Chomatsu's gun

Chomatsu's gun will the the one at the top of the picture, but the handle will be changed to a wooden grip.
I know, everyone will now be saying it's not a period firearm.  The point is that on our budget, we can't get a period firearm which can actually fire a blank!  Chomatsu's gun is never focused on, so the alternative was to get any available revolver. We only see the gun shoot and bullets in the chamber, so it should be no issue.  Of course we will choose our angles appropriately also.
If anyone is spending time checking that our guns are correct for the period, they are either 'trainspotters' or we haven't done our job!

Production meeting

We had a production meeting this morning, which was good.  I've been concerned about some areas in the production, but I'm now more confident about where everyone is up to.  There are still a few minor things that need to be sourced, but in general, it is all coming together.  Michael has done a great job getting us to this point and I'm sure he'll get us over the line.
Ben Khaw and I stayed behind after the meeting to chat about Chomatsu and do a little rehearsal.  It was really beneficial, because we made a few new discoveries about him and I was able to get my vision of Chomatsu across to Ben.  Working with Actors is my favourite part of the process, finding the character, tracking their journey and bringing them to life is a most rewarding experience.
Three days to go and there is a little weather concern for Thursday, but there is nothing we can do now.  Fingers crossed!

Anyway...

No money, no worries!  One has to ask, why do it??  Why put yourself through the stress of making a film with no money, not just any film, a period film!
It must link back to the underlying urge to create, to make films and to express yourself.  Kanowna developed from the seed of an idea and then from a wonderful life changing experience.  It took a number of false start journeys, with a number of people who promised much and delivered little.
Now, we are only days away from actually shooting this film.  Wow!  It is amazing how things transpire.  The core mix of people involved has always remained the same, but we've added a few excellent people who have helped get us to this point.
We've made many discoveries about making period films along the way and we will remember those lessons next time.  For the moment however, I am extremely excited, somewhat nervous, but prepared and ready to make a great little film.

Our collar pallet

The is the colour range we are using for the film.  It is provided by the DOP after discussions with me and it should serve as a guide to all departments for their colour choices in regards to props, material, painting etc...

La la land

Time is ticking and I am a little worried.  We begin shooting this film on Thursday and there are some crucial things not yet in place.
The uniforms for the two Troopers is my biggest concern, in fact all the costumes are my biggest concern.  I haven't seen anything solid and confirmed yet, which makes me nervous.
Michael is still trying to lock down a Lee-Enfield Mk1, fingers crossed on that one.  I have just sent out a draft shotlist to Aaron our 1st AD, Michael, the Producer and Dev, the DOP.  It is less that initially discussed, which helps our schedule a little.
I still have much Director's preparation to do, but am really looking forward to getting into rehearsals on Wednesday.
On a good note, a Sound Editor friend of mine living in LA, today offered to do the sound for the film!  Great news, it means fantastic sound and also immediate exposure to people in LA.  Which makes it even more important to get everything right!

Influences on Kanowna the short film

The more I delve into it and the more I am asked by Key crew members.  I am finding my influences can be identified in specific films.  The assassination of Jesse James, by the coward Robert Ford is becoming a big influence for Dev and myself.  The composition, use of shallow depth of field, lingering lyrical shots, steady pacing and superb acting, is influencing our choices on Kanowna.

That said, Terrence Malick is also a strong influence on me.  I love the way he uses nature and once again, the lyrical nature of his shots are fantastic.  Finally I think Kurosawa also finds a place in this post.  We will search for the wideshot and fight the contemporary western cinema's desire to cut to a close-up everytime, to emphasis a story point and ram it down an audience's throat.  The power of the wideshot is often ignored and in this film, where the land is part of the story, it cannot be ignored.

I am also keen to use time-lapse for the landscape exteriors, signifying the passing of time and how the land never changes, or care what is happening in the realm of humans.  The land stays the same.

The cast for Kanowna, the short film

Just to remind everyone who is in Kanowna, the short film.

 

Dustin Clare is playing Trooper Brown. 

Peta Sergeant is playing Osarno. 

Ben Khaw is Chomatsu.

Clarke Richards is Trooper Clarke.

We've got a good group of very talented and eager actors.  The characters are layered which will give the actors a good challenge to breathe them to life.