Crazy Storm Last Night

So last night was one crazy storm, the kind of weather that gives you inspiration for a story idea. I feel like I have been getting a lot of those lately but I can never seem to remember them. Right now I am hoping to start working on a script for a feature film, something that I have been wanting to do for a while now. Well the plan is in August to go to Florida for a while, don't know if that is actually happening but if it does maybe I can find inspiration and get writing done down there. Anyway I have been booking more work for this month, and I hope to keep up with this pace because it is shaping up to be our busiest month ever at To Tony Productions and as long as everything keeps on trucking forward we will be making a lot more content for everyone! Plus don't forget Voicebox will be coming soon.

Random Movie Fact: From the 1941 film The Wolf Man, "Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." This quote has been listed in some sources as an authentic Gypsy or Eastern European folk saying. Writer Curt Siodmak admits that he simply made it up. Nonetheless, the rhyme would be recited in every future Universal film appearance of the Wolf Man, and would also be quoted in Van Helsing. (Albeit, slightly modified, "The moon is shining bright." rather than "The autumn moon is bright.")

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

July is Going to be Crazy

So this just in, July is going to be crazy for sure. With a ton of gigs getting booked, I don't know if we are going to be able to keep up. I think so far there are going to be at least 3 music video productions this month as well as my freelance work at my part time job, a video promo, and possibly more music video work. I am excited and can't wait to work my butt off to make all these videos come to life. It is going to be an awesome month and something I have been working hard to see come true.

Random Movie Fact: In the 1997 film Seven Years in Tibet, In the scene where Heinrich confronts Ngawang, the director did not tell BD Wong the script called for Brad Pitt to throw him into the dirt; Wong's reaction is completely authentic.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

I Need to Shoot Something

Like a video shoot, it feels like forever since my last video shoot, even though it kinda was this month, but that was the bust of the 48 (which I am not here to discuss). Anyway yeah I feel like all I do these days is talk about negotiating with clients and talking over budgets which sucks, because that is all I have been doing. Lately all I do is talk things over with what I call "potentials," they email me, we talk and usually price is the main issue. I mean I don't want to turn clients down, it sucks, but making money is a big thing and not being able to make any sucks. I know there are a lot of talented people that deserve video work, but everyone is on a level playing field to me and fees for work are fees for work. Maybe I am just out of touch but I have to stick by my rates. We will see though, hopefully soon I can get back to shooting more stuff.

Random Movie Fact: In the original Godzilla film circa 1954, the sound department tried numerous animal roars for Godzilla but felt they were unsuitable for an animal of such immense size. Akira Ifukube came up with Godzilla's roars by rubbing a coarse, resin-coated leather glove up and down the strings of a contrabass (double bass), and reverberated the recorded sound. Also, Godzilla's thunderous footsteps were made by beating a kettle drum with a knotted rope.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

For Today

So today I am trying to be more productive than have in a little bit, mainly because of being in between gigs. So what I am thinking of doing is first and foremost working on a demo reel for myself/To Tony Productions. Something to encapsulate my experience as a director, videographer, boom operator, and editor...it is going to be hard but I think I can make it work, I already have the song picked out for it and everything. So that is the first piece of business to attend to. Next up is formulating a rough sketch for a country music video we have coming up to do, once I get through that we can really start moving on dates for shooting, location scouting, etc. Next up on the agenda is washing my car, which I have been meaning to do but I actually want to get done today. After that I want to talk with a past client of ours about pricing on a new music video. Maybe I will cut the grass today if it is looking like it needs it. Finally if I have any time left in the day I will sit down and watch The Royal Tenenbaums today at some point since I am on a bit of a Wes Anderson kick this week. Other than that I don't know, we will just have to wait and see what the day brings.

Random Movie Fact: In the comedy classic Animal House, Meat Loaf was the second choice for Bluto in case John Belushi dropped out of his role.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Worst Fear

Today I want to ask a question instead of talking about me...what is your worst fear? Lets start with me, my worst fear is getting lost while driving or as it is known in the scientific community, mazeophobia. Now it is your turn...leave a comment below and share your worst fears.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2004 film Shaun of the Dead, George A. Romero, creator of the films that this movie pays homage to and lampoons, was so impressed with Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's work that he asked them to appear in Land of the Dead, the fourth part of his Dead series, in cameos as zombies.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Mary Photoshoot

So yesterday I spent my afternoon editing the exposures from the photoshoot on Monday. I have to admit I feel like this is my best photoshoot so far and I am very proud of both the quality of the pictures and the overall ease of working with a great subject such as Mary. She did great in that she needed little to no direction, we just worked very well together and I hope to do a lot more photography with her. Without further ado, here are the pictures.

