A little news report which appeared on WIN TV

Look out Canberra!

Michael Facey, Producer of Kanowna, begins his Big Canberra Adventure tonight.  First there will be a short flight to Sydney followed by a long drive to Canberra with Kanowna DOP Devris Hasan.

We look forward to hearing all about their adventure.

Kanowna teaser trailer

For those of you who haven't seen the Kanowna teaser trailer yet, here it is.
Stay tune for more news coming very soon.

The package is in the mail

Two big deadlines on the same day!  Always happens this way doesn't it?

Anyway, they weren't for the same project and Michael had to do most of the work in the final sprint to get the Screen Australia submission into the mail.

Writing a synopsis and director's statement post filming of the film was a really strange and annoying experience.  We've shot the film and just need help financing the post production, can't we just show them the film, they'll love it and want to support us? ... nice try.

Post production continues to move forward and we will finish Kanowna regardless.

Kanowna (short film) - fine, fine cut

Today, Sarah (Editor) and I went through the film again and addressed the feedback from the LA gang.  Some of the suggested changes really worked, some needed slight tinkering with the suit the pacing of the current cut and some didn't work at all.

It was quite a draining session, but I think we're really heading towards a much better cut.  Still, we need to be mindful about what film we set out to make in the beginning.  Some scenes have been dropped, some scenes shortened and sometimes we've had to make big calls about sequences we loved, which didn't work within the narrative structure and storytelling.  It is a great process and an exercise in maintaining objectivity throughout.

We reconvene tomorrow evening and that will probably be the last editing session before we present to Michael, our Producer.

Feeling a little drained, but we're almost there!

On another note, I had a long conversation with Dustin on the phone today about marketing, festivals and the feature, which was all very exciting and we came up with a really good idea that I will look to incorporate into the feature treatment.

Kanowna the short film - a Fine, Fine Cut

We played the fine cut of Kanowna to a small, select audience on a big screen in a lecture theatre at Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley today in the hope that we would have a vision lock-off after the screening.  Most of the responses we received were not new to us, but the most valuable was a point made by Richard Hyde who is my creative collaborator on a number of projects and script editor on Kanowna.

He made the point that some of the off-screen dialogue may be getting in the way of a particular scene, which also takes impact away from the introduction of the films Antagonist.  It was a really valid point, which Sarah and I really liked, so we are going to explore the possibility.

So, with the advent of the Christmas holiday season and Sarah going to Melbourne for a holiday, we've decided to delay the vision lock-off until early New Years, that's if it doesn't impact on the Sound and Music schedules, but Michael will be liaising with them.

So even though we only had a small group at the viewing, the session was extremely valuable, with new discoveries that will hopefully make our film even better.

13.35 or there abouts

We viewed a twelve minute cut of Kanowna this afternoon, which I must say I had trepidations about.  However, Sarah did a really good job with dropping some shots, compressing a couple scenes and ending some scenes at different points to what was filmed, to work the story into a film for an audience and not for us.
I really liked the flow generally, but there were a couple things that I felt I needed to be in the cut to add impact and push the emotional journey of the main character.  Michael viewed the film for the first time (after the rough cut) and said he really got into the story and followed the journey.
There are a few story points I am questioning are strong or clear enough, but I am very happy with where the film is at.  On the drive home I did voice my concern to Michael, that it felt all too easy to reach this point.  I know that in this instance, I have written the film also and know the story backwards, so I am questioning my objectivity for the benefit of the film.
The next stage is to show some 'virgin eyes' the current edit and get their opinions.  This process can be fraught with ridiculous comments or suggestions, soul destroying moments, uplifting viewpoints and elation.
I have sent the Fine Cut to Geoff, our composer for him to start his process and I look forward to his views, hopefully tomorrow.
So, I need test subjects... Anyone interested?

