The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Showing posts with label Stephen Tuplin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephen Tuplin. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Thursday, September 21, 2017
BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: 10 Questions with Videographer Stephen Tuplin
Originally posted in two parts in January 2011.
Stephen Tuplin is working on his last semester at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, a digital media arts school located in Chicago, Illinois.
Stephen Tuplin is working on his last semester at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, a digital media arts school located in Chicago, Illinois.
He has agreed to film the Bryony trailer; a music video for
James Onohan (http://www.jamesonohan.com/), the composer/pianist for Bryony;
and a series of interviews with the Bryony team.
Last summer, I had asked
Stephen if he'd like to jump on board because his passion for movies was just
the vision I needed for the Bryony trailer.
Stephen also regularly posts in-depth movie reviews on his
Facebook page. Below is the first of a two-part interview with Stephen.
Connect with Stephen at echowhitefox@yahoo.comecho
whitefox@mac.com
http://flavors.me/echowhitefoxhttp://www.facebook.com/echowhitefoxhttp://twitter.com/#!/echowhitefox.
1) Have you always
been a movie buff? Why?
"Movies have
always been in my life. Some of my best childhood memories involved watching
movies with my family with a roaring fire
in the fireplace. Every time I would watch a movie, I would always get
something from it. I don’t do my homework with the TV on cause I need to watch
what’s on. The way I see it, movies are about entering the world of another
person’s personal vision. Whether it’s a good experience or a bad one, I still
respect all film; someone had the guts to pull it off.
2) When did you first try your hand at filmmaking? What did
you film?
"In the summer of 2003, my friend Luke and I started
production on a film called, “the Squirrel”. It took us about four months to
do. The production had no script; just a handicam and some terrible actors: Us.
Needless to say, this film doesn’t get shown often. Good times though.
3) What made you pursue a filmmaking degree?
"I knew I wanted
to go into filmmaking in high school. People regarded me as the “movie guy” so
I knew it was just in my blood. To be honest, I consider this question done; I
was always going to make movies no matter what.
4) Why did you choose Flashpoint Academy?
"In my senior year of high school, my dad told me about
a new school in Chicago that was all about media arts and filmmaking. He sent
me the link to the website and I signed up for my newsletter. The next day,
after coming home from JJC doing my annoying Gen. Eds, Flashpoint personally
called me. Their policy is to contact everyone who joins their site; this was
encouraging for me. After going on their tour, there really wasn’t any other
school that could satisfy me. Tribeca Flashpoint Academy is an all hands on
school that doesn’t waste my time. Students from Columbia room with students
from Tribeca, and they are always surprised at all the things we get to do.
Word of mouth can contain exaggerations; Tribeca doesn’t need to."
5) Which do you enjoy more, filming or editing? Why?
"The highlight of my year last year was directing. I
get no greater pleasure than working with actors and collaborating with fellow
filmmakers. Editing is just one of the many facets that Tribeca was able to
teach me. Editing is something I enjoy thoroughly, but it’s not something I
would call myself a pro at. The film is crafted, and sometimes saved in the
editing room, but the actual shoot is where my adrenaline is."
6) Where do you hope to use your skills after you graduate?
"I hope to either work for a production company, or do
PA work on shoots happening around Chicago. I’m really open to whatever opens
up. God’s brought me this far; I don’t worry about tomorrow."
7) It's ten years from today. What are you doing?
"I hope to be directing at an independent film company,
perhaps my own."
8) Is creating a compelling book trailer more difficult than
creating a movie trailer? Can you elaborate?
"Well, a trailer consists of footage from a movie that
has already been shot. Since this is a book, it’s more about making it into a
movie and then making a trailer. Since I don’t have the means to do this, it’ll
be more about thinking up specific shots and sequences to film. So, this is
going to be more difficult than a movie trailer; but it’ll still be a
blast."
9) After agreeing to create the Bryony trailer, you offered
to film interviews with members of the Bryony team? Why are these extras
important to have?
"I proposed this because it sounds like your website
for the book is in need of content. Since you’ll have a video for the book, it
only seems more convenient to have face-to-face interviews with those
responsible for the book. Knowing the faces of the people behind a novel causes
a connection for the reader. I find I respect a film more after watching behind
the scenes footage of the filming; a book is no different."
10) What feeling will
people have after viewing the Bryony trailer?
"My goal is to tease the audience with ambiguity and
wonder; but also some surrealism. If the footage is the book's cover, it’s my
goal to make them want to open it."
