OMEGA - Production Diary - Day 11

Nine months since we shot the first half of these videos. That's over half the Lord of the Rings shoot... x_x

PRODUCTION DIARY - DAY 11 -  July 2nd, 2011 | UniSA West Campus, Adelaide.

Crew in attendance: Peter Ninos (Director), David Tang (Director of Photography), Trent Ninos (First A.D.), Teena Ninos (D.A./Location Sound), Billy Ninos (Clapper Loader/Grip), Paul Larsen (Grip/Runner). Cast in attendance: Devon Aubert (Prof. David Jameson).

Scenes being filmed: OMEGA Scenes 7b and 8 & Viral Videos 3, 4 and 5.

This is it, the last shoot at UniSA, the last shoot of the viral videos and the last shoot of the last major scenes left on OMEGA. Well it would be the last if Trent and I didn't keep coming up with new scenes. Oh well! But it's great to get back to filming and finish off the videos that started out our shoot all the way back in October of 2010 - the Prof. Jameson virals.

Joining us for the third time is this always awesome Devon Aubert. Devon was there on our first day of filming all the way up at the Stockport Observatory and he's back with us again at UniSA standing in for the offices at the observatory. Good way to round things off wouldn't you say?

Back at UniSA again but instead of needing a new area to film in, (there were so few corners left), we're filming on a previously used set. The small empty office in the Yungondi Building was dressed as Prof. Jameson's trashed office on DAY 6 for Scene 13 where Jake (Adam Schmerl) sifts through the mess trying to find information about the comet OMEGA that Prof. Jameson discovered. The set looked great the last time trashed but now it was time to show how it looked before getting ransacked. Trent and Billy took a load of continuity photos of the office on DAY 6 so recreating the placement of the furniture, the computers on the desk, the stationary, books, papers and most intricate of all the astronomical jargon on the whiteboard. Luckily the photos were detailed and everyone got straight to work on making the office look like it did before. We did add a few extra layers of detail that weren't present last time (nor would they have been visible in the darkness). A model of the Space Shuttle I spent all day assembling (that kept falling apart, a testament to my building skills) and some posters to fill in the blank walls. I found some images online, and we had Officeworks blow them up and print them on A1 poster sheets. We had two astronomy posters and one Vancouver Canucks hockey poster as a nod to Devon who's a massive Canucks fan, good thing we didn't print out Boston posters, the office would've been thrashed again but this time for real!

A big challenge, I thought, was making the office look different for each video as the videos in the film were shot by Prof. Jameson on different days at different times. First was the whiteboard, I had Trent and Billy only recreate about a third of the writing for our first video on the board. Then we each subsequent video they'd add more and more of the details until by the last video the board was completely the way it looked six months ago - awesome! Secondly was lighting. I had these images in my head of three different levels of lighting for the three videos; midday daylight, dusk, and full moon light. Now as I mentioned in the DAY 6 production diary this office had a nice large window but it wasn't on the outside of the building, it overlooked the Uni's computer room causeway. So DTang and Paul hoisted up the box plant, threw the mighty bright Blondie behind it and we started to get some interesting lighting. I'll explain each video in detail.

Viral Video 3 - Vid 3 is set a few weeks after Prof. Jameson's last video regarding his discovery of the OMEGA comet. In this video we see him confronting and attempting to expose a cover-up and the dirty tactics being used to suppress information. Devon shows his true acting chops by being completely believable as a fun loving, friendly professor in the previous videos then being able to switch to a no-nonsense, take-no-crap guy you wouldn't want to mess with. Devon ran through the big block of text in a single uninterrupted shot and played the scene brilliantly. We did four takes (take three was perfect, but take four was for safety) but we got it. Photography for the scene was also a challenge but one that DTang handled like a pro. Vid 3 was set during the day... but it was pitch black outside so we couldn't rely on the light from the environment. I was of the mind that we could get away with using the fluro-lights in the office, keep it simple and real. Thankfully DTang convinced me these lights look terrible and cast bad shadows so we switched them off. Simulating midday sun was achieved with the Blondie close to the window, with the stand extended up to give the light extra height. Trial and error with the gels to get the desired white, slightly blue, cool sun effect and we were set. The office looked amazing, props to the crew for dressing the set, props to DTang for lighting the set and props to Devon for acting his scenes so well.

