New Promotional Picture - Julian Grant

New promo pix for THE DEFILED. My first time in greasepaint. I did the makeup application myself and had a grand old time doing it. Love the tone and texture of this stuff. It really is like painting on a canvas.

Mix is almost done

The sound mix is almost over. It sounds so good. Composer David Findlay and Sound Designer Kevin Schwartz have done an outstanding job...truly incredible. Full detail in all sound effects, Roger sounds wonderful and the music.... oh, the music. DF will release an official soundtrack album for us (I am blessed) and it will go on sale first quarter in 2010. One more day to go plus playback and I am off to color correction on the 27th with Post Production guru David Ransley. DR is my guy - the man who masterminded "Robocop: Prime Directives" back in the day and here we are - ten years later - working together again on my best work since Robo. The airwaves may be filled right now with my damn Xmas movies ("Crazy For Christmas", "A Dad For Christmas" and "Christmas In Boston" - aka 'Pen Pals or 'Instant Message')... but this is the Christmas I remember that THE DEFILED came to life.

Defiled CGI Title Credit

Am entering into the CGI (computer generated imagery) phase of the production - as I alternate between the fine cut (now on Reel #10) and the needs of the show. Here is a look at the head credit as the city of Frankfurt, Germany stands in for a desolated and destroyed cityscape. WIll refine and rework all composites over the next month as the sound department begins work on the music and key sd. fx.

Post Production Update

Composer David Findlay and I are starting to chat about original score and our needs. Am 100 minutes in and the end is in sight. Will complete my rough cut by Next Sunday and begin the tweaking process. Have 1 hr. of baby inserts to cull through and assorted fine edits to make. Oct. 31st is the Producer's Screening and reels will be sent out to the sound editors in Canada as they are locked. All is going gangbusters!!

Feeding the baby

At Wm Powers Park, Kathleen Lawlor (Janice) must fed Roger for the first time. As the film evolves and I look at running time, this is a moment that may find its way to DVD Extra Land (we shall see). My producers will be a good sounding board and give me some solid advice.

Main Unit Cast & Crew Photo

Here's a look at the fine folks who are the heart and soul of "The Defiled." A swell buncha folks and hard workers all. Leaving Canada and my regular crew and cast members, I feared not being able to duplicate the sense of 'family' that I had back home. I worried needlessly. Here, in Chicago, I have found willing co-conspirators and friends who have joined Julie and I in creating our inaugural film. As the plan is to make a feature EVERY SUMMER (!), it's nice to know that we have such great friends to call upon.

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.

KL joins us on set

KL joins us on set this weekend. What a fabulous leading lady. Beautiful and great acting chops. A blessing. We shot out the Ghouls and Sally (aka Tongueless Lady) - although Almir will return for chase scene with BS on Aug. 8. Tired and happy with everything. Am at Act One all week teaching the Intensive Film Workshop so we can afford to make the film. Am happy to be able to do so. Much hysteria as I fall ass-over-heels on wrap night wrapped in my space-age skirt. All is well and everyone in GREAT shape. Alden M once again proves to be a Jill-of-all-Trades and a magnificent help in Set Dec and Props. Will be giving her the Production Designer credit under Elizabeth Alden so as not to confuse the punters! We are almost halfway through (how time flies).

Week 3 Shooting continues tomorrow

Have just completed next shotlist for this weekend. 144 setups over 2 days. A big job but we're up to it. I've scanned all my shotlists to date and will post them here at some point for those that are interested. Don't expect fancy drawings and illustrations. Shotlists can be dangerous - as you get caught up in a certain look or style and end up chasing your tail trying to achieve a shot. It's far better to have thumbnails that you can distribute to your cast and crew and then embellish as you go along.

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.