Sharp FOCUS Films: The Blog

Film - Bomb!

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2006-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

Captain O'Donnell works long hours and a tough job, so when he gets a call at home, his mind isn't in the mood for work. It's just hard luck for Johnson!

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Bombs Away

remy — 2006-09-03T20:09:25+00:00

My original plan was to have good sound, props and make up...oh - and 4 weeks to get it right. No surprise then to find that I've left it a little late and filmed the first half 9 days before the deadline.

There were, however, props - and some interesting choice of wardrobe in the 15 second short.

I've got Andrew in his boxers and Julie in a negligee - though all above board!

We've filmed the fist half now, the part between Captain O'Donnell and his wife. Next, later this week, I'll film the Johnson part with Michael, Andrew's younger brother, who, might I add has made us a fake bomb.

Good stuff. Get part 2 in the bag, 1 hours editing and off it goes. If it were ever that smooth....

Hasbro denounces us

Remy — 2006-07-28T18:30:23+00:00

Okay, so maybe they didn't denounce us, but they did send us an email, and a snail mail (a first) telling me that our film just didn't cut the butter.

Oh well - it was a great learning experience, and the first touch on a professional bit of help via Daz.

Cheers to Daz, Lucy, Steve, Andrew and Julie for the help.

Next stop: bombs and irons.

God damn, this sounds good

Remy — 2006-05-29T00:28:02+00:00

What a day. What a long day. Full of voices. No, not the kind that normally fill my head, the kind that will be adding the final spice (and I'm talkin' hot spice) to our Star Wars.

We've just finishing spending a particularly long day with Daz and Lucy putting the voices to the Star Wars film (that's due in a matter of days now).

I'm quite whole heatedly knocked for six, because of how damn impressive Daz's voice talents are. I think it's added a huge amount of quality to a film that's pretty stacked with cheese.

My main problem now, is to take the superb voice tracks that Andrew, Daz and Lucy have given us, and get it all fitting in to 5 minutes (the maximum length).

Obviously I'll email Hasbro to see if we can slip it in anyway, and, unedited, our film was sitting at 5:25 - but that's without any credits.

I've since managed to edit the film down to 5 minutes and 15 frames long (around 1/2 a second) - so I'm hoping I don't need to wonder through the edit to find those 10 frames to remove!

There are more production stills to be seen, and the script and full version of the video will be available to view in the next couple of days.

Next task: get it to Hasbro before 12pm this coming Wednesday (31st May).

Yes, it's tighter than a fat man trying to hide in a tube of tooth paste. But mark my words, there's always lube to be found - and this job, can be done!

Film - Star Wars 3 3/4 - Friendship: A New Hope

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2006-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

The Star Wars saga hasn't quite come to it's end.

This, the final in the double trilogy is the final story: Friendship - a new hope.

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Star Wars wrapped - and now for a fast edit

Remy — 2006-05-22T12:10:15+00:00

After a solid weekend of filming, we've wrapped all the production and I'm now moving quickly on to editing. Star Wars: to be edited in a matter of days!

I picked Steve up at 9:45 on Saturday morning - that made us 15 minutes late according to the prepared time schedule. When we got back to my place in Brighton, we went about checking out the right music and Steve took his knife to the card and started to finish the club set.

By 2pm we finished the club scene. I somehow thought it would be finished by 12pm - but none the less, we had everything we needed and we were ready for our lunch.

Hmmm...sausage rolls and monster munch.

Back to work, we shot the backdrop for the green screen shots and then, with a rather badly kept green screen, shot the characters on the green material.

Most of the film was supposed to be composited using green screen effects, but I thought it wise to quickly check it out in the computer.

Bad news. It ain't going to work. We had scene 1, 2 and 3 in the bag, but the biggest scene was the fight sequence, set to be shot on Sunday - and I was having serious doubts about my ability to composite the backdrops against the green screen shots.

Very bad news. It looked blocky, and quite green.

So, Sunday morning, a change in tack. We'll shot the characters in front of the camera with our real backdrops out of focus. It would mean re-shooting scenes 2+3 - but they were easy (I think we even managed a bit of forced perspective during Vader's rant with Missy, my cat, walking around in the background).

Now the outdoors. Damn. Raining. Hard.

So we decide to lay the voices down quickly so I've got something to work out the timing in the editing. That was fun - Steve managed a northern Taxi driver Darth, and a seriously scary Leia. I did a bad BA (bad as in not good) and a rather dull sounding Han - but at least I have a rough sound track to edit to.