Viral Video 4 - Vid 4 was set in the days following Vid 3 so we made only minor changes to the set, a few more scribbles on the whiteboard, shuffled the desk around and we were good to go. I had pictured in my head of a very sharp, unique look. This video would be taking place at sunset with the sun hanging low in the sky and beaming a heavy orange glow into the room. I can't count the amount of times I'd be sitting in my office late in the afternoon when the Sun has decided to smash through my window and assault my fragile eyes with orange death rays. It's uncomfortable, it gets in your eyes and it makes me edgy which I thought would be perfect for Vid 4 as Devon would be playing a nervous Jameson who's being coerced into saying lies and denouncing OMEGA as a hoax. I was extremely pleased with the way this scene worked, the atmosphere was intense and Devon's performance matched it perfectly. I won't give too much away to those outside the production, but the 'tapping' worked out crazy well. Well done!

Scene 8 - Before finishing off the viral videos I decided we'd film Scene 8, it's a quick scene in the script and the lights we'd set up for the next shot fit this one as well. I'll be honest, all the little films and stuff-arounds Trent and I had worked on I always loved controlling the camera, filming OMEGA has been great and DTang is unmatched and has been phenomenal as Cameraman/D.O.P. However, I was very keen on filming at least one part of this movie, Scene 8 seemed like the perfect place. The shot will be a cut away when Jake (Adam) is trying to call Prof. Jameson while watching the viral videos. We cut into the office to show that the phone is dead (Adelaide's blacked out, remember?) and we see Jameson hiding 'something' behind the whiteboard, a 'something' which our main character finds shortly after. A quick focus pull between the phone in the foreground to Jameson in the background and we had a quick, effective scene and I got to film a part of my movie! DTang very graciously allowed me to film with his 7D which is certainly something of a privileged, I was very grateful for the opportunity, thanks a million dude!

Viral Video 5/ Scene 7b - Vids 3 & 4 was both tripod shots (the same as Vids 1 & 2 were all those months ago). Vid 5 changes it up a bit by losing the tripod and shot handheld, but handheld by the cameraman and the character. Vid 5 is the shortest of all the viral videos but there were so many actions and beats that it required as much time as the longest one. To alleviate things Trent and I decided to have a cut in between the video, the opening dialogue as the first half, then the awesome Location Jump was the second half. The location jump is a camera trick that we envisioned to seamlessly merge the viral videos with the scenes in the film. Adam's character Jake is watching each of these well after they've been recorded, the only one he watches via live-stream is Vid 5. So to show that these characters were interacting, however remotely, at the same time we worked out a way to show the virals on Jake's laptop screen in his kitchen, then smoothly transitioning and 'jumping locations' through the camera into Jameson's office at Stockport. It's tricky to explain in text, so I'll let you see it for yourself when we screen the film. The first half had DTang and Devon holding the camera to simulate a handheld shot then Devon read through his frantic scene revealing that he was forced to lie and that OMEGA is a very real, very imminent threat. The camera then swings down as if the videos over. The second half shows that Jameson has more to say, the camera swings up (awesome six-handed co-ordination from DTang, Devon and Trent on the 7D rig), and he tries to get out one last piece of crucial information. The shot rounded out with the Location Jump merging Vid 5 with Scene 7 from DAY 4.

So that wraps out DAY 11 and also completes the Viral Videos which are a crucial part of the film that we started filming way back on DAY 1. I'm so pleased to get these virals and scenes in the bag, with these shot we have successfully completed the last major sequence for OMEGA. Tonight was a awesome shoot and while I apologize for getting sick near the end, everyone pulled together to finish up the night on a strong note. Big thanks to Teena, Trent, Paul and Billy (still with a broken leg in a cast) for your speedy set ups and pack ups. DTang once again outdid himself with photography and lighting - you'd never know the light coming through the window was not the from the sun but from equally (if not more) powerful 2000W Blondie. 

Lastly tonight marks the last day of filming with the sublime Devon Aubert. Devon was the first actor to be filmed for OMEGA in October of 2010 where he drove out with us two hours out of the city to a remote Observatory for filming. He's stuck with us and given us a brilliant, engaging performance as the lovable and the threatened / bashed / kidnapped Professor David Jameson. Devon gave up his time and energy even on DAY 7, his kidnapping scene, where he had no dialogue but still threw himself into the role. 

Thanks a million Devon, you we there when we started and you were there when we finished, OMEGA's going to be awesome thanks to you.

