Deadlands 2: Trapped Work Print Status

[DjfunkmasterG]

For the last 4 days in a row I have been hammering out a work print of the film, and as of today I have about 15% of the films edit completed. I originally had over 50% but I scrapped that edit and started over from scratch... simply because there is just so much footage to choose from and I wasn't sure just how I could make the cut work while not only delivering an 80 minute movie, but a film paced well too.

So I started with the Jim Krut scenes and re-cut that entire sequence from begining to end. Originally it lasted 1:45, now it is over 3:30 alone. Some time ago I posted a clip online of our survivors talking about whats going on while sitting in one of the auditoriums, well I didn't completely kill that sequence, but it has been heavily re-cut and put back together, originally running 4 minutes, now closer to 7 minutes.

By weeks end I expect to have at least 25% of the film cut together and assembled, as I am cutting I am jotting down notes for needed pick-up shots, and I am also scripting more stuff for the massive salughter that is yet to be filmed. Keep tuned to this post for more updates over the next few weeks.

BTW, A new trailer for both Trapped and Zombthology are being assembled as I type this post. The Trapped trailer should debut in July.

[DjfunkmasterG]

Over the weekend I watched about 40 minutes of the film in work print status. I burned a DVD for both LouCipherr(Brian Wright) and one of our other composers to use as a generator for musical ideas.

We did feel the film looks a little dark, which is caused by my use of Magic Bullet on virtually every single frame, so I am going to go back in a brighten the film up a bit this week.

The pacing seems good, the audio mix was ****e, which was to be expected. The editing looks to be nice and tight on the action and gore squences. For you gore hounds don't expect the amount of gore found in Deadlands: The Rising, I actually toned this one down a bit

More updates coming soon.

[Mike70]

I burned a DVD for both LouCipherr(Brian Wright)

speaking of lou - tell that sumbitch hello and he needs to come around a bit more often.

and on topic, i am really interested in seeing this. all the stuff you have posted has looked pretty damn good.

[MinionZombie]

Indeed, it's all sounding rather spiffing Sir. :)

I certainly look forward to finally getting to see it sometime when it's done. :cool:

[DjfunkmasterG]

WOW, I can't believe it has been 3 weeks already since the last update. We well the majority of the film, in raw form, is assembled and approximately 60 minutes is what I would considered Semi-Locked (meaning the editing is pretty much done).

The approximate running time appears to be 1 hour and 44 minutes without beginning and end credits (Add 6 minutes) and without the last big sequence I have yet to shoot( add 5-10 minutes). So we could be looking at a 2 hour + Zombie film in Work print form, however, I will be cutting back most of the film to achieve a 90 minute running time. Thats with opening and end credits.

I have already compiled about 13 minutes in deleted scenes, nothing major, just sequences I trimmed the fat off of during post production. I am still undecided whether or not I will include those as bonus material on the DVD release.

On July 19th, I will beholding a work print screening at my house and I invited the cast and some of the crew to join and give me their thoughts.

I will keep you guys updated as go. Once I assemble the work print another editor will go over my print and tweak the film, then it will be sent for ADR and Sound mixing. (The score is almost complete, since Lou and I, along with 4 other composers are doing the score.)

Trivia facts:

Films original Budget: $5,000.00
Total spent to date: $6,300.00
Total hours of shot footage: 57 hours
Total number of Digital Tapes used: 75
Hard Drive spaced used for footage: 1.7 TB
Number of cameras used during filming: up to 6 for some sequences (mostly 3 per shooting day.)
Number of shooting days so far:21 Days (Days remaining approximately 3)
Number of Extras used: 337
Number of locations: 7

[Danny]

dont know about you dj but i hate editing, either way i bet your happy to be on the home stretch with something this big huh?

[DjfunkmasterG]

I don't hate editing, but this film has been a task simply because of the amount of footage.

Not too mention that I film things with a very action oriented style, but the film is also a drama and a horror film. So pacing can become an issue.

One of the sequences I edited last night was originally a 5:50 sequence, but is now over 8 minutes because I had forgot to add in some of the stories more colorful moments. When I added the missing materials it was 10:43, but I trimmed a lot of fat off of it to get it down to 8:13.

Editing can be fun, but also a task when working with 50+ hours of footage.

[MinionZombie]

I'm in two minds about editing, I do like assembling something and being chuffed of it, but then again swimming through tons of footage I don't enjoy.

