Orlando Shoot #2

Robert flew to Florida today to continue the documentary shoot that we began back in March of 2011. It's a whirlwind trip (just until Friday), but in these few days, we hope to accomplish much. We're looking to get more interviews with the family of Ben Miles, an autistic boy who for the past 9 years has had a unique passion for Disney's Snow White theme park ride.

So why is it important for us to be in Orlando at this particular time? On this Thursday, May 31st, the nearly 41-year old attraction, Snow White's Scary Adventures, closes it's doors forever. Our camera will be rolling when it does.

Lowel Rifa-Lite EX55 Softbox

We came this close (picture your thumb and index finger extended about an inch apart) from purchasing the Lowel Rifa-Lite EX55 Softbox Light Kit this past week. We currently have a Lowell 3-piece kit but on larger or specialized productions, it's not enough.

In particular, Robert is heading down to Orlando to do some filming this coming week. He hopes to capture two or three different talking head interviews and a lighting set up will be needed. Traveling lightweight by hauling one softbox over the 3-piece set would be ideal.

The EX55 Softbox has a 500 watt light, comes with a stand and the soft LB40 case. Retail on B&H currently runs $589.99 and free shipping. Unfortunately, with the holiday on Monday, there was no way it would arrive in time without forking over another $80 on next day air. No thanks.

Images via B&H

We tried to buy local from Full Compass who said they would match the B&H price. Cool! But they didn't have it in stock and would have to order it. Again too little, too late. Bummer.

So we passed on the purchase for now and will just work with what we have. But the EX55 Softbox Kit is definitely on our radar.

Scouting and Creating Shot List for 'Just Cause'

Robert, along with filmmakers Michael Haven and Nicholas Wootton, spent the large majority of this past Saturday hashing out the details of a shot list for Wootton's upcoming project, Just Cause. Envisioning and creating a shot list for a film is one of the most rewarding, yet arduous tasks of making a movie. It take forever!

To relieve some of the stress, we also headed out in search of a couple last locations that we need to lock down fairly soon.

Working hard...

Photos by Nicholas Wootton

Ben's Snow White Adventures

At the end of this month, we'll be heading back down to Florida to continue the documentary shoot we started in February of 2011. At the time, the project had the working title of Dark Ride. It has since been updated to Ben's Snow White Adventures: Autism and the Dark Ride. We'll be sharing more on the progress as well as the subject matter of this film as it develops.

"Chickens" Returns to Iowa

Mad City Chickens will be showing in Ames, IA on May 16th as part of the Other Voices/Other Views film series. The public screening is presented by the Alliance for Global Justice-Ames. Film starts at 7:00 pm, Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave.

Moive Collaboration with Spilling Latte Films

Among the other shoots, edits and various projects that we're currently working on, we've also been having pre-production meetings with Nicholas Wootton of Spilling Latte Films and Michael Haven of Exchange Productions. This coming August and September, Nicholas will be producing and directing a comedy with the working title Just Cause.

Haven, Wootton and Lughai
Photo by Colin Cameron

Synopsis: A young man manages a non-profit inner city youth center that helps teens escape violence and drugs and assists them with getting an education. He is a model of good citizenship. But he faces a moral dilemma when, in tough economic times, he is forced to accept money from mobsters to keep his youth center open. Then the unexpected happens.

In addition to the development phase, Tarazod will also be part of the production team for this film. More on Just Cause as the shooting date nears.

New Sennheiser Wireless Lav

Not long ago, we acquired a new piece of equipment from our wishlist, the Sennheiser EW112-p G3 wireless microphone system with the ME2 Lavalier Mic. Couldn't be happier. We used it on a recent job with terrific results. Love lav mics!

Transmitter and Receiver

Outdoor Screening of 'Chickens' in Carbondale, IL

Mad City Chickens will be showing at a special outdoor screening on this Sunday, May 6 in Carbondale, Illinois. Sponsored by Farmer Tom, it will be held at Mulberry Hill Farm, 5370 Springer Ridge Rd.

Guests are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 pm, film starts at sundown. Rain or shine. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

The Play House Chicken Coop

Here's a look at the Play House Chicken Coop designed by Dennis Harrison-Noonan who appeared in our Mad City Chickens documentary. First two videos shot by Dennis...






This third vid is from a couple of happy customers...



If you're interested in these coop plans, Dennis can be contacted at im-handy@sbcglobal.net or search for his "chicken coop plans" on ebay.

Beloit Backyard Chickens sponsors MCC Screening

Beloit Backyard Chickens is a small group of people from the Beloit, Wisconsin area who are seeking to get a pro-chicken ordinance passed within their municipality. They are sponsoring a public screening of Mad City Chickens to help raise awareness and to help their city council members become more open to the idea of urban backyard poultry.

The film will screen on Sunday April 29th at Bushel and Pecks, a local pro-chicken pro-organic establishment. Show starts at 5:00 pm, 328 State Street in Beloit.