Film Articles

Collection of e-mails sent from crew and cast in relation to 5YLAC Films

Fri, 12 Nov 2004 12:42:11 GMT

From: Susie Benton
Date: Wed Aug 30, 2000 11:37 am
Subject: To the Deadlights Gang...
To: 5YLAC
Dear all,
I don't know what everyone else did when they got home on Monday,
but I had
a shower (I don't think I have enjoyed the feeling of hot water
and soap
quite so much before) and went straight to bed!
You know, after a wash and a good eight hours sleep the whole
thing seems in
perspective. There are many people in this world who spend lives,
not just
a weekend, in conditions so very much worse. Besides, I was doing
something
I love (and in the process I had a great deal of encouragement,
cigarettes,
coffee, tea and the odd chocolate penguin). I feel very lucky to
have met
and worked with everyone this last weekend. I have learnt a great
deal from
the experience; about both stretching my abilities as an actor and
how much
I enjoy working with people who are passionate and devoted enough
to do it
for free! Moments with frayed nerves and a couple of shots which
needed to
be rejigged aside, we got this short "in the can" without any
problems, well
done
Looking forward to seeing you all tonight (I hope) at the debrief,
but on a
very small matter of lost property, I wonder if anyone has found a
black
leather belt with a silver buckle. I think it says H&M on the
inside and it
was last seen in the van. If you have it could you bring it
tonight (my
trousers are falling down)........Susie.
altogether now!.....Oh ten men went to mow....

From: "Anna Nicola"
Date: Wed Aug 30, 2000 7:51 pm
Subject: Re: [5YLAC] FWD: To the Deadlights Gang...

hi guys,
I spose (hope even) that we have all had a bath by now!? I't took
me a whole
loada scubbing to clean properly, i still have blood stains
everywhere but
hey, it's a memory ya?
I just want to say thanx to all the crew for making my first crew
member
expereince a really good one. I consider myself very lucky cos it
could have
been a lot worse, with say a crew who was totaly stressed or even
a crap
director (compliments to Chance). Oh, and the belt is in the white
van!!! So i hope it had been fished out, I'm sure it has.
I must say thanx to 'duracell' matt, who was soo hyper that he
kept our
spirits high, and thanx to JB who taught me how to blow things up.
Now i am
able to take my personal career in disturbance a lot further.
I also learned that when nature calls and you just HAVE to go in
the bushes,
PLEASE be aware of nettles behind you....(heh heh heh)
Hope to see you all sometime this week , there was a ickle bit of
tension
towards the end of the night..we all really just need to remember
that when
working on location with shots set at night, it is more than
likley that we
are going to go over, thats film for you and we should all be
aware and
ready! SEE YA!!!! XXX
'Disturbed Anna' Nicola

From: "Anna Carrington"
Date: Thu Aug 31, 2000 3:38 pm
Subject: To the Deadlights Gang!!
Hiya all,
sorry I didn't make it to the debrief - no it wasn't because I was
too
afraid to turn up I've just been up to my neck in stuff at the
moment and I
thought it would be better to slow down so I'm on top form for Ad
Astra at
the weekend. This was my first experience of working with a crew
I'd never
met before: (In the past I've always worked with people I know
from college)
and it has opened my eyes!! It was a great experience and I hope
that
everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. As for the lost property - I
think
the glove is mine!! If it is very dirty but looks like it used to
be pink
swede then it is mine. Well done everybody!!!
Loads a Love hugs and kisses
Baby Anna
From: "Tony Gowing"
Date: Fri Sep 1, 2000 6:21 pm
Subject: The Deadlights Shoot
Hi all
Just to say what a great experience working with such a good mix
of people who all pulled together for the common aim of getting
"Deadlights in the can" I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking
forward to seeing the rushes. Special thanks to Anna,Renate and
Raf for helping me on the lighting and camera side. Well done Rob
and the management team for getting the ingredients right.
Nice to work with you Nigel and swop camera stories.Matt you kept
me laughing all the way through (QUALITY MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!) which
helped me keep focus through the long hours.Thanks to Samu for
reminding me which way round we were so I didn't get my shaddow
directions mixed up.
Believable, scary acting from Susie, Jim, Darrell and Chance.
Thanks for reminding me to keep my fluids up Susie.
Pyrotechnics that blew the cameramans ear drums up,he doesn't need
them anyway JB and Disturbed Anna. Great boom swinging from multi
tallented Matt.
Strong leadership from a good director who knew what he wanted and
got it.
Every success in the future to you all and hope to see you at the
premier.
From: "Tony Gowing"
Date: Wed Apr 25, 2001 10:18 pm
Subject: Well done
A big thank you to everyone
Despite the weather we pulled it off
Without the team effort this would have been impossible
What more can I say
WELL DONE CHANCE
WELL DONE EVERYBODY