Huge thanks to Devon, DTang, Trent, Teena, Billy & Paul! All that's left to film is the GoPro car scenes, some pick ups and some minor reshoots in the weeks to come. We're almost there, we just need to stop writing more scenes!

OMEGA - Production Diary - Day 10

Last night before Rapture... should get some good footage of the earth burning. Oh, and the movie.

PRODUCTION DIARY - DAY 10 -  May 21st, 2011 | UniSA West Campus, Adelaide.

Crew in attendance: Peter Ninos (Director), David Tang (Cinematographer), Sam Cherry (Gaffer), Amber McBride (Camera Assist/Focus Puller), Jordan Agutter (Gaffer/Best Boy) Trent Ninos (First A.D.), Teena Ninos (D.A./Sound Recorder), Billy Ninos (Clapper Loader), Paul Larsen(Grip/Runner). Cast in attendance: Kate Englefield (Jess). Lending a hand: Gigi D'angelo (Costumes) & Aliante Youngdino (The Agent).

Scenes being filmed: OMEGA Scenes 12b, 15b & 16.

And we're back! It's the last night before Judgement Day so we've only got a few hours in which to film the remaining coverage of the lovely Ms. Englefield.

We are back, once more, at the ever versatile UniSA Campus in the city. Once again, a huge thanks to Mark, Christine and Gordon for allowing us to film in the Yungondi Building which has stood in for a wide variety of locations for OMEGA.

Tonight we're filming Kate's coverage of the dialog from her end in Scenes 12 and 15. Adam already filmed his side of this same two conversations on Day 8 at Bonython Park. We edited the footage of his lines together for Kate to review and also had Paul help out by reading Jake's lines with Kate.

Prep for tonights shoot was the standard affair, the three scenes called for a single location which (after some back and forth) we found nearby our base. DTang, Amber, Sam & Jordan started working out lighting for the area using some cool new LED lights DTang bough along from an earlier shoot. They were very bright, but we had heaps of control over their brightness and intensity. Coupled with a redhead, some gels and a make-shift cutter it was looking very spiff.

Scene 12b is Kate's heavy scene, this is where the emotion really starts to boil over for her character. She's just seen the CM gunned just to get to the mysterious Joseph. We started the shot with Kate saying her opening line, then slowly sliding down the wall and dropping to the floor. It was a great shot because it shows Kate's character, Jess, keeping it together but when she hears her boyfriends voice she's lets go and staggers down the wall. Kate played the scene brilliantly, with plenty of raw, visceral emotion. The fake blood on her hands, the tired drained expression all came together to make us sympathize with her character. A bit of extra work for Billy and Jordan as we directed them in between Kate and the camera, they appeared out of focus and casting long shadows just added to the frenetic energy of the scene of people rushing about the hospital. The scene was played through a number of times going from a mid shot, to our brilliant close ups.

Scene 15b was up next. 15b in the script is two lines of dialog from Jess as a voice over, the scene is really focused on Jake as he's nearing the thrilling conclusion of the film, this is when the stakes are getting higher and we're nearing bursting point as OMEGA rockets closer. Even though it's a voice over scene I still wanted to film Kate acting out the lines on the same set, I figure it's good to have the footage on hand for when we're editing we may find the scene could benefit from quick cuts in between both characters, who knows! It's more for safety then anything else. As always Kate played the dialog perfectly.

Scene 16 was last up for the night (wow, and it's still before midnight!). Scene 16 is a quick shot, no dialog and will be a quiet cut away near the end of the film as the haunting blue light of OMEGA washes over our characters. DTang and I had two different ideas how to play the scene, one with Kate just looking out of the window towards the light and the other with Kate moving out from her position to get an even closer look at the light. Both were equally interesting shots, so we filmed them both and we'll see what looks the best in the editing room.

Finished filming early for a change! Woo! After we'd wrapped filming on Day 10 for OMEGA we managed to get some other stuff shot for side projects. Firstly we filmed a special On-Set Episode of REEL FX (to air next week) where we discussed lighting and the operation of the clapper board. And secondly We filmed some absolute comedy gold "mockumentary" interviews for the OMEGA Behind the Scenes DVD. This is one seriously funny group of people we have working on this filming and our DV Cameras are chock full of one hilarious "interview" after the other.

Day 10 was an awesome night of filming, we had great help from our two newest members of the crew Amber McBride and Sam Cherry, both did a fantastic job first day on OMEGA. Jordan joining us for the second time was also very helpful and provided us with some of more funnier fake interviews. Gigi and Frenk we good enough to visit us on set and even helped out by filming a whole load of Behind the Scenes footage. Trent, Teena, Billy, Paul and of course DTang once again bought their A-Games.

