Hitting a Dead End
June 30, 2009 at 3:45 pm | Posted in Mike Lavoie | 2 CommentsTags: dead end, when a hero comes along
What would Jason Bourne do?
As Keith struggles to make sense out of mutilated chunks of the Untitled Improv Movie, we are concurrently avoiding the conversation of what exactly we’re shooting this coming weekend. The good news is we know what we’re NOT shooting:
- My “Whiteboard” and “The Proposal” are in varying states of disrepair
- Keith’s “Spirits” takes place largely in a subway station and his “Still Life” roams all around Manhattan; so both are highly dependent on NYC not being a mob scene of tourists and police officers. Clearly, we did not take into account the July 4th weekend when we mapped out the shoot…
- Keith’s sister, Caitlin McEwan, submitted a treatment we both like a lot, but it’s not quite ready to shoot
- Other scripts that were submitted need rewrites, are too long or would blow our budget out of the water (ie: military Command Central, lake house in Seattle, Hospital helipad with a slew of EMTs awaiting a patient, etc.)
Now that that’s perfectly clear, what are we actually doing?
We just did our improv movie and we are planning on making another 24-hour film this fall for the Brooklyn Film Race, so those gimmicks are out. We have a very sexy “secret bar” that we MAY be allowed to use at some point, but it’s unavailable this weekend. We could also do a “one-take” movie, but that’s a gimmick that can tread perilously close to being just a gimmick, and the first priority, as always, should be to make a good movie.
We do have one script that has been sticking in my brain like a thorn, submitted by a friend of James Fauvell’s, Rick Lattimer. It’s an untitled acid trip of a movie that would make Salvador Dalí proud. Moreover, it’s unlike anything we’ve shot yet. Anything I’ve ever shot, in fact.
In action movies, when the hero is stuck in a dead end, he just kicks down the door, or scales the fence, or some deus ex machina rises over the wall behind him in a helicopter and blows away the Nazis with a couple M134 Gatling Guns. Could Rick be the pilot of that chopper?
Stay tuned…
Posted by Mike
Update on the Roadblock
June 30, 2009 at 3:56 am | Posted in Keith Boynton | 2 CommentsIt’s now almost 4 AM. In the past four hours, Joe and I managed to repair only two of the broken clips. The rest have stubbornly resisted all our efforts, but at least Joe was able to figure out why. To make the two-camera shoot possible, Joe rented a camera from a friend, and that camera had a glitch that affected both its shooting and its footage-capturing. The footage captured using the defective camera is fixable; the footage shot on that camera is not, at least not with the equipment we have. Joe’s going to see if he can get access to a professional editing suite in the next couple of days; if he can, he should be able to recapture all the affected footage. In the meantime, I’m going to blaze ahead with the editing, using the broken-up clips I have. Who knows? Maybe having fewer options will help me stay disciplined. Maybe the movie will actually benefit from this FUBAR situation. One can only hope …
Posted by Keith
Roadblocks
June 30, 2009 at 2:03 am | Posted in Keith Boynton | 1 CommentTags: editing, Final Cut Pro, frustration, post-production, rage, stress
I don't look like this. But I feel like this.
As I write this, “Improv Movie” cinematographer Giuseppe “Joe” Pugliese is seated across from me at my dining-room table, recapturing a tape full of footage for the third time. It’s 2 AM on Tuesday. The movie has to be up Friday morning. And two hours’ worth of footage is being chopped into mincemeat as we digitize it, leaving it, if not unusable, then maddeningly flawed.
I’m sure in a few days, I’ll look back on tonight and laugh. In a few weeks, I’ll be telling the story to anyone who’ll listen. But right now, this is a massively frustrating roadblock in an editing process that I was worried about to begin with.
I have to say, Joe’s being great about it. He came out here from Long Island just to work on this problem, and he’s remained cheerful as the situation has evolved from “annoying” to “borderline disastrous.” Two hours after his arrival, we’re basically back where we started. I’m tempted to give up and try to cut around the problem, but Joe perseveres.