Then there's all the uploading and rendering which just bores the tits off me. Also, I can't be doing with a load of techno jargon, so fancier editing isn't something I bother with (things like split screens and green screen and blah blah blah). :D

Also, it takes ages and ages, so if I can let someone else editing something, I will.

Now, if I'm getting paid for it, it's another matter - like a project I'm working on at the moment, I'm shooting and editing it and getting paid to do so. It doesn't require any fancy editing, but the DVD production will go off to someone else, so I'm happy with that.

Mind you, last year I did loading & logging of footage exclusively for a project, and while I got paid, it was a chore in itself to keep your brain engaged to be honest.

I do like filming though, it's more immediate and then if you can just hand off your footage to someone else, that's great. :D Also, I dig the command of directing, I like to organise and such - but not like a producer does (that bores the tits off me also).

Ah I'll shut up now, besides, I need a bathroom break. :D

[axlish]

Hey DJ, I do written reviews for Deadpit. If you'd like, I'll do a write up for you over there, 5 or 6 paragraphs and some screenshots. Just let me know.

[DjfunkmasterG]

Thanks Axlish...

When the film is ready I will hit you up. I won't be sending any work prints out for review this time around though, I decided to wait until the entire film is complete.

[axlish]

Yeah I think that is for the best, it is hard to review a workprint. "I liked it so if they don't **** it up in post, check it out!"

[DjfunkmasterG]

New Update....

The work print is nearly completed. I had a system crash just after my last report and had to start from scratch again, luckily as I trim the new files I rename and Save them to make it easier to find.

I am about 80% done on the new work print and the film looks to be running 117 Minutes without end credits or opening credits. With the end credits which are completed and together the film runs 125 minutes, which in my opinion is just a little too long. On July 19th I am having a sit down party to watch the first working version of the film with some of the cast and crew and from there I will decide what needs to be cut from the film.

I figure we will cut about 20 more minutes out of the film. I am aiming for a running time somewhere between 80 and 100 minutes. 100 is my max, 80 is my minimum.

Will keep you all posted.

[DjfunkmasterG]

Another new Update:

This past weekend, Director and Friend, Lonnie Martin(Women's Studies) and I sat down and watched the 45 minutes of the film that was edited and coherent. He gave me some notes on the opening 15 minutes, and that was about it, the 24:00 mark til the 60 minute mark of the film he had no comments or notes, he sat back and said he was in awwww. He turned to me and said "this kicks the **** out of Deadlands 1 by 10 miles..." I believe that was his quote. He mentioned the darker tone of the film, honing in on the dialog and the violence. Although Dead 2 doesn't have the amount of gore in Dead 1, I ratched up the overall violence and tension quite a bit.

Dead 2 moves at a very quick pace, and I am looking at ways to slow it down just a bit. Although Lonnie had no complaints, I felt it was moving too fast and maybe jumped ahead a little too fast, so I am wondering what will be done to fix this pacing problem.

Lonnie and I also discussed Dead 3, which is on the cusp of getting made, but if anyone here follows my My Space blog I may not be involved with Dead 3. I am seriously debating whether I want to continue making films, right to the point I am considering not finishing Dead 2. The experience of dealing with the industry to make a big budget Dead film has been one of the worst of my life. The studio praises the script Lonnie and I turned in, but then wants to water it down with dumb ****ing changes that will only hurt the story, not too mention they want free re-writes. Lonnie and I discussed this and while I have not made my final decision on Dead 3, if I do not direct I said the only way I would sign off on the rights is if Lonnie directs.

Finishing Dead 2 is another issue. Because of the BS going on with Dead 3, I was so pissed that I stopped all production on Dead 2. Contacted the cast & crew and announced I would sell the film to the producers of Zombthology to finish. While making movies can be fun, it can also be a nightmare. The business behind it is very shady and can be one of the biggest back stabbing events you can ever go through. Now I have had no problems with the producers of Dead 2, in fact they have pretty much let me do my own thing from the get go, and those are the kind of people I like to work with, but getting involved in a bigger production makes things a bigger pain in the ass and as I said the situation with Dead 3 has turned me off to filmmaking as a whole.

However, I may just finish Dead 2 and call it quits from there. My entire goal was too only make one film, doing Dead 2 was a bonus, and a fun bonus so I may finish this one just to get it done, and leave it in the air from there. Only time will tell.