From: "Lifegamer"
Date: Thu Apr 26, 2001 11:57 am
Subject: Re: [5YLAC] And Relax.............................
Anybody out there got a spare lisp???
Whilst I lay here in my sick bed suffering from a killer case of
flu I have hallucinatory images of Nuns and mansions flitting
through my head. What's really strange is that I know they
actually existed and Chance now has them captured on tape.
In between vast quantities of fluids and medicine I have had the
chance to look back on what we achieved in such a short time and,
apart from the occasional grumble and a little problem here or
there in communicating departmental etiquette, we really got down
and did the job.
If there is one thing I would like to say to one and all, you did
your part and without you we would be lost. As I said at the
beginning lest it be forgotten THANK YOU.
See you all for the debrief on Saturday???? PAM All Bar One,
SOHO!!!! If you can't make it please drop one of us a line or
ring/carrier pigeon etc.
Regards
Steve
PS Remember Joes buying the beers on Saturday so make the most of
it!!!
From: Kathy
Date: Wed Sep 19, 2001 2:49 pm
Subject: Re: [5YLAC] Weekend in Hull??
What is this debrief thing- do I need to go?
Great fun at the weekend, good work everyone- off to edit my film/
write stuff
for my website, see you soon
luv
Kathy

From: "paul holden"
Date: Wed Sep 19, 2001 6:14 pm
Subject:
Dear all,
This is Paulie (Rico) with a message to the crew present on the
beach of
death at the weekend.
I would like to thank you all for your unassailable efforts and
dedication
under such extreme weather conditions.
Your devotion to the cause meant that I suffered less! Sitting in
the
A-team van huddled away under a blanket, safe from the elements,
mumbling
non-sequiturs, blowing off indiscriminately and emerging only as
required.
All involved executed their tasks without complaint and with true
professionalism .... enabling me to bugger off quick sharp back to
shelter.
I have nothing but admiration for the hours you put in so
resolutely. I
doubt I could have had such resilience. Not that I am a big girls
blouse or
anything .... okay, so I am, we actors can't all be as butch as
you crew
people!
The irony in the presence of such incredible winds is that it will
make the
footage look that much (wilder) better. On viewing it I am sure
people will
wonder what sort of equipment was utilised to achieve such
effects.
I know that Susie (this weekend, a part-time crewie herself) and
Darryl echo
these sentiments as they had said as much on our journey home.
It's a well done all round and a big thank you.
Paulie-poo's.

Subject: [5YLAC] something for the weekend?

Created by Eddie on 24 Apr 2002 19:51:35

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 24 Apr 2002 19:51:35 by Eddie

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi there

I just wanted to say thanks for a great - if incredibly long Tuesday.

It was good to meet most of you guys on Tuesday, and see the folks that

is making Mortus Illumina. I had an excellent day - I apologise that we had

to take off pretty quickly and avoided much of the clearing up, but as it

was we didnt get home till 6.30.

Hope all of you that had to go to work got there OK.