The good news: I’ve nailed down a composer for this film — my old friend Michael Rhoton (professionally Michael Redfield), who starred in the first movie I ever directed (the ill-fated Miles), and who is an absolutely stunning musician (and new father, and cool guy). Michael will do an amazing job, on any timeframe, because he is amazing.
Not just a pretty face. But SUCH a pretty face.
The bad news: I have no idea how to edit a movie where every take is a different script.
The weird news: I have put together a rough cut of the dialogue-free portion of the film — the last “act,” basically — and the running time is already up to four minutes. This may end up being a long one, folks. That is, if it ever gets done …
Posted by a very frazzled Keith
Inside 12in12: Sumi Lee
June 29, 2009 at 7:00 pm | Posted in Mike Lavoie | 3 CommentsTags: indentured servitude, summer fun, thankless labor
Sumi Lee entered my life the afternoon of May 23rd, 2009, via email, the portal through which most people enter my life these days. Sumi went to the same high school as James, Keith, and Robb (Keith told her to email me; I am our “Staffing Department”) and she later attended my alma mater, Georgetown, where she was a friend of a friend of our very own Art “the Jogger” Chan.
She wrote me, “I have no real filmmaking or on-set experience really, but I do write poetry on the side and am fascinated by the art of storytelling.” And by golly, that is more than enough. We exchanged five emails and a few days later she showed up at 378 Bond St at 8AM ready to work. She became our go-to “Second Assistant Camera,” or “slate person.”
Sumi Week One: Ready to Take Command
Sumi Week Two: She took only one break in the past 5 weeks and this was it
After Week Two, Sumi asked if she could help out more. So Keith, James and I invited her to sit in on a production meeting. Little did we know it would be an uncharacteristically volatile production meeting, full of four-letter words, accusations, raised voices and even some slamming of fists on our dining room table (that would be me). Sumi sat placidly through this entire affair and when a moment of silence finally came she sighed, “You boys are ridiculous.” She calmly and diplomatically pointed out what each side was feeling, and saying, and why. We quietly moved on after she had said her piece, and looking back on that moment, she may have saved the entire project.
Sumi Week Three: Sumi and Art the Jogger: A Perfect Match!
Even when she was unable to help out all day, as for Week Three’s Sublet, she still showed up in the morning to represent and even swung by later in the day to drop off cookies and brownies. Sumi, like Tom, does not get a glamorous title or screen time or much more of a reward than coffee, a bagel, and a big hug at the end of the day, but without her we would be lost.
Sumi Week Five: Even 378's dingy basement cannot dampen Sumi's spirit
Sumi Lee, 12 in 12 salutes you!
Posted by Mike
Photos from Improv Movie Shoot!
June 28, 2009 at 8:11 pm | Posted in Keith Boynton | 2 CommentsTags: basements, behind the scenes, filmmaking, photographs
Yesterday’s shoot was a wonderful and bizarre experience. It’s hard to describe why, exactly, but here are a few contributing factors:
- We didn’t have a script or a shot list.
- There were four men on the set, and seven women — an absolutely unheard-of ratio for a film set.
- We spent roughly ten of the shoot’s twelve hours in a dingy basement with a five-foot ceiling.
- When we emerged for our dinner break, we were greeted by a huge, unbroken rainbow stretching out across Brooklyn — a moment of surreal beauty that, for a few brief seconds, eclipsed even our eagerness for pizza.
- It’s a really weird movie we were shooting.
- Making films is weird anyway.
Somehow, all of this strangeness added up to a ridiculously enjoyable experience. I have no idea how the movie is going to turn out — I could literally make hundreds of different versions using the footage we got — but if it winds up being half as oddly perfect as the shoot, we’ll really have something. One thing’s for sure: this film is going to be different from any other 12in12 movie so far. Different, in fact, from any film I’ve ever been involved in. And that in itself is probably a good thing.
Enjoy the photos! Behind-the-scenes video will be up in a day or two.
Actor/director conference in a strange locale.
PA Dylan Bandy (of "Sublet" fame) cuffs Mike with eerie facility.
Sound man Kevin Adams is too tall.
Actress Angela Perri, director Keith Boynton, and cinematographer Giuseppe Pugliese crouch and crane to see the shot.
A woman-heavy crew! Keith is not complaining.