Still raining.

Okay, we'll brave it. We managed quite a bit of scene 4 in the rain, but it really started to come down, and I was pretty worried about the camera getting wet.

So Steve and I decided to re-locate to our (slightly) dryer balcony, shooting against the brick backdrop, hoping it wouldn't look too out of place in the final cut.

That was it. We finished at 3pm on Sunday, with every shot we needed in the bag. Storyboard help so much. We were able to tick them off as we shot each one of them, meaning, really, we knew what we had missed.

I've now got the task of editing the video as quickly as possible for later this week using Steve and my dummy voice track.

We're then going up to Woking to see Daz, Lucy's (from Trained) boyfriend who is going to lay down some bad ass voices for Darth, Han and whoever else we can twist his arm to do.

Then, if we manage to re-edit all that with the new sound track, it needs to be uploaded to Hasbro on Tuesday - all of one day before the deadline.

Cripes, we really do like flying by the seat of our pants!

Wish me luck!

Filming again - finally

Remy — 2006-05-19T09:19:48+00:00

After a 6 month hiatus, we're gearing up to film again this weekend. The project: Star Wars - Ep 3 3/4. The script is complete. The cast are 'bought'. Cameras borrowed. Sets built (well - almost). Shooting planned out, and we're ready to roll.

After 6 months of wanting to get back to work (it's probably more than that since White Wally) - Steve and I have said we wanted to do the Star Wars film. Initially with different views on how it should be done, mostly resource availability and time constraints have forced our hands to create a puppet version of our film - but I'm sure that'll add an extra layer of tack 'n' cheese - and that's something our films are always rife with.

Julie's done a superb job of grabbing essential resources - even a disco ball for the club scene lighting.

I've got Daz (Lucy's man) agreeing to do voices for some of the characters, and we're all going to have a go at the "special appearance" character (you'll have to wait to see the script).

I've added a gallery for some of the characters we've had to buy - and currently, at a grand �25 or so, this is the biggest budget we've spent on a film!

Darth Roto

Remy — 2006-05-08T00:05:29+00:00

Since writing of the new hope, there's been very little progress made. The only upside is that Hasbro have moved their deadline to the end of this month...though I'm not even sure we'll make that either.

Steve's been having a crack at the script, and from what I can tell enjoyed writing so far, but the second draft has proved troublesome, and he's been pulled away on other projects, such as Life.

As for my part, yes, I could actually muster up a script, but it'll be in pretty bad taste knowing me. Someone will die, there'll be fights and maybe a sheep or two.

I have, however, in about 20 minutes, erhem - sorry - that was my ego, put together a short video (not story, just random puppeteering) with Shake and I've skipped the whole rotoscope process, and instead did some magic with a mask, colour, blurs and nodes.

I've tried to add a little character, notably angry, frustrated and suspicious, maybe you'll spot the emotions when you watch the clip.

Check out my Darth Vader rotoscope without rotoscope video! (Note - it's currently not linked to a project, so the video is just a straight download - probably easier all round...)

A New Hope

Remy — 2006-02-11T10:20:16+00:00

A new year, a new morning, a new hope. Following the usual enlightened conversations in the pub, we have our sights on a new film competition: Star Wars - Episode 3 3/4 inches.

The Star Wars competition is a 5 minute short, and requires us to use at least one Hasbro Star Wars figure.

The idea we have in mind will probably require about 10 of the toys which could end up costing a fair bit.

Then we've got sets to consider, lighting and sound. The last two I'm sure we can manage, it's the sets I've got issues with.

We know a couple of artists, and I think we're going down the route of painted backdrop with minimal set dressing.

There's an opening planned, and a general story, we just need to knuckle down to getting the lines sorted - oh, and some voice overs...

2006

Remy — 2006-01-04T23:05:56+00:00

December's gone, so has 2005, and so has the Christmas tree (outside, to grow some roots in to our concrete balcony). It was a pretty eventful 2005 - but a bit slow on the film front.

I made Urban Ninja for the Nokia shorts in what was pretty much 2 hours work in total and White Wally - which did in fact get on to ITV's web site (but never saw the telly unfortunately).

However, my greatest achievement was to complete the editing of an 1h30m dance show for BDD - Lucy's dance school.

