Ashley Maria : Life of A Film Student

Fundraising for "Volcano Girl" on Kickstarter

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

We're about 30 days into the fundraiser for "Volcano Girl" on Kickstarter and it's steadily moving along.

Here's a screen grab of our project. Click the photo or click here to go to our Kickstarter page to donate!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is an online company created to help fund creative projects by creative people. Users make "pledges" to projects in hopes that they meet their fundraising goals.

2. Why are you raising money?

We need to make DVDs for "Volcano Girl" and we need to send the film to festivals. Thanks to Volcano Girl's IMAX screening from last summer, we raised enough to send the film to a round of festivals, but more are coming up.

The goal of this fundraiser is to allow the crew to get their names out there in the festival world, and have professional DVDs to send to prospective clients or bosses. We have 33 days to meet that goal.

3. The movie was done in May 2011, why are you fundraising now?

It took quite awhile to get all of the materials together to start this Kickstarter campaign, plus we are all still students. Preparing for this fundraiser occurred while also preparing for other projects, shooting other films, reading for class, and in my case, trying to find a job for post-graduation.

I'm pretty proud of the video we created! Check it out below:

4. Your Kickstarter page says you have until Feb 26th to raise $2500. What happens if you don't make your goal?

We have until Feb 26th to raise $2500, or we will not receive ANY of the pledges thus far. It's all or nothing - that's how Kickstarter works! We need to rally with the Kickstarter community to meet our goal, and that's how they maintain their great community environment. We are all creative people trying to support each other in our dreams.

5. Wait, you mean you may never receive my pledge?

Tis true! If we do not meet our fundraising goal of $2500, then we will not receive any of the donated money, none of the credit cards will be charged, and we will start again at the drawing board trying to raise money to make DVDs and send the film to festivals.

6. I see I get rewards...what does that mean?

Kickstarter likes to promote community involvement by encouraging the filmmakers (that's us) to provide rewards when a backer (that's you) pledges to donate money to our film. So, in our case, if you give $15, you are listed as a "Fire Starter" on our Volcano Girl website. $45 will get you a DVD; $75 will get you a sponsorship opportunity; $100 gets you a phone call from the director and so forth. We even have a reward ($500) where you can get your very own Volcano Girl mask!

7. How can I help?

Share our campaign with your network. Tell them how awesome the Volcano Girl crew is to the filmmaking world and how we need your support to continue our goals in this industry!

And if that doesn't work - let your friends know if they donate $45, then they will receive a DVD that only a few people in the world will own. I think that's pretty cool :)

And just for fun-- scan the photo below (they're QR Codes). Click on the photo to make it larger and scan one individual box.

Which one?? "Play for Hope" T-Shirt

2012-01-21T13:07:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine from UNC, Brian Beckman, starter an organization called "Play for Hope."

Play For Hope is a nonprofit, Rwandan charity, that dreams of a world where every child, every street kid, and every orphan can have positive adult mentorship and can be given a chance for the future.

He recently held a contest on Facebook, and I won a shirt! So now...I need help deciding... Which one is best?? (I'm leaning toward #6) Vote to the Right ---->

Play for Hope T-Shirt Designs

1. "Play for Hope" Blue Logo

2. "Play for Hope" - Women's Blue Africa

3. "Play for Hope" - Men's Grey Africa

4. "Play for Hope" Women's Grey Africa

5. "Play for Hope" Women's Purple Africa

6. "Play for Hope" Logo

Preparing for my LAST Student Film

2011-11-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

How sad is the title of this post? Or is it super hopeful? I've been at USC for 3 years and my dad will kill me if I stay any longer... I mean, it's time for me to graduate!

So, I'm preparing to direct my last student film. Thankfully "Volcano Girl" is acting as my thesis film, so this final project gets to be just fun. I am shooting with all friends, including the actors -- one is a fellow colleague of mine in film school, and I have always wanted to direct her in something...she's crazy good. And the other actress was a glorious find, and I'm sure I will use her again and again!

Which brings me to a side point...I have LOVED every actor I worked with in film school!! Each one has been incredibly talented and wonderful to work with...how did I get so lucky??

And back to my project.

The film is called "Breakfast" and it's about two women on either side of the law and this is their final stand off. We learn throughout the 6 minute scene that they actually grew up together and had a falling out in high school.

I wrote it with a few friends in mind. I have a few friends from my past that I think about often and wonder how they are doing. So...what if one of them showed up outside of my house and wanted to kill me? Hmmmm...How would that conversation go?

This definitely has a bit of comedy. I actually tried to write it as an action/drama; but jokes kept pouring out of my head. I really can't get away from the jokes. So yeah, everything I write will be funny in some freakin way...

There will be guns, shooting, ricochet bullets, broken glass, stunts and a dog. Yes, a dog! He will get shot...but don't worry...it's all fake.

Not as big as Volcano Girl

The crew is a fraction of the crew on Volcano Girl. I can't tell you how spoiled I was on that project. And believe me, I knew I was spoiled at the time. I enjoyed it!

So now, with a fraction of the crew, and a budget to match, we are still going to make a great product.

I'm super pumped!!

-AM

Apartment Hunting in LA

2011-10-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

It's time.

It's time for me to get my own place. And be an adult. And have my own wine rack.

So I have started my apartment search. I would like to stay in the Los Feliz area if only to remain within walking distance of Public House...they have good beer.

So far I have talked about alcohol twice...is that bad?

I'm looking at studio apartments and 1 bedrooms and am experiencing a strong internal struggle. Do I want a studio and everyone sees where I sleep; but I pay less rent and live in a better location? Or do I live further away in a 1 bedroom but have to drive everywhere? The costs are actually quite similar. The closer you are to the town of Los Feliz, the more expensive the apartments. A studio will be the cost of a 1 bedroom further from the center town.

Yes, this is my internal struggle.

Plus...I'm graduating in December (hopefully?). And I feel this sense of limbo. Will I have a job after graduation? Will it be in a part of town that is super far from Los Feliz; and, therefore, I will be pissed that I didn't wait to move? Or maybe I will be unemployed for months and can't afford the $900 month that I can afford now? Yes... $900/month for rent in Los Angeles for a studio... deal with it. It's expensive here.

So these are my struggles. As always, good problems to have!

And now, an apartment hunting story...

Yesterday I was walking along Alexandria in Los Feliz calling "For Rent" apartment managers. A few said they had no vacancy and one told me they would call me back. Let's call them "Buggy." You'll know why soon enough...

So Buggy called me back while I was in a meeting and offered a number to arrange a walk through of an apartment. Forgetting which apartments I called, I decided to walk by Buggy's apartment building to remind myself.

As I walked by, a guy about my age was throwing trash outside and didn't look too happy. I asked him if he was living in the Buggy apartment building. He said he was living there, but he was moving out that very day. I asked why... Apparently he moved in only the 15th of October and in those 2 weeks, the apartment building had sprayed pesticides flaring up his allergies, and he found bed bugs in his place. So Buggy was very buggy.

He told me that he actually met someone moving out as he was moving in who warned him. But he shrugged it off and moved in anyways. So needless to say he did not recommend this place to me nor could he recommend the management.

That guy had been through some stuff...I could see it in his face!

As I was walking away he said "I mean, give it a shot if you want to."

I said, "No...I'm good."

Dodged a bullet on that one...thanks Buggy apartment tenant!!

-AM

FNF Screening in NC...again!

2011-10-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

"Oh gosh, Ashley, I can't make it this time, but let me know the next time your film screens in NC!"

....Here's that TIME!! ...no excuses now...

Hi fellow movie watchers in NC ... my first student film, and winner of a DGA award, "Friday Night Fright," will be screening at the Carrboro Film Festival on Nov 20th. It will be at Century City in Carrboro -- time TBA.

You should check it out!!

Not to be confused with my second student film, "Volcano Girl," which is equally awesome but NOT screening in NC any time soon... (sad face). Still waiting to have our world premiere! ...waiting on festivals to make their announcements...waiting...

"Friday Night Fright" actors are taking over the world!!

2011-10-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

I just love that the very week I post a "Letter to Shonda Rhimes" about how much I love Grey's Anatomy, the star of my first student film, "Friday Night Fright," appears in an episode of Grey's! Houston Rhines was a true pleasure to work with and now he's branching out -- leaving me for bigger projects :)

He was the guy at the bar who hits on April at the end of "Love, Loss, and Legacy" (Season 8 Ep 5).

Here's a teaser for "Friday Night Fright" -- Houston is one of the actors in the television BUT we don't actually see him in the teaser. Message me directly if you would like to see the full film!

Congrats Houston!!

-AM

A Letter to Shonda Rhimes

2011-10-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

With the new fall television season upon us and with it an uncertain future to "Grey's Anatomy" thanks to contract negotiations with their lead actors, I just wanted to tell one of my favorite writers and the creator of "Grey's Anatomy," Shonda Rhimes, just how much I care about her work.

Here we go...

Dear Ms. Rhimes (Can I call you Shonda?),

I have followed Meredith and friends since Episode One. I even loved the musical episode.

I started watching Grey's Anatomy when I was in college. My roommate was studying to be a doctor and I was studying to be a filmmaker. I recall one scene where a patient's insides literally plopped onto the floor. My roommate and I both freaked out -- I thought "how did they shoot that??" And she thought, "how are they going to fix that??" Two worlds combined...Ms. Rhimes.

I Just Watch

I also must admit that I cry...every...single...episode. Even when people are happy... ESPECIALLY when people are happy! I think to myself "oh, they're such good friends!"

It's like a cleansing of the week when I watch Grey's. I let all of my emotions go as well as my "film school critiques" and just watch. The moments are more sincere because these characters are so real. Ms. Rhimes... Are these characters based on people in your own life?

To have a TV show that truly takes your audience away from their world for 1 hour is an accomplishment by any means.

That's my dream as a filmmaker - to create a world that just takes my audience away for a few hours, minutes, moments.

"my person"

I use the term "my person" now to describe those people in our lives who are meant to be there no matter what. That "soul mate friendship." Meredith and Christina are each other's "persons." How did you come up with/discover that term?

As relationships grew over those first few years of Grey's, I saw myself in them and I saw my friends.

Grey's characters are similar to my friends who are living this crazy filmmaker life with me, and we do whatever we can to support each other. We're not as dramatic as these characters...but similarly stressed? Friends like the ones portrayed in Grey's are hard to find and hard to hold onto while lives change left and right. Grey's portrays those relationships, and why they're worth fighting for.

As I prepare for graduation from USC film school, I need to focus on the relationships I have made while in the film program. I can't disown them just because our worlds are changing. These friends are worth fighting for.

Here's my favorite scene from the musical Grey's episode. I remember literally scheduling my week so I could run home and watch this episode. I was balling in my living room as I watched this particular scene!

My Final Question to you Ms. Rhimes: My writing professor at USC School of Cinematic Arts was Mark Shepherd and he claims Dr. Shepherd was named after him... is this true?? He IS great!

Thanks for reading my "Letter to Shonda Rhimes!" Maybe she'll receive this letter and read how much her fans (well one fan) care about her work.

-AM

Mercury Retrograde

2011-09-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

I have learned this new term "Mercury Retrograde," but I unfortunately learned it the hard way.

September 7th was the day when the planets & stars aligned for me to have all technology go sour for 24 hours.

Literally...

I woke to an alarm clock spitting funky sounds. My hard drives were slow. Final Cut Pro shutdown 3 times while I was editing.

And Then...
Just as I was about to press "upload" for the final cut of the "Volcano Girl" trailer to go on Vimeo, all of the power in the house went out. I mean, as if pressing "upload" turned off the power in my house!

Luckily I saved everything, so I put the quicktime file onto my mobile hard drive and drove to campus. Let's not even discuss that hour where I had no air conditioning in this 100 degree weather...let's not discuss it...

And Then...
I went to campus. Once I got to campus to upload the file to Vimeo, the internet went down.

Okay...now what?

I waited with all of my other colleagues equally frustrated. I swear, I didn't do it!

And Then...
The internet came back, but, oh no, the file did not upload to Vimeo. It kept stalling, then giving an error.

And Then...
Speaking of error, I tried to print a document as well and after 4 tries where the word "error" literally printed instead of my document, I gave up.

It was that kind of day where I needed to just go home and not touch anything.

I never got that file uploaded, and never got that document printed.

And Then...
I went to play another file on another computer, and that didn't work...

And Then...
I had to work until late at night and kept the tech guy close by just in case anything went wrong. Did the projector turn on for me? Nope. Did the mouse on the computer NOT work...at all? Yep.

I really did not know what to think of this! Until my friend, and soundie on Volcano Girl, told me about "Mercury Retrograde" -- where the worlds collide to make all technology go kaputt.

And that was my day.

How do I support a film student?

2011-09-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

I was asked this question by a reader whose friend made the big decision to attend film school.

So... how do I support a film student?

1. Believe in their industry

We live in a world that just doesn't understand what goes into making a movie. I've heard the joke "I thought movies just happened" too many times. I laugh, so they won't feel silly... but wow, films do not just happen!

There are days/weeks of planning. There's negotiating for every little detail. There are hours spent in the cold and rain to "get that shot." Then there are days and days of editing and sound editing. Plus many heated discussions over how to properly tell a story.

I have put this VERY lightly... There's also a lot of kissing ass, dealing with two-faced people and trying to maintain friendships. Sounds like every industry, huh?

2. Believe in their choice to get a higher education in film

This is the most difficult. Why do I need to learn how to be creative? Well actually, you don't. You learn how to put that creativity onto a screen. You learn how to manage yourself and your story telling. You also learn the business which can take years of "learning from mistakes" to get right.

It still takes years to fully understand this world of film, but film school gives you a head start.

I blogged about applying to film school here. In addition to answering questions about the application process, I also answer "why should I go to film school?"

3. Realize that they won't be employed right away

This is the hardest for my dad. He just doesn't get that a Master's degree won't lead to an immediate position as an apprentice, an assistant, or a full time job with health benefits.

We won't have health benefits for awhile...

Your role in the film industry, even after graduation from film school, is entirely up to you. No one will say "oh my gosh, you graduated from film school, please run my production company!"

Wouldn't that be awesome?? But film school does help you to walk onto a set or walk into an office and know exactly what to expect.

You have to create your own path to how you'll "get there." And, that my friend, is something no one can teach you.

(Realized I switched tenses there -- from "them" to "you" ...just roll with it...)

4. They will be malnutritioned and over worked

Your friend in film school will not cook on a regular basis like they did back in your hometown. They will not sleep all day on a Saturday like you currently do...

In fact, the weekends are when ALL the work really gets done! As a film student, you work all week to prepare for the weekend of shooting. So think about it, you work 18 hour days during the week, and then have to be fresh and creative when you're actually shooting the movie on the weekend.

It's tough.

5. Learn their curriculum & try to get their inside jokes

I can only speak as far as USC is concerned, but we have a lot of weird lingo. "546" "507" "508" and let's all remember "510" on Fridays! ugh!! (heehee)

We have so many inside jokes, it's disgusting, and I'm sure quite annoying to the outsider.

Here are a few:

"Zemeckis Parking Lot!!"
"Burn"
"Did you hear about that 508 that killed an actor with a dolly?"
"Not only do we support nudity, we encourage it"
"That could be a 507!"
"The School of Cinematic Dentistry"
"F'in D-Clearance"

Did you get them all? Aren't they HILARIOUS? ha! But seriously, just ask, "Friend, why is that so funny?" and then you'll be a part of the film crew!

**Thanks to Mike Tounian, Barb Steele, Jessica Marie Sutherland, and Michael Newman for the help with the list!**

6. Understand that they will have new best friends

When I first came to film school, I was shocked to actually be working with people who didn't mind waking up at 6am to go to set or stay up all night to get an edit perfect. Some of the people I worked with in the past were too busy planning their Friday night or would come to set hungover.

A 5 minute scene in my past life took 2 - 3 hours. Now it takes 2 - 3 days.

I honestly felt at home when I came to USC - when I came to Los Angeles.

Everyone around me knew exactly what I was going through and wanted the same things out of life as me. We knew how to support each other, and thanks to the USC Mafia, we will continue to support each other.

This means your friend may make new friends. They may not call as much. They may even feel that you two have nothing in common anymore. But remember why you're friends and that will always shine through. Don't force it - your film student friend is trying to figure themselves out right now. They're trying to figure out if Los Angeles should be their new home (at least for now). After all, LA is probably where they need to be if they want to be successful in the film industry. (I went through this thought process too.)

And if you want to support them, you need to encourage them to stay in LA and not return home to Small Town, USA to make commercials for a living. (I had a long distance boyfriend do that to me...the relationship did not last much longer...**NOTE: if you're DATING a film student...that's a whole different blog post I haven't been bold enough to write yet...**)

My best friends from undergrad are still my best friends. We can get on the phone after months of not talking and instantly be back where we left off.

If your film student friend knows they can call you to just talk and not get a guilt trip, then all is well!

Are you the Parent of a Film Student?

All of the above apply to parents as well. Plus:

1. Expect less calls during the week, especially when they are in the middle of production.

2. You should probably get the phone numbers of their roommates just in case you need to figure out where they are in a hurry.

3. Listen to their LIFE frustrations and try to help. My mom is amazing when it comes to this. For example, I call to tell her I don't eat well, so she sends me gift cards to restaurants or stores. I won't spend the money on myself to eat well, but if I have a gift card then I'm "forced" to buy it. It's just like being a freshmen in college again. I love going home because I get a real meal!

4. Don't try to solve all of their problems - Encourage them to approach a mentor. If you're a parent that's NOT in the film industry then this is really important. Sometimes they need to go to a mentor to really understand and solve an issue.

Have more questions? Have anything to add? Post Below!

-AM

Working with Mira Sorvino

2011-08-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, I worked with Mira Sorvino to record voiceover for a "Witness" documentary about child prostitution and sex trafficking in the United States.

Mira and me outside the Cinema School. It was a windy day! Thanks to Jeremy for snapping this one!

It was a very heavy morning.

"Witness" asked Mira to read the written testimonials of 4 women interviewed about their childhood experience in prostitution. Mira acted out very vivid stories of these children and how they were forced into prostitution by family members, people they trust, and then had to find their own way out.

It was mind-blowing, overwhelming... And I had to sit there and pay attention to sound levels!!

Mira would stop, breathe and then look at me and Jeremy Kagan, a USC professor who works with Witness and was there to help direct Mira through the voiceover. I'm sure our faces reflected how we felt about the words she was saying!

What really impressed me, though, was how passionate she was about the topic. Whenever she finished a voiceover, she would continue telling us other stories and laws about sex trafficking in the US that she has discovered in her years working on the topic. Apparently if a man pays an underage woman for sex, she gets in serious trouble for prostitution, and he gets barely a prison sentence for sex with a minor.

Tragic.

But "Witness" is helping them.

Because Mira Sorvino gave her time (and a certain college campus allowed a certain student to record for free...) -- this documentary will get a better audience, a stronger viewing.

This topic means a lot to Mira Sorvino, so it was easy for her to say yes to recording a voiceover for free -- something us filmmakers need to remember. If an actor, director, writer (etc.) is passionate enough about your topic, they may just agree to be a part of your project...for free!

Witness & ECPAT sent me a "thank you" gift - a fair trade luggage tag and hand cream from "The Body Shop" made for the benefit of ECPAT's work around the world. It was fun to get this in the mail!

It was just plain cool

I just love Mira and her work, so watching her act and getting to hang out with her for a few hours was wonderful! We all 3 worked together on an accent for one of the characters...so can we pretend that I too directed Mira? Can we just pretend??

Cool.

