Casting Results and Filming

So as of yesterday, I officially chose my actors for my short film! The auditions went great, with many people from the michigan film office. That was sweet.

So this Saturday begins my filming of the party scene. If you want to be an extra, please contact me and I'll give you the details! :D
Anyone and everyone is encouraged to come!

TUMBLR

So I'm officially a Tumblr addict. Srsly. They should have a center for Tumblr addicts. I'm on it everyday.
However, that means you should go visit it as well, and help me with my addiction. In other words, FUEL IT. :)

kahepfin.tumblr.com

You'll know it's mine by my zombie profile picture.
Aside from fueling the addiction, you can get more sneaks into my film interests, and film postings.

If you get a tumblr, add me. I'll do the same.

Katie

P.S. Only 2 more days until the casting call! Remember, you can definitely be a part of it! Just message me or comment for details.

Casting Call

I will be holding an open casting call this October 2nd from 10am to 4pm. Please wear casual clothing, and be prepared to read a cold script.
If you're interested, please come to Oakland University and head to The Heritage Room in the Oakland Center.

This is a NON PAID gig, but future film festivals could harbor cash prizes, where you might be paid.

I'm very excited about this script! :D
Please come on down and try out! I'm looking for a bunch of extras as well, so don't hesitate, thinking you won't get a role!

Katie

Inside Job

A new movie coming out has been brought to my attention, and it looks awesome!
It's called "Inside Job" and it's basically and documentary about Wall Street, and how it's significant drop in 2008 was done on purpose by the people who were "failing", in order to benefit.
You can check it all out on Greg Mankiw's blog
http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2010/09/inside-job.html

The trailer is definitely worth watching.

Aside from that, I'm almost done editing the ending of my script (which is crap right now), and then I'll begin the casting call set up and crew search.

Remember, if you want to be involved, message me on here or e-mail me at: kahepfin@oakland.edu

:D

Katie

LET THERE BE SCRIPT

I've finally finished my short film script for the "Grizzdance" film festival! I'm going to start the inner workings of casting, looking for crew, locations, and the rest of the pre-production process.
:)

Wanna be involved? Hit me up at: kahepfin@oakland.edu or message me on here!

:DDDD


I'll keep you posted with more updates on casting etc.

Katie

Machete

I saw Machete last night. It was everything I dreamed it would be. I had been waiting to see this movie since the "feux" preview for it in the Rodriguez/Tarentino Double Feature, "Grindhouse".

Danny Trejo is a beast. A sexy, Mexican Beast. Not to mention the amazing cast of Steven Segal, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriquez, and Cheech Marin.
Not mention, I've gained a lot more respect for Lindsey Lohan, who made an appearance in the film as well. I can't explain why without spoiling anything. Just know that she's sort of segued out of her former "Mean Girls" role....

The B-movie aspect of the film was genius. There's a scene that I think was built around the idea of having Machete jump out a window, holding a guys lower intestine as a rope. It's brutal. And amazing.

Love gore? Love boobs? Love guns? This movie is for you. Not to mention its awesome avocation for illegal immigrants to be treated better. It makes you think, briefly. If you can think long enough to not be distracted by some sweet action and hot chicks. The sheer hilarity of the movie can me found in some of the outrageous scenes of violence, something obviously done on purpose to appeal to the b-movie aspect.

You even get a tie to the original trailer at the end of the film :)

I've heard rumors that their making the other fake preview from Grindhouse, "Thanksgiving". If that's true, SIGN ME UP.

Katie

Psycho

I watched Psycho in my CIN 252 today. Wow, is that movie messed up. I honestly didn't expect it to be that wacky....
But you should definitely go check it out! The more Hitchcock films I watch, the more I'm blown away by his genius.
I also watched Shadow of a Doubt by him in the same class. which was very good as well, though not as messed up...

Since we'll be analyzing Psycho endlessly in my class, I'll probably be updating frequently with some insight on the film. Because of this, DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS.

