Jason's new film project - Searching for Sonny

[RangerCM]

LOVE IT!!!!

[allegrita]

*fanning Lucky* It's OK, honey... totally normal...

[eris]

Gorgeous test shot of Jason!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5 ... 3901719044

Be sure and hit the "next button" to scroll through all the pics. They're not all JD, but a few are.

[r1015bill]

OK, I'm going to just keep posting interesting shots as the other ML cast members deserve more attention.

Jason really is a vampire, isn't he? He looks so much younger than he did three years ago in ML.



In this case, I think his youngness is intentional. There's a separate shot of another SFS actor "looking like he did in Jr. High" with braces and a geeky hair style so I think there's a flashback scene of the main characters. In addition, the glasses actually belong to the other guy in the picture.

I really love how Andrew Disney is trying to involve everyone in his movie. Some of his facebook entries show a type of guerilla film making style that shows he's in it for the art, because he has to be.

Searching For Sonny Love Ol' South Pancake House? Love being in movies? Well combine your two loves and come be an extra this evening! 1509 S. University Drive at 4PM. Email extras@redproductions.com for more info.

Searching For Sonny Anyone have a black or dark Land Rover LR3 that we can use tomorrow for a few shots?

Shout out to Emerald who is a regular commenter over there.

[moonlight_vixen]

Gorgeous test shot of Jason!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5 ... 3901719044

OH. MY. GOD

[Emerald]

Shout out to Emerald who is a regular commenter over there.

Oh Hai *shouts back*

[Emerald]

Searching for Sonny on the CW33 News - there's some footage of Jason.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-search ... 9358.story

[RangerCM]

I was hoping someone would post that segment.

[clair]

I was hoping someone would post that segment.

I've got to agree. That was pretty neat. Loved seeing Jason even for those short blimps. Oh, and the whole extras/facebook thing was ok too....

[r1015bill]

Thanks Emerald!

[r1015bill]

I have to see this movie if for no other reason than to figure out what some of these shots are!



Here's a link to Day 10 pictures

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 6057349044

[Lilly]

Well, where do I begin? I’ve been away from the board for the past 5 days and the reasons for my absence are bittersweet.

For the last 2 weeks I’ve been communicating with Andrew Disney and with Searching for Sonny producer Greg Beauchamp working out the details of a set visit for myself and my 14-year-old son. We had arranged for a time for Christopher and I to fly down to Fort Worth to watch them make their movie magic. We were supposed to arrive late Friday night, get a good night’s sleep and then watch them shoot on Saturday and fly back to New York late Sunday afternoon.

Sadly, my father-in-law suffered a fatal heart attack last Wednesday evening. He was 82 and in declining health, but his loss came as a complete shock and was devastating to the family. We had decided to cancel our trip, but after a bit of discussion, the family felt that it was important that we try to go. “Gramp” was a dedicated family man and a very frugal individual. As the son of German immigrants and a child of the depression, he really hated waste and would have been very angry if we wasted the airfare we had already spent. So, we went – with heavier hearts, but we went.

Because we had to be back for the viewing and funeral, we had to change our return flight from Sunday to late Saturday afternoon. The folks at Red Productions were incredibly sympathetic and accommodating even though it meant we’d be visiting them on a night they weren’t really planning on us. They had recently switched to night shoots, running from 6pm to 6am, and the only way we’d be able to see anything at all was to go directly from the airport to the location.

When we arrived at 10pm on Friday night, they had already been working for 4 hours and we’d missed a couple of scenes that they’d already shot. They were working that night at a gorgeous mansion that was standing in for a number of locales in the film. Parts of it were to be used for Gary’s home, as well as the Mercers’ home and “Zack Hayes’ former house” depending on what rooms they were shooting in. The grand two-story entrance foyer was set up as a command center with directors’ chairs and monitors for viewing the scenes as they were being shot. By viewing simultaneously on the monitor, Andrew was able to see that each shot was framed and lit the way he wanted and that they had captured the action as he envisioned.

