I’ve cut at least 13 scenes in the last 10 days. Basically my brain is the consistency of V8 now, and I live in constant dread that the tops of people’s heads are going to drift out-of-frame.
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First Step Cinematics LLC finally has its Facebook page up. As a new Texas startup, it is an exciting challenge to build this group.
It has been quiet on the blog, but that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped. We’re right now in the middle of post-production and are working full-steam.
A teaser about our cast:
10 out of our 18 member cast are Shakespearean trained actors. 8 of the 32 cast and crew are educators. Our youngest actress is 14, our oldest actor is over 70. Our community hails from New York, California, Texas, Russia, United Kingdom, Spain and Italy.
The entire film was shot in south-east Texas.
We have two Houston events coming up in Summer: Comicpolooza and ApolloCon. Both will have different panelists and subjects.
In this post, we will highlight what we’re doing at Comicpolooza–the largest sci-fi convention in Houston, Texas.
I am honored that we’re going to be at so many conventions. I have to give special thanks to Comicpolooza which has streamlined the convention process for us.
Unlike ApolloCon which will be an intimate panel with the actors, the Comicpolooza panel gives a chance for techies to go crazy!
HERE is the link for the updated schedule of events. Once we finish post-production and the indy film circuit begins, this page will be constantly updated.
So what are we up to at Comicpolooza?
“How to Film on a Budget”
The cast/crew of Frankenstein’s Monster from First Step Cinematics, LLC will take a practical look at filming on a budget for the 21st century. Attendees will be introduced to the basics of microbudget film project planning, logistics, some DIY tech tools ideas our crew used, audio needs, makeup, sets, props, and how to adapt a DSLR camera for filming. Q&A for cast and crew after talk. If you were ever afraid to film, but don’t know where to start, this is the place to be.
I am very thankful for last weekend. Everyone worked hard together and we recreated Victor Frankenstein’s lab. Special credit goes to Chris Lowe and his amazing set design. I don’t know what was my favorite part of the lab: the coal, apothecary jars, the moving gears, or the pistons. That is describing only a small part of Chris’s awesome work.
Speaking of amazing things: the cast brought it all to life. Special shout out to Matt Risoldi and Dustin Sturgill.
Incorporating the steampunk look in Frankenstein’s Monster:
One of the artistic challenges of our steampunk-light project was how we were going to present steampunk in this story. All of our steampunk props and costume components are designed to practical. In other words: they work and they have purpose. For example: the life that Victor Frankenstein creates runs on steam. The tools he uses are practical. It goes beyond aesthetic. We have limited the steampunk elements for Victor Frankenstein in his lab and for his science experiments.
For now, we are keeping most of our lab scenes and the monster under wraps. We’ll be showing more at sci-fi conventions and also once we have our first official film premiere.
Frankenstein’s Monster will be shown and entered in film competitions and science fiction conventions across the USA and even in Europe. As we get closer to our wrap date, this website will have a new page so everyone can keep track of when/where we will be shown.
Thank you everyone for your support!
-Judith B. Shields
Hi everyone! Judith B. Shields here. I just wanted to share some moments from the shoot.
Here we have a few moments from when Victor Frankenstein returns home and also a shot of young William Frankenstein playing in a field.
We still have 14 scenes left to shoot in March. However, we’ve started the post-production process for the other scenes. Matt G. is editing video first then the audio team will tackle the project. Even though is seems a little quiet here on the blog–it isn’t quiet in the production. The lead team has been meeting about two nights a week reviewing the dailies. We’re very excited about what we’re building. I cannot wait to share with all of you Frankenstein’s Monster. Once we hit the independent film circuit, I’ll keep this blog updated as we know when we’ll be shown at a city near you. Thank you again for your support!
-Judith B. Shields
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- William Frankenstein
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- Victor Frankenstein returns home
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- and ACTION!
Here is small sneak peak of some moments in the first 10 minutes of Frankenstein’s Monster.
Professor lectures on the Hippocratic oath.
Victor (Dustin Sturgill–left) is being convinced to enjoy life by Clerval (Tim Ashby–right)
Hi, Judith B. Shields here. I just wanted to give a quick update. We’ve been in the middle of filming for the last two weeks and we have one week to go. I am amazed at the progress we’ve made. Thank you everyone for your support.
So what’s new? We’re in the Galveston Daily News today–sixth page, straight off of the press in the “county” section.
http://www.galvestondailynews.com/news/local_news/article_35de4eec-5243-11e2-9300-001a4bcf6878.html
Thank you Little Green Schoolhouse for allowing us to shoot at your location!
Hello everyone. I feel like it has been forever since I last posted. Probably because it has! Since I last blogged we have had a crew meeting, and two dress and script rehearsals!
During our last crew meeting it was crunch time. We had to figure out how many cameras we were going to have, which scenes to shoot at night, the different make-up and costumes to be used for the shoots, our sound equipment, and much more! We also reviewed all the locations that we will be shooting at which include historical sites :).
The ‘Blind Man’ Scene
The ‘Locket’ scene.
Also, the cameras and the sound were tested out in preparation for shooting next week. Also, as always, Peter Kovic who is in charge of our documentary, had cameras set up around the facility to capture all the exciting moments and all the work that actually goes on while making an independent film.
Video camera technician, Vlad.
Testing sound equipment.
View from the documentary video camera.
As the photographer for the film, I decided to spice up the pictures by shooting some in black and white. I am very pleased with the black and white touch. Because of the setting we were rehearsing in, it toned down the background colors and images that I felt were taking away from the subjects in the pictures. Also, the rehearsal and the behind the scenes experience is a very raw experience and I think black and white photos capture this essence perfectly.
And of course, this film has some steampunk influences which will be shown through various props, one being Victor’s goggles:
Last, but of course not least, are some of our actresses wearing the lovely dresses that were mentioned in an earlier blog. They are beautiful!
I also added a chalk and charcoal effect to these two pictures! Suspense, suspense!
Well that’s all I have for today folks. Stay tuned and don’t forget to check out the other bloggers posts!
A longer video of the script reading is in the works.
The set of steampunk goggles I made for the good doctor in the movie, Frankenstein’s Monster
They are heavy, but not as heavy as they look. Still,
if you’re wearing them in a scene – take brakes.
dustinsturgill
judithbshields
kristin611
Margaret Marie Hubbard
peterkovic
rockridge1
slavavlad
twhamilton
Frankenstein's Monster (2013) Official Page 