Vroula worked her make-up magic on Edith (she is really 29, or at least that's how I remember her). The crew created a great set in Joe Mangelli's guest room for the nursing home scene. While waiting for it to get dark to start the shoot, crew members sat around talking about films and eating pizza. It was a smooth shoot. Edith looked like a pro.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
EDITH
Vroula worked her make-up magic on Edith (she is really 29, or at least that's how I remember her). The crew created a great set in Joe Mangelli's guest room for the nursing home scene. While waiting for it to get dark to start the shoot, crew members sat around talking about films and eating pizza. It was a smooth shoot. Edith looked like a pro.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
HOT SET
Everybody learned the meaning of the phrase, "hot set" today, but after it was too late. The Director of Photography had placed this handwritten sign on the dining room table, just after morning filming had been completed, and just as we were all breaking for another of Annette's delicious lunches.
When we saw the note we thought it was a form of encouragement, such as, "you folks are HOT today." But it turned out that this was not the case at all; rather, it was meant as an admonition to not touch or change anything in the shooting area since the set had to appear exactly as it had in the morning for the filming that was to commence in the afternoon. Not understanding, a couple of us plopped ourselves down at the table on the set, turned off the lights ( it was a warm day), and generally shoved stuff around to make room for our food before hunkering down on the most delicious chicken and rice we ever had. We were ready for seconds before we understood what we had done....
Everybody learned the meaning of the phrase, "hot set" today, but after it was too late. The Director of Photography had placed this handwritten sign on the dining room table, just after morning filming had been completed, and just as we were all breaking for another of Annette's delicious lunches.
When we saw the note we thought it was a form of encouragement, such as, "you folks are HOT today." But it turned out that this was not the case at all; rather, it was meant as an admonition to not touch or change anything in the shooting area since the set had to appear exactly as it had in the morning for the filming that was to commence in the afternoon. Not understanding, a couple of us plopped ourselves down at the table on the set, turned off the lights ( it was a warm day), and generally shoved stuff around to make room for our food before hunkering down on the most delicious chicken and rice we ever had. We were ready for seconds before we understood what we had done....
Saturday, October 24, 2009
THE CRAP SHOOT
The cast and crew were involved in the filming of what's come to be known on our San Jose set as "the crap shoot." And we do mean crap; simulated dog excrement, to be exact. Truly we were dealing with a stiff dollop or two of chocolate on a hardwood floor, and therein lay the problem: chocolate masquerading as dog doo.
It all started with the filming of the Bernice character, as she unknowingly steps into Fidel's fecal matter. The scene went something like this: first there's Bernice, then her fateful step, then the look of surprise and disgust on her face, and finally there's our dog, who must dash across the room ahead of her as she calls out.
First off, it was a challenge to keep Fidel from eating, or at least sniffing, what was supposed to be his character's dog poop. Then there was the matter of getting him to trot across the floor and exit head on into the frame (instead of rushing off to the side, where he was lost to the camera, which he was inclined to do, over and over). In the end it took at least two crew members and one actor to get our pup to cross the room straight into the camera, do not pass go, do not collect a hundred dollars, do not lick chocolate. But it got done, after who knows how many takes.
All involved were rewarded with the most wonderful lunch, made by the sister-in-law of one of the writers. But so far she wouldn't let us take a head shot of her for this website, even though she took care of the entire cast and crew by preparing, delivering and serving the most delicious gourmet meal. Thank you, Annette Morrison-Politeo, we'll get you on our website yet!
And we won't forget the acting that day. Bernice and Benny really have great chemistry, and the scenes between them were revealing and compelling. It's happening!
Screenplay writer Joe Mangelli enjoys a moment between scenes with favorite daughter "Bernice" and co-star "Benny" in the background.
The cast and crew were involved in the filming of what's come to be known on our San Jose set as "the crap shoot." And we do mean crap; simulated dog excrement, to be exact. Truly we were dealing with a stiff dollop or two of chocolate on a hardwood floor, and therein lay the problem: chocolate masquerading as dog doo.