Interviewing a Non-Actor

2011-08-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

My Mom, @MarketSleddogg, received a Woman in Business award from the Triangle Business Journal (TBJ) this year -- a huge honor. She was nominated for her leadership and financial achievements with the non-profit the Business & Professional Women Club of Raleigh, NC (BPW) and won! BPW is a volunteer-only organization; the oldest organization in the U.S. that advocates for working women.

My Mom accepting the award at the Triangle Business Journal Women in Business Awards in August.

The Video

The TBJ asked the winners to sit down for a 20 minute interview that would then be cut down to 30 seconds for the award ceremony in August (it was held this past Thursday). Being a film student, I went with my mom to the taping. I, of course, analyzed everything they did...that's what film students do...and noticed a lot of things I wish they had done differently. TBJ actually had a great visual set up. Nice background.

Unfortunately, it was not a very welcoming environment to the new "on camera talent"-- my Mom.

Here's my POV during the interview.

For starters, the chair provided no back support, so she had to lean forward. What's wrong with leaning forward? It doesn't look very natural on camera.

So the chair is already working against this new on-camera talent, but what frustrates me the most was how they eased her into the "interviewing process." I know from experience that it takes a few minutes to get someone comfortable in front of a camera. I usually ask very simple questions first to get them used to me and acquainted with the camera that is now in their face. But TBJ did not do that. They asked her tough questions right away!

Here's the portion of the interview they used: Click Here. ...Did you watch it?? This is the very beginning of the 20 minute interview she gave them (They only used, what, 20 seconds?).

Imagine sitting down and immediately someone asks you, "So tell me, if someone says to you 'No, it can't be done,' how do you respond?" I mean...that's a total conversation starter right there! I'm going to go to a party and ask that every time someone walks in the door...

I really feel that TBJ did my mother, and themselves, a disservice.

Being in front of a camera can be nerve racking

Most people are nervous to be in front of a camera, so it's very important that they realize it's just a conversation between two people. You and me. That's it. Pretend there's no camera, no crew. Just us.

I like to ask people what they had for breakfast. This throws them for a loop and they tend to laugh. Laughing is the best way to get someone comfortable!

So I ask "What did you have for breakfast?"

Answer: "Cereal..."

Oh no, my new friend, I need more details.

"What kind of cereal?" / "What did the bowl look like?" / "Did you eat at a table?" / "Did you read your email while you ate?"

(This is also a good technique for directing that I learned from my mentor, Joan Darling. It helps an actor truly visualize their space.)

Back to the TBJ interview

As the interview went on, my mom loosened up and started joking around, smiling, and was way more animated. She was now more comfortable and less nervous.

THIS is what makes a video great!

An audience wants to relate to the person on screen, and what better way to do this than to see them having a good time! This is where TBJ did themselves a disservice. Their video of the winners could have been much more enjoyable if they chose to show their winners' true fun personalities. Instead, they picked the first 2 questions where the winner was not comfortable in their environment. It's too bad.

Yes, it is my Mom

I'll be the first to admit that I'm incredibly protective of my mother. I LOVE this video of her, but I know it could have been better. I know that TBJ had the footage and opportunity to make it better...and that is what makes me so frustrated!

Did they not have the money? Time? Skills? Who knows...

But...seriously...look at the other videos of the other winners, and tell me that chair does not look like the most uncomfortable thing in the world!

Even when you're pissing, you're pitching.

2011-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

"Even when you're pissing, you're pitching."

Hmmmm.... What??

Yeah, I made up that quote, and let me tell ya why...

I'm finalizing my education at USC film school, and the #1 thing I have learned is that you are always pitching yourself, and pitching your brand. Every person you talk to is a potential client or employer or collaborator. You're always showing who you are as a filmmaker.

That one moment that you're a bit off in how you pitch yourself could really cost you.

So, even when you're pissing, you're pitching.

I imagine that's easier for guys to understand since they tend to talk to each other at bathroom stalls...right? Girls...well...we yell from stall to stall sometimes, so I guess that works!

But yeah, I'm proud of that quote :)

Remember to have FUN

2011-08-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

It's easy to allow film school to consume your life. So easy. When you first enter film school, you think, "Hey, this is fine. This is what I want to do!" Then 2 years later, you realize you are suffering from malnutrition, sleep-deprived and you haven't actually seen a movie in a theater for months. But, hey, your student films are great!

After awhile, though, that creativity suffers. You have forgotten what it's like to sit in a nice restaurant. You have forgotten what it's like to experience nature. You have forgotten what it's like to hold a deep conversation (something important for this little movie-making process).

That creativity suffers if you don't have an outlet. An outlet, meaning: something that takes your mind off of your "to-do" list. I suffer from an overwhelming "to-do" list. It's like my conscious whispering "why are you having fun right now? you know you have to continue writing that script...Ashleyyyyyy." Yeah, it's a little eery, but we're in a safe, sharing environment right now!

I'm not sure if I have found my outlet yet (maybe Reality TV?). I have friends that rely on cooking, or trying new restaurants...but who has that money? Other friends tend to steer toward drinking...but who has the money for that or the liver? Some go to the beach (I just burn) and some go hiking (I'm allergic to sweating). One thing I CAN do is sit and drink coffee while looking at beautiful scenery. That...I love.

Another thing I can do? Share all of this with friends who totally get it. I think my friends are my outlet. (awwwwwwwww)

So here it is, fellow film student (or busy person), remember to have FUN. Remember to step away from your computer and your phone.

Remember the reason WHY you wanted to be a filmmaker.

Where should I live in LA?

2011-07-27T09:09:00.001-07:00

When I first moved to Los Angeles to attend USC's graduate film program, I had no idea where to live. I thought, "the closer to campus, the better...right?" Based on my experience in North Carolina at UNC-Chapel Hill, the town surrounding UNC was gorgeous and the commute was short, so living near campus was great. This is not the case at USC.

I always heard that USC was in a bad part of town. After all, it's located in south Los Angeles, a location known for gangs, drugs and murders. Why would anyone want to live near campus? But I didn't know Los Angeles, and I had no time to fly out and apartment search. So I had to pick a place, sign a one year lease, and move in -- all by online photos, price comparison and recommendations. I thought I would live near campus, get to know LA, and then find a new place after that one year.

UCLA on the other hand? They live in the most gorgeous part of LA - Westwood. Those lucky punks. (Our Trojans will kick your Bruin/Bear butts any day...just sayin...we have a sword).

I lived in "The Ghetto"

My first year in Los Angeles I lived to the west of campus. The apartments weren't as nice but they were cheaper...and safer. I blogged about the feuding ice cream trucks, the neighborhood animals, and the rooster that crowed outside my window.

News Year's party at the USC apartment

We were never bothered by anyone (we, of course, never walked alone at night). The students who lived north of campus, on the other hand, were robbed a lot, because after all, that was the "rich student" part of campus. That's the honest truth. The bad guys knew those students had money and acted accordingly.

Outside our apartment

I liked my cheap apartment. It allowed me to get used to USC and its campus. It was also a 5 minute bike ride to class -- boy, did I sleep a lot more than my other film school colleagues! But after a year, I traded sleeping in and that crowing rooster for a nicer apartment in Los Feliz but longer drive to class.

My apartment search was like House Hunters

On a side note, anyone watch House Hunters? I felt like I was on that show. We literally had 3 apartments to choose from. One was the cheapest but further from the Los Feliz area, one was more expensive but had a home-y feel in a small town and the last was middle priced with the best location, but no air conditioning.

We went for the best location. I think House Hunters would be proud :)

The epic move to Los Feliz

So, you're starting your housing search in Los Angeles

I'm totally biased towards Los Feliz because it reminds me a lot of my undergrad experience at UNC. You can walk around town and feel safe. See the area map below. Los Feliz is 8 miles north of the USC campus - about a 30 minute drive.

Here's an apartment building that I found in my search: http://bit.ly/LosFeliz on Vacancy.com.

I actually have a few friends that live there. It's literally right in the middle of everything Los Feliz has to offer. There are plenty of places to go out partying within walking distance (for example: The Dresden, Public House & Ye Rustic Inn).

There are plenty of places to eat as well. In fact, Fred 62, a 24/7 diner, is featured in a TON of sitcoms and movies. Plus, I tend to run into a celebrity there every time I go. Seriously. Every time.

To Condition or Not to Condition ... your air...

This apartment I shared has air conditioning which is tough to find in Los Angeles. My current apartment does not have air conditioning, and I find myself hanging out in coffee shops for hours during the hot summer days.

Look, ma, we have a washer & dryer!

The apartment on Vacancy.com doesn't, however, have a washer & dryer in the unit. I have that in my current place and it really does spoil you to be able to throw clothes in the wash and not have to babysit it. But I may trade that in to have air conditioning during LA's hottest months (July & August). Those months can get just gross...

Your Friends are There

Plus, a ton of film students/film makers live in Los Feliz. I can walk one block and run into a friend.

Los Feliz really is its own town within a wild, unpredictable Los Angeles city. It's nice to know that your friends are nearby, and you can all go to awesome restaurants or bars together. Try the sushi here. It's delicious!

Film school friends at Public House

Film school is tough and it's important to get yourself out of your room and away from your computer sometimes. It was difficult for me when I lived near USC because I felt like I had nowhere to go. Now that I'm in Los Feliz, I feel like it's "my town" and I enjoy exploring it.

And do you like nature? Griffith Park is a short car ride (or long run) up the hill!

- AM

Grandma Sounds Off

2011-07-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

This past Easter, I called my grandma to wish her a Happy Easter and to just catch up. ...I found that I had a hard time keeping up with the outside world while directing "Volcano Girl."...sorry grandma.

My sister and I took our grandma to Wilmington, NC a few summers ago because she had never been to the ocean. We decided not to go to the Redneck Wedding that evening, instead we went to the beach!

My grandmother lives in NC, and she lives the life of most grandmothers. Sewing, cooking and enjoying happy hours. Oh wait... yeah... only my grandmother makes sure she has enough vodka for an afternoon martini. Love her!

We saw this fountain and grandma immediately said it looked like a martini glass. Does it look like she's holding it?

"Sound Hand Off" for Volcano Girl

Anywho, so I called her this past Easter to catch up. It just so happened that Easter was around the time when we had "sound hand-off" of "Volcano Girl." This means that we have officially picture locked our film (no more editing allowed on picture), and it's now the sound people's turn to edit.

This is a set rule at USC - that picture must remain locked - but this is not the case in the industry. Many films allow their picture editors to edit even after the sound people have worked many hours. Now that the picture has changed, the sound must be completely shifted or changed - meaning: hours more of work. I saw a Star Trek panel where they discuss this very thing. I talk about my experience at that event here.

My Plans for Easter

So as I told my grandmother my plans for Easter, she started to get worried. What were my plans, you ask? Well, I had lunch with friends. That was awesome. But then I had to rush off to meet with my sound people (or "soundies") to discuss creative choices for the sound design. This meeting would most likely take a few hours because I wanted to hear all of their ideas. Then, after that meeting, I had to find a place with good speakers to continue listening to music that my composers had sent me Easter morning. One of my composers was in England so I needed him to have my notes by the time he woke up in the morning. He and my other composer were working whenever they had free time from their paying gigs, so I had to make sure they had my notes in a timely fashion.

This is not an ideal Easter to my dear grandma.

She asked, "Ashley, are you happy?"

Me, "huh, grandma?"

"Are you happy?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're so busy all of the time. Are you really happy?"

"Grandma, I can't think of a cooler way to spend Easter than with my soundies and listening to music composed just for my film. There's nothing else I would rather be doing."

"Oh"

"Well, it comes second to your ham and mashed potato dinners...and Pineapple Martini's."

"(laughs) That's more like it!"

...love you grandma :)

On the dock in Wilmington, NC. Angie, my sister, took this photo. Brilliant.

La Radio

2011-07-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine, Allison Badea, has recently moved to Paris for work with L'Oreal, which has been her dream for as long as I've known her. She's incredibly talented...and speaks French! So I knew it would happen for her one day :) Well, I read her beautiful posts about life in Paris and see her gorgeous pictures of cheese (only she can make cheese look pretty), and I think, "I need to find an excuse to visit her!" An excuse, meaning, more than one reason to spend $1,000's. Any festivals out there want a super hero film? And are willing to fly me to Paris for the screening? Maybe? Let me know...

Here is her most recent post that I just needed to share. And I secretly want to make a short animation of it..so let me know if you're interested in making a low budget animated film with me! Woohoo!!

She is also a talented photographer of the world around her. Check it out here. In fact, see the photo at the top of this blog? That's her handy work!

-AM

LA RADIO

PARIS : party in the Marais. I arrived at my friend's apartment, just having moved into mine a few streets over, an extra set of keys in hand. "Hey, I'm leaving these with you just in case,". Parisians at the party echoed in agreement, "...ah yes, trust us - you do NOT want to get locked out in Paris." When I got home that night, I coincidentally found, in my mailbox, a small piece of paper. "NUMEROS UTILES" it said. On it were numbers for a doctor, an electrician, a chimneysweep, and a 24-hour locksmith. Hunh, I thought. Not bad to have.

A week later I was consolidating the last of my moving boxes, Ella Fitzgerald blasting in my apartment, the place really coming together. I couldn't wait to have the boxes cleared out, but heeded the movers' advice to put them down at the curb late to avoid a fine (unlike New York, you cannot leave random items on the sidewalk whenever you want). 11ish, I pushed the last big box filled with crunched up paper - as big as I was - out the door . . . which slammed shut behind me. I immediately checked to confirm my worst nightmare . . . automatic lock. My thoughts raced. My keys were inside. My friend had left Paris that evening for a trip. I had not left keys at the office but even if I had, it was closed. I did not have money, I did not have my cell phone, and I did not have the building key so if I left, I could not get back in. And I could hear Ella, a bit muted now, inside mocking me.

When we make a decision, we inform ourselves based upon past, similar experiences. Back to my childhood home in the surbuban midwest, I'm locked out. Next door: Ding-dong! "Hi Sally-Sue! You know what, I've just locked myself out, do you have the extra set we gave you ten years ago? Thank you SO much!" College, residence hall office across the street : "do you have the extra key pass? Thanks! I'll bring it right back." New York, Upper West Side studio apartment : wait - non-issue, the door did not lock...UNLESS I TURNED THE KEY TO LOCK IT.

This was not helping. I am in Paris. Let's be honest, I have no idea.

I frantically scanned the hallway for small objects. My hair clip! The Gods of No-Solution had a sense of humor. The Hair Clip of Hope in hand, I bent back two of the plastic prongs, channeling my long-ago summer camp lock-picking knowledge. How many years ago could that have been? Allison, who cares right now, FOCUS! . . . this is dire. What would McGuyver do? I inserted each of the prongs, parallel, into the lock, and pressed to the left. I pressed harder. I twisted slightly and pressed again. My heart racing, I paused momentarily to catch my breath. I could NOT allow the plastic prongs to break off, this would eliminate my only tool and create greater complexity within the lock itself.

It was getting late and I had wasted precious time in which civilization was still awake. Suddenly, the little mailbox paper with "NUMEROS UTILES" flashed into my consciousness. I had no choice but to meet - and most likely wake - my next door neighbor and ask to use his phone.

The man answered the door, peeking out to make sure I wasn't dangerous. Dangerous no, self-proclaimed annoying, yes. This man needs no description other than that he had a halo, wings, and a potentially-helpful expression on his face. "Bonsoir Monsieur", I said, "I'm your new neighbor and I'm so sorry to meet you this way, but I'm locked out and don't have another choice but to call the emergency locksmith." He handed me his phone and the same mini paper of "NUMEROS UTILES" I had remembered. My Locksmith In Shining Armor was on his way.

I walked dejectedly back down to the main entrance and sat on the step. In France, you must turn on the lights in your apartment hallway, and englightment only lasts for thirty seconds before they pop off again. My thirty seconds up, I found myself in the pitch black, my head in my hands, no concept of how long I would be here. I defiantly reached up to the light switch and punched with my fist. There they were, my empty moving boxes, ready to be put out at the curb, with bright blue labels : ALLISON BADEA. ORIGIN : NEW YORK, NEW YORK. DESTINATION : PARIS, FRANCE. Suddenly I was back in my New York apartment, the movers' hands slapping those labels on the boxes, the familiarity of taxis honking out on 79th street amplifying the stomach-punch realization that I could not visualize where I was going. My precious books, my photographs, my favorite chandelier lamp - all of it would be packed into a carton to cross the Atlantic and unload . . .

Here. I was here.

Here in Paris, France, in the hallway of a charming Marais apartment, my dream for many years and my beautiful reality for the last two months. And I would wake up tomorrow to the morning light rays, the Seine breeze, and the echoes of my courtyard neighbors making coffee - all floating through my lace-etched French windows. . .

POUND, POUND, POUND. I watched as the front door to the building shook violently. My heart started racing again. Was this HIM? I had given him the code, for what possible reason was he breaking the door down? POUND, POUND, POUND RATTLE RATTLE. After a long three minutes of meniacal door-forcing there was a click, and it opened.

My hulky Locksmith in Shining Armor entered, a tall, gangly teenager behind him. He smiled at me, a here-and-there-tooth grin. "I forgot the code," he said. "But then I remembered it."

I hoped that the terror I felt was not visible on my face.

I took Locksmith in Shining Armor and his Sidekick upstairs to show them the door. "Vous l'avez claqué?" he said.

I looked at him stupidly. Hunh?

"CLAQUE, CLAQUE, VOUS L'AVEZ CLAQUE?"

I thought for a moment. I think "claque" was the sound the door made when it closed, but you know, I was actually slightly preoccupied at the thought of what might follow, I didn't pay attention. So sorry. I guessed that "claquer" meant to close without locking. Which made the question illogical, because if I had locked the door, I would have keys, and we would not all be here together having this discussion right now.

"Oui, je l'ai claqué," I said.

"On va essayer avec la radio," he said. We're going to try with "la radio".

"La Radio" was a sheet of thick, shiny, metallic paper. Basically, it was the credit card method with a slight size increase. I watched Locksmith try to slide La Radio in the crack between the wall and the door, hoping it would pop open. It was then that I noticed the large tattoo of a key on his arm. Seriously? In the US, if you have a Harley tattoo, you usually have a motorcycle license. I doubted this guy had any kind of official locksmithing anything.

"La Radio ne passe pas!" he declared. The Radio doesn't work!

I looked at him angrily. What did he want me to do about it? I didn't have locksmithing expertise. He was my only hope, didn't he know that? I shrugged.

"Je ne sais pas quoi dire," I said.

I hoped that next he would try some professional lock-picking tool. But instead, he brought forth a drill. With an excruciating sound, he began to drill into the lock. Every so often he would stop, step aside, and let Sidekick try with his long, thin fingers to release the lock from the inside.

To my horror, my neighbors started emerging to see what was going on. From the staircase below, one man said to me, "Ca va vous couter cher, madame" That will be expensive. Yes, this I know. From above, another contributes, "I heard noise at this hour so obviously I had to come out to see what was happening, are you new in this building?" Yes, that I am. It's nice to meet you.

When drilling the lock didn't seem to work for Locksmith, he moved to the door beside the lock. After creating a hole four inches in diameter, sawdust spewing everywhere, he allowed Sidekick back in. His long, skinny fingers released the lock, and my apartment, calm as I had left it, opened up before me.

How does the story end? I opened up my French checkbook for the first time to an unfamiliar check format and paid Locksmith a pretty penny since it was a jour ferié, watched he and Sidekick leave and, sadly, poked a wad of paper towel into the gaping hole until I could deal with my battered lock in the morning. The next day, my landlord's locksmith came and repaired everything professionally, even vaccumed the sawdust up from the floor.

To cover the hole, locksmith #2 placed a plaque with a new door handle. It's white, and the door is grey. I could paint it to match. But I don't think I will. It's a white rectangle, a rectangle of resilience, reminding me every day of the challenges I face in this new culture, tests of my inner strength, stories I'll take with me, doors that will open.