Lastly Day 10 also marks the wonderful Kate Englefield's last day of shooting for OMEGA. Kate has been a joy to work with, volunteering her time and energy and bringing us an amazing and engaging performance that she so skillfully bought to life. Aside from Team Ninos Kate has been with the film the longest (a week before DTang), we first met Kate in 2009 where we instantly found ourselves with a talented and versatile actress.

Thanks so much Kate, I know I speak for everyone on the cast and crew when I say it's been an absolute pleasure, OMEGA is going to rock thanks to you!

Huge thanks to Kate, DTang, Amber, Sam, Jordan, Trent, Teena, Billy, Paul, Gigi & Frenk! Another great shoot, and the world didn't end! Sweeeet.

OMEGA - Production Shots - Day 9

Production Shots from our ninth day of filming have been uploaded to our Flickr account, check them all out here. Many more to come, I'd never seen so many cameras snapping away!

OMEGA - Production Diary - Day 9

Tonight is that last major sequence for OMEGA, not much left to film after this... I can see the finish line!

PRODUCTION DIARY - DAY 9 -  March 31st, 2011 | UniSA West Campus, Adelaide.

Crew in attendance: Peter Ninos (Director), David Tang (Cinematographer), Michael Tessari (Gaffer/Camera Assist), Trent Ninos (First A.D.), Teena Ninos (D.A./Sound Recorder), Gigi D'angelo (Costumes), Billy Ninos (Clapper Loader), Paul Larsen (Grip/Runner) George Carr (Props/Research). Cast in attendance: Kate Englefield (Jess), Nick Buckland (Dr. Blake), Aliante Youngdino (The Agent).

Scenes being filmed: OMEGA Scenes 10 & 11.

We're back at UniSA for the last major sequence in the film. Unlike our other shoots we're only filming for one standalone day, so we need to get all our shots in the can by tonight.

I'll talk first about our prep for Day 9 - the Hospital scenes. We have the same location as Day 3 so we had to dress the corridor in the same way as we did in December when we last filmed it. This time around we had some extra props to add an extra layer of detail. First thing in the morning, after Teena and I picked up all our equipment from the MRC and Picture Hire, we headed to a Medical Supply store recommended to me by my GP (Thanks Doc!). Pushing our way through the wall of incontinence pads we found actual IV bags filled with saline solution and even the IV drip tube set, we also grabbed another stethoscope for Nick to use. All up the props ended up costing less then $30 - for actual medical supplies, how awesome is that?

The night before the shoot I found yet another excuse to transcend this mortal realm and ascend to the promised land of Officeworks. I had mocked up three hospital posters in Photoshop, huge thanks to Teena and George Carr for snapping pics of the posters in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for reference. I must say the posters made the corridor and elevator sets look great, I'll post some photos of them in the Production Shots shortly.

Teena and I arrived at UniSA just after 6PM, DTang, Michael and Trent were already there. We started unloading our gear and moved into the set. We immediately started looking around the area for places to film. This small area has already been on camera over our many filming days (playing various different locations) so we needed to look for fresh areas and angles. By playing with the geography of the location we were able to shoot it so it appeared that one corner led to a completely different area - it was great fun working this all out.

Acting in our scenes today we had the always wonderful Kate Englefield playing Jess. With her was Nick Buckland who kindly agreed to play the Chief of Medicine Dr. Blake. Aliante Youngdino (Frenk) returned playing the nefarious astronomer-napping, security guard-capping Agent. Gigi D'angelo once again supplied us our awesome costumes and delivered them as well, much obliged! Visiting the set was Carina Gun and Jeremy Keller-Bakker, great to meet you guys. Everyone was chatting and laughing, the mood was very light and fun. Props to Paul and Billy who came down to the shoot directly from work and training respectively and still helped us out. Kudos! 


Scenes 10 & 11 are essentially the same scene. Jess, the CM and the Agent walk through the Hospital discussing the mysterious patient Jess operated on earlier in the night. The scene culminates in someone getting shot... but I won't spoil who just yet!

To cover the entire conversation we had six set ups across the location and two to three close ups for each of the actors individual lines. We covered Scene 10 first from three different angles. Even when not in the shot the actors still did a great job providing eye lines and acting through the dialogue. The action was covered hand held by DTang and Mike with the 7D for still and tracking shots, we reviewed the footage and it looked awesome - Scene 10 is in the bag!


