Gillian Fritzsche » Hyphenate

Building Sustainability… On Location and In Education!

gilliebean — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:06 +0000

When we shot “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher,” we did our best to produce the film in a sustainable, green-minded way. Some of the things we attempted include:

Using Bio-Diesel
Reusing Clothes for Costumes
Eco-friendly Flatware
Shooting On-location
Shooting Digitally
Being Carbon Neutral

Using Bio-Diesel

We secured a bio-diesel donation from Tulsa Biofuels for our trailers and trucks. In the future, film producers who’d like to make use of bio-diesel for their diesel vehicles and generators should take caution: bio-diesel has a specific freezing point. So if you’re planning on shooting in cold months, find out what the specific freezing point is of the bio-diesel that you’re using.

Reusing Clothes for Costumes

Most actors in the film either wore their own clothes or clothes that had been rented from costume shops or purchased from second-hand stores. We also incorporated organic and sustainably manufactured pieces that were donated. In the future, I might like to see any wardrobe that has been built specifically for a film be donated to an organization like Dress for Success or simply Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Sometimes “sustainability” can be akin to helping those less fortunate.

Eco-friendly Flatware

With our catering department, we used mostly local produce and products as well as utilizing ceramic plates and stainless steel flatware. Also we used eco-friendly cups, plates and utensils for our craft services department. However, I’d still like to run the numbers on the difference between manufacturing a few eco-friendly plates (etc) and the amount of water and heat it takes to clean 45 ceramic or glass plates for each meal. It may not add up… Somebody want to do that and get back to me?

Shooting On-location

This is an easy one for independent film producers. Because it’s often difficult to rent studios, shooting “on location” is often a default. But the good news is, that default is also the sustainable choice. Using existing locations means that sets aren’t being built that will be trashed eventually. Ideally, we’d have the resources [read: money] some day to gut-renovate a dilapidated location and leave the place better than we found it! What a dream that would be! But for now, we’re happy with not creating more garbage.

Shooting Digitally

We shot on digital hard drive cameras, as opposed to film. For me, the jury is still out on whether this saves energy or not. Film is rarely trashed – most filmmakers keep their film “in the can” in safe storage, under lock and key! But it sure does take a lot of energy to power hard drives! Also, I can’t deny that shooting on film requires more people, more time, and more money, so shooting on hard drives makes a lot of sense financially; but I have yet to be convinced that “shooting digital” is the more sustainable choice.

Recycling When Possible

We had recycling bins distributed all throughout the set at each location – in our catering tent, in our roving production office, in our trailers. Even with this accessibility, it was still a challenge to get our crew to recycle diligently. Part of the problem was that, in the beginning, no-one was assigned to bring the recycling to the recycling depot. Admittedly, as Line Producer, that was my job (to assign that job to somebody) and I eventually did just that, once I was aware of the problem. This being my first time on a set that was attempting to be “sustainable,” it’s just not something that I’d had to think about before; but I will certainly think about it in the future.

Being Carbon Neutral

Through a donation to a company called Native Energy, we were able to offset the entire film-making process, from development through post-production, and then some! So not only is the film carbon neutral, it’s actually carbon negative. When all else fails, this is a great way to support sustainability.

…

Regardless of my thoughts and opinions, successes and failures, regarding my recent sustainable filmmaking efforts, I do intend to continue making progress toward not only an economically sound method of independent filmmaking, but also a sustainably profitable method of filmmaking. The two ideals may be difficult to marry, but I’m committed to the challenge.

And because of my experience and commitment, as well as plenty of other experiences with film production, I’ve been asked to be involved in a mentorship program at the University of Western Ontario, specifically for the Building Sustainable Value Research Centre at the Richard Ivey School of Business (aka “the Harvard of Canada”). I’m listed among some pretty amazing people and am totally honoured to be participating!

Those Microsoft Commercials!

gilliebean — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:32:12 +0000

So remember those commercials I First AD’d back in May? Here they are!

This was day 1: the Samsung Series 9 and delightfully kind and easy-to-work-with Robert Sudduth (39s).

Day 2: We shot the Sony Viao Y with the handsome and generous actor Brian Palatucci (37s).

Day 3: Our computer was the HP Touchsmart 610 and our actress was Desiree Hall, a beautiful and surprisingly spunky actress (38s).

