Making IMPULSE, Pt. 10: Production Day Two

This week, Bryan & I cover the second day (of six) of production week on our latest project, IMPULSE. We've decided to format our daily accounts as a questionnaire. Behind the scenes pictures are also included below.

PRODUCTION DATE: November 8, 2009

# OF CAMERA SETUPS: 37... God help us.

SCOTT: Long story short, we were supposed to have a key prop (a hard-to-find phone booth) for the first sequence of the day. In fact, the entire scene revolved around this phone booth. Only hours before we were to shoot the scene, there was an issue getting the booth to set and suddenly we had nothing. Bryan & I had to quickly and completely re-block/re-envision the scene on our 30-minute commute to set. We figured out a new set-up and our art department and camera team easily adapted to the change. It was a successful exercise in improvisation.

BRYAN: It was a good day to have a co-director and a great crew working their ass off to help you up after you fall. I also enjoyed working with longtime Bluebox regulars Justin Marxen, Ian Klink, and Scott Morschhauser during their respective cameos. And it was fun watching our picture dog Grace charm the locals. This was the toughest day of our shoot, and the best part was I didn’t have to experience it alone.

SCOTT: Everything after the first sequence. Bryan & I had been dreading this day, as we needed to get an insurmountable 37 shots, all combined with intricate staging. We ended up falling behind and around lunch-time, our focus was really being tested. Shots weren't exactly how we imagined, townies were wandering out of barricaded alleys and ruining takes, the strong wind collapsed a giant prop tent, and soon our daylight was fading. We had to rush our final sequence which took place in an electronics store. We only had 40 minutes before we had to wrap our lead actor, Chris Masterson, due to SAG's 12-hour turnaround rule. We had to rush our lighting set-up and severely cut shots. Bryan & I basically felt like the scene had been visually gutted. All in all, the day kicked our ass.

BRYAN: Do I have to pick one? Overall, it was an awful feeling watching the movie slip away - Scott and I pushing through compromised scenes that we failed to inject personality into because of the demands of our overloaded schedule. Quite the learning experience, and thankfully NOT a sign of things to come.

SCOTT: Not giving up... and I don't mean throwing my hands up, saying "I quit", and walking off set. What I mean is this: it's so easy to direct on autopilot, especially when you have a full crew supporting you. Bryan & I have always felt the importance of maintaining a voice and opinion about all aspects of production, and making sure the tiniest details are finessed. Today was incredibly difficult to focus on these smaller details, since we were struggling with the larger, overall strokes. We felt the desire to take the easy route and make these sequences simpler (and consequently, more mundane), and fighting that desire was our biggest challenge of the day.

BRYAN: Running over an acoustic guitar with a speeding ambulance was quite the challenge. The shot required complex choreography involving two picture vehicles, extras, a dolly shot, and… we only had three guitars, thus three tries to get it right. Our drivers were experts, and despite the failings of the rest of our day, this was one challenge we overcame.

SCOTT: The crew maintained a level-head when we needed it the most. Specific shout-out to Joel Remke (1st Assistant Camera) whose positive energy made Bryan & I feel like we weren't screwing up too badly. Thanks to Chris Masterson, who accommodated and adapted to our time crunch, and effortlessly hit all of his marks for the final sequence of the day. And very special thanks to our "Desperate Soul" extras (Jay Villwock, Rick Septer, and James Stordahl) for sticking around the entire day and agreeing to come back the next day for a re-shoot due to the tight schedule.

BRYAN: Christy Sullivan being a great producer and treating our hardworking company to pizza pie at Breadeaux Pizza after a brutal day. It helped raise morale. A lot. Thank you, Christy.

SCOTT: I hit a deer on the way home from the shoot. I was driving back with Christy Sullivan and Bryan on the pitch-black highway and we were sooo looking forward to getting home and shaking off the rough day. I barely saw the deer as it hopped into the side of my car going 65 mph. Probably was one of the scariest moments of my life. The deer put a huge dent all along the side of my car, but luckily it was still drivable. Unfortunately we didn't see where the deer went, but there's no way it could have survived. Bryan, Christy & I pulled to the side of the road, dealt with the cops, and calmed our nerves before driving home.

BRYAN: Nothing today is going to top the deer story.

Last movie Scott watched: Se7en (David Fincher)

Last movie Bryan watched: The Karate Kid (Harald Zwart)