Moving directly onto Scene 11 we reset our lights and positions and ran through the cues. We rehearsed the actions a few times before rolling - the cast and the crew did a great job with very little rehearsal. Ideally we should've been able to practice in the days before the shoot but again the train is bearing down on us so we had to fast tracked the process. I appreciate everyone's hard work and patience.

The first third of our shoot was done, we moved to the far end of the Yungondi Building to the elevator area. We set up and filmed our actors waiting for the elevator, delivery their lines and entering. Michael Tessari agreed to film a cameo (he had already put on the patient gown the minute he saw it, so that was easy). He played the part of a sick patient wheeling his IV stand out of the elevator. Looked awesome... thanks man!

The next set up was inside the elevator, we dressed the interior walls with our posters and used a nice wide angle to show the sleek silver interior in all its glory. One of the lights was flickering so we positioned Frenk underneath it to make him look intimidating. The footage looked great, very cold and foreboding.

For when our characters exit the elevator on a different floor we simply redressed the same exterior as before (Big Bang Theory style). New posters, a box plant and some new chairs sold the effect. I really enjoy those types of set ups, it's really innovative using what we have to make something work. Great work everyone.

Our last set up had us inside the main foyer of the Yungondi Building. This is the big finish, someone's about to get shot. We filmed the dialogue leading up to the big moment first, then set up the shot and fall separately. One of the conditions of filming inside UniSA was that we weren't able to fire off our awesome blood shooting (used to great effect in shooting Paul on Day 7). So we filmed the shot plate with the character simulating the shot and falling back onto the safety mattress (supplied by Trent) with the blood effect to be added in during Post. A few extra practical effects were also employed. Fake blood was carefully applied to the wound for the shots of the victim lying on the ground. And we used an empty bullet shell with a small piece of incenses (Sandlewood, my throat's still burning). When lit and placed in the shell it looks just like a newly fired bullet shell still smoking from the heat of the gun - sweet! The low angle was brilliant and the focus shift from the smoking shell to the wounded victim on the ground looked oh so nice.

Without spoiling too much the scene worked really well. Kate was awesome and gave a truly bone chilling scream. Nick was a great sport and literally threw himself into the role. And Frenk played the Agent menacingly and cool. The framing and lighting work crazy well and the staging when the Agent goes from the one being led to circling around into a position of intimating superiority worked like a charm.

We had originally planned on filming Scenes 12b & 15b (Kate's coverage) but it was nearing 1AM and we were all feeling the effects of the loooooong day. This was especially evident in the production shots of DTang molesting accosting Mike with the fake pistol.

Aside from the late hours and losing three Redhead bulbs 'twas an awesome night of filming!

Scenes 10 & 11 are now added to our growing list of completed scenes, we have only to film the last shots with Kate and remaining viral videos with Devon Aubert (Prof. Jameson) in the next few weeks. After that at least one more day for Pick Ups and we're done! Woo!

That wraps up filming for tonight and also marks Nick Buckland's and Aliante Youngdino's last shots on OMEGA. I'd like that thank the both of them for their dedication and hard work, I appreciate you both for volunteering your time and talent and in helping to bring OMEGA to life. You both played your lines brilliantly with Kate and to each other. If I saw Nick in the same costume he wore last night in a hospital I'd be convinced he was the Chief of Medicine and would be obliviously letting myself be injected with god knows what. And if I saw Frenk walking through a dark ally wearing his Agent costume and that creepy grin I'd be bolting it so fast I'd break the sound barrier (and probably my legs).

Thanks to Kate, Nick, Frenk, DTang, Michael, Gigi, Trent, Teena, Billy, Paul, George, Carina, & Jeremy. 'Twas a long night, a much deserved break for you all!

OMEGA Part 1 (Official Trailer)

First A.D. Trent Ninos has edited together our first Teaser Trailer for OMEGA Part 1.
Check out the awesomeness here.

OMEGA - Filming Update

Good morning all!

Phew, what a month. Had we been able to stick to our original plan OMEGA would be in the can by this point. But things crop up that are out of our control.

Firstly let me say clearly that yes, OMEGA will be finished. The delays, while unfortunate, were unavoidable - I've had a crazy four weeks with my business (accountants, lawyers, brokers, more lawyers) that my attention has been somewhat monopolized between those people. But enough excuse making, when are we getting back to filming, right?