Dj

[Neil]

****! I'm stunned things have left such a bad taste in your mouth regarding the industry :(

[MinionZombie]

Whatever you do Deej, at the very least finish Deadlands 2 - because from what I've seen, it looks f*cking awesome.

All I can say really, is to try and not think about Deadlands 3 too much as possible, and try not to connect it to Deadlands 2 - they seem to be quite different in terms of levels of filmmaking, Dead 2 being more indie, and Dead 3 being bigger as you say - even studio level.

You're a fighter by nature, at least that's how it seems, so perhaps with Deadlands 3, just fight your corner and be stubborn as hell (within reason, not stubborn like Hitler or something, lol, but you know what I mean).

If they studio wants to get it made, they'll want to get it made, but you just have to show you won't be pushed around.

Whatever you f*ckin' do - FINISH DEADLANDS 2.

Seriously dude, that movie is looking f*cking awesome, and in turn I think it could buy you more wrestling power with the suits.

Only make decisions on a calm mind, I know I've felt really down in the dumps with my career (it's a long road alright), sometimes I get so blasted down that I do think "I might as well say f*cking it", but that's not the best attitude.

It's about working through the sh*t and the knocks.

So essentially:

1) FINISH DEADLANDS 2! I MUST HAVE THAT MOVIE IN MY POSSESSION, DAMN YOU! It looks proper good! :)
2) Stand your ground, and just flat-out refuse silly suggestions from the suits and explain why with common sense. It's a case of two dams holding back water, which one's gonna crack first? Don't let it be you.

Keep fighting on, I guarantee you Deadlands 2 will be well-received, I believe in that film so much and I know it'll do really well.

You've got talent, Sir, keep going. :)

[DjfunkmasterG]

Thanks MZ...

I am finishing DEAD 2, I am actually working on it now. I decided to hold a screening this coming weekend for what we have filmed. The only items missing are the major zombie attack in the city, which was supposed to be filmed this coming weekend but a problem arose preventing us from shooting this weekend.

I have almost everything shot in the theater assembled, I still need to capture 2 tapes yet, but for the most part the theater stuff is pretty much done.

I have been sitting here watching the film for the past two days, and I am actually shocked at how dark in overall tone this film is, I mean it is giving me the creeps.

[clanglee]

I have been sitting here watching the film for the past two days, and I am actually shocked at how dark in overall tone this film is, I mean it is giving me the creeps.

But that's a good thing tho. . right?

[DjfunkmasterG]

****! I'm stunned things have left such a bad taste in your mouth regarding the industry :(


Neil, If I told you half the **** they wanted us to do it would make you cry. They don't want to make good zombie films, they wanna make popcorn fodder, which I refuse to do.

I was on the phone with them today and I said if this re-write gets done we are changing the tone of the film to extremely dark and forboding. If you don't like it then piss off and let someone else pick it up.

No offense, but I don't want to make Land of the Dead, Romero has already done it, and I quite frankly hated the popcorn feel of that flick. I want something as Dark as the original Day with the epic overtones of the original DAWN. If they choose not to make that film... so be it, but at least I won't have compromised my principals on the matter, nor will I sell out to just get a film made.

Surprisingly, many people think I am nuts for turning down the last studio offer which was budgeted at nearly $10,000,000.00. However, I did it because I didn't want to make that kind of movie. I don't care if they cut the budget n half, just let me make a dark, and terrorfying zombie horror film.


But that's a good thing tho. . right?


Yes it is Clang... Its funny, I spent less on this than I did on Dead 1, yet the films are like Night and Day. When I wrote this film I was trying to aim for a mixture of the dialog from Die Hard... meets the zombie horror of all my favorite zombie films.

I did get some of that Die Hard tone in there, but the film came out much darker than I anticipated. I think this is either going to be a bigger hit than Dead 1, or it is going to tank because of how dark it the tone of the film is while it plays.

I have noticed some more pacing issues, which I just can't fix at the moment. they aren't slow boring points, just spots where it feels the film jumped ahead quicker than it should have... I am actually going to have another editor do a pass on this once I am done to see if it is something we can fix.

[Neil]

I am actually going to have another editor do a pass on this once I am done to see if it is something we can fix.
Yeh, I suppose other people opinions, who might not be 'in so close' to it can always be useful...