Random Movie Fact: In the holiday classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, it took a group of around 100 people three years to complete this movie. For one second of film, up to 12 stop-motion moves had to be made.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Off Day

So today is my day off to just kinda relax and have a day to myself. Yesterday was chill and I got to hang with Chris, a friend of mine but today is just my day to lounge around. That being said I am going to probably still do touch up on the pictures I took for Mary on Monday, but that is kinda relaxing to me so it will be chill. I saw Moonrise Kingdom last night at the Charles Theater and it was a good and funny movie. I really enjoyed it, and for not being a big fan of Wes Anderson before, this film definetely got me intrigued to see more of his work. It was also awesome to see it projected in true 35mm print film, had an awesome vibe to it for sure. Well for now it is time to relax and edit photos, maybe hang out later tonight but I don't know. Today is a playing it by ear kinda day.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2005 film Doom, during the end credits, when the cast members' names appear on the screen, the only ones not to be shot/blown up are the only ones which survive in the movie.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Hello!

So last night I did the photoshoot for my friend Mary and it went great! It was fun and interesting checking out new locations she had picked out for it, and they were really sweet places. A lot of times it is hard to trust the client when it comes to location scouting/picking but she hit it right on the nose last night. It was also the first time using strobes with my still work after a friend of mine convinced me to do it and boy did it make a world of difference. The pictures turned out awesome! Like I shocked myself with how well they turned out as far as quality...Mary was really great to work with and naturally knew how to pose which was great to see, she definetely has the right mindset for photography. I hope to be able to do more and can't wait to continue to work with strobes.

As far as today I am meeting with local country musician at Starbucks at about 11am in Towson. We are going to discuss the possibility of a music video and some of the details about it. Right now we are in ultra pre production since we are essentially working out a deal at the moment. After this step as long as nothing crazy happens I expect to move into pre production and to get the ball rolling on this video. Other than that however I am going to be chilling with a friend of mine today and apparently Hector is supposed to be getting back home today from Cali, but we will see how true that holds up.

Random Movie Fact: In the Japanese film Audition, the dog bowl of vomit fed to Asami's (Eihi Shiina) prisoner is in fact the actual vomit of actress Eihi. Takashi Miike claims that Eihi is a method actress and insisted on doing this.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Photoshoot Today

So today or rather tonight I have a photoshoot with a friend of mine Mary who does a lot of cool cosplay style costumes from different video games. She makes her own costumes and in my opinion does a great job on them, she gets the style down just right. So we are planning to do a photoshoot around an old church and a cemetery setting. We were trying for an old asylum but so far it has been a no go on that, but perhaps down the road we can swing it. Other than that though today is pretty wide open.

I am still hoping to get Voicebox done soon, I hate to have it in limbo but when it is just you at this point in a project it gets hard to get anything done. That is why it is nice to have a partner in crime so to speak because when you are tapped out they can step up to the plate and finish things for you. However, once Hec gets back from California and Everett is able to find some time to give me a hand I am confident to have it all done, then it is festival time!

Random Movie Fact: The movie Frailty starring Bill Paxton is loosely based on the case of American serial killer Joseph Kallinger who murdered three people and tortured four families. He committed these crimes with his 13-year-old son Michael between 1974-1975 in New Jersey. Kallinger pleaded insanity, claiming God had told him to kill.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Prosumer Camera Help

So yesterday night I got a call from a guy looking for me to film some lacrosse games over the next few days. I immediately called him back and everything was going great until I mentioned my only camcorder was a Canon Vixia HG20 which is a typical consumer camera. After I told him this he told me he would keep me on the short list of candidates, which I can not blame him, he wanted someone with a prosumer grade camera.

However this is why I take to the blog, as of right now I have no prosumer camera to my name (I sold my Sony HXR NX5U to trade up to a Canon 5D Mark III.) So I am looking for anyone out there to let me rent their camera. If anyone has a prosumer camera whether it takes HDV tapes or P2 cards or the Sony Cards let me know. You can email me at totonyproductions@gmail.com and please include rates for hourly rental as well as daily rental. I am just trying to find a good new connection to get access to a prosumer camera. Thanks so much in advance!