Thursday, September 7, 2017
BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Making the Bryony Video, Step Three: Finding Melissa Marchellis
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Making the Bryony Video, Step Three: Finding Melissa Marchellis
Up until this month, Bryony filmmaker Stephen Tuplin had an actress interested in playing Melissa. After we set a production date, the actress had a conflict of interest, so Stephen asked my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah to portray Bryony's main character. He liked her "look," for the role, he said.
I thought Rebekah would refuse. She is very shy, preferring to hang out with one friend at a time rather than a room full of people. To my surprise, she agreed to do it, so I copied the script, and she began practicing "swaying and swooning."
Five hundred miles away, her older sister, Sarah Stegall, Bryony web administrator, was seeking someone to "makeover" Rebekah. Sarah found two people. Vanna Fleetwood to cut and style Rebekah's hair, and Jennifer Wesolowski to do her makeup.
On the Sunday afternoon before the April 20 shoot, Jennifer, Rebekah, her friend, and I huddled in a department store bathroom experimenting. Jennifer strove for a natural look, since "Melissa" would be on her way to bed, but wanted to highlight Rebekah's large, blue eyes.
Meeting in a department store had its advantages. Not only was it a location for us, we had a ready supply of product just waiting to be purchased and tried out on Rebekah's face. Fortunately, Rebekah had brought her own makeup with her, so few additional items were acquired.
Conversation was mostly, "Watch how I put this one and now you try it," and, "No, we're not line for the bathroom." Rebekah's friend took "before" and "after" pictures with her camera phone to send to Sarah for posting on the Bryony blog and Facebook pages. (We've haven't gotten that far yet, oops!).
Although she exhorted Rebekah to practice at home, Jennifer had so much fun, she offered to come out to the Magosky mansion the night of filming and do Rebekah's makeup. Good thing, too, because Rebekah came down with a nasty cold later that day and didn't feel up to playing with cosmetics.
While we were playing with eyeliner and mascara, Rebekah's older brother, Timothy, was looking for 70s-style pajamas. He had taken Rebekah shopping the other day, found a couple of possibilities, and sent, after having received permission from an employee, photographs from the floor to me for critiquing. ("Excuse me, ma'am, may I please take pictures of women's nightwear?").
Again, we found two pairs that might work, so we sent the images to Stephen and dug through a bin of DVDs waiting for his reply. He suggested buying both. That way, if one didn't work well under the lights, we had options. We paid eighteen dollars total and left the store, feeling like we had an MGM budget.
Now all we needed were a couple of Victorian men's suits and a blond wig. How difficult could that be?
I thought Rebekah would refuse. She is very shy, preferring to hang out with one friend at a time rather than a room full of people. To my surprise, she agreed to do it, so I copied the script, and she began practicing "swaying and swooning."
Five hundred miles away, her older sister, Sarah Stegall, Bryony web administrator, was seeking someone to "makeover" Rebekah. Sarah found two people. Vanna Fleetwood to cut and style Rebekah's hair, and Jennifer Wesolowski to do her makeup.
On the Sunday afternoon before the April 20 shoot, Jennifer, Rebekah, her friend, and I huddled in a department store bathroom experimenting. Jennifer strove for a natural look, since "Melissa" would be on her way to bed, but wanted to highlight Rebekah's large, blue eyes.
Meeting in a department store had its advantages. Not only was it a location for us, we had a ready supply of product just waiting to be purchased and tried out on Rebekah's face. Fortunately, Rebekah had brought her own makeup with her, so few additional items were acquired.
Conversation was mostly, "Watch how I put this one and now you try it," and, "No, we're not line for the bathroom." Rebekah's friend took "before" and "after" pictures with her camera phone to send to Sarah for posting on the Bryony blog and Facebook pages. (We've haven't gotten that far yet, oops!).
Although she exhorted Rebekah to practice at home, Jennifer had so much fun, she offered to come out to the Magosky mansion the night of filming and do Rebekah's makeup. Good thing, too, because Rebekah came down with a nasty cold later that day and didn't feel up to playing with cosmetics.
While we were playing with eyeliner and mascara, Rebekah's older brother, Timothy, was looking for 70s-style pajamas. He had taken Rebekah shopping the other day, found a couple of possibilities, and sent, after having received permission from an employee, photographs from the floor to me for critiquing. ("Excuse me, ma'am, may I please take pictures of women's nightwear?").
