And it starts . . . in the middle

Much like this film, I start this production blog in the middle, in the midst of everything. I’ve been meaning to start this blog ever since pre-production started, which has been underway for about three months. Tina, the co-writer, and just finished the fifth draft fo the script, which is under the scrutiny of revision from outside parties. This is really the first time we’ve let the draft out amongst other writers. Right now I am writing on my lab top out at the “shop” which is Mike’s, our exec producer, garage. Tonight has been one of our best pre-production workshop nights yet. I say that because everyone is heavily engaged with different aspects of the film. Right now, I have Jake, a crew member, reading over the script, critiquing it. Arthur, the AD, and Russ, gaffer, are drying the spackle that they just applied to the “bullet-hole wall”, a practical effect that we have puzzled over for months, and as of last week, finally mastered the concept, thanks to the hard work of Arthur. We now are trying to figure out the squibs, we’ve already done several tests tonight, but to no avail. This squib is made of tubing, with a valve, connected to an air compressor. We’re filling the tubing with chocolate syrup, and then releasing the valve. The problem is that the “blood” is spraying out, instead of bursting out like a gunshot wound. So we’re fiddling with different settings.

I’m the luckiest director right now, cause I got a crew that is dedicated to get this film, and making it the best it can be.
A recap on the end of the night--
It was nearing the end of the night, and we had done several tests with the squib, still to no avail, it was a mixture of the wrong pressure, the wrong size hole, the wrong amount of syrup, etc. It was getting late, and we were going to do our last test for the night, not really expecting it to work, but giving it one last shot before we try again next week. We made some final adjustments, and it worked BEAUTIFULLY! TRIUMPH!! We all celebrated, it was awesome. Then we went to Dan’s to watch the return of the office!!!