The Tallest Building in Hell

Music Video Production Calendar!!!!

2011-04-12T16:59:00.001-07:00

finished storyreel

2009-08-08T09:07:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry for the lack of updates in a long time.
So basically the storyreel is almost done, I just have to show it to the band folks and see if we need anymore changes.

One of the miniature set is done, just three more to go. I've already started on the second one.

All of the costumes are done except one, but its about half way done.

I've also purchased a nice big patch of greenscreen fabric for the shoot.

We did another video test last month, and it wasn't done with the green screen fabric. I only had the green screen paper which totally sucked, 'cause it wrinkles so easily.

And here are two color beatboards. Basically the film's color guideline.

first green screen test

2009-05-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is the first green screen test Vi and I did. That's me... in a squid costume that I made for last year halloween.
This was shot outdoor in front of a green screen. In our next test we'll shoot indoor with more isolated light control, that way we'll be able to get more contrast out of the actor's face. I think I'm going to get megan or Jared or Sean to show up for the test. It will be interesting to see if we can green screen megan's long hair.
PS: I didn't want to put any music on the test, but my boyfriend insisted it. He did help me with the compositing.

photo references

2009-05-13T17:10:00.001-07:00

So I think the best way to communicate what the film needs to look like or at least inspired to look like is to show photo references.

This is what the first sequence (Desert) will inspire to look like.

A large boulder will be on top of Sean.

The second sequence (Bridge) is where Jared and Sean helps Megan escapes from the river. Here's what the bridge should look like. Simple and stone built.

The third sequence (Tree) is where Aaron will be trapped in a tree, and the gang basically shakes him off the tree.

The fourth and last sequence (Tower) is where the band battles a shark. So the image is that the tower is in the middle of a giant lake on an island. Kinda like the image I've edited below.

And the boat is basically this. Its not real. Its a CUPBOARD CUT OUT!!!!!! The bridge will be a cupboard cut out as well. Nothing will be life size. Even the tree. Except few wide shots then it will be hand built miniatures for the green screen.

I hope this clears up more what the film will look like in the end.

costume designs

2009-05-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

The storyboards are DONE!!!! Now, I'm suppose to receive a recording of the song from the band sometime this month. Then I can edit a storyreel together, and the production will begin! Below are the final designs of the costume for the characters. Megan and Carrie are going to help me out with the costume design and sewing. I know the basics of sewing from halloween costume experiences... but making something that will look this good... is beyond my skill. So thanks Carrie and Meg!!! Over the last weekend, Vi and I also did a test shot (for those of you witnessed it outside of TLE). I dressed myself in my old squid halloween costume, and vi shot me in front of a green screen. I'm compositing together a reel test to show what a film will look like when its done. Sort of what it will look like...

Here's the new designs

more storyboards here we go!

2009-04-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone.
So here are some more storyboards to keep you all excited. I've talked to my friend Julian and he's suggest that we're going to do some screen test next month. See that bridge scene where Meg is drowning? We're going to test that out. Also, we're going to test to see how we can shoot Jared fly in the air while battling the laser shark. I'll post the schedule on the screening, and if anyone wants to come out and help email me at edwardjuan@gmail.com
Also, once the song is recorded I'll get to put together a story reel. Then I'll know the schedule for the production. Such as prop building, costume sewing/designing, puppet fabrication, and the live action shooting. Again, we'll need all the help we can get. I promise there will be food to keep everyone happy during the shooting process. As we all know, free food keeps the crew happy.

storyboards

2009-04-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late update. I've been busy with a gallery show coming up in Astoria, but now its done. I'm back on full throttle working on the music video. Most of you have already seen the storyboards below, but I'll post more later. I plan to pitch the entire story to the band by the end of this month. Jared will have the new recording on the new song by then as well. Once I have the new recording I'll be able to time out the storyboards into a reel. I also plan to do some test shots in May. Like testing how the shark will shoot laser beams out of its mouth. Or how we can hang two of the band members on the wall ceiling to look like they are stuck on a tree. I know, this sounds all confusing right now, but once the storyboards are done you'll get the visualized idea.

music video outline

2009-03-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

So I wrote up a more detailed music video plotline. The premise of the outline will most likely to stay unchanged, but the details will be up for changes and new ideas. I'm going to start doing some thumbnail sketches this week and next week. I'll post some of them on the blog, not to spoil away too much. Once I finish the storyboards I'll pitch them to the band. And... we'll see how things go from there! I'll also setup a schedule/calendar after the storyboards are done. Then we'll know what is needed to be done.

outline here!

Color thumbnails

2009-03-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

I did some early sketches and I colored them. The environment is mostly desert like. There will be boulders, few tree sticks here and there, but I think keeping it simple will be easy to film and less set to be built. I think a lot of work will be put into lighting.

This is an idea for the opening shot, establishing the atmosphere.

A giant flying shark in the end. It shoots laser out of its mouth. I think the cat eye on the shark will look more devious. The tallest building in hell is protected by the shark. The building leads the band out of hell. The shark could come out of the water.

This is a scene when Jared meets Meg, who is a water demon. I want to change the scene to a bridge over water scene instead of the boat. The boat could be used in the end for the shark battle. That could be intense... like everyone gets eaten or something. Then we can do a inside of shark scene (like Disney's Pinocchio)

More to come! I'm fairly busy at work but I'll try my best to keep them coming.

some initial early designs

2009-03-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

Hey guys. So this will be the official blog for the music video project for "Jared Mees and the Grown Children". So far the music video project is directed to the song "The Tallest Building in Hell" (TTBH). Jared did express his enthusiasm at a new song "oh my oh god" new remix, but for now we'll continue with TTBH. And below are my early initial costume/character designs for the band members, follow with Julian's idea of Jared riding an ostrich in the beginning of the video.

ostrich

So the premise of the video story is that Jared is a lost soul in hell. He sees the tower that leads out of the underworld. Along his journey, he makes contact with four demons/spirits (the grown children). Each demon has a weapon or accessory that will aid Jared to climb the tower. He trades a musical instrument for say... a sword or an illuminating crown. At the climax of the story, Jared battles a flying shark that shoots laser/fire out of its mouth. He defeats the shark but is too exhausted to leave. That's when the demons come back and guide him to the top of the tower and out of hell. That is just the brief of it. We'll update the story more once we have storyboards.

I've been doing some research on demon designs. Here's an interesting book from the 18th century on demon and evil spirits of the Christian and Judaism mythology.