Random Movie Fact: In the 2010 film Monsters, the film was shot entirely on location: any settings featured in the film were real locations often used without permission, asked in advance, and all the films extras were just people who happened to be there at the time.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Summer Production

So today I woke up (late in the morning of course) and couldn't help but think back on the past productions I have tackled over the summer months...wonderful times. Way back when in 2010 I was working on my True Docs series of shot documentaries facing subjects from the importance of dog care to family to heroin addiction, it was an interesting time for sure and without knowing it I captured two of the most important documentaries of all. The first one being on the subject of Family, which my grandmother did for me, only a few months later she would pass away suddenly which was heartbreaking but the interview she gave became very important. The next one I did was on the subject of Heroin Addiction and my cousin gave the most honest interview I think I have ever seen and even to this day people are still watching that video and finding some hope/truth in it. It is up to over 15,000 views on youtube.

The other production I did was Gas Guzzlers in 2010 which was a huge project which took what seemed like forever to make. Facing days where it was almost 100 degrees out myself, Jordan, Joe, Ashley, and Chad all went out to either North Point State Park or Fort Howard to film. We would mainly film from 10 or 11am to 3 or 4pm since at the time everyone except Ash and Chad worked at the same place. It was a cool shoot and taught me even more about making a found footage style film, I even got to screen it at Towson University that same December.

In 2011 that was a much slower season but one which was filled with praise I guess is the word. I am cheating a bit and counting May in this season since that is when I participated in the 72 hour film festival and what we got out of that was Spiritus. This film was the first project that I was a part of that won best in show, it was amazing. Then later on in June was the 48 hour which we got Nina out of, it didn't win anything but was a finalist at the screening. It was promising season in 2011 but a series of fallouts with friends ruined that...however what was to follow helped to shape me into the semi professional that I consider myself now.

This summer is proving not to be a summer for my productions or making a new film, but a summer of building connections and relationships. I am excited to see where this season takes me and I am sure the place I will end up is going to be better than I could have ever imagined.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Random movie fact of the day: 
In the movie Silent Hill the strange stumbling movements of the Dark Nurses when they first "come alive" was created by filming them walking backwards, and then running the film in reverse.

Busy Season Starting

Well it seems as though the summer is starting to pick up over here at TTP. In the past two days I have been contacted by two different artists looking for music videos which is really exciting, especially considering that I have two other artists looking to make videos from a few weeks back. I think I am going to hold off on the two artists from weeks back though just because the price point for the videos just isn't right. I mean at this point I am trying to work with a crew of people who are all looking to get paid, including myself and sometimes I get low balled a little bit in the dollars range. I know when I talked to these artists I had a part time job but things change, so I am going to try to renegotiate with them to see what I can do.

Other than that I have to go in today to my part time production gig and I think pick up my check from the weekend shoot, and possibly do an editing test which hopefully does not make me look like an idiot. The system they use for editing is a Mac one which is like my worst enemy, I can use them I just chose to stay away, but hey you never know maybe all the rust will come off quickly. If it doesn't though I hope he doesn't get rid of me because I don't do great. Maybe I am just over thinking it but hey whatever.

Other than that it is a day to push the production company and maybe play some video games later in the day after heading up to the post house. We will see.

Random Movie Fact of the Day:
In the classic Forrest Gump with every transition of Forrest's age, one thing remains the same- in the first scene of each transition he wears a blue plaid shirt.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Updates!

So I think it is high time to post some updates on what is going on over at my end of things. As of right now I am gearing up to do another music video for local rapper Kane Mayfield. I am trying to shoot the video on the 18th but things have stalled lately so I have to try to get that back on track. I am still going through the psuedo training run at the company that has hired me for production/post production help. I was suppossed to come in today to do an editing test, but it is being postponed until tomorrow. In addition I am still booking more stuff right now, I have been getting good bites but nothing is sticking, hopefully soon things will really start picking up for freelance stuff, but we will see. Right now is just that weird limbo time for the summer, but a major project will pop up sooner or later.

I am going to start spitting out random movie facts every day on my blog now I think...so here is the first random movie fact:

The inspiration for the Alien creature laying eggs inside of its victims and a new alien popping out of them comes from the braconid wasps which lays its eggs inside another insect. As the eggs grow they begin to hatch out of the insects body instantly killing it. Much in the same fashion as the creature does in Alien.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Honfest Day 2

So today is the second day of shooting for Honfest 2012. Yesterday was long and filled with lots of sun exposure but overall a cool time. For me it was the longest I have ever been to Hampden and when the streets are all closed the day it was, it was pretty cool. Today I gotta get some of the interesting looking food they have to offer, I saw a crab pizza yesterday and it looked so good, hopefully I will have enough time to get one. Also yesterday was the start of the big Baltimore's Best Hon competition which was funny, and today they crown the winner so if you have time stop on down. There is food, beer, free stuff, and cool people so go on down and have a ball, if I wasn't helping film the event I know I would be.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

My Day Ahead

So yesterday for my interview things went great! I got a job which is essentially part time, like a thing where whenever they get a gig, I get a gig essentially. I got to take a look around at the studio which was small but cool, they have a nice setup filled with a lot of gear and editing equipment. So as quickly as I basically got offered part time status I was already offered a gig today and tomorrow covering Honfest which leads me to today.

