Go Go Power Rangers!

I FINALLY HAVE THE MISSING PIECE OF THE PUZZLE – hurrah! I can now breathe a sigh of relief as the part of Sean was finally cast this afternoon with none other than the green Power Ranger himself – Milo Cawthorne! His screen test (along with about 8 others) came in and after watching them all there was no doubt in my mind that he was Sean. The poor guy got the news around 5pm today, flies here tomorrow and starts shooting Sunday (eek)! He is young though so should be able to handle it right? He is a Power Ranger after all!

Anyhow, it has been quite a hectic day (in fact it is still going – it is currently 8pm and I have yet to start on my shot list nor finalizing the photos needed of the albums). I digress – the day started at 8am with a last look at my locations with my cinematographer (James), my assistant director (Joe), my production manager (Gary), my production designer (Ken) and good old location manager (Daz).

I was a little nervous as I had mentally prepared myself for what I thought was going to be a day of people telling me “no” and “cut it”. My script had been sent off to be timed and came back at 3mins 33 seconds (aka 33 seconds too long and that was without credits) and that added to me being over budget was just a lot of bad news. Nevertheless, today ended up being GREAT, as I had always said that my script looks like it runs long, but because all the shots and sequences happen so quickly it is in fact the right length. After going over what I wanted, looking at shot options, discussing editing etc… both Joe and James were on the same page as me and had my back (yay team “c” as they are calling us)! Don’t get me wrong – we are on a VERY TIGHT rope and should anything go wrong (which it probably will) we are going to have to start cutting shots so I guess we will just have to wait and see.

It was then back to the office where I sent some ideas and work off to Park Road Post to my editor Jonno. I had a conference call with my post team last night and we had discussed maybe using a clip of aerial stock footage in the montage sequence and he may need to change the color of the car. Seeing as my post is so straight forward, he said that it should not be a problem so we shall see. We also discussed the look that I am going for (super saturated colors, with a bit of a faded look – its called Bleach Bypass and is what was used in such movies as “Delicatessen”, “Saving Private Ryan”, “Se7en” and “Fight Club”). Apparently because we are shooting on the RED camera, this is just a matter of adding a filter and playing with it in the film timing – cant wait to see it all!

Anyhow, then it was off to meet Ken at his warehouse again to look at the signage that is being used as the opening credit sequence and to choose photo albums. The signage looks GREAT (its really bringing everything to life) and the photo albums are going to work out really well…

Now I must get back to work but also wanted to let you know that on the scout today I DID NOT BREAK OUT INTO A HUMAN HIVE! Hurrah! Yippee! I covered every inch of myself and wore wrap around sunglasses. Then when I got back to the car, I wiped myself down with wet wipes, took eye drops and it was all-good! I think it must have something to do with all the good “Anti Allergy” vibes everyone has been sending – THANK YOU!!

Budget Shmudget - right?

I have been told that I am over budget (nooooo!), the hard thing is that I am not allowed to see the budget so don't know where I can trim in order to keep what is truly important to me.

Anyhow, I have decided to ignore the problem (probably not the best idea) and concentrate on my tasks at hand. These consisted of choosing the two hero cars for Nanna and Granny. I was sent choices from the Wanaka Car Museum, which is a few hours away – WHAT AMAZING CHOICES! I chose 2 great vintage NZ cars that look quite similar...

What is great is that Nanna’s car is the same colors as the Vespa that Sean will pull up on! Could not have worked out better! Now we just need James’s car and we will have all picture cars locked!

Most of my day was actually spent listening to Kiwi music (Gary was kind enough to put about 700 songs on his iPod for me to listen too as possible options for my montage sequence). So whilst I listen, I was combing through thousands of photos on the NZ Tourism Stock library for ones that we can use to green screen James and Sean into for the photo albums.

What I thought would be a fairly easy task is in fact quite complicated (it has taken me all day – agh!). I think that we almost have it under control which is great – we have a post production conference call at 8pm tonight to discuss weather or not it would be cheaper/ better to cheat it and do it all in post (we shall see)! Thank god I had a SUPER yummy lunch to keep me going!

Out PA Heidi set it all out and warmed the bread etc and it was SO good! What is not so good is the packaging on the rice crackers here in NZ…

they would be sued in a split second if they ever packaged rice crackers like this in the States (I kind of love it but we know how un PC I am!)…

In other exciting news, my DP James and my AD Joe started today! We will go tomorrow to my locations to go over shooting, angles, timing etc. I have been told my shoot day with the Grannies is WAY too long, but my argument is that they are all really quick set ups and shots so tomorrow will decide my fate (fingers crossed please!).

Lastly, my Costume Designer Pip started as well – she is awesome and totally pulled the BEST look for the character of James.

Unfortunately, it does not look as though we are going to be able to use the NZ All Blacks logo as it has not been cleared. Therefore we are going to go with a generic jersey and some really makey short shorts (sorry Luke for making you wear them!).

Pip was also having trouble finding good stuff or Granny so has taken an over night trip to (hmmm not really sure where it is exactly), but she thinks that it will be a goldmine of Granny gear (hurrah)! I can’t wait for her to come back tomorrow to show me the loot!

Also, in a funny turn of events, turns out that I dress like an old lady as I realized that everything I dressed Nanna in (in my head) were things that I have! Not only that I brought them with me on this trip so half my suitcase is now on the costume rack! 2 pairs of pants, 2 cardigans, a jacket and 5 shirts! Obviously they are just options, but I got a good chuckle out of the fact that I am an 80 year old in a 20 year olds body (soon to be 30)!

Speaking of Grannies - It is official! I have two of the most famous NZ actresses in my short! Dame Kate Harcort is playing Granny...

and Helen Moulder will be Nanny...

Last but not least we got our first one liner and Script Breakdown – seems all very official so when I saw it, it made me a little scared! Especially as day 2 has 3 and 7/8 pages to cover (eek!). I have a feeling that this will be something they make me change (waaa)…

Eye - Ah - Gate 2010

Well, I DID end up in hospital last night (agh!), after two Claritin, my eye kept getting worse to the point where the whites of my eyes were starting to get puss (eww) and starting to bulge out (puke!). Therefore, off I went and god bless the little old doctor on call as she looked in my left EAR, weighed me, checked my reflexes and that was that! She then wanted to give me a Claritin to which I reminded her I had already taken two (she forgot – woops!) and then proceeded to give me something else. Now I have a prescription for 4 meds and my eye IS feeling a lot better so maybe there is method to her madness??!! Eye-ah-gate 2010 is almost over as I still have some swelling but the puss is gone (hurrah) as is the bulge (whoopee!)

Anyhow, today began with an 8:00am meeting with Catherine (my producer), Gary (my production manager) and Daz (my location manager). Catherine was concerned that the location that we fell in love with was too far away to shoot. Travel time would have been 2.5 hours there and back and with only a 10-hour day, it would have been tricky. I tried to get around it by having a shorter second day with a reduced unit, but that was not an option either (waaa!). Therefore it was back to the drawing board and Daz and I were sent out to re comb the local towns for the perfect houses!

The first batch we looked at were track houses (nooo!), but then we found a few quirky looking ones that I was starting to think would have to make do when I received word that Barrie Osborne was at the office and wanted to have a word! When Barrie beckons, one goes!

Barrie was AWSOME – so full of knowledge and wisdom! He gave me quite a few pointers (which shall remain secrets until the films are completed!) and really boosted my confidence. He said that the key to a good movie is a great script and fantastic actors. He then pointed out that he thought my script was funny and a great read so he said I had that base covered (check!) and to concentrate now on getting my cast locked.

I will be able to tell you tomorrow if I have officially locked Granny and it looks as though we found Nanna today (yippee!). James is a done deal so now we just need our dear hipster Sean and we will be cooking with gas! There is a rather large open casting call tomorrow for Sean, so I have a feeling that we will find him.

Barrie then had to jet away to some exotic locals, but he left me thinking about a lot of things… one of them was not to compromise on the houses for Nanna and Granny (well compromise a bit, as he too said I should not go to Alexandria). Therefore it was back in the car with good old Daz.

We re visited many of the same places that we did before, but this time kept a much more open mind and low and behold we found our homes! 

Nanna’s home is even inhabited by a wee Nanna who was SO cute I wanted to put her in the back of the car and bring her back to the US as my token souvenir! Not only that the street is straight and quiet AND there is an open lot across the street that will be large enough for our trucks, crew parking etc – Jackpot (cha ching!). It is still not locked as the neighbor house is a vacation rental property and we have yet to track down the owners but Daz says I should not have anything to worry about!

It was then back to the office

Daz found a prop wig from one of the other movies!

I did a once over with the script with Gary and then it was into a meeting with my production designer Ken and Amy my props & set dresser. Not sure what Ken has for breakfast each morning but he bounces off the walls and talks a million miles per minute – IT IS AMAZING. He has so many great ideas and his energy is infectious – he is working on everyone’s movies which is a good thing as otherwise someone would have the worlds greatest leg up! We went over everything and then took a trip to his warehouse where he has everything and anything you can imagine!

Amy and Ken had taken a lot of the selections out for me to see and approve which was great as I was really able to start seeing it all come together. Not only that, under an old blanket I saw a Vespa poking out. I took a look and it was awesome! 

I jokingly said to Ken that he should send it to the US for me when he turned and said “hey we should have Sean pull up on that” – which could not be any more perfect as this morning, Catherine had said due to budgetary reason we had to cut Sean’s car out of the script... but turns out that this Vespa is even better! Totally works with Sean’s hipster look and I am overjoyed!

Ken trying some of the fly fishing gear!

I left Kens warehouse in a great mood, as everything seems to finally be falling into place and I am feeling a lot more confident. I am sure that there is drama to come (aka I just found out that Saturday is a National holiday here in NZ – meaning the day before I shoot, the entire country is shut down so no last minute shopping or using vendors??!!). Not only that the weather forecast has rain for Sunday (agh) but we are ignoring all of that for now and going full steam ahead!

Choo choooooo!

agh - my eye!

Oh dear god! This entry may have to be short and sweet as I just got back from a 12.5-hour location scout and am now blind… literally!

Turns out that I AM allergic to nature (have been telling people this for years!). My Los Angeles habitat of concrete has done me a dis service, for it was only a matter of hours before my fragile little city body started freaking out at the fresh air, clean water and majestic scenery by breaking out into hives and closing my left eye completely shut – aghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Claritin did nothing (ahem Claritin) and therefore I think that I will have to go to a doctor tomorrow to get a shot of some sort as I can barely type blind so think that I would make a pretty crappy blind director…

That being said, it was a VERY productive day indeed! The morning began at 6am for me (actually it was earlier as I could not sleep but made myself stay in bed until 6am). 

After a quick shower, I went over my work again and then went up to have some breakfast. For a mere $37 I got some eggs, toast, tomatoes, OJ and tea (eek!). 

It was nice as the view was spectacular – but I am thinking that I have to somehow hitch a ride into town to get cereal and milk before I become broke!

After breakkie, it was an 8:30am meeting with Catherine (my producer), Garry (my production manager) and Daz (my location manager). 

This is my very own office!

We went over my basic wants and ideas and then all decided that it was important for me to get out there, see what there was and start making some decisions as so may other factors hinge on the locations.

Therefore at 9am, Daz and I hit the ground running. Daz grew up in Queenstown and has worked as a locations scout forever – he knows EVERYONE (literally) and every nook and cranny in NZ (again... literally!). Did I mention that I am REALLY GLAD that he is on my team??!!

We started out quite far from Queenstown in order to get some older architecture. We found so many GREAT houses, 

however none that were perfect in the sense that they were next to another great house, or did not have driveways next to each other, or had 6 foot fences dividing he houses etc. Who knew that it would be THIS hard! We scoured 3 different towns and I had given up (thinking that I was going to have to go the total opposite and find track housing of some sort or a retirement home) when Daz out of the corner of his eye spotted 2 houses, 2 adjoining driveways, no fences and no big bushes/ trees in front (hurrah!). They were not at ALL what I had envisioned the houses should look like, but at this point I was just happy to have SOMETHING!

With some set dressing etc, I thought this could work…

Then as we were leaving town to start scouting locations for James’ traveling scenes, we stumbled upon these gems…

Not only that, the house with the tree obstructing it has an owner that wants that tree removed so we are negotiating getting that done for her! These houses are much more of what I had in mind, but having had the creative juices flow on the other two bland houses, I am now wondering what direction I want to go in! We shall see…

It was then another hour and 45 mins or so to where all the nature scenery was. 

Thank god Daz made me take photos as it was all starting to blur into one location to me (maybe the blurring had something to do with my eye that was closing??!!). But if felt like each location we went to was even more beautiful then the other! 

The problem was that there was not that much variation. I think we found the Italian vineyards…

The Norwegian fly-fishing…

The Swiss scenery…

With some more set dressing the Amazon…

But we really can’t get to the snow etc so we are going to have to use stock footage etc for a lot…

Ok, I have to end this here as I think that I may need to go to a doctor… my eye wont stop tearing and it has been 2 hours now with 2 Claritin…. WHY??!!