NOVA Woodbridge Promotional Video

Here you go…

Here is the promotional video that was created for AMC theaters that debuts today (make sure you chose to watch in HD to take advantage of the intended quality).

Since we also had the actors and equipment and time, we did a quickly shot series of three “behind the scenes” videos of our actors pretending to be characters that were actors.  Do you follow?

It all helps set up the promotional video.

Check back for future versions of the promotional video as we will put at least one extended version of the promo and one special edition version too.  We will be posting them in the video section of this blog too.

We would like to create more of these in the future, so check back to this site often and remember you could be a part of the excitement by taking film classes at community college prices.  Yes, we love an underdog!

Promo Video to be Premiered this Friday

The promotional video we completed for the NOVA Woodbridge film program finally has a release date for the theaters.  It will start to play at the local Woodbridge, VA theaters this Friday, December 6th.

We are excited for the opportunity for our actors to be appear on the big screen and give our great program some new publicity.

We will also be launching both a Facebook and Twitter account as well and posting the promotional video, as well as, the behind the scenes videos on these social network sites.

I will, also, be releasing an extended version of the video as well, so check back when you can.

And don’t forget we are in open enrollment now for spring 2014 classes so come to NOVA Woodbridge and experience the magic of our new film program.

Tease from the NOVA Promo Video

As we inch closer to the release of our promotional video for the NOVA Woodbridge film program, here are some of the stills a student took while on set:

Audio Guys Rojit and Jesus prep for audiobefore the mess Dressing a set from this…big setup2 …to this…big shot2 …to create this!directors meet2 Faculty members discuss the shot eric makeup2 Theatre director Eric Trumball in makeupgroup shot1 Some of our students and faculty last shot Bryan Brown applauds last shotpractice2 Our actors rehearsered camera4 Using a RED Epic camerascript breakdown2Kelly Cochran breaks down the script

Watch New Student Videos

The main purpose of this blog is to display the talent and hard work of our current students, as well as, demonstrate to future students some of the things they could expect in our film/video courses.

As such, some new student videos have been uploaded to the video page of this site.  Though I would love to add more, I can only host seven videos in the manner in which I do it.  I have included three student videos from the fall 2012 PHT 130 class and the class documentary.  In addition, below – embedded here-, you can view music videos completed by the PHT 130 class in both the fall 2012 and spring 2012 classes and the one completed by the Filmmaking Club in summer 2012:

Fall 2012 Music Video (Eyes Closed)

Spring 2012 Music Video (Dangerous Girl)

Summer 2012 Music Video (Good Life)

 

It’s Been Awhile

Just an update of the busy semester that has been:

The campus theatre department just wrapped on their production of “Bus Stop.”  It was a fun time with some notable acting talent.  Hats off to Dr. Eric Trumball for his creative direction.

PHT 130 students finished principal photography on their class music video project.  We enter post production now and everyone is anxious to see the final outcome.  Also, these same students are working on their final video projects and their class documentary.  They are keeping busy but, hopefully, getting a great experience in the process.

Kelly Cochran, English faculty, is leading her dramatic writing students through the steps needed to write a script.  One lucky student will have his or her work created into a short movie in the spring by the students in the PHT 131 (Video II) class.  We are excited about this collaborative process.  I will just have to contain my enthusiasm until the semester starts.

The Filmmaking Club has been working on their own projects, both as individuals and an entire group.  They finished auditions this past week for the main roles of their group project.  I won’t reveal any plot details until the production is completed.  Just keep checking back to find out the status on this project.

And what about Professor Bryan Brown, you may ask?  He has been involved in just about everything to do with film on this campus. In fact, he has planned a big event for November 30th, but you will have to read the other blog post to find out what he has cooking…

Summer Filmmaking Project (Take 3 – Planning)

I want to write a post about something I emphasize to my students all of the time: the importance of pre-production.  This project was a great example of what is lost without planning.

Some things that help elevate a student film into a more polished video is lighting and audio.  Often, students just wish to run around with a camera and are quick to want to edit the footage afterward.  However, audio and lighting are two factors that can make a video look either like a student video or like a low-budget independent film.  I discuss both of these in my PHT 130 course but what we don’t get to spend enough time on in class is pre-production.

