Great day shooting w/Adam LaRoche 1st base - Washington Nationals--Contributed by FBS Grad Swany Swan

Met my hero today, Kevin Smith I told him "Clerks" was a big inspiration and his response... Thanks, I'm just a big guy!--Contributed by FBS Grad Quinton Macari

Back in Dubai, here's the view from my room in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel! Quite a shock to the system after 4 weeks on Socotra.---Contributed by Cinematographer James Neihouse on location shooting IMAX

Not only am I lighting the set, and best boying the movie, but now I get to achieve another life goal. I am now the Sarah Silverman stand in. living the dream--FBS Grad Wes Alley

Film Crew Slang

Run Over- When a film  falls behind schedule and additional days are required to finish shooting the film is said to run over. It can cause problems because of actor availability or budgetary concerns.

Freaked me out a little at a traffic light---Cinematographer Rob Tuscani

Film Crew Slang

Second Unit: A photographic team that shoots scenes which do not involve the principal cast, such as stunts, establishing shots, car chase etc.

Friends Pics

Cops in Beverly Hills don't mess around. AR-15 mounted to the back of the motorcycle.--Contributed by FBS Grad Brent Martin

Well, this just happened----Contributed by cinematographer Kenny Beuamont

Dialogue Greatness

"Dumb & Dumber" (1994)
Harry: According to the map we've only gone 4 inches.

Pick of the Week

"Kitten With a Whip"(1964)- A pre-Viva Las Vegas Anne-Margaret is a seductive teen delinquent on the run. She holes up with a Senator (John Forsythe, the voice of Charlie in the original Charlie's Angels t.v. series) and threatens to cry rape if he turns her in.

Best Scene- Kitten lays down the law and takes over. The ever so stunning Anne-Margaret seethes with anger, sexual tension and a sadistic pleasure in making the Senator realize he's caught in her trap. In the background a t.v. set shows a cartoon of a cat stalking a mouse.

This pic is hilarious already, but here is the back story:

The fella in the white doesn't know Tom hanks, never met never will

Tom was sitting at the bar with his friend having a few beers, when he noticed this guy passed out, he went over to see if he was ok noticed the guys mobile phone was on the table shot off a few pics and left the guy passed out and put the phone in the guys pocket-------Contributed by FBS Grad Jeremy P. Hyatt

Freind's Pics

Shooting Italian Vogue today with Friends---Photographer Leo Jaramillo

Production Meeting Tips

Planning on shooting your own film or project? Here are some tips for Production Meetings courtesy of SPFX Artist Dan Ankoviak.

1. If you have nothing to SHOW, you have nothing to DISCUSS.

Why?  Conversation is vapor.  Images are negotiable currency.  The best verbal description you can give is still mostly hot air.  Always provide pictures.

2. Don’t NOT make storyboards.

Why not just say “make storyboards”?  That’s too easy to take for granted, like the boards themselves.  They are so basic, so elementary; they may seem like an unnecessary use of time.  Don’t fall into this trap!   Always make storyboards.

3. Discussions aren’t decisions.

Simply talking about issues doesn’t constructively address those issues.  In production meetings, assign specific tasks to specific people before moving on to other topics.  This way each person leaves the meeting with goals and a schedule, and hopefully begins the next with real solutions.  If you leave a meeting without new (or revised) goals, you’re already behind on the next task.

4. If it can’t be done well, don’t put it in.

Picture the last step of a process, whether it’s the scenic treatment of a set wall or the final composite of an FX shot.  If it’s not something you have experience with, start practicing right away.  It may sound easy to do, but is usually harder to do well than you think.

5. Seek approval.

If you feel you’ve reached a decision about something, communicate it to the next level up.  Proceeding without approval is sneaky (which isn’t always bad), but could derail the plans of other crews (which is always bad). 

6. Take notes.

Expect a lot from your brain, but take notes during meetings.  Ideas and plans are tossed around like laundry, and notes are your best tool for sorting out and regrouping.  Choosing to remember is choosing to forget.

