Video Diary #5: Shedding Light On The Matter

We solved our lighting issues with a trip to B&Q & Argos and surpisingly few pounds! The 150 watt halogen lamp cost about £12 and the tripod (which we already had) cost about £15. To light a set, you generally need 3 lights, two at the front and one at the back. More on that later. First though, here's a little video diary that shows the difference a single light can make!



So, back to the lighting set-up. You should generally set up a main light - a 'Key', to onme side of the camera, providing your main illumination and setting the 'feel' for the image you want. A second, not so bright 'fill' light, on the other side of the camera highlights the 'dark side' of your subject so it's not in complete shadow and provides more detail. Front lights generally make the image look flat and kind've blend into the background, so a light from the back, a 'back key' makes it feel more 3 dimensional!


These guys explain it far better than I can!

More Casting News!

One of the key scenes in the movie takes place in a boxing ring! Although we're not making a Rocky movie, it's important to keep the action as realistic as possible.

As such we've enlisted the help of Paul Henry pictured above on the right with Jon and Chris Sanigar (centre) of the Bristol Boxing Gym in St Agnes.

Assuming that Jon survives the photo session, he will be appearing with Paul in the ring at our location shoot at The Bristol Boxing Gym in late September.

Video Diary #4: Clamp It!

A clamp turned up in the post today. I made good use of it!

The clamp was purchased from the excellent people at B. Hague & Co Ltd who got it to me in record time!

Castaways

We're pleased to introduce to you the principal cast of the Badman Project. Pictured from left to right are Susan Jarvis, Jon Steadman and James Trotham.

Jon, who you've already met is playing our main character, Jason Badman in addition to his musical and production roles. Susan will be playing the female lead, Angela Hargreaves and James will be playing the part of Dave Segal.

In this picture, Jon has decided to get into character early. Sensibly, Susan and James are not letting it bother them and are getting on with the task of looking splendid for the camera, which they are doing with great style and elan.

Hopefully, we'll be making more casting anouncements very soon, so check back here for more pictures!

An update of stuff... and things

Well - I thought I should update the blog with a few points about whats been going on in Film Production land so that you can all see we've been very very busy in the last month - so here are the main points

The Boxing scene - a meeting has been set up for next week no less for us to meet with the guys providing the boxing venue and technical support. Additionally we should get to meet my 'opponent' when I shall start my grovelling to ensure he doesnt actually 'lay one on me'

We've been making a list and checking it twice! Our To Do list is coming on nicely and between Darren and me, we are even managing to check a few off as done!

Public Liability Insurance - this is a big one because we need this to film on location. We finally managed to get ourselves £1m of cover at a rate that didnt cost us thousands of pounds! not easy I can tell you!

Props - all I can say is - I picked a hell of a time to have problems with an ebay seller for the first time ever! But we're getting there.

Darren's been awat in the States being very important etc so its good to have him back and firing on all cylinders!

Training - my Personal Trainer has given me my training plan and diet for the last six weeks prior to shooting - its a tough regime and I'm hungry all the time but its having the desired effect so hopefully I will be in shape for the key scenes!

Lates all - Jon

PS - thanks to all of you who are reading the blog - please feel free to post comments!

Actor Release Forms

Before you can use an actor's image or likeness in your film and any related publicity, you should get them to sign an Actor's release form before you start filming. This means that, should you have a falling out, the actor cannot withdraw their permission to use their image. The release form should make mention of payment and other agreements if applicable. In our case, our actors are volunteers, so we've simply amended the simple release form to reflect that. Here's what ours looks like:

CONTRIBUTORS RELEASE FORM

TITLE OF FILM: ‘Badman’ (Working Title)

PRODUCTION COMPANY: RMW Films



NAME OF ARTISTE: ___________________________

ADDRESS: ___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________


DATE OF FILMING: ___________________________



I hereby agree that the copyright and all other rights in respect of my performance is hereby assigned to RMW Films. I agree that the film Badman that I have contributed to, may be exhibited in all media and formats. This may include public screenings and broadcast screenings..RMW Films may without further consent use my name, likeness, biography and photographs of me and recordings of interviews with me in advertising and in publicising the film Badman in all media and formats.

I hereby agree that my performance in title is not for any payment.


Signature (Artiste) ___________________________

Print Name ___________________________

Signature (Producer) ___________________________

Print Name ___________________________

Date ___________________________

Video Diary #3: This Is Sparring!

As we've mentioned before, one of the key scenes of the movie takes place in the boxing ring. We got together to try out some moves and camera angles. And, er... mostly to punch each other.



Stead is very keen for the boxing to look as authentic as it possibly can, so he's bravely volunteered to enter the ring with a professional boxer (more on him later) and actually get punched around a bit! Now that's dedication for you!

He's done a bit of bag and pad work in the past, but has never been in the ring, so between now and the shoot in September, he's got to get used to being hit!