More Thanks!

I pushed my actors as hard as my crew at times - they had to brave extreme weather conditions, hectic schedules, wearisome lines and my less than clear direction.
Them's was Good Sports!

Jonno - Without you, there'd be no film, there'd be no Defender. Your a talented actor - And so well suited for the role, I can tell your a keen observer and that you have a great understanding of screen acting. Thanks for putting up with me, the hours, my overall asking of you, my (at times) lack of professionalism, the petrol cost, everything- Your a very fine actor and a great guy! Your my hero!

Eva - I Couldnt of asked for anything more of you. A great performance through and through - thanks for being my actor and older Sis yet again. Your the greatest.

Chris Crash - You the man, every hero needs his villain - and you were a bloody great one - I pushed you once or twice and I'm glad you appreciated it, you took my direction very well. You gave a very strong and convincing performance. Well Fricken Done!

Mike - The moment you auditioned I could sense a great Officer Kelly vibe in you. (that and looking like the NYPD Blue guy helped, haha!) I know I pushed you and your performance a little aswell - but in the end you nailed it, I couldnt of asked for a better man for the role.

Benjamin - You suprised me with every take, your a natural and gifted performer- clearly a master of both screen and theatre acting. And remember one day you'll be the Defender - so dont be afraid ta gimme a call in a decade or so and well get cracking on that sequel. Well done little man!

Morris - for such a small role you played it with great conviction and power. Thanks for braving that hill and being in my big little film. Your a valuable asset to the MAPS community.

Nick, Dan, [and in particular] Alan and Patrick - Thankyou and sorry - Your presence will make all the difference within the film. If ya ever need me ta roll around in the rain or ya just wanna kick me in the face - Call Me (o431 286 133)

And Jen, Richard, Peta and Tsubi - If ya wanna buck I'll be more than happy ta put it forward.

Hopefully I'll get to work with you all again! Well bloody done everyone - Weve got quite a film on our hands! I'll never thankyou all enough.

P.S. Theres a super-suit in my wardrobe I dont know what to do with.

"Thats a Wrap."

Well after a long week - we did it. We shot our film. It was cold, stressful, fun, irritating, tiring, amazing, agonizing, suprising and ahhhh- oh i dunno, at times - 'Rowan.'
But the film'll be sweet! That much i can promise.

I pushed my crew hard - I'm an ass for doing so - and their legends for putting up with it. I dont think i can thank them enough. - But Heck, I'll try...

Skeer - Your a true professional, you put the work first and our friendship last- Cheers. Word to the wise - Get this man a knife if you want something done.
















Tom G - You did everything I asked of you, and more so - Somehow you could decipher my rambling, schedule, mumbling, storyboards and muddled brain.

Jen - I could tell you were reading me well - thanks for being so gentle and patient with me on set.








Dan V - Dependable. Your my number 1 go-to guy. Your friendly nature was much appreciated on set.

Richard - Glad ta have ya on board. When i needed something done you did it -Im grateful for your extra pair of hands.











And lastly - The Honourary Wannabe MAPSIE - Peta
Thankyou for everything ecspecially your emotional support -up to and during this tremendous shoot. Your the best.

Lets hope to Christ the ends justify the means. Actors thankyou post and pictures coming up soon...

Day 4 - 1 to go.

Directing: When your in charge of a large group of people - Morale is important. But youve also got to worry about your shot, the acting, lighting -all that. So when ya start pushing for extra takes, more time, lighting changes - People can get uneasy which affects working conditions, which affects the film. So its important to find a medium. Where you can keep people happy and get the shots and all you want.

Daily Status
-monday morning - good start, great morale- affected by lack of Pizza.
- Film quality- Yer should be great
-monday night - Hurt by the lengthy shoot - long late hours - bad.
- Film quality- first day enthusiasm means the shoot was saved

-tuesday arvo - short scene, easy stuff - not a problem.
- Film quality - Nothing to worry about.
tuesday night- Luckily an easy shoot without alot of camera movement or dramatic acting - morale was however affected by the looming time and lack of food.
- Film quality - Plenty there to work with, More than enough - Nick Cleary is staying confident

wednesday morning - Out doors -weather conditions were a bit of a let down
Film quality - all good baby
wednesday night - rain, a sketchy schedule and a stressed out director meant morale was heavily effected.
Film quality - Half the stuff - pure Gold, simply given the actors and location were outstanding. Other Half - Im confident can be saved by the edit. Action sequences are a pain to shoot, a joy to edit.

thursday morning - a little stressed all round - however given the promise of food and the comfort of indoors meant we finished early. Some memorable performances for sure.
film quality - Oh yer - its gewd!
thursday night - Morale was at an all time high as we steadily worked through the schedule, we were well fed and looked after aswell. The location and quality of the filming kept people smiling - even Nick Skeer.
film quality - Probly the best stuff you'll see in the film.

Friday...lets see how we go aye.

Still Shooting

Well after 2 days n nights of shooting im feeling awfully tired. Its a strange love-hate process when your directing. Very Stressful- But very fun all the while.

Im a bit spacey on set - Theres a million things runnning through my head. And I'm constantly bombarded with multiple questions at the same time. Yeesh!
However its interesting how quickly you can tune out 'emotions' and what not- becasue your passionate and want the job done well.

We'll keep at it though - hard times ahead. Later!

Last Minute Touch-Ups

Today we had our first glimpse at the super-suit. Very rough stages at the moment - but Tsubi assured us it'll be completed by Tuesday night.
Shooting begins tommorow -so yesterday and today I've been rounding up the rest of the props and what not.
And to top it off Young Benjamin and I are due for another rehearsal tonight.

For some reason the camera flash made the suit all glossy and somewhat ...Homosexual. But it'll look better through HDV and 'irl' - (thats nerd talk for IN REAL LIFE...noobs).

Re- Hear - Sal

Hey Readers
Well after a big week shooting Jen Wildwood's masterpiece 'The Ogre' Today we had rehearsals with all the cast. It went swimmingly - I began by simply getting the group to learn a little bit more about each other. We than had a Dry Read (not a wet read.) Before we all got up and blocked through each of the scenes. Good times had by all.
Here's a pic I took that'll be in the film. - Father, wife and pumpkin.