A Moon Brothers Film...

Taking a Break

2017-06-07T10:18:00.000-04:00

We're going to be taking a break with posting here at A Moon Brothers Film Blog.

Come to think of it... We've been blogging here for about ten years now.

Currently, the plan is not to give up blogging altogether, but to incorporate the blog into our website. So... we're testing transferring blog posts to our CubeCity website.

Please come and visit us. Find out our latest doings by checking us out at:
http://www.cubecity.org

No "Think" Gags

2017-05-19T16:30:00.000-04:00

Mack Sennett was the name behind those famous Keystone Cops. And in the early days of silent film, he was the undisputed king of comedy.

And Mack Sennett had one rule for his gag writers: No "think" gags allowed.

The explanation went something like this: When the audience is thinking, they can't be laughing. (Mack Sennett obviously did not believe in multitasking.)

The punchline of the joke has to be a gut reaction. And if you're being forced to think about it... you'll probably miss the joke. Which is the whole idea behind slapstick comedy. When you see that cream pie, you know that it's gonna end up in someone's face. And usually the face of someone serious, like the President of the United States, or the old lady librarian.

A young Frank Capra spent some of his early filmmaking days working for Sennett. In his autobiography, when he discussed this phase of his career, he pointed out a flip side that is also true: "When the audience is laughing, they can't be thinking."

Filming "The Fight"

2017-05-04T15:39:00.000-04:00

Finished filming our final of the three film shorts...

It was good to work again with Just Isaac, who did a good job acting the role of "The Fighter". We also enjoyed working with Charlene in the role of "The Girlfriend".

The Camera Lies, You Know

2017-04-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

When it came to understanding the camera, Hitchcock was a master.

He had all sorts of tricks up his sleeve. But sometimes the people working with him didn't understand his "sleight of hand".

There's a story about one actor who learned this while on set. The film was Shadow of a Doubt (1943). The scene: a family dinner.

At one point, one of the actors is supposed to rise in reaction to another character. Hitchcock told him to do this abruptly. The actor did, pushing off his chair and stepping back.

HITCHCOCK
That's all right, Hume, but rise and step in.

ACTOR
Toward Teresa?

HITCHCOCK
Yes, step in and lean forward.

ACTOR
But she's just said something very offensive.

HITCHCOCK
I know.

ACTOR
But... yes, sir.

Thinking this direction was "completely false", when Hitchcock asked for another take, the actor repeated the original movement by stepping back.

HITCHCOCK
You've done it wrong again.

ACTOR
I know. I'm terribly sorry. It just feels so uncomfortable.

HITCHCOCK
There's no law that says actors have to be
comfortable. Step back if you like--but then
we'll have a comfortable actor without a head.

Finally, the actor did it Hitchcock's way.

HITCHCOCK
Come and see the rushes... You'll never know
which way you stepped. The camera lies, you
know--not always, but sometimes. You have to
learn to accommodate it when it does.

[Original Photo by fredpanassac]

Filming a Short

2017-04-04T12:47:00.000-04:00

So, we've been hired to film three shorts. Last week we posted pics from one of them. Here are some pics from the second short...

A Little Filming

2017-03-30T17:58:00.000-04:00

We filmed recently an interview-style short film for a client. We had a blast asking the kids all sorts of questions. They did a great job!

Now on to editing all the footage together...

5 Quotes for the Audition

2017-03-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

"Every scene you will ever act begins in the middle, and it is up to you, the actor, to provide what comes before."
~ Michael Shurtleff

"I believe in imagination. I did Kramer vs. Kramer before I had children. But the mother I would be was already inside me."
~ Meryl Streep

"The most difficult character in comedy is that of the fool, and he must be no simpleton that plays that part."
~ Miguel de Cervantes

"Acting is not being emotional, but being able to express emotion."
~ Thomas Reid

"I don't think actors should ever expect to get a role, because the disappointment is too great. You've got to think of things as an opportunity. An audition's an opportunity to have an audience."
~ Al Pacino

We're holding Auditions to be filmed in the Niagara Region (Ontario) during the month of March 2017. For more info: http://www.cubecity.org

Casting 2 Short Films

2017-03-01T12:28:00.000-05:00

We're holding Auditions for 2 Short Film Projects to be filmed in the Niagara Region (Ontario) during the months of March/April 2017. If you are interested in trying out for one of the roles, please contact us by email at: cubecitycasting@gmail.com.