All the best

Eddie Bar Men In Bar Scene

Subject: the shoot

Created by Kathy on 24 Apr 2002 22:33:05

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 24 Apr 2002 22:33:05 by Kathy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just to say to everyone great work over the 4 days. Hard work but good fun.

We seemed more pulled together as a team than last time- which is good

after the 6 month gap- lets not leave it so long next time. anyway see

you all at the debrief if we can find a location for one ;)

Kathy SPAM Team

PS- Nikki says if you are hungry then you're stuffed- shes not cooking!

Subject: Thanks for having me....

Created by Joe Pritchard on 24 Apr 2002 22:51:07

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 24 Apr 2002 22:51:07 by Joe Pritchard

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all,

And just to echo Chance....BLOODY WELL DONE!!!!!!

As a first timer on set I was fascinated by how everything came together,

and was once again struck by the 5YLAC professionalism. Apologies for

not being around for Monday and Tuesday, but my day job decided to intervene....:-(

Seriously, everything seemed to go swimmingly well, and I'm looking forward

to my next on-set experience. I just hope I didn't get in the way too

much....:-)

I won't be able to make the debrief this weekend due to prior GMOs (Ghastly

Moral Obligations) but would invite you all to pencil in Saturday 11th

May when I'll be coming down to do two things - a Marketing / PR / Executive

Producer type meeting AND hopefully an opportunity to buy folks beers and

stuff in the afternoon and early evening and to thank folks that I didn't

get around to thanking!

But thanks very much for all your efforts....and I hope that children everywhere

have filled in timesheets and expenses....:-)

Toodle-pip!

Joe - Executive Producer

Subject: Your all a bunch of sweeties! :P

Created by Noctis on 25 Apr 2002 08:13:01

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 25 Apr 2002 08:13:01 by Noctis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just like to take a few moments to say THANK YOU. For everything this

weekend, again sorry for not being there monday/tuesday, i've finished

the "SoundSpace" thing i've been doing, so thats all finished and everything.

Thanks to Suzy and Anna and all those other beautiful girls that realllllly

picked my day up, whenever i felt down or tired all i had to do was spot

one of you, and if i was feeling brave chat with you :0)

You all gave me a chance and i respect everyone who gave me that chance

to be myself, without the "pity the deaf guy" thing. So thanks to all you

beautiful people *you know who you are!!*

I hope everyone liked the effects i created while i was there :)

Thanks again, and i look forward to all my big hugs and kisses from my new

female friends!! *wink*

Mark (Noctis) Henderson - SFX Make Up

Subject: what a weekend!!!!!!

Created by Susan-Anne Lees on 25 Apr 2002 12:13:26

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 25 Apr 2002 12:13:26 by Susan-Anne Lees

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I really enjoyed worked over the Sunday to Tuesday night and meeting all you

guys :) I had a brill time and got to work with more than and cast and crew

of 8!!! (my previous best )

it was nice to see Joe as well as all the peeps who have been mailing me,

who I have never met..

hope you are all resting up as well as getting back to work :D

it was great and I really enjoyed working with such professionals and

chatting to you all and having the challenge of doing make ups on my own for

a day and masses of hair styles in a time period :D

hope to see you all soon, or at least being able to mail some of you :D

cant wait to the next shoot, hope its when im off college :)

oh and thanks for the best food ive had in months!!!!!!

lots of love hugs and powder puffs!!!

Sue Hair Stylist

x

Subject: RE: The Weekend

Created by Matt Connolly on 25 Apr 2002 14:00:11

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 25 Apr 2002 14:00:11 by Matt Connolly

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well guys,

we did it, have to say I had a great time this weekend meeting all of those

I hadn't previously met and working with those I had. Filming in the Rythym

factory was a brilliant time, although finally getting to bed at 6am for

2 hours sleep and then gettng up at 8am to go to work took its toll, no shit!