Well it'll be a month at least, possibly more. My hope was that we could have everything filmed during January, where school/uni was out, work was quieter (for most), and before the Adelaide Fringe Festival kicked into gear.

Fringe finishes up on March 13th so it is unlikely we'll be filming before then, possibly later.

Trent, Teena and I have used the intervening time to go over the remaining scenes, tweak the script, create in depth shot lists, and purchase our own equipment so we can save on hiring cost.

I will be contacting each cast and crew member involved with the remaining shots individually so that we can get a rough idea on your availability for a late March / April shoot.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me via SMS or Facebook.

Thank you!

Peter Ninos
Director

OMEGA - Production Shots - Day 8

Production Shots from our eigth day of filming have been uploaded to our Flickr account, check them all out here.

OMEGA - Production Diary - Day 8

Our lead actors last day on OMEGA - let's hope we get everything filmed!!

PRODUCTION DIARY - DAY 8 -  January 9th, 2011 | Bonython Park & War Memorial Drive.
 
Crew in attendance: Peter Ninos (Director), David Tang (Cinematographer), Jordan Agutter (Gaffer/Camera Assist), Trent Ninos (First A.D.), Teena Ninos (D.A./Sound Recorder), Billy Ninos (Clapper Loader/Boom Poll) & Paul Larsen (Grip/Runner). Cast in attendance: Adam Schmerl (Jake).

Scenes being filmed: OMEGA Scene 6 & 9. Scene 12 pick ups.

Tonight is our last day of filming in this four day block and also Adam Schmerl's (Jake) last day of filming for OMEGA before moving to Melbourne! Adam is flying out tomorrow and was still willing to work on the film tonight. So a huge thanks to Adam for being such a great sport!

Tonight we're filming the oft-put off car Scenes 6 & 9. But we also had a large chuck of Scene 12 to finish off filming. The sequence is when Jess (Kate) calls Jake and explains about the Agent just as Jake sees the Agent arrive at the Observatory. We filmed the Agent (Frenk) and Professor Jameson's (Devon) coverage yesterday with Adam in the foreground so tonight we'll film Adam's coverage and the entirety of the phone conversation.

First shot up was Jake driving his car and parking in front of the Observatory. Exterior coverage was first, Adam drove up in Trent's car (doing a great job playing Jake's car), turned off the head lights and walked out of shot. The framing was very nice, when I reviewed the footage it looked great, DTang and Jordan set the scene perfectly.

Next up was the shot immediately prior to the one just filmed (gotta love filming out of order). This was Adam driving through the gateway of the rear entrance of Bonython Park standing in for the Stockport Observatory. Over the four days of outdoor shoots we had been lucky so far with power. This was our only shot where we didn't have readily available power so we cracked out Trent's generator. We didn't want to overload it so DTang and Jordon only ran a couple of Dedo lights, it was pretty dark but overall the shot worked.

We moved onto a transition shot of Adam walking along the building, checking in the windows then pulling out his phone as it rang. A quick shot but it draws out the stillness and emptiness of the set. It will be very effective building up the suspense of the impending kidnapping.

Now here was a fun sequence to shoot. We had a very large area at Bonython to work with so we took full advantage of it. The scene called for Jake and Jess to exchange a few hurried words before the Agent drives up for his next target.

Kate was under the weather and unable to attend filming tonight so Teena was good enough to read out Jess's lines with Adam. She was very nervous but after a quick sprint with Adam she did a great job, thanks sis!

We started the shot with Adam was standing against the side wall of the Observatory. The long, curving drive way of this part of the park extended into the distance behind him. Our 1st A.D. Trent hopped into our Agent's car, tore off down the road and, after we started rolling, he slowly drove towards Adam and the camera. It took a couple of takes to get the timing right, Adam had to deliver a whole paragraph of dialogue before noticing the lights of the car so we had Trent go further back down the road and slow down his speed. We rounded out the scene by having Adam pressed up against the wall with Trent tearing off out of the driveway, kicking up dust and gravel. This'll be added after the shots we took of Devon getting kidnapped.

In the end we got it, the shot looked amazing! The car creeping slowly towards our hero, then the bright lights sweeping like a search light across the wall, will definitely be a nerve wracking scene for the audience. Although if anyone yells out "Look out behind you!" to the screen I will lose all faith in humanity.

Woo! Scene 12 done! What an awesome sequence, can't wait to see this one on the big screen!