Audition Dates: March 2017

Filming Dates: March/April 2017 (TBD)

#1 - Comedy Short Film “Assembly Required”

Seeking Lead Actor (Male or Female) for a Spiritually Themed 3-Minute Short

SAM MAKER (male or female / age 20-30) -- An everyman/everywoman who can't assemble a newly purchased piece of furniture to save her/his life.

Information:
» We're looking for a likeable actor with a fun personality.
» Able to show “determination” turning into side-splitting frustration over 2-3 minutes.
» Strong use of physical comedy.
» Ability to enact comedy with little or no dialogue (i.e. Mr. Bean).
» Is able to come up with dozens of funny ways to show the failure of assembling furniture.
» Brief use of power tools in a comedic manner.

To apply for this role...
send us your headshot/resume to cubecitycasting@gmail.com

#2 - Short Film “The Interview”

Seeking 4 pre-teens/teens for a 3-minute Spiritually Themed Short Film

"BLUE" (female / age 10-19)
"GREEN" (male / age 10-19)
"YELLOW" (female / age 10-19)
"RED" (male / age 10-19)

Information:
» All ethnicities welcome.
» Each actor will essentially play themselves in an interview setting.
» We need 4 distinct and interesting personalities, capable of natural reactions.
» Each person should not be afraid to be silly or act a few stereotypical roles such as an arrogant member of royalty, a graceful ballerina, an overly polite businessperson, etc.
» The audition will not be difficult. The challenge will be to relax, try and have fun in front of the camera and react genuinely to any questions that are asked, and directions given.
» The audition will consist of a series of simple questions geared to let the kids/teens show their individual personality and talent.
» It is an exciting opportunity to be part of a video series that will be showcased on the internet as part of the upcoming Anniversary of the Reformation dealing with the topic in a non-historic way.

To apply for one of these roles...
send us a recent photo with the name and age of pre-teen/teen to Maria at: cubecitycasting@gmail.com

Story is More Important

2017-02-10T13:57:00.001-05:00

Charlie Chaplin once said: "All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl." These were the basic elements of the story he wanted to tell.

As filmmaking has progressed over the years, things have gotten more complicated. (For Chaplin, even adding sound to movies was a big step! And he would argue, not exactly a necessary element.) Technology has given us fancier cameras. The computer has made CGI pretty much the norm in Hollywood.

And yet...

This technology is not what makes a movie good.

Take another advance this past decade: 3D. Back in 2010, we wrote a blogpost about the new surge of 3D in filmmaking. Not only did this affect theatrical distribution, but the television industry as well. TV manufacturers were jumping on the bandwagon to bring 3D into the home. Some seven years later... there is no longer any major TV-maker selling 3D TVs. Why? Maybe partly because 3D really isn't essential for the enjoyment of a good movie.

What is essential for a good movie is the story.

Any effects can definitely help tell a story. That's their job. CGI is a tool. But when you watch a movie, you really shouldn't even notice any use of special effects.

Movies that endure focus on the all-important narrative of the story they are trying to tell. Movies that spend their time focusing on the CGI or just the technology often don't because they forget to craft a real story. And so, they tend to be missing that something.

That doesn't mean that all movies should shun CGI and stick to simple, comedic stories set in a park. But it does mean that filmmakers need to have a reason to use the special effects.

Story is key and everything, from sets, props, and actors, needs to support the story.

[Photo by Chris Blakeley]

Light and Shadow

2017-01-27T13:57:00.001-05:00

One of the most important thing about filmmaking is light. And the absence of light.

Light reveals. Shadows conceal.

Good filmmaking uses both to aid in the telling of the story. It will use light and shadow for thematic moments. It will use both to reveal character and important elements of the plot.

We don't want all light. But we can't use all shadow either.

The conventional way to light a subject or a scene is three-point lighting. You have your key light (main light), a fill light to fill in those shadows, and a back light (or rim light) to create separation or depth in the shot. But to tell the story of the scene, this might not be the best lighting set-up.