Can't wait for the chapel shoot, the sooner the better!! Anyway just wanted

to say that I truly enjoyed it and it was pleasure to work with you all

- I think a well deserved thanks to the production team for keeping us

fed and watered - without the cans of coke I don't think I woulda' made

it. Anway I mustn't ramble any further,

Look forward to having a liquid debriefing with you guys soon, and remember...if

you're names not down - you ain't coming in.

Matt C - Camera Assistant

Subject: {5YLAC} Re: That's the Bugger!!

Created by Tony Gowing on 25 Apr 2002 22:42:30

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 25 Apr 2002 22:42:30 by Tony Gowing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just like to say thanks to Brandon and Ran for the professional support

on set for the night club scenes.

With Nigel and Lloyd and Anna this was the best Cinematography team so far

. Everyone just got on with it: true professionalism. I even managed to

down fluids and food on this shoot, nice curry by the way.

Would have liked to have been on set for the whole shoot but unfortunately

illness took over.Apologies to everyone but I know that you all did a great

job throughout.

Well done everyone.

Tony Lighting Director

Subject: [5YLAC]another lil comment...

Created by Zoe Smith on 26 Apr 2002 13:40:09

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 26 Apr 2002 13:40:09 by Zoe Smith

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello, Zoe here...art dept. newbie...and 1st time poster (or summit like that).

Tuesday was my first, proper, full on, 5YLAC experience...'n' I wouldn't

have missed it for the world.

I feel very lucky, proud, 'n' many more things to have been invited and

welcomed into this company...thanQ!!!

It was lovely meeting those I did...'n' look 4ward to meeting more of you...

Until next time...

uh...that'd be sunday...yey

zoe Art Department

Subject: Mortis Aparrel

Created by Mark Wyndham on 29 Apr 2002 16:22:42

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 29 Apr 2002 16:22:42 by Mark Wyndham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a small note to say thank you to every one I met on the Moris Ilumini

shoot. I had a great time and enjoyed working with a bunch of like minded

professional people.

Also thank you to all who helped out with costume by bringing their own

stuff and not winge'ing when things didn't quite fit.

Hope to see you all on the next one,

yours from the darkest depths of vampire bliss.

Mark - Wardrobe Master

Message #2 of 5: Date Posted: 25 Apr 2002 14:00:16 by andy mealing (AJ)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chance,

May I say on behalf of the SPAM team, thanks for an enjoyable weekend's

shooting and a great Tuesady evening (albeit a little shorter for myself

having to leave at 11.40pm). Sadly, I will be unable to make the de-brief

this weekend as I am committed to work projects. But I trust everyone will

have a an extra beer in my absence.

The most important thing to come out of the last weekend is seeing how the

whole crew has started to gel as a team, and this makes everyones life both

easier and more enjoyable. Looking forward to the next exciting instalment

!!!

Oh, and by the way I managed to get one and three quarter hours of footage,

and will try to cobble together a rough edit some of it beofore the next

shoot.

Cheers

Andy (AJ) Mealing - Spam

Message #3 of 5: Date Posted: 25 Apr 2002 17:44:36 by darrell brockis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apologies to all I didn't say goodbye to on Tues in my rush to join the

westbound taxi. Well done everyone; it was the most enjoyable day's filming

I've had to date.

Steve, I have the receipt for the Acton taxi - I took it on to Ealing for an

extra £5.

Darrell. Actor Veil

Message #4 of 5: Date Posted: 25 Apr 2002 19:37:01 by Steve

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What can I say that hasn't already been said? We came, we saw and we

undoubtedly conquered a pretty rough shoot.

We relied less than ever on the skin remaining on our teeth and pulled back

the cover on the future of 5YLAC.

We're hitting all the right notes and most of them in the right places. It

shouldn't mean we get complacent about it (There are still a few instruments

in this band that need re-tuning and tweaking!) but if we push off from here

then the rest of this film and future projects are just going to get better

and better.

A BIG WELL DONE and THANK YOU to all those special people who have slogged

day and night to make this happen. I know that modesty means you wouldn't

want me to name each of you individually!!! Enjoy the high and get some

rest for the Chapel.