It was edited from 8 hours of footage from 4 cameras. Sync'ing the sound to the cameras was the trickiest part - but the editing was pretty fun - though it did take me over a month to edit in the few hours train journey I make every day!

We had a screening in November, and the kids all really liked it (my favourite edit was dirty pop - it's 30Mb so if you're going to watch it, be prepared to wait!).

This year I want to make a film with trained actors. I've got a couple of ideas, but the 3 hour commute still takes it out of me to muster the energy to thrash ideas out.

Here's to be hopeful!

Holy Crap - I could be on the telly mom!

Remy — 2005-11-06T10:57:25+00:00

Over the last few months my whole film drive has been whittling down some what. I've been trying to think of ideas, and a few are knocking around my head, but nothing's close to going to 'project' phase, let alone 'production'...but...

In a half hearted way I thought I'd have a gander at the Cobra Vision competition to see how it's doing and see what we lost out to...

And there - in it's grandest glory - White Wally - our film has actually made it's way on the cobra vision web site! It'll could be shown on ITV2 at some point during this month - very cool (though we don't have a working aerial let alone digital).

I'm suddenly feeling very proud and motivated to get back in the game.

For those who actually read this blog (pretty much just Julie and Andrew) - you can view it and vote here: Cobra Vision.

White Wally's Away

Remy — 2005-09-12T15:40:34+00:00

Finally, White Wally is complete - some 6 months after conception I've finally managed to get off my behind and get White Wally filmed and edited - and shortly off in the post to Cobrabeer.

It was a pretty overcast day, but that didn't stop us from getting up there and plugging away.

Julie was (again) a star - stood up in the middle of the beach dressed in a ridiculous white outfit with make up that made her look like the living dead.

Andrew managed to land himself two parts, even though he said before Urban Ninja he never wanted to be in one of my films again - good for you!

With the help of Steve's long arms to film, and few other friends (used as backs of heads and various other crew jobs) we managed to get all the filming done in around 2 hours.

The directing went pretty well - even though I still managed to miss a couple of shots, the final product, I think, still works without them.

Things I learnt this time around:

- Always make sure you're completely prepared before the shoot, though the shots were worked out, and the costume was made, Julie ended up driving 70 miles the hours before filming to get the 'fake blood' and face paint.

- Storyboards work very, very well - they're worth every hour spent on them.

Next projects: I think we should get back to Bad Pipes - but definitely need to re-think the script and re-shoot the stuff already done. Next after that, perhaps something bigger...Steve's working on a script for a horror story, around 20 minutes long, and there's always good old Arrowarp.

Stay tuned kids.

Film - White Wally

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2005-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

A street artist is desperate for attention, in a World obsessed with violence for entertainment, but what's the pose that'll get it?

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Urban Ninja

Remy — 2005-08-30T00:41:20+00:00

White Wally's near ready to go, and in fact we were planning to film this weekend had it not been for the 12 hour, 13 pub crawl we did on Saturday rendering us useless. Nevertheless, instead, we planned out the Nokia 15 second film we would make this year.

One day later we've convinced Andrew that he needs to be in one more film - and for some strange moment, we made a film that a) didn't involve anyone dying and b) Julie dying!

The idea is that there is an overzealous Ninja-type chap living in the suburbs. We meet him as he is laying down some moves with his Ninja sword and Ninja-type attire, when he wife smacks him back to reality and tells him to get chopping on the salad!

A little under 12 hours of completing the filming - I'm near a finished edit (sound pending) and then tomorrow I've got to get the application form printed and posted recorded delivery for the Wednesday deadline - nothing like a rush in the week!

I'll post up the film shortly.

Film - Urban Ninja

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2005-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

When you're an Urban Ninja, every task is a mission.

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White Wally Prep

Remy — 2005-08-20T18:16:08+00:00

Since the recent side-setting of Bad Pipes, and general life 'things' getting in the way, White Wally is now on the radar - more specifically, 'some' filming is taking place this weekend.

We're pretty desperate to get on with any kind of filming and Steve and I keep coming up with new ideas, but we're having troubles pinning down our time to get things sorted.

Never-the-less, we're going to try to film something this Sunday, but it'll probably be more of a rehearsal rather than the real thing - particularly as I've not managed to properly rally around a complete cast.

Julie, being the star wife that she is, has (pretty much entirely herself) painted the suit for that White Wally wears, and she's got a few Yoga positions up her sleeve that should make this, erhem, entertaining at least.

