Wisdom & Inspiration

Here, BS contemplates the mystery of the world with an egg in hand. I don't know where he gets his brilliance from - I just want it to keep coming!! Funny, friendly, ferocious and fearless - the best co-conspirator a filmmaker could have. In this rare, no-makeup shot, you get a peek at the man who drives the show and has stolen everyone's heart. Thank you, BS for your kindness and generosity.

B Unit Rocks!

With so much to shoot and so little time, JG had to bring in B-Unit to do catch up and super-star insert work. Here DJ reviews his 'big splat' with Alden Moore, Kara Continuity, Almir Limaj, Tim J (not seen) as JG looks on. DJ did such a great job that he ended up shooting with principal cast members BS and KL on an extended dolly shot sequence in the woods. JG better watch out - these young filmmakers are gonna take over the world sooner than he thinks.

Flame On!!

2nd AD and Propane Wrangler Tim Jacobs grabs a smoke - we smoke a LOT on the film - while we light the Ghoul camp. Lots of fun had by all working with Tom & Jerry - the unsung heroes of the night.

King of The 10 Light

In the film world, we had a 9 light which is 9 lights in a grid - old school but effective. For this film, we have a 10 light - 10 mechanic lights bought on Ebay for $35. "Brando" Comerford, a fellow fan of John Alton and his seminal book, "Painting With Light" proves he as good as the real thing as he lights and creates black and white magic with the simplest of tools. Way to go, B. Keep it up!!

Introducing the Outsiders

New to set this week are Charles Gardner (not pictured - see him in "Screw The Pepperoni" or "Milk Run" by Julian), Jessica Thigpen, Zo Zozack, and Kyle Dones as a group of 'non-infected' cast. What a pleasure to have - Zo had worked with Julian on "Maidenhead" and both Kyle and Jessica had been in the Conservatory Class at Act One with JG. We'll meet up with them again in Gary, IN later this month. Thanks to everyone for a job well done.

Filmmaker Magazine Blog Notice

Scott Macaulay @ FM Magazine has written a very nice piece on us over at the IFP magazine's website. Thanks for the notice SM - we all greatly appreciate it.

Variety - Film Production Listing

It's official. We exist (according to Variety). Our production office contact info is as below and our dates are listed. So... film production in the Midwest continues unabated.

Hats Off To All!

BS continues to amaze and delight as we venture forward. We are 5 days in and 1/3rd of the way through the film. All of the cast are super - but BS adds the heart and soul to Yar and Son. As I watch the dailys with my producer, she is amazed and delighted by what we've captured. You feel for Yar and believe the interplay between father and son. I'm very proud to work with BS and look forward to our continued collaboration as we bring the film to life.

Flexibility

Puppet Master AM has a lot to contend with. A rubber and a silicone baby c/o RK and his Creature Shop. We're getting ready to add some lovely additions to the weeks following (all hush, hush and super-secret). Just know it involves lots of fun manipulations and contortions. We learned that both babies are actually very flexible and squeezable.

Wk 2 Update

More fun and sun at Cranberry Lakes. Hot and sticky all around as we washed up as best we could. Going through gallons of blood and ultraslime. All in all a good time had by all. Heres, Assoc Prod. and 1st AD DJ washes up after a particuliarly sticky event.

All in a day's work...

EP Julie and Prod. Coord. Mal work on set filling the intestines with marshmallow fluff - for the 'ero-gro' scenes sucking on the guts of a dinner found in the woods. Lots of laughter and fun had by both as they rolled, pushed and manipulated the ropey goo.

Blood & Guts & Stuff

We have 10 Gallons of Blood for the film. 5 edible. 5 Non-Edible. Here Assoc Prod/ AD DJ and AD Brando prep on of the blood bottles we fill constantly on set. The birth gusher scene is a real standout. Absolutely disgusting - and lots of fun. When I look at our Shanty set, I am reminded of "Cannibal Ferox" (the Italian inspiration) and all the great savage Mondo films from the 60's and 70's. In a lot of ways this film is a chance for me to go back and pay homage to the film greats that influenced me. A tip of the hat to Deodato and the boys.

Reviewing Footage

Just started looking at the shoot. Holy crap! It's good - cinema, good! Am reading a book on Sex and Eros in Hell about Japanese cinema and our world is as visceral, as cruel and as damning as the worlds they created. As my inspiration for this has always been the Japanese cinema (Kurosawa), the French New Wave (Goddard) and the nightmare realms of the Bros. Quay, David Lynch, Jodorowsky, et al, I am thrilled by our output.

Shooting Frenzy

Weekend @ CL was really an eye opener. For a lot of my people this is their first time on set and I think all of them were a little overwhelmed by the amount of sheer work required to make a feature film. My cast and crew rose above all expectations and delivered again and again. Props to all involved. Here's a shot of yours truly just before his power nap during lunch. The T shirt seems very apt.

Safe to Eat

And so it begins. First two days of Principal Photography @ cranberry Lakes went swimmingly. A LOT OF WORK but lots of fun all around. We humped and shot and laughed out asses off. Over 150+ setups (we exceeded my expectations) and made some choice decisions all weekend long. Here's a look at Alden Moore - HAK - with the first two gallons of blood (we have 10) all clearly marked for consumption. We finished these puppies off in to time flat and consumed 2 gelatin hearts and oodles of rubber and chocolate blood and grue.

Makeup Test Video

Here's a quick look at the hard work brought to life by Crystal and Kristin. We are a week away from camera and all is in good shape. Look for more updates here as we begin to shoot.

Wet Brain

Exploded Head Model that I will use inside the Sissy Suit rather than BJ Winslow Prop. I think this will allow us greater flexibility and a chance for some real fun. Will see what works best on the day but this is FRIGGING AWESOME!!!

Severed Body

We have 7 Body bags full of stuff! I will sprinkle this work throughout Gary and the William Powers Park. We'll find pieces of people in the Post Office (I have an idea for a great scare) and can't stop freaking out about how this gack will add HUGE PRODUCTION VALUE to the finished show.

Brains!!!

We have edible brains, rubber brains, pieces of brain...and lots, lots more. It's kinda like being a kid in a candy store as we add up all the great FX pieces we now have to work with. Crystal will come over tonight to look at the appliances and we'll nbe able to make a great film with her work and P13!!!

Of Guts and Glory

Bob K gave us a ton of great stuff - latex pieces, makeup elements and tons of groovy stuff. I'm so lucky to have a friend like Bob to help us out. Was a little disappointed in the stuff we got from BJ Winslow. I'm not going to belabor the difference between the P13 goods and Dapper Cadaver....let's just say, the stuff we got from P13 is FAR SUPERIOR and leave it at that. Here I am with a tasty snack.