One Lady, A Parasol and A Pony.

#7 - Debbie Zukerman [Actor: Mercedes]

I think producers are up there with psychiatrists and air traffic controllers. For 5 months I kept having conversations with Kate where her voice would go up and up and up as she explained the latest outrageous miscommunication, or location that had fallen through at the eleventh hour. Every week something happened.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

About a year ago I was at a party and David Hawkins asked me if I'd like to be in an experimental Alice-in-Wonderland-esque no-budget film where all the dialogue is improvised on set. So I said yes. It's not really Wonderland-esque, but back then, before another 15 incarnations, that's what it sounded like.

I was in a major rut at the time. I'd come home from studying in New York and Paris, was severely underemployed, and had a stress rash all over my hands and my hair was falling out. Then BLUE walked into my life and my hair grew back. While Kate and Dave's hair fell out.

I spoke to Dave quite a bit over the next few weeks, listening as Mercedes went from frustrated writer slash bar tender to insecure nymphomaniac, and finally settled on being grief and guilt stricken. My background was in comedy, so all this darkness was a refreshing change.

Dave wrote a scene breakdown and it became apparent that about 50 actors would be needed. So this is a film filled with my buddies. Silvina (Mirrim in the flashback) really is one of my best friends, and I studied with the super spunky Hannah (Poppy) in New York. Such a pleasure to work with people you already have a connection with.

It might be time to throw the baton back to David so he can rant on about the epic casting of this little film, in the next tear-soaked episode of Making Of Bound By Blue (also known as - If You Don't Answer They Can't Tell You The Bad News).

Juggling With Chainsaws & Chipmunks

#6 - Kate Talbot [Producer]

I too have a morbid fear of actors; particularly ones in hot demand like Chester.

They are difficult to schedule as people, with far more power and experience than I, have them locked into scary and immoveable television and film contracts. This makes pinning actors down for rehearsals/costume fittings/shooting (the list goes on) nigh on impossible.

What was clear however was that we wanted Chester! He was the key to the project. With him on-board we could convince other 'in-hot-demand' actors to join our bandwagon of craziness. We needed to find a way to keep him as our lead actor, while adjusting to his ever-growing professional commitments.

And this is where Bound By Blue really began. Instead of an 80-minute feature centred around Chester and Frank we would create four separate 20 minute stories joined at the head and the 'tale'. This gave us several selling points. Firstly, Chester no longer had to commit to an entire feature. By our figuring 20 minutes of screen time was a slightly longer short film; not a huge ask really (or so we thought).

Four separate stories also meant that our lead actors would only have to be scheduled together for the opening and closing scenes. This also overcame the massive obstacle of Chester and Frank only being in the same state as each other for 10 days in six months.

We were quickly able to sell this idea to Chester and Frank and things seemed to be back on track.

What we hadn’t been bargaining on was how many support actors we were going to need. Lots and Lots of support actors; 48 to be exact! Our little production (which Dave was originally planning on shooting over 10 weeks with a maximum of 5 people on set at any one time) had suddenly taken on a life of its own. (Remember we had NO money!)

We also now needed to write three more stories and cast two lead actors. Enter stage right: Debbie Zukerman. A true gem sent to help us drag this lump of an idea kicking and screaming into production. Debbie became not only one of our four lead actors, but casting agent, location scout and personal masseuse to the producer.

But I'll let Debbie tell us her version of the story in the next installment of the Making of Bound By Blue (also known as – Is That Squealing Noise My Producer Imploding?).

The High-Wire. But Without A Net!

#5 - David Hawkins [Director/DOP]

As a cinematographer I have no fear of filming: The bigger the challenge, the more exciting the project. But as a wannabe director I had a major phobia. Actors. They terrified me. Cameras don't talk back.

So in an attempt to overcome this terror I put on my swagger and called in Chester and Frank for a rehearsal. But not just any old rehearsal; I took them to the local shopping centre for some Method style character development. Each of them had to 'perform' a lap of the mall emotionally reacting to their fellow shoppers and discovering how it felt to be their character.

This was actually a successful outing until we were set upon by a dogged elder lady who swore that she knew Frank, and continued to do so even after we told her that she may have seen him on TV. It took a random passerby weighing in on this conversation to convince the old dear that he wasn't a long-lost-grandson.

Alright checklist:
Two actors
One producer
One DOP with an ego complex
And a script idea
(oh yeah... and a victory over an Old-lady)
Practically finished.

Or so I thought until days later I received a phone call from Chester, whilst I was sitting on the ceramic throne (that's a toilet for anyone who suddenly thinks that I am the heir to the Caroma fortune). Heavy with guilt he proceeded to eek out that he could no longer be in the film as he couldn't commit the time needed.