I've done some story boards so that I know what kind of reaction shots I'm after and I've got a pretty comprehensive shot list written on paper...it's just finding the time and making sure it goes without a hitch.

Watch this space...

Attacks on London

Remy — 2005-07-07T19:53:51+00:00

Today is a sad day. This blog has no relation to films what so ever, but relates to me, Londoners, people in Britain and people across the World. London, today was a target of a terrorist attack.

Three tubes were bombed and one bus was ripped to shreds. They are currently suggesting that the attacks were al-Qaeda, and a cowardly attack when the World leaders are meeting for the G8 summit. I'm not any kind of authority on this stuff, but some things I read today made a lot of sense:

Ken Livingston (Mayor of London), said Londoners would remain strong "no matter how many people you kill".

He said: "Black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindus and Jews, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter, irrespective of any considerations for age, class, religion whatever."

We will continue life, as normal, trains and tubes will run, airports will fly, shops will open, and we remain defiant in the face of terrorism.

This blog is as a mark of respect to those who have lost - and I want to be part of the country that stands strong and upright against this terrorism.

Batman Begun

Remy — 2005-06-22T09:30:27+00:00

Oh Chrisy boy, oh Chrisy boy - Christopher Nolan - my hero, has resurrected the legacy that is Batman - and what a great job too!

Obviously I've just seen Batman Begins and hot damn it's a cool piece of work.

Even Joey from Dawson's Creek (as she will forever been known) wasn't too grating.

Admittedly I've been a fan of Christian Bale for a while (particularly since American Psycho - great film by the way) so watching him open a serious can of whoop ass on the old baddies was pretty fun.

The film mostly focuses on Bruce Wayne's story, and deviates from the comics just a bit (if you know some of the history) it doesn't matter because they've done such a damn good job of reviving the Batman series.

Excellent film - 5 out 5 (though still doesn't beat Sin City!)

Bad Pipes - scene one in the bag

Remy — 2005-06-12T17:21:14+00:00

We've just completed filming the first scene of Bad Pipes. It was supposed to begin last week, but instead me and Steve spent six hours preparing the dolly shot to find out that in the sixth hour the heads needed cleaning on the camera - at which point the shoot was abandoned.

So, one week later and we're ready for filming - and all heads are cleaned!

We've got Steve's nephew, Toby booked to play the part of the kid from the script - but then Andrew's not been able to film because of personal timing problems.

Saturday comes, 3pm and me, Remy, is taking the role of James. I hate acting - I'm terrible at it!

The first stage went fairly smoothly - all done in 3 hours. There are reasons they say what they say about working with children and animals - but never the less, Toby was great.

I'm editing scene 1 over the weekend, plugging in the sound, hopefully. Then all there's left to do is the very opening, the main bulk of the film: the bathroom scene and the special effects...all before the 30th of June...only two weeks...hmmm...

Watch this space!

Bad Pipes begins

Remy — 2005-05-30T00:36:10+00:00

So today we started on Bad Pipes' prep. We've bought gaffer tape, 4 planks of wood - for our dolly, KY jelly - again for the dolly, an orange and 300W halogen bulbs.

Since the aim is to push the boat out a little more every time we make a new film, this time around we'll be adding a dolly to our arsenal. This will be made up via the Sam Rami school of teaching, by laying down a few large planks of wood, covering one side in smooth tape, and then with the last piece cover the opposite side in the same tape, cover in oil, or in our case, KY jelly, and slide those bad boys along with the tripod sitting on the top. We've still got some way to go, but it'll be ready for shooting (sometime around the 11th of June) and it looks like it's going to work really well!

Then there's the special end effect, odd concoctions that we've got to put together, the "black stuff" and the blood - I'm not sure how Julie puts up with the torture!!! It'll be fun either way :-)

Bad Pipes back in the pipeline

remy — 2005-05-13T23:45:00+00:00

So now we've been given a big old boot up the backside, I've found a competition that requires a 5 minute short horror - perfect for Bad Pipes - except we don't have all the cast to do it the way we wanted original...

So, new plan - one re-write later and I've got a script that doesn't require old people.

I do still need to do the special effect for the eye socket at the end, and need key sound, but we're planning to go for it.

The film will be submitted for The Last Horror Movie film competition, deadline of 30th of June - and yes, that's pretty short notice, but we're going to attempt it.

