 This journal catalogues the progress of this film since December of 2000. A great deal has changed, and as more progress is made this page will continue to have all the updates. Enjoy the reading and hopefully in a short time you can enjoy the film!- Heath McKnight Writer, Producer, Director |
| August 02, 2013 |
| We got an A- review from Mike Spring at DVD Snapshot! He really enjoyed 9:04 AM and the DVD extras. Check out his review here, and pick up a copy here. [top] |
| June 07, 2013 |
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I'm happy to say 9:04 AM is now available for purchase on DVD! Visit our 9:04 AM e-store to get your copy today!
Amazon Instant Video for rent and a digital version of 9:04 AM to buy will be available soon. Thank you to everyone, my cast, crew, fans, friends and family for all your support, hard work and patience! [top] |
| February 05, 2013 |
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Hey everyone, the artwork and disc is done! Special thanks to Jeremiah Hall for editing the making-of documentary and creating the cover art and the DVD menus, and Matt Shubert for a little polish work on the cover.
The release date has changed to give us extra time for promotion and also some contests. The DVD will drop in May 2013. Want to win a free copy? Our first two contests include one lucky Facebook fan and one of Twitter followers winning a free copy of the DVD, so please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! Contest ends May 31, 2013. The special features include: 1. Commentary by director Heath McKnight 2. "The Making of 9:04 AM" documentary 3. Production stills 4. Trailer 5. "Conversations...", a short film that thematically bridges "Skye Falling" and "9:04 AM." 9:04 AM trailer from Heath McKnight on Vimeo |
| January 28, 2013 |
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We have some exciting news to announce soon about 9:04 AM! Sorry it's been so quiet for so long, but we're getting close to a major 9:04 AM announcement!
Be sure to like the official 9:04 AM page on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, @904am for up-to-date information. Check out the trailer here: 9:04 AM trailer from Heath McKnight on Vimeo [top] |
| October 08, 2009 |
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It's been a lot of fun, but it's time to take down 9:04 AM from Exposure Room and YouTube (webisodes). Thank you all for your support and I really hope you dug the film!
That means I'm working on the DVD! I've begun the task of putting together the extras and Grant and I still need to do our interviews for the 9:04 AM documentary. I'll have another update soon. -Heath [top] |
| September 04, 2009 |
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Today is September 4, 2009 or 9/04/09. So in honor of today, and for one week only, you can watch the entire film for free here at 904am.com! It's not webisodes like at youtube.com/mpsdigital! Make sure you have the latest version of the free QuickTime player (Apple and Windows) by visiting apple.com/quicktime.
Pass the link along!! You can also watch it here: exposureroom.com/904am And thanks to Sean who designed 904am.com for helping me out with this! [top] |
| August 01, 2009 |
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I'm starting on the DVD for 9:04 AM finally. I spent nearly two years working on a film called December, which started development in 2007 (right after the 9:04 AM premiere), and I was the co-producer and co-editor.
But now it's time to get to work! The movie has been completely mastered with great sound and as usual, the picture is wonderful, thanks to Cinematographer Jon Fordham and his crew. Next up, Grant A. Balfour and I are going to do interviews for the DVD, and I'll get to work on the special features which will include commentary, a documentary on the making of the film, deleted/extended scenes, and more. The goal would be to try and release it on September 4, 2009 (aka, 9/04/09), but the end of the year is more likely. We may do something special on Sept. 4--stay tuned. Blu-ray? Let's see what I can do! - Heath McKnight, Co-Writer/Producer/Director [top] |
| June 30, 2009 |
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Working on the DVD soon. Check out the 9:04 AM trailer:
9:04 AM trailer from Heath McKnight on Vimeo. [top] |
| May 24, 2009 |
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The 9:04 AM screening at the 2009 Delray Beach Film Festival was fantastic! Marissa Medal (Amanda), Brock Harris Hill (Phil), Talia Monson (Christie), and Greg Nappo (Don the Mechanic) were all in attendance, along with me (Heath McKnight/director). I had a lot of fun and this is the second film festival 9:04 AM has been in.
There are a couple of photos (Brock, his fiancee, and her sister had to leave before I could snap off a photo) here, but check out this picture of Greg, me, Talia and Marissa. This is Marissa's first screening EVER! A month after we wrapped in late October 2006 (and days after she re-looped some dialogue), she left on a long trip for her new job. We haven't seen her in over 2.5 years! Thanks to everyone who attended!! It was a lot of fun. And yes, the DVD is coming soon. I'm sorry about the delays, but I'm finishing everything this summer for a fall 2009 release. [top] |
| May 06, 2009 |
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UPDATE! The time has changed to 2:15 PM; 9:04 AM Delray Beach Film Festival info! The film will be screening on Sunday May 24, 2009 at the Crest Theater in Delray Beach, FL.
Get more info here. I hope to see you all there!! [top] |
| April 04, 2009 |
| 9:04 AM has been accepted into the Delray Beach Film Festival, which takes place May 19-25, 2009! I'll have more details, times, etc., very soon! For now, visit http://www.dbff.us/ for more information! [top] |
| October 03, 2008 |
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Check out The 9:04 AM Channel at Vimeo! Higher quality version of the webisodes, starting with the trailer and part 1!
9:04 AM trailer from Heath McKnight on Vimeo. [top] |
| August 20, 2008 |
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9:04 AM webisodes are back, due to popular demand! See the entire film in webisode form at http://www.youtube.com/mpsdigital!
Start with part 1: [top] |
| July 06, 2008 |
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Sorry for the HUGE lack of updates, probably the most time of me not updating in a few years. Anyway, I recently co-produced a feature film called DECEMBER, and I'm currently editing it.
I'm going to start looking at more screenings of 9:04 AM in Florida; as for film fests, I may still submit to one or two, but I love doing screenings more. I can interact with the audience, and we always have fun. Also, we're already moving onto our next film, The 3 Geeks, so I'll have some updates on that. The 9:04 AM DVD and soundtrack are coming soon, I promise. Be well! Heath ps-Okay, so I put up a few more webisodes of 9:04 AM at youtube.com/mpsdigital. I may put up more, because we had a lot of success with the MySpace webisodes. [top] |
| March 07, 2008 |
| 9:04 AM webisodes, found at myspace.com/904am, will be coming down by Sunday March 9, 2008, by midnight. Thanks for watching them--it's been a great way to see 9:04 AM online, in webisode form. [top] |
| February 25, 2008 |
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Just a reminder that 9:04 AM is screening in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the Cinema Paradiso, Feb. 25 at 8 PM. Tickets are only $5. Click here for details and directions.
See you there! Heath [top] |
| January 17, 2008 |
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9:04 AM is screening in Ft. Lauderdale on February 26, 2008 at 8 PM, $5! For information and directions to the Cinema Paradiso, click here. See you there!
9:04 AM part 16 Add to My Profile | More Videos The final webisode of 9:04 AM. Heartbroken, Amanda talks to Justin at the hotel. Find out what happens. Music by Grant Balfour and Jonathan Wilkins. See parts 1-15 here. Thanks for watching! Heath [top] |
| January 13, 2008 |
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9:04 AM part 15 Add to My Profile | More Videos Phil tries to do the right thing, while Amanda and Justin make a bad discovery. Music by DIRTROCKET, Charles Mahon of the Algebra, Jonathan Wilkins and Jessica Santaferraro. See parts 1-14 here. Only one webisode left! [top] |
| January 11, 2008 |
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9:04 AM part 14 .. Add to My Profile | More Videos Suzy stands up to the controlling Monique, but what happens? Plus, Justin learns the truth about his friendship with Amanda. Music by Grant Balfour and Harry of Squeaky. See parts 1-13 here! Also, see the feature film "Skye Falling" and the short "Conversations...," on Stage6. I consider Skye, Conversations and 9:04 AM to be an unofficial trilogy. They're linked together by common themes and similar characters and situations. But there's a progression from each film, from the start of Skye to the end of 9:04 AM. I hope you enjoy Skye and Conversations! Watch Skye Falling. Watch Conversations... You'll need to download the most-excellent DivX player, which is free, to watch the movies. [top] |
| January 04, 2008 |
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See 9:04 AM on YouTube:
[top] |
| January 03, 2008 |
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9:04 AM part 13 Add to My Profile | More Videos This is it! The final battle between Billie and Mark Lang (aka, Doug Singer from Intergalactic Odyssey). Amanda and Dan talk, and she decides if she'll go to the park with Justin, or hang out with Christie, for the Fourth of July. Meanwhile, things get rough between Monique and Suzy, plus Justin worries about Suzy. Featuring music by Lance Stranahan, Setting Sun and shortSTACK! See parts 1-12 here. [top] |
| January 02, 2008 |
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I'm posting 9:04 AM clips on stage6.com daily, which uses the DivX codec, so if you want to see much better versions of the 9:04 AM webisodes, go to http://www.stage6.com/user/hmcknight/videos/. You'll need DivX to view the webisodes, it's a great, wonderful, awesome free player. Example of part 5, when Suzy meets Monique:
Here's part 5 from MySpace: 9:04 AM part 5 Add to My Profile | More Videos I'll still be uploading to MySpace, but this is another great site and service that I really love. Heath [top] |
| January 01, 2008 |
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See 9:04 AM at a much better quality at stage6.com/user/hmcknight/videos/! You'll need to download the free DivX Player here. Just select the Player and download.
Join Stage6 for free and leave me a comment! heath [top] |
| December 29, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 12 .. Add to My Profile | More Videos Billie stalks Mark Lang, who is starting to go crazy, in his motel room, while Phil is haunted by nightmares. Christie talks to her younger sister Amanda about Amanda's failing relationship with Dan. Music by Grant Balfour, JoMiCo and Jonathan Wilkins. See parts 1-11 here!heath [top] |
| December 25, 2007 |
| Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Watch 9:04 AM on MySpaceTV! [top] |
| December 22, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 11 Add to My Profile | More Videos Billie tries tracking down sci fi actor/author Mark Lang at a local comic shop, while Dan and Amanda fight over cell phones. Featuring music by Jonathan Wilkins, Dirtrocket and Grant Balfour. 9:04 AM part 10 Add to My Profile | More Videos Justin and Amanda bond, and share their most secret successes and failures. Featuring music by Harry of Squeaky. See parts 1-9 here! Heath [top] |
| December 13, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 9 Add to My Profile | More Videos Featuring music by Quitzow! See parts 1-8 here! I recently talked to Maria de Jesus Castellon (Monique) about why chose Quitzow and Setting Sun (they both play in each other's band, and produce each other's work) for the Monique and Suzy scenes: Awesome! It's a girl named Quitzow, and it was produced (or co-produced) by Gary Leavitt of Setting Sun. FYI, the song when Monique and Suzy meet the guys, plus the song when Suzy is dressed like Monique and she slams Suzy against the wall, that's Setting Sun. Setting Sun is darker, and I think Quitzow is, too. That's Monique music. When Suzy first meets her, a punk-pop band not unlike early No Doubt, called shortSTACK is playing. This is Suzy music. You really don't hear that band again, until the park, because Monique took over Suzy's life. Wow, I didn't mean to go on like that, but that's why I chose it. Find out more at myspace.com/quitzow and Setting Sun's MySpace page. [top] |
| December 11, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 8 Add to My Profile | More Videos See parts 1-7 here! [top] |
| December 06, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 7:
9:04 AM part 7 Add to My Profile | More Videos See parts 1-6 here! [top] |
| December 02, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 6 Add to My Profile | More Videos Featuring music by Lightning Type and Dirtrocket! See parts 1-5 here! Heath [top] |
| November 26, 2007 |
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Part 5 of 9:04 AM...when Suzy meets Monique!
9:04 AM part 5 Add to My Profile | More Videos See parts 1-4 here. [top] |
| November 23, 2007 |
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Hey everyone,
It's the day after Thanksgiving, and that means it's Black Friday! Why not avoid long lines and shop at the MPS Digital Studios store for some cool 9:04 AM, Skye Falling, and more t-shirts, clothes, posters and more?! Use the FRFAM2007 code at checkout to save $15 on orders of $50 and more! Free shipping on orders over $75 (use the code SHIP07)! Also, looking for a new DVD to watch? How about Skye Falling? It includes the feature length movie, commentary track, documentary, extended scenes and more, all for the new low price of $14.99! If you don't want special features, pick up Skye Falling for only $9.99 here! Happy Holidays! Heath [top] |
| November 21, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 4 Add to My Profile | More Videos See parts 1-3 here. Happy Thanksgiving! [top] |
| November 18, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 3 Add to My Profile | More Videos [top] |
| November 13, 2007 |
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9:04 AM part 2 Add to My Profile | More Videos 9:04 AM part 1 Add to My Profile | More Videos [top] |
| November 11, 2007 |
| Check out parts 1 and 2 of 9:04 AM at myspace.com/904am. Also, working on a new screening as we speak, hence no updates. [top] |
| November 08, 2007 |
| I should have news soon on booking the next screening of 9:04 AM. Stay tuned for details! Sign up for our e-newsletter at mpsdigital.com. It's on the homepage, in the lower left-hand corner. [top] |
| October 08, 2007 |
| While I work on the next round of screenings, check out hellevatormovie.com for details on a little short film we shot recently. [top] |
| October 06, 2007 |
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Good gravy! 9:04 AM started production one year ago today! It was a Friday, and we were shooting in the park. A beautiful day, and I consider that lucky compared to South Florida these days.
Anyway, wow, one year. This could possibly be the absolute FASTEST year of my life. Wow. So, I'm going to be talking to some movie theatres soon about more screenings. I'm hoping to attract more viewers with season (season for us is when many people come down to Florida for the winter--snowbirds) kicking in by November. More details soon! heath [top] |
| September 11, 2007 |
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Don't forget to watch the first 5 1/2 minutes of 9:04 AM on our MySpace page.
I'm approaching a few theaters about screenings later this year. More details soon. Also, thanks for voting for 9:04 AM and 3 Sisters on IMDb. Would you please watch Release Me here and vote for it on the official IMDb page, please? Thanks! [top] |
| September 03, 2007 |
| Watch the first 5 1/2 minutes of 9:04 AM on the official 9:04 AM MySpace page! [top] |
| August 28, 2007 |
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Please check out 3 Sisters here and vote for it on the IMDb page. 3 Sisters is a prequel to 9:04 AM. Cristy Joy Slavis, who plays Christie here (Talia Molé Monson plays Christie in the feature), plays a goth in 9:04 AM.
The official page for 3 Sisters can be found at 3sistersmovie.com. [top] |
| August 09, 2007 |
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Some new photos are up over here, near the bottom. Pix from the first screening at the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival and the second screening at the Cinema Paradiso.
Also, please vote for 9:04 AM at IMDb if you saw it! You'll need a free membership to vote. Review if you wish. Lastly, the clip from a little while ago, and be sure to check out and friend the 9:04 AM MySpace page. More updates soon!! [top] |
| August 07, 2007 |
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Hey everyone, if you've seen 9:04 AM, please give a vote on how you liked it over at IMDb.com. You'll need to have a free membership to rate it. And write a review, if you'd like!
Thanks! [top] |
| July 27, 2007 |
| Sorry for the lack of updates; we're going to do more screenings this fall. And fyi, here's a photo of Laura (Suzy), Grant (co-writer) and I doing commentary for the DVD! [top] |
| June 19, 2007 |
| New clip is up here, so check it out! [top] |
| June 10, 2007 |
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Last night's screening was great! Special thanks to the Cinema Paradiso and Hal Axler, plus Frank and the rest! It was an excellent turn-out and the reaction from members of the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival and others was very positive.
Our next screening hasn't been scheduled, but the 9:04 AM Road Tour moves on! Expect more details, including details of the DVD, soon! For now, check out photos and the trailer. [top] |
| May 31, 2007 |
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Don't forget next week's Ft. Lauderdale premiere of 9:04 AM at the Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Details of the event can be found here . It's on June 9, 2007 at 8 PM. I hope visitors to the site can make it, if you live in the area. If you don't, you need a South Florida vacation! Directions can be found here.
Also, the trailer is here. [top] |
| May 04, 2007 |
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The next screening is at the Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Click here for more infomation . It's on June 9, 2007 at 8 PM. You can find directions here.
Also, don't forget to check out the trailer here. Also, I found out that 9:04 AM is listed on the New York Times movie page! Cool! [top] |
| April 29, 2007 |
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Well, it's been a week since the premiere, which was preceded by a couple of crazy months getting the film finalized! WHEW! Anyway, we're working on some new screenings in South Florida theatres over the next couple of months. More details soon.
In the meantime, check out the trailer here. [top] |
| April 25, 2007 |
| Some premiere photos can be found in the Photos section! [top] |
| April 22, 2007 |
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I had a great time last night, as did everyone who came out! Thanks, of course, to everyone who came out to support us. I really hope you dug the film.
I was also completely stunned to win a Filmmaker Award from the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission for our premiere at the Palm Beach International Film Festival! I've never won an award before, so this is a HUGE deal. Thanks again to my cast, crew, family, friends and more who helped make this film possible. Now, it's time to get the film out into other film fests and a theatrical run! Details coming soon!! -heath [top] |
| April 21, 2007 |
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You can still buy tickets for tonight's premiere of 9:04 AM at the theatre. It screens at 9 PM and there will likely be a Q & A afterward. The majority of the cast will be there, as will the crew. so come on out!
Sunrise Cinemas 301 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432 Part of the Palm Beach International Film Festival! [top] |
| April 18, 2007 |
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Hey everyone, This Saturday, April 21 is the official premiere of 9:04 AM! Here are the details: 9 PM Sunrise Cinemas 301 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432 It's part of the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival. Buy tickets here (I recommend doing so now). Oh, and check out the trailer here and grab a poster, t-shirt, etc., over here! See you there! Heath 904am.com mpsdigital.com [top] |
| April 13, 2007 |
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I'm finishing up sound post and design (fixing audio, equalizing, laying in sound fx, etc.) and then I'm...gasp!...done! Wow. Only 10 years (from the first draft of the script, before I went and did another feature and a bunch of shorts) to get to this point. How about that?
Anyway, don't forget to check out the trailer! More info on the premiere at the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival on April 21 at 9 PM: Sunshine Cinemas Address 301 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432 Buy tickets ahead of time right here! [top] |
| April 08, 2007 |
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Check out the trailer!
More info on the premiere at the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival on April 21 at 9 PM: Sunshine Cinemas Address 301 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432 Buy tickets ahead of time right here! [top] |
| April 06, 2007 |
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Visual effects are in, sound is being fixed, sound effects are being added and more. Color correction is next, along with a couple of extra things.
Basically, the movie is very close to completion. More soon. Premiere info: April 21, 9:00PM Sunrise Cinemas (via the Palm Beach International Film Festival) Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida! For more details, For info, click here. [top] |
| April 04, 2007 |
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9:04 AM is listed on IMDb, which is pretty cool. Plenty of filmmakers and actors would KILL to be on IMDb. Seriously. I don't think I'd go that far, but I certainly think it's cool!
Don't forget the premiere info: April 21, 9:00PM Sunrise Cinemas (via the Palm Beach International Film Festival) Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida! For more details, For info, click here. [top] |
| April 01, 2007 |
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I'm almost done cutting the trailer (it's gone through a lot of revisions), and it's looking great. As soon as it's ready, I'll put it up here!
