Also in this issue:
- Sony Problem Solving Guide - Free!
- I was a Judge
Making an Award-winning Movie on $0 Budget
Let's say you were a filmmaker during Covid. You and your future co-star were quarrantining in a cabin in the woods. And you had a Sony A7 III, one microphone, one LED light, but no budget and no crew. But you still wanted to make that psychological thriller / horror film that's been on your mind for years.
Well, that movie has been made, and it's already won some awards! Before I get to the interview with the filmmaker and the stars (and all of the tribulations involved in making a film in such conditions), have a look at the trailer for the movie. (This has a lot more about the movie as well - the video here will give you a good taste of it.)
I watched this movie and was duly impressed by what I saw, especially when it came to the post-production grading and the music, which were both used effectively to manipulate the audience's emotions. I was so impressed, in fact, that I got in touch with them and got them them to agree to an interview to talk about how it was made on a technical level. And since you're a regular reader of this blog, that means this might interest you as well. :-)
Here it is. Enjoy!
Special thanks to Paul Bickel and Raya Miles for sharing their time and their expertise with me.
I was a Judge
Yesterday I was a judge for an organization called "Destination Imagination", a teamwork / communication / problem solving program for students of all ages. I saw a great variety of creative presentations and innovative solutions to technical issues.
To ensure that the kids aren't intimidated by the judges, the judges all had to wear silly hats. This was mine, a design suggested by the grandkids. Turns out most of the kids I was judging didn't know what film was. 🙁 Boy am I old.
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| Nice dreds, eh? :-) |
Wow, great Sony Alpha "beyond the owner's manual" guide - it's a long way from my own:
ReplyDeleteMinolta 507si 600si 650si Beyond The Owner's Manual
Minolta Alpha Dynax Maxxum 507si 600si 650si Classic Panorama Date Camera Organization Notes v 2002-10-06 13:37
http://www.geocities.ws/minolta507si600si650si/minolta507si600si650si-beyond-the-owners-manual.html
!
I'm pocket Sony-DSC now - gosh, my Alpha 55V and suite of lenses, and my A2 are just sitting, as well as, of course, my suite of Minolta film cameras.
I still take and review a couple of hundred pictures a day, though.
I still love the gear, but at some point, it must fade away in service to the imaging, the 5 things we can control through 4 steps ( in my own notes somewhere - must bring them forward ).
Need help salvaging pictures from those exposed rolls of film?
;-)
Love and air-hugs in CoViD times,
Peter Blaise
This was such a fun and inspiring read. I love how you didn’t romanticize the “zero budget” part, but actually walked us through the very real constraints — one camera, one mic, one light, two people, and a cabin and showed how those limits shaped the story instead of killing it. The Covid‑era setup made the psychological tension feel earned, not gimmicky, and it really clicked for me how much intentional planning and problem‑solving had to happen to make that work. Also appreciated the reminder that awards don’t always come from bigger crews or fancier gear, but from commitment and follow‑through. Curious what part of the process surprised the filmmaker the most once they were deep into it shooting, editing, or the festival circuit?
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