Wish us luck - especially on the cleaning the bathroom after!!!

Stumble at the starter's blocks

remy — 2005-05-10T20:40:00+00:00

Okay, so my 'back in the country and raring to go' hasn't quite worked the way I had planned. Nothing's been put off, only shifted in to a lower gear.

It's been 2 months since I've been back in the country from Canada, and moving home, buying and building the entire contents to our home, commuting (we've heard this one before) and general day to day long hours is meaning my films are taking a little longer.

However, and there's always a however, I am starting to ramp up the Cobra Vision film, getting some planning done for Bad Pipes and, and this is the big'un, working with Steve on Arrowarp again.

I've been pitting my mind against the screenplay, but I don't count myself as that good a writer - but Steve and I are now meeting at least once a fortnight to work on our baby.

We've decided to work from the ground up, so since that point in time we've had to change Bruce's name (sorry Bruce) to Sam! We'll keep you posted peeps!

White Pipes, Bad Wallies and Competitions

remy — 2005-04-13T13:37:05+00:00

Back in the Mother Country and raring to go! We're continuing to make progress with Arrowarp, and we've found two new competitions to set our sights on.

The first is Cobra Vision, an all year round competition with 200 winning places - even with the opportunity to be viewed on the box. I've got my idea set, still convincing Julie, desperately looking for the items that make the props, but otherwise, ready to go.

It's current title is: White Wally but since it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, I thinking of changing it. I think once I've found my crew (it's requires about 8-10 people on screen) and we've moved in to our new flat in Brighton, I'm ready to roll...just remember not to annoy the crew by making them work all the hours I say!!!

The second has a given title of: It's not what you think.

Then we have to go away, before the end of September and get working. I think the title has a lot of room to play in and could be quite fun. Thinking hats on, I think.

Bad Pipes in still in the "pipeline" but I really want to get the Cobra Vision out the door whilst the weather's still good (it'll be set outdoors).

I've also added an RSS feed version of this blog. If you're using Firefox, then it'll be available at the bottom left, if not, you can syndicate it from this link:

http://www.sharpfocusfilms.com/rss_feed.php

Finally, Steve says he's got the old films I made back in school (probably around 1995) on video, and that he should be able to capture them on his computer and they'll be viewable from this site. They're truly old school and don't have much in the way of a plot (particularly as the requirement was to do them to music) - but I think it'll fun to see them again!

Anyway, back to the day job!

Home Soon

remy — 2005-03-22T12:00:00+00:00

It's nearly April which means I'm nearly home, and that is an encouraging thought. I've had my all out here in Canada and I'm keen to get back to England where my friends and family are.

In my time out here, I'm managed some days out on the mountain, but more importantly, and more relevantly I've managed to write one new screenplay, albeit a short one, and the first three scenes to Arrowarp.

I've also gone and registered arrowarp.com. There's nothing there right now to be seen, but I've got a friend working a design for me and it should be up in the next month or two. It's really a distraction between now and the time the film is made, though the site will be ready closer to now than the film being made...if you get what I mean!

The site has also had a couple of updates. I've added a non-film section to showcase some of my other projects. The galleries have also been tidied up and now (should) work in all browsers correctly.

I'm planning to start work on Bad Pipes in April or June, and also plan to start regularly meeting with Steve to work on Arrowarp.

Stay peachy readers.

War of the Sabre Buddies

Remy — 2005-02-11T12:00:00+00:00

Okay, since I've not been writing any blog stuff and haven't really been very active in my films (due to the whole Canada thing), out of desperation I've started to edit in to 'War of the Buddies' light sabre action.

I've got a little demo clip from the opening of War of the Buddies. The actual special effects take quite a long time to put together since for most of the cool bits you have to do it frame by frame.

Then there's the sound effects - which I don't have, so the result is a crappy bit of sound to go with the effects.

I might try to complete it for the entire film - but I think that the sound is going to be the deal breaker - i.e. because I can't do decent sound.

Anyway, here's the video for your viewing pleasure: WOTB opening

New year and new ideas - we hope

Remy — 2005-01-10T12:00:00+00:00

So I'm out in Canada now for 3 months snowboarding, but I've spent more time feeling hung-over! Nothing changes I guess. Along with the 3 months snowboarding, I also hope to get down some ideas written up and planned out for filming later in the year.