Pre-production is about more than just writing a script…it is about planning for everything and anything.  Here are some things that were done in pre-production for this project:

  • Shots were planned for each of the seven spoofed videos.
  • I hired hair and makeup and discussed designs for each video segment (photos were sent to the artists to plan skin tones and so forth).
  • Actors and actresses were recruited around campus.
  • Locations were scouted (got permission to use Padrino’s Pizza as diner shot).
  • Post-production was already considered since some scenes (“Take On Me” spoof) would require special effects.
  • Dry ice was purchased and tested as a ground fog effect for the “Thriller” video (also had to purchase a special cooler, rubber gloves, and a scoop and tongs for the dry ice).
  • Ordered matching dresses online for Robert Palmer video.
  • Rented wide angle lens for elevator shoot since it would be needed in close quarters.
  • Did test shot at night with tungsten lighting.  Edited the results with color grading to see if day for night or real night shoot would work best for “Thriller” shoot.
  • Recruited dancer to choreograph the zombie dance in “Thriller.”
  • Recruited other dancers for “Thriller.”
  • Purchased a Micheal Jackson “thriller” jacket along with other 80s clothing and accessories.
  • Borrowed 80s clothing from different people.
  • Borrowed and tested a small generator from school for the night time shoot.
  • Discussed U2 shoot (which we did not end up doing) with campus police to find out the use of the officers (also secured permission to film on the roof of the building).
  • Attended rehearsal for the dance choreography.
  • Bought bungie cords and ties to be used as a tether system for the car mount (as a back up safety measure).
  • Bought a polarizing filter to film inside of a car.
  • Found two car owners willing to let us use their vehicles for the Whitesnake shoot.
  • Got hair and makeup in line for the Duran Duran shoot.
  • Tested the monitor with new cable hookups for the jib to be used on set for “Thriller.”
  • Recruited a tutor (Piero Franco) to sketch the pictures to be used on the “Take On Me” shoot.
  • Worked with theatre director in the transformation of the theatre.
  • Recruited tutors to build the sets to be used in “Take On Me” and “You Can Call Me Al.”
  • Worked on the theatre lighting design for the in-house shoots.
  • Borrowed and tested smoke machine from theatre department.
  • Bought an additional smoke machine.
  • Bought materials to transform smoke machines into fog machines for low hanging fog.  Constrcuted the machines and tested.
  • Constructed gutter trench system to place the dry ice on the “Thriller” shoot.
  • Bought headstones and decorated the graveyard setting of “Thriller” and buried the gutter system.
  • In anticipation of rain for the “Thriller” shoot, brought protective gear, including trash bags, tarps, hand-held lights, and a pop-up canopy.
  • Ensured the band brought additional musical instruments for “You Can Call Me Al” and Palmer video.
  • Ensured “zany” costume and prop accessories were brought for the “Love In An Elevator” shoot.
  • Secured a skeleton arm for the “Thriller” shoot.
  • Ensured there was fake blood and zombie flesh created for the shoot.
  • Got extras for many of the scenes that were shot.

There were many other things that had to be planned in advance of these shoots as well but you can see how important it is to get a gameplan before filming and communicate your needs to others.  Then, when you expect the worst, you can course-correct later.

For example, we originally planned to shoot the “Thriller” scene on Wednesday, August 1st and we brought about seven dancers, the band members, hair and makeup, and six or seven students from the Filmmaking or Tutors Clubs.  Everyone was to meet at 6pm to start setting the scene or getting into hair and makeup.  The first complication happened at 3pm when I was informed that the young lady who was to play the “girlfriend” in the “Thriller” shoot was no longer going to be a part of it.  With three hours until hair and makeup, I was scrambling around for a replacement (we eventually got a friend of one of the dancers).

Then, we had a delay in securing parking passes on campus and did not get them until almost 5pm.

I transported all of the equipment to campus and we worked to get everything set up for the shoot (about one-quarter of a mile away from the main campus building).  We were ready to shoot at 8:30 and waiting for it to get dark at 8:45 but we never got a chance because it started to rain.  Everyone quickly took down the cameras, the lights, the fog machines, reflectors, etc. and got it covered up.  Yes, we were watching the weather but this was not reported.  At 9:30 the rain stopped and we started to set things up all over again.  I worked with the police to ensure we could get back into the building up to 11pm.  Right as we were about to shoot again at 9:50pm, a HUGE thunderstorm erupted from the sky and we had to, again, take everything down.  In fact, the storm was so bad, a few of us got stuck in the storm, huddled under the small space of the canopy, hoping the lighting would not strike the metal poles all around us (jib, light stands, c-stands, etc.).  The storm lasted until about 10:15 (again, the weather forecast blew this one) and we were forced to cancel the entire shoot for the evening.

We spent the next 45 minutes cleaning up from all of the wetness and drying each of us out (wringing out our clothing).  With the shoot not happening that night AND with all of the planning beforehand, I still lost over $400 in services and goods that were to be used that night that went to waste.

We were able to successfully conduct the shoot two days later but we had to sacrifice some of the planned footage and call in some favors just to get things done before the rain came around 11pm and police and security finally kicked us out of the building (they were wonderful to let us stay that long – truly, the police were great allies in this film project).  Even so, we still had two less dancers (we replaced one at the last minute) and we had to have yet a different “girlfriend” for the shoot.  The humidity was so bad, we had to wipe the lenses between each take.  Also, since I was not happy with the tungsten setup from the original shoot attempt on Wednesday, I rented some daylight-balanced lights for this shoot (another needed planning step but extra time and money).  Also, the fog machines were not working as intended but I could not devote my time to troubleshoot, so I had to go without them (again, wasted the time I spent in advance creating the ground fog machines).  Dancer Lara Kenney was fabulous in assisting in hair and makeup and everyone hung in until the bitter end to get things cleaned up.

So, why did I feel like writing this long blog post?  Simple…I want everyone reading it, especially my students, to realize that the more planning you do, the better the results and the least amount of wasted time and resources because one can only plan for the worstkase scenario and hope to get the best results in the end.

 

Summer Filmmaking Project (Take 2)

While I have an opportunity, I just wanted to thank some folks who helped the members of the Filmmaking Club with this project:

Our dancers: Lara Kenney, Jenna Owen, Nyeem Braxton, Andrew Buning, Paola Gil, Mike Sherman, Mariah Dillard (and thank you to Lexie Heller and Corine Dillard for acting assistance).

Tutors (helped with acting and behind-the-scenes work): Heather Jackling, Salma Roshdi, Ahmed Roshdi, Terri Miller, Kavya Kothapalli, Piero Franco, Angel Le, Truc Nguyen, Lucky Giron, Cara Brower and Bibiana Cornejo De La Mora.

Thank you to the makeup artists of TDR Artistry.  Additional makeup by Lara Kenney and Rosa Rivas.

Thank you to the campus facilities department (Tony Harbert) for the use of the genertaor and other allowances.

Thank you to the campus police for their continued partnership.

Thank you to Eric Trumball for the use of the campus theatre and other props.

An extra special thank you to Wendy Gazzelli of the Filmmaking Club and her daughters, Megan and Alyssa, for their assistance throughout the production with many odd tasks, errands, and requests.

If I left someone off this list, it was not intention.  However, when there are not many funds to go around to hire personnel for these tasks, it is great to see a campus pull together to help each other.

Summer Filmmaking Project (Take 1)

It has been a long time since I have had the opportunity to post her eon the blog but that is because I have been involved in another filmmaking project here on the Woodbridge campus.

I was working with the Filmmaking Club to create another music video for the band WorstKase Scenario.

It did not begin as an endeavor to make a music video but it is an example of the way things snowball.  We received new Canon 7D cameras in the spring and I wished to test them out well in real-world situations.  So, I got the idea I would do another project, as to not waste the time spent on testing this equipment.  I partnered with Dave Bausch again and decided to do a no-budget music video.  Then, in order to really test the cameras, we wanted to put them through different situations and the idea (somewhere, somehow) of spoofing 1980s music videos became the foundation for this project.  And, finally, the Filmmaking Club was invited along to participate.  So, what began as a simple little task became another full-blown project.

However, I will confess that the cameras got quite a workout and the original test was accomplished but it has cost me a lot of time, money, and stress on what should have never been such an ordeal.  But the students got to see real world conditions, decisions, and all of us got to network further in the industry.

We completed our two weeks of shoots this past Friday and post-production will be strating soon.  Hopefully, we will have a finished product in the coming weeks.

In addition, I will be using this production experience to post a few blog entries about the experience so prospective students have an idea of what it is like in the trenches of filmmaking on no budget.