March 19, 2006

  • Visual FX outline with Sample Clips

    Ugh, I can’t believe I have not posted the blog in ages. Me and Keith have been busting our asses to get the Music Video up and running. Things are happening, but with the dateline so close, the stress begins.

    Well, just to catch up on things. The pre-visualisation for the Visual FX has been done. So it will take another 4 months of rendering out the textures, adding in elements and correcting gamma .etc. for the final product. This, and we are doing the main scans for the VFX team to work on now. Each frame is approx 16mb. So since we have 24 frames a second, the file size for the movie really adds up really quick. But after months of working on low res compressed footage, it was really nice to see The Gene Generation in all its high res glory (and a million mistakes I made as well).

    Here is a previs for one of the shots in the movie. Previs is the process of using simple blocks to time the camera movement and framing for the actual Visual FX. Soon after the process, when I ok everything, the VFX Team will begin to replace the previs with the actual elements of the movie. Here, you can see a low res version of the Aereann Flyer

    While we are doing the previs, another team will be building the actual Aereann Flyer and working with me on animating it’s elements. Here is an old copy I have of the Aereann Flyer, still unfinished at this point. But it will give you a good idea of what it will look like in finished details.

    Building this thing can be a real time eater. As you can see, the ship is made out of hundreds and thousands of little squares. Each square has to be put together till a coherent shape like the Aereann Flyer comes out. I have troubles making a sphere using squares and these guys are building complex ships like this. *shakes head*

    So while the team finishes up on the VFX while I move on the Sound Department, Here’s a little picture from everybody saying thanks for being with us. Next up, me and Lisa Fowle, my talented god-sister who has worked with me on sound for all my films :) this will be fun

March 3, 2006

  • COMBICHRIST MUSIC VIDEO

    Apologies for not blogging in a while. It’s one thing to try and finish VFX work over here. But at the same time, I’m trying to co-ordinate and produce the Combichrist Music Video for their new single ‘Get Your Body Beat’. Combichrist will be coming down to LA on March 22nd so we’re hoping to shoot the music video then.

    Of course this means, that work is on during the day but when I get back to the hotel (Los Angeles time 7am), it’s time to work, schedule and put together the music video. So my sleeping hours (if I’m lucky) would be from 8am-11am before I get up and head over to the VFX studio.

    At this point now, I haven’t start crewing, so if anybody wants to Volunteer and help, I’ll be more than glad to include you guys in . The Combichrist video will be in The Gene Generation DVD release as well. e-mail me if you are interested pearry (@) genegeneration.com


    I DON’T KNOW WHICH DOCTOR WROTE THIS, BUT I LIKE HIM!

    HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION

    Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
    A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it… don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

    Q:Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
    A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

    Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
    A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

    Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
    A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

    Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
    A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain…Good!

    Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?
    A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!!… Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

    Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
    A : Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

    Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
    A: Are you crazy? HELLO. Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!

    Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
    A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

    Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
    A: Hey! ‘Round’ is a shape!

February 25, 2006

  • MAKING MOVIES AND GHOSTS

    I feel like this making a movie. Fighting a brick wall all the time. Even though you never really succeed, if you work hard at it, you’ll have some cool shit that entertains people.

    On other notes, I think my hotel room is haunted. Woohoo, last night there was a dog growling under my bed, and my curtains were moving like the windows were open. Which is to say, I think this is pretty cool. That’s another incentive for me to stay for another week here. I wonder whether the other ghost is a hot babe…. would be cool to have a ghost gf from bulgaria I can take home

    I wonder what is wrong with me, I cannot play horror games like Resident Evil or Silent Hill or Fatal Frame. But real life ghosts are the coolest things when I experience them. But for some reasons, I don’t know what I’m frightened of when I play the game. I think it’s the same idea about people being afraid of movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Hostel, those are about real life people but yet everyday we laugh and talk with them. Guess I just don’t judge all Ghosts the same way.

    It’s the weekend, so I don’t have my camera here to see if I can take any Ghost pictures. That would suck if my fantasy ghost woman turned out like this

    Goddess Bunny Footage – Click Here

    Oh well, updates on the shooting. They pulled out 15 Ak47 bullets from the guy shot outside my hotel. Gene Generation is coming along great. If any of you have a myspace website, I just set up a Gene Generation Myspace Films account. Would be great if you could join :)

    http://www.myspace.com/genegeneration

February 22, 2006

  • ONE DEATH IN REAL LIFE, A MASSACRE IN REEL LIFE

    In real life news, some mafia boss (Ivan ‘The Doctor’ Todorov) got shot 200 yards from my hotel at around 2 hours ago. But where was I? At work!!! Jesus Christ, what the hell!! My life is never fun, no girls, no gun fights….but hey, I get to kill lots of people in my movies and get away with it. Kill one person and you are a murderer, kill a million and you are a conqueror, kill a billion and you’re a film director…

    The best part about it is, the headline news is the bird flu. But some Mafia Boss gets shot, big deal…hahahaha…welcome to Bulgaria! This is awesome! I figured I want to be shot by Christian Activists if I ever get famous. At least I know I’m doing something right.

