Yup, it's been a really long time. Again.
I've been casting director, gaffer, writer, director, and lead actor in small projects recently.
Here's the video for the BYU 24-Hour Theatre piece I wrote. I had been out at birthday parties for friends until midnight and wrote it in the wee hours of the morning.
Enjoy!
Until next time....
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Getting Crazy!
Dear Readers,
It's been only a week and I'm already posting again! Baby, I'm back!
It's been a busy and fun week. This weekend I went up to the mountains with some of my buddies from church. We slept out at a homestead and shot a ridiculous amount of ammunition in the morning. We shot targets, pigeons of clay, cans, and an old license plate, among other things.
Here are a few pictures from the epic weekend:
Here are also some short promotional pieces I acted in for the BYU Political Review. There are one or two more (with others yet to be made, potentially) that will be released later.
Enjoy!
Also, I alluded to working on a zombie video two weeks ago and here it is! Be sure to watch it in full screen with the highest quality possible for the greatest viewing experience. Warning: gratuitous blood is involved. But it's a great video and worth watching if you're not too squeamish with fake blood.
Until next week, my loyal readers...
- Mont
It's been only a week and I'm already posting again! Baby, I'm back!
It's been a busy and fun week. This weekend I went up to the mountains with some of my buddies from church. We slept out at a homestead and shot a ridiculous amount of ammunition in the morning. We shot targets, pigeons of clay, cans, and an old license plate, among other things.
Here are a few pictures from the epic weekend:
Here are also some short promotional pieces I acted in for the BYU Political Review. There are one or two more (with others yet to be made, potentially) that will be released later.
Enjoy!
Also, I alluded to working on a zombie video two weeks ago and here it is! Be sure to watch it in full screen with the highest quality possible for the greatest viewing experience. Warning: gratuitous blood is involved. But it's a great video and worth watching if you're not too squeamish with fake blood.
Until next week, my loyal readers...
- Mont
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Two Months Later...
So, my friends, it's been a while.
That's an understatement. In the interim, I've worked on several different film projects:
I have worked on the Locations and Electric teams for the BYU student capstone "Dante's Hamlet." It was quite a challenge to find New York City in the predominantly suburban Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah area. But it was done!
New York Subway station exit real vs. scouted (not necessarily chosen):
Real Station:
Scouted (underpass on BYU campus):
A little big, but it has the right look if you throw up some advertisements on the walls.
Here is an apartment building just outside of downtown Salt Lake City that I submitted as a potential spot. It could fit in nicely in a Queens neighborhood:
I never got to go to the final locations that were selected (none of mine were) as I could only work the last day of shooting, but our classroom at Provo High School worked brilliantly.
Another project I worked on involved me doing the hair, makeup, and wardrobe. It was my friend Josh Contor's Advanced Directing scene. He adapted Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It was the scene where Anakin first begins to turn on Obi Wan. It took a lot of work between Josh and me to finesse the scene and give it a very different look to accentuate the themes and archetypes of the scene. We went through about a dozen different art design concepts, from Steampunk to revolution styles, finally settling on a fancy evening-at-the-theatre look. Here are a couple of photos I snapped on set.
Cast: Anakin--Joshua Cooper, Padme--Noelle Houston, Obi Wan Kenobi--Mike Foncannon
That's an understatement. In the interim, I've worked on several different film projects:
I have worked on the Locations and Electric teams for the BYU student capstone "Dante's Hamlet." It was quite a challenge to find New York City in the predominantly suburban Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah area. But it was done!
New York Subway station exit real vs. scouted (not necessarily chosen):
Real Station:
Scouted (underpass on BYU campus):
A little big, but it has the right look if you throw up some advertisements on the walls.
Here is an apartment building just outside of downtown Salt Lake City that I submitted as a potential spot. It could fit in nicely in a Queens neighborhood:
Another project I worked on involved me doing the hair, makeup, and wardrobe. It was my friend Josh Contor's Advanced Directing scene. He adapted Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It was the scene where Anakin first begins to turn on Obi Wan. It took a lot of work between Josh and me to finesse the scene and give it a very different look to accentuate the themes and archetypes of the scene. We went through about a dozen different art design concepts, from Steampunk to revolution styles, finally settling on a fancy evening-at-the-theatre look. Here are a couple of photos I snapped on set.
