This past year has been CRAZY!

Literally 1 year ago, almost to the day, we had one of our first meet-ups to do a script read through of Harker: The Awakening (at that time we called it “The Crystal Parasite” – oh how far we have come!). This was before we did any casting, made a single prop, planned any shots or even had a single penny to work with. This was the beginning of Film in a Year before we knew what Film in a Year was. 

And today, April 17th, 2015 we stand a stones throw away from the premiere of this movie, which I will announce TOMORROW!!! And before I get into all the fun details about the premiere in tomorrow’s post (which I know you will want to hear all about) let me give you a quick snapshot into what we accomplished this past year, so you can understand why this premiere is Such. A. Big. Deal.

Our Film in a Year Snapshot

April – June 2014

• We hosted a meet-up of 20+ people to read through the final draft of the script. (See behind the scenes here!)
• decided to produce this movie.
• put out casting calls, held auditions (video) & chose cast.
• Contacted dozens and dozens of locations. Some worked out. Many didn’t
• Came up with prop & costume ideas.
• Ran Rehearsals (video).

July – September 2014

• Became an official LLC
• Got a 10K budget to work with. (So grateful, but as any movie person knows, this is tiny)
• Had an Aussie Director of Photography fly over to be involved.
• Filmed our very first day on July 16th, 2014 (WATCH OUR FIRST DAY!!!)
• Filmed for 32 days total, averaging 16hrs each. (not including pick-ups)
• Set up and tore down a prom 3 times!!!
• Had many huge successes.
• Had many huge failures.
• Got Stressed. Got happy. Got frustrated. Got to laugh.
• Built friendships with amazing people. (Goofy Video here.)

October  – December 2014

• We were tired. Burnt out.
• We struggled to figure out how to organize post-production.
• It was hard to stay motivated.
• Money was out.
• Things took so much longer to do than we possibly imagined.
• We were over ambitious with goals.

January – March 2015

• We got our focus and motivation back.
• We got a solid sound team on board.
• Edit locks started happening much faster.
• VFX are in progress (though still slower than expected)
• Systems are in place and we got organized.
• Released our first teaser trailer.

The Plan for April – June 2015

• Finish all sound including ADR & mixing.
• Finish as many VFX as possible (400+ is kind of ambitious)
• Complete color correction and color grading.
• Finish the Movie by Mid June.
• Plan the PREMIERE!!

 

So that’s a wrap! Our Film in 1 Year (almost)

Now we would love to hear from you – what is the craziest thing you have done this past year? Is it something you are proud of?