piano. Then, and now, we are working on scanning several (and I mean several) pictures from Frank’s collection to be included in the film. Since we’re scanning them at a SUPER high resolution (you could easily blow one up and make a wall-poster graphic…thats how high res they are) it is taking quite a long time.Back is killing me from the leaning over and awkward angles I was using to get shots…but all for the love of the film! I am so excited to be a part of this and feel like I am contributing to something truly fantastic. Tomorrow we turn the camera on Frank to get some vocal work done and more shots of him and the sculpture. Onwards and upwards!Excelsior!11:49 pm
1/29/11
Got A LOT done today. We started at 8am. We burned through the entirety of the portions we needed reshot for audio for Frank's interview by 11. It went very smooth. Kinda tedious, but it's always exciting to sit in the 'directors' chair and monitor what's going on. We did some cleanup and some minor computer work with a few remaining images that needed to be scanned.
We breaked for lunch around noon. We took a little siesta after lunch to recharge (and Frank needed a little nap -- which I also took advantageous of and squeezed in 20 mins of shut eye). By 2 o'clock we were rolling again for b-roll with Frank's sculpture he's working on. We
got a lot of interesting shots that played with panning and focusing and close ups of his hands. We also got several awesome shots of the outside and of winter nature before returning in and getting more b-roll of Frank, the sculpture, and sculpture related things. I also took a lot of great pictures.We're heading out tomorrow around 6 tomorrow and I got to say this is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever been a part of in this field. This a wonderful opportunity I've been given and I am highly thankful for it. Not only to work on this film, and bear witness to Frank's story, but to be able to sit in this guy's house and stare at his sculptures that decorate the house in between takes. Or just gaze at the many paintings on his walls. It's the best set an artist could ask for. In retrospect, this trip was amazingly productive. Everything went smoothly. It feels like we've been here a week, but in reality, we just got here last night. And now we're already about to leave in a few short hours!!! We got so much done it's almost unbelievable. This truly was an amazing experience and I am grateful for Sean asking me to come on this trip. From Indianapolis, this is Zach, signing out.
See you in the editing room.
Excelsior!