So far, new ideas aren't flowing as well as I had hoped. Certainly I wanted to get working on Arrowarp - but the old creative juices need some serious greasing. I do have one new idea which is pretty morbid but I think if the lines are right the tone will come across the way I want it. The only down side is that I can't use my friends to do the acting because it's such a personal film and such an emotionally charged story line.

I'll check in again, but blogs will be limited whilst out boarding.

Another year, another five films

Remy — 2004-12-08T12:00:00+00:00

Showdown: Part Two is finished and so far I've had a fairly positive response - even though I think the film is loaded with more cheese than the Cheddar Caves. I should be proud too, because it was only 600 odd days ago I decided that I would make my first film, and now two years later I've got seven films to my name and one made the finalist in the Stella Screen competition - not to mention having learnt a ton of stuff and having a damn good laugh with my friends making them.

Although I'm keen to get on to the next project, and trust me, I've got about two new ideas each week, none of which have a decent story(!), I think I should ease back and not try to rush out a film before the end of the year (a total of 25 days or so).

It looks like we (Julie, Steve, Andrew and I) will be doing a commentary to the films we've made so far which'll be fun. Andrew's going to have a crack at the Zombie come documentary come chav story, and if it's any good - or gets done ;-) we'll give a go at writing it in to a script.

I'm also playing with an idea based on my total lack of memory and unrivalled frustration at the very smallest things, but as all things, I don't know where I want to take it...

Anyway, I suspect this will be last (or penultimate) blog of the year - so if anyone out there is reading this - cheers for listening and watching! Merry Christmas!

Film - The Showdown: Part Two

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2004-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

Payback is a bitch. With a fast car. And a gun.

After seeing her boyfriend slain, Julie gets out the big guns to deal with Axe Man Boyd. But Boyd has Steve up his sleave, the heavy that knows Kung Fu.

Boyd's got the matrix moves, Julie's got wings and Steve's got RedBull. How will it end, nobody knows!

Read more and watch film »

Showdown: Part Two - filming tomorrow

Remy — 2004-11-26T12:00:00+00:00

I've got my bag, my green screen, my tripod, camera, two tapes, minidisk recorder, and ton of other stuff that makes me look like a bloody pack horse!

Okay, but now I'm ready for the next instalment of The Showdown. Filming starts tomorrow (Saturday), with Steve the Man, helping with all the running - plus we've got to do our location scouting, and convince the Watkins to lend us a car for filming, and then(!) work out the fight sequence.

It should be good fun, certainly doing the green screen stuff will be interesting - I've never done it before (well - properly at least) and I've got in mind (finally) how I'll spoof the matrix bullet dodge move - but I might have to 'make believe' the actual bullets.

Wish us luck - the pictures and film project page should be here early next week.

Stories based on what you know

Remy — 2004-11-12T12:00:00+00:00

So I'm no expert when it comes to stories (see my films for reference), but I can spot a good beginning when I see it - and those I've got plenty of!

So I've now decided that maybe the best way to help motivate my story writing (since I'm the only person I know who will write stories I like) is to make something about them real personal to me.

My latest "idea" is about a private detective that's got a memory like a sieve. That's me. I forget so many things I almost think I've got some kind of mental illness. But that's something to write about right? I think so. Anyway - so now I've got this guy who doesn't know who he is or what he's doing (see Trained for more references!). All I have to think up now is the main story.

I think Boyd could make a good P.I. and the use of black and white with the good old Phillip Marlowe monologue would fit real well - but let's remember - it's a visual medium - don't forget!!!

Okay - so that's the next idea - let's get The Showdown: Part Two done and let's get on to the next idea!

foreach $day (@whilst_drunk) { be a fool }

Remy — 2004-11-06T12:00:00+00:00

For one I can't believe that's both Saturday and second that it's the 6th. Where's all the time going? Same place all those cancelled trains go I guess.

It would seem that the only time I bother to write this blog is when I'm trying to reflect on both a previous drinking night whereby there was at least one event that has caused myself some embarrassment and my current state of affairs going forward.

I'm still waiting for some great big slash of an idea to land on my lap. Maybe I'm being too impatient. Most people only make shorts once a year. I'm trying to get one done ever month or two.

I'm going to meet up with the boys today, maybe I'll try to press some ideas out of them. I guess I will be filming the Showdown: Part Two next week so that is progress. That said - I really want to get another talking short out. They were different.

