Friday, November 27, 2009

CFD Scenes are Online!

With the screening come and gone I thought it was time to post some scenes from the film in celebration of a job well done. I have selected three quick excerpts from the film highlighting some of our great acting talent. Click one of the three links below to view the videos or hop over to www.dkjohnston.net. Thanks everyone.

-DK






Saturday, November 7, 2009

Ready To Go

With six days left until the screening, Cause for Divorce is ready for the world. Today all music and sound was mixed down and synced with the final video edit. All that is left now is to do a final QC, and then we'll be turning it over to NYFA this week to prepare for the screening on the 13th. Congrats to all involved. A special thanks to our Composer Christy Carew, The Rebuttals from Anchorage, Alaska for contributing several of their songs to the film, and to our sound designer Will Ogilvie for working hard this past month to help put the finishing touches on CFD.

I look forward to seeing the film in front of an audience for the first time, and getting to sit down with some of the cast and crew. Next month we'll be looking into festival schedules, and weighing our options with the film. But first...rest.

-DK

Thursday, October 29, 2009

15 Days and Counting

Greetings all.

Well as we draw nearer to the first screening of CFD I wanted to give an update on the film. As of today we have more than half the sound design completed and the majority of the music laid down. Over the next week our post production group will be working hard to finish the remainder of the sound and music design needed to complete the film before its due date to the NYFA.

The screening has been set for November 13th, 2009. The film will be shown as part of a block of films being presented by the graduating class. We are in the second block of films starting at 3:30pm at the Universal studios lot. Among the other four films in our block are a mixture of comedy, drama and action films.

I'm excited to see the cast and crew again as it has been too long since we wrapped on CFD. I look forward to the reunion. I'm also working on the DVD to be handed out to those in attendance. For those unable to make it I will be mailing you a copy of the film shortly after the screening.

Thank you all and I hope to see you soon.

-DK


Monday, September 14, 2009

Yes I'm still here!

Hello all!

I know it has been a long, long time since my last update, but things have been very busy. This summer was a blast, and I had a great time on some other student shoots, and started a new internship. As a result I was working hard on several projects at the same time. Even got to take a trip back to AK for a while. But now I am back, and working very hard to picture lock CFD. After several passes this last week, I think we are very close to a final project. Getting feedback from the teaching staff at NYFA and looking to have a rough cut screening here soon with cast and crew.

I thank you all for being patient with me since I dropped off the grid. There are a lot of people I need to touch base with and if you are one of them feel free to call me ASAP. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again. I hope the summer treated you all well, and that the fall season has continued in the same fashion. Be sure to look for more frequent updates as we get closer to the final presentation in November.

-DK

Friday, July 24, 2009

First Looks at the Editing Process

So it has been a month since we began production on "Cause for Divorce". I took some much needed time before sitting down to edit the film. I've also been getting a lot of question on how it was going and how it looked, but I was hesitant to say anything until I got really got into the editing process. Now with only a few scenes left to get into I thought it was finally time to let everyone in on where we are.

After several days of cut, paste and trim I am so happy with the film so far. I'm 75% done with the rough cut , and the look is great and the actors are right on. I've had some great moments to edit on screen between the characters. I'm currently leading myself into working on the Thanksgiving dinner scene. I know that is going to be so much fun to cut, but also hard, because there is so much material to use.

As for a trailer, I hope to get one out by the end of next month depending on my work schedule. I've still got a lot of work to do and I will continue report on updates as we get further into post production. Hope everyone is have a great summer as we all try to beat the L.A. heat.

-DK

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Day Seven

Sorry for the late update, but its been a busy and great last two days. On Wed. we wrapped production on "Cause for Divorce". It was an awesome ride, and this cast and crew was so amazing. Katie and I feel very fortunate to have had all so many talented and hard working people helping us out on this production.

To start things off we had our brand new Hybrid SUV join us on set to shoot a quick car scene with Ian and Kathrynn. Afterward we had a great grilled lunch provided by Bob VanDerWege. Later the company moved over to our Hollywood Hills location. There we were joined by actors Christopher Corbin and Robin Smith.

The location was excellent and the final day was full of energy, and a little sadness as the production came to an end. Bruce joined us also on set to help film the final scene where Ian's Characters learns of the divorce while talking to his sister. Soren and his team worked quickly to get the day completed. A big thanks to our G&E department for putting things together. At 5:45pm the final shot was completed and we got things packed up and ready to drop off on Thursday to the NYFA.

After wrap the crew sad their goodbyes until it was discovered that everyone was in the mood to keep the party going. So after a brief cool down some of the cast and crew met up to have a few drinks and enjoy the evening as we concluded one the most entertaining production I've ever been on. I am thrilled to have directed this great cast, and had a wonderful crew to back me up. I can't say enough good things about the last few days. Even through problems we all stuck together and made everyday a great one.

Now that shooting is complete I will be heading into the editing room over the next few weeks as I get a rough cut put together. I can't wait to look at some of the material we have collected over the last seven days. Be sure to check in for further updates as we get closer to the premiere in November. Until then good luck to everyone on their next projects, and I'll see you around town. Thanks again to everyone on the completion of the shoot. Take it easy.

-DK

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Day Six

So today was a great day. We had the whole cast on set for the final use of the garage and backyard location. Our AD, Shannon, got some great pictures of the cast around the 1966 Mustang as well as around set. She also interviewed the cast and crew for some extra features for a later date.

We started the day with some final car shots for the end of the film. Our DP Søren and the crew setup an interesting compromise to using a crane shot, involving a jib arm and the roof of the equipment truck. Needless to say I was a little nervous, but the shot was awesome, and best of all no one was hurt. Later we wrapped the car and its driver Matt, who was a pleasure to have on set, and then moved on to the family's first feud of the movie in the backyard adjacent to the garage. Today the wind was not against us, but the neighborhood sounds were. Helicopters, electric power tools, and children screaming gave Danny and Marrten a bit of trouble, but we worked through it. Come to think of it there may have been a horror film going on in the background!

We also said goodbye to Bruce, Amelia, and Debra today as they completed their scenes in the film. They were a thrill to work with, and I know we will be seeing them again soon. This family was a great dynamic, and their chemistry on screen was awesome. I will miss seeing the whole family on set tomorrow.

For the final day of shooting we head into a rented SUV for a town car scene with our siblings Ian and Kathrynn. Afterwards a former star of "The Cypherian" will be joining us, along with our Associate Producer Robin Smith, in the Hollywood Hills for the final scene to be shot in the film. It has been a great journey, and I can not believe it is almost over. Thanks to all the cast and crew that have helped bring this story to life over the last week. Katie and I can't thank you enough. Until tomorrow, have a great night everyone.

-DK