Project: Potemkin, a Star Trek Fan Film

[ares93]

Potemkin_Prod wrote:

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Very, VERY long way from Maine, I'm afraid. We've had visitors from Atlanta, Columbus, Tallahassee, and this weekend Birmingham. That's 3 hours or less for everyone who's visited.

Not much to see for another few weeks either. We're just about to start painting thing black and gray. We don't even have the carpet in yet, and my wife is thinking that we should add an air-conditioning unit to the set.

of course you should! have you ever heard of a starship without life support? besides, no AC in georgia during the summer. bad idea...

[Potemkin_Prod]

we plan on filming after 10pm most nights -- we filmed the Klingon scenes, and it was all right -- we had a couple of huge blower fans to cool it off. We also have an industrial-sized airconditioner on that side of the house. We could open the door and lower the temperature considerably. But as hot as it was yesterday evening while we were working, it might be best to get an extra AC put it for a while.

[Tom Hendricks]

Your shooting outdoors, right? What are you doing about background noise? Are you planning on doing a lot of ADR?

[lennier1]

Great planning. Once the bridge is complete and lit for shooting the actors in their full gear will certainly be grateful for good air conditioning.

[Data Holmes]

Potemkin_Prod wrote:

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we plan on filming after 10pm most nights -- we filmed the Klingon scenes, and it was all right -- we had a couple of huge blower fans to cool it off. We also have an industrial-sized airconditioner on that side of the house. We could open the door and lower the temperature considerably. But as hot as it was yesterday evening while we were working, it might be best to get an extra AC put it for a while.

PP, You do have a window behind the bridge set don't you? get a cheap-o window unit from Walmart, that way you can keep the set cooler.
Keep the AC up high during normal filming, then after the ship takes a hit or two, shut the AC down and let it get "warm". Adds to the look.

Nick Meyer used a similar idea when he was filming TWOK, he would have the AC turned off while filming the battle scenes, because he felt that the increase in temp, and the effect it had on the actors, helped the performance. If a ship takes damage, it's very likely that the air circulation system could go down or even seal off segments of the ship to prevent spreading smoke/toxins. That would change, during a high tension moment, does produce a physical response in humans.

[lennier1]

Walmart? Didn't that South Park episode teach you anything?

[Data Holmes]

lennier1 wrote:

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Walmart? Didn't that South Park episode teach you anything?

Meh, cheap stuff is cheap stuff.

[Potemkin_Prod]

Tom Hendricks wrote:

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Your shooting outdoors, right? What are you doing about background noise? Are you planning on doing a lot of ADR?

Ralph Miller's our sound guy, but the background noise was neglible on the Klingon shoot. Remember, we're shooting at night in a suburban neighborhood. We had a dog bark once. We're also considering dropping a vinyl partition across the carport entrance once we're done. That will help us with both noise and cooling.

lennier1 wrote:

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Great planning. Once the bridge is complete and lit for shooting the actors in their full gear will certainly be grateful for good air conditioning.

Well, honestly it wasn't any planning. Just a suggestion from a chemical engineering wife who loves changing my designs as often as she likes.

Data Holmes wrote:

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PP, You do have a window behind the bridge set don't you? get a cheap-o window unit from Walmart, that way you can keep the set cooler.

We're on the same page.

Data Holmes wrote:

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Keep the AC up high during normal filming, then after the ship takes a hit or two, shut the AC down and let it get "warm". Adds to the look. Nick Meyer used a similar idea when he was filming TWOK, he would have the AC turned off while filming the battle scenes, because he felt that the increase in temp, and the effect it had on the actors, helped the performance. If a ship takes damage, it's very likely that the air circulation system could go down or even seal off segments of the ship to prevent spreading smoke/toxins. That would change, during a high tension moment, does produce a physical response in humans.

Agreed! Thanks for that suggestion, and I'll forward that to the director of photography.

[Data Holmes]

Potemkin_Prod wrote:

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We're on the same page.

Agreed! Thanks for that suggestion, and I'll forward that to the director of photography.

Might also want to let the makeup department in on it if you are going to do it. According to the story, Nick Meyer didn't tell anyone but the electrician who shut it down about it the first time, and they had some... issues with the makeup and it running from the sweating.

[lennier1]

Potemkin_Prod wrote:

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... wife who loves changing my designs as often as she likes.

A tad redundant. It's part of a wife's job description.

[Potemkin_Prod]

I did the makeup for the Klingon unit, but I'm not sure who's doing it for the primary shot yet. And even though it was comfortable, I did have to put the Klingon commander's eyebrow back on once.

[Potemkin_Prod]

lennier1 wrote:

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A tad redundant. It's part of a wife's job description.

Dude! You're gonna get your ass kicked. LOL

[Potemkin_Prod]

Just a quick update: We've added a short article and some low-res screen caps from our Klingon shoot to the website. Also added a pic from one of the cast members and a credit or two on our index page.

We've got someone new working on the control panels -- we were having a few too many issues with the appliques, so we're looking at acrylic now.

Tonight, we'll finish the bridge stations, and will be ready to paint them.

[Melonpool]

Wow! You're really chugging along! I better start playing catch-up!

[stonester1]

My pic, cast bio and character outline is up. Yay!

http://www.projectpotemkin.com/