Thursday, November 5, 2009

Reaching Episode 5

As I get closer to completing episode 5 certain things have developed... Besides the fact that I am currently unemployed, due to my previous employer's cash flow issues.

I'm currently waiting it out for another month or so, to see if the call back they promised will indeed materialize. Currently I'm collecting unemployment (peanuts) and being raped on rent.

Meanwhile with episode 5 about 85% shot, I've come to a complete stop... I have 2 more scenes to shoot, but financial complications are keeping me from moving forward. The funny thing is that I don't really need much financially, but that little bit that I do need is just beyond my grasp and it's extremely aggravating.

I've learned a few things:
Life at home is definitely not for me, while I'm definitely a home-body to some extent. And I do enjoy to sit at home and work on my material whether it's music, scripts, images or audio editing... Or just trying to find the time to enjoy a DVD. I am definitely a workaholic and not having that portion of the day where I'm in the office is killing me slowly but surely. I need to function in a labor-like environment. I don't slack and I like to keep busy. Doing the family thing works better for me after I've arrived home from a long day's work.

Other than that personal outburst, in respect to DEAD ROAD... I recently planned what I wanted to be a large scale scene, with lots of zombies. Between facebook, Myspace and the ever-useless Twitter... I had the word spread out all over the internet. I tried to tap into as many zombie-related sites as possible. I had a few hits and some people confirmed... Everyone promising to bring people. I even made it so that the shoot would begin at 2PM (contrary to my preference) Instead of the usual 5 or 6AM wake up call.

Endless amounts of texts and e-mails as well, to assure that I can get a big crowd to show up at the (perfect) location that I was able to get. With an overwhelmingly apprehensive feeling in the back of my mind, I continued.

This was set for October 25th, just in time for Halloween... Who could ask for a better time? I tentatively tried for the 18th as well, but everyone was agreeing for the 25th. So I made my decision... When everything was set in motion and the day approaching faster than you can say "what the fuck is going on?" I was all geared up and ready to go...

A couple of issues with scheduling the regular cast was to be expected, not a big deal. But the night before the big shoot the symphony of cancellations and straight up ignoring started to throw a gigantic monkey wrench into the whole thing.

The situation was looking quite pathetic, but I kept going forward... I finally arrive to the set for that day. Where I once had about 20 to 30 people confirmed, with friends and all. I ended up with only 1 single friend showing up to play a zombie... Just 1.
There were about 3 actual people I never met who heard about it and showed up. One of them made a few phone calls and got another few people to show up as well. Lucky for me.

So I ended up with about 11 zombie instead of the planned 30 or 40, not nearly enough. But I shot anyway, thinking I might as well make them all tight shots and fix it later in the editing room as I always do. The make up was set, the blood was splashed around, the lines were horribly performed since no one tends to know their lines and I have to keep feeding it to them when I'm supposed to be paying attention to the shot instead. Not to mention the audio problems (I hate dubbing)

All these struggles I can deal with, I'm just put off at how my good friends just completely ignored me when I needed them and maybe 4 of them had the decency to let me know that they could not make it. While the others pulled that bullshit convenient disappearing act.

It amazes me that complete strangers came through, where my own family and friends were just about nowhere to be found. Except for my good friend Brian, who made the effort.

Granted, this is not the most important thing in anyone's life but my own... But when you're gonna show support and enthusiasm, stick to your word.
It only looks good on paper... Carrying in out is a whole different story.

I guess I'm not important to them at the moment.

Things will change, I can't wait.