AND FINALLY...... In case nobody else says it directly I would like to

propose a toast to our illustrious leader and thank him for keeping the

faith in his dream - Well Done Chance - That's the Bugger!!

Looking forward to ripping the remaining areas for improvement apart and

polishing up the nun rollocking roller coaster ride that is 5YLAC for the

final downhill on Mortus.(Oh and finally getting round to having my first

beer after the shoot)

Cheers All and see you soon,

Steve Production Manager

Production Manager

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I HAD A FANTASTIC TIME AND I COULD NOT AGREE MORE WITH WHAT YOU SAY. THANKS

TO EVERYONE.#

ANA CALZADA. Clapper Loader

Subject: Thanks and now on to the chapel.......

Created by Brandon on 30 Apr 2002 14:25:03

1 Message #1 of 1: Date Posted: 30 Apr 2002 14:25:03 by Brandon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To all,

Sorry to miss the debrief (read heavy drinking session?) but another film

called.

Just wanted to say that the last shoot was one of the most enjoyable I have

worked on, and one of the best examples of teamwork to overcome problems and

make something visually exciting.

My own little thanks you's now (in no particular order)

To Chance first and foremost for the vision and drive as well as the energy to

keep in all moving in spite of little obstacles (Trucks and angry graveyard

keepers spring to mind)

To the cast, especially Paul who kept banging his head against the dock wall

untill we got the bugger!

To Nigel and the camera team for providing efficient movement and constant

humour and patience - especially Ran who sprinted off to steal dead branches

from the graveyard!

To Matt and JB for keeping everything on the shots moving along as an AD

should do - but somehow not managing to piss everyone off!

To Steve and all of production for looking after complaining techies and

feeding us all with a smile!!!

To James and Mark in sound for constantly amazing everyone with their

gadgets - any more Twix bars in those bags James? Or is that a plane?

To the Art department especially on the Bar Shoot for making such a great

looking set.

To Wardrobe for manaing to fit a pair of 44" pants on me, and fixing a

motorbike that the rest of us men could only stare at and ponder.

To hair and make up for coping with all the cast especially in the bar, and

getting them done so well and quickly.

To Samu who always knew what was going on - exactly!

Last and certainly not least to Jason for taking on the role of set whipping

boy with such good humour and all his help to everyone!

Like any good acceptance speech there's too many to mention individually,

but suffice to say I am looking forward to the Chapel shoot and am glad I've

been given the opportunity to work with this mad nun-beating crew!

Brandon - Gaffer

The Rodriguez, Blair Witch Myth Exposed

Thu, 7 Oct 2004 10:14:26 GMT

This was written after the first shoot of Mortus Illumina, still very much believe in the point below.

bear with us on the slow load time on this, didnt realise the picutres were so big anyway
Right the more and more shoots I do, the more convinced that Rodriguezs and the blair witch project and other low budget film books are all talking shite big time

And here how I reckon it works,

Right im a bout a 1/4 of the way through my first feature, and by this time next year the film should be well and truly in the can , and lets say ive taken it to a few places and low and behold cos its bloody excellent someone like MGM snap it up, they spend about a million quid on doing a transfer from DV to 35mm, give it a Dolby sound track, get the Mill boys on it to get the best quality for the transfer and low and behold it gets a theatrical release, at a drunken party someone from penguin books asks me to write a book on how I made the film for £10000 and I say in my drunken state yeap

First of all, they want to give it a qwerty title, I suggest Rebel with a Hang Over, but they don't like it they decide to stick to ripping off old movie titles and they call it something like Carry on Filming

Anyway the first part of the book is a riot, read about how are cinematography team got involved in a 5 car pile up whule recciing one of the locations, how we nearly had all the finance in place but then me and jenifer lopez fell out, read how I got the money by making tea at the beeb and selling plots of land on the moon blah blah blah, a good yarn of a story, the it comes to the second part of the book tentatility titled Chances Low Budget Film school