Lighting (or lack of lighting) can create an instant mood-shift. Those shadows can be a story's best friend.

The key is to strike that perfect balance and get that perfect shot.

[Photo by Javier Morales]

Seven Posts from 2016

2017-01-06T16:29:00.000-05:00

Looking back at last year's blogposts... we've compiled a list of seven of our top posts from 2016. And with that, we look forward to a new year. Happy New Year 2017!

1 - The Challenge of Crafting a Movie
Creating and crafting a movie is always a challenge. When you're a filmmaker, you're always learning. "One of the great things about being a director as a life choice is that it can never be mastered. Every story is its own kind of expedition, with its own set of challenges." ~ Ron Howard

2 - Documenting the Story
When shooting a documentary, you accumulate a lot of footage. It's just all part of the way things work. Interviews and b-roll take up space. You're working with material that is NOT scripted, so you never can be quite sure what you're going to capture. You film a lot. Just in case.

3 - Demo Reels from a Casting Perspective
In today's world, a good demo reel is an important (if not essential) addition to an actor's portfolio... probably as important as the actor's head shot. Especially in film. As filmmakers, we use demo reels all the time to help us find the right actors for our film projects. We encourage actors who submit to our casting calls to send a link to their demo reel.

4 - 5 Resume Mistakes to Avoid for Actors
We're well into a new year. You've probably made all your resolutions... what you're going to do differently or better. If you're an actor, or want to be an actor, it may be time to have another look at the acting career you want. And one of the main tools of the actor is their resume. Whether you're putting together a resume for the first time, or have updated your existing resume in awhile, it's worth a look.

5 - Ways to Protect a Camera from Rain
Sometimes you just have to film in the rain. Whether you want to or not. Earlier this week, we were doing some filming. We were inside for most of the evening. But, then at the very end of the night, we decided to get a couple of outdoor shots. The thing is, it was rainy. Not a lot of rain, but enough to cause concern. Because water and cameras don't mix well.

6 - It's Not About the Gear
Ask any filmmaker... You'll find it's easy to get sidetracked about the gear. About the newest and best camera. About some new amazing slider or dolly system. There's so much gear out there. And it's easy to fall into the trap of gear-envy. If only we had that piece of gear, we would make better films.

7 - The What Comes Next
Movies need a ticking bomb. It doesn't have to be a literal bomb. Rather, it's something that propels the plot forward, making the audience want to find out what comes next.

Here's to the new year and what 2017 will hold...

From Flop to Christmas Classic

2016-12-16T09:01:00.000-05:00

You'll be hard-pressed to find a Christmas Top Ten movie list without It's a Wonderful Life on it.

However, when It's a Wonderful Life first came out in the theatres in 1946, it didn't do very well at the box office. (Okay, it wasn't really what you'd call a flop. It did make over $3 million, but that was not enough to recoup what it cost to make the movie.)

Blame it on the Christmas weather (it was released on Dec 20th). Blame on the people who thought it was "too dark" for a Christmas movie (the movie does open with an attempted suicide).

It's one of those films that would have been lost in some film vault.

Except for one thing.

The film fell into the public domain. Television picked it up and played it every Christmas season in the 1970s and 80s...

Making the movie a Christmas classic.

Showcase Highlights

2016-11-29T12:45:00.000-05:00

A short video with some of the highlights from our recent showcase of the musical reboot of Job and the Snake! Performed in Detroit, Michigan in November 2016...

The Cast

Taurean Hogan ... as Job
Sergio Mautone ... as Satan
Lauren Ezzo ... as Job's Wife
Dirk Kroll ... as Eliphaz
Lisa Michaels ... as Bildad
Danny Dzialo ... as Zophar
Genesis Bolton ... as Elihu
Nick Sarelli ... as Job's Public Defender
Nicole Mullaly ... the Jester

Photos of a Showcase

2016-11-23T17:37:00.000-05:00

Last week-end, on November 18 & 19, 2016, we showcased a reboot of our musical Job and the Snake. We last put up this show over 12 years ago. But this time, about two-thirds of the songs have been updated, or completely rewritten. Seeing the show come together was great. We were pleased with how everything turned out, especially with all the new songs that have been added. Thank-you to a great cast and crew!