Day 4: We finished with six (6) computers, some of which we’d already featured and some of which were new, and one new actress, the demure and talented Jocelin Donahue (1:23).

Hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down my own memory lane.

On Being A Better First AD

gilliebean — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:27:23 +0000

Back in May, I was the First AD on a series of commercials for Microsoft – specifically, for several computers that sport the new Windows 7 operating system. We shot in a studio for four days and to be honest…

It was my best experience as a First AD ever.

I’m not sure what the difference was. Perhaps it was the director, who treated everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) with kindness and respect. Perhaps it was the crew, who were all so comfortable with their jobs and comfortable with their rate of pay, that they just showed up on time, with smiles, did their work and rarely complained. Perhaps it was the gaggle of awesome PA’s we had? Perhaps it was being in a studio? Perhaps it was the shooting schedule?

Or perhaps it was me. And not because I’m amazing (which I’m not) but because of two disparate experiences I’ve had that, combined, have made me a more comfortable (possibly better?) First AD. Those two experiences are:

Producing a feature film
Working as a background actor

In 2008, my husband and I co-produced a feature film with two friends and business partners. Along with producing, each of us had at least one other key role. One was also the writer and lead actor, one was also the director, my husband was also the editor, and I was also a line producer and costume designer. It was the experience of producing and line producing (the two are not always the same job!) that made me a more knowledgeable First AD. Knowledge isn’t always power, but it certainly can add a level of comfort. And comfort can breed confidence. Comfort certainly doesn’t breed fear.

In 2010, my husband and I moved to New York City where I determined that I didn’t want to First AD, I didn’t want to Line Produce or UPM or Production Coordinate. I just wanted to be a simple artist. I wanted a part-time job that wasn’t taxing or emotionally draining and I wanted to spend the rest of my time writing and working on the Short Film that I’d just finished shooting and was ready to edit with my Los Angeles-based editor. This all sounds kind of selfish in hindsight (especially considering that there are plenty of people with my skill set who can’t find work); it seems nearsighted to avoid looking for the best-paying work I can acquire, but I felt strongly about persuing my passions (and still do).

So what did we come up with for me to do? Background acting! But first! First, I had to get over my pride. “I’ve produced a feature film!” “I’m usually a First AD!” “I’m actually a director!” These lines echoed in my head each of the first half-dozen or so times that I found myself on a set as a background actor (aka expensive organic prop). I had to get over that pride and be okay with my choices.

Once I did that, I was able to open my eyes and learn. I began to watch the First ADs, I began to watch the other crew and (given my experiences) I could actually understand what was happening (many background actors are clueless about the process). And as I watched, I learned.

It’s mostly tacit knowledge: things like, how different ADs run their sets, how different shows plan their days, how different gaffers like to communicate with their DPs, and how long a 2/8 page scene really should take!!! Also, to be frank, as a background actor in New York City, I found myself on bigger sets than I ever had been as a producer or First AD. And being on bigger sets gives you a better perspective of how smaller sets should run.

So now, I recommend that everyone who wants to be in a key creative or technical position in “Hollywood” work on big sets and work on small sets. It doesn’t matter what your position is as long as you pay attention to what’s happening around you.

Anyway, back to being a First AD. I’m kinda energized for the position now.

Anybody shooting anything?

Secret Millionaires: Red Carpet Event

gilliebean — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:47:11 +0000

A few months ago I was in LA for work (I was the First AD on a Windows 7 commercial, more on that later) and I was fortunate enough to be there for a red carpet event for Secret Millionaires, the web-series I shot with my talented friends Dan Amos and Elizabeth Pennington. Secret Millionaires had been nominated for the Mingle Media Audience Choice Award by the fans at 2011 New Media Film Festival. What an honour!

Thankfully I was not working on the night of the event, so I borrowed clothes and jewelry from my former roomie (Pennington) and we did our hair and makeup and drove off in a classy rental car (mine for the week) to downtown Hollywood for the red carpet. We were hoping for the win!

We didn’t get the top spot, but we came close. You can see a video here of us all on the red carpet.

Snazzy group, eh?

Netflix for Theaters: MoviePass

gilliebean — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:54:21 +0000

In this Gizmodo article we learn about a subscription program for movie theaters. Part of me is excited; part of me is nervous. Having worked in professional theater, I know what a boon subscription offers can be for stabilizing earned income. And in general, it’s been proven over and over again in my experience that what’s good for one theater is good for other theaters.

So can this effect transfer into the film industry? I’m sure that someone somewhere in Burbank or Culver City has run the numbers: the number of movie-going public in America, the amount who own netflix already, and a projection of who would use and recommend the use of both… It’s either going to be a life-saver of the film industry or a catalyst for major change.

As an indie filmmaker, I’ve been watching the whole digital distribution revolution with interest and while I don’t think I’m in a place where I can yet effect change, I am wholeheartedly invested in the changes that do occur. Some would argue that I should be working to effect change if I have preferences about how the dice roll; but do I want to put the time and effort into changing distribution channels yet? I lean towards waiting.

What do you think?

Secret Millionaires goes live November 17th!

gilliebean — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:42:11 +0000

A while back I posted that I was working on a web series with some friends of mine (Dan and Elizabeth) as a cinematographer. We shot on the Canon 5D Mark II and had a great time!!

Well, very soon you can see that web-series! It’s going live on November 17th!! Yay!

Here’s the trailer!

Are you excited yet?!

Duncan Christopher Wins Awards All Over!

gilliebean — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:27:49 +0000

Just a quick update to mention that “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher” is a favourite at festivals all over North America!!

WINNER – Best Okie Feature Film @ deadCENTER Film Festival in OKC, OK
WINNER – Best Feature Film @ Tulsa United Film Festival
WINNER – Audience Award @ Tulsa United Film Festival
WINNER – Best Indie Feature Film @ Edmonton International Film Festival
WINNER – Rising Star Award (Jack Roberts) @ Edmonton International Film Festival
WINNER – Best Narrative Feature @ Offshoot Film Festival in Fayetteville, AR
WINNER – Audience Award @ Offshoot Film Festival in Fayetteville, AR

And we’ve been officially selected at many more festivals, some of which we’ve already played at and some that are coming up! Here’s a list of the fests we’ve already played:

OFFICIAL SELECTION – The MethodFest 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION – Los Angeles United Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – San Francisco United Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – Temecula International Film & Music Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – San Diego Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – Kansas Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – BendFilm Festival in Bend Oregon

And here’s a list of the ones that are confirmed that we’ve got coming up!!

OFFICIAL SELECTION – Heartland Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – New York United Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – Starz Denver Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION – Vermont International Film Festival

And we’re waiting to hear back from so many more!! So if you haven’t already, please head on over to our facebook page and “Like” us in order to keep up to date on screenings and release info. Woot!

Duncan Christopher Canadian Premiere!!

gilliebean — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:50:15 +0000

Official Poster

Most of you know about “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher”, the film on which I was a producer / line producer. It’s a quirky comedy about the brutal underground world of competitive karaoke. We had our award-winning World Premiere at The Method Fest 2010 – a film festival devoted to the craft of acting and breakout performances in independent films. And won Best Okie Feature at the deadCENTER Film Festival in June. And then we were homecoming king at the Tulsa United Film Festival winning both the Audience Award and the Jury Award!

Well now the film is about to make it’s Canadian Premiere and I’m so excited – because I’m Canadian!! We’ll be Edmonton, Alberta on October 2nd screening at the Closing Night Gala at the Edmonton International Film Festival with Jack Roberts, Justin Monroe, and friends and family! YAY!

Secret Millionaires!

gilliebean — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:14:02 +0000

Elizabeth Pennington on the set of Secret Millionaires!

I’ve been DP-ing a great little web series called Secret Millionaires. It’s a darling little comedy! We’re shooting four (4) episodes over three weekends and tomorrow is the last weekend. It’s written by the hilarious and talented Dan Amos and stars Dan and his cute-as-a-button wife Elizabeth Pennington. Check it out! And check them out on twitter too!

A Producer’s Poem

gilliebean — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:32:10 +0000

SHORT FILM

Grasping at straws,

trying to fashion a house.

Feeling large and in charge,

but also small, like a mouse.

Wonder what the next

day-hour-minute will bring.

Worry and faith – simultaneous,

this is what a producer’s feeling.