Props and Composer

This afternoon, I rushed back to Hollywood from south of downtown to try and snag a prop package from the post office before closing --- and I made it just in time, with 2 minutes to spare! I arrived at 4:58 to get my package, sent from my parents at home in Wisconsin. They are enthusiastically collecting props and wardrobe for The Pangaea Bloodline, for which I am eternally grateful. Today in the mail I received a white lab coat and a handful of dental tools. What are the dental tools for, you ask? Paleontologists use them to meticulously scrape away the rock from an emerging fossil. I'm trying to be as authentic as possible. Good films place emphasis on the details, you know?

I also met my composer in person today, and what he has to offer seems very promising. He was very enthusiastic about the project, which is a huge plus. I think there might be a magical chemistry between us, because as I was describing the climactic moments of the film that call for a score, he said he already had it in his head. After hearing some samples of his work (http://www.smptv.net/student.php?id=38), I have full faith that he will deliver to me exactly what I want.

There are a few things that I need to take care of soon, before class gets too out of hand:

1.) I need to create an animatic for my composer
2.) I need to e-mail an emboidery company to get a quote on the price of the "Paleo-League" patches
3.) I need to start thinking about purchasing a dinosaur skull. Don't laugh. Seriously!

That's all for now. Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for the next post, it will most likely be on the film I am cinematographer for this weekend, Harvest Day (dir. Ayanna Qadeem).

Alexandra

USC: Semester 2!

Hello everyone! It's been way too long since I've updated. I've been up to a lot in almost a year's time! I just started my second semester in the graduate film studies program at USC, and I'm busier than ever! This semester, the main class (508), requires us to work with two other students to create a slate of 3 films. We each write/direct one film, and switch roles on our peers' films. Here's a little update as to what my story is looking like: 

 
"THE PANGAEA BLOODLINE"

A timid young woman discovers something very strange in her family bloodline: Dinosaur DNA.

A tragic past. Evil paleontologists. Hidden prehistoric superpowers. If that's not the formula for a good movie, I don't know what is. The images you see posted here are concept art. Currently, the script is running 4 pages too long. I'm working hard to whip it into shape before early November, which is when I enter principal photography. It seems like a lot is happening between now and when I start shooting!

I also have a writing class, in which we develop 3 10-20 page scripts. Here are some teaser titles for some of the ideas I'm working on:

MYSTERY DATE

SLIMY

THE SECOND COMING

THE ENVELOPE

WORLD LINE

BEN FRANKLIN VS. ZEUS

A BOY AND HIS BOLSON

CONSCIENCE






Until next time!
~Xandra