WORKING

Here's a shot of April Crum on her final Green Screen day for REDD. Yes that is her adorable dog.

Been working on finally wrapping up REDD so we can get it out this winter. Also had a slew of client projects we've been working on. But mainly it's all been about REDD.  A big update is coming soon on this blog as well as on reddmovie.com and all over the internet announcing what we've been working on when you all can expect REDD and other projects to come out.

More soon.

First Ad of the New Year. CafeDrops "The Walking Dead"

Had alot of fun making this ad for CafeDrops.com

Features myself (Patrick) in zombie make up created by Skarred Effects (Chana Van Meter). Also features Amanda Elizabeth in old age make up also by Chana.

Grunge Layers. For you Freddy.

This is in response to Freddy Lopez (@FreddyiWonder) who asked on Twitter:

"For the walking dead toy story intro you made, how did you make the floating textures? e.g.: the particles"

I figured it would be best to try to explain it in a blog post. So here we go.

First off for those of you who haven't seen it, check out my Walking Dead / Toy Story mashup here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGh1qOYBwo

I tried to emulate the floating particles you see in the Walking Dead TV Intro.

They float somewhat subtly (and not so subtly) in layers in front of the camera.

Layers is the key

Now you can do this in After Effects but I did this in Hitfilm Ultimate 2.  I took a grunge layer like this one:

I got this out of the texture file that came with Action Essentials II, but you can do an image search for similar images. Look for grunge or even pain splatter.

I switched the image to negative (or in Hitfilm use Invert) so now all those little cracks and bits turn white.

Adjusted the brightness and contrast so those whites become more evident.

And then utilizing 3D space in Hitfilm I duplicated it and separated the layers.

I changed the blend mode to Add so the black would become transparent. I then played with the layers, added some softness, increased opacity, and then moved the layers around, made them move left to right, up and down, etc. This way the particles would move around as the camera would move in and out of them in front of what ever image I wanted.

Now I just kinda threw this together because I wanted to get a response to you Freddy, but if you'd like I'll find the time to put together an actual video tutorial to better explain and how to possibly achieve the same effect if you don't have After Effects or Hitfilm.

Patrick

Benotripia: The Stones Of Horsh

We were hired to make the book trailer for the second book in the Benotripia book series. A series of kids books written by a talented 12 year old author Mckenzie Wagner.

Find out more about Mckenzie and her books here: http://www.mckenziewagnerbooks.com/

This was a ton of fun to shoot. And figuring out some of these fx was a blast. Working with a CG parrot and figuring out how to make a girl fly on storm clouds, alot of fun to put together.

And what a talented group of kids this was. So professional to work with.

Astro - Gian Gibboney
Roseabelle - Ellie Dusek
Jessicana - Amanda Pahl
Sheklyth - Amanda Elizabeth

Casting For A Book Trailer / Shooting in Winston Salem, NC.

A book trailer for the Children's Book BENOTRIPIA: STONES OF HORSH is looking to cast 5 parts.

This is part of a book series created by McKenzie Wagner the young 12 year old author who's series is gaining popularity. Find out more at her site:
http://www.mckenziewagnerbooks.com/

One days work. There is minimal pay. Definitely perfect if you're looking to fill your reel and resume.

Would prefer that you were local to Winston Salem, NC.

We need to cast these parts quickly as we'll be shooting as soon as all the parts are cast.

Submit your headshot and resume to wtwcasting@yahoo.com

Those selected may be asked to submit a video audition. Especially the part of ASTRO as he is the only character with dialogue.

LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING:

ASTRO: 13 Years Old / Male. Spikey Jet Black Hair. Has the ability to manipulate electricity. Shoot lightning from his fingers.

ROSEABELLE: 13 Years Old / Female. Strawberry Blonde or Red Hair. Has the ability to travel through shadows and shape shift.

JESSICANA: 13 Years Old / Female. Beautiful Blonde Wavy Hair. She has the ability to change into a parrot.

SHEKLYTH: 30 Years Old / Female. Long Black Hair. Wears a hooded cloak. A bit gothy.

DASTROCK: 30 to 40 Years Old / Male. Red Hair. 6 ft. Broad Shoulders and Lean.

If you're chosen we may speak to you further about parts in other WTW Productions.

wtwmoviecompany.com

patrickprejusa.info

Halloween 1979. Audience Reaction.

The audience is one of the main reasons I make movies. There's nothing quite like experiencing their reaction. It's why I love a crowded theater on opening night.  This is such a great example of that kind of excitement. 

Such a great upload.  Special thanks to YouTube users JackOSkull and DarkCastle2012.

A Proportional Response

I've been showing clips to several different people. Doing a bit of beta testing. A few chosen people have even seen the completed movie. The consensus is the same. "It's really good."

And that's why we're still working on it. Mainly because I'm perfecting the score, doing some minor re-shoots, and perfecting the FX. But also because "really good" isn't good enough for me.

I'm aiming for amazing.  If I aim high, then even if I miss, at least we'll land somewhere above "really good."

So one of the things I haven't been able to do is get alot of the final fight scenes to be really big. I needed alot of actors to play Grimm Soldiers in the final battle scenes. But I've been unsuccessful in coordinating everyone's schedules to get the amount of people I need.

So since I can't get an army of actors in, why not make it an army of Robots.  And all I'd need to do is build just one and multiply it in post.

I started with left over coffee containers, empty juice bottles, and some mini pads I bought for cheap at Goodwill.

Yes, that's a Planters Peanuts Bottle.

Put it all together with hot glue and cheap wood screws. Added a few details from plastic lids and caps.

Did a first coat of  black spray paint.

Then a coat of metallic silver. Letting it dry for 24 hours between coats helps keep it from chipping.

A final coat of off white on the body. It looks a bit orange thanks to the sun going down.

A final coat of black for the chest plate and shoulders.

After I'm done in post we'll have an army of flying robots.

This only cost about $7.


Before you know it this movie will be completely finished.