Prepping Prepping Prepping!

Well, Four Square has been very busy getting ready for the Film Race. Between meetings, location scouts, and long winding email chains our creative juices are definitely flowing. Here is a brief run down on what we've been up to:

** We are still trying to make this short film into a short musical. We've had many back and forths about how this is technically going to be possible. It looks like we have pinned down a plan - we will record all the audio onto a separate 4 track recorder, then sync the audio in post. Slating will be huge! Also, we will try to run the scratch track and click track into one of the tracks to make the post side easier. Then we will get the actors into a sound booth to ADR the final vocals. Sounds easy, right? We're not crazy, right?

** In order to fine tune our plan (see above), we planned two different test runs. Wednesday 3/18 the main team will meet to rehearse the writing/composing phase. I am going to randomly pick a theme and action from a previous race and we will brainstorm a 1 - 2 minute song. Josh will bring his camera and we will get a quick recording that will transition us into the post test run. Some time next week, we will all meet and practice the audio mix and ADRing.

** Josh has big ideas for the cinematography of our piece. Becuase we will be using a 4-track recorder for sound, Josh suggested that instead of his EX3 we use a Canon 5D mkll - a digital SLR still camera that also shoots HD video. He has a bunch of lenses that will work with this camera. If we use this camera, our story will look like it was shot on film not video. I am very excited about trying this new technology!

** Our team is growing! Lane joins us as sound man extraordinare. Jared will act and sing. Matt Lipton might not be around for a the actual race, but he will be with us in spirit. We are even considering getting a photographer to document the 24 hours.

** My biggest concern right now is finding a suitable location. Making a musical adds an extra layer of complexity when it comes to locations. On top of finding a place that we can brainstorm, write, and hopefully shoot, we also need to find a place where we can play music throughout the wee hours of the morning. We have a few leads, and a bunch of dead ends. Fingers crossed that everything works out...

Whew - well that is what I got so far. There will be more updates coming! 11 days to the race...

-- Liz