I listened. I breathed. I think I screamed a little. And then I phoned my Producer.

My all-knowing Producer Kate can take over from here, in the next installment of Making Bound By Blue (also known as - Perhaps Working At McDonalds Is A Viable Career Option).

Where's The Other Siamese Twin Gone Now?

#3 - David Hawkins [Director/DOP]

So you want to know what happened in the four weeks where I went AWOL? I think I went insane.

It started out just fine. I took an old idea and expanded on it - Chester meets the girl of his dreams the previous night and now sets out on a mission to find her. Kind of 'Dude Where's My Car' meets 'Alice In Wonderland'. Every scene is a new location, a new support character and a brief quirky encounter.

I was liking the possibility of this being achievable with no budget until Chester suggested that we would have trouble finding a great female actor for no money. However he had a solution... he had already talked to a good friend of his who wanted to get involved. And this friend was male.

Part of my process was a simple rule; if it is offered then embrace it.

And so I began redrafting my treatment to be a buddy picture with two male leads. There were many variations: two guys after the same girl for love, two guys after the same girl but one wants to kill her, two guys after the same girl but one turns out to want the other guy.... You can see that I was veering dangerously into 'Days Of Our Lives' territory.

I also realised that these stories were not really very 'me'. I tend to watch films that have something different, something niche about them. And then I had the idea that the girl was in fact an alien visitor; Chester was searching for her as he believed that she was the girl of his dreams and the other male character was an alien hunter who wanted to capture her to make his scientific career.

Granted it still sounds kinda tacky but it got me excited. I like aliens. And it had the edges of those 80's flicks that I love so much.

With this finally solved I realised that for all of the rewriting I did not yet even know who this mysterious 'other male' cast member was.

This time we're going to be cheeky and let the secret actor himself, Chester, talk to you in the fourth stunning instalment of Making Bound By Blue (also know as - Please Leave Your Sanity With The Doorman).

Knocking on Barnum's Caravan

#2 - Kate Talbot [Producer]

Now if Dave had actually been listening to me he would have heard me say, “I’m nearly finished doing pre production prep on the latest two short film scripts you’ve sent me”.

Producing is so Smurfy

It was at this point David mumbled “Yeah… I’ve been thinking. Let’s put them aside for now… I have a bigger and better idea bubbling away (he may have even used the word crazy, but that part escapes me now). I’ll give you a call in a week.”

So I waited… and waited. And four weeks later I finally picked up the phone and demanded to know what this amazing new idea was. 

Perhaps all the waiting had made me a little desperate for production action because when David said “I have no money but I want to make a feature that uses a different location for every scene, shoots every second night over a two-month period and (wait for it) is all improv acting” my enthusiastic response was “Great! When can we start?”  

The initial concept was simple enough; a “buddy” film, set in Melbourne and starring Chester who was already on-board. David was fascinated by the “unseen-side” of Melbourne and wanted to explore this in the film, working Melbourne in as the third character.

Little did I know (foolishly, as I’d worked with David before and I knew that when he gets an idea into his head he’s like a pit-bull at a burglar’s leg) that I was embarking on an all consuming project that would see the next 9 months engulfed by 18 hour days and LOADS of logistical conundrums… 

Why don't I get David to fill you in on what happened in those 4 weeks of scheming silence? Check it out in the third episode of Making Bound By Blue (also known as - My Mother Always Said That Yodeling Was My Future).

How Much Does a Big Top Cost?

#1 - David Hawkins [Director/ DOP]

Would you like to be privy to the harrowing tales of how a trio of insane optimists set out to make a no-budget independent feature film with over 50 cast, 100 extras, 50 crew and 30 locations? A blow-by-blow account (how else do you think we could have pulled it off?) (excuse the double innuendo).

Beginning right now let me weave you a tale of heroes and villains, of desperate banditos and us, the begging paupers. And I will begin this epic journey at its humble beginning.

I was watching a film. An expensive film. A repeatedly funded film. An abhorrent film. Now I will not name the beast, but it is enough to say that two and a half hours of not funny romantic comedy could melt even the most avid film buffs belief in the magic of storytelling.

So I cracked it.

I told everyone who asked exactly what I thought of the film, and very quickly people stopped asking, "If that film had been dragged to life by the sheer no-budget determination of the filmmakers trying to get a voice in the world, then I would give them a standing ovation. But to create such uninspired and poorly produced crap when you have money and support being handed to you is unforgivable."

Believe it or not my wife got a little sick of hearing this over and again, particularly when I would add "I could make a better film than that without any support."
And so she told me what she thought of my opinions, "Then do it. Stop complaining and do it."

"A challenge" I thought. This was a suggestion that my wife was soon to regret voicing.