Actor James Creque (in costume) and director Keith Boynton rig up the rear of Keith's Volvo for the "car dolly" shot.
Actors James Creque and Angela Perri support each other.
Mike really banged his head! Watch the film to see it happen.
Gathered around the light...
Posted by Keith
The Seat of our Proverbial Pants
June 27, 2009 at 10:28 am | Posted in Keith Boynton | 1 CommentTags: dread, handcuffs, improvisation, spontaneity
Shooting on The Improv Movie begins in about two hours. We hired our DP yesterday. We’re still not sure who our second camera operator* will be. So far, almost everything about this particular shoot has been done in a spirit of improvisation. Which is great! Or perhaps very, very bad. We’ll know in a few days.
I did go on a prop run yesterday, and had Sumi pick up a few items as well. 10-foot lengths of chain? Check. Fuzzy handcuffs? Check. Baby monitor? Check. And now I’m off to buy the nail file! I hope you’re now as intrigued to see this movie as I am …
Wish us luck! Wish us brilliance! I fear we may need both.
Posted by Keith
*We need two cameras because the dialogue’s going to be improvised, and if we miss something, it’s gone for good.
Film #4 — “After Perfect” — is Live and Ready to Jive!
June 26, 2009 at 7:38 am | Posted in Keith Boynton | 6 CommentsTags: film premiere, new movie, perfection, short films
Update: we’ve uploaded a new version of the movie, with slightly louder audio and slightly warmer images. It’s the same movie — just hopefully a little more viewer-friendly!
It’s been another long, short week here at 12in12 headquarters, but as usual, we have something to show for it. Our latest effort, “After Perfect,” is below. Enjoy!
In some ways, “After Perfect” is the riskiest film we’ve done so far. Because of its extreme simplicity — one location, one scene, two actors, practically all talk — it depends almost entirely on the strength of the performances. Working in our favor: Genevieve Kolve and Mike Lavoie, who are not only skilled actors, but surpassingly attractive human beings. I think most red-blooded folks could watch this movie with the sound off and still get something out of it.
With this post, we conclude the first third of our all-consuming project, and this seems as good a time as any to thank you all for your continued interest and support. Your enjoyment is the carrot we dangle before us, and your disapproval is the stick that we thrash ourselves with. Without you, there is no project, or at any rate no point. So thank you. We hope you enjoy our new film. And please, please let us know your thoughts. We’re artists! We crave attention! But we also crave honesty, so don’t spare the rod.
The Untitled Improv Project starts shooting tomorrow. Wish us luck!
Posted by Keith
“Improv Movie” Cast Announced!
June 25, 2009 at 2:02 pm | Posted in Keith Boynton | Leave a commentTags: casting, improvisation, the seat of our pants, upright citizens brigade
Two days ago, we announced that this weekend’s shoot would be our first foray into improvisational territory. Since then, we have wasted no time in assembling a crack team of improvisers, all of whom will look eerily familiar to those of you who have seen “The Queen Bee of Mushroomtown.”
(For those of you who haven’t seen “The Queen Bee of Mushroomtown,” I strongly encourage it. It’s a big part of the inspiration behind this project, and it’s pretty fun and pretty unique, and the rest of this post will make more a little more sense if you’ve watched it.)
First off, we have Mike Lavoie, the face of 12in12, whose immaculate bone structure has already graced “Old Love” and the upcoming “After Perfect.” Mike has trained in improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, which also boasts such illustrious alumni as Rob Riggle, Bobby Moynihan, Keith Boynton, and Brian Testa.
A totally candid photograph.
Next up, we have Angela Perri, the only human being on Earth who is better-looking than Mike. Angela has also trained in improv, but I haven’t pressed her about the details. A lady’s gotta have some mystery, after all.
Jaunty.
Angela joins us fresh from her triumphant appearance in “Shelter,” a play written by James Fauvell (the Dock Guy from “Queen Bee”) and directed by James “Guess I’m Gay” Creque. And speaking of James Creque …
A genial scholar.
Rounding out the cast we have James Creque, gentleman actor and Jack-of-all-trades. James has no formal improv training, but if you’ve seen him work the room at O’Flaherty’s on Restaurant Row, you’ll understand why I’m not worried.