After Greg greeted us, he showed around the house, pointing out the various rooms that were being used. He also gave Christopher and I each a copy of the sides for the night. Since they were about to start shooting a new scene, he brought us back to the command center to watch. “Scene 43” was a flashback set in Gary’s living room in 2000. Gary, played brilliantly by Brian McElhaney, was to be sobbing, broken-hearted over his unrequited love for Eden (Minka Kelly), and scratching out the face of his rival Zack Hayes in the high school yearbook.

I just want to go on record right now that’s it’s entirely possible that Brian may totally steal the show in this film. They shot about 5 takes and each one was more hilarious than the last. He was both side-splittingly funny and heartbreaking at the same time, and he had the 7 or 8 of us gathered around the monitor laughing out loud. The poor guy had to have menthol blown into his eyes to create the tearing effect and it must have been irritating because he could hardly hold them open by the time he was done.

It was interesting for me to see the variations in the takes: some more whimpering, others full blown sobbing, some with broad sweeping strokes of the pen, others with fast and furious scribbles. I’d say it took about ten minutes or so to capture what will probably be no more than 15 seconds in the film.

I didn’t even realize Minka Kelly was sitting directly in front of me until she turned around and smiled after one of the takes. My poor son – I was trying to subtly point out to him that she was sitting right there and he thought I was pointing at the cool design on Searching for Sonny” directors’ chairs. Oy. He had no idea she was there and was quite disappointed when he found out he'd missed her.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was the only scene that we’d see shot that night.

After that we walked around a bit more and Christopher got a look at the thing that interested him even more than Minka Kelly – the RED One digital camera. At this point I should perhaps mention that my son is a tech geek – and I say that with the utmost affection. He is interested in all of the technical facets of filmmaking -- everything from cameras to lighting to sound recording and mixing. Even video editing – go figure. He was in his glory asking technical questions and I have to say I was very proud of him holding his own in conversations with the pros.

We headed outside to look at some of the lighting, I think, and happened to see Brian heading back to the “star” trailer. Greg called him over and we were introduced. I must have misunderstood what Greg had said earlier because I was utterly exhausted from 8 hours of travel and lack of sleep for the two previous nights. I guess I was under the impression that we’d have more time to talk to Brian later so we didn’t do much more than shake his hand and say hello and “delighted to meet you.” Otherwise, I would have told him that we’d recently become very big BriTANick fans and mentioned how much we enjoyed the scene he’d just shot.

A bit later in the kitchen, Greg was showing us the raw footage of the scenes that they’d shot at the Ol’ South Pancake House and the cemetery. Nick came in while we were watching and we were introduced to him as well. He wasn’t working that night, but came by to hang out and see what was going on.

A few minutes later “Red” Sanders, the driving force behind Red Productions came in and chatted with us for a bit. After he thanked us for our support of the film, he took time to listen to my son’s interests and seemed impressed with Christopher’s knowledge of Premiere Pro and After Effects, even going so far as to offer to answer any questions Christopher might have if he wanted to email him some time. Red could not have been more gracious to us. He invited us to have “lunch” (at 11pm) with the crew in the tent in back of the house, which would have been awesome, but by the time we were done viewing the dailies I just got the feeling that we needed to move on.

Earlier, Greg had explained to us that they were going to "close set" a bit later for an intense scene that involved Jason and Minka and chances were we weren't going to get to meet Jason.

Andrew Disney came by and we were formally introduced and we chatted for a bit with him. When he had to run off to get ready for the "intense" scene, I felt that Greg -- who had the patience of a saint with all our questions and comments, by the way -- was trying to wrap things up. He told me how very professional Jason is and spoke of his focus as he gets into his character, so it wouldn't be possible to disturb him before the scene. That is something I could absolutely understand and respect, but with uncharacteristic boldness, I asked "Well, how about afterwards?" He answered that it would likely be 5am -- and as it was only 11:30 at this point, I took that as a no.

