Production Begins!

This past Monday night we commenced with shooting Kaleidoscope Grimoire. I completed the miniature that afternoon and we shot at night using a forced perspective setup and screen projection. Naturally, a last minute unexpected display on the screen made for a much better image than I had storyboarded so we went with it and I'm very pleased how the footage turned out. As visually satisfying as I imagined and hoped for, and yet better than I expected. It's an establishing shot in the film. Since I won't be working with the actors until after the New Year arrives, I am doing as many establishing shots as I can get done between now and then. We're off to a good start.

KG Update 17 Sep 21: Miniature Work Advancing

 A particular miniature is getting closer to being finished so I am commencing with building the set in which it is featured. I just finished the production sketch for this set. It will utilize both three-dimensional and two-dimensional features. Color tests will determine which shades I'll be using. It's a black and white film, so shading matters, but not so much the colors, per se. Naturally some colors serve B&W better and I learned some about that on Hell's Bells. My modeling skills are really coming into play here. For only two shots I'll be creating a particular landscape. I'll definitely take full advantage of the final product by getting multiple takes using a variety of lighting and angles and camera movement and such. I figure I can also capture some stock footage for other projects by taking out the miniature central to the shots for this film. Once the primary miniature is finished, I'll start on the three dimensional landscape features. When those are done, I'll create the two dimensional elements. The final stage will be actually setting up the backdrop and then building the setting from there. All this work for what will likely be one day of shooting as I'll easily be able to capture the variety of shot variations in one day. But it will be worth it visually, I'm certain of that.

More to follow...

KG Update: 7 Sep 21

Major production decision and for the best: I've decided to move principal photography with the actors to after Jan 1st so that I'm not fighting against the impending arrival of the holidays. I don't want to be rushed. However, this decision allows me to get a lot of preproduction accomplished and shoot some B roll and establishing shots, so I will be working on the film myself between now and then. I've also decided to do one particular shot in studio instead of on location -- but wait til you see it. How I'm doing this shot is gonna be really cool.

I have started on building one of the miniatures to be used in the film. This will be something that is seen 'from a distance' by the Protagonist.  I'm taking progress stills and will decide to what extent I will show these. I want to save certain things until after the film is completed and released. Showing a before and after photo set of the miniature would be best, so I'll likely do that.

More to follow...

KG Update August 19

 I made a production purchase tonight, thanks to a couple of donors. I don't want to say what that purchase is (though the donors know) because I want that particular segment of the film to be a surprise. Presently working my way back to the shot list. Real life got in the way for about ten days but I can start the storyboards this weekend. It's likely that I'll share some of the pre-production art here as I get deeper into it, but nothing that will give too much away, of course. Not much to show right now.

Kaleidoscope Grimoire Update

 So here we go.

It's almost midnight. I've been chatting with the musician whom I want to do the score and we're sculpting out how to make it happen. I'm sharing examples of what I'm looking for, he's going through his catalogue and sending me samples. We have plenty of time because I won't need the music until Spring '22.

Tomorrow I'll run to the office supply store and get a couple packages of index cards so I can begin the storyboarding. It's looking like October, tentatively, for shooting 'studio' principal with my actors. If I can do location stuff in the same month, great. But that can be more easily scheduled and accomplished than the studio stuff because my studio is my home and I'll be commandeering one entire living area for multiple scenes on multiple sets. That takes coordination because I want to not have a set standing during the holidays. Anyway, these are the kinds of things I want to deal with because it means I'm making a movie.

Look for production glimpses starting in October as I construct sets and pull costumes together and do makeup tests with the actors, of which I need to cast four more. I already have three.

More to follow...

Kaleidoscope Grimoire: Raising Funds

Welcome to my film production blog, if you're new here. Welcome back if you've been a follower.

This past spring, I completed the script for my new film project, The Kaleidoscope Grimoire. I have also designed the sets and costume designs are in the works. It has been nine years since I finished my first silent picture and this one has been in the works off and on, through three versions, for seven years. It is time to move forward.

The Kaleidoscope Grimoire is a story of self discovery through an experience of loss and distraction, much like life. The story has been crafted from personal experience with and deeper research into themes explored in ancient philosophy and eternal truths. I choose to relate this story in a setting of fantasy and shadow, light and horror, hell and hope. It is a story with moments that will challenge the viewer to reach beyond what is merely depicted on the screen. It is a story for everyone seeking to understand the role identity plays in enlightenment.

Seeking to go beyond what I accomplished with Hell's Bells, I will produce a film with technical challenges not attempted on that picture. The Kaleidoscope Grimoire will be a silent period picture in black and white, shot to look as much like a late 1920s film as I can achieve with my resources. In this new film's favor are the technical resources. KG will be shot on DSLR cameras, giving me much greater margin for visual creativity than I've had before, as I will be able to use multiple lenses. Better lighting equipment than I had nine years ago is also part of my present toolbox. I also have a talented makeup artist and she'll be doing some impressive things in that regard. Just as with my first silent picture, KG will be shot on dynamic picturesque locations but will also feature detailed sets constructed in my home 'studio'. I'm already assembling a cast of diverse talent. All these elements, I believe, will serve to produce an entertaining and thought-provoking cinematic experience of the kind that only independent cinema provides in our times.

If you would like to see this film happen, I am accepting donations to the budget. I'm hoping to have at least twice as much as I had for my first silent film, Hell's Bells. The donate button is in the column to the right of this blog page. Naturally, there will be a threshold minimum required before I can commence with much more than continued pre-production. With the threshold sum, I could start principal photography and have it finished within a matter of weeks from the start date. That would leave effects shots, location photography, and other special visual sequences to be completed without haste. Conceivably, I could have The Kaleidoscope Grimoire finished and ready to premier by Summer 2022 in a theatrical double feature screening with Hell's Bells, which itself was screened at the Fox Theater in Redlands in November 2012.

All donors will receive a screen credit in the film as 'donor producer'. Donations of $100 or more earn the donor a special home video featuring the film and the 'making of' extra. Donations of $1,000 or more receive the home video, a production tee shirt, and a special screen credit as 'Associate Producer'. Before the public screening premier, I am planning to arrange a private stream screening for all who donated, an exclusive online event I will personally host. Though being a donor producer does not imply creative input on the film, your donation, no matter how small, will contribute to independent cinematic arts and entertainment. I am not producing this film to make a profit. I wish to make The Kaleidoscope Grimoire for the pure pleasure of the filmmaking challenge and the desire to share it with audiences.

Thank you for considering this film project.

HELL'S BELLS REDUX Now In One File & Jungian Analysis

 Finally in one file! You can now watch the film with one click.

HELL'S BELLS REDUX

And here is the Jungian analytical discussion about the film with Laura London:

HELL'S BELLS ANALYSIS

There's more going on in the film than you may think...