As for the film itself, still trimming away; I received our final song (for now--if we need another, I'll be talking to our musicians) and it's sounding great. Douglas Spotted Eagle, a very good friend and colleague of mine, is helping out with post-production sound. More sound design this week, so we're getting closer and closer to the deadline! We're very close, a little less than 3 weeks from the premiere at the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival on April 21, 9:00PM, at the Sunrise Cinemas at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida! For more details, click here. [top] |
| March 29, 2007 |
|
It's funny how far we've come with technology; in 2001, when Grant and I were wrapping up post on Skye Falling, all music, etc., had to be delivered via CD, because we didn't have broadband.
But during the Skye DVD production, he sent me updated songs (for the re-mastering) via email, if it wasn't too big, and Jeremiah delivered an animation intro (over 100 mb!) for the DVD menu via AOL Instant Messenger. Nowadays, yousendit can handle VERY large files. Most of the musicians supplied their songs this way, though famed Metallica producer Flemming Rasmussen, who mastered Dirtrocket's songs, put them up on his site. Matt Miller is delivering a lot of the F/X this way, too. In fact, Matt and I were chatting via AIM and he would email or yousendit me F/X previews to approve. I would look, ask for a change, he'd make it, render the preview and re-send it. BTW, we're pretty much done with F/X! Modern technology makes life so much easier. BTW, in case you hadn't heard, we have our date, time and location for the premiere: Date: Sat. April 21st Time: 9:00PM Theater: Sunrise Cinemas at Mizner Park in Boca Raton For more details, click here and over here. When ticket info goes up, I'll post it up! [top] |
| March 27, 2007 |
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We have the date, time and location of the 9:04 AM screening!
Date: Sat. April 21st Time: 9:00PM Theater: Sunrise Cinemas at Mizner Park in Boca Raton For more details, click here. When ticket info goes up, I'll post it here! [top] |
| March 27, 2007 |
| We're getting a lot closer to completion. Sound and visual effects this week. Don't forget about the clip at the 9:04 AM MySpace page. [top] |
| March 24, 2007 |
|
Grant and I were working on the music the other night, and I told him there was an issue with some scenes and sequences I'd shuffled around. Essentially, it worked either way, except for one tiny issue.
When I moved it, I "killed" one day in a three-day sequence, meaning you saw three days happen. Scenes in three days. I made it so it's only two days. Ok, still no problem. But Grant and I realized that we couldn't have a scene that once ran in day 2 (of 3 days) now running at the end of day 1, because no one would be at a comic book shop at 12 in the morning! I am being a little vague to ruin the story. Essentially, I created a time continuity error trying to make three days into two. So, I moved things back around and also had it so the third act is 30 minutes long vs. 40, like it was after I shuffled things around the first time, creating 2 davs vs. 3. The three day sequence is closer to the script again and works. Editing isn't just about putting things together to script. Bascially, you have to see if things work or not, and if they don't, move it or cut it. Don't be afraid to cut your favorite shot if it doesn't move the story forward. It works, trust me! Skye Falling could've used some edits! The movie is running around 85-86 minutes, which is great! I keep cutting it, making it nice, lean and tight. This is good for a character- and dialogue-driven movie. [top] |
| March 18, 2007 |
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I am tweaking the audio and should have it done in a few days, along with some cleaned up and re-looped audio soon, too. Grant and I are meeting this week to go over the final song layout in the movie, and to tweak anything in that dept.
F/X are coming in next week, so Matt Miller can finish the polishes, etc. After that, we do the final mix of the audio and color correction (aka, grading). We should be finished in a few weeks, but I'll keep everyone up-to-date. We're not going to do what happened with Skye Falling, which was finished two days (!!!) before the release in July 2001. And it was more of a 90% final cut, and by the DVD release in October 2003, I fixed some mistakes. Glad I learned from said mistakes! More later, heath [top] |
| March 17, 2007 |
|
Have you seen the 9:04 AM clip I put up a little while ago? It's rough, but check it out!
Well, I put in some more music, but of course once Grant and Jon W. come by, we'll probably move some stuff around, etc. I'd say we have around 85% or more of the music in. That and the 2 1/2 minutes I cut out of the movie last week + delivery of effects early next week (we've been cutting them together and tweaking while Matt M. makes further adjustments) means the film is almost done. As soon as I hear the day/time for the screening of 9:04 AM at the Palm Beach International Film Festival, I'll post it up here ASAP. heath ps-Happy St. Patty's Day, be safe. [top] |
| March 13, 2007 |
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Just a little side note...a short horror film from writer/director Lance Stranahan which I Line Produced and Jon Fordham shot is premiering tonight at the Delray Beach Film Festival. If you can make it to IN THE FLESH, please do!
Another short, THE VIRGIN AND THE DEMON, which I also Line Produced (directed by Mr. C, a former student of mine), will screen, too. [top] |
| March 12, 2007 |
|
Matt Miller, part of the unofficial "Matts" (Matt Beers being the other half of the "Matts") and I are meeting up to start cutting the visual effects sequences together. He'll then output them and I'll put them into the film.
We're very close to completion, however Psych and I need to re-shoot one or two establishing shots because I'm not happy with a couple of shots. Also, got music from Squeaky, a Gainesville band whose music has been in, well, almost all my films. Grant always sneaks their stuff in, and it's always good. They're harder, so it's good. I'm happy to continue the tradition of having Squeaky on the soundtrack. They even on occasion have a sound like Helmet, one of my favorite metal bands. Received two songs from Dirtrocket that are hard rock, a little bit of Soundgarden influence (next to Radiohead and Air as one of my top favorite bands of all time), that are absolutely rocking. They even wrote a song based on something I requested which rocks! We may throw in another song from an indie woman singer on the west coast of the USA who sounds a little like Joni, Carly and even a female version of Jeff Buckley. More soon, including, hopefully, the day/time 9:04 AM premieres at the Palm Beach International Film Festvial. [top] |
| March 11, 2007 |
|
I cut out around 2 to 2 1/2 minutes from the film, specifically in two key scenes (which make up a sequence) that ran over 7 minutes total--fyi, it used to be one large scene, but I split it up with another "cutaway" scene, if you will, to give the audience a breather. The middle scene now sets up the final part of the overall sequence.
Anyway, it's down to 4:30, so yes, it's better. I'm going to run it by Matt, my assistant editor and see if we can shave it down a little more. Some music will help, too. I may put in a score for these two scenes, which doesn't feature much in the film, as we've been going with indie bands. The movie's running time is looking good, under 90 minutes, but I won't know the final time until F/X are in and any other trims are made, plus final end titles. I'm pretty sure it'll stay below 90 minutes. Good length, by the way. More soon, including the date and time of the screening at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. [top] |
| March 07, 2007 |
| 9:04 AM will be premiering at the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival! We don't have a final date and time, but visit 904am.com often for more details! Trailer coming soon, too!!! [top] |
| March 04, 2007 |
| Well, around 2/3 of the movie now has music in it, after we worked for almost 4 hours. I need to cut a few more minutes out of the movie, then we'll wrap up everything. I'm still waiting on delivery of a few songs, but so far, so good. [top] |
| March 02, 2007 |
| I spoke too soon...Jon Wilkins WILL be joining Grant and I to start placing music in. If you want to check out some of the bands, visit the 9:04 AM Music page. [top] |
| February 22, 2007 |
| We're wrapping up "scouting" for music, and should have another 3 or 4 songs in place shortly. Grant and I are going to start working on putting the music in very soon. Jon Wilkins' band The Postmarks are on a tour right now and kicking serious butt, but he'll be around for final approval! [top] |
| February 15, 2007 |
| Did you know there are some shorts in the 9:04 AM universe? For instance there is 3 Sisters, a prequel with Marissa Medal as Amanda, Sarah Elizabeth Kenny as Billie and a different Christie (played by Cristy Joy Slavis, who plays a goth in 9:04 AM). There's another prequel, Suzy's Out, with a different Suzy (played by Emily Taylor). Lastly, there is Push/Pull, a sort of sequel to 9:04 AM. [top] |
| February 15, 2007 |
|
We're almost done getting our songs in from some amazing musicians and bands. There are some very talented artists in the world that deserve to be heard, and I hope we can be a small part of getting them out there.
Matt Miller is still working on the F/X, and they're looking great. He should have final delivery in a few weeks. The film's getting closer and closer to completion! [top] |
| February 10, 2007 |
|
We're getting closer to completion, and things are looking great! The F/X are very cool, the bands we're working with have a killer sound and, of course, the movie is coming together very nicely.
On another note, we've announced our follow-up film, which will be an adaptation of the indie comic book The 3 Geeks. Check out mpsdigital.com and richkoslowski.com for more info. [top] |
| February 03, 2007 |
| We're postponing the screening for Grant and Jon until I feel better, as I got sick...again...for the third time since December...Oh, well, but the film looks great! [top] |
| February 02, 2007 |
| Added in the establishing shots, F/X are going to be coming in soon, so things are good all around. I'm having a special screening for two of our biggest music contributors and supervisor (a guy named Jon Wilkins and of course, Grant) tomorrow/Saturday 2-3-07. We're going to watch the latest cut and start thinking of where music will go. [top] |
| January 24, 2007 |
|
An update...we're starting the final cut, and things are coming together nicely. Psych took over camera, with Jon's blessing, for establishing shots. Matt M. is on the F/X and taking care of business. With this weekend now open for me, I'm hoping to bring back Assistant Editor Matt B. to finish going through the movie with me to finalize the third edit. I hope to drop in the establishing shots and maybe some F/X. MAYBE some music, but I doubt it.
After that, I'll be doing the "patented" conversion to 24p and Saturday February 3, I'll be holding a summit of sorts, showing the movie off to Grant and some of our musicians/bands. My goal is to get ideas on where to put music, thoughts on the cut, and maybe some inspiration for new music. Our goal is to lock the picture and send everything to Jon for color correcting in a month. I'm also getting some more fixed audio in about two weeks, so that'll go in, too. Two more actors need to re-loop, then final tweaking. Movie should premiere mid- to late-spring 2007! Also, go here to buy The 3 Geeks comics, and guess why I want you to buy some! More soon... [top] |
| January 20, 2007 |
| Shooting some establishing shots and some stuff for F/X tomorrow (Sunday 1-21-07). Should be fun! [top] |
| January 16, 2007 |
|
Still listening to a lot of music, and we have a 9:04 AM MySpace Music page, so if you're an artist, talk to us there.
Almost done with the 3rd cut and I'll be hopefully going out this weekend with Psych Stevens to shoot establishing shots, so viewers will know what location we're at. A lot of these types of shots are usually done later. Also, I am working with an assistant editor now, Matt Beers, who is acting as a second set of eyes. I may think things are great, but he's pointing out things that don't make sense, don't work, moves too slow or fast, etc. More soon... [top] |
| January 06, 2007 |
| Back to work with an eye still on a Spring release (mid-Spring). [top] |
| December 31, 2006 |
|
Happy New Year! Well, after taking off for the Holidays and some must-needed and deserved rest, it's back to work this week on the cut, testing, listening to potential bands' music, etc.
We'll have some big announcements soon! [top] |
| December 25, 2006 |
|
Well, like any Christmas since I was around 14, the evening gets REAL boring. When I was a little kid, I amused myself for hours with my Jabba the Hut and Rankor monster figures. Ah, those were the days (if I still had the figures, I'd be a billionaire).
So, I'm a little bored, but the wife and I are going to check out some movies and just chill out. Running around seeing friends and family can wear a guy (and gal) out! But I was thinking we need more music to sample for the film. I posted this at the 9:04 AM MySpace page. What I didn't mention was that, even though I was listening to some alternative music (mostly Soundgarden) writing the script, the movie has a lot of themes similar to many early- to mid-90s indie flicks, like CLERKS, KICKING AND SCREAMING, CHASING AMY, etc. That sorta plays a part in why I want a song or four that sound like early- to mid-90s Alt Rock. Here's the post: Attention indie bands, We have a lot of good modern day-style music that we're checking out (many of these bands are in our friend's list), but we're still looking for more. We need a mix of sound, and since the movie was conceived in 1995 and the first draft written in 1997, this is the music we're looking for. Of course, I was born at the tail-end (VERY tail-end) of Generation X, so some of these bands were big with college students but I was in high school at the time. I listened to some, but not all. I got more into them later. Think Soundgarden, Gin Blossoms, Jeff Buckley, Stone Temple Pilots, Filter, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead (of course), Weezer, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Morphine, Screaming Trees, Sponge, The Las, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Chili Peppers, The Toadies, The Verve, Oasis, Supergrass, Faith No More, Better Than Ezra, Live, Sublime, The Offspring, Green Day (mid-90s punk only), Jane's Addiction, Hole, Blur, No Doubt (mid-90s only), Lemonheads, etc. Think 1991-1995/6, though some of these bands had some cool stuff in the late 1990s, but most peaked in 1995/6. If you have any song like this, or you can write something like this, let us know!!!! Thanks and Happy Holidays to everyone! You helped make 2006 a great, special year! [top] |
| December 23, 2006 |
| Happy Holidays, everyone! Have a great one and be safe! Here's a little clip you can check out; but do it quick, because it'll come down soon! [top] |
| December 12, 2006 |
| Still sampling a lot of music and really digging it, but I'm still looking for more rock like Soundgarden or The Strokes. I don't know if I'll have use for a metal song, so if you're a metal band, hold off until I make that decision. And for the record, I'm a long-time Pantera fan. [top] |
| December 08, 2006 |
|
Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm just busy as hell. We did some publicity shots for the poster, etc., and will be putting that together soon. Thanks to Matt Miller and Kathie Ward for their help, and Maria C. and Laura A. for letting us take over their Sunday.
Back to editing, etc., today. More soon. [top] |
| November 30, 2006 |
|
I just wanted to take a second to talk about a good friend of mine who is a writer, Jeremy Bursey. I've known Jeremy for around 11 years now, and he's a very gifted writer, doing everything from screenplays to novels to short stories to poems and more. He read one of the earliest drafts of 9:04 AM and gave me 5 pages of typed notes that went far with further re-writes.
Earlier this year, he read the latest draft after Grant came aboard as co-writer. His notes were once again invaluable and helped me out with my re-writes which Grant then polished up. Jeremy also helped out on Suzy's Out, a short that's unreleased that Jeremiah and I did in April 2003 when a film we did was at a film festival. (Note: Suzy's Out is a prequel to 9:04 AM, but has a different Suzy.) Overall, I want to thank Jeremy for all his help; he wrote a ton of notes on early drafts of Skye Falling which helped a lot, too. I don't read enough of his work, but he's a great artist and a goal of mine is to bring one of his stories to the big screen. You can buy his first book here, his second book here and his third, latest and greatest book here. Thanks, Jeremy! On another note, I put the clip from 9:04 AM back up at my .mac page. [top] |
| November 26, 2006 |
| Marissa did her re-looping before Thanksgiving, so that's out of the way. Mike and Laura are next, then David. I took off 4 days with the intention of working on the flick, but since I've had barely anytime to rest since before we started shooting, I just chilled with my family and friends. Back to work this week, and I'll have a new trailer (the current teaser is a bit vague, so I'll fix that up). [top] |
| November 20, 2006 |
| Doing some re-looping soon, Matt's working on the F/X and we'll be shooting establishing shots and pick-ups. Rough cut looks good; version 3 is almost done, then more refining. [top] |
| November 19, 2006 |
| I'm going back to getting the rough cut more refined this week--been busy with some other stuff, but I have been working on some other things. Also, I'm going to re-do the teaser trailer; it's a bit vague right now, so I'll be fleshing it out a bit. [top] |
| November 08, 2006 |
| I'm working on sound editing with a good friend of mine, Rick Savasten, who has helped clean up audio in the past. Once I get the audio back and into the system, I will then go back into trimming, etc., the film. I'm still wanting to hear indie bands' music for the film, so email me at information at 904am dot com. (And sorry for that...spam is OUT OF CONTROL these days.) [top] |
| November 03, 2006 |
|
I uploaded a clip of the film right here for you all to check out. Keep in mind, it's in rough cut form right now, but I'm just curious what everyone thinks. I should have it here soon, but ran into a small problem uploading it, and on my .Mac account, I went WAY over the bandwidth alloted every month, hence it's on the 9:04 AM MySpace page.
Also, If you've seen Clerks, Pulp Fiction, Garden State, etc., you know that those movies had killer soundtracks composed of modern (or classic) songs. In the past, we would use a score or a combination of a score and songs, supervised (and usually created) by Grant A. Balfour, the co-writer on 9:04 AM. He will be supervising the soundtrack and contributing a song or two. This time around, I want to have a strictly song-based soundtrack, featuring as many indie bands as possible. Some of the musical influences while I worked on the script and film include: Soundgarden, Radiohead, Air, Fiona Apple, Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, Tom Petty and more. If you think you as a musician and/or your band have a sound that will lend to the soundtrack of 9:04 AM, email me (information at 904am dot com) a link to your music, so Grant and I can start listening. [top] |
| November 01, 2006 |
| The film looks good so far and I've already started fixing things and shifting scenes around. More soon. [top] |
| October 31, 2006 |
| I've been watching what I've been cutting, and I see what needs some extra smoothing out, and also what's working. I also will be scheduling a day of pick-ups (mostly establishing shots, which are ways to tell audiences where they're at coming into a scene, like so-and-so's house, etc.). Matt Miller will be getting a final list of visual effects to work on and Jon Fordham will start on color correcting, while I'll be finessing the cut with a friend who edits a lot of films. And sound recording, sound design and music, of course. [top] |
| October 30, 2006 |
|
Things are progressing quite nicely in the post-production department. Right now, I'm doing another pass on making a DVD of some stuff, and it takes a while. I haven't had to compress a full-length movie for DVD in 3 years since Skye Falling, so I was just trying whatever Final Cut Pro has to offer. It's a LONG process, but not nearly as long since I have a Power Mac G5 with 4 processors (64 bit each), so it's going MUCH faster.
I also had to convert the footage from 25 frames per second to 23.98 fps, since film runs at 24 frames a second, and that's now the universal agreement on, generally, how movies' frame rates should be, be it film or digital. Once the DVD is done (it won't be high definition, yet--that's coming), I'll be able to watch it on my big screen, anamorphic (widescreen) HDTV. Even with the DVD being in SD (standard definition), it'll look great on the screen. And I can begin analyzing what I'm editing. More soon. [top] |
| October 26, 2006 |
| I have all of 9:04 AM captured onto my drive, so now it's time to organize everything by scenes (I captured entire tapes...I wanna be a bit more organized), then I'll start cutting. [top] |
| October 25, 2006 |
| I'm now capturing tapes/footage and am around halfway done. Thanks to Sony for the use of a deck. After it's captured, I'm going to sort things out and put them into bins (folders that hold clips) to stay organized, then I start cutting. [top] |
| October 24, 2006 |
| I went back to work yesterday and when I got home, I finally felt the effects of the shoot. I passed out before midnight and slept pretty good. I'm still wiped out, but I'll be taking it easy this weekend. At the same time, though, I'm going to start editing the film. [top] |
| October 22, 2006 |
| We're taking it easy today since wrapping yesterday. Tons of photos are up! Also, some people have been asking about our 9:04 AM store. It's cool and we've got a ton of 9:04 AM products waiting for you to check out! [top] |
| October 21, 2006 |
|
That's it!!!! WE'VE WRAPPED THE FILM!!!! Principal photography on 9:04 AM is officially done! I'd like to thank my entire cast and crew, friends and family, my wife and more for helping out in the production of a film I conceived of over 11 years ago and wrote 9 1/2 years ago!
