Post from: Babbling Banshee Blog. Content copyright 2008 Starrynight Productions, Inc.

Banshee Caption Contest, Take 1

First Gosport.  We had cooperation from the local police and were able to tap the community gazebo for power.  We lit a drunk Ryan O’Brien plus Tommy and Shamus on the streets with a 1Kw Broad and a 500W Broad for frontlight and a 500W Broad as a kicker in an ally.  The Gosport Police were a great help and the local tavern provided some on-set audience.

Next, the Banshee Bridge.  About 45 minutes southwest of Spencer is the Banshee Bridge where Ryan O’Brien meets his Banshee nemesis, played by Shani.  We had about four different setups for the filming (which began about 2:30 in the morning) using the 1Kw Broad as well as up to four more 500W Broads.  We were lighting the bridge as well as the actors for this encounter.  To power the lights, Russ was able to secure a 5000W gasoline generator (which eventually started).  Rather than try and use the lightboard and DMX dimmer packs, I decided to go for the full Guerilla Gaffer technique.  I got some more stringers and patched 600W (and a 1Kw) dimmer switches inline near the recepticle end.  So, we were able to power and control all of the Broads with dimmable stringers.

Thus far I’ve been wearing the following hats; lighting designer, Gaffer, Electrician, and still photographer (along with Yvonne).  The shoot on the Banshee Bridge also allows me to add the title of either Stunt Coordinator or Rigger (I’m not sure which would be more appropriate).  Since we had the Banshee hanging around on the edge of this bridge, 30 feet above the fast moving Eel River, we wanted to take precautions.  Shani, being a real Trouper, was ok with doing her own stunts, so I strapped her into a climbing harness and tethered her to the bridge with 4000# test tubular nylon webbing, just in case.

The rest of the shots that day were after dawn and we used available light and didn’t need the reflectors for fill, so we got those shots in the can pretty quickly.

Post from: Babbling Banshee Blog. Content copyright 2008 Starrynight Productions, Inc.

On location lighting; drunkards and Banshees on bridges

• Locations (all Southern Indiana): town of Gosport, bridge on private property near Johnstown, Rose Hill Cemetery, and Jug Rock in Shoals.
• Some local color happened in front of a bar in the streets of Gosport after filming was done. Otherwise, the residents and town police were very supportive. Thank you, Gosport!
• Roy is acrophobic and wasn’t thrilled about crossing a high metal bridge with open slats on the foot path. However, because it was too dark to really see and the crew put down some ply board, he didn’t have to much trouble with that scene. I did hear that Roy couldn’t move well in his leprechaun costume and that he was asked to jump off of a fallen tree over and over. Poor guy!
• I heard that the Banshee was awesome and that Shani completely nailed it, even if she was virtually blind during most of her scenes (I’m blind without my glasses too, my sympathies, Shani!).
• Austin got stuck in the mud when leaving the bridge for the next location, which got Russell stuck. And then Chris nearly got mud in his face when he pulled up to render assistance.
• Russell and Chris procured top soil for the interns to recreate a simulate a freshly-dug grave at Rose Hill Cemetery.
• Russell was very happy with the work done but was understandably exhausted after being awake for over thirty hours straight (as was probably the rest of the hard working men and women of Banshee).

That’s all I’ve got. Any more rumors? Confirmed stories?

Post from: Babbling Banshee Blog. Content copyright 2008 Starrynight Productions, Inc.

Things Overheard About Yesterday’s Filming

I’d like to welcome bloggers Jessie Dyer, Costumes, and Jason Harris, Cinematography, who will hopefully some find time to dazzle us all with their witty insights on the production very soon.

The Case of the Missing Cast List

Erm, yes, I’m aware that an official Banshee film page has yet to appear on the Starrynight website. I have about three-quarters of cast/crew info I need. When the site is updated, you can be sure that it will be announced here.

Castle Aaaaaagh…

Loveland Castle, Ohio. Note the lack of snow. Photo by Jenny McGee.

I had to miss out on filming last week and I will miss out this weekend too due to a long-standing engagement (seeing Spring Awakening in Columbus) but I hope everyone has a good time on location! The castle (and its history) is very cool. And you’ll have it all to yourselves.

The Cormack MacArt tale is probably my favorite of the bunch. I’m looking forward to seeing how Russell integrates animation with the live action filmed at the castle.

Post from: Babbling Banshee Blog. Content copyright 2008 Starrynight Productions, Inc.

Miscellany

Please be sure to add the Banshee Blog to your feed reader to see the latest news and updates. Any questions about the film may be directed to me at artisticdirector [at] starrynightproductions [dot] com.

Thanks for stopping by!

Post from: Babbling Banshee Blog. Content copyright 2008 Starrynight Productions, Inc.

Welcome!