Christopher had a few more questions about -- I don't remember what -- when Jason came walking out of the house. It was dark and the area wasn’t well lit, so I didn't even notice him, but Greg called him over and introduced us as "our friends, **** and Chris." As I was introduced, I mentioned last year’s golf interview that I did, which got a smile out of him. I told him that when I’d said I hoped to see him in “action” this year I'd meant on the golf course, and that I never imagined visiting the set of a film production. We talked a bit about why we were there and I explained what a wonderful opportunity it was for us to see a working production. He asked very incredulously, something to the effect, "You didn't come all the way here just for this, did you?" I explained that we traveled 8 hours to get there and were headed right back home the next day, he said, "That's CRAZY!" But it was an affectionate, appreciative, "holy crap" kind of "crazy."

About then, Christopher piped up and asked Jason if he could take a picture of Jason and I. God, I love that kid!! So he took about 3 shots and we looked at them on the screen on my camera to see if my eyes were closed. (Because in 95% of all pictures taken of me, my eyes are closed. ) Jason said "MY eyes are closed -- you look great!" Anyway he insisted we take a couple more and then Christopher took his turn posing next to him. So they were standing next to each other and I said "Dude, get the sides out of your pocket” -- I was talking to Christopher who had a big wad of papers sticking out of his sweatshirt -- but Jason looked down, kind of surprised until he realized it wasn’t him I was bossing around. He laughed and said, "I've always got 'em in my pocket too." He pulled his own copy out of his back pocket and they stood there holding their sides in their hands. He teased me that I was bit of a "director" -- but I told him it was just a "mom" thing.

After our photo op, I told him we knew he had an emotional scene coming up and we didn't want to keep him. He responded "No - it's OK."

There was a little more chit chat, but I got the sense that they really wanted to get moving on his scene. He thanked us profusely for coming, wished Christopher the best in pursuing his interests and then he hugged me goodbye.

You all know how much I adore Jason, so I'm sure you can imagine how I treasured those 10 minutes. The thing is, after the emotional rollercoaster we had been on, not eating or sleeping well for a couple of days and then traveling so far for a somewhat limited view of the process, the extra time he spent with us and the genuine wholehearted hug he gave me meant the world to me. Jason just has a way of making you feel like he's honored you came to see him -- I can't fully explain the effect that has on a person, but it's a rare and lovely thing to experience.

I had hoped to come back with more photos and stories for all of you. On another night, I think things would have been different. But given that we had barely two hours while they were shooting a variety of scenes in tight quarters and with the set being closed for most of the night, there just wasn’t the time or access I had hoped for. In spite of the change of plans, though, I can’t begin to tell you how very warmly we were welcomed by one and all. Their patience and their willingness to talk about everything from their vision for the film to the most mundane of details went above and beyond. The energy in the air was palpable that night and it was a true joy to be among a group of individuals who have such passion and dedication for what they do.



Photos:

Daytime shots of the mansion used on Day 8...






The set up that night..




The grip truck...



The Director's chair -- literally...



Cameraman Chris Rodriguez and the RED One camera...



Set up for a brief scene...



Jason and some woman...

[RangerCM]

Oh, my goodness! What an amazing experience for you and your son. I KNOW what this meant to you, but it will be a special memory for him forever.

Beautiful pictures, by the way! Seems to be a bit of a flaw in that wonderful shot of Jason..... can't see the lovely lady to his right.

[clair]

Lily, so sorry for your loss.

Thank you for sharing your story about visiting the Searching for Sonny set. The pics yo took are great. You take very nice clear pictures.

[allegrita]

Honey... what a week you had. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss... and I agree with your family that going to the film location was the right thing to do. And, even though it wasn't what you were hoping for, or expecting, it turned into a good experience. I think your "Gramp" would be glad that you made the best of a sad situation, and would be very happy for you that you met Jason. Thank you so very much for sharing this story with us.

You and Christopher went a very long way under really difficult circumstances, and you managed to make the experience a positive one. I'm very proud of you both, and very happy that you got a chance to meet Jason, Minka, Nick, Brian, Greg, "Red," Andrew, and all the rest.