7. Don’t take “yes” for an answer.

What?  If you ask broad questions, like “Do you have everything you need”, you may get a simple yes in response.  If you ask more pointed questions, you’re likely to discover there are “no’s” just under the surface.  Try something like “Do you have the gels you need for that shoot and what are they?”

8. Have a backup plan.

If you’ve made an educated decision about any procedure, then you have already considered other possibilities.  Keep the next best one in mind, or better yet, on paper.  Locations fall through at the last minute, actors get sick, and miniatures get run over.

9. Network.

Familiarize yourself with the local talent pool.  Your school or community very likely includes other individuals like yourself, who would show their talent if they only had a focus.  Your film projects can provide that and help establish long working relationships.

10. You are PAYING to do this job.

Don’t worry about offending people on your crew, by making sure they do their jobs.  All students have invested in their film projects, and have a right to expect the crew to do their part.  One of your goals is to leave with a portfolio that shows your skill.  If that’s not what you leave the school with, see point number 1. 

Crazy stuff. This huge rig and all this special effects, for a fake shot of the inside of someones esophagus with the camera shooting the point of view of a pill being eaten...Contributed by FBS grad Wes Alley

Film Crew Slang

Last Man- phrase that refers to the last person to get their food at lunch; usually used because lunch should not officially start until the last man has gone through the catering line. It ensures that everyone gets an equal amount of time to eat. Production and AD departments will monitor this and record the exact time on the Daily Production Report.

Daily Production Report-The form filled out each day of production for a movie, television show, commercial, music video etc. summarizing what occurred that day. There is no standard template. Each production has their own template usually created by an Assistant Director.

You know you're a huge film nerd when... You are geeking out by being in the same room as the gun that was built for and used by Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans. It's the top one. Holy. Awesomeness.----Contributed by FBS graduate Nikki Willson

Pick of the Week

"The Party" (1968)- Peter Sellers at his best in another Blake Edwards film. Hrundi V. Bakshi (Sellers) a stage actor from New Dehli is cast in the big Hollywood film "Son of Gunga Din". In that special Peter Sellers way, he manages to destroy the most expensive set on the Picture. The head honcho immediately orders him fired. Through a clerk's error he is instead accidentally invited to an exclusive Hollywood party at the film executive's mansion. Sellers and Edwards teamed with their "Pink Panther" composer Henry Mancini to rip the swingin' Hollywood party scene to shreds.

Best scene: There are so many great "bits" it's tough to nail down the best. I will name two:
First----"The White Shoe". On his arrival at the party, Hrundi's (Sellers) white shoe is dirty. He attempts to clean it by dipping it in a fountain that flows throughout the house. 
Next----Socially uncomfortable at the party, Hrundi has  a conversation with"Birdie Num Num", the studio exec's parrot. 
Much of Seller's performance is without dialogue. Hrundi doesn't want to draw attention. It's amazing to see him in silent mode. We are used to the bumbling words & actions of Inspector Clouseau. Or the multiple characters in Dr. Strangelove. In contrast, Hrundi is subtle, extremely self-conscious and has a true sense of humor. He messes with socially savvy people in his own "innocent" but  purposeful way. Is there a social message? You decide for yourself. Maybe see "Gunga Din" (1939).
Even if you don't ever choose to watch "The Party", I suggest that you Google "Birdie Num Num" and "Peter Sellers The White Shoe" to watch these scenes.

Film Crew Slang

Base Camp- A movie crew can have anywhere between 20 and 150 people. It moves around much like an army. Base camp is the main area at a location where all activity is based. It houses the cars, trucks, extra equipment, makeup trailer etc. A little farther down the street you will find the set.

Libra head on 50' Technocrane for my two shoots last week--James Neihouse

10 Best Opening Shots In Cinema History
WhatCulture!
The opening shot of a film is, just like the closing shot, one of the most
important to get right, because while the final shot leaves the viewer with
a lasting impression, the opening shot can be a way to grip viewers and let
them know what they're ...
<http://whatculture.com/film/10-best-opening-shots-in-cinema-history.php>