Interior car scenes up next. We split these sequences up into two set ups. Set up 1 was having the car stationary, with the background blacked out completely. Our large fan was positioned to blow in through the drivers window simulating the car speeding down the road. Now I know these type of faux driving shots may not look as convincing as shooting while actually driving but we needed to be able to control the environment for these few crucial moments. Luckily the scenes worked pretty well - adding Sound FX and the radio voices in post will sell the scene completely.

The stationary shots were lit with a combination of Dedo's and glow sticks (thanks for Billy for supplying heaps of them!). When filming in the dark things we can see great with our eyes tend to fade out on even the best camera. So the glow sticks helped accentuate the light being emanated from the cars dials and the radio. It may have looked like a Tron-car to us, but on film it looked perfect.

We said goodnight to Jordan, great work tonight mate, and started setting up Set up 2. Our final two shots required a smaller, mobile film unit. Adam, DTang and I drove off to film the shot of Jake pulling up at the hospital Jess works at and various interior driving scenes.

The Women's and Children's Hospital was standing in for Jess's hosptial. Adam dropped DTang and I off in front of the hospital and took a run up (or would that be a drive up?). We did a number of takes covering the drive up from both sides - at one point standing in traffic. For the last three takes I suggested we add a pan down from the hospitals highest floor to add some motion to the scene. Adam pulled up, played the emotion of the scene where his character is longing to go in a see his girlfriend, but resolving not to and driving off.

We had a little drama at one point, suddenly to our left we saw in the Memorial Hospital adjacent to the main building a large explosion of (I'm assuming) steam. It was billowing out very fast and looked to be a series breach of some sort. I looked pretty cool provided no one was hurt (I spoke with the hospital the next day and they said no one was, but wouldn't elaborate on what happened).

Final shots for the night, our destination - War Memorial Drive. Anyone familiar with it knows it's a long winding stretch of dark scary road. This is one place you don't want to be walking down in the dead of night, well unless you have an aversion to clean pants.

So, with Adam driving, we ventured further down to the stretch where the street lights were few and far between. We filmed Adam driving, changing the radio station, looking around and just some plates of his head lights beaming down the road as he drove. We may have caught a few street lights in some of the shots but they'll be easy enough to edit around in post.

So that wraps up filming for this week and it also marks the last shot for Adam on OMEGA. Adam worked tirelessly and with complete professionalism throughout the entire shoot. He is a pleasure to work with, listening, taking direction, and offering helpful suggestions and insights at all turns. I know I speak for the whole crew when I say Adam was an invaluable and down right awesome guy to work with!

Thank you so much Adam, you've elevated OMEGA to greatness! All the best of luck in Melbourne!

Thanks to Teena, Trent, Billy & Paul for packing up super fast (as always) while Adam, DTang and I filmed the last shots on the road. A well deserved break from filming for the next two weeks, then hopefully we can wrap up OMEGA with another four days of filming!

Kudos everyone! Thanks to Adam, DTang, Jordon, Trent, Teena, Billy & Paul.

OMEGA - Production Shots - Day 7

Production Shots from our seventh day of filming have been uploaded to our Flickr account, check them all out here.

OMEGA - Production Diary - Day 7

Big scene today & our largest cast and crew shoot yet!

PRODUCTION DIARY - DAY 7 -  January 8th, 2011 |  Bonython Park


Crew in attendance: Peter Ninos (Director), David Tang (Cinematographer), Michael Tessari (Gaffer/Camera Assist), Trent Ninos (First A.D.), Teena Ninos (D.A./Sound Recorder), Billy Ninos (Clapper Loader/Boom Poll), Gigi D'angelo (Costume Designer) & Paul Larsen (Grip/Runner). Cast in attendance: Adam Schmerl (Jake), Devon Aubert (Prof. Jameson), Frenk Etti (The Agent), Travis (Goon).

Scenes being filmed: OMEGA Scene 12.


We're back at the ever-versatile Bonython Park for our big Scene 12. We were just around the corner from where we shot on Thursday, we set up camp, organised power and started unloading for what is our biggest shoot yet. Scene 12 is set on the exteriors of the Stockport Observatory where Jake sees Prof. Jameson kidnapped by the mysterious Agent.

DTang's Camera Assist for tonight is Michael Tessari, thanks for coming down man - great work tonight!

Also an extra thanks to Adam, not only was he acting tonight but he assisted us on clapper board during the scenes he wasn't in, thanks man!