And, returning to the director’s chair after a two-week-long hiatus, we have me. It’s odd to say, but it really does feel like a long time since I’ve had the chance to direct. And I’ve missed it. And I’m excited to dive into the fray again — especially with this talented group of actors (and friends) by my side.
Also exciting: I’ve got the ending all worked out! Now if only I can get these damn talented actors to play ball and get us there …
(“But wait a minute!” you may say. “How can it be an improvised movie if you’ve worked out the ending?” Well, the dialogue will be improvised. And the ending will change if the dialogue seems to demand it. And also, WHO ARE YOU TO QUESTION ME????)
Stay tuned for more madness! “After Perfect” is up tomorrow.
Posted by Keith
More Behind the Scenes! “After Perfect”
June 24, 2009 at 11:47 pm | Posted in Mike Lavoie | Leave a commentTags: assault, cat sounds, flakes
Genevieve makes funny noises, Genevieve assaults Mike, and we prove flaky artists cannot troubleshoot. All that and the Mike Lavoie Show! What more could you ask for?
Posted by the Mike Lavoie Show
An Embarrassment of Riches
June 24, 2009 at 4:15 pm | Posted in Keith Boynton | Leave a comment
An interesting milestone has been reached for 12in12, and we were all too busy to notice it.
In the weeks leading up to this project, we were scrambling to come up with as many scripts as possible. I had Mike put me on a deadline (it’s the only way I work), Mike dug through his treasure trove of old material in search of re-workable stuff, and we eagerly accepted submissions from any friend or acquaintance with word-processing software and a story to tell. We were desperate for scripts – not because we were afraid we wouldn’t have enough, but because we didn’t want to be in the position of greenlighting something mediocre out of the sheer need to fill a slot. Our early production meetings were less about “What scripts do we love?” than they were about “What scripts are ready?” Pragmatic considerations (“Can we do this in a week?”) and concern about variety (“Is it too much like X?”) had their place as well.
Now, as we near the end of Week Four and start looking ahead to Semester Two, it’s a very different dilemma we confront. Suddenly, we’re faced with a glut of promising projects at various stages of development – as well as a glut of exciting collaborators we’d like to have a chance to work with. Simply put, we’re not going to be able to do it all. There are going to be scripts and script concepts that we like a great deal but end up having no time for. There are going to be some tough decisions, maybe some heated discussions, and even a certain degree of heartbreak.
And that’s sort of wonderful.
Riches. (I tried to find a complementary picture of Mike looking embarrassed, but there isn't one.)
Here’s a brief (and incomplete) rundown of what’s on the radar for weeks 7 through 12. Please note: this is not a list of the best scripts we have. These are the ones we like that we think we can actually do.
- “The Proposal” – A Mike Lavoie script (with a sprawling cast) about love, art, and disappointment. In need of a new title since Sandra Bullock stole our thunder.
- “Spirits” — A dialogue-free story about unlikely connections in the course of a New York night, written by Keith Boynton (me).
- “Whiteboard” — Another Lavoie offering, bumped from Semester One but still very much on the radar. A boy/girl story with a distinctly surreal flavor.
- “La Pilule” (“The Pill”) — Sweet, sexy, bilingual love story by Zach Rudes.
- “The Try-Out” – Written by me as a vehicle for Lavoie, this film consists of a very unorthodox dinner date.
- “Untitled Caitlin McEwan Project” — Written by Caitlin McEwan. Whimsical parable with a “meta” twist.
And then there’s the potential collaboration with animator Helene Park, and the script I want to write set in that cool bar we might be able to use, and Mike’s “Old Love” sequel (“New Love,” natch), and the one-take movie no one’s managed to write yet, and any other script that might be submitted between now and our big July 6th production meeting.
And make no mistake: WE WANT MORE SCRIPTS. Nothing I’ve said above should dissuade you from writing something, or sending on something you’ve already written. We cannot possibly have too much good material. If we love your script, we will produce it — if not this summer, then after we’ve recovered from this summer.
(That is, around December 2010.)
Posted by Keith
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