It's been a long journey, but finally casting and shooting it has been an absolute blast. And very special thanks to the only DP I'll ever work with, Jon Fordham for shooting some of the greatest footage I've ever seen! Tonight's the Wrap Party, then onto editing. More soon! [top] |
| October 20, 2006 |
|
Well, only 1/2 day left and we're wrapped. Today, somehow, we shot 15 (!!) pages of script, including two driving scenes. I can't believe that! Sure, it's all dialogue, but wow!
One more day, then the WRAP PARTY! [top] |
| October 19, 2006 |
| This is the final stretch...only 1.5 - 2 days left (depending on what we get done Saturday). We have some extra stuff to shoot, so it's gonna be interesting. Getting close to wrapping! [top] |
| October 17, 2006 |
|
Had rehearsals tonight with Conor, Sarah and Don, and it went well. But we couldn't be too loud, because we did a table reading at a major book chain, which seems to be the unofficial joint to rehearse this film.
Anyway, things are looking good for tomorrow and Thursday, and we nailed down our location for Friday. Just gotta find time to do some additional shots. Lastly, check out the 9:04 AM MySpace page! [top] |
| October 16, 2006 |
|
Off tomorrow, but Jon and the guys are working on a super-secret project unrelated to the film. We're about 75% done with the shooting, so that's good. Only 12 tapes so far (plus one from a Handicam that's part of the plot). Not too bad!
More photos up. [top] |
| October 15, 2006 |
|
Day 9 is done and we're almost or right around 2/3 of the way through the script. Things are going great and between Friday-Sunday, we shot probably around 29 pages or so (!).
I would like to take a moment to thank Keri and Peter Lurtz for allowing us to shoot at their house for four days. They went above and beyond the call of duty, and we thank them very much for that. When Keri's short film, UNCONDITIONAL, comes out, please go and see it! I'd also like to thank Mannie Frances and Douglas Spotted Eagle from VASST for allowing us to use a Sony Z1u to shoot the film. Also, thanks to Leigh Herman of Sony for getting us a Sony V1u to try out for future review! And, thanks to Jon Evans of Pro Video Sales for his continuing support with additional gear. Lastly, thanks to Mike Teutsch for allowing us to use his camper on the first day of production. Thanks to all these fine people and their companies for all their help, service and courtesy! Oh, more photos! [top] |
| October 14, 2006 |
| We're more than halfway done with the shoot, and it's going well. We're on day 9 tomorrow (Sunday). We're updating pix often. [top] |
| October 13, 2006 |
| Back to work and doing well, getting more of the difficult locations out of the way. I put up more pictures. [top] |
| October 09, 2006 |
|
Well, we wrapped day 4 early today and even got in two extra scenes with Brock (aka, Phil), who by the way is hilarious as Phil! The crew and cast are constantly cracking up with his performance. Everyone, from Mike (Justin) to Marissa (Amanda) to Laura's ability to pull of the huge changes that affect Suzy to Maria (Monique), so far the cast is just excellent!
The crew is doing great, and really getting this film going. We're shooting quite a few scenes and pages a day, which is remarkable. I'd like to thank everyone who are all going above and beyond the call of duty to get this done. We're off today (Tuesday), then back to work Wednesday to get more stuff shot. More soon. Check out some photos. [top] |
| October 06, 2006 |
|
The first day went well, couldn't have asked for a better day. No rain, not too hot or humid. The shots are great, the crew was fantastic and the cast was ready and rockin'. It's tough shooting exteriors in Florida, but it worked out.
Check out the Photos Section for pictures. [top] |
| October 05, 2006 |
|
Well, tomorrow is the big day, the start of production. Jon and I have checked out a couple of locations, Boris grabbed the lights with Matt, our actors are coming in, we've rehearsed, had tons of meetings, etc. So now, we just take a look at our shot list/storyboards, plan out where the camera will be placed and just relax. No need to go crazy.
More soon. [top] |
| October 04, 2006 |
|
A little more than two days until production starts; I've got most of the stuff done and am still stressing, but things will be fine. I pick up Jon and Boris from the airport tomorrow. Boris is heading up to Orlando Thursday to grab the lights, grip and electric from Hollywood Rentals, while Jon and I scout our locations and do some shooting for a simple scene with no actors needed.
I was in Ft. Lauderdale doing a dress rehearsal with Laura and Maria, at her nice condo, and it went very well. Still interesting when rehearsing with different actors and storylines, but that's part of an ensemble film. It went well, and we nailed down the costumes for Maria and Laura. I went to the store tonight and bought a lot of stuff we need, and spent some cash. It's bizarre that I'm finally doing this stuff, but I'll admit that as the budgets get higher on future films, I won't miss having to do the shopping! ;-) I'll let a P.A. do it! I'll have more news soon. [top] |
| October 01, 2006 |
| Still finalizing locations, but we nailed down a coffee shop in Lake Worth, Florida called Java Jazz (thanks to Rodney and Josh!), where we'll be shooting in a week. I'm working on a bar next, to be shot in two weeks. This week sees us finalizing the schedule, handling costumes, more rehearsals, the arrivals of Jon, Boris and Brock and production starting Friday! [top] |
| September 29, 2006 |
|
We're still finalizing locations, I have to work on the day-to-day schedule so everyone knows what scenes we're shooting, what to wear, what meals will be served, directions to the location(s), etc. Craziness. And I still need to finalize costumes, etc.
ARGH! Thank god I hired a Production Coordinator to help me out. Welcome Kathie Ward to the crew! [top] |
| September 26, 2006 |
|
Updated 9/29/06: I blog a little more here.
Since I'm also the producer of the film (in three ways: I developed the project, I am running the set--line producer, and I'm helping with financing--executive producer), it's easy to get bogged down with the not-so-fun side of things. It's very technical stuff, like scheduling, breaking down the script, etc. And sometimes I can lose focus of my themes, my vision, etc. By the end of this week, I should have most of the locations secured and ready to go. So I'm going to spend next week honing in on my vision, etc. I'm going to watch movies that inspire me and what I feel have similar themes to 9:04 AM. I'm even going to watch some of my old films to remind me where I've come from and what my goals are with this film. An unofficial trilogy, I consider 9:04 AM to be part 3, with Skye Falling and Conversations... as parts 1 and 2. Skye Falling is about a break-up, really a double one, for the main character Skye. It's also about vulnerability, co-dependence, choices and ultimately breaking out of all that. Conversations... is a short I did before I wrote 9:04 AM (spring 1997) and before I made Skye (1999, released in 2001), and it's about recovering and getting over things, mostly a break-up. But it's also a pep talk to myself and my audience to never let anything get you down, and to pursue your dreams (the character does what he loves, drawing comics). 9:04 AM is about love, and it's also about growing up. As my wife said earlier, "It's time to grow up, but no one has the time." That's why I feel that Skye Falling, Conversations... and 9:04 AM are an unofficial trilogy about loss, recovery and love. Those are the main themes, but another big one is growing up. Even if the characters are in the early- to mid-20s, it's time to face life. [top] |
| September 26, 2006 |
|
I'm happy to introduce our new George, Brian Russell. Brian is a friend of my wife's, and also goes way back with actors Brock Hill and Claudette Ramos. Brian takes over for Pat Sammon, who is staying aboard as a consultant to the production, helping out many things.
10 days until production starts, and still a lot of work to do. [top] |
| September 26, 2006 |
| I'm still tweaking the schedule, moving some days/locations around to help accomadate the cast. Just the small things to help run the set better and more smoothly. [top] |
| September 25, 2006 |
|
We're coming down to the wire with around 10 days until production begins next week. I need to finalize locations, which is happening right now. I hope to have everything locked down by the end of the week.
I still need to cast some supporting actors, so I'm going to be doing that shortly. [top] |
| September 21, 2006 |
|
I talked to Jon Fordham today about the look of 9:04 AM, and we've started to nail down some ideas. I'd say the general look overall has been established and Jon and I are very excited, to say the least.
For those of you wondering which camera we're shooting on, well, since the Sony HVR-V1u isn't shipping until December, we're hoping to shoot on the Sony HVR-Z1u, which Jon and I have both been using on several films. As you may know, I co-wrote a book on HDV with Douglas Spotted Eagle, and I'm very excited about using the Z1. [top] |
| September 20, 2006 |
|
Another small update...We'll be announcing who is playing Weaver, the boss of Justin, Amanda and Suzy soon, just need to finalize everything. For those who have seen our movies, he's been in a few. Check out mpsdigital.com to guess.
Also, I'm working on locations, extras, hiring more crew, etc. More soon. [top] |
| September 17, 2006 |
|
We're around 19 days from production and I'm working on my to-do lists, to ensure I have everything, from final casting to hiring crew, catering to lodging, costumes to props, etc. This is a stressful but exciting time!
More soon. [top] |
| September 15, 2006 |
|
We've cast Maria de Jesus Castellon as Monique, joining Laura Arias (Suzy). She came to the audition dressed as a goth and read well against Laura, and also Mike Leavitt, and we very impressed.
Also, Claudette Ramos joins the cast as Samantha (Sam), Justin's ex-girlfriend from college. [top] |
| September 09, 2006 |
|
Laura Arias joins the cast of 9:04 AM as Suzy, best friend to the characters Justin (Mike Leavitt) and Phil (Brock Hill). You may recall Laura was originally cast as Samantha, Justin's ex-girlfriend, but her reading as Suzy was so outstanding, we decided to put her in the part.
Unfortunately, that means Tracey Dunn, our former Suzy, has had to leave the project, due to scheduling conflicts. In addition, Melissa Gozukizil (Monique) has left the film, also due to scheduling conflicts. We wish both Tracey and Melissa the very best. [top] |
| September 05, 2006 |
|
We are looking for an experienced key grip/swing to work on feature film (low budget) shooting October 6-22, 2006 in Wellington/West Palm Beach, Florida. Must have experience with rigging, setting up lights, grip and electric; you will be working with DP and Gaffer. We're looking for someone close to Palm Beach County with transportation.
Email your resume and we'll give you further details. [top] |
| September 04, 2006 |
| It may be Labor Day, but it's a great opportunity to get some of the leads together to rehearse. So, we're going to scope out a key location AND rehearse, all at the same time. [top] |
| September 02, 2006 |
|
Conor Timmis has finished his film, KREATING KARLOFF, and it's already been reviewed, so check it out! We're very excited for Conor!
Also, we had our first rehearsal with Mike and Marissa last night, and it went very well. Even if we were standing in an aisle at a book store, between Irving and King. [top] |
| August 31, 2006 |
| Tropical Storm Ernesto has thrown us for a tiny loop; I hope we can still have some rehearsals coming up in the next couple of days. [top] |
| August 27, 2006 |
| Rehearsals start up again as we inch closer to production. Mike and Marissa are meeting to go through the script and start working out lines, etc. After that, everyone else will be coming in to rehearse their respective parts. Should be cool. [top] |
| August 24, 2006 |
|
Mike Leavitt joins the cast as Justin, the lead character. He has several years acting experience and fits the part perfectly.
Our original lead, Justin Sims, had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict with a major play he is doing this fall. We wish Justin the best of luck! The schedule is pretty much done and we're a little over a month away from production. Planning is going smoothly. [top] |
| August 20, 2006 |
| Manually scheduling is tough! I don't recommend doing it without high-end software, but I'd rather spend the money on the film. That's why I'm doing it manually. But I realized I forgot something and I'm just gonna have to finish it tomorrow night (Monday). Peace. [top] |
| August 19, 2006 |
| The schedule is coming along nicely and I should have it done by Monday. The schedule controls EVERYTHING, so I am working to get it finished. [top] |
| August 13, 2006 |
|
Pre-production has begun on the film; and though we have most of our cast, now is the time to plan how the shoot will go. Some things I have to work on before production begins:
1. Finish casting. 2. Scout locations. 3. Break down the script (how long are scenes, number of characters, props, etc.). 4. Schedule the shoot. 5. Find extras. 6. Create a menu for the shoot (always important for any film, but even more so with indie films). 7. Hire the crew. 8. Work on shot lists and storyboards. 9. Work on conceptual art. 10. Find props and wardrobe. 11. Rehearse. 12. Do any tests (digital, etc.). 13. Double- and triple-check everything. [top] |
| August 09, 2006 |
|
I am happy to report that 9:04 AM is officially a go, it's been given the greenlight! We start shooting in just two months, so there is a lot of work to do leading up to the first day of principal photography. Thanks to everyone for their support and patience! More very soon!
Cast: Justin: Mike Leavitt Amanda: Marissa Medal Suzy: Tracey Dunn Phil: Brock Hill Billie: Sarah Elizabeth Kenny Dan: David Barnes Mark Lang: Conor Timmis George: Pat Sammon Christie: Talia Molé Monson Monique: Melissa Gozukizil Jim the Agent: Don Morton Mrs. Esteban: Creece Vojtas Samantha: Laura Arias Crew: Co-Writer/Producer/Director: Heath McKnight Co-Writer/Associate Producer: Grant A. Balfour Co-Associate Producer: Jeremiah Hall Director of Photography: Jon Fordham Visual Effects Supervisor: Matt Miller [top] |
| August 07, 2006 |
| We've FINALLY found our Dan, Mr. David Barnes, an excellent actor! We now are looking for our Weaver, the boss of Justin, Amanda, and Suzy. Along with Don the Mechanic, who plays an integral role in the Phil subplot. [top] |
| August 03, 2006 |
| Small update...things are quiet due to work and other stuff. Things'll be picking up soon. [top] |
| July 23, 2006 |
| Back to rehearsals later this week with Justin, Marissa, Tracey, and Brock, whose in town for 10 days for fun, sun (if it ain't raining) and other cool stuff like that. More soon. [top] |
| July 16, 2006 |
|
Sorry for the "all quiet on the western front" over here. Lots of stuff has been happening. We quietly pushed the production back a bit, because of time, the independent director's greatest enemy. Now that Marissa is back and ready, we're going to ease into rehearsals rather than dive right in and hope for the best.
More soon. [top] |
| July 07, 2006 |
| You can now download the 9:04 AM announcement trailer for your iPod! [top] |
| July 07, 2006 |
| More rehearsals coming up soon! [top] |
| July 04, 2006 |
|
Well, it's the Fourth of July, and time to relax for a little bit. I've been doing a lot of work on the movie and other stuff, too. Have fun with whatever your plans are, and I hope you don't have to work. But I used to work all holidays just 5 years ago, so if you're working, dear reader, I feel your pain! Anyway, have fun and be safe!
Anyway, I need to hire a costumer for the movie and start hunting down props. I may also hire a set designer/art director, too. Just depends on the benjamins! And I need to find and solidify my locations. Also, don't forget the 9:04 AM announcement trailer is up. Have a good 4th! [top] |
| July 02, 2006 |
| The 9:04 AM announcement trailer is up! Check it out and enjoy. [top] |
| July 01, 2006 |
| Doing small tweaks on the script, per my good friend Jeremy Bursey's suggestions. Justin and I are going over the entire script shortly and will have details on rehearsals, etc. [top] |
| June 28, 2006 |
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Had the past weekend off, followed by around 26 hours of work for the Film School (my students' films screened). I watched Superman Returns with my wife and best friend and will probably blog about it; it was GREAT!
Anyway, I'm taking off four days this weekend for the fourth and to work on some stuff, including wrapping up getting the script in order. More rehearsals, too, soon. And I need to do a LOT of planning (and cast Dan and Weaver in the next week or two). [top] |
| June 25, 2006 |
|
Grant sent the now 13th draft of the film. He had problems with an older copy of Final Draft, so he wrote it in Apple's free TextEdit which is a decent Word-type program, minus all the bells and whistles.
I brought it into Final Draft and am going through and getting everything back in line. As of right now, the script is at 133 pages (it started at 131), but I think it will be 115 by the time I'm done getting everything back in order. [top] |
| June 21, 2006 |
|
Grant should have the final 12th draft very soon--from there I will tweak the schedule a little more and begin my shot lists and storyboards.
Rehearsal tonight went well, between Justin and Tracey. They worked "moment to moment," which allowed them to take a look at each small part of the scene, and decide what's best for it. I then gave direction after watching what they came up with, because I feel that we both have ideas, the actors and I, the director. And we have to work together and put those ideas into one performance, if that makes sense. More soon. [top] |
| June 20, 2006 |
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I hope to have the final 12th draft from Grant by the end of the week. Now, this isn't the final, final draft, unless we've totally nailed it. I may tweak up to the week before we shoot.
Just rehearsing quietly, getting ready to do bigger rehearsals with more actors and actresses shortly. Since some of our actors live out of state, it's a little tough, but we can nail their rehearsals the week before production. With the lead characters, we need the extra time to rehearse, since they are in more scenes, etc. Justin's and my goal is to have the actors that live here in South Florida ready, so when the out-of-towners arrive, we'll hit the ground running. Ready to rock and roll! [top] |
| June 18, 2006 |
| We're pleased to announce the casting of the 3 sisters' mother: Crece Vojtas will be playing Mrs. Morales! [top] |
| June 15, 2006 |
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Finished the first rough draft of the schedule. Whew! Without scheduling software I had to do it mostly by hand. Thank god for Final Draft and it's screenwriting, reporting, and tagging, plus more, features!
I sent it off to the crew and am waiting for word back. [top] |
| June 15, 2006 |
| Still working the schedule (and fighting bronchitis--so that's why I've been sick for two months) and realizing it's very boring. Heh heh heh. So far, I'm about 1/4 scheduled and also realizing I need to ensure locations are close by so we can get in 8 to 10 pages of production per day. [top] |
| June 12, 2006 |
| I've started working on the schedule and am hoping to have a rough outline soon. We need to know how to approach the schedule since there are some exteriors. Note to aspiring indie and student filmmakers, exteriors are tough because of many things, especially the weather. Consider that when writing--"We'll just re-schedule" isn't always a viable answer when the weather is acting stupid. Trust me on this one! [top] |
| June 10, 2006 |
| More rehearsals tonight with Melissa (Monique), Tracey (Suzy), and Justin (Justin/acting coach). So far, so good. The other night, Justin and Tracey did a touch scene with great results. [top] |
| June 06, 2006 |
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A couple of things...First:
Don Morton comes to the role of Jim, the agent of Mark Lang! Don was a student of mine and has since started working for the school in various capacities. Welcome aboard! Second, the final characters we need to cast: Dan Roth, 20s: Amanda's boyfriend. In good shape, tall would be cool but we can work around it. Must be able to show a lot of emotion without saying it. He's conflicted. Former star football player in high school and part of college. Weaver, 40s to 50s: Owner of a marketing company that Justin and Amanda work for. A bit eccentric and somewhat like Steve Jobs CEO of Apple Computer. Mrs. Morales, 40s to 50s: the Mother of the 3 Sisters Amanda, Christie, and Billie. Needs to be of Hispanic heritage, or look like she could be. A small role, but she holds the family together. Don: 40s to 50s, a mechanic who owns a garage. The casting will be announced soon. so send resumes and headshots to casting@mpsdigital.com or 904amcasting@gmail.com [top] |
| June 05, 2006 |
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Some of our regular visitors have asked me what we're planning on shooting the flick on. As you may or may not know, I contributed quite a bit to a book on HDV, which is a flavor of high definition video. I do love the Sony Z1u, but there are so many different HD cameras out there, Jon and I have a lot to think about.