Scene 12 in the script it's only one scene but there's so much going on; Jake stealthily approaching the Observatory, cars pulling in and out of the drive way, hurried phone call from Jess, Security guards getting shot, Professors getting kidnapped and heaps more! Our shot list practically doubled by the end of the night as we came up with new interesting shots as we went through all the elements of the scene.

PART 1 - We filmed Devon's kidnapping scene first as it was his anniversary tonight and we didn't want to keep him too late, he was a great sport to come along, thanks Devon! Our first shot was Devon being dragged across the grounds by Travis and tossed into the car. Devon and Travis worked out all the motions of how they'd be moving, and how they'd get him into the car. Devon was slammed repeatedly into the side of the car! I was getting a bit worried but Devon reminded me he was a hardened Hockey player! So then I started getting worried about the car...

Kidding!

We reset and did the same sequence from Adam's perspective along the side wall. We reviewed the scene and it looked great, Devon and Travis struggling kicked up heaps of gravel and dust which looked awesome. Frenk stood menacingly at the hood of the car silently watching, Trent (in his second cameo!) was the car door opener and Adam was good enough to run Slate for the scene.

PART 2 - We said goodnight to Devon and started planning out Paul's big death scene! The shot takes place just as the Agents pull up and before they rush inside and kidnap the Professor. DTang and Michael changed the lighting slightly from the previous shot as we had to show the same area from a different angle. The Blondie worked well as moonlight and we used the cars head and brake lights as part of the scene.

Trent and I worked out a simply blood shooter system that would spray our Patented Fake Blood out of Paul's shirt simulating getting shot in the heart. But this shot as we were so far away we did a bunch of dry runs and we'd move in closer for the grand blood shot. So the actions worked with Adam in the foreground watching from the shadows as Frenk and Paul walk up to each other, exchanging incidental dialogue, walk around to the rear of the car, Travis exiting the car causing Paul to be distracted as Frenk pulls out the (fake) silenced pistol and shoots him as he falls onto the (completely uncomfortable) saftey mesh! Phew! We did quite a few takes trying to get the timing right and we eventually got some great footage.

One shot was interuptted but something very... odd. We rolled camera, the actors started their actions when Billy called out urgently that someone was stealing out clapper board! I turned to my left and see this massive horse, replete with determination, lifting our clapper board over the fence with its mouth! Whoa! I grabbed the bottom of the board and pulled, the horse wasn't letting go, but the sudden loud cries and motions from the crew towards it must've startled it and released the board (with plenty of saliva, yay) and galloped away. I supposed we have to credit the horse as a clapper loader, right?

PART 3 - We then moved into the close up of the blood shot. We only had one take! DTang and Michael set up the lights, DTang got a good angle and grabbed focus, we had Paul standing rigged up with the blood shooter beneath his shirt and I yelled ACTION! It was tense but the shooter worked like a dream and Paul reacted perfectly when the blood sprayed out. Cool!

PART 4 - After reviewing the footage we came up with one last shot before Frenk finished for the night. A simple shot of the car pulling into frame, Frenk stepping out waiting a few seconds then rushing back in. We'd split this up to bookend the kidnapping sequence we'd already shot. Quick set up, we did three takes and got it! Moving on!

PART 5 - We bade Frenk and Gigi and good night and we moved onto our next shot; Jake running to the shot security guard and checking his pulse before rushing into the building. We added more fake blood (you can never have too much fake blood!) to Paul's wound and we had him lying on the hard gravelling ground - what a trooper! We rolled and had Adam rush up to Paul kicking up dust (which again looked great through the 7D) and check Paul's pulse. Covered the sequence from two different angles and we got it. The final part of that coverage was Adam's reaction to the shot security guard, trying to call the police before rushing towards the building. Adam played the scene with a great deal of urgency, it was a great moment to have the pulse pounding music kick in when he bolts towards the Observatory - great work!

Scene 12 still had some extra shots before completion but we didn't have enough time, and they were crucial so I didn't want to rush them. We agreed to shoot them tomorrow before the interior car scenes.

All in all it was a long, complicated shoot but it went very smoothly (aspiring film making horses not withstanding). We got some great footage and the cast and crew all performed fantastically!

Back here at Bonython tomorrow, then a break from filming - huzzah!

Great work everyone! Thanks to Adam, Devon, Frenk, DTang, Michael, Gigi, Trent, Teena, Billy, Paul & Travis!