Sunday, November 15, 2009

Lights, Camera, Action

Sponsored by: Piping Rock Partners

Rusty Bradshaw, news editor of Independent Newspapers published this article about our film production in the Sun City Independent Newspaper. The article discusses the film production's interaction with the Sun City community. Read the Article by downloading this PDF - >

Friday, November 13, 2009

The Joy of Film Production

Sponsored by Simple Tea


























Feature film production can be a grueling experience for the cast and crew. There's a ton of pressure. You have to make your day, you've got to get it right, because once the take is printed, there's no changing it and you're gonna have to live with it forever. All the while, it's like watching a gas pump add up the dollars and cents. Needless to say, there are a lot of "oh shit" moments. But, there are also moments that make you think, "heck yes! This is fun." Sometimes the only thing these moments have to do with the movie, is that the movie got you there to experience the moment.

We had a lot of these moments on the production of Valley of the Sun, but one of my favorite moments happened on our last day while shooting at the Marana Regional Airport. There's a small airplane graveyard where a bunch of old forest fire fighting planes and two Lockheed C-121 Constellations rest. We planned on parking a A-26 in the midst of these old planes and shooting our scene. One of those Constellations was President Eisenhower's Air Force One. I was told this aircraft, named the Columbine, was the first Air Force One to be put in service. While I haven't verified that, it surely was one of the first. I was pondering the old aircraft with my producer and First AD when overhead, literally framed by the Columbine, was a large, white 747 escorted by four fighter jets. It was Air Force One. I've never seen Air Force One before and seeing it framed by the first Air Force One seemed uncanny. I'm not a believer in destiny and signs and all that, but at that moment, I thought this is where we are supposed to be, right here, right now and this is why I love this damn job. Making movies puts you in all kinds of places and situations and if you have a moment between all of the stressful things pulling at you, take a look around. You'll see some cool stuff. Read more about Air Force One - >















Stokes at the controls of the Columbine

Saturday, November 7, 2009

WRAPPED!

Sponsored by Nick Grover

Arizona principal photography of Valley of the Sun is officially wrapped. It was an amazing 22 days of production and we are lucky to have had such an incredible cast and crew. Everyone worked hard and we achieved a film much bigger than our budget. Our cast and crew showed a lot of heart and for that we are grateful. We also couldn't have made the film without the local home and business owners that supported the film. Independent film relies on locals embracing the intrusive process of filmmaking and the residents of Sun City, Surprise and Phoenix did just that . To the cast, crew and all of those that offered a helping hand. THANK YOU!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Along the Way

Sponsored by: Manzanita Creek Winery

PETER JASON AND KLOR ROWLAND DOING WHAT THEY DO

SAM GUTIERREZ, STOKES McINTYRE AND JEFFREY KIMBALL

STOKES McINTYRE AND JEFFREY KIMBALL BEHIND THE LENS

FILMING ON SET

EXTRAS SQUARE DANCING

HELIUM BALLOON BEFORE HALLOWEEN

CHRIS HALL ON SET

STOKES McINTYRE, JEFFREY KIMBALL, HOLLYWOOD HEARD, AND SAM GUTIERREZ SCOUTING

JEFFREY KIMBALL AT MELROSE PHARMACY

Copy That


You would think this gorgeous lady is one of our actresses, but the earpiece and microphone give her away. She's our 2nd 2nd AD Tara Fischer, and she helps keep things running briskly on the set.


Video Village

Video village is a cosy little tent where the director can see what the camera sees during a take, the script supervisor can log the shots, and other busy-bodies can make a nuisance of themselves. It often finds itself in strange settings.

Let's Shoot!

Stokes looks on as 1st AC Sean Fairburn explains to actor Peter Jason how to work a 12-gauge shotgun.

Killing Time

Doing crossword puzzles seems to be a popular way to pass the time on film sets.

Happy Alley

Our insanely hard-working art department, whose job is to create the world of Valley of the Sun through set design and props, replaces an ordinary garbage lid with a custom-made Happy Valley prop.


Last Looks

Peter Jason, who plays Myron McGill, is being touched up by assistant make-up artist Dianna Geoco, while art director Todd Shealy checks a photo reference on his camera.