Oh to be more proactive and less melancholy. Av'it.

Are we going to get going?

Remy — 2004-10-30T12:00:00+00:00

It's 9am Saturday morning. Not only is my head pounding, but outside the flat they're trying to drill some sort of hole in the concrete - I doubt for any real reason.

That aside, I'm starting to get worried about the ideas for stories I'm having and the total lack of movement on the production front.

I've got a clear plan for 'The Showdown: Part Two' and I've even bought some green screen paper. Steve's even poured solder in to a micromachine and proved he can move it with a magnet. However, even though I have a plan, I'm no where on the way to filming.

Plus now I'm getting loads of ideas - and I really want to complete Don't Eat the Neighbours - but I've written precisely zilch for it...

Oh...what a moan, us Brits are great for that. Oh to moan...

The Boydus in control...

Andrew — 2004-10-23T12:00:00+00:00

Not Mr Sharp here today, it's Mr Boyd, The Steve Buscemi to Remy's Harvey Keitel. Thought you might like to know that the About Us page has been updated. Click on the link on top of the page to read all about this motley crew. Laters.

Idea a plenty

Remy — 2004-10-21T12:00:00+00:00

After spending hour after hour commuting back and forth from home to work, in a strange world of unconscious wake - I'm trying to put my day light hallucinations to use and write them down, vainly attempting to weave them in to story ideas.

So far I've got a strange love story about a girl who dies and another man who needs to grab life by the throat (this is not a murder scene - for a change).

Another story about guys who, in the future, race rocket ships (a la Wipeout) and hold honour and pride above all things - using their Samurai swords. Not story, but it sounds fun!

Showdown Two - which is in the making. The shot list is sorted and the cast are ready (if not willing). It'll (hopefully) have a car chase, and fight scene and matrix style bullet dodge. Watch this space.

Finally - the Can Fury - which sees one man bludgeoned to death with a can of soft drink. Pretty disturbed, but that's the way I like it.

Props 'r' us

Remy — 2004-10-11T12:00:00+00:00

In my bleariness and looking for a spare battery for my new laptop on Ebay - I stumbled upon a vast resource of props: EBAY!

Just by some random accident, I came across a Samurai sword on ebay, and from the looks of things there are loads!

I've just put in a bid for a driver's cap - prop (sort of) required for Steve's role as the henchman to Boyd in the 'Showdown 2'. Along with cap, there's a ton of relpica swords and guns - oh yeah - I could have a some real ninja fun with full on fights on DV...

...this has inspired some new ideas... :-)

Blog for blog's sake

Remy — 2004-10-09T12:00:00+00:00

Okay, so the main reason this blog is here is because there's some strange bug with my blog page that doesn't allow my to only show one blog. This is probably some strange code thing that is pushing me to keep this page up to date. So, here you go:

I've got over the disappointment of not getting in to any of the final draws for any of the competitions. Though I did find out that one of the finalist for the Nokia 15 comp was the winner of Depict last year. That's fairly impressive for them.

I'm now starting to think about my next two projects: 'Axe 2' and 'Neighbours for dinner'.

The former is a follow up to the initial Axe Showdown, but this showdown is going to be with fists, bullets and some special effects. I've written out a general plan of shots I want and started to storyboard.

The Neighbours for Dinner is a mockumentary on living in today's world, when Zombies have just moved in down the road. We're still working out the characters.

I'm also off today to buy my uber laptop for when I go away to Canada for 3 months - I'm a sad freak and deny actually having 'turned', but the laptop is a Mac.

Okay, that's enough, my head is pounding and my tongue feels like a persian rug - too much drink makes Remy a sad man.

Film competitions

Remy — 2004-10-03T12:00:00+00:00

Sunday morning, trying to make the site look pretty I check out the competition sites (Depict.org and Nokiashorts.co.uk).

This is when I find that both of my films failed to get in to the finals.

The main problem I've got is that my very first film makes it to the finals of a competition, and I've got this inner expectation to see my shorts do well again.

It's simply not realistic. I'm not going to beat myself up about not getting through, but I'm still bummed. The best thing I can do, I suppose, is make sure that I take the new things I have learnt and use them to good use in my next projects.

Planning was a huge thing in Trained and I found that the lack of it can make a very stressful post-production period.

Storyboards, particularly photographic ones, come in very, very handy. Loaded Question was a doddle because I knew exactly what I wanted.