Today I will be at Honfest from about 11am to 3 or 4pm covering the events of the day. My job will essentially be booming at the event, and monitoring sound coming in through the boom microphone. It is an easy day, not even a full 12 hours (thank goodness) and I am making a little bit of money off of it as well. I hope I look professional and do a good job today since I will be working alongside the owner of the place that just hired me. Wish me some luck out there and if you are free swing by, I don't think you could miss me...I am the guy with the giant boompole in my hands.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Interview Today

So yesterday I was supposed to have an interview with a local production/post house in the Towson area, however it got postponed until today. So today at 2pm I have my interview which I am happy to have the opportunity for and also excited to see what happens. So wish me luck on that today.

Yesterday melted down into a full on basketball kind of day. It was so nice outside so things just seemed right to play some pick up games with a friend of mine. My skills are improving and I am feeling a whole lot better with the level at which I am playing at (compared to just 5 years ago). I hope to keep getting better and maybe one day I will even be able to play in a little adult league or something.

So my car has been leaking engine coolant for a little bit now and I have been dreading getting it fixed since I know it is going to cost some money, and with no available income it is a bit of a dive. However, yesterday my dad comes up to me and is like I will fix it but you have to cut the grass the entire rest of the summer. So I am like score, not only will be cutting the grass again which is good exercise but I will get my skills back up since I haven't cut the grass in like 2 years. Now I am not dropping any cash and my car will be running like new, chalk one up for the barter system!

Still catching up on sleep....still keeping busy over here, I hope life is treating you as good as it is treating me right now.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Music Video in the Works

Well a follow up music video is officially in the works for local Baltimore rapper Kane Mayfield of Mania Music Group. The song has been selected, story fleshed out and a small crew of video people assembled. This time around the feel should be much more cinematic but that is all I can really say now, everything else is hush hush so that when it drops it comes as more of a surprise for everyone. I am really excited about this one and hope to have something with some sweet quality!

Anyway in other news I have an interview/meeting with a local production house about I think an upcoming video gig this weekend, or maybe it is about getting a job there. I am not sure really we never said which one it would be, just kind of agreed to a time to meet and chat. So we will see what happens, I kind of would love a job right now but then again if he just asked me to work on a job by job basis I would be happier because I want to be able to hardcore freelance myself. Either way I am not complaining just gotta see where today takes me.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

New Headshots!

Here are some photos from a recent headshots I did for an actress I worked with on Voicebox. Her name is Ashley Golden and she is a really great talent. If are in the Baltimore or DC area and would like to work with her feel free to look her up on Facebook. I can't recommend her enough!

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Day 2 of the 48 Hour Film Festival

So today is day 2 for us at the 48 Hour Film Festival. Last night was the entire screenwriting process and we had to come up with a story for today. The genre we landed was Horror which was pretty sweet since I have tackled horror before but not in the way we have written it this time around. We are hoping to go super serious with it, something psychological yet still holding its roots in this well known genre. The story is good, after a lot of debate we have a script/outline ready for it so today it is all about translating that to film. We have a lot of great talent and being the director I am excited and nervous about how things are going to go today. The lone actor that was confirmed dropped out so on the fly I had to get another actor who I have worked with before but he can't be on set until 2pm today which sucks, I wish I could have a better idea of this situation earlier as I would have gotten a better handle on things. Otherwise it sounds like things are good with the rest of the talent for today. Hope it goes well and wish me luck.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Start of the 48 Hour Film Festival!

So this afternoon/evening is the start of the Baltimore 48 Hour Film Festival. This is the second year I am participating in this awesome event, this year under the group name Towson Avengers! This year I am working with a fresh group of completely different people from last year, from the talent to the crew it is all new faces. I am excitedly nervous for the competition since I have assumed the role of Director of the piece. I have not been able to dedicate as much time as I have wanted but I know we can still make something awesome this year. I am looking forward to not only finishing a film, but getting it in and seeing all the other great works that come out of the competition.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess