Car Trouble, Filming, & Adventure

The Original Schedule: Get to Salt Lake City, Utah and spend restful mornings, nights, & some afternoons away from work reading, walking the shopping districts, or seeing the sights. In the evenings do classmate film interviews for a SE of a PVHS yearbook video.

Well, it all started sometime October 13th and actually, never thought about it but at least that wasn't a Friday! Anyways, CK got off work at about 2:00pm and get his car cleaned, do a little other shopping, then begin driving in his Chrysler PT Cruiser up north. NOTE: His car is in great condition except for a dent and some small sound that apparently only I can hear (not even when I take a mechanic for a spin). Then the trouble starts...

CK gets only as far from St. George, Utah as Coral Canyon off I-15. The car then starts making a whizzing sound. To make a long story short, he got to the mechanic shop and they tell CK the transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt. He gives the okay and they begin, but won't finish till the next week. So he spends the night at home, then in the morning he takes his mother's Ford Expedition up north.

Once in Salt Lake City, CK spends a half hour at his grandparents trying to figure out how to get to one of his classmate interview appointments. Then it's time to go help film the Spot On commercial with Kyle Oakeson. After doing that, CK goes to start the Expedition and guess what? It doesn't start. Thankfully the Lord blessed him with a mechanic a few yards away looking at his own car. The mechanic figures out it's the starter and manually starts it. CK drives to Orem hoping to get the car fixed while he films a couple classmate interviews. Turns out auto repair places close at 6:00pm, and this one wouldn't get the starter fixed till the morning sometime. So he gets a friend to take him to the appointment, where the chair he was going to use breaks, and stranded in Orem spends the night sleeping at his friend's sleeping in his clothes (left his bag in the car).The following morning CK wakes up at 10:00am thinking the car's fixed. Turns out their just starting. He spends the day at the friend's home, not picking up the car till 5:00pm. CK then has a hour till the next classmate interview, which he tries to use to find a new chair. After driving an hour to the appointment and driving back a hour to ANOTHER appointment he finally gets to his grandparents' to find other guests in the guest beds so he falls asleep on the couch.

Final day! Whew, CK gets to wake up later, eat breakfast, and plan what do do for the day. Though around 1:00pm it's rushing again figuring out where the appointment lives, what he could do in the time he had till 3:00pm, and where parking was for it all (it's harder to park in the city, especially in big vehicles). After the interview CK spends a little time at a resturant, grabs some Krispy Kreme, then head off for the 4 1/2 hour drive (starting at 8:00pm). Then ends the film-trip adventure!

Spot On For Utah

Well, the during the past few weeks a job has been in the works for CK. He got in contact with a fellow filmmaker up north and has been recruited to work on a contest commercial for Utah, which will be featured at Sundance & other film festivals if picked. The contest is called 'Spot On' and is put on by the Utah Film Commission.

CK will be going up north later this week to be a AD (Assistant Director) on set, as well as helping with some of the general things. In the meantime he will be working on the SE of the PVHS '01 Yearbook Video. He's arranged a few people to work with while up there. All in all this looks to be a busy week!

End of Summer Update

Sorry it's been awhile, you know the whole life thing sometimes happens when you're not expecting it. ;) Good news though! It turns out that CK Stratford will be entering another video contest, this one put on by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as the Mormons or LDS Church). They are giving different ideas as to what to do like music videos, videos showing gospel principles, or even just the life of a mormon.

According to the rules of the contest, one will need to get signitures on official contracts (that are provided) to film people & places. We have some ideas on what to do, though while working on this contest we'll be working on CK's special edition of his 2001 Pine View High School video yearbook.

In summary, there will be those two small projects going on while planning for the TURRB film goes on & the 1940s Musical script is written. Wish us luck!

Problems Working w/ Super Ultra Low Budget

Well, besides running out of money, we've hit a big problem just days before the shoot partially due to such a low budget. Our star actor playing the Troll has dropped out. Besides the obvious, the problem with him dropping out is the script was written for him. He says it's due to a new job, school, and other stress, but with commitments come responsibilities and he was asked (& had multiple confirmations) months in advance of the shoot date.

CK is stressed out with these developments, unsure as to how he's going to do half the movie now without one of the two stars. The plan for now is to get the half done that features the Creature Specialist & his assistants, but due to time constraints that might not be all completed and if so, will need to be completed at the end of summer or next spring with it already getting hot in St. George (it can reach the 100's easily around town in the summer). To top it off, some crew members are not responding to calls & a actress has dropped out.

The Lord has been kind even with these fallout's, He's provided us with new crew members & a actress (with a last minute additional actor!) that are solid. Now it's just off to film!

Official Main Logo

Here it is! This is our finished main, 'big' logo: although we are still looking for someone to make the mini logo (for pens, keychains, etc). With a little computer editing CK's made the roughdraft idea for the logo into a finished piece. The actual copyrighting of the logo will be done in the somewhat near future, but we hope this'll do for now.

TURRB Crew Part II

As of April 30, 2010 the following people have agreed to help in the TURRB Mockumentary (title will be modified), no contracts have been signed yet so the crew may change:

Producer - CK Stratford
Director - CK Stratford
Screenwriter - CK Stratford
Costume manufacturer - Kim Payne
Cinematographer - CK Stratford
Camera operator #1 - Hayli Hunt
Gaffer & boom operator - Jon Andrew
Makeup artist - Katie Hatch
Catering Coordinator - Michelle Turley
Co-Editor - CK Stratford
Co-Editor - Eric Sly
Graphic designer - Eric Sly

Still needed are people for the following parts:

Camera operator #2

TURRB Cast Part II

As of April 30, 2010 the following people have agreed to perform in the TURRB Mockumentary (title will be modified), no contracts have been signed yet so performers may change:

Specialist (Tyler) - Tom Orton
Troll - Eric Scholl
Buddy (Gambler) - Jeff Dean
Buddy (Silent) - Cody Ketcher
Buddy (Tennis) - Jim Neve
City Resident #1 - Mike Sheffield
City Resident #2 - John Miles
City Resident #3 - Melinda Smith
Jogger [Male] - Monroe Payne
Jogger [Female] - Joelle Whitney
Police Officer #1 (Captain Dodger) - Clint Broadhead
Police Officer #2 - Doug Lewis
Professor - Lynn Hunt
Reporter - Alana Larson
Scientist- Amy Fredlund
Specialist Assistant #1 (Ashley) - Danielle Wolverton
Specialist Assistant #2 (Jim) - Shane Egan
Trail-Walker [Female] - Katherine Tyler

Another Project Delayed

Turns out due to lack of interest we won't be doing the blitz to Hollywood Blvd. If anyone has any ideas for a inexpensive movie or documentary, feel free to contact us!

Richard is getting ready to be married to his sweetheart in either June or July, I can't remember, and will be unavailable to work with for about a month after. Me on the other hand, will still be single and working on the Mockumentary (currently titled TURRB) that you've probably read about by now. I've decided to go ahead with my own project, but still will be working on the 1940's script & thinking up new ideas for other film projects. I already have a few, but could use some more, any ideas? Feel free to comment with any ideas, tellings of your favorite genres, what you like about movies, and the like!

Man Of Many Hats

Benjamin Franklin started many of the things which we take for granted today like the fire department, the postal service, the newspaper (Pennsylvania Gazette), and the public lending library. Because he was able to do so much he was one of the earlist american polymath, or "Man of Many Hats" to the rest of us. Why do I bring this up? Because I (CK Stratford) have been running like a chicken with his head cut off trying to get this whole TURRB film set up and ready by May 31st.

You could say I am a man of many hats at the moment because I have undertaken being not just the Producer & Director, but also the cast director, costume designer, director of photography, location manager, production accountant, and screenwriter, though I may have forgotten a couple jobs. I'm enjoying it all, but just want to get everything together in time to give the script to the actors.

To help those out that are not familiar with the technical lingo of film, here are two links to simple definitions about the most general filmmaking jobs.

And if you're interested, here is a link to a complete list of film terms & definitions (though it might be too comprehensive for some).

Official Shoot Dates!

The official dates that we'll start shooting the currently titled TURRB Mockumentary will be the first two weeks in June 2010, including May 31-June 12, excluding June 6 (dates are subject to change due to weather conditions). Working times will be given when filming is closer.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All those working with the film as crew or cast members will be participating for experience, exposure, & recieve food on set as payment. A film résumé example will be provided upon request for those that would like to continue within the film business.

Those with substanial parts in the making of the movie specifically the Producer, Director, Editors, Associate Producer (AP), & Cinematographer will be able to negotiate additional benefits.

Script Update

Well, it looks like we won't be doing the 1940's film this year. What we've decided is to go ahead with one of Richard's other ideas. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a documentary including Hollywood Boulevard. It'll be a fun short trip for all those involved. I didn't realize it before, but Hollywood Boulevard is one long stretch of road and the big sign is a little over 2 miles away as the crow flys.

One reason the 1940's Project is being delayed is due to the fact my cousin Ben Stratford is going back up to the Salt Lake City area to continue his musical education. On that note, all I can say to the kiddies is "Stay In School!" This screenwriting class I've been taking at the local college has helped me sort out ideas I had and given me new ones. It's been great seeing the ideas of others and helping one another out. Well, till next time!

TURRB Cast & Crew Part I

As of March 17, 2010 the following people have agreed to help in the TURRB Mockumentary (title will be modified), no contracts have been signed yet so the crew may change:

Producer - CK Stratford
Director - CK Stratford
Screenwriter - CK Stratford
Co-Editor - CK Stratford
Cinematographer - Eric Scholl

Uncomfirmed people & their parts are:

Camera operator #1 - Hayli Hunt
Gaffer & Boom Operator - Jon Andrew
Graphic designer - Zak Ciotti

Still needed are people for the following parts:

Camera operator #2
Catering Coordinator
Costume designer
Makeup artist
Production assistant

As of March 17, 2010 the following people have agreed to perform in the TURRB Mockumentary (title will be modified), no contracts have been signed yet so performers may change:

Specialist - Tom Orton
Buddy (Silent) - Cody Ketcher
Reporter - Alana Larson

Uncomfirmed people & their parts are:

Buddy (Gambler) - Jeff Dean
Trail-Walker [Female] - Katherine Tyler
Professor - Lynn Hunt

Still needed are people for the following parts:

Troll
City Resident #1
City Resident #2
Female Jogger
Male Jogger
Police Officer #1
Police Officer #2
Specialist assistant

New Logo Designer!

Good news! We've found a new logo designer, Danielle Anderson. Mikayla Cook has supposedly drawn the logo, but has had complications getting the picture from her divorced dad, plus someone may have thrown the third drawing she'd done away. So with Mikayla & another girl I tried to get to do the logo are out of the running, I think I've found someone that will work with me (hopefully).

Danielle has suggested some interesting ideas I hadn't thought of before, like a mini logo. We've all know certain companies just by the little logo they have. Any of the following I'm sure you could name off even with the name unattached to it. If you don't know who each of the logos belong to, just look at the bottom of this post in the tags/labels.

Anyways, I've thought up a mini logo to put on business cards, pens, decals, etc. We'll just have to see if Danielle can match my vision. In addition to the mini logo, she is going to copy down a version of the production logo I have made up already. I plan on paying her well, as well as a beginning filmmaker & college student can for quality work that is. I'm looking forward to what she can do, and honestly I have no idea what she can do but we'll find out soon enough!

Deadline = Goal

After meeting with Richard again at the beginning of this month, we decided to set some deadlines for the 1940’s Project. We’re planning on releasing the film in October, around the time that there is a Marathon and the Huntsman Senior Games here in STG. I should have the script done by the end of the month, then we’ll get casting done by the end of March/beginning of April, and begin filming sometime in May. One reason for such a tight schedule is that Richard is getting married in September sometime along with having his honeymoon, so he’ll be out of the picture for about half a month or more.

A person of interest that will be hopefully helping us with the music for the 1940's Project is my cousin Ben Stratford. He's an excellent music composer who's composed & directed some great pieces already, and should be graduating with a degree at DSC in music. Though to get him to work with us I’ll need to crank out the words and learn fast how to write a script the correct way, but that’s one reason I’m taking a screenwriting class at DSC this month. My professor is Brian Strasmann, who worked on the script for Free Willy. He's a great guy that seems to know his way around the film field.

Now I may have to think more about it all, but we're packing all the plans for this film in a short amount of time. I just hope we can get it all done in the time allotted.