We'll make our decision on the camera by July, especially after we test some various models. [top] |
| June 04, 2006 |
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Had our first rehearsal with Tracey (Suzy) and Melissa (Monique) tonight--went great. Justin was there as acting coach, which is really the best thing for us, and really helped the girls out with their characters and interaction.
The Suzy-Monique storyline is a bit of experimental filmmaking, so we're going to be doing a lot of rehearsals. And, as such, I immediately re-wrote a couple of scenes to mix in what they rehearsed, which was actually NOT in the script. But now it is. (Of course, the new version of Suzy and Monique was envisioned by Grant, but this is still along those lines.) [top] |
| June 02, 2006 |
| I'm still tooling around with the script, focusing on the characters and their relationships with one another. Grant is working on the 12th draft, too--guess I'm just coming up with new ideas and need to plug them in. [top] |
| May 30, 2006 |
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Big casting news announcement! Marissa Medal has returned to the role of Amanda! Earlier this year, when production was to begin in June, Marissa got an amazing job that would have kept her away from the film.
Well, now she's returning to the role of Amanda, who she played in 3 Sisters, the prequel short that's been in six film fests around the country! Welcome back, Marissa! Another casting announcement: Laura Arias comes aboard as Sam, Justin's former college love. On another note, our own Conor Timmis, who is playing Mark Lang, is having major horror media coverage on his new project, KREATING KARLOFF! [top] |
| May 30, 2006 |
| Just a little note, 904am.com now ranks at 3,594,685 overall on the web. Pretty cool! We're moving up! [top] |
| May 27, 2006 |
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I finished my part of the 12th draft Thursday night and tweaked a couple of things last night. Grant is tackling it this weekend with hopes to have it done ASAP. Then we'll have the official 12 draft, which I hope doesn't change too much more.
I'm sick, again, for the second time in a month. A virus this time, so no antibiotics for me. D'oh! We have to move rehearsals back a few days while I recover. [top] |
| May 25, 2006 |
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I'm about halfway through the 12th draft, then onto Grant, who will strengthen the Suzy/Monique and Dan/Amanda storylines and the overall script more. From there, we'll have an official 12th draft.
The more we re-write, the more I realize we both have specific character/storyline strengths. For instance, Grant is doing wonders with the Suzy and Monique arc, and has really done well with Dan/George/Amanda arc (Dan is a more complex character, as it turns out, which is why the role hasn't been cast yet). The Justin/Amanda, Justin/Phil/Suzy, Billie/Mark Lang arcs are my strengths. But we also help make every word in the script better. Anyway, on another note, make sure you friend us at the official 9:04 AM MySpace page! - heath [top] |
| May 24, 2006 |
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Some of you may have noticed Lori Chism is no longer playing Christie, but Talia Molé Monson has stepped in. Lori, who is in New York City, has a very busy schedule this summer, which couldn't allow her time to come to Florida to shoot.
We'll miss Lori, but there is no doubt we'll be working with her again. She starred in SKYE FALLING and made an appearance in PUSH/PULL. And we're very excited about Talia coming aboard as Christie! [top] |
| May 23, 2006 |
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I've begun re-writing what will become the 12th draft, with input from our cast. After I'm done, Grant will take a stab at it and hopefully that will be our last draft. We're already one draft beyond SKYE FALLING, my first feature film, so hopefully we're going to have the script nailed down.
As some of you may know, I wrote the first draft in three days in May 1997 on an old Mac computer I had. But I had the idea for the movie (or comic book, I didn't know which one at the time) in 1995, around August or so. Crazy! [top] |
| May 16, 2006 |
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Update on the 9:04 AM cast, which has already started rehearsals:
Justin Sims as Justin Hayes Tracey Dunn as Suzy McManus Brock Hill as Phil Court Sarah Elizabeth Kenny as Billie Parker Conor Timmis as Mark Lang Pat Sammon as George Moore Talia Molé Monson as Christie Moore Melissa Gozukizil as Monique We're still looking for Dan the still-in-shape-former-jock, and some minor characters that we'll let you know about soon. We should be announcing the casting of two to three more characters soon. For more info on casting, visit mpsdigital.com and click on Studio, then Casting Updates. Production begins late summer 2006! [top] |
| May 13, 2006 |
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We're pleased to announce the casting of Brock Hill as Phil, part of the trio of best friends led by Justin and kept cool by Suzy. And Pat Sammon as George, husband of Christie and best friend of the still uncast Dan. Our other recent casting is the excellent Conor Timmis as Mark Lang, a character who was the co-star on a popular sci-fi TV show.
We're still looking for other characters, including Dan, a former jock who is in good shape, mid-20s; George, Dan's best friend (and former jock), mid-20s; Weaver, the boss in his 40s to 50s; Jim the agent of Mark Lang, in his 30s to 50s. Casting will likely be late next week (before Memorial Day weekend). Send head shots and resumes to casting@mpsdigital.com. Production begins late summer 2006. [top] |
| May 06, 2006 |
| Just a little head's up...RELEASE ME was selected to screen at the 1st annual South Florida Internation Film & Video Festival! It will be screening with other short films from around the state of Florida and the country on Friday May 12th with awards on Saturday May 13th! Hope you can make it! (This is the 7th film festival RELEASE ME's been in!) [top] |
| May 01, 2006 |
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We are pleased to announce the casting of Conor Timmis as Mark Lang! Conor has an extensive background in acting, and has been featured in many independent films, a show for the History Channel, and more.
Welcome aboard, Conor! [top] |
| April 30, 2006 |
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We had callbacks today and will be planning another open casting in May. Details to follow. Also, those who re-read today, please be patient--both Grant, who is in China adopting, and Jeremiah need to see the readings.
Parts still available: Amanda: second lead and the oldest of the three sisters, including Christie and Billie. Phil: a slacker, low-level ID thief who is best friends with Justin and Suzy. Dan: a still-in-good-shape jock who is dating Amanda. George: a past-his-prime jock who is Dan's best friend and married to Christie. Jim (formerly Mike) the Agent: Mark Lang's slick agent. Weaver: eccentric boss to Justin and Amanda. Sides can be found here, so download and check them out. [top] |
| April 05, 2006 |
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Well, I'm counting down the days until we start pre-production. Grant is in China for a while, so I'll be doing the next round of re-writes until he gets back. Then I'll be scheduling everything with the crew and going over shots with Jon the DP. Not to mention getting everything else ready, like catering, travel, gear, etc. And rehearsals!
Anyway, call backs/round 2 open casting (only come if you've gotten an email "call" back or you didn't read on March 31): Sunday April 30, 1 PM. Palm Beach Film School, where I am lead instructor, 901 Northpoint Pkwy., Ste. 303, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Directions: I-95 into West Palm Beach, exit at 45th Street. Go west under I-95 and pass Rachel's, the Harley-Davidson and the Race Trac gas station. Make a right onto Northpoint Blvd. Go to the stop sign and turn right onto Northpoint Pkwy. Follow the road and keep your eyes on the right. You will see a sign, 901 Northpoint Pkwy. Turn right and go to the back. You will see the Palm Beach Film School sign. Sides can be found at at this site. We will have more sides available, too. If you have NOT read once or you've been contacted for callback, come on out. If you have read for us, but have NOT been contacted for a callback, please don't come out. We have you on tape and will be re-re-reviewing everything. Also, we really need a Phil Court, which is a major character. Phil is a vital component, but he's a bit of a loser. He's a slacker who lives at home, dresses like he's ready for bed and (gasp!) wears socks with his flip flops. Phil is also between the age of 20 and 25. If this sounds like you, get your head shot and resume to casting@mpsdigital.com RIGHT AWAY! [top] |
| April 02, 2006 |
| Casting was great, thanks to all the actors and actresses who showed up. We'll be having call backs soon, along with another casting. Details coming soon! [top] |
| March 07, 2006 |
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We have an official date, time and location for the casting of 9:04 AM, an independent feature film from MPS Digital Studios! To download sides for the casting, click here!
Friday March 31, 2006 7 PM to 10 PM Palm Beach Film School, where I am lead instructor, 901 Northpoint Pkwy., Ste. 303, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Directions: I-95 into West Palm Beach, exit at 45th Street. Go west under I-95 and pass Rachel's, the Harley-Davidson and the Race Trac gas station. Make a right onto Northpoint Blvd. Go to the stop sign and turn right onto Northpoint Pkwy. Follow the road and keep your eyes on the right. You will see a sign, 901 Northpoint Pkwy. Turn right and go to the back. You will see the Palm Beach Film School sign. We're doing this alphabetically by last names, to keep things moving: Last names A-I: 7 PM to 8 PM Last names J-S: 8 PM to 9 PM Last names T-Z: 9 PM to 10 PM Please bring any updated headshot and resume and a reel, if you have one. Be prepared to read sort of cold, but there will be sides available. Many of you will be reading for more than one part, so visit Actors Info Booth for character details. Thanks and we at MPS Digital Studios look forward to meeting you all! And by the way, stay up-to-date with MPS Digital by signing up for our official e-newsletter on our site (lower left-hand corner). And of course, 3 Sisters and Release Me are in the world's first iPod Film Festival, and you don't need an iPod video to view and vote! View and vote for 3 Sisters here and view and vote for Release Me here. Thanks to The Flux for doing this! You'll need Apple's QuickTime to view. [top] |
| February 27, 2006 |
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Skye Falling, our first film, is now only $9.95 on DVD! We're very proud of MPS Digital's first feature film, and we hope you guys dig it, too!
It stars 9:04 AM co-star Lori Chism as Skye, with my very close friend Bryan Krandle as Carson. This is a very personal story for me, and is part of an "unofficial" trilogy that concludes with 9:04 AM. Part one is Skye Falling, part two is the short Conversations.... I know, how do they link up, you ask? Well, I don't want to ruin it, but by the time 9:04 AM comes out, it will all make sense. For now, pick up a copy of Skye, then watch Conversations... for free and you'll see the pattern of what's happening. Different characters, but the themes run throughout. After I made Conversations... in 1997, and I started developing both Skye Falling and 9:04 AM, I saw that they would work well as a trilogy. Thanks! [top] |
| February 16, 2006 |
| We're going to be holding a fairly decent-sized casting around mid- to late-March. For details, visit Actors Info Booth. Keep in mind, we're looking for local South Florida actors. More details and a specific casting date will be coming soon! [top] |
| January 24, 2006 |
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Everyone here at MPS Digital Studios wants to say a big congratulations to Marissa Medal who has landed quite possibly one of the coolest jobs ever! It's a job that's taking her all over the place and it sounds like she's going to have a blast!
But...she's going to be working and out of town when we start shooting the last week of May/first week of June. After two or three phone calls to the co-producer (Jeremiah) and DP (Jon), we realized that we can't start any later than that week. By late June, most of the crew will be busy in NYC as summer is the biggest time to shoot. And some of the cast have said they plan on moving sometime this summer. It really stinks to lose Marissa, but she stuck by us through the delays of hurricanes, college and more. I feel flakey for all the times I've had to call and say, stick with us! But this job is very cool and I would never stand in the way of that. The good news is we have tons of other movies lined up, like two horror films to shoot next year (or even the end of this year!!--all tentative, of course), a romantic comedy I am developing with my soon-to-be-wife Marlene and a movie about the quarter life crisis I kinda developed a little bit in 2002. Marissa will be the first person all of us at MPS Digital will call! Thanks, Marissa, for the great work in 3 Sisters and sticking with us. And a BIG congratulations on the new job! - heath [top] |
| January 23, 2006 |
| Well, some news is happening as we speak--movie's still on schedule to start early June, but we are losing an actress. I'll post more news soon. [top] |
| January 14, 2006 |
| Grant emailed his latest draft and I'm going to begin work on the now-11th draft! [top] |
| January 13, 2006 |
| Grant's still doing some work and my life got quite busy this week, since I was sick last week with the flu. Once Grant's done, I'll take the draft for a spin and number 11 shall be born, thus beating Skye Falling's 10 drafts. I wouldn't be surprised if we get to 15 by the time we shoot. Especially with casting, which I may have to bump back to March. I'm really busy this month and a good 9 days of February I'm out of town. Plus all the other busyness. [top] |
| January 09, 2006 |
| Met with Grant, the co-writer, and we're getting a handle on Dan, Amanda's boyfriend or fiance, and George, his past-his-prime best friend. Next, I'll re-look and Justin and Amanda. Casting's coming up. [top] |
| January 01, 2006 |
| I know I said it last year and it didn't happen, but 9:04 AM will shoot this year, either in May or June. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! [top] |
| December 31, 2005 |
| Happy New Year! Be safe, and we have a whole lot of stuff going on for 2006! Short films, 9:04 AM, DVDs and more!!! Yes, we're going to shoot 9:04 AM this summer, so get ready! [top] |
| December 28, 2005 |
| We're going to be having our first casting for the guys in January. I'll have a final date set fairly soon. I'm vacation and things are moving nice and slow. [top] |
| December 25, 2005 |
| Merry Christmas, Happy safe New Years and Chanukah! We'll be back after the holidays! [top] |
| December 21, 2005 |
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As you may have noticed, we have changed the front of the site. Matt Miller took the picture of Tracey Dunn as Suzy and made the new logo, and our new web guru Adam Lenz took care of the rest. And thanks to Emily Taylor who let us have the pic up there for almost 3 years! She played Suzy in the still unreleased Suzy's Out.
We're planning on doing individual and maybe even pairing up characters in shots for the advertising blitz! Also, Melissa, Tracey and I are doing the first rehearsal soon. More soon... [top] |
| December 19, 2005 |
| We're going to be doing casting most likely the first weekend of January, so visit our casting page for more. We're looking for solid male leads! [top] |
| December 12, 2005 |
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Just wrapped a short, scary horror film directed by a former student, Lance Stranahan, that he wrote and directed. Jon Fordham was the DP, Boris CiFuentes was the gaffer, Melissa Drotar was the scripty, Matt Miller was the 1st AC/Visual Effects Supervisor, Psych Stevens was the boom op and I produced. It starred Justin Sims and Melissa Gozukizil, along with other talented actors who I'll name (Adonis, Maggie, Lance) once I get their last names.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone involved in the film. Gaby Garcia, Damon Serota, Michele Rottler, Don Morton, Chris Ng Mon, and especially Jennifer Drotar; all helped on the crew, along with Larry DeCarmine who aided with audio. Jim York was generous enough to allow us to use the Palm Beach Film School's new HDV camera, along with a monitor and some audio gear. Douglas Spotted Eagle loaned us a Red Rock Micro and Lens. Magic Hour Lighting helped out with a nice deal, thanks to Barbizon Lighting. And Pro Video Sales loaned us a matte box and follow focus. And, of course, Anita for her generosity to use her beautiful house for a terrifying horror short! I'll write more, but for now, it was fun to work with everyone, especially since most are involved with 9:04 AM. heath [top] |
| November 30, 2005 |
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I have some info on the 3 Sisters and Release Me screenings at the Hollywood DV Festival!
3 Sisters will screen on Wednesday December 7th, 2005 at 8:53 PM, in Block #4. For more, click here! Release Me will screen on Sunday December 11th, 2005 at 2:55 PM, in Block #2. For more, click here! Thanks to the Hollywood DV Festival for selecting our two films! I wish I could make it, but I'll be on the set of a short film shooting the entire weekend, but I'll be in L.A. the next week. [top] |
| November 26, 2005 |
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We're going to be changing a couple of things, minor yet major, on both this site and the MPS Digital page, so look for that soon.
Also, Movie Ninja, our key web designer, has left web development and is currently overseeing 4 employees at his college for his new ventures. It's been a pleasure, my friend, and I'm glad you got to design the film society, my personal and the first film school sites! Good luck and I hope to hear great things! Lastly, both Release Me and 3 Sisters are in the Hollywood DV Fest December 7-11th! If you're in L.A., check them out! I'll be there the week after for VASST. [top] |
| November 21, 2005 |
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I put up an announcement looking for male actors in South Florida at Actors Info Booth and I've received a lot of head shots and resumes so far! I have to say, I really respect actors, especially those who are trying to make it in the biz. They go out on castings, do their best, spend money on gas and their head shots/resumes, face rejection, etc. It's not unlike trying to become a filmmaker: expensive and tough to break into.
I hope to start having some readings over the next month or so. I want to get as many actors' stuff in before proceeding. I'm still actively pursuing an actor out in L.A. for Justin, the lead, but I need to also start looking at the other cast members. Also, Release Me is screening tonight at the Miami Short Film Festival at 8 PM! I can't make it tonight, but 3 Sisters screens Friday at, I believe, 5 PM, so I'll be there for that! More soon. (And special thanks to Actors Info Booth for putting up my, and others', casting announcements.) [top] |
| November 18, 2005 |
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While I was in New York, I met with Lori Chism who starred in our first feature Skye Falling, and she agreed to take a part in 9:04 AM! I'd been bugging her since we were shooting Skye in the summer of 1999, so I guess she got annoyed enough and agreed.
With that, we've cast most of the major female parts, except the three sisters' mother, in the movie. I just noticed that we have NO guys at all cast, but I am in contact with an actor I'd like to play the lead male role, Justin. I hope to get that "put to bed" in the next month or two. I've had a couple of readings from a friend up north and am waiting for the third (or is it fourth) reading for the character of Mark, former sci-fi TV star (the character, Mark). So, all you male actors in South Florida, click on over to our MPS Digital casting page and see if you can play one of the parts! Check out the production page for the latest! [top] |
| November 16, 2005 |
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We're gonna start doing some rehearsals soon with Tracey and Melissa because they have some of the toughest roles. I am still fiddling with the script and waiting to see what Grant will hit me back with. Hurricane Wilma gave him a bit more of a hard time than it did me, so it's not as easy when power is out for a while. I think he has it back, but over 3 weeks later and some STILL don't have power. (But, Katrina victims had it much worse, so my heart goes out to them.)
Anyway, I'll be making another big casting announcement soon. [top] |
| November 16, 2005 |
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3 Sisters and Release Me have been accepted into the Hollywood DV Festival out in Southern California! I'll have more details soon, but it's happening Dec. 7-11, 2005! (Too bad I'll be in Burbank the week after for Vasst.)