Also attending the aforementioned event was one of Australia's newest heart throbs (unable to be named at the moment... let's call him Chester for now). And he had also had to put up with my negative droning all night long. I surprised Chester a few days later with a phone call. The call began with these simple words, "I've got a favour to ask..."

Having gained his optimism and enthusiasm (Chester is a bubble of joyous energy!) I was spurred to make the next and vital call. I dialed the number of my ever-suffering Producer, Kate Talbot.

"Hi Kate. What's up? Uh huh. Look I'm not really listening, but boy do I have a question to pose to you that is going to change your world..."

I'll let Kate tell you what transpired next, in the soon-to-follow second episode of Making Bound By Blue (also known as - How We Came To Lose Our Minds, Hearts, Dignity and my Subaru 4WD).

Roll up, roll up!!!

It's been a while since my last update - apologies. I wanted let you all know that my AMAZING Producer KATE TALBOT has launched her grand brand new website for her production company Think Boy Think!

Check it out at: www.thinkboythinkproductions.com

We have just begun sending out our first short film PROGRESS to film festivals around Europe, whilst our second short film MUGGED is about to land in our hot little hands ready for the same dirty treatment.

In the meantime have a look at our pretty mugs on Kate's website.

Fairy floss and Dagwood Dogs...

The latest Melbournian independent feature film, BOUND BY BLUE, wrapped main unit filming in April 2011. And what is a wrap without a wrap party? Nothing!

So with a whole bundle of ado Producer, KATE TALBOT, Post-Production Producer, KATERINA MITROPOULOS, official IT Advisor, JORDI BENEYTO FERRE & Director, DAVID HAWKINS slaved away to put on the do-of-the-century to say thank you to our wonderful supporters.

To prove how thankful she was Kate cooked for 4 days straight, whipping up a gastronomical wonder of hors d'oeuvres (they don't make death row prisoners work this hard!):

 

Then it was off to the spectacular Willow Bar (222 High Street, Northcote VIC / 03 9481 1222) to put on a right hoorah. Drinks, delectable food, groovy lounge tunes and more hugs than a man could ask for. Surrounded by all of the amazing people who made our crazy venture into a reality; cast, extras, crew, locations and partners of crazed volunteers! Without these philanthropic folk our story could never have been realised.

But of course, what would a wrap party be without speeches that never end?:

Thank you to everyone who was involved in this larger-than-life-and-sanity production!

50 cast, 100 extras, a rotating crew of almost 50 and more locations than I can count (ran out of fingers and toes). For a little independent film, it sure is BIG! Kate and I want to echo once again how grateful we are to all of the support and assistance that has been offered in so many different ways. Every single person involved added something very special to create an overall amazing feat of filmmaking.

After 4 & 1/2 months of filming there are 3 very special thank yous:

Katerina Mitropoulos. She is still working like crazy to make sure that Bound By Blue will be finished and ready for the world to see.

Kate Talbot, Producer extraordinaire! Still smiling after all I put her through (and still producing this film like a mad woman).

And my spectacular wife Marianna Hawkins who is to blame for this whole fiasco in the first place, and has supported my utter insanity every single day. This could never have been achieved without her.

Why do Monkeys ride Donkeys?

Question: What do you get when you cross a hackneyed cinematographer, a doe-eyed producer and a handful of idealism?

Answer: One hell of a story!

I guess you are wondering what I am making obtuse reference to. Well, let me give you a quick glimpse into the circus tent that has circled my life for the past 9 months...

Sometime around July of 2010 I made a critical mistake. After attending the Opening Night of a much lauded Australian film festival, and having been exposed to an undercooked and over-funded debut feature film, I did my usual loud-mouthing about the state of the Australian film industry. In fact I believe my exact words were: "If the filmmakers had gone out on their own and made that film for zero-budget I would have applauded. But to create such drivel when you have financial, industry and government support is an f****n joke".

I then went on to voice these silly words: "Even I could make a better film than that for no-budget".

To which my ever-suffering wife replied "Then do it. Stop talking about it and do it".

And so I did.

What followed was the most amazing and obstacle-ridden experience of my life so far. As a working DOP I have forged through many an horrendous shoot and been exposed to the good and bad of people and places all around the globe. But there is nothing that could have set me up for endeavouring to create our first no-budget feature film.

Check out www.boundbyblue.com for the day-by-crazy-day account of 2 dreamers and their White Whale of a film.

Here are a few teaser stills from the shoot:

Dynamic Duo

Geek Show Alley has teamed up with Think Boy Think to produce a new independent feature film titled 'BOUND BY BLUE', www.boundbyblue.com

Keep your eyes glued to the main ring for more info.

Check out Think Boy Think's awesome logo:

(Don't worry fair audience. GEEK SHOW ALLEY will soon have an equally eye-catching logo for your pupil-sensations).