It's also a reminder to check I have my keys.

The VG & FNF Screening at IMAX

2011-07-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Wow...what a freakin cool day!!

This weekend was a whirlwind of excitement and I want to do it again.

People checking out the "Volcano Girl" poster in the lobby of IMAX.

Close up on the poster. I made sure it was right where everyone would see it. We even made the IMAX people move the huge Harry Potter display for OUR poster - Thanks IMAX!

This is one of my longer blog posts...so do you have your coffee ready? Then let's go!

How is Harry Potter involved?

First of all, it was Harry Potter weekend on ABC Family, so you best believe I was watching those movies while preparing for the IMAX screening. I'm pumped for the next one! Will he kill Voldermort?? (I haven't read the books...).

Anywho, watching great movies is always inspirational as a filmmaker. Watching the Potter films got me pumped for my big screening - to have the opportunity to share Volcano Girl with a whole new audience and all of my supporters. Maybe one day I'll have an audience just as excited to see one of my movies?

Never once did I say to myself "how often can you see your film in IMAX?" I said "this will be one of many."

Am I Lame?

I was more nervous to talk in front of a crowd than to show my film. I trust my films. I believe in them.

For the most part, people laugh where I want them to laugh in my films - and jump where I want them to jump. :) teehee. I also knew that both films had been tested by the most critical judges -- film students. If film students believe in your film, then you should be flying pretty high. Unless your film is Transformers... let's not go there.

But - Do I have what it takes to keep an audience entertained by my talking for an hour? Is all of this really as interesting as I think it is? Are my stories funny or super lame? And, God forbid, do I sound cocky trying to talk up how hard it was to make this movie? So many filmmakers I have experienced in the past sounded so "artsy-fartsy" and I HATE it! I will never walk around in all black with a scarf. Not my style.

I do, however, wear black-rimmed glasses. I think that's a necessity if you want to be a filmmaker. Just FYI...

My Goals for the Screening

I spent the morning reworking in my head my goals for the day. We were raffling off a "Night Out at IMAX" to help raise money for "Volcano Girl" to go to film festivals as well as raise money for the creation of DVDs. I needed to constantly remind the audience of the raffle, but I also didn't want to be annoying...

I also wanted to introduce the title and different levels of Executive Producer. I'm beginning my film career and I'm starting strong. I'm ready to make a feature, so I need financial support. Do you hear this determination?? Grrrrr But, wow, asking for money is more terrifying than public speaking!

Those were my goals. I was excited to screen the film, but I needed to keep the goals of the screening in mind. I also needed to remember to have fun. My audience is coming for a good time - after all, the films are called "Volcano Girl" and "Friday Night Fright." I'm sure it would be a different story if they were coming to see "Whispers in the Wind" or "A Heart that Breaks" ...both made up titles of films I probably will never make... but they weren't. They came for fun. And they were coming to learn a bit more about an industry and a person they may not know much about!

Finally Made it to IMAX

Read about the preparation of the IMAX screening here. It was nice to finally get to the screening day!

Sweets anyone? The cupcakes were my FAVORITE!!

We arrived at 3pm at IMAX to set up for everyone's arrival at 4pm. I asked my old college buddies to come help out as well as a few friends of my mom, and we had about 10 people setting up. Needless to say, we were done in 15 minutes and just hung out until everyone arrived.

Around 3:30pm some Power Pass Holders arrived and waited in the lobby. Tim, the "IMAX guy" (he's the IMAX manager but that's what I call him), came to me and told me I had some fans in the lobby. I said "whaaaa?? Really? People are actually here to see the movies??"

I gathered myself and ran to the front to introduce myself. Yes, I'm the filmmaker. No, I'm not the person in the Volcano Girl poster (I get that a lot). Yes, the movies are short, but please stay for the Q&A!

Then I revealed to them a secret...a secret...well, that I tell everyone. So far, both of my movies have my hand in a shot somewhere. In "Friday Night Fright" it's in the background of a shot, but no one has ever noticed it but me. And in "Volcano Girl," it's my hand burning a "V" into the table. That's now my official "thing" -- to have my hand in a shot somewhere --Hitchcock, watch out!

After talking to the Power Pass Holders for a bit, I ran back into Venture Hall, grabbed a brownie and gathered myself once more. Oh that's right, I forgot to eat today...

Here's the Audience!

Around 4pm, people started showing up and made their way into Venture Hall -- the hall where we were holding the Q&A after the screening. There were tons of hugs and thank you's and welcome's. Then I started realizing people thought we were actually screening in Venture Hall! Oh no, no. I watched them as they tried to find a good seat. I ran to Tim, who was running to tell me the same thing. It was very dramatic.

I ran to the front of the room to grab the microphone and announced we were actually screening in the big theater, and we can begin lining up. Everyone zoomed out of there and were in line before I could finish my sentence. I wasn't expecting that, but it was kind of cool.

The line outside of the theater.

I walked outside to see who else had arrived, and there was my old Physics teacher. Mr. Prim (visit his website here) was one of my favorite teachers in high school. We even hid his chalk from him -- now that's love.

Then there was the family I used to babysit for. And the people who used to babysit me. There's the neighbors who get our mail when we're out of town, my friends I hadn't seen since high school, college buddies (Go Tar Heels), fellow local filmmakers, my VIP executive producers, my mom's friends and friends of friends, and a few people that I just didn't know. It's nice to meet you and THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support! ...I hope you like the movie...

Lisa Stewart, the designer of the "Volcano Girl" mask, takes photos of movie-goiers waiting in the line outside of the theater. (@ecstewart)

Partying it up with Jan Delory (@jdelory) - the raffle lady - and sales extraordinaire! (@PivotPointGroup)

There's "Volcano Mom!" Apparently the IMAX crew called her "Volcano Mom" whenever she came with me to the theater. :) @MarketSleddogg (@PivotPointGroup)

There was a DELAY

No, not a delay in the screening...a delay in the microphone. There was a whole second delay where I could hear every word I was saying repeated back to me. I was talkinnnng soooo sllooowwwwllyyyy. Luckily, Tim let me practice beforehand, so I didn't make a complete fool of myself when talking to these nearly 200 people in the theater.

I felt like I was doing stand up! Hello everybody! How do you feel?! I tried my hardest to stick to script, but that delay just screwed me up. It was a total out of body experience. People came up to me later to tell me they could hear the delay too. It was so weird.

Finally the movies are ON

Here's the part where I get to sit back and relax. I took a few photos of how large "Friday Night Fright" was on the screen:

You can't tell at all that this is 70 ft high... but it is!!

Massive "Andy!!!"
And it was way better quality in the room than what this photo portrays taken from my iPod Touch.

I wanted to film everyone's reaction to the "knife scene" in "Volcano Girl" but it was too dark. Everyone jumped - I promise!

Now it's time to ask questions!

After the screening, I went up and reminded everyone to stay for the Q&A (keep in mind the horrible delay on the microphone!) and I think a good portion of the people stayed. I also pimped the raffle again... so that was an incentive!

About 200 people stayed for the Q&A after the screening. I'm the little dot at the far end of the room.

Just call me "professional speaker."

This was by far the best part of the day.

Actually hearing what your audience thought of your movie, listening to how they connected to your characters, and hearing their enthusiasm for your work is invaluable. It's all I need to keep pushing forward in this tough industry.

As I started talking about the making of "Friday Night Fright," a large noise came from the ceiling and shook the room. It made me jump. Someone yelled out "Don't open the door!" (a line from "Friday Night Fright") and I cracked up! Now that was just plain cool!

I talked about the fire effects in "Volcano Girl," how we get such great actors in student films, and what it was like to work within the USC film program. I tried my best to fill in the audience of the film student inside-joke: The Zemeckis Parking Lot. We are encouraged to shoot in this campus owned parking lot if we want to do anything semi-dangerous. This is where we shot the fire effects.

Then the questions came, and they were TOUGH

I felt like we were all having a genuine conversation about movies. All 100 of us!

Are audiences reacting how you hope they would react to your film? (for the most part everyone laughs where I want them to laugh, and I saw you all jump at the knife scene!)
What are 3 lessons you learned on "Friday Night Fright" that aided you in creating "Volcano Girl?" (did my teachers put you up to this?)
Did UNC prepare you for USC? (honestly...no!)
Do you have to live in Los Angeles to be successful in the film industry? (no...but it helps)
Do you ever get to learn from Stephen Spielberg or George Lucas? (no, the Dean keeps them far away from us students...but we do have a lot of other great directors that come to talk to us)
What was it like to work with a writer? (he was my friend, so I'm sure it's not your average working relationship)
Did you mean to have Virginia say "Lucy, I'm home" like they do in "I Love Lucy?" (yes, but we toned it down for tension purposes. If you got the joke, you got it - but if not, then no biggie!)
What was the audition process like? (we had them do some stunts, and I also chatted with each actor to see if we could work together on a daily basis)
What type of stories do you want to tell as a filmmaker? (I tell stories about events, characters and themes that I relate to personally and find entertaining, and hope that other people can relate and jump on board! I also tend to stay more in the comedy-genre.)

Josh Eiserike, the writer of "Volcano Girl," came into town for the screening and answered some questions about the writing process.

So Amazing!

There were so many more questions, and my answers were definitely longer than how I am portraying them here. I gave many examples, and I talked more about me personally as a filmmaker rather than making broad statements about the filmmaking process. I know what works for me, not necessarily the person standing next to me, so I talk to that. This is what I have learned in my journey.

After the Q&A, a short line formed in front of me to talk more about the films. This is when you hear honest opinions of the movie, and how your audience personally connected to the story. I was hearing things that blew me away.

One person said "When the news report came on, I knew exactly what type of movie I was watching." Really?? That's EXACTLY what we wanted the audience to feel! You got it!

A woman came up to me with her young daughter -- "What age should my daughter be to start a film career?" Honestly, I started the second my family could afford a camera, but my partner on "Friday Night Fright" was 40 years old. So any age!

The Raffle

Jan Delory took the lead on the raffle. We gave away two signed Volcano Girl DVDs and the "Night Out at IMAX." One of the kids in the audience won a DVD. I thought that was pretty cool! Okay, you can't post it on Youtube now! :)

Around 7pm, we were done with the day. I left IMAX so pumped and wanting to do it all again.

We, as filmmakers, make movies for an audience, not just ourselves. We hope our audience follows us on the journey we create with actors, sets, lights, cameras and music. We hope our audience gets what we're trying to say, and then wants to join us for the next film!

- AM

**Thank you to Camden Watts (@cammicam) for taking photos during the event**

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Guess What...Volcano Girl is screening at IMAX

2011-07-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

Yep, you heard right. IMAX!

I secretly want to bootleg my own film, so I can send it to the "Volcano Girl" crew back in Los Angeles...don't tell anyone.

My thesis film, "Volcano Girl" and my DGA award winning film "Friday Night Fright" will screen in a Private Screening on July 10th at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kid Museum in Downtown Raleigh... did you get all that? It's a long name and took me awhile to get the hang of it, but it rolls off the tongue now! Especially since I have been telling everyone and their mom to come to the screening!

We Just Made the Call

Tim McKay, a former boss of mine and Executive Producer on all of my films, cold called IMAX and got in touch with their manager. He pitched them the concept of supporting a local filmmaker and they jumped at the opportunity.

I talked with them on the phone and met them in person. Their manager, Tim, was the best help. He was equally as excited to show the film to their Power Pass Holders and then share it with their regular audiences whenever they have the chance.

They're even giving us vouchers for a "Night Out at IMAX" to raffle off to the attendees of the July 10th screening. I'm trying to raise funds for film festival submissions and future films. And it turns out all of the fire effects and live music of 'Volcano Girl' drained our budget and we don't have enough $ to make DVDs... you'll see a Kickstarter page soon! Yay for fundraising!!

Not only is Wells Fargo IMAX hosting this screening on July 10th, but they are also screening "Volcano Girl" in their lobby and before feature films like Cars 2. We created the below video to play right before "Volcano Girl" screens. This way everyone knows why IMAX is showing "Volcano Girl" and also shows how they are supporting local filmmakers -- something very important in the Raleigh community.

Volcano Girl IMAX Intro from Ashley Maria on Vimeo.

Thanks to Tim McKay, Sam Griffin, Neal Gettinger and Lea-Ann Berst for their help in the production of this video.

We basically took over IMAX's balcony for an hour to film this 30 sec intro. The sound guy, Neal, yelled at small children to keep them quiet, and Tim yelled "quiet on set!" mainly for the popcorn guy to hush...

It was quite strange being on the other side of the camera...let me tell ya. Sam, the camera guy, ran into the C-Stand at one point and I literally stopped talking to the camera to help him. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me. Oh yeah... I'm not a production assistant on this set... The guys laughed. Luckily, these were guys I worked with a ton in the past -- I was even their production assistant when I first started out in my film career. I remember running to cover Sam's gear in a huge rainstorm. That's dedication.

And, having to edit yourself on camera - or stare at your own face for hours - is not fun. I always make fun of how people talk when I'm editing their interviews. It helps me stay sane - seriously, ask other editors. But what do you make fun of when you have to look at yourself?? It just seemed so counter-productive to say, "Ugh, that girl on camera can't pronounce 'thanks' correctly...oh wait...that's me..." That was painful. I can edit footage of anyone else, just not me anymore.

Formatting

Making sure "Volcano Girl" and "Friday Night Fright" would screen on the IMAX projectors was an adventure all in its own.

If you like technical terms...then read on... if not, skip to "Test Screening."

I brought my hard drive with the various formats of "Volcano Girl" for them to export to their Digital Cinema Package (DCP) format. When they said they wanted to screen "Friday Night Fright" as well, I hesitated because I didn't have its hard drive with the editing file - it was still in Los Angeles. Luckily, I saved the 30 GB animation codec version of FNF onto my desktop, and I worked with their tech guy, Emmaus, to properly transfer it to a file their system would understand.

It took 4 visits to IMAX to finally get all of the files in a format their computer would understand. You'd think it was simple - just click all the right stuff and export, right? No. We often found out the hard way that one thing wasn't clicked and that screwed up the whole file! I had about 8 different exports of Volcano Girl (2 hours each) before I got it right.

My computer and I have spent a lot of time together the past few weeks...

Test Screening

This Friday, we are test screening the DCP files to make sure everything will play correctly on Sunday. If we have a problem, then we can screen off of a DVD. But that's just not cool...

Invitation to a Private Screening

Now, I talk so openly about this screening, but it is private. If I held a public screening open to everyone in the city, then it would be considered the "World Premiere of Volcano Girl" and that would really hurt our chances at festivals. The top film festivals want to be the first to show a movie. They want to be the ones to promote "World Premiere" or "North American Premiere." They want that pride - that marketing.

So, we have to be smart in our wording, because I want to "World Premiere" at Sundance!! or SXSW or someplace equally awesome!! (fingers crossed)

IMAX Power Pass Holders Invited

Here is the invitation IMAX sent to their Power Pass Holders -- I literally jumped from my seat and ran to show it to anyone who would look. It's so awesome!

New Poster

And here's the new poster, designed by Cyn Mallard (click here for her website), and officially premiering at this screening in the IMAX lobby.

Note the different tagline and the QR Code - both new changes that I feel make our poster more noticeable. The QR Code is actually quite nifty to encourage an audience to scan and see where it takes you (it takes you to the Volcano Girl web page which will have our trailer up soon!). I was at the movies the other day seeing The Green Lantern and only saw one movie poster with a QR code on it - and printed very small too. I think that's a missed opportunity Movie Industry!!

Kitty Brains

2011-06-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

While editing, my assistant on "Pioneers in Skirts" took a break to check out the world around her... The box she jumps into actually held a book from the Business & Professional Women's organization in the 1920s! Don't worry...the book wasn't in there at the time...

Lightning Outside of My Window

2011-06-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

The thing I miss most about NC is its thunderstorms -- and really weather in general! The only thing we get in Los Angeles are earthquakes, and that's just plain terrifying. Granted, if I had been in NC during the tornadoes, I probably wouldn't miss this type of weather either.

Anyways -- I woke up to lightning and thunder outside of my window - and I filmed it.

Improptu "Volcano Girl" Screening -- Eek!

2011-06-19T11:20:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I screened Volcano Girl in a really comfortable, home-y environment for one of our Supporters and her son's graduation party. So there was about 25 people watching it in a living room.

And I was more nervous for that screening than I was for the 350 person screening on the USC campus.

Here's why...

1. My 13 minute movie was competing with 3 of the cutest children who apparently all needed their mommy right when the movie started.

2. The tv screening ratio did not show the whole screen (why??) so about a 5th of the movie was cut off. (don't worry, we clicked through the ratio options while the movie was still playing...ugh)

3. "Turn it up" was yelled a few times.

4. They didn't laugh at all of the jokes.

5. Someone's phone rang and she picked it up...

6. It was a bright room, so you could barely see the screen.

7. I saw people looking at each other, looking around, grabbing for their drinks and food -- all normal things you would do at a party, and now they were forced to stare at a screen.

8. An entire conversation was had during the last 30 seconds of the movie, and I don't know how anyone could hear what was going on...

There you have it -- talk about a filmmaker's worst nightmare!! But somehow people got the movie and came up to me after so excited to talk about it!

All I could think was, "Really? You got what we were trying to do??" Neat!

I was a mess with nerves while watching the movie, and it's because I could literally see the audiences' reactions. No filmmaker should ever have to sit through that... Give me a dark room and a huge screen any day. That's the environment I love!

Interviewing Kevin Smith on Smodcast

2011-06-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

On May 20th, I was selected along with a few other students to interview Kevin Smith on his Smodcast radio show, put together by the Avid editing software company.

Avid is promoting Kevin Smith on his tour of "Red State" and asked for students to do a private Q&A with him after the LA screening at the Wiltern. Apparently they ran out of time, so the selected students were asked to be on his radio show. I was actually not one of those selected students, but a few students dropped out and since I knew the Avid Artist Relations Manager, Meagan, she asked me to join in. I, of course, screamed "YES!!"

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I knew it would be best to discuss editing and mention "Avid," as often as possible. So I thought about some editing questions as well as directing questions.

When I showed up at his studio, there were 5 other students hanging out and waiting to go on air with me. We sat in the kitchen looking at all of the "Jay & Silent Bob" gear and playing with their hundreds of dogs (no exaggeration... hundreds of dogs).

Kevin Smith's producer/assistant asked for 2 people to go first. I stalled, totally nervous, and two other guys jumped up. A USC student and a student from Los Angeles Film School went up first. They asked a few questions as me and 2 other students waited just off the side, straining to hear - afraid to really look in the studio. It actually turned out better to go second - we got longer air time.

Then it was our turn.

Jen Schwalbach, Kevin's wife, let me have her seat, which was right across from Kevin - and quite comfortable, if I might add!

Kevin's reaction to me walking up was fun -- a woman in film! Apparently there aren't many women on their show, besides Jen & Jordan - Kevin & Jason's wives. They said it was refreshing to see a girl for a change, especially one who is working hard to be in this industry. That meant a lot. I was talking to Jen and Jordan in the kitchen after the interview, and they just were so happy to see a woman for once. It was really nice. Meagan came in, who holds a strong position in the post production world, and it was nice having us all there together. I forget sometimes how this industry is such a boys' club, and it was nice to chat with women for a change. We were all "women rule" for a few hours there!

The Interview

Yes, I downloaded the Podcast, edited just the students' section (on Avid...might I add), and posted it on my Youtube page. I hope that's okay, Mr. Smith!

Go to 14:53 for the 2nd round of student questions that includes my portion of the interview...and Kevin Smith singing "Girls on Film." Awesome.

My Favorites:

"If everyone loves it, it's not art"

This is refreshing because as film students, we struggle with what works for an audience and what doesn't. It's easy to follow the norm and do the average romantic comedy, or we can go a little extreme and play with the story and the characters. If some of your audience likes it, then great! But don't be discouraged if not EVERYONE loves your film.

Also, his advice to new filmmakers was great. Every day we're punched in the face with "you're doing it wrong," or "you need to be like Spielberg or Scorsese to succeed." No I don't. I need to be just like me and carve my own path. Damnit.

I asked Kevin, "What happens if you just don't know? What happens if you're not sure where to take a certain piece of a scene?" This happens to directors every now and then, and he said "You turn to someone you trust." I know on "Volcano Girl," I had a tough emotional moment to achieve, and I just wasn't sure if I got it. I turned to someone on the crew that I trusted to hear their opinion. And, as far as the story is concerned, I think it worked out!

After the Interview

I was too nervous to eat before going on the radio, so once the interview was over I quickly heard my stomach growling. Luckily, they had tons of bagels for us! The only drinks though were beer and wine... so I had water. I had more things to do that day!

We waited for "Jay & Silent Bob Get a Job" to end so we could take photos with Kevin. We listened to the program from feet away on huge comfy couches. We played with the hundreds of dogs again. Then they would bark, and we'd feel bad.

Hover Hands

Once Kevin was done we went to their gorgeous back deck of their studio and took photos. We joked about "hover hands" - a condition where a person doesn't actually touch the person they're taking a photo with - they simply put their hands near them. Here's an example:

Kevin said he did this, which made me feel awkward since I actually placed my hand on his back... Then he said, oh no, it's not normal, and he doesn't do it anymore. Okay cool. No hover hands faux pas today!

Interviewing Kevin

Talking to Kevin Smith was a breath of fresh air. He was real. He answered our questions with truth and frankness. It wasn't something rehearsed. His manager wasn't leaning in his ear saying "you probably shouldn't say that." It was nice. We could ask him anything and get a straight answer for once. That's all we want in film school. I know I constantly have questions about the situations I'm in as a filmmaker. Especially, "is this normal??" And Kevin Smith pretty much said, "yes!"

Students on Smodcast

I heard through the grapevine that he may bring students on again to talk editing and filmmaking. I'm ready to start making a feature, and based on his experience making "Clerks," I know he is the perfect person to answer all of my questions.

So, in short, bring me back, Mr. Smith!!

What would you ask Kevin Smith if you had the opportunity to interview him? Answer in the comments section below!

-AM

"The Tree of Life" - Not just for film snobs

2011-05-29T12:28:00.001-07:00

I have to admit, I was hesitant to see "The Tree of Life." It screamed artsy-fartsy in its trailers and reviews, and I'm just not that kind of audience. See "Bridesmaids" for the third time, instead? Yes, please!

But I did it. I sat through "The Tree of Life." ...And loved it.

Yes, it was slow in parts. Yes, it had poetic imagery that got kind of hilarious (wait for the wide shot of sunflowers...I burst out laughing). On the 10th shot of outer space, I thought, "what is going on here?!" Don't get me started on the dinosaurs...yes, you heard me right.

But, Here's What I Loved --

We all get to see it

This was clearly Terrence Malick's passion project and it was incredibly personal. I could feel everything with him. Malick, the director and writer, got away with a film that is just not distributed in mainstream America. I'm sure Brad Pitt and Sean Penn had a little hand in getting it out there, and I do live in Los Angeles (we're a "different" audience). But the film was bold in its storytelling. I was impressed. Yes, Malick, you made a film student impressed by your work! Malick made a film that is just so bold, and he gets to share it with a bigger audience, not just festivals.

Storytelling

The editing and storytelling challenged the audience to come up with their own conclusion. I had to interpret the collection of shots, rather than the storyteller telling me how to feel. Granted, there were a few times ("I give you my son") where I knew Malick was saying..."in case you weren't sure...here you go." But for the most part, I got to tell the story with him. Did I interpret every shot as the filmmaker intended? Definitely not, but it didn't matter. I felt like he trusted me.

Childhood

The boys growing up and discovering the world was so clear. When Jack first met his younger brother, we held on the child's eyes, and we really saw that discovery with him. It wasn't a Medium Shot, and then a Close Up, where we think "Oh, the child is discovering his new brother." We held, and discovered the story within the frame, with the little boy. Again, Malick didn't treat his audience like idiots. He didn't need to push us to figure out the story. ...Ugh, loved it!

The film reminded me of when I grew up. Every emotion is heightened, especially when felt for the first time. And this film brought back all of those memories. I wanted so badly to run outside and play "Kick the Can" on Sunset Blvd.

Cinematography = Gorgeous

The cinematography was gorgeous. You'll figure that out right away. And then you'll start figuring out how those shots tell the story.

This movie was a series of close ups and low angle shots. We watched the characters make decisions. We watched their emotions get the better of them. It was intelligent and treated me as such.

When Jack learns to walk, you'll find yourself laughing out loud and just so proud of the little boy!

My biggest note on this film is its interaction with the audience. Again, Malick trusts us to interpret his film. There's no force, no pushing. Just showing.

So there you have it. Promise me that you'll allow yourself to be grabbed by the film. Work through the giggles and eye rolls that may come up as you watch the series of "pretty shots." (you'll figure out what I mean). Just open your eyes and feel the rhythm.

And please, don't think I'm a film snob for liking this film. I watched Thor 3D, so I think I've earned my artsy film for the month.

My Kenai

2011-05-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

I'm finally okay...well...better.

Kenai, my Siberian Husky we've had since I was 11, died at the end of March.

First of all, that whole week was incredibly intense for the "Volcano Girl" crew. We were "picture locking." This means, we had to edit our film and reach a stopping point. We would not be allowed to jump back into the cut/edit and fix any story issues or shot issues that may come up after the lock. Our lock was 6pm April 2nd - a Saturday - and that would be it!

I had been in the editing basement all week where we don't receive cell reception - it's quite annoying. I apparently missed a call Wednesday night from my mom, but she didn't leave a voicemail, so I never saw it.

Kenai, our dog, went outside to go to the bathroom - like she always did - but this time, she never came back. She had diabetes and was fully blind, so my parents thought she had lost her way. It was actually quite cute watching her maneuver the world as a blind dog. We felt like her "seeing-eye people."

My parents were out all night looking for her with no luck. We have a huge hill in our backyard that leads up to a forest. We see at least 5 deer a day and sometimes a muskrat if we're lucky. Needless to say, it was tough searching the woods at night, so my parents waited until the next morning. Keep in mind that she had diabetes and she was missing her insulin shots.

My dad took the day off and searched for her. Nothing. My mom called me to ask for help posting "Lost Dog" pages on Craigslist, etc. and calling shelters in the area. I helped as much as I could but I was in the editing basement yet again with no cell signal. I would run upstairs every so often to call a shelter or return my mom's call.

Then I got the email from my mom. "Call me" was in the subject line. My poor editors watched me run, mid-sentence, out of the editing room and upstairs. I ran to a corner of our courtyard and called home. They found Kenai's body down the hill. It was horrible.

All I can think was that she knew she was going to die and walked away. I hear Huskies do that.

I cried. I searched for a place to be alone and, wow, that was hard to find! I ended up against a building - not even sure where - and cried.

Crying while Editing

That was Thursday, and we were still editing for picture lock on Saturday. We brought in various audiences to watch Volcano Girl. I just sat in silence and tried my hardest to smile when they looked at me. Thank goodness my editors and producers were good "question askers" and talkers. I couldn't say anything. I waved goodbye and once the door shut to the editing room I started crying again. My editors and producers were so great - I'm sure they felt a little weird - but they were wonderful!

I pulled it together for Friday & Saturday and literally had to make myself forget for those 2 days. I couldn't allow myself to really think about Kenai because I knew I would just cry. I had to stay focused or I would ruin this opportunity.

Picture lock came and went.

Finally, a few days after, I had a free night. I sat on the couch and cried. I just stared at the photo above of my Kenai and cried. I'd get on the phone with my mom and cry.

Picture Lock Stress

It felt almost comical to say "my dog died" just as I was about to picture lock. It didn't feel real, like it was out of a sitcom. I remembered Joan Darling, my mentor and inspiration as a director, tell me the story of how she wants her actors to laugh. "Let them laugh!" She directed the "Chuckles Bites the Dust" episode of Mary Tyler Moore where a clown dies and everyone thinks it's funny but Mary. She finally gets the joke at the funeral and can't stop laughing.

All I could think was "Really? I'm under all of this stress and THEN my dog dies? REALLY?!"

I thought I should share this story because it's an amazing example of no matter how stressed you may feel as a filmmaker, there are still situations so much bigger than us, bigger than film.

I am doing something I love, and I think of my puppy when I need a good smile. She never criticized my movies :)

Foley for Volcano Girl

2011-04-10T10:13:00.001-07:00

What exactly is Foley?

You know all of those sounds you hear in fight scenes? The punches, the kicks, the slaps? When filmmakers film fight scenes, those sounds aren't actually there - the actors don't really hit each other. They have to do those punching/slapping sounds in Foley!

We had to Foley a punch that Volcano Girl gives to Radian -- check out the Foley session here.

Try just listening to the video - doesn't it feel like a real punch?

What has happened since the first screening of Volcano Girl?

2011-03-12T15:58:00.001-08:00

Since Wednesday's class, the editors and I talked about what was working and what wasn't.

The Relationships

The sister relationship between Virginia and Lucy was fantastic. So much so, that we may actually need to rework some elements of the movie to allow their sister relationship to shine through even more. It was fun hearing that on Wednesday!

Comedy

The comedy was not hitting exactly as planned and that's to be expected in the first cut. Comedy is tough and needs perfect timing to get a laugh from the audience. We certainly need to finesse some of our cuts.

VFX

Don't forget, Volcano Girl shoots fire out of her hands!

Our fight scenes with the VFX are actually really strong. We have received some VFX shots the past few weeks from our 2 VFX Houses: FuseFX and 3Sixty Studios - and should have those in final stages by Tuesday.

Titles

Andrew Chittenden (aka Chitty) is our official Volcano Girl graphic artist, and he is doing our opening title, closing title and credits. He came to a meeting on Thursday with so many ideas that I literally turned into a giddy 7 year old girl. The titles are going to be amazing!

Music

This is a super hero movie and the music needs to reflect that. Because of the restricted 546 budget, we are working our butts off to get a lot of resources for cheap or free. Musicians at USC cost $20/person and contracting those musicians is a cost as well. Recording at USC is $25/hour. It really adds up when you want a genuinely good score.

Our composers, Alexander Rudd and Zach Lemmon are working with us to make the best score imaginable on a low budget. I am currently referencing a lot of the 'Italian Job' score (the Marky Mark one) which means our composers have the opportunity to make this music very large - which again, is costly. So we'll see!

Our First Assembly ("first cut")

2011-03-10T22:36:00.000-08:00

In the "real world" of filmmaking, a director usually gets to sit with their editors to work on the first cut of their film. They get to work with the cut before showing it to anyone - even the producers. This is not the case in our class, 546.

The Assembly

Wednesday was our "editor's cut" in our advanced production class 546 - the class in which we are producing "Volcano Girl." Calling it an "editor's cut," though, is a misnomer. It's actually an "assembly" of all of our footage. The editors put everything we shot from the script into the cut. This means it includes lines that may not be playing right or shots that may not work in their proper order anymore.

As a filmmaker, you usually have to re-cut your film based on your footage, not necessarily based on your script. The script is a guideline at this point but by no means does it confine us. We say "now we edit the movie we shot." It's a good saying.

Seeing It For the First Time

The rules of 546 do not allow me to see the cut before the "editor's cut." So I see it for the first time with everyone - all 50 classmates/professors. All of the directors were warned about this class. We were told it will be tough - no fun at all. It will be 50 people telling us exactly what they think of our movie, the movie we haven't even been able to touch yet. I certainly prepared myself. I've heard that directors in the industry get drunk for these first assemblies. I couldn't do that at 8am.

Oh the Comments

Yes, this process prepares us for the real world - when we'll receive every comment possible from every person possible - and believe me, we got them all on Wednesday.

Some of the best were "I still don't get it," and "Why don't you solve it with a phone call? or maybe a title card?" The best was suggesting a Star Wars like crawl to explain the relationship between Volcano Girl and Radian ... would you believe that I heard that suggestion more than once? Some more: "your character doesn't make sense" "I hate the mom" "Just cut the whole scene... well... try it!" "is she a robot?"

Don't get me wrong, each comment is taken seriously, because there is truth behind them. The "Star Wars like crawl" comment refers to the fact that they don't understand our characters right away. Same with the "your character doesn't make sense." So that certainly needs to be fixed - and it will. The "is she a robot" referred to a VFX that wasn't working, so I then spoke to the VFX guy to figure out a change. And we're fixing it.

Listening to Comments

Some comments you may disagree with, but they should be heard. I think "listening to comments" is actually a learned skill in this industry. You get better with experience.

So, when receiving comments, you should never simply dismiss them. I have a few colleagues who think that way, and it upsets me. You also shouldn't believe every single comment as fact. You really have to pick and choose. The comments that tend to repeat are usually the ones worth your time.

Seeing the movie from the point of view of someone else is a gift.

"Stick to your gut, but be mature enough to know when you're wrong."

I think that sums it up!

I Wasn't the Only One

Don't worry - the other directors were not spared. One of our professors yelled out to my colleague "I'm glad your character died and I hope it was a miserable death!" ... my colleague doesn't want us to hate that character... oops! We all received the "your movie doesn't have a beginning...or an ending" and "I don't feel for your main character. Why should I care?"

The whole experience was tough, but all I can do is laugh. Believe me, this movie is in such beginning stages that it shouldn't be shared with anyone!

We Were on a Break!

The hardest part was actually the 15 minute break after I showed my cut. It's the break where we get to grab a coffee (the class does start at 8am), grab something to eat, and go to the bathroom.

I didn't get to do any of that.

I walked out and was immediately grabbed by someone to talk about business. It was needed for sure - we were talking about composers. I walked with them to the line at Coffee Bean (the line gets long at CB so you have to run). A few people interrupted us once we reached the line to give more feedback on the cut until I got to the front of the line. Then I talked to someone different as I paid for my yogurt.

I tried to walk over to the counter, so I could set down my coffee and open my yogurt and another person walked up to me. It had been 10 minutes, and I still didn't get to eat. I was starving! I was drinking coffee on an empty stomach and that is NOT good for me...

I walked back over to the class, still trying to open that yogurt, and was stopped again. Then class started. Did I mention I also had to pee?? Ugh! So that was my break. I didn't get much of one...

Needless to say that after the next movie screened, I gave my comments then ran to the bathroom. I brought that yogurt too. No, I didn't eat it in the bathroom...

That was my break. And it was good.

Can't Complain

I can't complain, really. All I can do is smile. This is the industry. This is what it's like. Every director will deal with everyone and their mother telling them how they should make their movie. 546 truly prepares us for this. No need to get defensive. People want to be heard. My job is to listen and say thank you. Maybe I'll get lucky and there will be a suggestion that would actually work really well. Then I get to steal it and call it my own!

That's all I could do during Wednesday's cut - but I'll be damned if I don't get to eat my parfait.

Next

I know we have work to do on the cut. I wrote down the suggestions and will review them once I have had an opportunity to work through the cut.

After Wednesday's class, the most important concerns are the ones repeated many times by the audience. We are certainly paying attention to those.

The editors and I will work over our Spring Break to perfect this cut in preparation for next Wednesday's class and Pick-Up weekend.

Oh Pick-Ups...

We Were Rained Out

2011-02-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

My angry face at the rain.

Rained Out

Day 5 of Volcano Girl did not happen. The storm of the freakin century came through Los Angeles. It not only soaked our set, but it caused electricity to zap my crew. Oh hell no.

CBS

We are shooting this weekend on the CBS Radford neighborhood lot. This neighborhood location has been seen in a ton of USC thesis projects, the show "Greek," "Two & a Half Men," and "Perfect Couples." Here's a list of other shows that shoot there - so maybe you'll see our neighborhood location on those shows as well?

Back to the story.

Friday was completely clear and sunny until about 3pm. Then the rain came down.

We arrived at 5pm in down pour rain. The crew arrived and started setting up tents and lights - providing umbrellas and plastic bags for all electrical equipment. The rain slowed us down but wouldn't stop us. Productions shoot in the rain all the time.

I sat with the actors in the make up room most of the night but would travel to set a few times. On my way back to the make up room I was caught in a very serious down pour.

Hanging with the soundies on the deck of one of the fake houses.

I went to the car to grab my phone and got stuck.

Sparks

Alan, our assistant director, ran over to the make up room and notified me that people were feeling a current from the lighting equipment. This of course is dangerous so we stopped production. Our plan was to figure out what was causing this, and if no solution came, then we would stop the production for the night. The rain was not stopping, so we really had no way of drying off the equipment.

We Needed Help

After calling every contact at CBS, with no one picking up the phone, we knew we were in a stand still. It also doesn't help that this weekend is a 3-day weekend. I bet a lot of people left work early!

I found a security guard who called someone...who called someone...who called someone. Thanks. But no thanks.

I got on the phone with my directing instructor, Sheldon Larry, and he talked me through it. Since we had no solution, he suggested simply walking around CBS to find someone. He then said not to worry about losing the night. We would figure it out, but safety first. He totally understood that I wanted to figure out the problem and continue filming. He said it's not abnormal for a director to say to their actor or crew "oh you're okay? can you go for another take? great!" ... I wanted so badly to find a solution and at least get some shots in the can.

I grabbed Stephen, one of the producers, and we walked the lot. He approached everyone who passed us and we finally found the CBS Electrician, Billy Webb. He came to our neighborhood location and called reinforcements. We had found someone to help!

They couldn't figure out what was wrong... They had no idea... and couldn't recreate what was making the spark. In preparation for calling the night, the whole crew put the equipment away and locked it up, so we didn't have our original wiring for these guys to look at. So with no solution and the rain not stopping, we officially called the night.

We brought the crew in for lunch before sending them back home.

It was so warm in this room...

Cutting Shots

Now it was my job to figure out how I can shoot a 3 page fight scene in 2 days. Nearly impossible.

With the help of the DP's, producers, and AD, we cut almost 30 shots and moved an entire scene to another weekend.

We're A Team Now

It was - simply put - heart breaking. My whole body was slouched over, mourning the loss of the night. I didn't cry - don't worry - I knew my mom would talk me through it. She's good at that. I did get a little emotional though when my DP's looked at me and told me how upset they were. That was the moment. We were a crew. A team. This was our production and we as a whole were losing so much.

I learned so much that night. I learned about the strength of a team. We all worked hard even though the conditions were terrible. We all believed in the project and were willing to walk around soaking wet to make Volcano Girl a reality!

Talk about bonding!
-AM

Which Volcano Girl Photo is the Best??

2011-02-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

Time to Vote!!

Which Volcano Girl pose looks best?? We need a photo that shows her in kick ass Volcano Girl mode to juxtapose her oh-so-awesome high school photo.

So which one rocks your world??

Option #1

Option #2

Click "Option # 1" or "Option # 2" in the poll on the right -->

Tell me which one you like the best and then come see it in the movie! Screens May 7th at USC.

THANKS!!
AM

Volcano Girl: 2nd Production Weekend

2011-02-14T16:17:00.000-08:00

We reserved the parking lot for Volcano Girl's fire element shoot.

Here I am - the Monday after our 2nd weekend of production, drinking coffee and blogging. Yes it's 4pm and I have class at 7pm. I'm going, I'm going!!

This past weekend was stunning. Saturday was the "crash through a window" sequence and fire elements shoot. Sunday was the "fire in bathroom" and "knife through door" sequences. No easy days. Ever.

That man on the ground is our flame thrower pyrotechnic guy - Hutch. He was just plain awesome.

After we burned the painting.

My view of the fire elements. I was forced to sit at the monitor. This was probably one of the only days where it was kind of a bummer to be the director -- I wanted to play too!!

I think our last weekend of production will actually be pretty easy because it's just actors! No stunts, no fire elements, no camera trickery. Just character development -- easy...right??

Improving as a Team

Wow -- I am learning a ton!! This project is incredibly ambitious for the limitations of the 546 class, and I think we're pulling it off. Production design has successfully created massive paintings to burn and fake doors to slice knives through and fake windows to crash through. Utterly amazing.

My actors understand the characters. They're smart, which makes my job a whole lot easier. We receive tons of compliments on our cast - which is 80% of a movie's success. If you can't believe your characters, then you can't believe the movie. We're lucky to have our leads for sure.

Bonnie Kathleen Ryan as "Volcano Girl." We're getting her in Volcano Girl costume for a photo. The photo appears in the news report announcing Volcano Girl's secret identity.

Finally

I am amazed at how well our crew is growing as a team. We are making a tough movie and we support each other. Each member of the crew is learning their role as a camera operator, or sound person, or assistant director, etc. Some are in this role for the very first time. It's hard, and I feel we're giving each other the space to learn.

546 Part 3: How they pick directors

2010-11-12T15:45:00.000-08:00

The 546 director selection process is completely talent based. Of the 12 teams of director, producer and writers that pitch, 3 are chosen to make their movies. The story is what makes these teams stand a part from the rest.

But there are a few factors that make your talents look better...

1. You took the class already

Me: I took 546 2 semesters ago as a sound person on Crushing Violet. I made good relationships in that class and did a damn good job (if I don't say so myself). I actually pitched as a producer on a project as well (we didn't get it). So I've been a part of that class in a few different roles.

By taking the class, you know the process and you know the faculty. It's like going through boot camp before getting the opportunity to be in charge.

2. You're a girl

Me: I'm a girl. No, they don't pick a girl JUST to pick a girl, but they usually want one. Everyone wants to support the next Kathryn Bigelow. Last semester, they actually didn't choose a female director. This proved that it's based on the project, not the gender of the director. But in semesters past, there's usually 1 female director among the 3 directors chosen.

3. You have a different story

Me: I pitched a super hero comedy. The semester before us (the one with all the male directors) was made up of really intense dramas. We all knew the professors wanted a comedy in the room. They needed a reason to smile!

Finally

I felt that all of these factors were working in my favor. But they were also working to help the 11 other directors competing against me. So I did not relax for a minute!

What NOT to say...

I did have one producer say something to me that I think is worth repeating.

In meeting with this gentleman, I asked "Why do you want to produce Volcano Girl with me?" His response: "Because you're a girl, and a girl usually gets through. So you'll probably win."

Interview over.

We Needed Green Ice Cream

2010-11-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

546 Part 2: The Week of Film Student Speed Dating

2010-11-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

After Monday's meet and greet with all of the possible directors, producers and writers, it was time to team up for the big pitch in 2 weeks - the pitch that would decide who gets to make their project.

Let me back up --

The goal of this whole 546 process is to get the opportunity to make your movie with 100% school resources and faculty guidance. The school gives you $7,000 to make your movie and you work to raise the rest to reach a maximum of $12,000 budget (give or take a few $100). Then you crew up with other students to create an entire production team made up of a director, 2 producers, 1 assistant director, 2 director of photography, 2 editors, 2 sound designers and 2 production designers. All of you are officially in the "546 class" and working on 1 of 3 movies produced in the class.

And let's get back to it --

Before I pitched "Volcano Girl," I had to make sure there was no other script that I felt strongly about. Usually these scripts need a lot of work to make them perfect. The writers, for the most part, know they must work with the director to re-write these scripts; which is another reason why I definitely wanted to work with Josh. We were friends. We had a good shorthand. I knew it would be a good working relationship.

This is where the "speed dating" part comes in. I sat at a table and scheduled a meeting every hour on the hour - taking a break after about 4 meetings to run and get food. The Coffee Bean in our building LOVES 546 speed dating week. They get even more business because "everyone meets for coffee to discuss 546." It's true. SO MUCH COFFEE!!!

I met with a few writers and just kept thinking "ugh, this isn't as cool as Volcano Girl." ha! I decided on Tuesday that I wanted Volcano Girl. Luckily Josh decided he wanted me too.

Choosing the script first did scare off some of the producers. Some of the producers wanted to find their director and THEN find their script. Other producers genuinely liked other scripts better. It didn't scare off Stephen Gibler, though! Once I pitched my goals for Volcano Girl, he knew he wanted to be a part of the project. There was no doubt about it! I still had other meetings, so I could not commit to him just yet.

Signing the agreement

The deadline for deciding your team was 12noon on Friday (1 week after the shortlist came out...keep in mind!).

Wednesday night is actually when most teams commit to each other, so they can then start preparing their pitch. Wednesday night just so happened to be my DGA event (read about it here). I refused to have any meetings after 4pm that day -- so I could fully enjoy the event. I scheduled meetings for Thursday. This meant I risked losing Stephen to another crew. And I almost did. Another crew asked him to produce for them, and he said he was holding out for Volcano Girl.

I realized I needed to snag him at about midnight after the DGA event. I called -- hoping he'd be awake or get the call first thing in the morning. Nothing. I went to sleep...a little freaked out that I had waited too long.

I received a text message from him at 6am saying "I'm in."

I had to tell my other meetings that I had decided on a producer. They were bummed but understood.

Woohoo! I had my team!!

We signed our agreement on Thursday.

It was really happening...

The Director's Guild Award

2010-11-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

Once I got into my car and sat in the driver's seat, I stared at my award - now in its box lying next to the flower my mom gave me. It was at that moment that I realized "this is so much bigger than me."

The award in the passenger's seat.

DGA = Director's Guild of America (Steven Spielberg is a member...)

I received a DGA award in the Woman's category for my short film "Friday Night Fright." Check out the trailer here. It was a Minority and Women Student Film competition. Here are past winners.

The Ceremony = Cocktails

I arrived at 6:30pm on the dot for the cocktails portion of the ceremony. I had one sip of beer and that was all I could do - I was not about to drink before an event like this. I also had the fear of "spinach dangling from my teeth," so I barely ate.

We all took photos prior to entering the auditorium. The USC Cinema School was highly represented at the evening's ceremony. Two winners and one Jury winner came from the Trojans. Fight on!

Dipesh Jain (Jury Award Winner in the Asian American category), me (winner in Women Category), and Ryan Coogler (Winner in African American category). All colleagues of mine at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Me and my favorite Production Assistant, Rusty Beaman. We first met on "Friday Night Fright," and I've forced him to come to every set of mine since!

Mary Lou Belli, middle, presented me and Amy Adrion our awards for the Women's Category. Amy was the runner up by 1 point! We slapped a serious high-five at our accomplishment. AND Why did they decide to use the photo where I'm flipping my head back? What was I doing??

Carolyn Corbett, my trio member in 508 for "Friday Night Fright." She was the producer, sound recordist and editor. So, yes, she was invested in the project! Read about the making of the film here.

Erika Rankin, the star of "FNF," Carolyn Corbett, me, and Rusty Beaman. It's amazing how we are still celebrating this film one year later!

The Ceremony = The Presentations

At this point, I was well aware that I would actually have to get on stage for a "thank you" speech. This was not brought to our attention prior to the event, so I spent the first hour of the ceremony thinking of what I was going to say!

We watched one-minute clips from the Runner-Up's films. Then we watched the Asian American category winner's film and his speech. Then the Latin American category and his speech.

Now it was my turn. I had seen "Friday Night Fright" MANY times, but I was still so incredibly nervous!

After it screened, Gene Reynolds went onto the stage and said, "50 years ago, a woman could not yell 'action.'" I matured a little in hearing that statement. I do question that statement because my mentor, Joan Darling, was certainly yelling action 50 years ago!! It does get you thinking, though, about where we really are in our journey to become equal parts in this industry.

Then they announced Mary Lou Belli, the Woman's Category presenter. She is a well known director among television, including "Sister, Sister." -- ROGER!!!!--

She gave me the award and scholarship check, and it was time for my "thank you" speech.

Do you see the pretty piece of glass that says "Director's Guild of America?"

Saying "hi mom!" My mom couldn't attend the event, so I said hi to her through the video camera. I think at least one person is required to say that at every awards ceremony... She did have my cousin bring me a flower and say it's from her!

With Gene Reynolds. He said my movie was so scary that it turned his hair gray. He also knew my directing mentor, Joan Darling. He called her Little Joni! They worked on MASH together.

The podium, my award, and me! This is around the point in the night when I realized I did not want to let go of that award.

Trying to sneak my award into the group photo. Dipesh was too tall!!

The group photo -- expect it in DGA Newsletters near you!

With some Twilight Zone fans -- Once they heard "Friday Night Fright" was inspired by The Twilight Zone, they had to come and see it! The event was actually open to the DGA members and this woman was a part of the DGA Women's Steering Committee. She told me they discussed "Friday Night Fright" at the meeting the night before...cool!

The Speech

I began the speech with a "funny story." I wrote "Friday Night Fright" after watching "True Lies" with friends. We all yelled at Arnold, and I thought "What if Arnold yelled back?" That got a bit of a laugh. Then I went on to speak on the support of the DGA and the support of my cast and crew. I ended with "Wow...DGA...Cool!" and a big smile! Everyone laughed - I think they knew exactly how I felt.

So Much Bigger Than Me

Which brings me to my original statement -- how this whole ceremony was so much bigger than me.

In the weeks prior to the event, I received mixed responses to the award. "Oh...you got it because you're a woman?" "Why aren't there white male awards?" And all I could think was "Give it back!!" Give me back my award! Don't take it away from me by belittling its meaning!

Sitting in that auditorium, receiving congratulations from women who pioneered their own way in this industry, just blew me away. I can't describe it. I had their support. Support of my peers, my future colleagues.

I say "this is so much bigger than me" because while I may feel down when someone says "oh...you got it because you're a woman," other women are proud of me and pick me up. Women I don't even know. We protect each other. They gave me this award to encourage me, inspire me. It's now my turn to take that support and run with it. Women need other women as role models.

In my application for the DGA award, I mentioned how little role models there are for women in this industry, especially the comedy and thriller genres, and if I could inspire one woman to become a filmmaker -- to not be afraid -- then I've done my job.

546 Part 1: Ugh...Why do you keep saying "546??"

2010-11-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

546

"What does that mean?"

"Why do you keep talking in numbers?"

"Is it some weird USC Mafia code?" Answer: YES

546 is an advanced production class that involves an initial competition for the opportunity to direct -- and I was a finalist to direct.

The first round

Over 50 students apply to direct. We are required to give 10 copies of our directing reel and 10 resumes -- all presented very meticulously so professors can watch them without problems. We are even told how to properly tape the DVDs shut, if we decide to do so. If we do one bit of it wrong, then we're disqualified.

Over 100 scripts are submitted and about 25 producers submit.

The Short List

The short list - the finalists - comes out on a Friday evening at 5pm. For us it was Nov 5th.

I sat in a seminar with all of my colleagues as we waited for that email to be sent out -- the email listing the finalists. I was on my email the entire time - barely paying attention to the speaker. Sorry speaker... I just kept refreshing my email...again... and again.

Then it was sent and you could see everyone in the room whispering to one another and pointing at their phones. Some turned around to congratulate, some were totally bummed, unfortunately.

I was sitting next to my friend, Josh Eiserike, who wrote "Volcano Girl" that made it on the short list of scripts. I high-fived my other friend, Josh Tate, who was also on the director's "short list" with me. He would be my competition in the coming week, but at that moment we could celebrate!

Then it was time to read the 35 scripts - 12 pages each. We had the whole weekend to read in preparation for a meet and greet on Monday. I was producing Marty Go's advanced directing project so it wasn't the most ideal situation to be in when you need to read 420 pages...

I got through most of them but pretty much knew I wanted "Volcano Girl."

The Meet and Greet

More like film student speed dating...

We all get into one room on a Monday afternoon. All of the writers, directors and producers. We get up, introduce ourselves and then the directors show their reels. I, of course, showed "Friday Night Fright." My big pitch is that I like to blend genres -- specifically horror & comedy.

Once the reels are over, the professors say "and Go!" and we run into the hall and talk to everyone. My goal was to finalize which script I wanted to pitch with and then which producer would best suit the project. Some directors work the opposite way. They find their producer and then decide on a script. I knew I wanted Josh and Volcano Girl; and I knew we were going to make fire. I needed to find a producer who was willing to do it -- willing to make fire.

After the meet and greet, I left with about 20 people's contact info who wanted to meet to talk script ideas or producing. The meet and greet lasted for almost 3 hours. I showed up about an hour late to my producing class because of it, but my professor said it was fine!

I went home that night and prepared for the week of meetings to come!

Vote for EPIC FIRESTORM

2010-11-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

Vote for Epic Firestorm!!

A good friend of mine, Kari Barber, made this short for the Epic Sprint Competition.

Fun Fact: I did production sound for this scene and was also an extra. So yeah. I consider it a part of me as well! I'm happy K-Bar didn't get rejected like I did :-)

So VOTE.

Have you ever bought SPAM?

2010-11-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

I got rejected from Sprint...and Michael Bay

2010-11-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a video that I made for the Sprint competition: Epic Video Contest! ...judged by Michael Bay. Too bad I was rejected.

"Rejected," you say? The video doesn't seem that bad...panties are weird...but still cool. Well, let's start from the beginning...

About 3 weeks ago, an email reached the USC student body announcing this Sprint competition. An email thread with the subject "EXPLOSIONS" circled among my group of friends and I took it seriously. I came up with this panty idea and ran with it. I asked my roommate, Brigitte, to be the director of photography. I asked a friend to find all of the sexiest actresses she could find and I asked a lot of my colleagues to volunteer their time for the shoot.

Filming the Epic Movie

On October 19th, we all came together to film. Brigitte pulled in a lot of favors to get enough lighting to make this epic music video-like hallway scene. I pulled in favors to get different sized tripods (so the camera can be lower). I then went to Target and bought 5 different colors of panties to see which three would look best on camera. They were $20 all together...not too expensive...but definitely an expense! I bought snacks for the crew and that totaled the whole production to be $40.

Behind the scenes of "Epic Girl Time."

The bathroom doubled as the make-up room...of course!

Hello!!

And...can I just say...it was kind of fun directing the panty drop. I mean, how often can you tell an actress "drop the panty slower?" I do realize an entire industry of filmmakers have made millions on this one "direction," but I will not be one of them...

Editing

So then the editing began. We filmed about 30 minutes of footage and I had to cut it down to 30 seconds. I started editing while on set of a friend's music video. I edited during breaks from class. I edited while sitting in bed after a long day of work/class. I found those 1/2 hour segments here and there to edit. Then the "errors" happened. Files would not import properly and I had to restart my entire computer. That happened about 7 times. Then the drive would randomly eject itself...that was another computer restart.

On a side note, I'm using the DGA Scholarship money to buy a new computer for Avid and ProTools. One day I'll be able to afford ProTools...but at least I'll have something to put it on!!

Composer

Then came the composer! Once I had an almost final edit, I contacted my friend Phil from UNC-Chapel Hill and asked him to make some sexy/epic beats for this short film. He created about 5 different versions incorporating various notes, and that's the music you hear today! He worked incredibly hard mixing the music and re-mixing.

Final Cuts

As hard as I tried and as often as I re-cut, I couldn't get our original gag to work. It just wasn't funny. The woman at the end was supposed to hear her phone ring after sitting on the toilet, pick it up and say "it's happening." It just was not playing right! It may have been a time issue or a performance issue...but I genuinely think it was a sound issue. I could not get the line to sound as if it was coming from inside the bathroom. It just felt out of place.

I recut the short so the music stopped as they exited the hallway - as if it was all in their head. But then the bathroom sounded too dead. So then I cut back in a phone ring and my own voice saying "uh hello?" That was actually working for me...until I screened it for friends on Halloween. They didn't get it. They didn't get why the music stopped.

Long story short, I made the phone ring seem as though it was the music they were also dancing to...sorry to Phil for making his music seem like a ring tone...it's definitely better than that!!

That worked for me, and I posted the film. The film was due Nov 1st and I posted Oct 31st at 8pm. VERY last minute...but I thought I was VERY done!! I thought I actually met the deadline!

The Rejection

At about 2 in the morning...remember this was Halloween...I went back onto the Sprint Contest YouTube page and no video submissions were showing up. I read in the comments section that people were receiving emails when their video had been entered into the contest. I never received one. So I re-uploaded the video. It bounced back, saying the video was too long (it didn't bounce back the first time I uploaded that video!) So I made it shorter. Titled it "Epic Girl Time" once again and waited for an email. Nothing. So I fell asleep.

At 7am (we had registration for classes at 7am), I checked my email once again. Nothing. I fell back to sleep. At 8am I woke up for work. Saw two emails. Both of my uploads were rejected with the following email:

Thank you for submitting your Epic Mini Movie. Unfortunately, your video is out of the running. This doesn't mean we didn't like it; in many cases, it means that your video included a logo, song or product that we don't have permission to use. Feel free to submit another Epic Mini Movie at sprint.com/epic — just be sure to check the guidelines. Good luck.

—Your friends at Sprint

Okay...so I thought "oh crap, maybe they think I stole the music?"

I had to work at 9am that day, so while I ran to help students edit in ProTools, I too did my own editing. I confiscated a recording stage to record Sprint ringtones off my phone in order to put those in as the music. I started editing those in, when a friend of mine watched it and said "I bet it's the posters." Crap. So I found every Avid tech working on campus to help me figure out how to blur the posters. Granted, I learned a new skill, but wow it took forever!!

I blurred...and blurred...and blurred some more. I even changed the edit so the blurring wouldn't be needed as much. Yes, this little short film has about 30 different versions!!

Finally I was done. At about 12noon I went to post the film on YouTube. The "submit" area no longer worked. In fact, nothing on the website was working. Every link took me back to the homepage. I was in Firefox, so I thought "maybe it's a Firefox issue?" So I opened up Safari and there were no "submit" buttons on their YouTube page at all...explain this to me??

I tried to submit on both pages with no avail. I had missed the competition.

The Aftermath

After mourning my loss for about 20 minutes...mourning the time, stress and $40 I spent...I looked on the bright side - with the help of my mom and friends - "This looks good on my reel. And I can blog about it."

So read up. Tell me what you think. Was this totally lame or what??

Below is the original file I uploaded for the competition. Tell me...are you REALLY looking at the posters behind their heads? I mean...really?

Lesson LEARNED.

Few Photos from BPW Event

2010-10-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

Joan Darling watching our video. This is a close up on Blair Raynor, a former student of Joan's.

Blair also had a story that didn't make the cut: She and I were in a scene together and I had to seduce her with my eyes. I believe it worked for the audience and Joan gave us a big "Great Job!" ha!!

The president of Business & Professional Women club of Raleigh, and my mother, Lea-Ann W. Berst giving the award to Joan Darling. I love the hot pink!!

Joan Darling Award Video

2010-10-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Joan Darling Award Video from Ashley Maria on Vimeo.

Woman of the Year

Tuesday evening, my directing and acting instructor from UNC-Chapel Hill, Joan Darling, won the Woman of the Year award from the Business & Professional Women Club of Raleigh - an amazing honor!

The Video

My mother is the president of the organization, so when she told me that Joan was going to receive the award, I quickly found students from her class and old friends of hers and asked if they could record themselves saying a few words about Joni. Everyone really came through, and I found myself editing 20 minutes of footage for a 4 minute film!