It all started with the filming of the Bernice character, as she unknowingly steps into Fidel's fecal matter. The scene went something like this: first there's Bernice, then her fateful step, then the look of surprise and disgust on her face, and finally there's our dog, who must dash across the room ahead of her as she calls out.
First off, it was a challenge to keep Fidel from eating, or at least sniffing, what was supposed to be his character's dog poop. Then there was the matter of getting him to trot across the floor and exit head on into the frame (instead of rushing off to the side, where he was lost to the camera, which he was inclined to do, over and over). In the end it took at least two crew members and one actor to get our pup to cross the room straight into the camera, do not pass go, do not collect a hundred dollars, do not lick chocolate. But it got done, after who knows how many takes. All involved were rewarded with the most wonderful lunch, made by the sister-in-law of one of the writers. But so far she wouldn't let us take a head shot of her for this website, even though she took care of the entire cast and crew by preparing, delivering and serving the most delicious gourmet meal. Thank you, Annette Morrison-Politeo, we'll get you on our website yet!
And we won't forget the acting that day. Bernice and Benny really have great chemistry, and the scenes between them were revealing and compelling. It's happening!Screenplay writer Joe Mangelli enjoys a moment between scenes with favorite daughter "Bernice" and co-star "Benny" in the background.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Oct. 11th Shoot on The Alameda
Today we did location shooting on the Alameda. Since somebody forgot dry ice, the ice cream cone scene with Benny and Lester was tricky. It’s lucky Joe Mangelli brought a half gallon of it because several scoops had to be placed on that cone before the thing was done. I don
’t know how much our dog licked off the pavement, but he definitely made mop up easier at the end of the day.
The Alameda shots will be good, everyone thinks. It’s a gritty but charming old section of the city; we were filming the area near the Towne Theater and Hester School, and using the underground crosswalk there to do some violent scenes and atmospheric shots. Our make-up person had to make Benny
look pretty beat up, and she did. Between her work and what the day took out of him, the character’s injuries were better than plausible.
’t know how much our dog licked off the pavement, but he definitely made mop up easier at the end of the day.The Alameda shots will be good, everyone thinks. It’s a gritty but charming old section of the city; we were filming the area near the Towne Theater and Hester School, and using the underground crosswalk there to do some violent scenes and atmospheric shots. Our make-up person had to make Benny
look pretty beat up, and she did. Between her work and what the day took out of him, the character’s injuries were better than plausible.
By 5 p.m. everybody was exhausted, as most had been on the shoot for more than 7 hours. Cast and crew said Fidel was the best thing about that day because people took turns walking and watering him. He provided an escape from the grind of such a long shoot. Viva Fidel!
Oct. 10 shoot
October 10, 2009
Today was the first day of shooting. The scene we were doing involved the antagonist, Lester, and the dog, Fidel. We shot it in Joe Izzo’s garage and it went as might have been predicted given that it was the first time the crew had ever worked together. Interesting.
Just five minutes into it the wife of one of the writers- she was doubling as a wrangler for the dog- had to be kicked off the set. And the wardrobe lady too. Their sighing laughs had been picked up by the sound man. They were laughing at the scene with Lester and the dog, though no one else seemed to be having a hard time containing themselves.
On the third or fourth take of the scene, the dog got bored with the cheese
that Lester was using to tempt him into the frame. He just froze for 10 seconds and then sat on his ass. The wrangler, who by then had been forgiven, had to go get him something more fragrant to eat. He was back in the frame then, and the scene was completed.
Then there was the challenge of working at a location that is just a block away from the county hospital. Plus, Moorpark Ave. is an artery to two major freeways- 280 downtown one way, and 280 to San Francisco the other. The sound guy had his work cut out for him, but then so did everybody else. First days are tough everywhere. We are optimistic.
Today was the first day of shooting. The scene we were doing involved the antagonist, Lester, and the dog, Fidel. We shot it in Joe Izzo’s garage and it went as might have been predicted given that it was the first time the crew had ever worked together. Interesting.