Cast: Anakin--Joshua Cooper, Padme--Noelle Houston, Obi Wan Kenobi--Mike Foncannon
(left to right: Noelle Houston, Mike Foncannon, Josh Contor, Joshua Cooper)
(left to right: Noelle, Josh, Mike)
(left to right: Josh, Joshua)
Tomorrow I will be involved in two more shows--I play Gerard Lambeau in another Advanced Directing scene from Good Will Hunting. I will then be wardrobe, makeup, props for a third Advanced Directing scene, though I have not yet received the details of it yet.
And on Tuesday I did FX makeup and played a zombie killer for the soon-to-be-released latest video by Warialasky channel on youtube. Check out some of their stuff here. Especially Epic Tebowing.
I'll post again soon. I promise.
Til then, my faithful readers...
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Deepest Apologies...
I am so sorry, my dear readers, that I haven't posted in eons. Life has been busy and I've been delinquent.
Here are some things that I've been up to:
- School started. I've got a producing class, a digital video technologies class, and (my favorite) a makeup class, in which my sister is one of my TAs. And no, there's no nepotism going on with grading.
-Still freelancing, though I haven't had time to finish up my documentary work. I will probably spend a bit more time this semester developing my own projects.
- I created a few videos during the end of the summer:
Here are some things that I've been up to:
- School started. I've got a producing class, a digital video technologies class, and (my favorite) a makeup class, in which my sister is one of my TAs. And no, there's no nepotism going on with grading.
-Still freelancing, though I haven't had time to finish up my documentary work. I will probably spend a bit more time this semester developing my own projects.
- I created a few videos during the end of the summer:
MEBATEFL Highlights
This is a highlight reel of innertubing wipeouts from a boating trip I was on this summer. It was also my first project done on my new computer and in Adobe Premiere.
Join the Club
This is a one-act short that I wrote in about three hours as part of the BYU 24-Hour Theatre Project. I had twelve hours to write, the actors and directors had twelve hours to rehearse. Then the curtain went up. There were five pieces, five directors, and twenty-five actors involved.
Just a Little Longer
This is another piece from the same 24-Hour Theatre Project that was written by a faculty member. My buddy Addison plays Ringo for his BYU stage debut.
BYU vs. Utah Holy War 2011
I didn't film this, but this was my video response to the University of Utah ("the U") Utes' crushing defeat of the BYU Cougars 54-10 at BYU last night. Sad day for Cougars and fans. Dazzling night for Utes and fans. Billy Crystal puts it in great terms.
I have also been working on my FX Makeup skills and will post some photos later in the week (before Sunday, I promise). Needless to say, they will not be for the faint of heart, but they are pretty dang cool to see!
I leave you with another hilarious video. Until next time (not too long, I promise)...
(#EPIC WINNING!)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Free(lance) Life
So, my wonderful readers,
My life as a freelance videographer continues. I have been hired by a production company to film the construction of a huge set they are building. I am not at liberty to discuss too many details, but it's a pretty breathtaking set out in the Utah deser. And with no clouds in the sky, it's a scorcher there every day. The wind blows dust everywhere and there is little shad to be found. And I am out there during the hottest hours of the day, from about 11:00 am until 4:00 pm--the sun is at a pleasant "right above me" angle. Suffice to say, my tan has developed without any effort on my part.
From a technical viewpoint, the capturing of a multifaceted development process with a camera is tricky. I have had to try and develop protocols for my methods of filming so that I don't end up in Final Cut wishing I had filmed something, while at the same time not shooting too much of what may ultimately be useless or irrelevant for the final product.
It has also been challenging for me and my personality to really get involved in the lives of the workers while respecting their space and privacy. I try not to be an obnoxious cameraman, but in order to get high quality footage, a modicum of aggressiveness is required. Trying to tightrope walk that line has been hard, but I am gaining confidence in my ability to judge how much is "too much." I have also further increased the degree to which the construction crew is comfortable with my presence, which allows me to get more information and more genuine interaction without them being self-conscious that there is a camera around. I have found that introducing myself, my intentions, the purpose and final use of the product, and reminding them that I am more than happy to respect their personal space and privacy has gone a long way towards embedding myself in the construction environment.