Blog Traffic

I've been using Site Meter to keep blog traffic records, since October and we are now at around 920 hits, since then.  Well at least someone finds my random musings interesting enough to read.  I've had hits from the Netherlands, Moscow, Thailand, Vietnam, UK, USA, Ireland, Spain and of course, Australia.

Seriously, it will be great to the films exposure.  There is still a long way to go on the Kanowna journey, so keep coming back to visit and tell all your friends, wherever they might be.  Hopefully soon we will be adding some behind the scenes video, shot by our wonderful friend Kris, who I met at the Palm Springs Short Film Festival three years ago, came from Los Angeles to join our merry band of filmmakers.

Anyway, keep spreading the word and hopefully we'll tip over the 1000 mark very soon.

Warmest Regards

Chris Richards-Scully

More Positive

Today was a positive step in the right direction.  It looks like we've found an actor to play the lead Japanese character, Chomatsu.
I was sure enough in my mind that the production would now be going ahead, that I contacted Dustin Clare and Clarkie to 'touch base' and see where they were at.  Both of them have been working on backgrounds and researching accents.  It was great to chat to Dusto again, it's been a long while.
We are close to getting a Costume person attached, but Michael has met our new Production Designer and we do have a Make-up person.
For a production which has no money, we are in a good position to make this happen.
"This has been the hardest thing I've had to do so far, " Michael said to me today.
Yes, a period movie on a tiny budget is a big ask.  Even though when I wrote it, I definitely had in mind doing something for a very small budget, the search for detail all adds up.

Let's try to make Kanowna, the short film, again.

After numerous false promises, false starts and lost hope, we are going to attempt to make my short film,  Kanowna again. This blog was hijacked for the production of my last TV project attempt, called 'In and Under', but that is now on the backburner and we are a couple weeks away from shooting Kanowna.

Unfortunately this will be another no-budget film. That said, a number of us are banding together and contributing cold, hard cash to make this film a reality. You can't do a no-budget period film, you have to have period costumes, props and other items which are necessary to make the world believable. I did write this film with the view of making it for no money, but the reality is, we do need some.

Once again my good friend and collaborator, Dustin Clare is set to play Trooper Brown, Clarke Richards will be playing Trooper Clarke and Peta Sergeant will be playing Osarno. Other crucial roles are still in the process of being cast and this is a worry, but once again, with no budget we have had to do what we can.

Michael Facey has taken the reigns as Producer and is doing a great job creating everything from nothing. A number of my film friends have jumped onboard to help because of their belief in the project, which I am most greatful for.

The film is set in the 'Outback' and Kanowna is actually a place which is about 40Km's North-east of Kalgoorlie, because of our budget restrictions we've had to find a location close to Perth for our exteriors. Michael and I drove out to Meckering on Sunday and lucked upon an area of saltlake which is perfect for the isolated feel I want to bring to the film. It is now a matter of getting permission to film there and scheduling everything so it works.

I am concerned that we still don't have many of the necessary components in place to start production, but hopefully it will all fall into place in the next few days.

Day 3?

I've lost track of the timeline, but that's OK I'll just update you on the happenings to date.  

Michael Facey has come onboard as Producer and will be working closely with Richard and I to get the Pilot completed.  Michael is a really dedicated young producer, or I wouldn't be working with him.  

Many emails went flying between the three of us last night, in an effort to nail down some definite cast and also generate ideas.  Richard has many contacts and Michael knows a lot of the WAAPA crew, so between us I was hopeful.  Today I secured David (iinet) Smyth and sounded out Igor Sas.  Richard contacted Rhoda Lopez and by chance she will be in Midland on that day of the shoot, so hopefully that will work out.  Emails have gone out to more actors, but we are still awaiting confirmations.

Michael has managed to secure Bassendean Oval and hopefully Swan District FC will come to the party as well.

We now have an Editor and a Gaffer... Dave Le May will be getting back to me with his availability to DOP, depending on an interstate trip.

Everyone is working very hard and I am confident we will make a good film!