Location, Location, Location

Someone asked me recently what the most important thing is when considering production on a short film. Was it cast, was it the budget, was it the camera? I thought about it for a while and then came to the conclusion that all of those things were equally important when making not just a short movie but a film of any size. You can’t make a movie without some sort of budget, without some sort of camera, and without some actors. You just can’t do it, impossible, I dare you to try.

I suppose since I look at these things as a given, that I consider them all part of the calculus that must be done in order to pull of any sort of production, that they aren’t hard. That’s not to say that getting an awesome cast for nothing or scoring great gear on loan isn’t hard; it can be really tough. But these things are also essential, there is no movie without them.

For my money, the hardest things about making movies are the details that pop up that most folks don’t even consider or, worse, consider them granted. The best example of this that we’ve run across in making our flicks has been locations. You need a place to shoot, but a lot of budgets I’ve seen either assume that production will find space for cheap if not free OR they omit location expenses all together.

Big mistake when you are trying to shoot anything in a city as film savvy as Los Angeles. Everything we’ve shot with the exception of the Return of Anubis has had significant issues associated with the finding and maintaining of locations. Yes, it is possible to get some kind soul to donate an apartment or a house, or sometimes a bar or restaurant that they might have a hook up with. But in my experience more often you are going to find yourself on the phone talking with managers, homeowners, and shopkeepers. Some will take an nominal fee under the table, others will insist on insurance and security to be present at all times or limit your ability to use the space (such as painting a wall, dusting a library with stage-dust, or covering the place with fake blood). Finding locations can be a pain and dealing with the owners can be a bigger pain. The best advice I can give is get everything down on paper and make sure that everyone – the crew, the owner, the manager, whatever – is aware of what can and can’t be done well in advance. As with all things on a film set, short or otherwise, it might be a royal pain in the ass, but as long as you are aware of it you can manage it and producing (again, this is in my limited experience) is all about managing fires before they burn down the whole production.

Writing...

It's hard people. Really hard.

Here's a little secret: writing something worth showing people is even harder. That said, we're really jazzed - that's right, I said jazzed - about some of the projects that we are currently working on.

What are these projects you ask? Were not really ready to spread the wealth yet, but we are working hard to get ya'll some content soon...stay tuned.

The Alibuys

So I lied, there is something to talk about.

Our good friends over at Chad, Matt, & Rob...Chad, Matt, & Rob have been putting together this fantastic new web series called The Alibuys. Some of the guys here at Tomorrow the World had the good fortune to give them a hand in shooting and we've been remiss in not posting about it sooner! Sorry guys, we're bad friends.

The trio that brought you the Break.com sensation "Chad Hates Aliens" plays a team of guys who sell alibuys (as the name implies). Cheating on your wife, going to miss work, need to impress the wife's parent's? The Alibuys are your one stop shop for all your made to order fakery needs.

Here's a link to the first episode, take a look, it will do you something good.

Checking In...

Nothing to report. We just missed all of you so much that the first thing that came to mind was the need to log in and post something. That's how much we care.

Booth Girls Available Online

In a Tomorrow the World first, we are happy to announce that Booth Girls, our most recent short project is available for viewing online at you tube (and below). Check it out, watch it a billion times, then send it to all your friends. It will do you good.

Dragon*Con Updates

Greetings All...

So some updates about Dragon*Con. First of all, we've be notified of what categories The Paranormalists and Booth Girls will be competing in. Not all that surprisingly, Chance and Ben are going head to head with a half dozen other horror shorts in the Horror Comedy contest. Formidable Woman, Queen Natalia, and the other lovely ladies of Booth Girls will be taking on a horde of competition in the Comedy category.

Updated information, along with screen shots from both movies can be found below, so check 'em out and if you know anyone in Atalanta, give them a call and get them over to Dragon*Con right quick.

The Paranormalists & Booth Girls at Dragon Con

Dragon*Con Film Festival

Big news to report! The Paranormalists and Booth Girls have both been accepted to the Dragon Con Short Film Festival! That's right...two films one fest, can anyone say domination?

Dragon Con, one of the cornerstones of geek culture, is celebrating it's ... year in, ... of those with a short film festival. Held in Atlanta, GA, the Con in one of the oldest and most respected nerd events around, and in terms of straight up comic conventions it's tauted at the largest in the US. The festival is juried and categories have yet to be released but we will keep you updated as things happen.

Congratulations to the casts and crews of both films, this is great news and hopefully more is on the way!