Old Friends

The most fun was hearing from my old colleagues. Matthew Scott Montgomery is in Los Angeles as well, and I have only seen him once. With this video, I discovered his Ovation nomination, and I quickly got tickets to his play. You should too! "Yellow" by Del Shores plays in Santa Monica through December 2010. Tell 'em Ashley sent ya!

Class with Joan

It was also really fun to remember class with Joan and what she taught me. I remember how blown away I was when I made myself truly visualize and understand everything I was saying in a scene. I realize now that this is a technique most directors use to get in the mind of their characters, but at the time, this was brand new to me!

One story that didn't make the final video cut was when I had to act as a prostitute in a scene in Joan's class. Before we said our lines, we had to come up with an action to do before our characters had the "morning after" conversation. I decided to put Chapstick on because I figured the woman's lips would be dry. Joni laughed and told me "good choice." I realized afterward that my choice was definitely "different." I hope one day to direct a prostitute character and make her put on Chapstick. I will then thank Joan in the credits!!

The Ceremony

The ceremony was in Raleigh, NC, and I wanted to so badly to fly out for it, but I could not!

I heard Joan was genuinely surprised -- she waved and blew kisses to everyone who appeared in the video. She's such a sweetie! And we are all her little Darlings :-)

-AM

Winner of DGA Award

2010-10-12T18:44:00.001-07:00

So proud to announce that "Friday Night Fright" won the Student Director's Guild of America Award in the Women's category. They will screen FNF at the DGA and have a ceremony Nov. 10th.

Watch the trailer here.

I had to write a brief essay of who I was as a filmmaker, and what I was trying to say with my film. I then had to get a professor to back me, so I asked Jeremy Kagan - one of the best directing instructors at USC. I know having his support and having a film I truly believed in was a good combination.

I received the call from the DGA on Monday and was on Cloud 9 all day! ...until my car insurance company called and I was on hold with them for hours... brings you back to reality for sure!!

-AM

Morpheus gets a Cone

2010-08-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

My roommate's cat, Morpheus, was forced to wear the "Cone of Shame" ... and I filmed it. Check out that death stare.

Hiking with the USC Sound Department

2010-08-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

Every fall, the USC Sound Department holds a social gathering for staff, faculty and student assistants. I am a new student assistant (SA) for the 508 production class (Production Level 2) in sound instruction. This means I teach the production sound equipment and aid in teaching the post-production sound editing process. I made my own film, "Friday Night Fright," during my 508 semester a year ago. I blogged about production here.

As a part of the Sound Day of Fun, Midge Costin, the 546 post-sound instructor I had last semester, takes everyone on a hike near her home in Topanga Canyon. Three of us showed up around 10am, and we walked to the top of the mountain. It was gorgeous!

After about an hour and a half, we went back to her house where the rest of the festivities continued. Everyone else showed up around noon because they were too afraid to go on a hike. We ate and told stories of our most outrageous jobs and biggest screw ups on a film set. The story winners won DVDs and the title of "biggest screw up." Oddly enough, the past winners of "biggest screw ups" have always been professors...

I had a blast getting to know my sound professors and colleagues and look forward to possible sailing adventures with the sound department. Yes, we are that cool!

-AM

How To: Craft Services

2010-08-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

What is craft services you may ask? Why, let me tell you!

Craft services (or "crafty") is all of that awesome food you eat on the set of a movie. Usually it sits at a table away from set or in the "green room," so cast and crew don't disrupt work on set while they eat. It's also a really nice environment to take a break and chat with your fellow filmmakers.

I am a strong believer that a crew with happy tummies is a hard working crew. After working as a volunteer on many USC sets, I know I work the hardest when the food is aplenty. I feel respected by the producing staff if they have good food, both healthy and sweet. I talk about volunteering on film projects, specifically USC, here.

The level of craft services of course depends on your budget. When I was on the set of Larry Crowne, they had an amazing line up of every snack possible and people making lunch for cast & crew. My guidelines, on the other hand, are from the low-budget, film-student perspective.

When providing crafty on set, here are my personal guidelines:

Breakfast:
Bagels w/cream cheese
orange juice
coffee (coffee maker), cream & sugar (try Costco vanilla creamer packets)
Bananas, apples (any fruit)
(some sets had someone making pancakes, that was fun!)

Lunch:
Salad
Meat option (try chicken or beef)
Vegetable option (try steamed veggies, pasta salad, potato salad)
Veggie/Vegan option (if necessary)
Bread option (try rolls, pita bread & hummus)
And/Or Sub sandwiches

**I personally require NO onions, peppers or garlic...you're going to have to smell these people for 6 more hours

(a hot meal is preferred so prior arrangements must be made to make this happen)

Snacks Throughout Day:
Soda: Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke (cans or liter bottles)
Bottled water (make sure to have enough for each crew member to have at least 3, unless you're outside, then buy a lot more and prepare to buy more throughout the day)
Granola bars
Fruit snacks
Little chocolates (mixed bag)
Chips (multi-pack)
String cheese pack (this is my guilty pleasure on set)

Supplies for Craft Services:
Table to put food on
Coffee maker - with filters & coffee grinds
Cups (Styrofoam for coffee & plastic for drinks)
Forks & Knives
Plates
Napkins
Paper towels
Ice & cooler for drinks
Trash bags

--NEVER assume your location will have these at your disposal, ALWAYS come prepared!

**always ask your cast & crew their dietary needs just in case they are on very strict diets**

This all depends on your budget. This list is my ideal list, and I will cut corners as necessary. If you only have 50 bucks, try to get water, coffee and granola bars as snacks. Then provide sandwiches and salad for lunch.

NOTE: Pizza is NOT considered a meal by SAG rules (Screen Actor's Guild). I actually just found this out. Pizza is considered a "walking meal," meaning "if an actor can physically eat the food while walking around, it's not considered a lunch." The actor MUST eat sitting down and the food should reflect this. Pizza can be served for lunch if the work day is only 6 hours; but any more, then it must be a full lunch.

Now...I'm on set, and I have the food -- what do I do?

Keep at least one person at craft services to replenish the food and keep it neat. Whenever the crew takes a break, crafty will look like a tornado came through. One or two crew members will need to keep it clean and keep the bugs away. You're most likely shooting in a location that does not belong to you, so show your respect by keeping it clean.

Also by having one person in charge of the food, they will know when you need to run out and buy more ice or make more coffee. Maybe the crew really likes the dinosaur fruit snacks and they're gone by lunch. Your crafty person will see this and send a production assistant to go buy more. Again, a happy crew is a hard working crew. Never forget that!

Food and Actors

This can be tough if you don't have much experience with life on set. I know I'm still learning, but here are a few tips I have picked up.

- If the actor is in costume and wants a bottle of water, always wipe the bottle off and/or wrap the bottle in a paper towel. The condensation or water from the ice will drip on the actor leaving a spot that will only be removed with time or a blow dryer. If it drips on their shirt, it will look obvious on camera, so be careful!

- If you are shooting far from the craft services room, bring a few waters and snacks in a container into your shooting room or space. This means the actors won't have to walk all the way to craft services to get food. Not only will they stay in character this way, but you also won't lose the 4 minutes it takes them to walk to crafty and back. This goes for crew as well. They can be fixing a light instead of walking through the woods to get to the craft services table (I had to do this on a thesis project a few months ago...wore plenty of bug spray!).

- Be Quiet! You can NOT eat or drink during a take. The microphones will pick up any bag rustling, mouth crunching, or bottle top twisting. Be respectful. Get your sip of water and set down the bottle before you hear action...or, if you're consistently loud, you'll be asked to leave set and work on a task outside.

Finally...

As a producer or assistant director, keep an eye on your cast and crew. Make time for them to run and grab a snack "pick-me-up." Make time for them to leave set, stretch and return with happy bellies. Again -- the best way to respect your crew!

-AM

Carl Potts discusses Marvel Comics & Comic-Con

2010-07-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Click below to tweet this blog to your followers:

Why volunteer on a film set?

2010-07-28T09:04:00.001-07:00

When you go to film school or have friends in film school, why should you volunteer your time? I mean, they're not paying you...

Here's why:

1. The People

Every set brings a new group of filmmakers who love movies just as much as you do. This is where you get to discuss movies until you're exhausted without boring non-film people.

Personalities tend to be incredibly different but most have a sense of humor you can relate to. My last set was called "The Case of the Missing Garden Gnome." Throughout our first day of shooting, we tried to come up with other names for the film. I came up with "Sherlock Gnomes." Someone else said, "No Country for Old Gnome." You get the point...

USC sets tend to have a good combination of work and play. I'd rather be on a USC set than in an office!

2. Your Job

You may just be a Production Assistant (PA) but you are just as valuable as the main crew...if not more! On my last set, it was incredibly hot outside, so one of the PA's would continuously run to the store for ice. He didn't have the most glamorous job, but he kept the entire crew from heat stroke. Definitely a very valuable person!

You may be a grip with grip & electric. These are the people who light a set. I frequently worked as a grip in my early film years and had to learn the gear real fast. Ask questions. If you come across as someone who wants to learn, then the crew will be accommodating. Don't ask too many questions, though, try to learn by watching. Once you have a handle on the names of gear (most grip truck equipment has a food name), offer to go to the grip truck to get the gear. That way, the G&E crew knows they can trust and rely on you. They may even bring you back on future gigs...and those future gigs may pay!

3. The Food

It's free and there's a lot of it. I am a master at peeling tangerine's thanks to film sets. You have to be smart, though, and pick the tangerine and water over the abundant chips, Twizzlers and soda. I rarely drink Coca-Cola; but, when I'm on a set, it's a must have!

4. The Lunch Break

Usually the food is fantastic. Producers know that a happy crew is a hard-working crew, and all we need is good food (well...and money but we're talking about volunteering for your friends here).

The lunch break is where everyone jokes about the morning 6 hours of shooting and prepares themselves for the other 6 hours of shooting.

**Did the director pronounce a word wrong? This is a great time to make fun of them. Try to incorporate that word into conversation as much as possible. A crew bonds better when they know they can tease the director. But not too much, the director still needs to feel supported by their crew!

**Did an actor interpret a direction entirely wrong? This is a great opportunity to act it out while eating that plate of fajitas; but not in front of the actor, they need to keep thinking they are perfect!

This is the best time to get to know everyone on set. The grip kids tend to eat in their grip trucks. So hang out there or at the lunch tables, depending on who you want to get to know.

5. The Final Shooting Day

First of all, wear a tie. I have a necklace tie, so that goes with the tradition and it's pretty! When the Assistant Director yells out "That's a Wrap!" the whole crew screams and hugs. It's like graduation from high school or college. You're saying goodbye to people you got incredibly close to for 2 weeks to 3 months, and the thought of not seeing them everyday is pretty sad. My crew on "Crushing Violet" was hands down the best set I have ever been on. We always had a blast and we were a family.

6. The Wrap Party

This is when the director gets super sentimental and thanks his or her crew for all of their hard work on the film's vision. Usually the production or director pays for the wrap party. USC films are tough, though, because the director has most likely spent all of their money on the movie.

Everyone comes showered and in clean clothes (unlike production) and we drink to our set days. This is a perfect time to act out funny events from the shoot, or show a talent you couldn't show on set. For example, your magic skills. See below at our "Gnome" wrap party.

Starring:

2nd Assistant Director: Samm Schectman
1st Assistant Director: Matt Breault
1st Assistant Camera: Lance Kuhns
Wardrobe Assistant: Chin Onglatco

So -- VOLUNTEER your time and take it seriously. These people will hire you in the future if you prove to be a great asset on set.

Meeting Maria Kinellis @ Comic-Con

2010-07-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Maria Kinellis and her wrestling partner, Ashley Massaro show up whenever someone Googles my name "Ashley Maria." First thing on the list is my blog and then their gorgeous wrestling photos.

I thought Maria may want to hear what we have in common. She was so sweet! And check out the stares from dudes in the background...

Preparation for Comic-Con & A Cute Puppy

2010-07-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

We're headed to Comic-Con on Thursday for a weekend of panels, celebrities, movies and FUN! I'll be vlogging during the entire trip, so keep checking back for more videos!
-AM

New Youtube Page

2010-07-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/ItsAshleyMaria

I started a new youtube channel for all things film school and LA-LA Land. I also bought a new HD Flip Cam so the videos will be a higher quality. Check out the page here.

New Video!

I was working as an AVID editing tech when I recorded my first HD video. Darshan Kembhavi and Kevin Lipnos were working with me and decided to pull a prank on me...

"Understudy" Behind the Scenes

2010-07-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

UNDERSTUDY is the story of Clara Klein, an understudy dancer in the hit Los Angeles dance show, Sanz De Rio. Clara struggles with her identity and must make choices to overcome her long-term boyfriend’s infidelity, rid her self of jealousy over the lead role, and redeem her integrity for past mistakes. No matter how hard she struggles, Clara may never get to be number one, but she still learns to be confidant in who she is and appreciate her role as a professional dancer.

In mid June, Cristina Malavenda shot her graduate thesis film, "Understudy." I was a member of her crew as a sound technician and filmed us having a blast. You can hear me yell "rolling" before the filming starts!

In this video, the dance performance was held at the Bridges Auditorium in Claremont. The studio was the same studio they shoot "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars."

Directed by Cristina Malavenda
Starring Jeanine Mason (winner of So You Think You Can Dance)
Choreography by Desi Jevon

Cristina watching a take from the "final fitting" scene. Jeanine Mason and Justin Ray watch themselves on the screen. We shot the musical version of this scene in the video above.

Jeanine Mason waits for direction from director, Cristina Malavenda. Marcello Dubaz, my co-sound technician, listens in to hear what we are filming next.

Jay Visit, the director of photography, tells his crew how to adjust the lighting. The blue pad on the ground is for Jeanine. Her character is very clumsy and tends to fall a lot. The woman in the blue is our stunt coordinator. Don't worry, Jeanine was not actually hurt in the filming of this movie!

Jeanine and Justin

3rd Street Dance Studio - We shot our dance rehearsal scenes here. "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing With the Stars" also film rehearsal scenes at this studio.

On Hollywood Boulevard in front of Pantages Theater. Clara, Jeanine's character, talks about wanting to be a famous dancer. We may need to do some sound designing for this location -- all I could hear were the homeless people behind me singing... Not a problem though! We have the resources at USC to make this scene sound perfect!

4th of July - an epic movie trailer

2010-07-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

4th of July ... starring...

On our day off for 4th of July, we turned the camera around and filmed ourselves. I figured the theme song from "Dark Knight" was appropriate in honor of Chris Nolan's "Inception" coming out next week. He also directed "Dark Knight." "Inception" will hopefully save this summer's box office numbers!

Enjoy!

-AM

"Ren & Stimpy" - Our Winner!!!

2010-07-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

Looks like "Ren & Stimpy" wins for best 90s Nickelodeon comedy...and rightfully so, I think!

Here's one of my favorite episodes from the show:

I of course saw this episode way before I ever saw Psycho, so my 9 year old mind was really confused when the shower scene turned black and white. But now, it's brilliant!

- AM

Keith Apicary at E3

2010-06-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

I ran into a gamer celebrity at E3. Keith Apicary works for www.screwattack.com, and I caught them in the act of pranking the FEAR pregnant lady. Check out the video below:

I actually did take him seriously at first because it wasn't abnormal to see that type of person on the floor of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, but I quickly realized he was joking. What you can't see in the video is the woman to the left (the blond) was just about to call security before Kevin walked off. I stayed and took my picture with the FEAR girl and then chased after Kevin and his crew to interview them. They were so funny!

They filmed the entire FEAR love-hate relationship, as well as me interviewing Kevin. So we'll see if it shows up on their website!

-AM

Best Nickelodeon Cartoon from the 90s

2010-06-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

What is the best Nickelodeon cartoon from the 90s?

C'mon...you remember running home to watch the 2 straight hours of Nicktoons with Stick Stickly. Now which one was your favorite?

Vote to the right -->

-AM

Summer Movies - Poll

2010-05-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

What movies will you run out and see this summer? Vote to the right -->

-AM

"Prince of Persia" Preview Screening

2010-05-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

USC Preview Screening

USC often gets preview screenings of new releases a few days before they come out. This week's was "Prince of Persia."

After standing in a long line, my friend Josh and I got into the theater. We were searched and warned to keep our phones off.

Security stood in the aisles with their night vision goggles in hand. The movie started.

What did "Prince of Persia" teach me? "It's okay to laugh."

At one intense moment, the crowd went into an uproar of laughter. My friend Josh whispered "did I miss something?" No, we didn't. People were laughing at camera choices - extreme zoom-in's, holding too long on a close up. This wasn't the tone the movie created, so I was very confused. Then they introduced a sequence with ostriches and I lost it. From then on, I didn't take the movie too seriously.

Muscles

I was thrown a bit when Jake Gyllenhaal as "Dastan" introduced his Persian accent, but I was quickly fine with it. And yes, he was very attractive in the movie...but I didn't really care about his character nor his love interest "Tamina" played by Gemma Arterton. The story pushed forward too quickly for me as an audience member to relate to these characters. And forget about geography. I rarely knew where we were in relation to the previous scene or really why we were in this new location.

Fighting

There were too many fight scenes as well. I was not invested in the story enough the first time Dastan was almost killed. I felt like I was ahead of the story most of the time and just waiting for the fight scene to be over.

One plus for all you Brokeback Mountain fans -- there is a tent scene...and a horse.

"Prince of Persia" is fun but you'll feel lost most of the time. Go to the matinee.

I left the screening with a Lego key chain of Tamina. I wonder how the toys will sell from this movie?

Trojans take over the UCLA Shorttakes Film Festival

2010-05-26T15:50:00.001-07:00

UCLA Shorttakes Film Festival

I wandered the UCLA campus looking for the Ackerman Student Union. On my way, I found a parking lot for Vespas.

I had to go to 308 -- but when you walked straight ahead, it took you to a parking lot. I had to call my mom - who is in North Carolina - and get her to go online to help me find my way.

Very pretty campus. And safe at night! (unlike the USC campus...)

The venue - UCLA Ballroom in their Ackerman Student Union.

They had a red carpet for us and took our photo.

The festival was centered on students and their films. "Friday Night Fright" came away with a Finalist award for Best Live Action. We received framed boxer shorts -- I can't wait to hang it up on my wall at home! Evan Matthews, another USC student, was also a finalist and won Best Editing for his film "Arlington Heights." We had a blast yelling "Go Trojans" when our films screened.

Evan and me holding our shorts.

At the end of the night, we ate snacks and met the other filmmakers. A lot of the actors were there too. It was a really nice night.

USC vs UCLA - the Film School Rivalry

Being a USC graduate film student, we are immediately considered pompous jerks by our rivals UCLA. After all, we chant U-C-L-A Sucks. We return that animosity by making great movies. We're too busy to be bothered by such silliness. :-)

Okay, enough of that. The Duke Blue Devils are the ones I despise. But I did notice a huge difference between the USC film school experience and the UCLA film experience. First of all, UCLA uses copy-written material throughout - especially in music. They also used animals and didn't have to get it approved by American Humane. USC puts heavy rules on us, but we learn the real process of movie making. I know... I'm biased.

Remembering Undergrad

The experience actually reminded me a lot of my undergraduate experience at UNC. It reminded me of the films my friends and I made in undergrad -- where you use your friends and not so great lighting -- and then gorge out on the free food after the screening...after all, you're starving! It reminded me of how Powerpoints were a huge deal for presentations. There were painted wooden boards in the quad for upcoming events. Their cafeteria had a huge television, where you sit, eat, and randomly run into a good friend.... Good times.

Which leads me to a song a friend of mine sent me the other day from Avenue Q - please enjoy - and reminisce with me about your own undergraduate experience.