[MinionZombie]

Yeh, I suppose other people opinions, who might not be 'in so close' to it can always be useful...
Agreed, I've found that myself, and have been that person myself as well on previous projects.

It's also an arguing point I've had - working on a short film and somebody is obsessed with some minute detail that MUST GO, but I point out that we're looking at the film so insanely CLOSE UP, meanwhile when people actually watch it, that'll be it most likely. One viewing and they'll never notice it in a million years.

Anyway, getting off on a tangent there.

Deej, not to start something :p, but I'd say the Dawn remake is waaaaay more of a popcorn flick than Land, way more. But that's me.

Anyway - I totally dig the idea of 'dark like Day, big like Dawn' - that would be a nifty zed flick I say.

Also, I think people can handle a dark zombie flick - most zed fans have seen Day of the Dead - and that movie is pretty dark, so I think people can handle it. Also, with the TV they watch, shows like 24 go to really dark places, so I think people are totally capable of it - ESPECIALLY in the times we are living in today.

Think about it, Night of the Living Dead was quite dark at the time - and that time was Vietnam. Now here we all are in the era of 9/11, and again horror is getting dark ... perhaps it's gone a bit more for the "torture porn" (I do hate that term :rolleyes:) vibe, but horror has gone for the gut and the head, rather than the belly and the funny bone in recent years.

My point being - I think people will totally dig the dark vibe of Dead 2, and indeed Dead 3.

Indeed, you hear 10 million and you think "holy sh*t!", but to be honest, the bigger the budget the more compromises ... so I totally understand your position, and good on you for fighting your corner and sticking by the intent - in the end, that WILL pay off.

I think once Dead 2 is out, it'll be a success, and that will give you more bargaining power.

[DjfunkmasterG]

While I don't doubt most zed fans can handle a dark film, I also look at the general audience. Lets say hard core zed fans make up 1-2% of the audience. Horror fans make up about 45%, the rest is your typical disaster flick lover, whether it be horror or sci-fi.

Keep in mind most of those films are usually tame in comparison to most horror films, however, most horror films today aren't very dark. They try to be scary, but are honestly just a waste of time. Plus what I consider dark, the next guy wouldn't.


See I envision as zombie infested world as being completely lawless, which we already know it will be, but keep this in mind. Only the strong are going to survive, and with no law and order, look at what will be roaming the streets... other than the zombies.

Think of all those murderers and rapists and full blown whack jobs running loose on the streets, add a few million zombies, then sprinkle in a few people just trying to stay alive and find some place safe. At some point, those looking for safety, and those looking to cash-in on the fact no one is going to catch them are going to cross paths... what do you think will happen?

That is what I wanted to explore in Dead 3.

My original draft was a pretty dark script, then Lonnie came along and brightened it up a bit, giving a lot of depth to the characters, when I did start a re-write I went completely off the deep end, and went to the darkest spots in my mind and put it all on paper.

[MinionZombie]

Think of all those murderers and rapists and full blown whack jobs running loose on the streets, add a few million zombies, then sprinkle in a few people just trying to stay alive and find some place safe. At some point, those looking for safety, and those looking to cash-in on the fact no one is going to catch them are going to cross paths... what do you think will happen?

That is what I wanted to explore in Dead 3.

My original draft was a pretty dark script, then Lonnie came along and brightened it up a bit, giving a lot of depth to the characters, when I did start a re-write I went completely off the deep end, and went to the darkest spots in my mind and put it all on paper.

Sounds like a good movie to me - and most importantly - sounds like no other zed flick out there in terms of what it's dealing with.

[DjfunkmasterG]

In Trapped News.

The rough edit looks to be clocking in at 91 minutes with end credits. That is also compensating for sequences not yet shot, but that is about the running time I wanted for the film.

I started some of the Temporary score work, otherwise it is pretty much a waiting game at this point.

Holding another screening this weekend at the theater for the cast & crew to see it.

[DjfunkmasterG]

Well the first official rough cut screening on the big screen has been completed. Although some of the footage is still not edited together, and the sound mix was all over the place. I showed 70 minutes of footage that is together for everyone.

Jim Krut, our beloved helicopter zombie, loved it, he was completely impressed and blown away by what he has seen. He also agreed to do some additional shooting with us to add some more stuff with his character. For those of you that don't know, Jim Krut joined the cast in October 2007, and is one of the main characters in the film. JIm came aboard for food and a hotel stay while shooting.

