I haven’t worked on much of anything website related (FML or Pumpers or Sentinel) for a time now. Instead I have been burning the midnight oil the last two and a half weeks on my latest project, Late For Work. The reason for the priority was that I decided to enter The Lot. It is a reality contest created by Steven Spielberg (big famous director) and Mark Burnett (evil genius behind Survivor). The deadline was last friday and in usual fashion I read the entry requirements in piecemeal, causing much consternation and more work than nescessary.
I knew about the video entry, easy enough. Duh. But then I noticed the requirement for a little 30 to 45 second intro. Doh. Then I happened to read that you had to send in a DVD. Double Doh. While it might not sound like a lot extra, to a chronic procrastinator, it is. It was in keeping with the whole spirit of the project though. Christina and I actually filmed the scenes last summer and a rough cut has been taking up hard drive space for about seven months.
All that was needed was a fresh take on the drive scene and a soundtrack. The hang up on the soundtrack was the sound effect for the alarm clock. I figured the massive amount of sound effects banks floating on the interweb would at least have one digital alarm clock sound. Nope. I don’t like recording stuff like that because many times it doesn’t actually sound like it does normally after you have recorded it. I spent way too much time for that little sound. Especially when a re-shoot with a old school clock would have worked. Add stubborn to procrastination. I am not the happiest with the music but it works for what it is worth. A little Soundtrack magic. Soundtrack gave issues when I didn’t export the reference file right. Lost more idiot time on troubleshooting.
The drive sequence is my pride and joy. I think it is nifty. It also is my half ass tribute to the original Thomas Crown Affair. Love the split screen effects used through out. Shout out to nifty site for help in checking out the effect and its best usage, www.splitscreen.us. With more time I could have gotten it a little more frenetic like I envisioned but there was another learning curve in there for that one as well. I still think the final bit was pretty nifty for a first try at that stuff.
Here is the written intro I posted for it on The Lot:
Inspired by the worst part of the daily, 9 to 5 grind, getting there. Getting up, dressed and through the crazy traffic can sometimes be worse than a full day of work.
This is a fun look at that daily ritual for the work week.
The filmed intro I will save for you to view on The Lot website once it is posted. I will talk that up when it is up. right now check out my profile.
Now for the movie, click read more to watch it.
Late For Work
And now for the geeky stuff:
Equipment
Canon XL-1
Toyota Echo
Powermac G4 1.25 ghz
Software
Final Cut Express
Soundtrack
Quicktime Pro
I love it! The driving scene was very cool. Cute dog, too. My parents have a hot dog also.
Click on those above to help pass along my movie goodness
Hey there! I can’t get over how talented you and Christina are. It is so awesome. I want to learn.
Ramona
Video just posted on the On The Lot website. Click here to see it with the intro Be sure to register if you want to vote. I know it is a pain but it is the only way, I think.
Late for Work portrays the real you! Good luck on The Lot!
Hanna the dog is amazing! I have never seen a dog actor with such emotional range. She is surely the Lassie of our generation.
Loved the toothbrush scene and “falling over while putting on pants” scenes in particular. Nice work Director Welch!
That was awesome Tim! You truly have a gift! Good luck!