Review & Reload

The cool thing about indie filmmaking is that you don't have to dance to the tune of the studio suits who look over your shoulder and bombard you with their notes, timetables and demands. The only input I elect to embrace comes from my Cast & Crew - so having the ability to review the process and output of last week's work is a luxury for a production like ours. Better to know earlier rather than later that you're on the right path. So, while my cast juggles their schedules to be available for the next sequences we're shooting, I'm taking the time to review, reload and huddle with my creative team to double check the actor performances (which are superb to date); start the editing process to create a series of Teaser Trailers that will be rolled out soon; mix the next songs that will be used in playback for the upcoming music sequences; finalize the strategy to release the first song from the Soundtrack; and perhaps most importantly prepare the EPK's and hard-copy Press Kits for the national media and for all the Film Festivals we hope to take "Beautiful Noise" to. It's a whirlwind of activity and a smart way to approach the process. My thanks to key Team members Jerry Chambless and Ralph Barnette for urging me to jump on the marketing plan for the movie now instead of after the completion of principal photography. Beginning with the end in mind is always a wise choice.

Our ace webmaster Ryan Lebar informs that you'll be able to view production pics from our Still Photographer Rod Millington right here on the website later this week. Meanwhile, you can check out some pics from the set on the "Beautiful Noise Movie" Facebook page. My sincere thanks to all who are helping us spread the word about the movie.

Steve

Paradise Found

We finished the first week strong by showcasing some terrific Sarasota sponsors of the movie and by filming Jay & Danielle on the most beautiful beach in the world and in the nearby Siesta Village. Indie films rely on the embrace of their community to help create the movie a Writer/Director has in mind, so I want to give a big shout out to thank Sarasota Guitar Company, Pritchards Pianos, Suzie Q's, the Beach Bazarre, Big Olaf, Gilligan's, the Hampton Inn/Airport, Hyatt Place and the legendary Cock 'n' Bull Club for their wonderful support of our Musical/Drama this week. The two music stores have been so great providing us with key instruments for the film - and the music club was a perfect setting for 'Noah's Nightmare' scene. Even the Extras for that scene were awesome! It's not easy sitting around for a couple of hours while the set is meticulously lit for just the right effect, but everyone involved seemed fascinated with the process - and when it came time to deliver their collective performance in the scene, (it was more than just providing background for the shot we wanted...as a certain look and enthusiasm when cued was required), they nailed it in just 3 takes. Thanks everyone.

 After lunch at Bob Evans, the rest of the day was filled with "run & gun" shots of 'Noah' and 'Dez' taking in the beauty and wonder of Crescent Beach, which was only right and just as I finished the first draft of "Beautiful Noise" on that very beach a year ago and walked many miles of it since then listening to and selecting songs for the Soundtrack. You could say it's the spiritual home for the film. Jay had never seen Siesta Key before, and Danielle, though growing up in nearby Bradenton, never spent much time there. Watching those two stroll the gorgeous beach in character, feed the mass of seagulls that enveloped them and soak in the vibe provided by sun, sand, surf and beachcombers made for exquisite shots captured by our Red Camera Team of John Goodbrad and Shawn McCarty.

Our next location was another stomping ground of mine, Siesta Village. Again, all we needed were shots of Jay and Danielle walking and talking as they enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Village scene for a montage sequence. Not wanting to attract much attention from the 'civilians' enjoying their Siesta afternoon, I had my actors stroll the sidewalks and pop into and out of a few of the shops and bars while the camera caught their action from a safe distance away with a long lens, hence the term "run & gun". It all looked very natural and I know it was fun for the actors, especially the scene we shot of them walking out of the Big Olaf ice cream shop, cones in hand!

 After we wrapped for the day Cast and Crew gathered at Gilligans for a few libations and to decompress from an extremely challenging and busy week of shooting. One of our Location supervisors, Mike Gatz, manages the popular spot and hosted our little gathering. We should have had the 'behind the scenes' camera rolling 'cause the stories were flying back and forth about the best and funniest stuff we shot for the week. Looking around and listening to these creative, capable people talking about the great time they're having working on the film and the excitement they all share after watching the Story start to unfold was gratifying. You never know when you start something as intense as the filmmaking process if things will go smoothly or if there will be tension between everyone as a result of the long hours and various personalities involved. As the creator and producer of "Beautiful Noise" I knew early on how extremely important it was to choose just the right people to be on the set with me and the actors every day in order to strike the right balance and tone and create an infinitely positive environment for everyone. It only takes one naysayer or "second-guesser" in our midst to throw a wrench into the machinery, so while there are many terrific people involved in the overall project, I was determined to have a small, dedicated Team on set this first week who had unquestioned Faith in me and the Story. As I looked around the circle and listened to my Team toast each other about the success of the week, I knew I had chosen wisely. In the process, my mind wandered to what indie film veteran Ed Burns constantly preaches - (a) You CAN make low budget, high quality movies in your own hometown without a huge cast and crew and all the extra expense that entails; and (b) Ignore those who constantly tell you it can't be done the way you want to do it. It's your Story, it's your baby...just find some talented people who believe in you and go make your Movie.

 I listened to Ed. I learned from my Crew. I'm making my Movie.

And so it goes...