Here are some photos from the showcase...

Stay tuned for more about Job...

Job in Rehearsal

2016-11-15T10:26:00.000-05:00

We're in Production Week for our musical Job and the Snake. If you're in the Detroit area, get your tickets! Showtimes are this week-end: Friday, November 18 & Saturday, November 19. We'd love to see you there.

In the meantime, here are some pics from our last few rehearsals...

See you at the show!

Video: Meet the JOB Cast

2016-11-03T16:52:00.003-04:00

Meet the cast of Job and the Snake! Our musical is getting a reboot... New music mixed in with some of the old, classic songs that performed their way on stage 20 years ago.

Job and the Snake Reboot

2016-10-27T15:03:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update...

We are currently working on a live theatre showcase of a reboot of our musical, Job and the Snake. This show was originally developed in 1994 and over the past year or so, we've been working on updating the show to 2016.

We are excited about presenting this showcase. It will be performed in Royal Oak, Michigan (in the Greater Detroit area) the week-end of November 18 & 19, 2016.

Over the past month, we have been busy casting the show. We have assembled a talented group of actors and singers and are now in full swing with rehearsals with the leads. Here are a few photos from some of our rehearsals...

Job and the Snake in Greater Detroit
» For more info

Plot Holes and the Icebox Syndrome

2016-10-14T13:18:00.000-04:00

Ever heard of the Icebox Syndrome?

Alfred Hitchcock talked about it in this way: It has to do when a movie has a plot hole. In other words, something in the plot doesn't really make sense.

Here's how Hitchcock explained it all:

"I leave [plot] holes in my films deliberately, so that the following scenario can take place in countless homes. The man of the house gets out of bed in the middle of the night, and goes down stairs and takes a chicken leg out of the icebox. His wife follows him down and asks what he's doing. 'You know,' he says, 'there's a hole in that film we saw tonight.' 'No there isn't' she says, and they fall to arguing. As a result of which they go to see it again."

This explanation is the filmmaker's dream, right? (That way, there's no need to worry about plot holes ever again!)

Of course, this tongue-in-cheek "Icebox Syndrome" was really just classic Hitchcock deflection of criticism toward his movies. But, if you think about it, every film has some sort of plot hole... Even if it's just part of the back story behind the movie being watched. These are information "holes" the audience has to fill in themselves. It's not necessarily a bad thing.

It's just that some holes are just bigger than others. The key is to make sure the plot holes that do exist don't detract too much from the movie. What Hitchcock had going for him is that, even with plot holes, people still enjoyed his movies.

[Photo by InstaDerek]

Demo Reels from a Casting Perspective

2016-09-29T16:42:00.000-04:00

In today's world, a good demo reel is an important (if not essential) addition to an actor's portfolio... probably as important as the actor's head shot. Especially in film.

As filmmakers, we use demo reels all the time to help us find the right actors for our film projects. We encourage actors who submit to our casting calls to send a link to their demo reel.

Here's what you need to know about demo reels, from a casting perspective.

...Keep it Short
Keep the demo reel short. 1-2 minutes. Really, the shorter, the better.

Because there are so many actors who respond to a casting call, we only have so much time to devote to each actor. We're looking for something to grab our attention right away, to make us want to keep watching.

...The Importance of 10 Seconds
Did you know that the average demo reel is watched for 10 seconds? That's 10 seconds to make a first impression. Then, if those 10 seconds are promising, the average time spent watching turns into 30 seconds.

We haven't actually timed how long we'll watch a demo reel, but this does seem close. It's sometimes a quick decision because there are so many actors we have to watch. So, don't waste those first 10 seconds on your contact info against a black screen. Instead put this at the end of the reel. Or put your name at the bottom of the screen for your first scene.

...More than One Clip
Okay, so does that mean you should limit your reel to only 30 seconds? No, give us some options. Sometimes we'll skip ahead to see another clip. That said, keep the clips relatively short. You don't need to tell a story with the clip. It just needs to show you in action. We want to see you act.

