Five years ago I was in Toronto onset with my Director of Photography bud Peter James, while he was shooting CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, II. And there’s this cute little kid with a great smile. And now there’s this movie out about Vampires and Wolves, starring this hunk. Turns out it’s the same kid! And he just hosted Saturday Night Live! The big question is, are these eight packs real, or CGI? So here are pics of Taylor Lautner 5 years ago (above right), and now.
Alas, actress Brittany Murphy was found dead today in Los Angeles. Unfortunately this is not surprising to me, as I spent a couple days onset of a movie she starred in last year, DEADLINE, written and directed by my bud Sean McConville. Brittany had been fired from the previous movie, and it was pretty clear from my observations that she had a drug problem. And apparently she’d been fired recently from her latest movie. Strangely, I had also been onset of River Pheonix’s last movie, THE THING CALLED LOVED, and it was pretty apparent to me that River had erratic behavior consistent with drug use (he died of an overdose shortly after wrapping the movie.) I highly doubt that either Brittany’s or River’s drugs were prescription, whereas Heath Ledger was on multiple prescribed drugs, same as Michael Jackson. But it doesn’t make any difference, I guess, because they’re all gone. Such a waste (3 of these 4 were very talented.)
Alas, we didn’t get the call from Sundance this year. Sort of felt this about three weeks ago when I saw the new Sundance 2010 ad: REBEL. BE REBELLIOUS. Well, we strived to make AU PAIR, KANSAS a subtle, mature, sophisticated family drama. Now waiting then to hear from SXSW or Tribeca. Would be great to have world premiere at either of these. The festival cut continues to get rave reviews from the few people that have seen it (don’t want many copies out with temp sound, temp credits, minimal color correction, and low resolution.) Stay tuned. Will be updating the site more frequently now. Apparently this social networking stuff is important!
Just got the still from special effects master Gary Walker of TexFX in Austin. We had to shoot the front of the bison sign without lettering during the shoot, and only now have the completed sign. And you will note, bisonfarm.com is the actual site for the bison farm where we shot the bison (on video, not with guns.) Thanks, Gary, great job!
After months of work, talented editor Brad Roszell and I reached picture lock on Au Pair, Kansas. Now it goes to the composer (Carlos Alvarez) and sound designer (Michelle Garuik) for acoustic work. Brad and I finally had a chance to work on the soccer sequences, which now truly move the story forward, and build the relationships between the characters. Can’t wait to see them with music. Two months to go before major festival entry deadline (the one that begins with an S.) We’re on schedule, and I continue to be amazed with how great the performers are, and how lovely the film looks (Thanks actors and Marco!)
Here’s our first assembly of opening credits. Fantastic score by Carlos Alvarez, beautiful cinematography by Marco Fargnoli, lovely editing by Brad Roszell. And the bison and Traci Lords aren’t bad either! Obviously we’ll get better title cards, and Brad and I re-edited this last weekend (no feces, we added shots of feces. It is a comedy, you know.) We might even add some cowboy yodeling!
Unbelievable, just got notified the rough cut of Au Pair, Kansas was accepted into the prestigious IFP Director’s Lab. I get to spend a week in NYC in June working with mentors in editing/music/marketing/festivals. They only take 10 feature film projects in the emerging narratives section. It’s a major deal. So keyed that someone that doesn’t even know me, likes the movie. And even better, getting into the Lab means Au Pair, Kansas is automatically selected for emerging narratives section at Independent Film Week (NYC in September, used to be called IFP Market.)
Brad Roszell has been working hard getting this first cut done, and its paid off. I love this film (even without music, which, as the editor’s always say, will save the scenes!) I’m now allowing myself to actually believe that the film is going to be good. Maybe I’m not really that deluded. Thanks to everyone that helped out and worked on the tough and cold Lindsborg, Kansas shoot. Wow, very cool!
Check out Spencer (star of Au Pair, Kansas) in the new Star Trek movie. It is the best Sci-Fi film since 1977’s Star Wars (it’s been now over 30 years since I’ve seen a movie where I walked out of the theater and wanted to walk back in and watch it again. It’s that good.) Alas, he only makes a brief appearance as a character named “Johnny.” When you look up Spencer on IMDB, it list’s him in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Star Trek, and Au Pair, Kansas! Here’s a shot of him in Charlie’s chair during an amazing sunset on set near Lindsborg, Kansas.
Editor Brad Roszell (Earthworks, Grandma and the Raven), has finished his first cut on Au Pair, Kansas. No music, no sound design, but the story and performances are all there. An experienced editor friend recently saw our first assembly (master shots only, no close ups or cutaways) and said it was the best first assembly he’d ever seen. A producer (whose film premiered at Sundance this year) stated he was “stunned” at how good it was. An actor in LA said the rough cut was better than most films he sees at festivals. I love the performances, all the actors rock. It looks fantastic. Honestly, I had no idea that it would turn out this, well, good (I may be deluded about this, too, you know, since I am a bit close to it.) I guess you can tell when passion and love and sweat go into making an indie film. I can’t wait to show this at festivals in 2010! Thank you to everyone who helped make this movie. 
Photo courtesy of Hans Liebing 
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