And don't forget Release Me will be showing at the Miami Short Film Festival on Monday November 21 at 8 PM (it's sold out, apparently), and 3 Sisters will be showing Friday November 25th at 5 PM. Visit the MSFF website for more. [top] |
| November 14, 2005 |
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9:04 AM, to begin production in May or June 2006. Updated cast/crew list:
Amanda: Marissa Medal Suzy: Tracey Dunn Billie: Sarah Elizabeth Christie: Lori Chism Monique: Melissa Gozukizil Co-Writer/Producer/Director: Heath McKnight Co-Producer: Jeremiah Hall Co-Writer: Grant A. Balfour Director of Photography: Jon Fordham Script Supervisor: Melissa Drotar Graphics/Visual F/X Supervisor: Matt Miller [top] |
| November 14, 2005 |
| Tracey Dunn has been cast as Suzy, one of the leads! We're excited to have her aboard and we'll begin rehearsals with her and Melissa G. shortly. Check out here reading here. [top] |
| November 14, 2005 |
|
We have a new reading up on the clips page, this one by Tracey Dunn, who came highly recommended by Melissa G. (Monique). Tracey did a great cold reading and I'm planning on doing another one in a week or two.
This is the third actress to read for Suzy, and so far, the best. More soon. [top] |
| November 13, 2005 |
| I was dead asleep last night and was woken up at 3:30 AM to the sounds of people laughing and having a good time. While I have no problem with that, I do at 3:30 in the morning. As I was falling back to sleep, I had a thought of a moment that can define the character of Dan better, and when I finally woke up this morning (10 or so), I wrote a new scene. For now it happens halfway though, but I'm going to add another scene to link to it later in the script, that will help out in the ending. [top] |
| November 08, 2005 |
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I'm pleased to announce Melissa Gozukizil has been cast in the role of Monique. The character is important to the "Suzy McManus" storyline. Suzy is a major character and Monique shapes Suzy's story arc.
I worked with Melissa on several of my student's short films at the film school, and after a fantastic reading that was met with praise from the crew, I made the decision to cast her. Melissa joins the already-cast Marissa Medal and Sarah Elizabeth. If you want to see her reading, visit the Clips page. You can also check out Sarah's. I'll try and see if Marissa has a reading, but I think we cast her after 3 Sisters, where she played Amanda, who is one of the top two leads in 9:04 AM. 9:04 AM starts production in May 2006, and by casting early, it gives us the chance to do extensive rehearsals and re-writes of the script, something I wish we had done more of on Skye Falling, which is still a fine movie. Update (11/9/05): Had a casting with a girl named Tracy Dunn as Suzy, who is the third person to read. She read with Melissa as Monique, and Tracy is very good. Will have video up soon, but we haven't decided on casting. More soon... [top] |
| November 05, 2005 |
|
Release Me will be showing at the Miami Short Film Festival on Monday November 21 at 8 PM (it's sold out, apparently), and 3 Sisters will be showing Friday November 25th at 5 PM. Visit the MSFF website for more.
Also, added Melissa Gozukizil's reading to the Clips Page--she hasn't been cast yet, but I thought it would be cool for you all to check out. Also, Sarah's funny reading that won her the role of Billie is still up. [top] |
| November 02, 2005 |
| Casting went well, though I'm going to re-write the dialogue in the scene Chris C. read for the character of Dan, and have him read it again. I've been ignoring Dan's character and dialogue for too long. Watch his reading here. Melissa G. did well reading for Monique, the goth. Watch her reading here. I'm off to NYC for another Vasst HDV show but I'll be back early Saturday morning. REAL early. [top] |
| November 01, 2005 |
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More casting is happening today, now that people can actually do stuff again, sinced Hurricane Wilma smacked us around, but good. Most people don't know this, since it's not big on the news (are they emabarressed after Katrina?). Please donate to the Red Cross to help out.
I'll have more details soon! [top] |
| October 30, 2005 |
|
Well, the Miami Short Film Festival was delayed a few weeks due to Hurricane Wilma. I'll have more soon.
And a reminder to check out our production page to see the first video clips of our movie, Sarah Elizabeth's casting! [top] |
| October 22, 2005 |
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We have the Production page up now, with some video! We may put some more stuff up for now, but enjoy this for now.
Also, Release Me and 3 Sisters will be showing next week at the Miami Short Film Festival on Monday night and Thursday night, starting at 8 pm, respectively. Though I have a feeling this may be postponed as Hurricane WILMA! gets closer. More soon! [top] |
| October 18, 2005 |
|
Bryan Krandle, who starred in Skye Falling and is a long-time friend of mine, has been in the hospital for a while out in Long Beach, California. He has an infection in his lungs and around his heart, and it's gonna be a long recovery.
GET WELL SOON, BRYAN! And RELAX, let your Mom help you out and maybe go home with her to North Carolina. [top] |
| October 15, 2005 |
| My fiancee Marlene's best friend Jenn will be reading for Monique shortly, so it should be interesting. Grant turned the whole Suzy-Monique storyline into something cool, like a silent movie. Brilliant! [top] |
| October 13, 2005 |
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I was hoping to have some castings the other day, but things didn't work out, so I'll try either this weekend or next week.
Still awaiting word on a good actor for a part I offered. And started talking with another actor for a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR part. Sorry for being vague, but will update soon. [top] |
| October 12, 2005 |
| Click here to check out Sarah Elizabeth's casting! I'll put more up as we cast more people. [top] |
| October 06, 2005 |
|
Just finished the 10th draft, and I'm feeling great! I incorporated a lot of Grant's stuff from his re-write of the 3rd draft (long story) and, based on our meeting last Sunday night (10/02/05), I scrapped drafts 8 and 9, and went with 7 and have finished the beginnings of the 10th draft.
I started working on it Sunday night and worked when I could, even skipping a class (whoops) to keep going. Probably took me a total of 12-15 hours of plugging in elements of Grant's stuff into the new draft. Now I'm gonna email it back to Grant and hope for the best! [top] |
| October 03, 2005 |
|
Grant ended up turning in a draft of the script, which is funny because it's of the 3rd draft, and I'm up to the 9th draft (he had problems opening draft 9, but not 3--I wanted him to combine elements from 3 into 9, since I like the structure of that draft following a major re-write in May 2003 which became draft number 4.
I met with Grant last night and we decided draft number 7, well I decided since he really only read # 3, along with elements from his version of draft 3 (dialogue, scenes and even a new take on the Suzy-Monique dynamic) is the way to go. So I've been taking stuff from his and putting it into number 7 and making number 10. His stuff is great, and once draft number 10 is done, it goes back to Grant. That's how we did the scriptSkye Falling lo those many years ago...I wrote a lot of drafts, he came in and we did re-writes together. It's been ten years since I met and started working with Grant (he played a suicidal roommate in my first college film The Big Mess) and I'm thrilled to continue with his re-writes of 9:04 AM. He does all of the music for my films, even if it's just production with another artists (like on Push/Pull), but to have his fingerprints on the script of 9:04 AM is an honor. [top] |
| September 25, 2005 |
| I have a bunch of movies up on my .Mac account, if you're interested. Click here to take a peak, though you'll need QuickTime to watch them; and yes, you can download a Mac or PC version. [top] |
| September 19, 2005 |
|
I'm toying with the idea of doing some pre-shooting to help out for next year's principal photography. Let's look at some pros and cons, shall we?
Pro: 1. Helps get some stuff out of the way, thus saving time and money. 2. Gets the itch out of my system to make the movie. 3. See how well everything is working. 4. Script can be re-written before the scenes are shot. Con: 1. Script needs another re-write. 2. I'd be married to the scenes we shot and cut. 3. If I re-shoot more than one scene next year, I'd be wasting money. It's almost evenly split, but we'll see what happens in the coming days and weeks. heath [top] |
| September 17, 2005 |
|
Well, Suzy's Out was to be another prequel to 9:04 AM. Shot in April 2003 as Jeremiah and I were attending the premiere of the official 9:04 AM sequel Push/Pull, a dogme 95 film that's pretty brutal to watch if you or someone you know (and love) have gone through marital or relationship strife. (BTW, we'll be wrapping up the fixes on the film soon--this came after my external hard drive died and took everything but a copy of the original film with it.)
I'll blog more about what happened on the Suzy site, but suffice to say, my old Canon XL1 is a piece of s#!t and is still haunting us. For now, you can see the rough copy while Jeremiah and I figure out what our next move is. But it's not gonna be pretty. Watch it here, minus color correction, sound re-looping, some visual f/x put in (that explains the blue screens to you) and more! [top] |
| September 14, 2005 |
| Met with my new co-writer and I'm hoping things work out for the re-write. [top] |
| September 11, 2005 |
|
When we switched to new servers, some news may have gotten lost in the mix.
Basically, as I try and wrap up my college degree and embark on a new aspect of my life (more on that in the coming weeks), which honestly won't take up too much time, I've moved 9:04 AM back to either May or June 2006. I need time and I still haven't updated my budget and business plan to show to investors. But as I read through the years of this blog, one thing is evident, I am too bogged down in projects. I need to focus on either doing quickie quickie shorts (which I may only do one more between now and the start of 9:04 AM's production) or co-producing other shorts. I need to make this movie so I can stop writing in my journal about wanting to do it. But the script needs to be tight and the money needs to be raised (or found in a corner somewhere). [top] |
| September 11, 2005 |
|
The screening/presentation of 3 Sisters and Release Me were great! Special thanks to HD Fest, and Marissa and company for such a cool experience and opportunity! I hope to do it again next year!
Jon Fordham, Matt Miller (we used his Sony FX1 HDV camera for 3 Sisters) and I did some shooting on the new 24p JVC HD100, but mostly with the Sony pro Z1 (same image as the FX1) and some FX1 footage Matt got. Jon and I are testing how Sony's 1080i HDV footage will look with different 24p conversion brands of software (basically making the 30 frames per second footage, which is a TV standard in North America, go to and look like 24 frames per second the film standard). These tests are part of what will help Jon and I to determine what we'll be shooting 9:04 AM on. We need to do more tests with the HD100, which is native 24p, or something (I'll explain more soon). For more, visit: HDVInfo Net It's techie, of course, but it will help you understand more of what I'm talking about. Overall, I want to shoot 9:04 AM in HDV, affordably. I like the FX1 a lot. We used it in the CineFrame 24 setting (not true 24p, and too much motion causes a bad stutter) and for what we needed, it was cool. More soon! heath [top] |
| August 31, 2005 |
|
3 Sisters and Release Me will be shown as part of a panel at HD Fest South Florida on September 10th, from 3:45 PM to 4:30 PM. For details, click here. For tickets, click here. Directions can be found here.
Update! Both films have also been selected for the 2005 Miami Short Film Festival! This is great! Two films accepted! The date/time isn't set, but the closer to the event, I'm sure we'll have time and day(s)! For more, click here! I'm psyched to be competing with local, national and international filmmakers' short films! [top] |
| August 27, 2005 |
|
We're about 8 months away from the start of principal photography, and things are going smoothly so far. I'm going to talk with my friends about the script, and see what's up. I'm also saving money now for the production, in addition to any potential investments that may happen along.
I won't cast until March or April, and aside from Marissa and Sarah, we haven't signed anyone else. But I have been thinking a little bit about it lately. In terms of the lead character Justin, I have only two people so far in mind. One I met at the 2005 Palm Beach International Film Festival, and the other has been in two of my students' films. The former is a great writer and director, along with an excellent actor. The latter is a good actor who has a lot of potential, but has a certain look to him. But I'm definitely going to have a big casting next spring to help with my decision. For Mark, the former sci-fi teen actor, I only have one person in mind, who has read for both Dan (boyfriend/fiance of Amanda--Marissa's character) and George (best friend of Dan and husband to Amanda's sister Christie). He'll have a tape for me of his reading as Mark. Should be cool. Again, the casting will also help, along with Dan, who I have no one in mind for. Suzy--Aside from the star of Suzy's Out, I have one other person in mind. But she lives in another state. What about Monique? No clue yet. Christie and George are interesting. George may go to a very good friend of mine who has been in a lot of films I've done, and it's not Grant. Christie is the most interesting--I literally have around six actresses in mind, and I don't know why. Besides the co-star of 3 Sisters, I have been talking to three actresses since 2003, over a year before we shot 3 Sisters. The three actresses will need to be flown in, so that also weighs in heavily. If I were to cast at least 3-4 non-local actors, the budget will go up because of airfare and hotels, etc. I need to think about that, too. Again, the big casting next spring will help me make a final decision. Stay tuned, because Jon Fordham. and I are going to do something in either September or October that will help me out with the casting process, I believe! heath [top] |
| August 24, 2005 |
|
Still no word from the writers, so hmmm...Anyway, we're on new servers now, so things are running smoothly. I haven't had a chance to use my copy of Storyweaver to develop my own re-write on 9:04 AM, but I will soon.
Presently, I'm working at the film school, wrapping up my college degree(s), moving in new directions on the film society front, editing a new film that's a 9:04 AM prequel and "saving" two other films that got ditched when a hard drive went down. (As Grant and his 2.5 year old daughter said, BACK UP!) I did the rough cut on Suzy's Out, so now Jeremiah is gonna do some color correction and more, then I'll fix audio, Grant will score and either Jeremiah or Matt Miller will do some f/x. I'm also slowly working on the DVD that has Grant and my college films on it. I''m torn--do I add a dissolve to Conversations... or not? Maybe not, ya know, leave it alone. Even if it needs one. I'm also working on some deals that will lead to projects that will keep me busy busy busy. Also, my favorite band in the universe now has an official blog so read it! They've had a diary before, when doing Kid A and Amnesiac, back in 1999/2000, so they're kinda pioneers. But this is better. Much much much better! heath [top] |
| August 21, 2005 |
| Just switched to new servers, so we lost a couple of updates, which weren't much, other than I'm still working on the re-writes. No word from the co-writer(s), yes there's more than one, but I have a hunch they may mostly make suggestions. So I'll be back to writing soon! [top] |
| July 10, 2005 |
| I officially have a co-writer, who is very talented. I'm sending more notes this week as I work more on stuff with my new Storyweaver program. There should be a draft by next week or so. [top] |
| July 03, 2005 |
|
I'm using Storyweaver, a cool little software, to help me flesh out the characters, story and more on the 9:04 AM script. I'm going to try and lock a start date for May 2006, 7 months after the first start date. And 11 months or so after I said I would (June 15, 2005) back in 2001. Well, that's okay, one has to be flexible.
More soon... [top] |
| June 15, 2005 |
|
3 Sisters and Release Me will be screening this Sunday June 19th at the Klein Dance Studio in Lake Worth, Florida, 7 PM to 10 PM! It's a celebration of the "moving image," so there will be all sorts of cool 30 fps narratives and other events!
For more, email Edward Carr, and also a big thanks to Edward for doing something like this! [top] |
| June 11, 2005 |
| Jeremiah Hall takes on a bigger role in 9:04 AM as Line Producer. In exchange, I will produce an untitled horror film he is writing and directing. We're going to package both movies and will shoot both between spring (9:04 AM) and summer (horror) 2006. [top] |
| June 02, 2005 |
|
The latest: I don't think we'll be shooting in August, so it's either October or next May. I'm working on some other projects, projects that will help out MPS Digital Studios in the long run, trust me.
I'm waiting for a friend to tell me if he'd like to try having a go at the script, but no word yet. More soon! [top] |
| May 16, 2005 |
| The first act needs a lot of work, but I feel once we get that good, the rest will fall into place. The leads, Justin and Amanda need a little more fleshing out. But I'm confident things will happen. [top] |
| May 12, 2005 |
|
I may have a co-writer soon, or not, but regardless, I'm moving forward with a new plan. Having finally got these pretty much squared away, I'm doing a few things to get the ball rolling.
Now, depending on some factors, 9:04 AM will shoot, tentatively, in either August 2005 or May 2006. Why not October 2005, like originally planned? Because of scheduling. Between late August and late April of next year, I'm booked solid. 'll have more details in the coming weeks. For now, I need to do another draft of the script! More soon! [top] |
| May 11, 2005 |
|
Moving forward with a re-write. I'd like to bring on a second writer, like I did with Skye Falling 6 or 7 years ago. We'll see what happens. It needs a bit more work, get the characters, situations and Act 1 up to snuff.
More soon. [top] |
| May 01, 2005 |
| I'm pulling together a team to help raise money, after our previous (hope) of money fell through. We're still on for a mid- to late-October shoot, but if it needs to be moved to Spring 2006, you'll be the first to know! [top] |
| April 25, 2005 |
| I kick ass! [top] |
| April 23, 2005 |
|
We had a great time showcasing Release Me and the rough cut of 3 Sisters. 3 Sisters will be done soon, and instead of putting it in fests (it's only 3 minutes), that film and Release Me will be put on the web for all to see!
Plus, the Voices of Local Film was great, too! Make sure you also visit my personal blog to see what else is up in my life. [top] |
| April 04, 2005 |
|
We have TWO short films premiering this month, as Director of Photography Jon Fordham and I do a presentation on a hot new technology called HDV. The films are Release Me (site details coming soon) and the 9:04 AM prequel 3 Sisters at the Palm Beach International Film Festival!
Stage West theatre, Lake Worth, Florida Palm Beach Community College campuse. For more details, visit this site here or call 561-233-1000. [top] |
| March 23, 2005 |
|
An update for you: I am still busy working on raising the money needed to shoot the film to fit my vision. I'm also negotiating with actors, and hope to make some announcements in the coming weeks. I am also re-working parts of the script to better suit the film overall, including a different beginning which helps emphasize the awkwardness of old lovers Justin and Amanda, the two leads of the movie.
There's a lot of work, and as my friend says, not all of it's fun. For the next four months, I will be finding investors, securing housing, food and more. By late July, I will begin full casting, but we are accepting headshots and resumes now, so visit our casting page for more. Also in late July, early August, I will be securing locations and finalizing all deals. That will lead us into pre-production in August and September, followed by production in October. The plan is to begin editing in November and have a rough cut done between the holidays and right after the New Year. Then, I will have a final cut with music, sound effects, polishes, etc., done by February. After that, we go submit to film festivals, potential distributors and more. A theatrical release will happen, according to plan, by the summer. A DVD release won't happen until late 2006, early 2007, because we want to get the film into as many theatres as possible. I'll have more updates soon! [top] |
| March 21, 2005 |
| Still working on the HUGE news and some other stuff that may or may not happen for 9:04 AM. I'm getting bogged down with Film Society stuff and more. Whew! I want to move 9:04 AM to next April, but that's stupid. I can't keep pushing it back. It's October for sure! YEAH! [top] |
| February 26, 2005 |
| Some HUGE news for you about something outside of 9:04 AM, but will still help the film out! I'll explain soon! [top] |
| February 09, 2005 |
| I'm wrapping up editing on our short 9:04 AM prequel, 3 Sisters. Also, we have cast Marissa Medal as Amanda, the lead female character! More news on the way! [top] |
| January 01, 2005 |
| Happy New Year! 2005 is gonna be a busy year for us, so stay tuned! Only 9 1/2 months until 9:04 AM starts production! [top] |
| December 31, 2004 |
|
Happy, safe New Year!
And please consider donating to the Red Cross to help out the people affected by the tsunamis. That's the saddest thing all year... heath [top] |
| December 24, 2004 |
|
Merry Christmas, everyone! And a Happy Hannakuh and Kwanzaa to you all, as well! Be safe!
Peace, heath [top] |
| December 03, 2004 |
| Just re-wrote the beginning of the film. I think I made it more sinister. Poor Amanda, the lead character! More soon! [top] |
| November 20, 2004 |
|
Sorry for the lack of updates. To recap, we cast Sarah Elizabeth in the roll of Billie, and start production in mid-October 2005. And I'm working on several deals to help the shoot, mostly with local businesses. I am confident working with the local community here in Palm Beach County, FL will only help make 9:04 AM a better film!