I have found some crew members more than happy, and in fact eager, to share what they do with me and my camera, while others don't mind me being around, and others prefer me to minimize the time that I need to be around them as they ply their craft--and craftsmanship is indeed what they are doing.
It has also been scintillating to be around and find out how they do everything--how they build facades, how they fashion worn stone steps with a mud mixture, how they streak the walls to give them further age and authenticity. After my first day I though that I had already captured the best of what there was to see. I wondered what else I could film the other days. Then I further explored the construction microcosm and discovered just how much more was going on than I noticed before. And as the set evolves, tasks begin to take the place of tasks that have been completed.
I will be out filming the set a few more days next week and from then on out I will only be visiting once or twice a week until they begin principal. The bulk of my time will be spent building from footage a masterpiece of my own, just as the workers have built an astounding city out of the dusty Utah plains.
Until next time...
My life as a freelance videographer continues. I have been hired by a production company to film the construction of a huge set they are building. I am not at liberty to discuss too many details, but it's a pretty breathtaking set out in the Utah deser. And with no clouds in the sky, it's a scorcher there every day. The wind blows dust everywhere and there is little shad to be found. And I am out there during the hottest hours of the day, from about 11:00 am until 4:00 pm--the sun is at a pleasant "right above me" angle. Suffice to say, my tan has developed without any effort on my part.
From a technical viewpoint, the capturing of a multifaceted development process with a camera is tricky. I have had to try and develop protocols for my methods of filming so that I don't end up in Final Cut wishing I had filmed something, while at the same time not shooting too much of what may ultimately be useless or irrelevant for the final product.
It has also been challenging for me and my personality to really get involved in the lives of the workers while respecting their space and privacy. I try not to be an obnoxious cameraman, but in order to get high quality footage, a modicum of aggressiveness is required. Trying to tightrope walk that line has been hard, but I am gaining confidence in my ability to judge how much is "too much." I have also further increased the degree to which the construction crew is comfortable with my presence, which allows me to get more information and more genuine interaction without them being self-conscious that there is a camera around. I have found that introducing myself, my intentions, the purpose and final use of the product, and reminding them that I am more than happy to respect their personal space and privacy has gone a long way towards embedding myself in the construction environment.
I have found some crew members more than happy, and in fact eager, to share what they do with me and my camera, while others don't mind me being around, and others prefer me to minimize the time that I need to be around them as they ply their craft--and craftsmanship is indeed what they are doing.
It has also been scintillating to be around and find out how they do everything--how they build facades, how they fashion worn stone steps with a mud mixture, how they streak the walls to give them further age and authenticity. After my first day I though that I had already captured the best of what there was to see. I wondered what else I could film the other days. Then I further explored the construction microcosm and discovered just how much more was going on than I noticed before. And as the set evolves, tasks begin to take the place of tasks that have been completed.
I will be out filming the set a few more days next week and from then on out I will only be visiting once or twice a week until they begin principal. The bulk of my time will be spent building from footage a masterpiece of my own, just as the workers have built an astounding city out of the dusty Utah plains.
Until next time...
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Accomplishments and Attempts
Greetings, my dear readers,
This past week has been pretty eventful. We wrapped production for "Imagine" after three days of shooting in Park City and Salt Lake City, UT. Two and a half days were in Park City and one evening was in Salt Lake. It was great to reunite with my crew family. It had been about three weeks since we had seen each other so it was fun to do some catching up as we resumed our hectic, long shooting days.
On Friday, the day after wrapping "Imagine," I swung by my friend's house to see what he was up to. I ended up getting the chance to practice my extreme sports videography skills while Lance Williams took some stills. I also took some stills as well as filmed Joseph Britton and Jeremy Rich riding through Josephs' (and his brother and friends') homemade course in the Raintree Commons parking lot. Joseph's brother Jamie helps run Orem bike shop Urban Downfall (just off University Parkway on the west side of the building that houses Seagull Book and Tape.