Just five minutes into it the wife of one of the writers- she was doubling as a wrangler for the dog- had to be kicked off the set. And the wardrobe lady too. Their sighing laughs had been picked up by the sound man. They were laughing at the scene with Lester and the dog, though no one else seemed to be having a hard time containing themselves.
On the third or fourth take of the scene, the dog got bored with the cheese
that Lester was using to tempt him into the frame. He just froze for 10 seconds and then sat on his ass. The wrangler, who by then had been forgiven, had to go get him something more fragrant to eat. He was back in the frame then, and the scene was completed.Then there was the challenge of working at a location that is just a block away from the county hospital. Plus, Moorpark Ave. is an artery to two major freeways- 280 downtown one way, and 280 to San Francisco the other. The sound guy had his work cut out for him, but then so did everybody else. First days are tough everywhere. We are optimistic.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
10/11/09 - Shoot on the Alameda
More photos - the ice cream scene. Stavroula did an amazing job with make up! Check it out... http://www.unclelouiethemovie.com/10112009shoot/slideshow
--Susan
10/10/09 - First Shoot with Cast - Fidel and Lester
Here are some photos of the first shoot with cast and sound crew.
http://www.unclelouiethemovie.com/10102009shoot/slideshow
--Susan
http://www.unclelouiethemovie.com/10102009shoot/slideshow
--Susan
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
First Cast and Crew Meeting
Here's a few photos from our first meeting.
http://www.unclelouiethemovie.com/castparty/photogallery/
Cheers,
Susan
http://www.unclelouiethemovie.com/castparty/photogallery/
Cheers,
Susan
Monday, October 5, 2009
Uncle Louie Cast/Crew meeting
The first meeting of the cast and crew of the soon-to-be shot film, Uncle Louie, was held on Friday, October 2nd, at the home of the film's co-writer, Joe Izzo. Nearly all of the members of the film company were present that evening, including Nick D'Arpino, who plays the title role. Most of those in attendance were meeting for the first time, and while hunkering down on pizza and salad set out on paper plates, asked the writers (Joe Mangelli and Joe Izzo), and the director (Allen Russell), questions about the project.
Since most of the film's cast consists of non-actors, there was anxiety in the air about what the creators expected of inexperienced people. Not to worry, said the writers and director, the use of non-actors in low-budget films is a practice with a proud tradition, one that has produced many examples of great cinema, from the silent era on.
Also in attendance were those individuals doing sound and music for the film (James Bruseau and Chad Lieker). Still photographer and webpage creator Susan Senter documented the evening with her camera, and took headshots of company members prior to their departure.
The evening was productive on many fronts, not least for the opportunity it afforded the cast and crew to do the practical: collect and exchange contact information and availability. Perhaps most useful, for those who attempted it, was the time spent discussing the script, reading aloud from it in small groups, and confessing to hopes and fears about the days ahead.
Out of this first meeting came as many questions as answers. In response to a question about whether Uncle Louie was conceived as a drama or a comedy, the Director, Allen Russell, replied "yes."
Since most of the film's cast consists of non-actors, there was anxiety in the air about what the creators expected of inexperienced people. Not to worry, said the writers and director, the use of non-actors in low-budget films is a practice with a proud tradition, one that has produced many examples of great cinema, from the silent era on.
Also in attendance were those individuals doing sound and music for the film (James Bruseau and Chad Lieker). Still photographer and webpage creator Susan Senter documented the evening with her camera, and took headshots of company members prior to their departure.
The evening was productive on many fronts, not least for the opportunity it afforded the cast and crew to do the practical: collect and exchange contact information and availability. Perhaps most useful, for those who attempted it, was the time spent discussing the script, reading aloud from it in small groups, and confessing to hopes and fears about the days ahead.
Out of this first meeting came as many questions as answers. In response to a question about whether Uncle Louie was conceived as a drama or a comedy, the Director, Allen Russell, replied "yes."
Friday, October 2, 2009
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