So, I've got two new projects I want to work on, so I'll focus on improving on my previous films. Make the story stand out better. Make it clearer. Plan, carefully. Get every shot and angle down before the camera is picked up...and consider lighting!

Film - Sunday in the Park

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2004-09-16T00:00:00+00:00

If you can't trust your friends, who can you trust? Stuart has lived for a year, struggling to overcome the loss of his girlfriend in tragic circumstances. On the anniversary of her murder, he returns to the scene of the crime in an attempt to gain some closure.

But closure isn't what's waiting for him. In fact, spending Sunday in the park with some friends will open up a whole new world for Stu.

Read more and watch film »

Film - Trained

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2004-08-10T00:00:00+00:00

"All aboard! Next stop - home. Please mind the gap..."

It's been said that life is a series of journeys, each one taking you somewhere new and unknown. But what if you knew precisely where you where going, because you've made that same journey a thousand times? What if that journey was the bulk of your existence? If your life flashed before your eyes, would it look like one dull, battered carriage after another? Each subsequent one shackled to the next, and the next, and the next...?

It takes a certain kind of person to walk those tracks.

Read more and watch film »

Film - The Loaded Question

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2004-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

He's lazy, uninvolved and indecisive. She's loving, compassionate and dressed for the occasion. She's also heavily armed.

It's not the answer she was looking for. Watch the repercussions of getting a proposal so COMPLETELY wrong, it'll make your head explode.

Read more and watch film »

Film - Fast Food

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2004-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

A masked killer; a frightened young victim; a snapping, crackling, springtime wood, and a frying pan. All these and more will bring anxiety, will widen your eyes in shock, clench your buttocks in panic. And hopefully give you some nice serving suggestions. A film called Fast Food.

Read more and watch film »

Film - War of the Buddies

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2003-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

It's a story older than time itself. Two men...manly, beer drinking, hard fighting men. Two friends as close as men can be without the need for lubrication. Each would face down the Apocalypse willingly with his buddy by his side.

Only one force exists in nature that could rent asunder these stalwart comrades.

Beer.

A beer called Stella.

Bruce is in love. Barry is in denial. Stella is in a think glass bottle, served chilled. Only one man can win the...hand, I suppose...of the fair Stella, and so blood must be spilt.

Only we couldn't afford any fake blood, so you'll just have to imagine it. Also, we ask you suspend disbelief and accept that both men are in love in an inanimate bottle of beer. We know that some people have strong romantic feelings for the golden brew, but in this case, it's just acting.

Anyway...who will reign triumphant and sup from the slender neck of the beautiful Stella? Who will be defeated and forced to drink only cheap imported Dutch larger that tastes like it was fermented in a chamber pot? Or...is death on the cards?

Read more and watch film »

Film - The Axe Showdown

Sharp FOCUS Films — 2003-08-10T00:00:00+00:00

The purest form of brutality is a deep primal urge, and it doesn't get more primal than these two guys. Warriors. Combatants. Former compadres. Who knows? But one thing's for sure - they aren't friends now. So a showdown must happen, CONFLICT personified, but one man is a little more prepared than the other.

Read more and watch film »

Sharp FOCUS Films: The Blog

Film - Bomb!

Bombs Away

Hasbro denounces us

God damn, this sounds good

Film - Star Wars 3 3/4 - Friendship: A New Hope

Star Wars wrapped - and now for a fast edit

Filming again - finally

Darth Roto

A New Hope

2006

Holy Crap - I *could* be on the telly mom!

White Wally's Away

Film - White Wally

Urban Ninja

Film - Urban Ninja

White Wally Prep

Attacks on London

Batman Begun

Bad Pipes - scene one in the bag

Bad Pipes begins

Bad Pipes back in the pipeline

Stumble at the starter's blocks

White Pipes, Bad Wallies and Competitions

Home Soon

War of the Sabre Buddies

New year and new ideas - we hope

Another year, another five films

Film - The Showdown: Part Two

Showdown: Part Two - filming tomorrow

Stories based on what you know

foreach $day (@whilst_drunk) { be a fool }

Are we going to get going?

The Boydus in control...

Idea a plenty

Props 'r' us

Blog for blog's sake

Film competitions

Film - Sunday in the Park

Film - Trained

Film - The Loaded Question

Film - Fast Food

Film - War of the Buddies

Film - The Axe Showdown

Holy Crap - I could be on the telly mom!