-AM

"101 Things I Learned in Film School" by Neil Landau

2010-05-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

A Review

I wanted to review Neil Landau's book "101 Things I learned in Film School" for my "Life of a Film Student" blog because I feel it would be perfect for people who are wondering whether or not to attend film school.

I am now in my 4th semester at USC film school, and have spent the last year and a half analyzing what makes a movie great for an audience. Landau puts those lessons into text on a page - as if he read them straight from my class notes.

Lessons

His lessons cover merely a page, but say so much. He starts with the basics - description of pre-production, who is who on a set, framing and composition - and pushes forward to story development and the 3 Act structure. Judd Apatow played with the concept of Act structures in his film "Funny People." He tried to develop a 5 Act structure which I found courageous but it didn't work -- I felt like the movie ended a few times, yet we still went back for more story... 3 Acts. Leave it at that!

My favorite lesson, Lesson #52, "Signs of a Novice Filmmaker," Landau listed the obvious new filmmaker mistakes. I made a similar list here. I more poked fun of my classmates, but it's really the same concept. Use good lighting and good sound equipment. Nothing says "new filmmaker" like a terrible sound track and poorly lit actors. And please, pretty please, stay away from the "close up on an alarm clock" or the dreaded "staring longingly into a mirror" -- never interesting for an audience.

While reading this book, I wondered if I followed his lessons myself. Was my own use of story successful? Could I do better?

Film School is Not Only About Lessons

It is important to note that these lessons are not the key knowledge for film school though. It is no substitute. The point of film school is to try and fail with a support group. Landau's lessons are from years of failing, I'm sure!

The best use of Neil Landau's "101 Things I learned in Film School" is to make a movie. Read his book. And make another movie. Being a creative person, I know most of us learn by doing, not necessarily reading. So use Landau's book as a refresher, not a substitute for an amazing film school experience. Film school helps you discover who you want to be in this industry - there's no book that can teach you that!

My hat is off to Neil Landau and his book. It reaffirmed my education in film school as being quite valuable. His final lesson, #101 "You are your protagonist" are words to live by as a filmmaker. We are constantly analyzing ourselves in our stories as filmmakers. We analyze how we perceive the world or how we wish we could. This is something that clicked inside me during my first semester in film school. I finally have an opportunity to express myself as an artist and filmmaking has given me that medium.

-AM

Color Correcting "Crushing Violet"

2010-04-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

Color Correcting at Fotokem

At 8pm on a Monday night, our crew showed up to Fotokem in Burbank, CA to begin color correcting our semester film, "Crushing Violet." We already spent 8 hours that day mixing the dialogue (read more about that here), and then drove straight over to Fotokem for 4 hours of color correcting. A full day of Crushing Violet!

The cinematographers, Michael Cox (middle) and Abraham J. Epperson (back), and Director, Joe Della Rosa (right) of "Crushing Violet" work with Ralph (left), a Fotokem colorist, to realize the color and tone of the school.

Mesmerizing

Watching Ralph, our Fotokem colorist, change the movie's look was just amazing. I never knew there were so many options in color correcting. He even slightly blackened the sides of the frame in one shot to make our eyes go straight to the actors. Some scenes have a bluer undertone versus a more yellow in other scenes - something the average audience may not even realize, but it definitely draws an emotion subconsciously.

We all pitched in to figure out how best to color this particular scene. Ralph is really great at listening to all of our suggestions.

This is a screen shot of the high school hallway. The cinematographers have to remember how they lit the scene in order to tell Ralph the location of the main source of light. In this scene it is the sun coming from the window to the right of the actors; therefore, Ralph must keep that in mind when brightening or creating shadows.

Come see the final color correction of "Crushing Violet" at the premiere screening on May 9th at the USC campus.

-AM

Sound Design for "Crushing Violet"

2010-04-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

546: Production Sound & Sound Design

I am now reaching the end of my 3rd semester at USC, and it is crunch time for the sound design on our semester film "Crushing Violet."

I am studying production sound and sound design on this advanced USC production in our course called 546. In 546, three movies are produced with 1 director, 2 producers, 2 cinematographers, 2 editors, 2 production sound/post-sound designers (me!) and 1 or 2 production designers. We have a full crew for this 12 minute film.

I wrote about our Principal Shooting weekends here and location scouting here.

Post-Sound Design includes editing the sound we recorded on set, editing the various backgrounds we develop for each scene and editing the sound effects and foley/adr. This allows us to be very creative in how we make a storm sound or a car or a dance. Our particular project deals with fantasy and very intimate scenes, which means we get to create what the audience hears during these moments.

Editing sound for "Crushing Violet" on ProTools in the basement of the School of Cinematic Arts. They have special sound rooms we can reserve for our advanced projects.

Editing Backgrounds

For each scene we cut at least four types of backgrounds. We always gave a "room tone" for any scene located inside and slight traffic sounds for any scene located outside. Room tone is that slight hum you hear when sitting in a space. Sometimes it's the air conditioning or simply the various sounds of a room. Traffic can consist of heavy New York City traffic or quaint distant traffic. "Crushing Violet" takes place in a private high school that is far from the main road, so we kept the traffic low. We then added sounds of nature, keeping in mind that this school is located on the east coast. Then we added backgrounds of students in a courtyard or hallways. In addition to these many types of backgrounds, we added various weather sounds.

It may seem like a lot of additional sounds to pretty simple scenes, but the truth is that these sounds create a space and feeling for each location. It brings in the audience - makes them feel like they are in the space with the characters. It adds dimension.

Background Mixing

After cutting/editing these backgrounds to the picture, we then mix them all together. USC has an incredibly nice mixing board used by the professionals - I believe it is worth $200,000. I am very happy to know how to use it now! In the mix, we take the various sounds, blend them, and send them around the space. In one scene, I made the sound of rain come from the left of the room - it sounds so cool!

Dialogue/Production Sound Mixing

Editing the dialogue, or recorded sound, from the production can either be incredibly hard if you did not focus while recording dialogue on set, or very easy if you did. Luckily, my sound partner Ian Becker and I were very focused on recording great production sound. This made dialogue editing much easier and allowed us to be more creative.

We had to ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) a few of the actors lines because of writing, performance, or sound issues. Luckily we had very little we had to replace, and for the most part, it was easy to add into scenes. I lucked out and had the toughest scene of dialogue replacement. When we finally mixed the scene together, I spent an hour working on it. I had to add reverberation to the new recorded dialogue and play with the high tones and low tones of their voices. It was pretty intense, but sounds great!

Effects/Foley Mixing

Our final edit and mix is the FX (effects) and Foley. In each scene, the sound of footsteps was a major sound design; therefore, we Foley'd all of those footsteps -- which means we went into a sound studio with various types of floors (brick, cement, wood, etc.) and recorded ourselves walking on them in relation to the picture.

Joe Della Rosa, director, looks on as our producer, Josh Eiserike records his footsteps in our Foley session. He turned out to be our best Foley walker. He was able to watch the video and match the actor's footsteps exactly!

Ian Becker, 1/2 of the Crushing Violet sound crew, keeps track of our various Foley sessions.

Josh with Alex Fine, "Finkelstein" in Crushing Violet. Alex came to record some ADR and we got him to stay and record his footsteps as well.

We needed the sound of a hat being taken off of someone's head, so Josh and Alex did it!

We have our final mix on April 30th where we put all of these mixes together -- background, dialogue, and fx/foley -- with our music. After that day of mixing, the movie will be done!

Our premiere screening is the night of May 9th at Norris Theater on the USC Campus. I will post more about the event as detail become available.

-AM

What is the best Robert Downey, Jr movie?

2010-04-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

Ferris Bueller's day off is officially the BEST John Hughes' movie -- thanks for voting!

So what is Robert Downey, Jr's best movie? Vote to the right -->

-AM

TEDxUSC Screening

2010-04-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

"Friday Night Fright" screened at the TEDxUSC event to a sold out audience of 1200.

The cover of the TEDxUSC "Ideas Empowered" program.

This is a scanned image of the program. My friend Konstantin screened his film, "Amelle and Alchemy," as well. Both received amazing feedback!

Sitting Front Row

We sat in the front row, which gave us an amazing seat for the presenters.

The presentation before "Friday Night Fright"

Al Seckel, a cognitive neuroscientist, gave his presentation just before "Friday Night Fright" screened. It was so fun to follow his amazing presentation that blew everyone away. I met him later at the reception and asked him if he liked the movie. He said yes! We then took a photo together, and I screamed out "it's our day Al!" I think he thought it was funny :-)

Al Seckel and me at the Town and Gown reception for TED.

Finally -- Friday Night Fright screened!

The program does not tell you the schedule of the event, so I wasn't entirely sure when FNF was going to screen. The lights went dark and the FNF music began to play. My mom quickly grabbed these photos during the movie. The best part is the audience reaction, so I tried really hard to hear everyone when FNF screened. I did hear someone say "this movie is hilarious!"

The view from the audience of FNF.

Twitter

The TEDxUSC organizers focused on promoting the event through Twitter and blogging. They told us to use #tedxusc to twitter about the event.

The screen before the event started telling us how to blog and tweet about the event.

@USCedu Twittered about Friday Night Fright to their followers. Many people in the audience saw this and retweeted to their followers -- it was a twitter kind of day!

Other Presentations

Ok Go introduced their video that Adam Sadowsky and his team at Syyn Labs created. Check out the video here. They had 10 commandments for how the video was to be created, one included that it must be like the Rube Goldberg machines. It took them 85 takes with 3 successful runs to get this video right. Absolutely amazing!

Paul Frommer, a USC professor and inventor of the Na'vi language in Avatar, taught us a bit of the language. It was fun hearing everyone in the audience try to speak it. We learned how to ask another Na'vi out on a date!

The Break & Receptions

Waiting outside during the break. They didn't have enough food this year, so we were starving! We attacked the waiters later that day at the reception because we were so hungry.

Jen Van Horn and I pose for a TED photographer. Maybe we'll see it on the website?

We had an amazing day at the TEDxUSC event and I was so honored to be apart of it.

-AM

Partnering with EC Stewart Designs

2010-04-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

Erika, "Shimmer," modeling for EC Stewart designs (www.ecstewart.com) The bracelet was specially made for Erika.

Partnering with EC Stewart Designs

Lisa Stewart of EC Stewart Designs provided accessories for my USC directing project, "Super Egos" written by Karl Williams. It is a short film about Gil, a published therapist, and his assignment to work with a group of super heroes and their feelings. Needless to say, it's a comedy!

Her accessories were worn by "Shimmer," the only female super hero in this group of men with the power of invisibility. I thought to myself, "how can this super hero be chic when we actually get to see her?" Luckily she is visible for most of the scene - minus a mishap in the beginning of the therapy session...

EC Stewart Designs provided us with accessory options for Erika, who also starred in my short film "Friday Night Fright." Lisa sent multiple size options for Erika and even made a specialized bracelet for her - shown on her left wrist. I decided to use the multiple bracelets and make them wristbands for "Shimmer." They really made her sparkle! :-)

Close up on matching purse, belt, necklace and bracelets. I adore the red!

Erika as Shimmer in the short film, "Super Egos." She is one of five members of a famous super hero group that has been in talks of splitting up. Gil, a published therapist, has been called in by the government to save the crew!

If you are interested in purchasing any of the designs please either contact me via my website: www.ashley-maria.com or visit www.ecstewart.com and order from her directly...and mention "Super Egos" when you do!

-AM

"Friday Night Fright" to screen at TED event

2010-04-05T18:20:00.001-07:00

Screening

"Friday Night Fright" was accepted into the TEDxUSC "Ideas Empowered" conference on April 13th. It will screen during the event in Bovard Auditorium on the USC campus.

It will screen to a SOLD OUT audience -- very exciting!

More information about the event can be found here.

-AM

On the set of an Advanced USC Directing Project

2010-04-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

"Helius" - USC Grad Advanced Directing Project

Kari Barber (left), a 5th semester graduate student, directs "Helius" for her 533 class. I was production sound for three days of the shoot. We shot the first 6 days of Spring Break in March.

Our first day was out in Palm Springs at a location that looked a lot like Iraq. We staged a shooting with both American soldiers and Iraqis. It was very realistic. Locals were calling the police even though we had signs posted everywhere saying we were a student film!

This is footage of an extra who just got shot. The RED camera is on a steadi-cam.

The second day was in the CBS backlot. It looks like a nice neighborhood, but the houses are either fake or full of offices. USC students often shoot here on weekends for free. They treat us incredibly well!

This is the "movie car" for Kari's film, "Helius." It is the main character's car.

Our third day was spent on another part of the CBS backlot - the NYC street. We staged a car accident in the distance for the main character to react to. I was an extra in the red car. I would press record on the sound mixer and then run to the car!

Anthony Grow was our production design guru. He did all of the make up, costuming and he set up this fake car accident. A fog machine placed just right made the car look like it was steaming. It looked amazing.

Anthony gave us all fake "Spring Break" tattoos. I was only able to keep mine for 24 hours because I got an internship the next day! I couldn't rock a fake tattoo my first week...

We shot on the RED camera, so the footage looks amazing. Congrats to Kari for a wonderful shoot!

-AM

Updated Website

2010-04-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

Check out the new website!

www.ashley-maria.com

Let me know what you think --

AM

Follow on Facebook

2010-04-02T15:51:00.001-07:00

Join "Networked Blogs" to the right to follow via Facebook. It will open a Facebook application allowing blog updates to appear in your feed.

Or visit the link here to sign up in Facebook.

Much easier!

AM

Apollo 13 - Ron Howard's Best!

2010-03-22T23:38:00.001-07:00

The votes are in and Ron Howard's best film is Apollo 13 -- thank you for voting!

Now...what is the best John Hughes film? This is a toughie...vote to the right -->

-AM

Modern Family at the Academy

2010-03-22T20:44:00.001-07:00

I am a Television Academy Student Member and with that membership comes a ton of perks! Not only do I get to see movies for free (they show a different one each weekend), but I get to attend their various "Night with -insert show-" ...All with a guest!

I've been to their 80s comedy night with the cast and crew of "Night Court," "Cheers," "Murphy Brown," and "Designing Women." I'll be attending the night with "Community" this upcoming week and "Glee" in a few more weeks.

The cast enters the theater via a walkway right outside. Notice the Emmy wall paper behind them. Photos or video from this event usually find their way into People Magazine or on Entertainment Tonight.

Waiting for the cast and crew to come out on stage. They showed a brand new episode of "Modern Family" to start off the night. That episode didn't air for another 2 weeks...we received a sneak peek!

If you've seen the show, you know this character, "dog butler." I find him quite creepy as well. The cast freaked out when they saw it standing next to them.

The whole cast and crew of "Modern Family" with host Tom Bergeron.

The night with the cast and crew of "Modern Family" was probably the most fun event I have ever gone to at the Academy. I felt like we were all just sitting back and chatting about this awesome show. I even had the guts to stand and ask the director, Jason Winer, a question. In fact, the Academy write-up of the event includes an answer to my question of how important rehearsal and improvisation was to the filming process. They film many different punch lines and pick the funniest!

This was taken after Tom Bergeron held the microphone for me to ask a question - so cool! I said "Hey Tom" when he walked up :-)

It must be so much fun on their set. They mentioned keeping the set environment very relaxed because comedy is very hard when people are exhausted or stressed. I can certainly respect that. I'd love to work in an environment like this one day!

-AM

Finalist for TEDxUSC

2010-03-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

Announcement!

"Friday Night Fright" is a finalist for the TEDxUSC conference. They choose about 4 films to screen during the entire 4 hour conference and I am a finalist. I will find out around April 4th if my film is chosen.

Here's some information about the TEDxUSC conference. Since I was a finalist, I received 1 free ticket to the event, regardless if I screen. I went to the same conference last year and it actually inspired my film "STUCK," so to be able to go as an invited guest is so exciting!

Cross your fingers!!

-AM

Earthquake in Los Angeles

2010-03-16T14:04:00.001-07:00

Today I felt my first earthquake while living in Los Angeles.

I usually sleep through them but last night was a big one! I woke up at 4am with my entire room shaking. My bed was shaking, my cabinet was shaking and I'm pretty sure a frame or two is now sideways. I had my window open and heard everything outside as well. Very eerie. Moments after the shaking, car alarms went off and dogs were barking. I'm pretty sure babies were crying and giant lizards were pounding through the streets...but I think that part was in my head.

I of course jumped online to see if what I felt was the real thing. My friend Dave had already posted how there was an earthquake, and then my roommate posted right after him. So I wasn't crazy! "Earthquake" was a trending topic on Twitter and people were freaking out, hoping we were okay. I guess our overwhelming tweets of "Earthquake in Los Angeles" scared the rest of the country!

I texted my roommate "Ahhhhhh." She sent a blank message in return...not sure what that meant...

I continued reading responses and some people's reactions were hilarious. My friend ran outside in her bathrobe. Some got ready for "the big one." And some, like me, just sat there wondering what was going on. Most slept through it and freaked when they saw all of our postings.

I texted my mom who then called me (it was 7am in NC). I told her how freaked out I was. I was supposed to be getting up in a few hours to begin my first day as an intern at Playtone, and I was awake at 4am! We talked briefly and then I tried my hardest to fall asleep. I had a dream I was getting robbed on a continuous bases, so I went to a hardware store and installed locks and cameras. What does that mean??

Anyways, now I can say I have experienced an earthquake. And I'm happy there's social networking, because now I feel like I shared the moment with others!

First Festival for Friday Night Fright

2010-02-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

The cover of the program for the Southern California Business Film Festival.

"Friday Night Fright" was featured in "The Best Student Short Films of 2010" category.

"Friday Night Fright" screened at the Southern California Business Film Festival in February. I was able to attend the awards ceremony and we won, "Best Female Actress Runner Up" for Erika Rankin's performance as "Vivian." It was very exciting walking up on stage and accepting the award on her behalf. She received a certificate and a free photoshoot with a local photographer. I am so proud of her!

Outside the festival. All of the films screened in the afternoon. Then we had a reception followed by the awards ceremony.

Inside the theater where "Friday Night Fright" screened. I am awaiting the awards!

Click here for a press release about the event.

It's very exciting adding this award to the promotional materials for "Friday Night Fright." I have sent the film to many festivals, and I will update as soon as I hear back!

-AM

What is your Favorite Ron Howard Film?

2010-02-28T13:10:00.001-08:00

Choose to the right -->

-AM

"Crushing Violet" Principal Weekends

2010-02-24T06:25:00.000-08:00

"Crushing Violet"

I have been on the set of "Crushing Violet" this last month, an advanced directing project at USC.

The main crew is made up of students all excelling in their individual crafts. There are two sound people (Ian and me), two director of photographers (Abe and Mike), an assistant director (Dawn), a production designer (Victoria), two producers (Josh and Annie), two editors (Amy and Thaiha), and one director (Joe). We all work together to make the movie happen! We have received amazing compliments from actors, crew and faculty about the environment on our set and how it is very professional. We are all very respectful of each other and listen. We also joke around a lot and have tons of fun!

This upcoming weekend is our last principal weekend of shooting (meaning, the last weekend to film our movie!). We may have pick-ups in a few weeks (a weekend of shooting anything we missed in our principal weekends).

Here are some production stills:

Lighting the car for the scenes between "Violet" and "Adam." In this shot, Adam sees Violet standing in the cold and decides to offer her a ride.

Ian waiting on boom for the car scene to begin. Often sound people must wait for lighting to get prepared for the shot. We can only really rehearse once everyone is ready to shoot. At that point, if there are any sound issues, everyone must "hold for sound" -- a common aggravation to assistant directors!

The sprinklers turned on and tried to ruin our shot, but our producer had huge sheets of plastic in his car (?) and beat the sprinklers!

Jeff, our incredibly tall assistant camera person, is holding our make-shift rain machine. We never used it. It was more fun to see Jeff walk around with it, though.