We probably won't cast you from just your demo reel. Usually, we'll need to see you come in at some point. But the demo reel may lead us to contact you to come in for that screentest.

[Photo by RNIB]

8 Quotes for the Audition

2016-09-15T13:55:00.001-04:00

Here is a collection of eight quotes about auditions and acting...

"I always tell actors when they go in for an audition: Don't be afraid to do what your instincts tell you. You may not get the part, but people will take notice."
~ Robert De Niro

"Use what you know. Don't worry about what you don't know."
~ Michael Shurtleff

"I'm curious about other people. That's the essence of my acting. I'm interested in what it would be like to be you."
~ Meryl Streep

"I had to stop going to auditions thinking, 'Oh, I hope they like me.' I had to go in thinking I was the answer to their problem."
~ George Clooney

"Acting is nothing more or less than playing. The idea is to humanize life."
~ Jeff Goldblum

"The more auditions you go on, the more you will learn not to take it personally."
~ Paula Abdul

"The best actors do not let the wheels show."
~ Henry Fonda

"If I wasn't an actor, I'd be a secret agent."
~ Thornton Wilder

[Photo by duluoz cats]

Life is Like a B-Picture

2016-09-08T16:38:00.001-04:00

"Life is like a B-picture script. It is that corny. If I had my life story offered to me to film, I’d turn it down." - Kirk Douglas, actor

That is the thing with movies. A movie only has so much time to tell its story. On the other hand, real life is full of stops and starts... Happenings followed by long periods of doing the mundane job of living.

It's the filmmaker's job to take life and turn it into a beginning, middle and end. To place themes and character arcs inside of plot. When watching a true story, you have to realize that much of the story "never really happened". At least not in quite the exact same way it's portrayed on screen.

Truth in movies has to go beyond just the bare facts.

A good "true story" movie is sometimes more about being based on true feelings rather than a true play-by-play of events. It's about plausible character reactions. Those must fit somehow into a story, because, ultimately, a movie relies on presenting a story.

Think about your own life. Even the most amazing life has dull moments that are not worthy of screentime. These are constraints that filmmakers need to work around. Life, when brought to the movie screen, usually needs a little finesse.

[Photo by Moose Winans]

The Art of Boring

2016-09-01T17:05:00.000-04:00

Filmmaking is an art. But it's a methodical art. When things go well on a film set, just exactly as planned, then it can seem slow and, well... boring. Yes, a film shoot can be boring. Take it from these folks:

"The actual process of filmmaking, the many hours out of your life -- it is very slow and boring." -- Rick Moranis

"Filmmaking is a lot like being a Fireman, there is lots of waiting before a brief moment of action." -- Cyndi Greening

"I find all filmmaking difficult, quite boring and not remotely funny." -- Rowan Atkinson

Ten years ago, we shot our first feature film. We had few scenes that needed a bunch of background actors. In one particular scene, we needed the extras to write letters. We handed out the props (paper and pencils). We told them to write whatever they wanted as it didn't really matter what they wrote.

After we wrapped for the day, and all the background actors had gone home, there were a few letters left behind. As we cleaned up (note: when you are independent filmmakers, the end of the days means you are the ones tidying up the set for the next day's shoot), it was interesting to see what people had written.

To paraphrase a few: "This is soooo boring. I couldn't be more bored than if we were staring at a blank wall."

So, why is filmmaking boring? Because it takes time. There's a lot of waiting involved to set up lighting so that shots match one another. Safety is important. Repeating the same dialogue over and over again. Trying to keep props and costumes the same for continuity.

That's the behind-the-scenes secret a lot of people don't realize. Yes, the art of filmmaking can be boring.

All the fun, horror, tension need to be on the screen.

10 Years of Filmmaking

2016-08-24T13:06:00.000-04:00

It's been 10 years since we shot our first feature film, Dear J. And looking back, there are quite a few memories that come up...

SEND OUT THE BAILIFF
One memory is dealing with a whole bunch of sound issues. Such the lawn care people and their weed-whacker! Right outside our windows. Now our dilemma was to find a way to get rid of them so we could finish our scene. Since we were in the middle of filming our courtroom scenes, we had the Bailiff (played by Michael Kricfalusi, who also doubled as our 1st AD) in costume and on set that day. He was the perfect guy to send... And that did the trick!