Notice that these fine gents are wearing their helmets. Like the motto painted on the sign in front of Urban Downfall, "Safety First. Then Danger."
I realize that my photography skills have much to improve upon, but here are a couple of shots that I liked from that evening.
This past week has been pretty eventful. We wrapped production for "Imagine" after three days of shooting in Park City and Salt Lake City, UT. Two and a half days were in Park City and one evening was in Salt Lake. It was great to reunite with my crew family. It had been about three weeks since we had seen each other so it was fun to do some catching up as we resumed our hectic, long shooting days.
On Friday, the day after wrapping "Imagine," I swung by my friend's house to see what he was up to. I ended up getting the chance to practice my extreme sports videography skills while Lance Williams took some stills. I also took some stills as well as filmed Joseph Britton and Jeremy Rich riding through Josephs' (and his brother and friends') homemade course in the Raintree Commons parking lot. Joseph's brother Jamie helps run Orem bike shop Urban Downfall (just off University Parkway on the west side of the building that houses Seagull Book and Tape.
Notice that these fine gents are wearing their helmets. Like the motto painted on the sign in front of Urban Downfall, "Safety First. Then Danger."
I realize that my photography skills have much to improve upon, but here are a couple of shots that I liked from that evening.
I am now in the process of editing a BMX video of them doing their thing from that evening. I'll post a link once it's done.
Since I am happening to have a lot of free time on my hands these days, I'll probably be able to be a lot more active on this blog.
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, June 30, 2011
One Month Later...
Hello, my readers!
So it's been, like, a month + since I last posted. Many things have happened--I met some local filmmakers and producers, I went to China, I came back from China, etc.
Oh yeah, and I got dismissed from my job. I was kinda bummed, but I was thinking about quitting anyway. I was not feeling like I was getting any better at what I do as a filmmaker, and they were getting frustrated that I was not producing their media fast enough. My strengths are in the creative side of filmmaking, not in the corporate montages they were always asking for. I think the end of a professional relationship was the right step. I just wished it could have ended on my terms.
Nevertheless, it opened a new door for me: freelance. Since I have started building contacts and references, I think the time is ripe for me to explore the market for freelance filmmaking, crew work, marketing, and writing. I have already got my first freelance gig--paying better than my last job. I am swapping in translated text for the organization's logo. I am doing about 50 different languages and the work is simple go-through-the-process stuff. I am blazing through it and getting to listen to legal shows while I work (I am a sucker for a well-done law show).
Life is heading in the right direction. This gig should be done just in time for me to go up to a nearby city for a four-day shoot to wrap a short film I have been the 2nd AC for.
More details to come--this post is mainly for me to get back into the swing of things. I promise to write more tomorrow about my exciting life in the freelance world and the adventures I've had this summer.
Peace,
- Mont
So it's been, like, a month + since I last posted. Many things have happened--I met some local filmmakers and producers, I went to China, I came back from China, etc.
Oh yeah, and I got dismissed from my job. I was kinda bummed, but I was thinking about quitting anyway. I was not feeling like I was getting any better at what I do as a filmmaker, and they were getting frustrated that I was not producing their media fast enough. My strengths are in the creative side of filmmaking, not in the corporate montages they were always asking for. I think the end of a professional relationship was the right step. I just wished it could have ended on my terms.
Nevertheless, it opened a new door for me: freelance. Since I have started building contacts and references, I think the time is ripe for me to explore the market for freelance filmmaking, crew work, marketing, and writing. I have already got my first freelance gig--paying better than my last job. I am swapping in translated text for the organization's logo. I am doing about 50 different languages and the work is simple go-through-the-process stuff. I am blazing through it and getting to listen to legal shows while I work (I am a sucker for a well-done law show).
Life is heading in the right direction. This gig should be done just in time for me to go up to a nearby city for a four-day shoot to wrap a short film I have been the 2nd AC for.
More details to come--this post is mainly for me to get back into the swing of things. I promise to write more tomorrow about my exciting life in the freelance world and the adventures I've had this summer.
Peace,
- Mont
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