I will also be updating other films I've watched, and my happenings with my short film (which I'm almost done with the scriptttt! :D)

Stay tuned!

Katie

Zombie Filming!

I just got back from a whole days worth of filming for Kristine Haggard's indie film, "I am Zombie".
It was a blast! Not to mention gory and hilarious! ;D
I ended up picking up some amazing make-up at Ed's Costume Shop in Lake Orion. And thanks to some amazing tutorials online on how to use the makeup, I was able to use simple Face and Nose wax, Liquid Latex, and fake blood to achieve the look. Kristine was awesome at doing the dead looking skin, which only added to the look. It was perfect.

There were 3 scenes with the zombies, and 1 of them included some disgusting blood capsules that I, of course, got to chew. Nothing's better than waking up in the morning, becoming a zombie, and eating people. :)

Well, I hope you enjoy some of these pictures from the shoot! :D

Katie

An Education

So worth it! I loved it! :D
It was heartwarming, inspiring, beautiful, dark, and relateable.
Seeing this makes you feel so independent and ready to say "hello world, I'm here to take you on, full force". Not that Peter Sarsgaard's sexiness wasn't helpful to the movie... ;)

I really enjoyed the cinematography. Anytime Jenny was at home or school, her typical life, the color was more bland and lifeless. But anytime she was with David, the color was lively! The story line, based on the memoir of the same name, was so rich.
You feel innocent in the beginning, but matured by the end (much like Jenny). It was wonderful, really.

I can see why it won so many awards. I loved it.
GO watch it!

Katie

Fargo and An Education

Just finished watching 'Fargo', finally. I've planned on watching it for a while now, and decided to finally watch it today. I was pretty impressed. It was very endearing. I really appreciated the Minnesota aspect and how darkly humorous it made the entire plot. It was such a subtle thriller...you're constantly on your seat, yet the characters and events are so matter of fact and simple. It's life. Real life. And you can't get more thrilling then death and murder in real life...it's almost a stigmata now a days to see or hear of death. In typical action movies, or horror movies, people die yet we don't feel so connected, and it seems so unreal. This movie brings in that strange connection we feel with death as well as life. T
You have a cop like Marge who see's these horrible things, yet goes on with her life like nothing has ever happened. It's...surreal.

Now, I'm going to watch 'An Education' with the sexy Peter Sarsgaard. So stoked. I've been wanting to see this for a while too, especially with all the awesome reviews it's gotten/awards.
I'll update after I watch it with my reviews.

Katie

ZOMBIES WANTED

Do you want to be a zombie?! Have you been having fantasies of biting people, terrorizing towns, and taking over humanity?
Then contact me to be part of the indie film, "I am Zombie" directed by: Kristine Haggard of SBP!
She's part of the indie film workshop I've been helping with as part of my internship at SBP.

SOOOOOO, if you want to be a zombie you can meet up with us in Royal Oak, MI at 10am to be involved! :D
You MUST provide your own zombie make-up, and we're looking for a freshly dead look!

Please comment and I can message you full details! :D

Katie

Slow Time

Alright, due to lots of work at VS my filming has been slow. I'm trying to finish my short film script in the next month or so, so that I can begin casting and developing my crew.
Also, I've been trying to find a time worthy video contest to enter. If you have any suggestions, or have an idea, let me know with a comment! :D

Until then,

Katie

Facebook Divorce

Due to a marvelous moment of spontaneity, I made a video with my friend Patrick and his girlfriend.
It's a divorce video.
In a quick story of my personal life: My mom loves my friend Patrick and always proposes the idea of us getting married. So, as a joke, we became facebook offical as "married". Due to the recent events of my good friend, Patrick, getting an awesome girlfriend, we decided to divorce VIA facebook, in the most awesome way possible. A Divorce Video.

So, after filming it in less than 30 minutes, almost 2 hours ago, here's the up and running video of: FACEBOOK DIVORCE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ro9zK4PG1k

Americuh!