Jim is actually a very talented individual, he does acting in his spare time in Gettysburg for their performing arts theater. Anyone wishing to work with Jim in the future, I highly recommend it. The man gives you 150%

About 14 were present for the screening of the rough cut mostly cast & crew including some of the financiers. Executive Producer Phil Green asked if I needed any more money to put into the film, and I told him I think we are good for now. He was impressed as well.

All in all everyone either liked it or loved it, all said the same thing, it is miles ahead of Deadlands 1. They couldn't believe the difference between the two films. Everyone also commented on how dark the tone of the film is overall. Brian (LouCipherr) said after the screening..."Man, That is a dark film, the vibe is just creepy" Michelle Wright, his wife, and actress from the first Deadlands was also present, she has a cameo in the film. She was creeped out.

It seems from the discussion after the film that everyone feels the Dream sequence is just one of the creepiest elements of the movie. Everyone was dead silent and frozen during this sequence of the film.

After watching their reactions, and hearing them talk about it, I think that sequence will be for Trapped, what the Traffic Jam sequence is for Deadlands: The Rising. Everyone talks about that being the focal piece of Dead 1, so I can forsee this dream sequence being the most talked about element of this film. I won't lie, it freaks me out everytime I watch it. It is one of the more eerier moments of the film, and really is set to throw the viewer right over the edge. Even watching it tonight, which is the 300 or 400th time I have watched the rough cut of the film as I edit it, I was getting goose bumps. So, I guess I did my job.

Anyway, Lou promised to jump on and give a few words about the film. I am sure he will log in sometime tomorrow (Sunday) and say his piece.

I predict to have the film completed by October 1st. MZ will get the very first copy of the film so he can write the review for HPotD, HPotD will get the first exclusive copy, then it will goto H-M.CA, and Dead Pit.

The big question is film festivals... Well, I decided to not enter Trapped into any festivals in 2008. I am going to concentrate on 2009 festivals only. However, there is one festival in Queens NY I may hold a non competition screening at in November. This was set up through my agent and once more details are available I will bring them to you ASAP.

Well it is 3:00am in the morning and I need to get my fat ass into bed. I have to start working on the end of the film, and the films audio mix.

Night

Dj

[Neil]

Good stuff !! :)

[MinionZombie]

MZ will get the very first copy of the film so he can write the review for HPotD

Schweeeeeeeeeeet!!! :)

I'll gladly pimp a review for it, and I can't wait to see it ... and now I really wanna see this dream sequence is about, hehe.

[Kaos]

Great news, Gary! Can't wait to purchase my copy when it is released.

[capncnut]

Glad you got it done, man. I shall stand in the queue and await all the bloody juiciness. :evil:

[DjfunkmasterG]

Won't be much longer now... 3 more months at the longest.

BTW, Lou has posted his thoughts ont he rough cut.

[capncnut]

Won't be much longer now... 3 more months at the longest.
Looking forward to it, Gary. Are there any rough stats on the movie? Such as final running time, etc.

Edit: Sorry, re-read your earlier post. Silly me. :rolleyes:

[DjfunkmasterG]

And we are getting much closer...

Last Night (Friday), I just added about 9 minutes worth of new scenes to the movie from tapes I hadn't yet captured. I re-cut the opening of the movie, doing a completely different credit sequence, and made a copy and watched it with Deadlands 3 co-writer Lonnie Martin today at his house.

Lonnie had no major comments to give me, he loved the re-edited and paced film. The last time Lonnie watched it he had seen the first ever rough cut, now it is really beginning to take shape.

Lonnie was really digging the ending as well, had him guessing quite a few times, and I loved his reaction to one of the key moments in the film. Overall the movie is looking top notch. I really feel I hit a massive homerun with this film. I can't even put into words how impressed I am with it.

Actor Josh Davidson was just sent his copy in the mail today, so I am sure he may pop on and give some comments about it.

I am also in the process of doing a surround mix for the film, I am aiming for a DTS sound mix for TRAPPED, but may just have to go Dolby Digital. Most distributors won't even bother putting a DTS mix on a disc for these low budget films, so I may sell that as a separate buy to those who want it.

By October 1st the movie should be pretty much completed, however I may be done sooner.

[MinionZombie]

*rubs hands feverishly* :cool::)