Again, we found two pairs that might work, so we sent the images to Stephen and dug through a bin of DVDs waiting for his reply. He suggested buying both. That way, if one didn't work well under the lights, we had options. We paid eighteen dollars total and left the store, feeling like we had an MGM budget.
Now all we needed were a couple of Victorian men's suits and a blond wig. How difficult could that be?
Thursday, March 31, 2016
BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Gasps
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Gasps
Long night, short rest, and big deadlines today!
Over the next few days, I'll share the details of last night's filming of the Bryony book trailer and the Bryony music video.
But for today, we'll let the pictures tell the story.
Over the next few days, I'll share the details of last night's filming of the Bryony book trailer and the Bryony music video.
But for today, we'll let the pictures tell the story.
 |
| Christopher Blankenship on set of the Bryony book trailer. |
 |
| A sinister view as James Onohan gets into his role as John Simons. |
 |
| Josh Siegers working with Rebekah Baran during filming for the Bryony book trailer. |
 |
| James Onohan as himself in Victorian clothing for the filming of the "Bryony" music video. |
 |
| Christopher Blankenship as John Simons and Rebekah Baran as Melissa Marchellis during shooting for the Bryony book trailer. |
 |
| James Onohan Playing "Bryony." To view the complete album visit http://www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. Click on photos and then the album P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life. |
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
VampFest Revisted
Today, my son Christopher and I presented the proceeds of VampFest to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. I haven't yet received VampFest photos from Stephen Tuplin, director of Bryony media, as he left town soon after the event to tour with a local Christian music group, but he promised he would edit the video and send photos soon.
Highlights of the evening included the serving up of "bites and nibbles" from the upcoming Bryony cookbook:
· Fried “O’Brien-style” potatoes
Teen classic rock band, Street Worthy, represented the 1970s.
Romantic pianist/composer James Onohan symbolized the Victorian era by playing, for the first time, original songs from the brand-new Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons.
Alas, red tape meant we had no books to sell, but we raffled off one of two proof copies we received for $100, which we also donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. We hope to have copies of both the novel and the cookbook available SOON!
For those who missed the festivities (or are loath to see them end), Bryony will be at the HS Healing and Wellness Center's first
If you'd like to be added to Bryony's virtual mailing list for updates, please contact me at BryonySeries@gmail.com
Highlights of the evening included the serving up of "bites and nibbles" from the upcoming Bryony cookbook:
· Fried “O’Brien-style” potatoes
· Mini corn dogs
· Black Avocado Dip with Homemade Tortilla Chips
· Corn Dip With Homemade Tortilla Chips
· Cucumber and Tomato Salad
· Marinated Onions, Mushrooms, and Peppers
· Chicken Salad
· Shepherd’s Pie
· Stuffed Mini Peppers
· Pork Tenderloins with Cabbage and Kraut
· Vegetarian Chili
· Pear Mascarpone French Toast
· Toffee-Apple French Toast
· Sweet Potato Pudding
Many characters from the book--in period dress--served and interacted with the guests.
Teen classic rock band, Street Worthy, represented the 1970s.
Romantic pianist/composer James Onohan symbolized the Victorian era by playing, for the first time, original songs from the brand-new Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons.
Alas, red tape meant we had no books to sell, but we raffled off one of two proof copies we received for $100, which we also donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. We hope to have copies of both the novel and the cookbook available SOON!
For those who missed the festivities (or are loath to see them end), Bryony will be at the HS Healing and Wellness Center's first
The Bryony Team: Dulcinea Hawksworth, director of marketing and event host/ coordinator; Tommy Connolly, media researcher and developer and emcee; Sarah Stegall, web administrator and silent auction co-coordinator; James Onohan, Bryony's pianist and composer; Virginia Schonbachler, silent auction and raffle co-coordinator; Stephen James Tuplin of Echo White Fox and Josh Siegers of JKS Productions for photography and videography; Heather Frelichowski of Crafty Moms Inc for costume design, Harwood Post and especially Mary Hischier, for supplying food, venue, and general guidance.