Steve

Bicycles and Bonfires

Our final shooting day at the Myakka house location was long but productive. We shot 'Noah' and 'Dez' scenes all day from mid-morning until 9:00 pm and they were some of the most creative, beautiful shots of the week. From simple shots of Jay and Danielle riding bikes around the property while the horses looked on - to the gorgeous sky at sunset in Myakka State Park that illuminated a poignant scene between the beaming couple -  to the Bonfire scene where sparks were literally flying between 'Noah' and 'Dez' - we hustled and created and dodged raindrops and did everything we needed to do to get the shots we needed to make the day. My two lead actors were fantastic again today and my Commando Crew worked their tails off to help me get the scene coverage I'll know I need when I work with our editor.

It was a Total Team Effort and it paid off for us big time.

Tomorrow we start shooting in Siesta Key and also make stops at three well-known Sarasota locations to shoot scenes: The Cock 'n' Bull club, Pritchards Pianos and the Sarasota Guitar Company. The "Beautiful Noise" train is picking up steam and waving a fond farewell to our Myakka hosts, Gary and Paula Aspinall. We are eternally grateful for their hospitality and proud to showcase their splendid house, acreage and animals in our film. 

Steve

A Beauty & the King

Day 4 on the set will be memorable in so many ways. I learned some new things from my talented camera Team, which makes me a better Director; I watched a new Star being born with first time actor Kimber Cleveland's sparkling debut on our set; and then closed out the day with a story-filled dinner and an unbelievable recording session with world-class percussionist and long-time Neil Diamond band mate - King Errisson.

Kimber continues to astonish me. In addition to licensing several of her wonderful songs for the movie soundtrack, I selected her for the pivotal role of "Candy" - knowing up front she had zero acting experience - because she's an accomplished singer-songwriter with a dynamite stage presence, is simply stunning to look at and because I believed all she needed to do was play herself. Her real-life struggle to break through in the ultra-competitive music business mirrors what her character goes through in the film, so there was little downside to the risky casting of an inexperienced actor from my point of view. That decision was among the best I've made so far for "Beautiful Noise".

This first week of the shoot centers primarily on the relationship between 'Noah' and 'Dez' as it develops in the second act of the movie in rustic, scenic Myakka Florida. As such, Kimber's character, who is firmly established at the start of the movie, only had one scene scheduled to be shot this week, but it's one of the most important scenes in the film, so I scheduled the entire day around her big sequence with Jay. Kimber walked on the set in full 'Candy' mode, bonded quickly with our upbeat Crew and the playful dogs on the set who've kept us company all week, worked diligently with us to block her shots with Jay, conferred with me on the dialogue - then proceeded to take my direction and deliver take after take after take with the raw power, emotion and intensity of a veteran Hollywood actress. Her explosive performance on her first day on the set confirmed to me and all present that the three key actors that must carry the movie on their shoulders for it to work are more than up to the task.

But there was more to come.

After dinner, I took Kimber with me to our Soundtrack headquarters, Sarasota's Top Secret Studios, to listen to King's conga/percussion work on a couple of songs for the film. King, who shot his scenes on Tuesday, got in sync right away with Mo & Roger as they dialed in the right tones. Then this incredible artist performed the same kind of beautiful work  that you can hear him play on every Neil Diamond album over the last 35 years on a song Kimber wrote and that Danielle sings. What he played on "Maybe You'll See Me When I'm Gone" brought wet eyes and chill bumps to both me and Kimber. (Mo & Roger are a little more hard-core, but they too were astonished...in their own way!). Then when King heard Jay's vocal on the smoking hot new arrangement the boys cooked up for Joni Mitchell's "Free Man In Paris", he jumped back into the studio and put on a show for us. I thought the guy was having a "Cherry Cherry" solo flashback from one of Neil's concerts. He could have walked in and cut some simple tracks and I would have been more than grateful...but this consummate pro delivered like you just can't believe and lifted the entire song into a higher vibration. It was just amazing. Pure and simple.

One more day in Myakka tomorrow and then we move to a variety of Sarasota locations this Saturday. The rain has subsided, the sun is shining again - and the "Beautiful Noise" caravan moves on!

Steve

Wednesday Musings

The creative Team on the set worked all out with me today and took the very heavy shooting schedule I concocted and made it look easy. We are now a well-oiled machine and we're making all the scenes I visualized come to life in ways I could never imagine on my own. I'm encouraging ideas from everyone on the set and we're not only getting incredible shots in the can but also having a great time doing it. It's a happy, upbeat group of professionals I've surrounded myself and our actors with and the positive vibes that are flowing are paying huge dividends.

 King Errisson closed out our shooting day on Tuesday by delivering an outstanding performance as "Zeus" - and his incredible personality brought out a lot of smiles at the end of that particularly emotional day. King listened closely to "Lonely Hearts" and agrees that we have a potentially huge hit on our hands. Coming from a man who has starred in Neil Diamond's Band since 1974, that comment meant a lot to us. I've enjoyed Kings' work with Neil for a long long time and I'm simply thrilled that he took the time and effort to join our Cast.

After the outpouring of drama and emotion from Tuesday, it was really great to have a lighthearted Wednesday on the set in Myakka. Both Jay and Danielle are firmly in command of their respective Characters and I'm at a place with both of them that requires less and less direction on what to say and how to say it. Our communication now revolves more on the subtle nuances of their roles and how best to convey it all simply. Less is now more with them and their performances are becoming more sparkling and dynamic with each passing day.

There's no longer a sense of wondering if our movie will amount to anything, but rather discussions among us about how big this thing can really be! The hours are long, the rain has been endless, but the movie is taking shape in a wonderful way and everyone involved is in a groove. And it's only the third day of shooting.

Tomorrow is a very big day as "Candy" makes her presence known with extreme prejudice.

Steve