I hope to have more info soon! Take care! [top] |
| November 12, 2004 |
| Well, I've decided to bump the start of production to mid-October 2005. I wanted to try and get production rolling between late April and early June, but I feel that would compromise the production. I'm still working on several deals right now, but I've just given myself an 11-month breathing room. More news soon! [top] |
| November 08, 2004 |
| I know it's been quiet since the big casting announcement over two weeks ago, but I've been busy with some things. I'm working on some stuff that will benefit the movie and am looking to hopefully make more announcements soon! [top] |
| October 18, 2004 |
|
I am pleased to make our first casting announcement! Sarah Elizabeth (Push/Pull) has agreed to co-star in 9:04 AM as Billie Camp! Billie, the youngest of three sisters (including Amanda and Christie), is a roller-blading tomboy in her early 20s, who loves science fiction and especially Star Trek. When we were making a film a few years ago with Sarah, I mentioned that Billie was actually a guy, Billy, and Sarah said she'd play a *guy* who's obsessed with Trek. After having Billy be a male for 4 or so years at the point, I decided it would be funnier if I re-wrote the script, making Billie a female, and eventually, the youngest sister of Amanda and Christie.
We may make another casting announcement before the end of the year, but if we shoot in mid- to late-spring, much of our casting will be done in February or March. Now, onto the production. 9:04 AM Productions, Inc. was formed to raise money and produce 9:04 AM for MPS Digital Studios. I am actively seeking financing, and we're really hoping to start production in the mid- to late-Spring of 2005. As you know, I'm writing, producing and directing, with Jeremiah handling some co-producing things, like helping with development. What?! Jeremiah's role in 9:04 AM has been reduced?! What gives?! Well, Jeremiah and his friend Chris are working on a feature length horror film, and Jeremiah's also working on a short called Thigh High. [top] |
| October 11, 2004 |
| I'm going to be fine-tuning the marketing and distribution plan for 9:04 AM and I will also be working on some other important things to help market the film further. I've been meeting with some actors, locals in the South Florida area, and I'm getting close to announcing the first official actor cast in the film. Stay tuned for the first big casting announcement! [top] |
| October 02, 2004 |
|
Just finished the preliminary budget. It was a lot of work, and I know there's some pricey software out there that allows me to break down the script (I did it mostly by hand, and also through my screenwriting program, Final Draft, which also helped out. There's some pricey software out there that allows me to do a budget, but I used a great book, Shooting Digital, that had a full budget in the back, so I used that and a bunch of quotes from various potential crew members and companies to put it all together.
This is one of the last things I needed to do, then I wrap up my business plan and form a production company (incorporated in Florida) and approach potential investors. More soon! [top] |
| October 01, 2004 |
| Sean, my web guru, just did a full re-design of the site! It's ready for exclusive photos, clips, interviews and more as we get closer to production in 2005! More soon! [top] |
| September 28, 2004 |
|
Well, now that the second hurricane in three weeks to the day (Frances, then Jeanne, and they hit about an hour apart/3 weeks, and about a mile from each other), it's back to work on 9:04 AM.
As you can see, we have a new site! As we go further along, we'll have even more stuff to add, like cast, crew and more! I'll have more developments as I wrap up the budget and business plan, plus I am making a special production company just to produce this film. More soon! [top] |
| September 17, 2004 |
| Jon and I looked over the schedule, and it looks like we're going to go for a 25 day schedule. We also agreed to cut the budget down substantially, so that's great! More soon! [top] |
| September 16, 2004 |
|
Jon Fordham, my friend and professional Director of Photography (DP) and Digital Imaging Technician (D.I.T.), is meeting with me about the tentative schedule I've typed up. This is what I'll initially use to budget the film and attach to our investment plan to give to potential investors.
More soon! [top] |
| September 11, 2004 |
| Never forget how Patriot Day originated, or what it means to us. [top] |
| September 09, 2004 |
| Frances took forever to go through, and I lost a week of work (ugh), but did a lot of work breaking down the script. Time to lay it down into a rough schedule and begin budgeting. I need to get back on this thing, after a few days of going to my fiancee's parents' home, then her sister's (they had power) and finally ours, after our power was restored. NO DAMAGE!!!! YEAH!!! [top] |
| September 03, 2004 |
|
Well, as Hurricane Frances sits around deciding where to go, my fiancee, dog and I are spending the LOOOOONG weekend (long, because companies, stores, malls, etc. are closed) at her parents, about three miles from our condo. There's not a lot to do...
So, I've been working on the slightly tedious work of breaking down the script. I saw little errors and fixed them, added a line or two of dialogue and more. Then I realized my page counts between the hard copy and the digital "fixed" copy don't exactly match. Sigh...I'm not gonna worry too much, because we may have to do it again before we start shooting, in case I change other things as we cast. More soon! hwm [top] |
| September 01, 2004 |
|
Just talked to our director of photography, and I'm jazzed. I'm still working on the budget, but it's good to know he's dedicated to helping me out. Jon Fordham is a great guy, and a fantastic talent. And to think, I met him via a mutal friend from when I lived in Orlando nearly five years ago (almost two months after we wrapped Skye Falling).
Thanks, Jon, for staying on the phone so late, even though you had an early morning call for the film you're doing! [top] |
| August 30, 2004 |
| One of my web guys read the script and dug it. AWESOME! Also, we're changing things up here at 904am.com. Stay tuned... [top] |
| August 28, 2004 |
|
Well, I'm working pretty hard on the budget, business plan, distribution plan, and much more. I still need to break down the script and write up a tentative schedule, so I can get a much more accurate look at the budget. If we can shoot the film in four weeks instead of five, we'll save many thousands of dollars! But that's just an estimate...
I'm just proud of myself, because I hated doing one for Skye Falling, because it was "boring." I ended up without much of a business plan, but we DID get Skye into a theatre, but not into fests, but onto DVD with all the extras I wanted on it. Okay, it's not that exciting to do an investor package, but I'm having a lot of fun right now doing this! I spent two hours or so doing research just for the distribution plan alone! And I'm learning A LOT! More soon... [top] |
| August 25, 2004 |
|
I'm getting quotes on all sorts of things, like digital video-to-film transfers (I like DVFilm a lot, because they replied to my emails promptly, by the owner, but I need to do a test of course. They also give me a negative AND a print, whereas some others just give a negative).
I also talked to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), whom I had no problems (aka, a pleasurable experience) when I worked with them to cast Mark Shubert in A Reminder. I learned that since we'll have at least ONE SAG actor, we'll need to pay SAG minimums (well, indie rates, and they're pretty good) to everyone, and whoever isn't SAG, we have to pay a penalty. I think we'll mix it up with SAG and non-union, but probably focus more on SAG actors. I know, I know, we have a LONG history of non-union work, but SAG and non-union actors are both good. I've now worked with one (go, Mark)! Oh, I've also gotten rid of characters with one or two lines. Too many people to cast, etc., for 5 seconds of screen time. I think the catering bill could approach the upper 20,000s. I say upper, because when you go to look at new homes, they say upper a lot. So when you see upper (written small) and $100,000s (written big), you'll know they mean closer to $200,000 than $100,000. (Speaking of which, I think my condo gained $25,000 in value since June 11, when I bought it.) Though not completed, the crew budget could be pricey, but still around 50% less than some quotes I've received! Plus, the guys and gals we hope to hire are top-knotch. Plus, Jon Fordham, who I want to DP, is a master with the digital (and now 16/35 mm film) moviemaking photography. When Release Me comes out, shot in HDV, you'll see why he's perfect! I'm waiting for some insurance quotes, then I have to break down the script to refine the budget more. Breaking it down, without expensive software, could take a few days, but that's okay. It'll give me another chance to go through the script with a fine-toothed comb. Then, once the budget and schedule is pretty much locked (until we get closer to filming and I'm sure something will change), I'll write up my business plan and show it to friends familiar with those things and make changes. Then, I send the script out to an actor many are familiar with. But I'm not saying who... ;-) Well, that's it for now. More soon! [top] |
| August 23, 2004 |
|
To give you an idea, Skye Falling was 104 pages long, with 107 scenes, with maybe a maximum of 8 or so characters, two of which were the main ones (Skye and Carson). The others are supporting (Claire, Chad, Kianna, and Joanna) and even just brief characters, like Ben and the Manager of the movie theatre. I guess 11, if you include the mom and the cameo of a friend of mine and I at the end.
9:04 AM is, so far, 100 pages long (just crossed that barrier yesterday) with 120 scenes. There are 33 or so characters, about 10 of which are main (Justin and Amanda) and supporting characters (Suzy, Phil, Billie, this guy, Dan, Christie, George, Mike, and Weaver). The rest are brief characters and cameos. That doesn't include the extras needed at the sci-fi convention scene...Oh, wait, I've gone a little too far. More soon... [top] |
| August 22, 2004 |
| Finished the "final, going-out-to-investors-and-actors" draft, which I'll just call the Sixth Draft. I'm very happy with it! Now it's time to budget the sucker and work on my business plan! Then, onto the potential actors, and then more on the biz plan (if they agree to star in it) and finally to the investors! [top] |
| August 21, 2004 |
|
I'm very happy with the latest re-write, which I call the fifth draft, but really, it may actually be the 8th or 9th. But you see, I did a lot of revisions that weren't totally new drafts, just small little changes.
Anyway, I'm happy with it, and will be doing small changes and adding one tiny scene to help explain things. When I'm done with those changes, I'll be officially DONE with the script! By done, I mean DONE with the draft that will go out to potential investors and stars. I'm 100% positive I'll do another draft or so by the spring of 2005. We're still on for a tentative start date of October 15, 2005 (4 months after the "contract" I made with myself in 2001 to shoot June 15, 2005), so I need to get on the budgeting and business plan. I have a meeting next week with someone to find out about stars, etc. Well, that's it for now! More soon! [top] |
| August 11, 2004 |
|
Finished the latest re-write a night or two ago. Jeremiah and Jeremy Bursey have it in their hands, er, computers! I'm gonna print it out tomorrow and have a go at it myself. Life is hectic, since I bought a condo and got engaged (!); I feel like I'm a slave to my mortgage, but it's still a great investment.
Sigh...9:04 AM keeps getting shifted around, esp. if you read most of the updates between Dec. 2000 and some time in 2002. They're almost all the same. Ugh...Kinda boring, I guess, but I keep most of the personal stuff on heathmcknight.com. Anyway, since I feel so victorious with the latest changes that have made Amanda and Justin much more interesting (esp. since they're the main characters), I think it's time to use my spare, er, TIME to get this flick made. It's tough when you have to work, go to college, work more, and all that other stuff. But we'll get it done. In four weeks, I'm going to call a major Hollywood star's agent and send the script. I'm writing it on my calendar, darn it!!!! [top] |
| July 25, 2004 |
|
Had weird dreams last night of making Skye Falling part 2...We were deciding between two sequels I had written (Skye and Carson's Ride) when it dawned on me, in the dream, that we should have Skye fight aliens and call it Skyes (I joked about this to Grant and Jeremiah in my waking hours), after the "idea" for Titanics.
Then I woke up and started thinking about the neglected 9:04 AM. I started thinking more about Justin and Amanda's relationship, and that's when inspiration hit and I got up. Now it's time to write. Sorry for the delays! [top] |
| June 25, 2004 |
| I just moved, life is busy but good, and now it's time to get back to re-writes! Sorry for the delay! [top] |
| May 03, 2004 |
| Hey all, lots of stuff going on with the film, but I can't really talk about it. Since the movie is essentially an ensemble piece with a love story at the center and multiple storylines, it's a tough sell. I think the closest, in terms of how I structured the movie is the brilliant film, LONE STAR, directed by the great filmmaker John Sayles (but not in plot). It's in my top 10 favorite films of all time and in my top 5 favorite films of the 1990s. More soon... [top] |
| April 19, 2004 |
| Well, the screening of our new short film, A REMINDER, went very well! I'm psyched and now focusing on 9:04 AM! It's been tough, with college, the new film school I work at and more! If you're curious at all about my personal life, check out my own little "resume/blog" site where I post up all kinds of little personal blogs (and my resume). [top] |
| March 30, 2004 |
|
I'm gonna have more time to do re-writes starting April 5! I'm gonna be working at a film school (Palm Beach Film School) and out of TV news FOREVER (boo ya!). So, like I said, much more time to work on re-writes!
heath [top] |
| March 17, 2004 |
| Hey, started doing new re-writes, but I'm trying to keep it from being too "radical" in the changes. Jeremiah and I had some ideas that took things in totally different directions. Of course, things got a little crazy and I've had to stop for a bit. Here's what happened...On March 13, my girlfriend Marlene and I were at a wedding party. I received a call on my cell from my Aunt telling me my Dad had a heart attack!!!! Oh no! So we had to leave quickly...But it was minor, thankfully, and my Dad is wanting me to visit a little later as he recovers. So I'll be heading to St. Louis in a few weeks. More soon. ps-Happy St. Patty's Day! [top] |
| March 09, 2004 |
| I worked on a new pitch line for the film, how's this? Love, life, loss and fanaticism collide between a group of friends. [top] |
| March 05, 2004 |
| Am doing some writing this weekend. Have some new ideas, some radical; mostly, I want to make the central storyline stronger, the main two characters stronger. There are several storylines and many more characters, so I have some challenges headed my way! More ASAP! [top] |
| February 24, 2004 |
| I've been so busy, things are still SLOWLY coming along. But I'm in contact with people who can help us out. I haven't even had time to re-write, which really stinks! But, school and work are important! More soon. [top] |
| February 10, 2004 |
| Well, slowly but surely, things are moving along. I've been busy as heck with the film society, work and college. Not to mention quality time with my girlfriend! ;-) Anyway, talked with a film commissioner friend of mine a couple of weeks back...He said we have a good shot at getting a famous Hollywood legend to take a small part! YEAH! I wanted this guy for the role of Weaver the boss, but I never thought we could get him. But now we may be able to! All right!! More ASAP! Still waiting on some stuff...Oh, check out Air's new album, TALKIE WALKIE, which RULES! Brings me back to listening to their brilliant first album MOON SAFARI and Radiohead in 1998 when I was writing SKYE FALLING. Memories...I plan on doing re-writes on 9:04 AM listening to TALKIE WALKIE, Radiohead and Soundgarden (which was what I listened to when I wrote the first draft in May 1997). Also, for the metal heads out there, check out Damageplan's first album, NEW FOUND POWER, out today for devastation! It's the guitarist (Dimebag Darrell) and drummer (Vinnie Paul) from PanterA (RIP) and the guitarist-turned-singer (Patrick Lachman) of Halford, and a dude named Bobzilla on bass. Heavy stuff! [top] |
| January 26, 2004 |
| Still hard at work on the film, with new possibilities for the cast, including a girl in Canada who is a musician and aspiring actress. A lot of my friends know who she is, and she's great in music. I'm waiting for her taped audition to come in ye olde mail. I'll have more soon! [top] |
| January 08, 2004 |
| I've been working on our budget with Jeremiah more. We've made some new decisions to save money, like working with local Palm Beach County, Florida businesses. We also have a DP and his crew in mind, and I've worked with him recently on a short film. He's FANTASTIC! Also, he, Jeremiah and I have decided to shoot the film on the Panasonic DVX100 24p (24 frames a second, like film, vs. video's 30 frames a second) mini-dv camera. We'll only do Hi Def if we can get the extra money, but that will double my crew budget and raise our camera budget to nearly $30,000! So, for now, we have tentative agreements with small businesses (with more to come), with the understanding that contracts will be signed and more negotiating will likely happen when our budget and financing comes together. Right now, my girlfriend Marlene has read the script, and she likes it! She has a degree in Creative Writing, so I value her opinion! Jeremiah has set up deadlines for me to get new versions and ideas to him. I have two weeks, so I'll get to writing in the next week or so! Once the script is perfect, we begin packaging it, by approaching major actors (two, actually) and see if they'll sign on. If so, we can go to potential investors with their names, plus more cast (non-names, sorry to be insulting!) and photos of our locations. That's it for now! The business plan is next, after re-writes and the schedule and budgeting is done. But I have to get the script darn near perfect! [top] |
| January 06, 2004 |
| Jeremiah and I are working hard on the budget, along with the script. I've called hotels, camera places and more to find info and prices! More soon... [top] |
| December 31, 2003 |
| Lots of stuff is going on, believe it or not, but it's all top secret. Oh, well...I do wanna wish you all a safe, Happy New Year! More news as it happens. [top] |
| December 24, 2003 |
| Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanakkah, and a safe New Years! From your friends at MPS Digital Studios! [top] |
| December 23, 2003 |
| Spent a couple of days with my cute nephew Alex, who is 5 months old. I can't get over how cute this little guy is, how great he is. Sadly, Marlene, my girlfriend, couldn't meet him because she got sick. :-( But, she and I are planning on flying to see Alex and his parents (my sister and brother-in-law) some time in 2004. [top] |
| December 17, 2003 |
| Jeremiah and I stayed up late last night working on plans and budgets, finding out how much it will cost to at least edit the movie, solutions to going to film, etc. We also decided that he and I are the only producers until we find an executive producer (or we'll share that role--the person who finds editing is the exec. prod.). When the movie starts, we may find a seperate line producer/unit production manager to handle the production while I focus on directing and he works as an assistant director or possibly the DP. (Of course, I'm trying to get him to be the line producer/UPM.) More soon...After I talk to my lawyer, of course. [top] |
| December 15, 2003 |
| It's been three years since we launched this site (well, re-launched since our first launching in the spring of 2000 didn't go so well), and over 6 1/2 years since I wrote the film. Heck, it's been almost 8 1/2 years since I came up with the idea (then to be a comic)! Plus, I'm making major moves over the next 60 days on the film!!!!!!! [top] |
| December 08, 2003 |
| Well, we've got an editor up now, so I can go back to blogging on this site! ALL RIGHT! Well, I keep falling behind on 9:04 AM, but there is progress! (I've been falling behind with the SKYE FALLING DVD and two short films I'll talk about more soon.) There is, however, some interest in the film with one actress. She used to be in a popular all-girl metal band; it will be cool if she plays the character, Monique! I will have the latest draft done by Jan. 1, 2004 (the year of my 10th high school reunion--ARGH!), then it goes out to potential stars. Jeremiah suggested I make some of the lead female characters ALL sisters, so I'm doing just that! Except for Suzy McManus, who's also in SUZY'S OUT, which I will edit one day! Anyway, have a good one, more soon! [top] |
| August 04, 2003 |