Vendors: Matt Coundiff of A Thin Line Tattoo, Vanna Fleetwood of Dimensions Barber and Salon, Sandy Costa of Foo Tribe Jewelry, HS Healing and Wellness Center
Volunteers: Christopher Baran, Daniel Baran, Rebekah Baran, Timothy Baran, Karen Bonarek, Rachel Bonarek, Rose Bonerk, Amber Cable,, Becky Colwell, Noah Curl, Donna Krofta, Justin Ongenae, Carolyn Sallade, Bryony cookbook contest winner Nola Sawyer, Rachel Schall
An especial thank you to Ed Calkins, Cal Graphics, Inc., Dawn Aulet, Fast Printing of Joliet, J and M Printing, John Heinz, and Street Worthy; the members of the Heavenly Sinners Writer’s Guild for their enthusiastic support and to Tommy Connolly and Virginia Schonbachler for supplying, out of pocket, all the last minute and much needed items; and also to Kosack’s Formalwear, Joliet Junior College theatre department, the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life for supplying costumes, all of our silent auction donors, and those the generous supporters of the event.
If you'd like to be added to Bryony's virtual mailing list for updates, please contact me at BryonySeries@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Stay Tuned! Bryony Official Book Trailer Goes Live Today
In January, Stephen Tuplin, Bryony's director of video media, Dulcinea Hawksworth, Bryony's director of marketing, and I discussed the vision for the trailer.
In February Stephen presented his script, and we casted the roles. In April, a dozen of us met on a chilly night to film the trailer and music video at the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History.
By June we had a silent, rough cut, which, if I timed the mp3 right, I could watch the trailer with sound.
Since then, our media focus group has been reviewing rough cuts of both the Bryony book trailer and Brony music video.
We discussed the elements we liked and did not like, what worked and what did not, the smoothing of cuts, the brightening of darks, the elimination of sections and room noise, and the adding of credits and specialized sounds, until we reached a version that satisfied everyone.
The day of the trailer's release is here. Enjoy!
In February Stephen presented his script, and we casted the roles. In April, a dozen of us met on a chilly night to film the trailer and music video at the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History.
By June we had a silent, rough cut, which, if I timed the mp3 right, I could watch the trailer with sound.
Since then, our media focus group has been reviewing rough cuts of both the Bryony book trailer and Brony music video.
We discussed the elements we liked and did not like, what worked and what did not, the smoothing of cuts, the brightening of darks, the elimination of sections and room noise, and the adding of credits and specialized sounds, until we reached a version that satisfied everyone.
The day of the trailer's release is here. Enjoy!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Meet "Melissa" of the Bryony Book Trailer, Part 1
Weeks before filming of the Bryony book trailer commenced, Bryony filmmaker Stephen Tuplin had an actress interested in portraying novel's main character, Melissa Marchellis.
But when a scheduling conflict arose, Stephen approached my seventeen-year-old daughter, Rebekah Baran, about the role. Rebekah, Stephen said, resembled the image he had of Melissa while reading the book.
Now Rebekah is very shy, so I had doubts she'd accept the part. To my surprise, she enthusiastically agreed.
1) Did you have any prior acting experience?
"A little. I had done some acting in plays through my church and homeschool coop."
2) Why did you want to portray Melissa?
"I thought it would be fun to play her because she's not perfect like characters in other books. She was naive and didn't give it much thought before making a deal with John. And the director and my sister said I looked like her."
3) Was it hard to learn your part?
"Not really. The only hard part was learning how to sway properly."
4) What helped you rehearse?
"Listening to slow Super Junior music."
5) Did your brothers really heckle you?
"Yes. They poked jokes at me during practice so I wouldn't be nervous."
But when a scheduling conflict arose, Stephen approached my seventeen-year-old daughter, Rebekah Baran, about the role. Rebekah, Stephen said, resembled the image he had of Melissa while reading the book.
Now Rebekah is very shy, so I had doubts she'd accept the part. To my surprise, she enthusiastically agreed.
1) Did you have any prior acting experience?
"A little. I had done some acting in plays through my church and homeschool coop."
2) Why did you want to portray Melissa?
"I thought it would be fun to play her because she's not perfect like characters in other books. She was naive and didn't give it much thought before making a deal with John. And the director and my sister said I looked like her."
3) Was it hard to learn your part?
"Not really. The only hard part was learning how to sway properly."
4) What helped you rehearse?
"Listening to slow Super Junior music."
5) Did your brothers really heckle you?
"Yes. They poked jokes at me during practice so I wouldn't be nervous."
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Josh Siegers of JKS Productions, Part 1
Josh Siegers of JKS Productions is assisting filmmaker Stephen Tuplin with the Bryony trailer and Bryony music video. Today he talks about his company and how he became involved with the Bryony project.
For more information visit http://www.jksproductions.com/.
