Issue 12: Holy crap we shot a movie!

Whoa, we shot a movie!

Wait, we shot a movie?!

We shot a movie!!!


NEW STUFF

Obviously the biggest new thing is that we shot our short film on March 31! We got ninety-one takes across thirty-nine shots in one twelve hour day! And the first hour was setup and waiting for our lead to get through wardrobe, hair, and makeup, and we broke in the middle for a half hour lunch, so we accomplished all of that in ten and a half hours!

That’s a fairly herculean task for any crew, and that all of these brilliant people pulled it off is a testament to what an absolutely amazing bunch of hardworking, creative people they are.

We thought the weather was going to screw us, because half of our scenes took place outside. It was raining all morning, and on our drive to the location, and we were definitely panicking. We had umbrellas, but obviously that would drastically change how and what we could shoot outside.

It’s not like we could reschedule for another day, we’d have had to pay for the location a second time and find another day when everyone on the cast and crew could fit it into their schedules. We had to get this whole thing shot in one day, no matter what.

But the rain did stop, and somehow the weather ended up giving us a beautiful gift? It’s so impossible to believe, really. We’ll talk about that more once you folks have seen the film.

WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON

We’ve already watched and noted the dailies (everything shot on the day), and watched and gave feedback to our editor on two versions of a rough cut of the film. It’s already coming together so good, and that it’s already amazing to watch even at this stage is really saying something.

If it seems like that’s really fast to move through editing, well, that’s because it is! Partly because our runtime will only be in the fifteen minute range, but also because our editor (who was also our assistant director) is Jessie Earl, better known for her mega huge YouTube channel Jessie Gender. She’s been editing video for years and has gotten really good, and quick, at it!

This week we’ll be noting more versions of the rough cut on the way to picture lock, which means every take of every shot is locked in and all the film editing is done. That might happen this week, might happen next, depending on how many little adjustments we want to make until it’s perfect.

Then it goes to the colorist, and to the sound mixer, and to visual effects, and to the composer, all of whom will work their magic. They’ll send us versions, we’ll send notes back, just like we’re doing with the editing. All on the way to the final cut of the film with all the elements combined.

And then it’s on to our cast and crew screening (hopefully in June), and submitting to film festivals and hoping it gets in!

Thank you so much to all of you who contributed and helped make this possible. We’re putting some badly needed, compassionate, hopeful, beautiful trans art into the world.

Even if you couldn’t monetarily donate, we still appreciate your support. And even if you missed the crowdfund campaign, you can still click the follow button on the campaign! It still helps us get seen by more folks (which can help for lots of reasons), and ensures you get notified with every update about the progress of the film!

Outside of Long Away, we’re still working on scripting our Star Trek Voyager: Homecoming comic that releases later this year!

We’re also still waiting to hear back on a few more pitches, natch. But that’s the writer life.

TRANS TUESDAY UPDATE

We finished discussing the trans allegory of Real Genius, which includes looking at the overall beautiful message about transness that its trans writer, PJ Torokvei, imbued it with. Do check it out!

We also had an interview with Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett, the creators behind the new Trans History graphic novel. It’s an amazing book about trans people throughout history, showing how we’ve always existed throughout multiple cultures all over the world. We’re not new, or a fad or a trend. We’re just the way some people can be. And this book makes that knowledge incredibly accessible, both so trans folks can feel a connection to our transcestors and know we’ve always been part of the world, and so cis folks can better understand that we’ve always been here, even if you didn’t realize it. It releases in May and you can pre-order it now! 

RECOMMENDATIONS

We don’t know quite how to explain Hundreds of Beavers to you other than… as a live action, feature-length Looney Tunes. It is one of the wildest, goofiest, funniest, most nonsensical things you will ever see. And that delights us.

THE DIRTBAG DISPATCH

Henry’s over his eye infection, hooray! And right back to being his usual grumpy self.

This is his favorite box, though he loves it best when it’s up on the table and not on the floor. We keep it in the car and use it for Costco trips, so he only gets it for a day or two a week.

But that probably just makes it even more special.

Izzy, of course, also believes in the Joy of Box.

However this was apparently private box time, as those airplane ears certainly convey that she did not wish to Be Perceived.

WHAT’S IN THE BIG TIME?

The Big Time version of issue 12 of this newsletter has the first of our likely many-part series on directing, and we’re starting with the most important part: the people on your set, who are human beings, and how their well-being always comes first.

Also! Cannibal Planets comic page 5! It’s a goofy good time.

Sign up for it at birdguestbroadcast.com and make us so happy!

THE END

Do something kind for someone today.

PS – You are a someone.

SOCIALS

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Writing website
http://birdguest.com