This Saturday morning seems a lot quieter around and about. The strong wind must have died down overnight. Yesterday it was rattling the spare tiles so much I thought parts of the roof were going to come off. It also rained for most of the day giving us a stock of fresh water in the sterna, which is handy. But it did also mean the cat was reluctant to go out and about overnight and spent most of the early hours purring in my ear, when he wasn’t sticking his nose in it, sitting on my head, or digging claws into me.
I have ‘cut 5’ of the Judas Curse to look at later today if I want to. The news on this project (as the backers should already know) is that it has been with the editor for a while, the producer/director has been working with him on it, piecing together the scenes and shots that make up the story, and it is now in the hands of the composer and sound artist. I’ve heard some of the music and we’ve seen most of the visuals – all of which is pretty stunning.
Symi comes off well in the visuals. I mean, this isn’t a holiday video or a promotional one for the island, but it looks great as a backdrop to the action. All very spooky at times, which is why it was chosen. Early on there are views from the sea and later, when things start to happen, there are plenty of views around the village, lots of detail too and some great locations. It all looks very atmospheric and eerie.
I’ve not heard the music over the film yet, so I’ve only really heard parts of that, but that’s coming together now, and the sound has yet to be finished, all the ‘Foley’ needs to be added. Foley (you see ‘Foley artist’ at the end of films, on credits) is basically the day to day sound effects. When you shoot a film you might shoot ‘atmos’ in the background, the general atmosphere of the location, but you don’t worry too much about the footsteps or the door closing, the window creaking or the wind, that kind of thing. All that has to be added and timed in by the Foley artist later.
BTW, it’s called ‘Foley’ after Jack Foley who was the originator of sound effects when ‘talkies’ first came in, and many of his techniques are still used today.
After all that’s done there is the final colour grading to do on the film, making dark places lighter, creating an overall feel or sheen or colour for the total image. Then there are the credits to be created and added, not only the text but any visual credit sequence that might be wanted. And then the hunt for the distributer gets started and who knows how long that might take. Before then the compnay have to set up the final contracts and deals with the other producers and put in place the insurance. This might scare you:
“Before you can sell a film for distribution you have to have what is called Errors & Omissions Insurance. It’s like buying a car. No distributor will touch the film unless you can produce the ‘log book’. The log book most importantly consists of this E&O cover. This indemnifies the seller and every buyer down the chain from being sued. Well, it doesn’t stop you being sued, but if anyone does sue, then your legal costs are covered after the first £10,000 and up to £3 million. People sue for the craziest of things: committing suicide after watching the film, for example.”
Never knew there was so much in it eh? Me neither. Just a reminder if you donated £20.00 or more, to send your head and shoulder shot in for the credit montage, or send a note if you don’t want to have your photo used, this is so they know who to chase up and who to leave unbothered. Send your pics to the email address on the last Kickstarter update – and have a good weekend!
