Oct 28

Time is ticking!

We had our initial meeting with our 1st AD, but with no shotlist yet, it was difficult to get a real picture of how the schedule would look.  I ended up giving each scene a possible number of shots, so that Aaron could at least get us something. 

There has been some challenges getting period firearms and today we came up with an alternative idea.  The only gun which needs to fire is Chomatsu's, so we just get whatever is available.  Hopefully a dark metal, snub-nosed revolver.  We will never focus on it, so it shouldn't be an issue.  Brown's revolver needs to be authentic looking, but doesn't need to be able to fire rounds.  So Michael and I will head to the Army surplus stores and look for period revolvers.  Another important weapon is the rifle Brown has in the first scene.  After a little research we decided it would be good to have a Lee-Enfield Mark 1, no we need to find one.

The DOP and I had our initial discussion tonight and talked about film references.  We seem to be on the same page, which is always good.  He wants to pitch a sequence idea for me tomorrow.  Great, I love it when I'm being presented ideas, that is the best way to get the best from other head-of-department and improve on the vision.

Lots of work to do, not much time to do it!

Wide shots

Things are really moving along.  Michael and I met with Aaron or 1st AD this afternoon for our first discussion on schedule.  I had to give him an idea of the number of shots I am thinking about, which was hard.  My head has been in production and not in the creative side of things, so I have to switch over now.  Anyway, I came up with a number of around 80 shots, after going through the script scene-by-scene. 

What I have to remember is my intention for this film to use wide shots as much as possible, allowing the action to play in the wide.  It is influenced by Kurosawa and early Zhang Yimou.  It is very powerful when used well and when I wrote this script, that was always in the back of my mind.

Design Meeting

Another meeting today, where I got the meet the Production Designer and the Costume Designer.  Both are young and relatively inexperienced, but keen and determined, also TAFE graduates which is always a good measure.
It was good to go through the script and solidify my ideas and seek new meaning and different ideas from these guys.  We've only got one weekend left and then we're on!

Flights are booked

Things are really flying along now, we've got a 1st AD finally and Dustin, Clarkie, Peta and Kristian are all booked on flights over. 

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.

Actor needed

Michael and I lucked on a location in Gidgegannup on Friday.  This location could serve us well, fitting in at least three scenes.

We now have a DOP after our initial one had to decline, due to work committments.

Busy, hopeful.  We still need Chomatsu!

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.