1) What is JKS Productions?
"KS Productions is a Production Company serving Orland Park, Illinois and surrounding South Chicago Suburbs. We specialize in Wedding Videography & Portrait Photography. No event is too big nor small for us to document! If you are looking for South Chicago Suburbs Wedding Videographer, we are just what you are looking for!"
2) When did you form your company and why?
"JKS Productions started in 2009 when I was getting work experience in the South Suburbs of Chicago for videography and portraits. I decided instead of me saying, 'Josh Siegers will do the job for you!' I wanted to have a name under me to look more professional. After trying to come up with a business name for way to long, I finally went with my initials and called my company, JKS Productions."
3) When and how did your zeal for videography begin?
"I started my filmmaking career when one Sunday, I was asked to substitute for someone’s technical directing shift at my church. I was 15 years old, and I had only worked the switcher once before. I sat down five minutes before show time and played around until I finally got the hang of it. Six years later, I am still involved in the audio and video team at the church, and it has given me many opportunities to work live shows, which has helped me hone my craft. At the age of 10 I was taking using my parents camera to film things around the house or family events. This is where I started my career in videography."
4) Why did you choose Tribeca Flashpoint to further your education?
"I chose Tribeca Flashpoint because of the one day I was in my fathers car and on the radio, a comercial for the school came on and after they said what they did, me and my dads eyes both lit up and we looked right at each other with big eyes. We knew that this was the place for me to start my future!"
5) How did you become involved with the Bryony project?
"A fellow student of mine from Tribeca Flashpoint, Stephen Tuplin, asked me to help him with a project he had a passion for. I tend to be picky with things that I work on, but when I heard about this project, I knew right away it was something different, and I needed to work on it! I am blessed that I got the opportunity to learn more about Bryony and the work that was put into it."
For more information visit http://www.jksproductions.com/.
1) What is JKS Productions?
"KS Productions is a Production Company serving Orland Park, Illinois and surrounding South Chicago Suburbs. We specialize in Wedding Videography & Portrait Photography. No event is too big nor small for us to document! If you are looking for South Chicago Suburbs Wedding Videographer, we are just what you are looking for!"
2) When did you form your company and why?
"JKS Productions started in 2009 when I was getting work experience in the South Suburbs of Chicago for videography and portraits. I decided instead of me saying, 'Josh Siegers will do the job for you!' I wanted to have a name under me to look more professional. After trying to come up with a business name for way to long, I finally went with my initials and called my company, JKS Productions."
3) When and how did your zeal for videography begin?
"I started my filmmaking career when one Sunday, I was asked to substitute for someone’s technical directing shift at my church. I was 15 years old, and I had only worked the switcher once before. I sat down five minutes before show time and played around until I finally got the hang of it. Six years later, I am still involved in the audio and video team at the church, and it has given me many opportunities to work live shows, which has helped me hone my craft. At the age of 10 I was taking using my parents camera to film things around the house or family events. This is where I started my career in videography."
4) Why did you choose Tribeca Flashpoint to further your education?
"I chose Tribeca Flashpoint because of the one day I was in my fathers car and on the radio, a comercial for the school came on and after they said what they did, me and my dads eyes both lit up and we looked right at each other with big eyes. We knew that this was the place for me to start my future!"
5) How did you become involved with the Bryony project?
"A fellow student of mine from Tribeca Flashpoint, Stephen Tuplin, asked me to help him with a project he had a passion for. I tend to be picky with things that I work on, but when I heard about this project, I knew right away it was something different, and I needed to work on it! I am blessed that I got the opportunity to learn more about Bryony and the work that was put into it."
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Making the Bryony Video, Step Three: Finding Melissa Marchellis
Up until this month, Bryony filmmaker Stephen Tuplin had an actress interested in playing Melissa. After we set a production date, the actress had a conflict of interest, so Stephen asked my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah to portray Bryony's main character. He liked her "look," for the role, he said.
I thought Rebekah would refuse. She is very shy, preferring to hang out with one friend at a time rather than a room full of people. To my surprise, she agreed to do it, so I copied the script, and she began practicing "swaying and swooning."
Five hundred miles away, her older sister, Sarah Stegall, Bryony web administrator, was seeking someone to "makeover" Rebekah. Sarah found two people. Vanna Fleetwood to cut and style Rebekah's hair, and Jennifer Wesolowski to do her makeup.