February 21, 2006

  • WRITING GENE GENERATION

    I remembered some time 2 years ago (yeah it’s been that long!), I only started bouncing ideas and concepts with Keith Collea (Producer). About January 2004, keith went on to do HD Stuff for Collateral (Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx) and in between, writing stuff with me on Gene Generation. Back then, our idea was merely a character named Michelle who was an assassin killing DNA Hackers. A lot of the story has not been fleshed out at this point.

    So why does Keith get to have all the fun damnit. I took it upon myself to make another short, why not? I have time….and nothing like spending time honing your craft. So, I gathered a crew and decided to make a silent film called Take Me Somewhere Nice, it’s completely different from my usual ‘Horror, Gore and Blood’ kinda thing, but then again, we filmmakers have to be flexible don’t we? As long as tragedy is involved, why not!!! hahaha!

    I’m glad I made the film, I was surprised it won us the Audience Choice Award in Sedona later March 2005. Too bad it couldn’t go to any other festivals, cause after Sedona, I had to drop everything, and get ready to shoot The Gene Generation. Since then, the project has not seen the light of the day. So I decided to put it up

    Take Me Somewhere Nice (Quicktime) Click Here

    Wish I could do more with this short, unfortunately, I’ve been too busy with The Gene Generation and most film festivals will not accept films 2 years old. So…oh well….at least I enjoyed making it.

February 20, 2006

  • Blood, Sweat and Tears

    There is a saying that filmmakers (or anybody working hard in general) shed blood, sweat and tears for their projects. Yesterday, I believe I could take that term literally. Yup, got my tattoo. Here’s the picture of it, blood and all. Of course, the genius photographer in me couldn’t get the damn camera to work right and it looks out of focus. But then, I can’t complain for a 60 bucks digital camera I bought. I think with all the xanga post, I should consider an upgrade.

    Here’s something else that’s funny. KFC in Bulgaria, wow, it’s basically chopped up chicken put on steamed rice and mashed potatoes gravy poured all over it. Weird huh. But it actually taste good. A bastardized mixed of Yoshinoya Rice Bowl and KFC. Heh heh…

    Also, just found another reason to like Diet Coke in Bulgaria now. These babies come in silver bottles now. How cool is that, it not only matches my laptop, but it matches my clothing which is pretty much all black for the most part. Having it silver doesn’t just make it a drink, makes it an accessory. Like spiked collars…heck yeah….

    Next post, got something interesting for you guys. I’m testing out the server right now, hopefully it would work and stabilize.

February 16, 2006

  • FEATURING MUSIC BY…

    As some of you can tell, I’ve been listening to Combichrist. Well, just 2 days ago, I had the pleasure of talking to the band, specifically Andy, and they have been loving Gene so far to agree to work with me! Woohooo, i feel like a blonde who saw Kelly Clarkson! Awesome…combichrist is one of my favorite industrial band. And to have their songs is like a HUGE honor!

    I know most of you not into the whole goth / industrial scene are like…umm…who are they?

    Ok, here’s some clips with their music in it. Just press play :P

    their website is http://www.combichrist.com

    I think this is one of the highlights or working in the film industry is that you get to work with people you respect and admire!

    Happy happy mood today…it’s rare..I’m usually PMSing… :P

February 15, 2006

  • GENE GENERATION TATTOO

    BING! My tattoo for this movie. Now the question is where…I’m running out of skin….I have some space on my right arm. But it would look a little un even. My chest is reserved for later on, my whole back and left arm is taken up…shit….looks like I’m gonna have to kill somebody and steal some skin…

February 13, 2006

  • PRODUCTION DESIGNER LOOK

    Chad Michael Ward, a talented artist and our production designer (I’m so lucky!), has a new book coming out.

    For those who don’t know him, you should check out his previous work as well. His upcoming work includes not only photography books of the macabre, but you’ll be delighted to know, a new movie that he is directing is in the works too. He’s considering some of the cast of Gene Generation but it’s in the air right now. He’s busy at work on the script. From what I read…it’s going to be great. Say Hello, drop a line, be a fan, these are works of a true artist.

    He’s the crazy guy behind these photos and design


    For more pictures, visit his website at http://www.digitalapocalypse.com – The Art of Chad Michael Ward

February 12, 2006

  • STORYBOARDS AND GREEN SCREEN

    So, all the storyboards have been drawn out for the VFX list. Here is just a sample of one.

    In this scene, Michelle kicks a guy out of the window. As he hits the glass, the scene will pause as we show the glass cracks growing outwards before the guy smashes out of the window. Michelle hears some more thugs coming through the corridor and launches herself in the air. The camera follows her up before (like a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber) stalls, spins around and dives to follow the thug falling from the 20 story building. As the thug crashes through debris, his blood and debris are flying past the camera before he finally hits a dumster below and the junk hits the camera…cut to next shot. Here is how the storyboards look (Click to Enlarge)

    This is just a small segment of the fight scene. Basically, just for the last three shots on the storyboard, next week, we are beginning placements of buildings around Michelle’s apartment and of course, distance between her and the walls, Night and time of day to match Lighting scheme of what we shot and a whole bunch of other stuff.

    Last friday, I’ve never seen more people tired walking out of the studio before. But their look of satisfaction and the work quality is something everybody will be celebrating about this weekend. I wouldn’t ask for anybody else than WWFX to handle The Gene Generation. I’m trying to refrain from posting too much stuff to give away the movie, but I’m literally excited by everything they have done.

    ARGH! I need to get some sleep now! :P