Alright, the video is officially up and running!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbm3G8xA0ZY

Check it out, tell your friends, post the link everywhere, tattoo it on your body, WHATEVER! Just make sure you spread the word about it. I'm very proud of this video in terms of hilarity and the video quality (due to it being shot on my flip video only...it's not tooo bad).

So yeah, watch it, give it a thumbs up and favorite it!

Katie

Musical Cancellation

Alright, due to low interest and time, I have decided to not film or enter the musical video.

Instead, I recently filmed the beginning of a short mini series that I made with my friend Jill, titled, "Americuh". Hopefully the title says it all.
I'm in the final stages of editing it, and soon I will post the link to it's youtube on here!

Be excited. To keep you on your toes, I'm posting a small scene from the miniseries, unedited of course.
Enjoy!

Musical!

Alright, so since my last update, I've been working like crazy with my friend Jill on a 3 minute musical for a new video contest.

It's going to be epic, filled with singing, over the top dance moves and, of course, a fabulous kick line.

I'll be posting more with details or video updates.
Just know that the guidelines for this contest are about being "Debt Free".
It's going to awesome.

Want more details? Hit me up with a message or comment.
:)

Katie

Jawbone Finished!

So I finished filming, editing, and uploading the Jawbone Commercial.
The filming went super well, as well as the editing, and I think it turned out awesome! It's definitely the best short video I've made so far. I improve with each and every video, which is just awesome.
:)

I'm so happy.

Buuuuut, if you want to make it even better then you should go to this link:
http://www.jawbonecontest.com/watch/OfficeCall;jsessionid=8B5A2286AA18AC7F4CB5948D1470C070


then watch it every day! Also, share it with your friends! I need to have the most views on here so I have a good chance of winning. ;)

<3!

JAWBONEEEE

Alright. New film in progress! Well...it's a commercial for Jawbone headsets. It's 60 seconds and it's a comedic commercial.

Filming is this Thursday around 5pm, or earlier if I don't have to work my on call at Victoria's Secret (ah, the life of an amateur film maker; retail zombie by day and filmmaker by night).

If you're interested, please leave a comment and I'll send you the info!
Be prepared to be dressed for the shoot in business attire, like you're going to an important business meeting! :D

Until then,

Katie

Debt Rehab

Hey guys!
I finally finished filming, editing, and uploading my "Debt Rehab" film for the Be incharge debt solutions contest.
In order for me to place, or even have a chance, PLEASE VOTE FOR MY VIDEO!
:D

Here's the link:
http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/27225/voteable_entries

PLEASE VOTE. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! I need this sooo bad!

Love you guys!

Katie

Nuclear Power, and New Project!

So I was e-mailed by the scholarship on Nuclear Power and, unfortunately, I didn't place. But no worries, every film I enter and make, the better and stronger I become! :D

Currently I have a new project underway for another scholarship on the importance of debt management. Yes, it's as boring as it sound. However, I'm currently finding ways to make it creative and innovative in order to win.
:)
Comment me for ideas!

I'll will probably be finishing my scene layout by Friday, and prepared to shoot this weekend. In other words, if you want in on this, HIT ME UP.

Until then,

Katie

Screenwriting for n00bs

So I'm still working on my script for the short film, one page at a time. I don't know why it's take me forever. But I know that I need to do this and that I can finish it...I just need to stop being a noob and finish.

Until then I've been networking like crazy and just attended a FIT (Film Industry Training) seminar. I'm possibly thinking about attending one of their courses they offer on film production so I can get a hands on understanding of everything I'll need in my short film.
I'm stoked.
:)

Still no word on the Nuclear Power short film, but I will keep you posted!

Until then,

Katie

WINNER!

As of today, I was deemed the winner of the Oakland University Youtube Contest! :D I won a $500.00 gift card to the school's Barnes and Noble! Free books this fall! Boom shakalaka!