| Some more people read it and really liked it. Film-type people that hopefully will point me in the right direction. Waiting for my buddy Jeremy Bursey to email his notes. He did break-downs on SKYE FALLING which really helped, along with my first (awful) feature script, THE POSEIDON. I should be re-writing in a week or so. With about two weeks to spare until college starts again! JOY! Sorry for the lack of updates. Also, getting neck-deep in re-mastering SKYE FALLING (cleaning up the audio and doing "things" to it that makes me feel like a sinner--I'm altering it slightly, very slightly...) and getting the DVD extras together. I still need to do my interview and Grant may have his re-done since I was lazy and shot his at my apartment instead of on a set with a limbo (totally black) background and two to three lights. Oh, well...The DVD should be ready by the fall in time for X-Mas! (And Hannakah! Did I spell that right???) PEace. [top] |
| July 23, 2003 |
| Why is there "change in the air?" Because there is going to be a radical change soon to one of the sites. More info is coming. [top] |
| July 17, 2003 |
| Change is in the air....... [top] |
| July 16, 2003 |
| Stupid trivia: I began my news career six years ago today at the West Palm Beach, FL CBS affiliate. I only remember this because that was the day after Versace was killed in Miami. What a way to start! (Now, of course, I'm trying to get OUT!) About a week after I wrote 9:04 AM in early May 1997, I finished editing Conversations... and received straight A's for my last semester of film classes (I still had to take two more "regular" classes to take before I could graduate). That same day, I grabbed a book from the library on writing resumes and did just that which led to the internship at the CBS affiliate. Other things happened that summer (1997) that actually became the core of SKYE FALLING. What a weird summer, full of life-changing events... And it isn't over yet, as I'm developing 9:04 AM now. [top] |
| July 12, 2003 |
| Wrapping up some more projects, so I'm gonna do another draft or at the very least, some more dialogue polishes. I'm sure I'll do more drafts, but it's almost locked. More later. [top] |
| July 04, 2003 |
| Happy Fourth, everyone! Go USA! [top] |
| July 02, 2003 |
| Got my new mini-HD camera in on Monday (JVC) and am sending my XL-1 out to its new owner. And, yes, I'm sad: The XL-1 shot SKYE FALLING, made a cameo in PUSH/PULL (we used a friend's XL-1 for half of it, Jeremiah's GL-1 for the other half), shot most of UNTITLED, shot the interviews for the upcoming SKYE DVD, shot SUZY'S OUT, did concerts (including bits of Bruce Springstein for a TV station), weddings, Bat Mitzvahs, commercials, news and more. It will be missed, but it's going to a good home, I'm happy to report. It's a great camera that did well, and now I have a smal HD camera, that's right, HIGH DEFINITION! [top] |
| July 02, 2003 |
| FANTASTIC NEWS! My sister Amy gave birth to her and my brother-in-law Brian's son, Alex! ALL RIGHT! Mom and baby are fine, so everything is GREAT! Call me Uncky Heath... [top] |
| June 29, 2003 |
| UPDATE! I did some tooling around, ready to do some more! YAH! The first round of re-writes on the fourth draft are underway. It's interesting, since I'm using Word instead of Final Draft (screenwriting software), so I'm a tad bit slower writing. To do the re-writes, I've been targeting key scenes Jeremiah and Grant mentioned, then opened up my new document, and re-wrote accordingly. I also went through the various scenes and touched up some dialogue. I don't think a complete NEW re-write is needed. The script feels very good. Almost there... [top] |
| June 23, 2003 |
| Re-writes on the new draft begin this week. More later. [top] |
| June 20, 2003 |
| Back from L.A./Orange County on Monday...I'm still burnt out and I won't have a day off until Sunday. I'm such a whiney ham, as ol' Emily "Suzy McManus from 9:04 AM" Taylor would say. Anyways, Grant liked it and had some issues I'll take care of. More soon. ps-This is the 100th post since we re-started Dec. 2000! (The original board got kinda wiped out, don't ask.) [top] |
| June 15, 2003 |
| Well, two out of three people like the new draft of 9:04 AM a lot. (Grant hasn't read it yet, but as soon as he does, I'll let you know.) Jeremiah and I talked for a bit today and we're pretty much on target, with maybe one or two re-writes and polishes away from a draft we can start using to attract major talent and financing! I'm dropping a summer math class (starts next week), so I can wrap up this script. And Jeremiah is going to take over the SKYE FALLING DVD production, which will REALLY free me up! All right! Can't wait for more details from Jeremiah and Grant's report. Oh, and Emily's, too. I'm back in Florida tomorrow morning via a red-eye flight. Argh...Hope I can sleep more than 4 hours... [top] |
| June 11, 2003 |
| Well, today is the 10th anniversary of a very influential movie, JURASSIC PARK. A lot happened on June 11, 1993, happiness and sadness. From it all, I learned what it takes to hype a movie (that I enjoyed), friendship, new friends, and a sad break-up of my first love (a girl named Erin...hi, Erin, if you're reading). I'm celebrating by watching the DVD on my friend's PowerBook laptop at work (out here in California). Take care, and don't forget, Radiohead's incredible new album, HAIL TO THE THIEF, came out yesterday! [top] |
| June 08, 2003 |
| Well, three trusted people have the script, and I'm waiting to hear word back. Emily says so far, so good; dialogue is good/believable, according to her. And she's a tough critic: she watches a TON of films, mostly really serious stuff. So, that makes me feel a bit better. I'm in L.A., CA. and Orange County, CA. editing a few TV shows. It's cool, and to be honest, I'd like to stay here. More on those reviews of the latest draft soon; the draft which I really dig (honestly) and hope it's the right direction I'm going. Peace, y'all. [top] |
| June 01, 2003 |
| I was just talking to Emily Westman, music genius, alternate universe/quantum physics lover (the only alternate universes I want to hear about are the ones in comic books) and composer of PUSH/PULL. I told her she's the best musician/collaborater I've worked with. She may very well help compose 9:04 AM, along with Grant. Grant helped produce and master the PUSH/PULL soundtrack (officially: music by Emily, produced by Grant, Emily and Heath), and I think I've only seen the tip of the tip of the ice berg on a movie music collaboration between Emily and Grant, combined with my ideas. (I used to play drums and wish I could play lead guitar in Radiohead, fyi.) Anyways, another thing we talked about was obsession with things. Emily is currently obsessed with HBO's superb (or so I'm told) SIX FEET UNDER. I'm obsessed with Linux. How weird...(And I'm an Apple guy, too...) Well, lack of sleep is pulling me down, so goodnight! And to those lucky few who now have the newset draft of 9:04 AM in your email inboxes, read it and tell me what you think! heath@mpsdigital.com [top] |
| May 29, 2003 |
| I just finished the fourth draft of 9:04 AM!!!! YEAH! It's a totally new and fresh draft, written from page one with only slight glances at the last draft (which I touched up a little of the dialogue before deciding to do a total re-write). Since I don't have a replacement copy of my screenwriting software, I wrote it in an old Apple "word" program called Appleworks. It reminded me of the old days, when I'd write scripts on Clarisworks (what Appleworks used to be called). I did a couple of drafts of 9:04 AM, the first really ROUGH draft of SKYE FALLING, a ton of shorts I directed in college and my first ever screenplay. Ah, nostalgia. Anyways, this draft is tighter, many scenes cut, new ones added, others shifted around. No doubt I'll be doing more drafts, but the structure may now stay about the same. YEAH! I WROTE 9:04 AM AGAIN! What a feeling! Well, off to work, then Los Angeles, where I'll be helping SKYE FALLING's Bryan Krandle edit a TV show. Take care and email me if you'd like: heath@mpsdigital.com [top] |
| May 24, 2003 |
| Check out this awesome site, by Author/Actor Wil Wheaton (he played Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation), www.wilwheaton.net. It's a weblog, which is sorta what we do here at 904am.com. It's a diary of what Wil Wheaton is doing, updated almost daily. He's cool, funny and likes Radiohead. I like to visit it every so often, because it makes me feel like I should be doing something funnier with the 9:04 AM updates. [top] |
| May 23, 2003 |
| I talked to Jeremiah at length about the sisters issue, that I first thought of yesterday. We even thought about making a different female character be a sister with the lead female character. What we ended up deciding is this: the characters of Amanda and Billie will be half-sisters. This will be hilarious, trust me, since Amanda is the all-American girl and Billie is an obsessed sci-fi fan with stalking issues. HA HA! It also will create an interesting backstory, and help me bring in Billie's character a little earlier. [top] |
| May 22, 2003 |
| I wonder if I should make two characters as sisters...Hmmm, that would be interesting and could work if I hire these two real-life sisters. In the film, they would be half-sisters; their fathers would be different. And speaking of fathers, the character of Amanda has a no-show Dad sub-sub-plot that I may drop. We'll see...There is a critical moment with her Dad sending a letter, which happens before two even MORE cricital moments. The emotional state Amanda is in after that letter is read is important for the other two moments. Maybe I'll dream up something different for her to be upset about first. Man, poor Amanda, she's going to be pretty sad near the end of 9:04 AM. Oh, please go to www.cafeshops.com/mpsdigital and buy some rad 9:04 AM gear! [top] |
| May 21, 2003 |
| Man, this stinks: the (re-furbished) computer I bought is a true lemon. After going in 4 times for repair, and having almost all new internal components, it's acting like a jerk. So I'm sending it back to get a new one. This isn't a diss against my favorite computer company (refurbs are an iffy deal), but having a brand-spanking new system will do just fine. In the meantime, I'm having to re-do some stuff I've been working on, now on my roommate's computer, then back to 9:04 AM's script and budget! More soon... [top] |
| May 13, 2003 |
| I have put Jeremiah Hall in charge of the technical aspects of the 9:04 AM production, so I can focus more on the script and budget over the next few months. He'll be reporting to me about all the different cameras and edit systems we will likely use. And, with proper training, he may also be our D.I.T. A friend of mine named Jon Fordham, who may be our Director of Photography (DP), says this about D.I.T.s (who work with digital video cameras on set): "Basically a D.I.T. is the guy who is responsible for the initial presets, calibrating the cameras DSP, calibrating the monitors, insuring proper signal flow for exposure varification, and troublshooting any electronic issues that may arise during production. A D.I.T. may also advise the production on workflow options for post setup. The D.I.T. works closely with the DP to insure the DP gets exactly the image he wants without making a technical mistake. He advises the DP on how the image that is being shot will transfer to film, how it looks when down-converted, and how it can or should be manipultaed to achieve the proper aesthetic." I'm happy to have Jeremiah, a video junkie and experienced videographer, handle one of the most important aspects of the upcoming 9:04 AM production. [top] |
| May 08, 2003 |
| I'm finishing up a couple of projects right now in addition to working on 9:04 am. I'm a little behind because of work and stuff, but we're still talking to people about the budget, working on it obsessively and more. Then, I'll have time to start full re-writes. [top] |
| May 06, 2003 |
| Still working on the sorta-important stuff: What we're gonna shoot on. HD. What type? High end or low end? The inexpensive new "mini-HD" format, or the same camera they shot STAR WARS 2: CLONING THE SAGA? Decisions, decisions...(I liked the CLONES flick!) More later.... [top] |
| May 04, 2003 |
| 904am.com is back! Long story short, I didn't feel like paying $35 a year to renew it, so I went to www.godaddy.com to re-secure it, but it took a month longer for me to be able to FINALLY re-new it through a different company. No new developments; just finished college for the summer (until June 25th when I take College Algebra, my mortal enemy) and we're in sweeps at my TV station. I'm also cutting two things for some friends, but will continue with script stuff soon. Mostly right now, I'm working on a rough budget and the business plan. [top] |
| April 21, 2003 |
| Ahhh, the re-writes; of course, I'm still exhausted from just the first 3.5 months of 2003, what with PUSH/PULL, the film fest and SUZY'S OUT. Not to mention school and work, too! So, here I am, with a slight touch of maybe insomnia, listening to MOON SAFARI by Air (1998 French band's brilliant album, voted number one album of the year along with Radiohead's AIRBAG USA EP by me) trying to figure out what's wrong with the latest draft of 9:04 AM. Or is it 9:04 am? The logo does say 9:04 AM, so I guess I'll go with that...So, what's wrong besides some dialogue and maybe some scene switcharoos? Since I re-wrote the first major draft (back in 1997, when I thought we might be able to shoot it, I did a couple of minor re-writes and tweakings) in 2000, I knew my supporting characters were funny as hell and "brilliant." Suzy, Phil, Billy (now Billie), Bill (now Wil), Mike the agent, Monique, Holden the boss...All of them were great and I had/have a lot of fun writing them. There's just one problem: The main characters are suburban, plain, a tiny bit dull....Jeremiah read the latest draft twice and told me to either drop the 2 main characters Justin and Amanda, or re-write the hell outta them. And that's what I'm doing; he said some of the scenes drag the film to a stop (it's a hyper-active ensemble piece with a structure like John Sayle's brilliant LONE STAR). I thought it needed quiet moments, but those are in the beginning of each act. So, what do I do? A drastic re-thinking of both Justin and Amanda; right now, Justin plays the "straight man" to Phil and Suzy's whackiness and Amanda is the "girl-next-door" who is a bit clueless. So, basically, I need to go back to the drawing board, instead of dragging this out further in my journal update. Hee hee hee...Night all. Don't forget, 9:04 AM will go into production SOON!!!!!!! (Dang it!) [top] |
| April 18, 2003 |
| 9:04 am the latest: I am working on a preliminary budget with some friends. We'll be making a formal announcement shortly. We're aiming for a budget over $100,000 but under $2 million. If you have experience in finance, send an email with your resume and info, and the subject line, "9:04 AM Executive Producer Interest" to 904am@mpsdigital.com. [top] |
| April 11, 2003 |
| Well, the fest is now over and I actually got some sleep. My new scriptwriting class is also over, three weeks ahead of schedule! That I am happy about, because now I have time today to start re-writing 9:04 am. Of course, my Final Draft software is a bit cracked (whoops), but I'm more focused on re-writing the main characters, Justin and Amanda. I would like to start from scratch. So the first thing I'll do is re-read the latest draft from Sept. 2000 with a slight re-write from late March 2003. Then, I open up ol' Word and start fresh and new. I also can confirm that Emily Taylor will likely 95% return as Suzy McManus for 9:04 am, following her starring role in SUZY'S OUT, which we wrapped last Sunday April 6th. PUSH/PULL co-star Sarah Elizabeth wants to play Billie Camp (once a guy), a girl obsessed with Star Trek. That's a possibility, too. Well, gotta go! Peace. [top] |
| April 09, 2003 |
| The film fest is almost over, PUSH/PULL went well, SUZY'S OUT will be cut at my leisure (PUSH/PULL is the big concern as we go to other fests) and we had a great night at the first annual Voices of Local Film night! And now, as school wraps up, it's time for me to look towards my next project: 9:04 am. And don't forget to support us by going to http://www.cafeshops.com/mpsdigital and picking up a 9:04 am shirt or other cool swag! [top] |
| April 06, 2003 |
| As we conclude production on SUZY'S OUT today, Jeremiah and I stayed up late last night working out a plan for 9:04 am. This is obviously the beginning stages, but we have settled on one thing: 9:04 am will be shot on high definition. [top] |
| April 05, 2003 |
| PUSH/PULL premieres today! Read my thoughts at pushpullmovie.com! And, yes, I'm nervous, a little. Also, we started SUZY'S OUT yesterday--great fun with a crew of three (mostly two, our buddy Jeremy Bursey was an assistant). More soon! [top] |
| March 28, 2003 |
| PUSH/PULL, our new film, final release date details: it's being held during the Shorts Weekend on Saturday April 5th at 5:30 PM at the PBCC Eissey Theatre off of PGA Blvd. Don't forget to wear some shorts (that's the theme, watching shorts in shorts). The shorts begin running at 12 PM, so you can always pop in and check out other filmmakers' shorts. For tickets, only $10, please visit: http://www.ticketweb.com/user/?region=florida&query=detail&event=419002 [top] |
| March 26, 2003 |
| Well, tonight I did the unthinkable. Instead of re-writing the 10 page SUZY'S OUT script, I started re-writing none other than 9:04 am! That's right, THE 9:04 am! First time I've done anything on it in almost three years! And before that, three years! And, for the next two or three years, this is all I'm really going to be working on. Our goal is to raise money to start shooting by the fall of 2004 or some time in 2005. I'd like to shoot in the summer to save money on crew, but we'll see. It gets hot in South Florida! We went from winter (um our version) to Summer and now to a cold Spring! WEIRD! Anyways, I've decided Billy Camp, one of the characters (a Star Trek-obsessed lad) is now Billie Camp, a Star Trek-obsessed lass that Sarah Elizabeth wants to play. If that pans out, we have Sarah and SUZY'S OUT's Emily Taylor as Suzy McManus, one of the main characters in 9:04 am. Oh, and with Billie now a girl, and other reasons I don't to reveal yet, I'm switching the object of her obsession to someone different. Hee hee hee, this movie is going to be so cool! (BTW, this is the 78th post! HOLY CRAP! We already had lucky 77 on Sunday...) Let's rock on this film! [top] |
| March 23, 2003 |
| We had our first rehearsal with Emily Taylor and Kat Kenny yesterday for SUZY'S OUT. Not too bad, they are both great actresses, and we'll have another before we begin shooting. On another note, PUSH/PULL is FINALLY, TOTALLY finished! There were some final audio tweakings and one or two video cuts needed to be done. Jeremiah Hall, our co-producer, may do some stuff to make it look more filmish, but that will be later and at my discretion. I'm the type of person that believes in, when a film is done, it's DONE. (And the fade outs and fade ins don't have too much black space in between, like poor ol' SKYE FALLING!) Peace. [top] |
| March 16, 2003 |
| So yesterday we had part two of our casting call for SUZY'S OUT. I only had three come, one of whom I didn't really speak with, named Kat Kenny (the twin sister of PUSH/PULL co-star Sarah Elizabeth). One actress couldn't make it, due to another casting call. But two did show up. The first read-through was good, then Emily Taylor (Suzy McManus) and I took a break and talked and stuff. Then Kat showed up and we got ready for the second read-through. Kat BLEW US AWAY. Her look, her mannerisms, her voice, her personality, everything she put into Jasmine was stuff I NEVER thought of! How could I NOT hire her?! So, officially, Kathleen "Kat" Kenny has been cast as Jasmine Kelly, Suzy's roommate. Rehearsals start this Saturday, shooting starts the day before PUSH/PULL premieres. Oh, and Alex Ziomek is co-starring as Suzy's best friend, Phil Graham; he's the basis of Phil, so, as Audie Murphy once did, he's basically playing himself. Peace. [top] |
| March 08, 2003 |
| It's been six years...Six years since I wrote 9:04 am, under the old titles "Untitled" (not our film, UNTITLED) and "9." And throw two years onto that when I came up with the concept based on some dreams in August or September 1995. So almost 8 years after I started creating the characters of 9:04 am, we're one step closer. SUZY'S OUT is going into production soon, and that film is a short flick prequel to 9:04 am. It takes place around two years before 9:04 am, and features my favorite character from the script, Suzy McManus. I was so into her, in fact, I was obsessed with finding the right actress in late 1997 when we thought we had the financing for it. (We ended up getting a soundstage at MGM Studios Orlando and some money, and we made JIMMY CLIFFE AND THE HOLLYWOOD WANNABES instead.) Well, earlier today, I auditioned a girl I go to college with, and I saw tons of potential. I cast EMILY TAYLOR in the role of Suzy McManus in SUZY'S OUT and hopefully she'll stick around for 9:04 am. The character is quite different in both films, and I think that affords Emily to play almost two different people. And don't forget, we go into active development in May, with tons of re-writes, business plans, meetings and more, to find the money and get the script right. Then, hopefully summer 2004 or 2005, we start shooting 9:04 am. That would be cool! Peace. [top] |