Christian, our second assistant director, Dawn, our assistant director, and Victoria, the production designer, smile after a long weekend of shooting!

Juliana, production design assistant, and Mike, director of photography, love their long hair!

On a sound stage lighting the car. The director of photographers made the sound stage look like the outside of a house. It was amazing!

Since the actress has blond hair, I often have to be her "sit-in." They light me until they are ready for her to come onto set and rehearse.

Ian and I were already set up with our sound equipment, so they decided to light us both as if we were the actors. It was very hot in that car and I promptly fell asleep. No matter -- the light was great!

What is your favorite Robert Zemeckis film?

2010-02-01T18:14:00.001-08:00

What is your favorite Robert Zemeckis film?

Answer the poll to the right -->

-AM

Location Scouting at Doc's Mansion

2010-01-26T18:17:00.000-08:00

Production III, "546"

My third semester at USC is another heavy production semester. "546" or "Production III" is the last major production class before we produce our thesis (if we decide to do a thesis). I am doing sound on the project -- both production sound and post sound. It's one of the more intense roles in 546 so my partner and I are prepared for a crazy semester!

Location Scouting

The past two weeks, we were location scouting various areas to film our movie "Crushing Violet." We need a mansion to be the younger girl's parent's house. Our co-producer, Josh, introduced us to Doc's Mansion from "Back to the Future," also known as "The Gamble House."

The director, Joe, and I drove up and searched for the giant house. I screamed when we saw it -- it's definitely from the movie!

Doc's Mansion from "Back to the Future"

Joe, our director, is making sure Doc's Mansion will work for his vision of the movie.

The front door of Doc's Mansion - a bit blurry! Below is the photo of Marty entering the front door.

A screen shot from "Back to the Future."

Young Doc inside his mansion.

To the right of the mansion is its garage or Doc's workshop.

Front of Doc's workshop.

I found one video of the scene here.

Test Shooting

This upcoming weekend is our test shooting weekend. We will test this location as well as a few more for their lighting and sound needs, among other technical issues. This will be our first weekend working on set together as a team - should be a ton of fun!

-AM

It's Storming in LA

2010-01-20T22:50:00.001-08:00

As I lay in my bed (or is it lie in my bed?) watching "Back to the Future," a gust of wind threw my windows open just as the Lebanese were attacking Doc. I jumped up and yelled out for my roommate, Brigitte, to come and save me. She only laughed.

When Barb came home, I ran into her room to film the scary storm.

We survived the rain but not without major flooding...

This is a photo of the 2 lanes flooded on my way to school -- that was a scary day!

We went to Grauman's

2010-01-19T22:57:00.000-08:00

Grauman's Chinese Theater

This is a video of Barb and me driving to Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. During our drive we caught a glimpse of a music video for the Japanese band "X."

Here is the street view of the music video. Behind me is Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Sherlock Holmes

We went to see the movie Sherlock Holmes. I really enjoyed the film and did not want it to end. It genuinely had me wanting more! The on-screen chemistry between Robert Downey, Jr and Jude Law was outstanding -- so much so that Rachel McAdams' character was lost. Another, lesser known actress would have played that role better, I believe. You almost forget she was in the movie! Okay there's my critique. Go see the film and compare it to Avatar, because I am sure that is what our nation is doing!

After Sherlock Holmes, we played in the Grauman's courtyard. This is where actresses and actors have put their hand and footprints in cement. We found Robert Downey, Jr.'s --

**Just a quick note that last summer I had the opportunity to sit next to Robert Downey, Jr. at his wife's USC event. Talk about being completely aware of yourself! Read about it here.

Popcorn

Then we started having more fun with popcorn -- a competition grew over how much popcorn Joel could catch in his mouth. Luke would be the thrower.

Luke Patton and Joel Townsend. Only a glimpse of the awesome times USC students have together!

Luke throwing popcorn over the lion. Not sure if Joel actually caught any.

And that was our night at Grauman's theater. We all dream of the day when we too will put our footprints in the cement outside that theater. I'll probably go barefoot :-)

AM

Summer Blockbuster, Transformers 2: Worst Movie of 2009?

2010-01-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

Most film students will agree -- "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen" was the worst movie of 2009. So why did it bring in record breaking sales in the box office? My theory is the time it was released. People wanted a fun action movie to take their minds off their stressful work weeks. Ben Hoffman from Current Television explains it best here.

So why am I giving an entire blog post to this movie? This upcoming Monday night, Sony Picture Studios is hosting a night with Michael Bay. He will discuss the sound design of Transformers 2. Next semester, I too will begin my venture into the art of sound design, so I personally feel like this event will be interesting. Most are going for the laugh factor (well, me too).

Every film student's dream is to see Michael Bay talk about sound design for Transformers 2. Why is it our dream? Because it will be the most entertaining, ridiculous spectacle of male testosterone and explosions in one sitting. I can't wait.

South Park shows Michael Bay best here.

I went to a similar discussion back in October with the sound design panel from "Star Trek." JJ Abrams, one of my favorite producer/director/writers, discussed the development of different sounds, including the roar of the monsters. If you listen carefully, it's actually a boat engine! His sound mixers/developers put their ProTools session on the huge screen behind them and walked us through. I was with other USC students and we were definitely "geeking-out" over the ProTools session!

This is an example of their ProTools session. Behind them is the scene when Kirk runs from the snow monster. All those lines behind the film is the ProTools session!

Here is a photo of the entire Sound crew for "Star Trek." JJ Abrams is in the middle.

There you have it --I can't wait for Sound Night with Michael Bay!!

-AM

One Year in Los Angeles

2010-01-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

On my one year anniversary of living in Los Angeles, I remember back when I first came here. The 4 day road trip across the country after saying goodbye to my family - something that will never get easier.

My dad and I pushed ourselves - driving 12 hour days. It was not without a hang up though - my car broke down 5 hours into the trip! Read about it here. I hadn't even left North Carolina! Was this the Gods telling me I wasn't supposed to move? I thought this while I sat on the side of the road for the second time waiting for a tow truck. No. This was how my brand new car and I would bond. Every few months that car gives me an issue, and I had to develop a family at the local Midas. They have taken good care of me and my Ford Focus this past year. Here's a photo of them fixing my most recent leak through my windshield:

They had to put weights on the rubber part so the glue would stick. I currently rock a strip of duct tape.

One year ago, I did all of my house shopping at Target and food shopping at Ralph's (Kroger) because they were familiar to me. Since then I have ventured to local markets and Craigslist. The Los Angeles Fashion District is officially the only way to buy clothes for me. Maybe not underwear. That's still Target.

One year ago, I knew no one in LA. Now, I truly believe the only reason I love LA is for my friends. My "USC Mafia!" We tackle everything together with the ultimate support. Each one is my best friend, and I am so lucky to have them in my life.

One year ago, I thought every one in LA was out to get me and my car was seconds away from being stolen. Now I know my car is seconds away from being ticketed and the crazy people on the side of the street only want your cans or plastic bottles. They want to recycle!

One year ago, I had no idea where my passion for film would take me. Now I am on that path of discovery and more importantly discovering new interests!

I hope this next year will find me as a more stable LA resident. I'm here, and I probably will be for awhile so might as well embrace it! I want to venture out to the sites more. I want to have a favorite place. Those are my goals for 2010.

I think this will happen in 2010, and I'm so thrilled to see what else. When I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May 2008, I wondered how I was going to spend my 1 year anniversary. 1 year later I was on a plane flying back to LA to start a job at Mark Burnett Productions! 1 year after hearing of my USC acceptance - I was at a CBS lot party hosted by Gary Sinise! Here are a few photos:

January 7th is my 1 year anniversary of moving to Los Angeles, so I want to drink and be merry with my best friends! And apply to festivals... check out the "Friday Night Fright" trailer here. I wonder how I will celebrate my 2 years??

Be an AM follower for updates! -->

- AM

What is the Worst Movie of 2009?

2010-01-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

What is the worst movie of 2009?

My vote -- Transformers..Wolverine...He's Just Not That Into You...

Yes, you can vote more than once because I know how hard it is to choose...

Vote to the Right --->

-AM

No Time to SEE Movies!

2010-01-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

Our professors give us a hard time for not watching enough movies, especially the new ones out in theaters. "We need to do our research to discover techniques and stories we enjoy or can improve." I concur! But it's hard...

I am here to answer their concerns --

**We don't have the money because we're spending that money on our own films.**

**We don't have the time because we are making our own films.**

Both good excuses...so...

How can we change this?

SOLUTION: Give us free tickets to see movies. We can't all go to a Wednesday screening and never a Saturday screening. So please give us passes to films that we can use on our own time.

USC does give us opportunities to see movies on campus but it's usually during class, our only time to edit, or our only time to sleep...I do take advantage when I can, so thank you USC for doing this!!

MOVIE PROMOTERS: Student filmmakers are your BEST friends in promoting a new film. Give us tickets and we will Twitter, Facebook, Blog about your film. We will encourage others to go, especially if a free t-shirt is included in the mix...and the movie has to be good. I want free tickets - I'm not trying to sell out here.

Finally, I must explain our hesitation to run out and see movies. We don't have much time so we don't want to waste it. We all saw AVATAR and Paranormal Activity because we knew it was going to be good. I personally can't spend $12 each time I think a movie may be good, though. It's an investment for me, because it means I'll be eating PB & J's for a few lunches in exchange for the movie! Take that into consideration when expecting me to see a movie. Maybe a coupon for a free footlong sub? That way I can spend my money on the movie instead. Maybe...

As for watching movies at home, that can be done. Netflix and Hulu make that a lot easier. When we have a free afternoon, we'll put in a movie. But let's face it, nothing beats watching a movie in a theater. I realize this even more now that I am making higher quality movies!

There. I've solved the issue. Also, let us watch entire films in class rather than clips. My list of movies to watch is so long, can you please just help me out a little bit?

- AM

Become an AM Follower

2009-12-28T20:43:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to "Follow" using the link to the right --->

Once you are a Follower, an update will come to your Google Homepage or Reader to notify you of my blog updates.

So that means start using that Google Homepage -- it's actually quite nifty :-)

-AM (Ashley Maria)

End of Semester Grades

2009-12-28T13:20:00.000-08:00

You'd think there would be no grades in film school -- you were wrong! We are graded on how well we survive the semester...or, at least, that's how it should be.

Our intense production course, 508, was a 6 credit course (most classes are worth 2 credits). We are graded on attendance, participation, and our production notebooks -- both directing and producing.

As a producer at USC, you are very much following the industry rules. With our Producer Notebooks, we are proving that we got the right forms for each shooting location and got the proper crew-agreements signed.

Our directing notebook shows we went through the thought process to accurately portray our vision on paper. For example, I used clips from old movies to show my Director of Photography how I wanted the black & white to look. I also found various pictures online that resembled shots in my head. This is a great way to show your crew exactly what you're thinking. If they understand, then everyone will work together toward the same vision. Below are two photos I used to describe our two shooting locations.

This is how I wanted my motel to look - very stage-like and simple - clearly not a real motel room - spacious.

This was how I wanted the little boy's world to look. I wanted the tv to be the main light source and then a lamp to be a highlight.

We had two other classes required of us this semester besides our main production class. 529 - "Script Writing" and 509 - "Sound & Editing."

529 helped us further develop story ideas in hopes of writing 12 minute scripts and then feature length scripts. Ideally, we would all graduate with at least one feature length script under our belts. My professor was incredibly helpful and lenient on us because of our busy 508 semester. We all received good grades!

Our 509 class, on the other hand, was not as understanding. The class was held Friday mornings from 9am - 12pm. Keep in mind, Fridays were our only days to go pick up equipment for the weekend of shooting. We are in class all week and filming all weekend; so Fridays were very hard, knowing we had a 30-hour work weekend coming up! To make matters more frustrating, the class was attendance based and the teacher's assistant often forgot to pass around an attendance sheet. So not only did we have the added stress of rushing after class to pick up equipment, we also had to stay after class to make sure the professor knew we were there! Just when we thought the stress of that class was over, our professor decided to give us a final. Apparently too many people were skipping the class, so we were given an open book exam at the end of the year. What was once a class graded on attendance, became an exam-graded class. The exam was difficult and a lot of us who attended the class regularly saw our grades go down. A very upsetting way to end an already stressful semester!

I received great grades over all which is what you need in order to be eligible for scholarships at USC. Yippee!

Next semester will be another production heavy course for me. I will be doing "sound" on a 546 (3rd level production course) as well as learning 3D filmmaking and taking intermediate directing. I believe this is the first 3D filmmaking class offered by the school so it should be a really interesting learning experience.

Here's a link to more information about the 3D program at USC.

I'll definitely blog about it!

New Poll - Best Movie of 2009

2009-12-20T13:15:00.001-08:00

What is the best movie of 2009? I have a poll on the right panel of my blog - so vote! Any others? Comment below!

**Okay Slumdog Millionaire was 2008...so what other film should take its place in the list of "Best of 2009?"

-ash

Screenings of "Friday Night Fright"

2009-12-20T12:44:00.000-08:00

This past week held two screenings of my semester project, "Friday Night Fright." All I can say is - what an amazing reaction!

An audience's reaction to your film is the true test. Will they laugh when you expect them to laugh? Will they get scared when you want them to get scared? Their laughter and their "ooo's" and "ahhh's" are so much fun for a filmmaker to hear!

Norris Theater - University of Southern California - Los Angeles

USC 508 Screening held at Norris Theater

The first screening of "Friday Night Fright" in front of an audience was Sunday at USC. Over 300 friends, family, actors and filmmakers were there to watch our films. My professor read my log line, "In tonight's episode, Andy is not the only one doing the watching" in his scary voice and then the lights went down. My whole body was hunched over in preparation for the film - I was so nervous!

Maritte Go and me before our screening.

It started. People laughed at the first gag - YES! The second, not so much -- OH NO!!! Finally I allowed myself to relax and watch. I found myself laughing and getting tense in scary moments. I actually heard people gasp in fear -- not what I was expecting! And of course the biggest laugh was not where I was expecting either. This is how a screening goes with a live audience!

Afterward, everyone cheered. I stood up and gave a triumphant fist in the air - the film survived! Nothing can compare to that first screening, and it was perfect.

At intermission, I stepped outside to get some air - it was hot in the theater - probably because I was coming down from my adrenaline rush. Mason Maddocks, who played Andy, was there with his family and two friends. They immediately ran up and hugged me. I was so nervous for their reaction. They loved it - I was happy!

Houston Rhines, who played Christopher, got the biggest laugh. He loved it. It's a great feeling when the actors are happy! Tons of people came up to me discuss the film. My biggest compliment was from a fellow student - they felt they could just sit back and enjoy the ride of the film. A HUGE compliment for a student film. I based "Friday Night Fright" on the adventure aspect. You're going through an adventure with this kid, and it will hopefully remind you of similar adventures of your own!

In photo: Ashley Maria, Lukas Lachenmeier, Christian Contreras, Dave Burg, Tom Gill, Barb Steele, Maritte Go

After all of the screenings, refreshments were served outside the theater. We all laughed and hugged in celebration of the end of an incredibly hard semester called 508!

Thirdplace Coffeehouse - Raleigh - North Carolina

Once home for Christmas Break, I held a screening in downtown Raleigh. Fruition Film organized and sponsored the event. Sleddogg Marketing sent out a press release and evite for the event. We had an amazing turn out. I was so happy to show all of my close friends and family what I have been doing for the past year!

Talking with my grandma and grandpa before the screening. They were Executive Producers on "Friday Night Fright" and grandpa was pretty much the comedy relief during my Q&A after the screening. I need to bring him everywhere with me!

Tim introducing me before the screening. He was very sweet!

After I showed the three films I made this past year, I asked if anyone had questions about the production process. There were a ton! I discussed the logistics of the film industry, the USC School of Cinematic Arts and my personal creative process. The best question of the night - What did you learn in the making of these three films? The answer - how to tell a story, and how to trust myself as a filmmaker. USC gives you the tools and opportunities and it is your job to use them and discover yourself as a filmmaker. I was so happy to express this to all of my friends and family! The screening was perfect!

LA Screenings & NC Screenings of "Friday Night Fright"

2009-12-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles Screening Information:

Sunday Dec. 13th at 12 noon on the USC campus - Norris Theater.

Trailer HERE

The order of the films to be screened:

"Samba" (dir. Claudia Castello)
"Family Collection" (dir. RJ Olson)
"Vicissitude" (dir. Will Jobe)

"Asha" (dir. Ritvik Mayank)
"616 Candles" (dir. Luke Patton)
"She's Mine" (dir. Nelson Ceron)

"Mae" (dir. Michael La Breche)
"Nameless" (dir. Ariella Blejer)
"Fatima" (dir. Christian Contreras)

"He Knows" (dir. Ian Becker)
"Z" (dir. Dustin Jacobs)
"Caina" (Eric Robbins)

"Between Brothers" (dir. Karen Corneille)
"Friday Night Fright" (dir. Ashley Maria)
"You Are the Butterfly" (dir. Carolyn Corbett)

Another class will screen from 2:30 - 4:00pm and a reception will follow.

Raleigh, North Carolina Screening Information:

Thursday Dec. 17th 8:00pm - 10:00pm at Third Place Coffeehouse

Hosted by Fruition Film and Third Place Coffeehouse's "Local Filmmaker Screening" (LFS)

The following films will screen:

STUCK

Walter wakes up in a stranger's bed once again, but this time, sneaking out isn't so easy. While the mystery woman showers, Walt tries to leave, but his keys have another plan.

Gardenia

Amy needs to fight back. She needs to leave. One day, her boyfriend's anger goes over the edge. This is her chance. Will she run?

Friday Night Fright

With his parents finally gone, Andy is left alone to watch his favorite late night horror show, "Friday Night Fright." But - in tonight's episode, Andy is not the only one doing the watching.

Special thanks to Lee & Priscilla Woodward ("Grumpa Group") and F. Michael Davis for their support in the making of "Friday Night Fright."

Located at 1811 Glenwood Avenue in the Five Points area of Raleigh, the Third Place Coffeehouse LFS event will be held on December 17 at 8:00pm and is free and open to the public. Harpist J. Rosaleigh Stringfellow will entertain film viewers from 6:00-8:00pm.

About Third Place Coffeehouse

Third Place is a cozy and eclectic coffeehouse. Surrounded by rich red Oriental rugs, warmly hued walls and exotic glass lanterns suspended from the antique tin ceiling, Third Place patrons can enjoy coffee, breakfast, sandwiches, vegetarian fare and yummy desserts.

The LFS series offers local filmmakers an audience for their work and a chance to discuss the process and the challenge of filmmaking. All screenings are free to attend. Third Place is on the lookout for films to build a lineup! Student films, documentaries, shorts, and animations are all welcome. If you're interested in screening a film, contact: Andrew Mayo at 919.834.6566. For additional information please visit: www.thirdplacecoffee.com.

About Fruition Film

Fruition Film is a full-service HD production company owned by Tim McKay and Sam Griffin. The Raleigh based company produces a wide range of work including documentary, corporate, and broadcast television. Credits include A Man of Firsts, A Tribute to Henry E. Frye; PlanVirginia; Steeped in Surprises, the story of the Sparta Teapot Museum; and Haunted Taps, a new web series that explores the haunted bars and pubs of North America. Find out more by visiting www.fruitionfilm.com.

About Ashley Maria

Ashley Maria is a graduate student at USC studying Film & Television at the School of Cinematic Arts. Her love affair with film began in high school and continued through her undergraduate career at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she produced and directed for the local television network and interned at various companies such as ESPN and Current TV. She has screamed on the Great Wall of China, swam with dolphins and is both a Mac and PC person. She blogs about life as a film student at: www.ashley-maria.blogspot.com. You can find out more about Ashley Maria by visiting www.ashley-maria.com.