I'm so happy! Thanks to those who helped me put together the shots and figure out computer problems. Now, hopefully, I can snag the prize for the Nuclear Power video contest...that would be icing on the cake.

In terms of updates with filming my ELFF short film, nothing right now. I'm still working on the screen play and trying to get a crew together/equipment. Anyone with suggestions, hit me up!

Until then,

Katie

OU and Nuclear posted

Alright, so the I Dream of Oakland University short has been posted on Youtube as well. I have been getting complaints that the link I posted of the nuclear short doesn't work...so here's the actual movie, brought to you!

The Oakland University one can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfSofSGpoXE


Enjoy!

TA DA!

It's finally finished and uploaded to youtube! :D You can view my Nuclear Power short here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKI26z9ntfM
Rate it 5 stars because I'm awesome, and because it took so damn long to finish!

Also, I just finished editing the Oakland University housing video. I'm just waiting for some friendly feedback from friends, then setting into the youtubeiverse. I will post the link to that one as well in my next post!

Thanks to everyone who tried to help me! The real problem was outdated software, which wasn't able to download new software until I fixed a registry problem. Now it's fixed and the film making can continue! :)

Until my next movie,

Katie

Still waiting....

Alas, the lovely comment left by Confused In China still didn't solve my problem.
:(

I'm still working on finding a solution to the issue.
Currently: My video has the correct codec for playing on anything on my computer, but when I upload it to Youtube, it's a black video with only audio. Wtf?!

Remember, anyone with a valid answer/solution will be rewarded handsomely in cookies or coffee! :D

Because it's taking so long, here's a little teaser of the film (remember, this is the raw footage...so trust me, the final product is way better):

GAH. The World of AVI Codecs.....

Alright, so the short film has been finished...for almost a week. Sadly, I have been unable to publish it to youtube because of many AVI codec issues.
Currently, when I publish it, any AVI footage (so anything done with the flip video) is shrunk in half, leaving a half gray screen and half footage. It's annoying. I've downloaded every AVI codec imaginable to fix it...but nothing works. Actuallly, the AVI footage use to not play at all, so I downloaded a DIVX codec, which made it work on Windows Movie Maker, but not it doesn't play normally when published and played on something other than Windows Movie Maker.

I'm so frustrated! I just want this thing to be done! But, for all you tech savvy people out there who read this, HELP ME OUT. If you do, you will be rewarded in coffee and homemade cookies. I promise! :)

Srsly. Help me.

Katie

Rhymes with Orange

Hello hello!

Filming commenced today with Sean and Patrick for the Nuclear Short, now titled: Rhymes with Nuclear.
We shot most of the scenes in Ann Arbor and Whitmore Lake, and lots of B-Roll footage in Ypsilanti.
Today was seriously the perfect day for filming! The sky was gray and foreboding, and the locations we found were stellar! Not to mention some tasty starbucks, jimmy johns, and driving in Patricks Mustang...which just made it better!

So, I'm back now, in my dorm, eating pizza, and ready to edit this thing. :)
Because it might take me only today and tomorrow to edit, be prepared for the posted video soon!

I also took the liberty to take some shots of the filming, as well as some bloopers. Enjoy those for now, until I'm finished editing!
Me...being famous.
Patrick (left) and Sean (right) being BOSS.

Beginning of Getting Reel

This blog is to track all my endeavors in filming and film making. I am currently a double major in Communications and Cinema Studies at Oakland University, and I plan I making as many films as possible.

Currently under my belt:
-A short film about Nuclear Power (for a scholarship)
-A short film about Oakland University Housing (for a book store gift card)
-A short film for the East Lansing Film Festival

The most recent happenings are with the Nuclear Power film, which has begun pre-production and will begin filming this Sunday with my good friend, Sean.
It's only a 3 minute maximum film, so it will be easier to shoot than edit.
I plan on blogging pictures about the filming process as well as editing process, whenever I can.
:)

Until then,

Katie