I start this bit of the book of with a scene from my film , the scene I choose is a scene in my film where the priest goes to his car and suddenly our equivalent of the devil appears next to him in the car and they have one of those evil plot setting convesations, all shot at night and it looks f*cking Fantastic, all the reflections in the right place on the car, moody atmorspehric lighting on the interior, no camera reflections in the car and no flare and heres where I make my Rodriguez type Claim

I tell you that scene was lit with A Chinese Lantern from B&Q and heres a piccy,

http://images1.fotki.com/v3/photos/6/6953/10733/carchineselatern-vi.jpg";>

thats my lighting guy tony putting the Chinese Latern in the car, and I tell you that to light it cost only the bargain of £10, the same way Rodriguez tells you all you need to light interiors is a coiple of tungsten bulbs, same way blair witch tell you how they lit the woods with lights from a DIY shop. For good Measure I throw in another picture of the chinese latern and theres a picture of the priest getting into the car; all good stuff.

http://images1.fotki.com/v3/photos/6/6953/10733/carchineselatern3-vi.jpg";>

http://images1.fotki.com/v3/photos/6/6953/10733/priestincar-vi.jpg";>

You;ve seen the film at the theatre or on DVD and seen the end result. So all it takes to light the interior of a car is a chinese latern and £10 and theres the pictures for proof, after all I wouldnt be lying now would I ?

On your low budget shoot, you take my advice when filming a scene at night in a car, you buy the chinese latern and put it in the car. Looking through the monitor your getting an effect which is good , but its a million miles away from what I had, you go back look at the book and scratch your head, you take your rushes home and watch them again and watch my film and try and figure it out

Well heres why you didnt get the same effect, the bigger picture.

http://images1.fotki.com/v3/photos/6/6953/10733/CarScene1-vi.jpg";>

Firstly what you cant see in that photograph is as well as having the chinese Latern, on the inside roof of the car is a giant gold reflector, also the Latern was covered in gels. And as you can see as well as the latern there were a few bigger lights, firstly there the Dado lights picking out the detail inside the car,

http://images1.fotki.com/v3/photos/6/6953/10733/car5-vi.jpg";>

following on from that theres the spill from a couple of 2 ½ Ks and three blonds lighting up the car itself, with a 8 ft by 4ft Polyboard killing the excess. On top of that the whole background is being lit by a couple of 5Ks

http://images1.fotki.com/v3/photos/6/6953/10733/car3-vi.jpg";>

Going back to Rodriguez going on about his bulbs, the bigger picture he must of had reflectors there at least as well as other lights , also being a film student it sureley couldnt of been to hard for him to get his hands on at least a couple of redheads. That whole no crew business, guy who pushed wheel chair = crew member, the person who fired the pyros = crew member , guys who erected death slide = crew etc etc Blair witch as well slight problem with there DIY lighting, where the hell did they get there power from ? they must of had a generator up there
Going on to rodriguez £7000 claim , well I told you that scene with the car cost a tenner, well on top of that tenner the rest of the lighting was about £300 quid for that night, along with a £100 quid for the hire of the car, plus we had to pay £200 quid to an electrician to fit a distribution box along with 100 metres of 60 Amp cable and a 32 sub distirbution box adding about another £100. On top of that there were 2 cast in that scene and about 10 crew all who I paid travel expensies plus provided accomodation and catered for adding easily another couple of hundred. Bit different from that tenner! I could go through my whole production like that saying this cost this etc exacltly like Rodriguez and blair wicth have done. On top of that theres always the £millions that the distributors spend in post on these films.
Even though both books our good for a read and a little inspiration I wouldnt take there claims to seriously just think of the bigger picture , remember theres a reason why big productions have so much kit and crew its not just to look pretty! As film making books both stink buy yourself a role of gaffer tape instead lot more useful !

As for the usbourne book on filmmaking that says all you need is to ask an adult If you can borrow there video camera, I ask you !

Chance