JURY DUTY
We were able to get Karen Lynn Gorney (who played opposite John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever) for the role of the Judge. However, she couldn't make the read-through of the script because she couldn't get out of jury duty!

NO PARKING
We scheduled our shoot to film on the grounds surrounding the tennis stadium just days before the U.S. Open would begin. We had all the paperwork, but had not requested parking passes since the park has lots of free parking. However, due to the heightened security of the U.S. Open, it turned out that the parking lot that we had chosen happened to be occupied as the temporary headquarters of the New York Police Department! With a little persuasion—and due to the fact that we did have the necessary paperwork from the City of New York to shoot at the park—the police finally granted our small skeleton crew permission to park among the police cruisers.

LOOK, FREE RAIN
The weather forecast predicted light rain for the morning we were to shoot some outdoor scenes. By the time we arrived, the weather had turned sour. We saw another film crew pack up their equipment and leave. But not us. It was raining cats and dogs, but we filmed anyway. Umbrellas and raincoats protected the camera. The actors were great sports about dallying in the rain. And fortunately we didn’t have to worry about sound! Later, we discovered that a tornado had touched down not too far from where we were filming. Come to think of it, that must have been why the sky was a sickly green color!

To view more pics, check out the newsletter we just sent out this week.

Tell Me Another Joke

2016-08-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

It's Tell a Joke Day! So, here's a filmmaking joke...

A Producer, a Director, and a First A.D. are scouting locations for their new movie. As they’re wandering around, one of them spots a lamp. Naturally, they decide to rub it, and, just as naturally, a Genie pops out. The Genie says,“Since there are three of you, I will grant you each one wish.”

The Director says,“I want to live on a beach in the South Pacific, where I can film the most gorgeous sunsets in the most beautiful settings for the rest of my life.”

The Genie says, “Done.” And POOF! The Director disappears.

The Producer says,“I want to produce the biggest, most epic movie ever, with a limitless budget and a cast of thousands.”

The Genie says,“Done.” And POOF! The Producer disappears.

Then the First A.D. glances at his watch and says,“I want them both back here in five minutes.”

[Photo by Domiriel]

It's Not About the Gear

2016-08-04T14:29:00.000-04:00

Ask any filmmaker... You'll find it's easy to get sidetracked about the gear. About the newest and best camera. About some new amazing slider or dolly system. There's so much gear out there. And it's easy to fall into the trap of gear-envy. If only we had that piece of gear, we would make better films.

Alfred Hitchcock often liked to quote German filmmaker, F.W. Murnau: "What you see on the set does not matter. All that matters is what you see on the screen."

Yes, gear is necessary. You can't make a movie without a camera. You (most likely) needs lights and sound equipment. So, while gear is important, you don't actually always need the latest and the greatest. You need a system to capture your vision. The gear is a tool. It's there for the purpose of storytelling. Spending hours looking at what's out there can be counterproductive... especially if it's taking you away from making your movie.

As filmmakers, we have to be very careful with how we spend money. And gear costs money. There are a few things that influence us about getting new gear...

Does it perform a task that we cannot currently perform (without it)?
Do we see it (or its effect) on-screen?
Will it make the movie better?
Is there a less expensive alternative?
Is this a replacement for old equipment that doesn't work anymore?
Do we really need it?

Here's an example: Our clapper board is 10-years-old. When we first got it, it was new and shiny and looked great. Now, it looks like it's been around for... well... ten years. We could get a new clapper board. But we don't (at least, we haven't replaced it quite yet). Why? Because it isn't seen on camera (except by the editor). It still does its job of giving a nice clap for the audio sync. Of course, someday we will probably have to replace it, but for now, we use it in all its (not-so-new) glory.

It is true that gear wears out and needs to be replaced. We recently had a computer screen die on us. We will have to replace it, because we do need it.

Movie-making is primarily about telling a story. It's about what we see on the screen. And gear is a means to tell that story. Gear is useful. Gear is necessary. But, ultimately, it can't be what gear you use, because gear is really just a tool that nobody ever needs to see.