| March 06, 2003 |
| Mitch Shubert, PUSH/PULL star Mark Shubert's brother, has died from complications and injuries from the Rhode Island nightclub fire. He leaves behind a daughter, son and former wife who is now taking care of their kids alone. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers, and keep donating to the Mitchell C. Shubert Rhode Island Fire Victim Fund to help the kids out and pay for his hospital bills. If you'd like to send a card or flowers, email me at heath@mpsdigital.com and I'll pass along Mark's address, which is the only one I have right now. [top] |
| March 05, 2003 |
| APRIL 5, 2003 is the official release date for the 9:04 am sequel, PUSH/PULL. The new website is live and you can get more details at pushpullmovie.com so go take a look! Also, suzys-out.com is now live and is the site for the 9:04 am prequel, SUZY'S OUT. [top] |
| January 24, 2003 |
| The prequel short film to "9:04 am" is being fleshed out. The character is Suzy McManus, who I think will be very popular in "9:04 am." This film will show how she becomes who she is in "9:04 am." I think it'll rule. Check out the casting section at www.mpsdigital.com/casting/ and start sending in your headshots and resumes! [top] |
| January 17, 2003 |
| PUSH/PULL, the official sequel to 9:04 am is done, so what's next? Why a PREQUEL to 9:04 am, that's what! It's a short film and we begin shooting in early April, so go and visit http://www.mpsdigital.com/casting/ for what we're looking for in casting. Also, 9:04 am is going into official pre-production in May, 2003. [top] |
| January 06, 2003 |
| PUSH/PULL, the sequel to "9:04 am," is done. Scroll down to see details on the MPS Digital home page. [top] |
| January 03, 2003 |
| PUSH/PULL, the sequel of sorts to "9:04 am" (which hasn't been shot yet, which makes "9:04 am" a prequel, I guess...), is almost done being edited. Scroll down to read the details on the MPS Digital home page. [top] |
| December 31, 2002 |
| Happy 2003! [top] |
| December 19, 2002 |
| Happy Holidays! Big news: We are currently working on the SKYE FALLING DVD! We don't have a release date yet, but it is coming soon! [top] |
| December 11, 2002 |
| Nothing really new...As you may now know, PUSH/PULL, which I'm currently editing, is the sequel to 9:04 am. Check out the news there for the latest. [top] |
| November 28, 2002 |
| Happy Turkey Day!!!!! [top] |
| November 14, 2002 |
| I guess I can say this now: Unofficially (it hasn't been greenlit yet, I have not talked to my college, Florida Atlantic University yet), our next immediate project, following the post-production of PUSH/PULL and UNTITLED (which may do some additional shooting, MAYBE) will be the short horror film I'm working on. Grant Balfour, who co-wrote SKYE FALLING with me (he helped out with re-writes when I got too busy with pre-production and financing), is taking a look at the unfinished short script. There's no ending and I feel that it starts lagging toward said non-existant ending. (The beginning is cool.) If Grant decides to jump in and give it a page one re-write, here's how a possible crew will look like: Heath McKnight - Producer/Director; Demi Pietchell - Producer; Heath and Grant Balfour - Writers. I haven't even thought about a DP, since Jeremiah is in Kentucky, but I do have a look in mind...Mostly dark, but there will also be a "white light/snowy day" look. If you're curious what that means, the closest I can come up with in my head is possibly what the daytime scenes from the videogame SILENT HILL looked like. But that's roughly the idea. It's hard to explain, and may be tough to shoot. But, we can do it. Of course, this is all speculation, since we don't even have a finished script or a budget (it may get pricey) and our other short film I'm co-writing with Vanessa Anderson HAS 2.5 FULL drafts done, but may cost more in costumes then the horror short's big f/x bill. Once we have a final script, I'll approach FAU about it, and see what they say. One of the film professors is a BIG horror buff! So that may help us. More as it happens, and of course, check out our new casting page at http://www.mpsdigital.com/casting/ for information on our search for actors for our films. [top] |
| October 14, 2002 |
| Well, I'm clearing the slate here at MPS Digital Studios. The horror film series is dead, as we're all very busy. I may do my asylum movie short in conjunction with my college, FAU (like we're doing with an original short film about indie filmmaking)--they have some good locations that are spooky! Vanessa Anderson and I are still going forward with our short, which is a twisted romantic comedy (obviously became non-horror on the first draft of the script). We may do it next year. But, for now, the only thing on the horizon is post-production on push/pull and UNTITLED. That will take about a year, at least. Especially since I am in college right now. So why am I telling you all this? Simple, I'm clearing the slate (with the occasional MPS Digital/FAU short film) to focus entirely on getting 9:04 am ready to roll by 2005 or 2006 (I'm realistic...it took one year to raise $2500 for SKYE FALLING; we need at least $100,000 to do 9:04 am right). Editing push/pull and UNTITLED will be easy and not take up my mind like planning another feature. More soon. [top] |
| September 30, 2002 |
| I had a thought the other day: The longer 9:04 AM is delayed, the more I grow away from my mindframe as a 21 year old in 1997 when I wrote the first draft in three days, some time in May of that year. I am also getting more interest in new projects like THE 2ND (now a movie instead of a show proposal), the short horror films and IS THIS IT (is-this-it.com), my fourth film after 9:04 AM. So, I called up some trusted friends and said, maybe I should do 9:04 AM as an extremely low budget film, like SKYE FALLING and UNTITLED, instead of waiting for a budget of $100,000. Most agreed, but Jeremiah Hall, who's attached as a co-producer, says no, and to do it like Spielberg did with SHINDLER'S LIST. I agree, but Spielberg did that because of his maturity and experience as a director, not because of money. I am READY now (but feel like I'm moving past that point and mind-frame, not skills-wise) and want to do it, so I can move on. But there's also budgeting concerns; possibly $20,000 minimum to do it right. Sigh... So, the debate continues as my time is spent at school (FAU), a special project I am working on with friends (www.pbfilmsociety.org) and cutting PUSH/PULL and UNTITLED (really, my first priorities). Email thoughts or advice to heath@mpsdigital.com [top] |
| September 11, 2002 |
| Peace be with you all. [top] |
| July 26, 2002 |
| Nothing new; it looks like we're gonna go ahead with the short horror films. I'm finally pulling the sequel out, which was shot years ago, called PUSH/PULL. I'm gonna edit it soon. How strange: the sequel will open before the first one, making the first one a prequel now...Oh, well! Have a good weekend! [top] |
| July 19, 2002 |
| Didn't make the contest for CANCER. Crap. Here's why: Couldn't get the script up to snuff (I hope to go to St. Louis to visit my family and do research) and when I tried printing it out on TWO (count 'em, TWO) printers, no dice. I took it as a sign and bada bing. My PowerBook is in the shop, so back to the Dell. Oh, I hope to switch colleges soon. More later on that. [top] |
| June 25, 2002 |
| I'm writing two scripts right now, CANCER for a script contest and to try and get an agent, and THE 2ND, which may be a long movie, not a TV series. If we do it as a TV series, I've got one market almost tied in: WPTV NewsChannel 5, where I work (day job--man it's hard to get a job in film, er, an indie filmmaker). But, everytime I see STAR TREK or read IRON MAN the comic book, I think of this movie. It will happen, just a matter of finding time and the money. College eats up ALL my time. And my money. Be patient, all 3 of you who visit our site! :-) As for SKYE FALLING, be patient...things are rolling, but I don't want to say anything until I hear confirmation (don't worry, it's more along the film fest route). [top] |
| May 26, 2002 |
| Grant got married to Jeannie on May 26 (just 6 hours ago!!!!!!!)!!!!!!!! CONGRATS, KIDS!!!!!!!!!! [top] |
| March 27, 2002 |
| I'm going to be taking another small step soon with a business plan I will be drawing up. [top] |
| March 08, 2002 |
| I'm gonna be asking for YOUR help out there, coming soon, I promise! We wanna make this film really BAD, so bad we can TASTE it! And if you guys see the script, you'll die laughing (esp. when I tell you who would be good to play a William Shatner-like character in the film). Keep checking back often! [top] |
| March 06, 2002 |
| Things are rumbling, slowly but surely. [top] |
| February 15, 2002 |
| There are rumblings again with our next film, "9:04 am." Stay tuned for further details! [top] |
| December 31, 2001 |
| Happy 2002, from all of us at MPS Digital (Heath, Grant, Jeremiah, Demi, Denis, Terry, Justin and our web/graphics buds: Patrick, Jon and Margaret). [top] |
| December 15, 2001 |
| I am planning on doing another full re-write in 2002, more than likely to take the characters back down to 18 and 19 years old. I am going to blend elements from other drafts, in addition to adding the much-needed edge and a full dialogue re-write, which it REALLY needs. Happy Holidays and here's to hoping 2002 is better than 2001! God Bless from MPS Digital Entertainment. [top] |
| December 08, 2001 |
| Went through the latest draft again. I've changed the ages of the characters about 3 or 4 times, always making them older. They are about 23-25, when one starts their careers, gets married; etc. As much as I do like that angle, I am considering subtracting their ages down to 18-19, as they enter college, or are in their second year. The biggest thing is, some of the characters work in an ad agency, so I'm gonna have to make that believable...And the dialogue needs a major re-write! [top] |
| November 23, 2001 |
| ok, putting up the script up didn't work, so we'll try again! [top] |
| November 22, 2001 |
| Have a great Turkey Day! [top] |
| November 14, 2001 |
| Hi again. Just wanted to let everyone know that I took a look at the script or the first time since I re-wrote it in 2 days Sept. 2000, and I may do another re-write. This film is less dialogue driven than SKYE or UNTITLED, so I noticed that my scripting of their words isn't as..."savvy." I may fix that a little bit. I also want to add a little bit of an edge to it. Lastly, I think I'm gonna post the script, or at least the first 10 pages, here on the site. More later... [top] |
| November 09, 2001 |
| It's kinda dead right now, as we're busy with UNTITLED and fixing SKYE's two minor audio problems (and doing a complete re-edit, just kidding). I am going to start cutting UNTITLED a little bit, but I need to take the rest of the darn year off. I'm burnt out! So, expect to find me playing Resident Evil: Code Veronica the rest of the year, picking up where I left off. Next year, I start school again in the fall (plan b). Since 9:04 am is ready to go into pre-production, I will wait and see what happens for our June 15, 2005 start date. Also, I working a little bit on an animated sci-fi mini-series called THE 2ND. More on that at www.mpsdigital.com's future films section. [top] |
| October 09, 2001 |
| 9:04 am is half on hold, half still going forward. our target date of June 15, 2005 is still on, but we're not actively developing it right now. Though, I am still meeting people who seem to be able to help out on the film. The reason? Mostly because we've held SKYE FALLING from any other releases until 2002 and UNTITLED's production has become very strange due to the Attacks and the subsequent war. More later. [top] |
| August 13, 2001 |
| Well, things are starting to get moving. I hope to make an announcement soon. We've added a new producer along with myself and Jeremiah: Demi Pietchell. I've known Demi for over 8 years and she's a very great talent. She graduated from NYU, so we know she's good (NYU is the #2 film school in the US). Production is still slated for June 15, 2005 unless something happens to bump it up a year or so. We may even move it to January of 2004 or 2005 because it's really HOT in South Florida and there are a lot of exteriors in this film. Note: Unlike SKYE FALLING and the upcoming UNTITLED, this movie is very funny, PG-friendly and has a HAPPY ENDING. I don't think MPS has ever really had a truly happy ending. Well, I'm off. Check back here for a site change: We're doing something new with all the web sites!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, if they are reading it, I really want Lori Ann Chism (Skye from SKYE FALLING and Sarah Elizabeth (the Girl in UNTITLED) to pick their rolls--they are the best! Peace out!!!!!! [top] |
| July 07, 2001 |
| I am thinking of making this into a comic book, which was the original idea I wanted to tell this story. What I am thinking of doing now is making a unique, "cinematic-style" comic book that we will use also as storyboards to make the movie. But this will be really cool to do, so I'll probably not start on this for a while. So stay here for further updates. And, yes, production STILL starts June 15, 2005 [top] |
| July 02, 2001 |
| We have a production start date: June 15, 2005. I've also been toying with the sequel idea, too, in addition to doing some shorts based on the characters; they would take place before, DURING and after the movie--but how can it be during, Heath? Easy--whatever's NOT going on right then. But, this would be hard since I'd have to develop the character(s) just enough to justify what they're doing off-camera. The character of Suzy McManus is easy enough, but the lead characters Justin and Amanda would be harder. I can see doing something with bit characters, but how can I make it interesting for the stuff DURING the movie timeline?...More later. [top] |
| June 20, 2001 |
| Lori Ann Chism (who played Skye in SKYE FALLING) mentioned that she was curious about the development of "9:04 am;" I promised her a role in the film. But first, I gotta get through SKYE's release and the UNTITLED production. But I should have some news coming up soon about the movie. Good, of course. Also, I thought of a sequel back in 1997 when I wrote it and we did it a while ago, hint hint. It's called, TA-DA, "9:04 pm." See ya... [top] |
| May 23, 2001 |
| We're moving forward with development on 9:04 am. [top] |
| April 28, 2001 |
| I was thinking about shots for 9:04 am today while shooting UNTITLED. Go figure...Did you know I wanted to originally do this movie as a comic book? I read the two plots I wrote not too long ago. It may make a good comic, as well... [top] |
| April 16, 2001 |
| New update! Tax day, but I did mine a while ago! Anyways, some new ideas: If I can't shoot hi-def, we're gonna go with the new JVC CineDV camera, which is a really high-quality digital format. Maybe if we're lucky, we'll land Shatner! UNTITLED starts in April and again in July. Go to www.untitled-movie.com for details. [top] |
| February 13, 2001 |
| SKYE FALLING is almost done, as I've been saying, so now I'm diving headfirst into the release and pre-production work on UNTITLED. I am still playing around with the script, deciding if I want to cut most of the dialogue and hope the movie is still full-length. As for "9:04 am," well, if I can do it bigger budget, like on film, Digi-beta or even (gasp!) on a CineAlta camera (the hi-def cameras Lucas shot Episode 2 on), I will be happier. If not, then 2003 is our new start of production. More later. [top] |
| February 03, 2001 |
| Been out of action for a while with PUSH/PULL, due to my extremely busy schedule. I'm looking to submit the film to some new film festivals in the near future. Don't forget to visit pushpullmovie.com for details on where the film will be showing next). [top] |
| February 02, 2001 |
| Good news, bad news time. Good news is I'm 25 today (or is that bad news?!). Good news is SKYE FALLING is VERY close to completion. Good news is UNTITLED has made a STRONG comeback since I spent all of January writing and re-writing the script; then, I worked on it as if it were in pre-production. Good news is I secured financing and my lead actor, Mike Phillips (Jimmy Cliffe himself). Bad news is, there's a good chance I won't be doing 9:04 am in 2002. Good news is, maybe we'll be able to get an even LARGER budget for 9:04 am, and shoot it on film or the cool HD900w series of Sony High Definition cameras (they used those with Panavision lenses for STAR WARS, EPISODE 2). I will be doing updates here on UNTITLED for a little while, but mostly at www.mpsdigital.com. I am actually planning on shooting a reading of 9:04 am, and approaching Chris Cornell, formerly of Soundgarden, about possibly writing music and playing a bit part in the film. After all, I wrote the movie to his music. See ya! [top] |
| December 21, 2000 |
| Well, we're finishing up SKYE FALLING's editing. If you know anyone who is a great painter and artist, email me at heath@mpsdigital.com -- we want a poster that's painted (the current teaser poster was made on a computer, you can see it at www.mpsdigital.com right now!). Well, as we're finishing up SKYE and prepping "9:04 am," I'm moving forward with a short film called AMBUSH based on a comic book character I created over 6 years ago. It's gonna be dark! I love comics. Go IRON MAN (my dream film and comic writing gig)! [top] |
| December 16, 2000 |
| Not much new today, but I am moving forward with the final stages of editing SKYE FALLING. I will then be focusing on adding a bit of edginess to "9:04 am," doing a short zombie film and re-writing a possible big-budget feature CANCER. A little sidenote: When I wrote this script in 1997, I was listening to Soundgarden CDs, particularly their BADMOTORFINGER disc. The track, DRAWING FLIES is actually the song that helped inspire the movie (though the flick has nothing to do with death, as the song's title might suggest). I used some quotes from the song that I hope we can secure the rights to for the movie. Along with using that song and maybe some others on the soundtrack. The dream would be to let former Soundgarden singer/ guitarist Chris Cornell to write the music for the movie (sorry GAB!). As always, visit often for more updates! [top] |
| December 14, 2000 |
|
Well, I'm about to take the next step towards getting "9:04 am" going--I am going to purchase 20 Sony mini-dv tapes that will ONLY be used for the shooting of "9:04 am." Some techniques I plan on using for the film: All "steady cam" and handheld (as non-shakey as possible); why? Because the movie lends itself to it--a pretty multi-layered and multi-charactered film that starts soft, explodes the next instant, and goes full-blown until the end, when it finishes on another soft note. Scary? I think you'll be surprised! Another thing, we're going to shoot 16x9, giving it a letter-boxed film quality to it. I hope to start production summer, 2002, on location in Wellington and West Palm Beach, Florida.
For now, we're finishing editing on our first feature, SKYE FALLING, which has been delayed to make it the best movie possible! Look for it in 2001! The official SKYE FALLING web page will be re-launced in 2001, as well. For more information, visit www.mpsdigital.com today! I wrote a new draft of "9:04 am" in September, 2000 and plan on shooting it summer 2002 in Wellington, Florida. I am really excited about this picture--it's part three of my LOST...AND...FOUND trilogy, which is semi-autobiographical and really is a hard look at love for the "other" Generation X-ers. Part one is SKYE FALLING (Lost), part two is "Conversations..." (And, the bridge between the first and third movies) and part three is "9:04 am" (Found). It all makes sense when you watch them all back-to-back. For now, here's a rundown of the crew involved: Potential cast: All I can say is my friend Alex Ziomek may play the character Phil Graham (it's based loosely on him). Heath McKnight - Writer/Director Heath - Producer (More will be added) Jeremiah Hall - AD, possibly DP Sound/Music - Grant Balfour (tentative) That's it for this update! When we get into pre-production in fall 2001 (tentatively), we'll launch the site and keep updates going throughout the entire process, from start to release! [top] |
| November 30, -0001 |
|
Just a reminder that 9:04 AM is screening in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the Cinema Paradiso, Feb. 25 at 8 PM. Tickets are only $5. Click here for details and directions.
See you there! Heath [top] |
| November 30, -0001 |
|
Just a reminder that 9:04 AM is screening in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the Cinema Paradiso, Feb. 25 at 8 PM. Tickets are only $5. Click here for details and directions.
See you there! Heath [top] |
| November 30, -0001 |
|
Just a reminder that 9:04 AM is screening in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the Cinema Paradiso, Feb. 25 at 8 PM. Tickets are only $5. Click here for details and directions.
See you there! Heath [top] |
| November 30, -0001 |
|
Just a reminder that 9:04 AM is screening in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the Cinema Paradiso, Feb. 25 at 8 PM. Tickets are only $5. Click here for details and directions.
See you there! Heath [top] |
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