On the Sunday afternoon before the April 20 shoot, Jennifer, Rebekah, her friend, and I huddled in a department store bathroom experimenting. Jennifer strove for a natural look, since "Melissa" would be on her way to bed, but wanted to highlight Rebekah's large, blue eyes.
Meeting in a department store had its advantages. Not only was it a location for us, we had a ready supply of product just waiting to be purchased and tried out on Rebekah's face. Fortunately, Rebekah had brought her own makeup with her, so few additional itens were acquired.
Coversation was mostly, "Watch how I put this one and now you try it," and, "No, we're not line for the bathroom." Rebekah's friend took "before" and "after" pictures with her camera phone to send to Sarah for posting on the Bryony blog and Facebook pages. (We've haven't gotten that far yet, oops!).
Although she exhorted Rebekah to practice at home, Jennifer had so much fun, she offered to come out to the Magosky mansion the night of filming and do Rebekah's makeup. Good thing, too, because Rebekah came down with a nasty cold later that day and didn't feel up to playing with cosmetics.
While we were playing with eyeliner and mascara, Rebekah's older brother, Timothy, was looking for 70s-style pajamas. He had taken Rebekah shopping the other day, found a couple of possibilities, and sent, after having received permission from an employee, photographs from the floor to me for critiquing. ("Excuse me, ma'am, may I please take pictures of women's nightwear?").
Again, we found two pairs that might work, so we sent the images to Stephen and dug through a bin of DVDs waiting for his reply. He suggested buying both. That way, if one didn't work well under the lights, we had options. We paid eighteen dollars total and left the store, feeling like we had an MGM budget.
Now all we needed were a couple of Victorian men's suits and a blond wig. How difficult could that be?
I thought Rebekah would refuse. She is very shy, preferring to hang out with one friend at a time rather than a room full of people. To my surprise, she agreed to do it, so I copied the script, and she began practicing "swaying and swooning."
Five hundred miles away, her older sister, Sarah Stegall, Bryony web administrator, was seeking someone to "makeover" Rebekah. Sarah found two people. Vanna Fleetwood to cut and style Rebekah's hair, and Jennifer Wesolowski to do her makeup.
On the Sunday afternoon before the April 20 shoot, Jennifer, Rebekah, her friend, and I huddled in a department store bathroom experimenting. Jennifer strove for a natural look, since "Melissa" would be on her way to bed, but wanted to highlight Rebekah's large, blue eyes.
Meeting in a department store had its advantages. Not only was it a location for us, we had a ready supply of product just waiting to be purchased and tried out on Rebekah's face. Fortunately, Rebekah had brought her own makeup with her, so few additional itens were acquired.
Coversation was mostly, "Watch how I put this one and now you try it," and, "No, we're not line for the bathroom." Rebekah's friend took "before" and "after" pictures with her camera phone to send to Sarah for posting on the Bryony blog and Facebook pages. (We've haven't gotten that far yet, oops!).
Although she exhorted Rebekah to practice at home, Jennifer had so much fun, she offered to come out to the Magosky mansion the night of filming and do Rebekah's makeup. Good thing, too, because Rebekah came down with a nasty cold later that day and didn't feel up to playing with cosmetics.
While we were playing with eyeliner and mascara, Rebekah's older brother, Timothy, was looking for 70s-style pajamas. He had taken Rebekah shopping the other day, found a couple of possibilities, and sent, after having received permission from an employee, photographs from the floor to me for critiquing. ("Excuse me, ma'am, may I please take pictures of women's nightwear?").
Again, we found two pairs that might work, so we sent the images to Stephen and dug through a bin of DVDs waiting for his reply. He suggested buying both. That way, if one didn't work well under the lights, we had options. We paid eighteen dollars total and left the store, feeling like we had an MGM budget.
Now all we needed were a couple of Victorian men's suits and a blond wig. How difficult could that be?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Making the Bryony Videos, Step Two: Finding a Mansion
While I was writing Bryony's initial drafts, I wrote a series of stories for the Herald News in Joliet(http://heraldnews.suntimes.com)/ about the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History.
Since its owner, Seth Magosky, died in 2007, his parents have struggled to fulfill Seth's dream of renovating the museum, so they were eager to show it off to me. I declined for two reasons: lack of time and an unwillingness to wander around Victorian mansions until my story was finished. I wanted Bryony's ideas to come from my imagination, not from an actual house.
Once I began querying agents and small presses, I was ready to see the mansion. Amazingly, the layout was exactly as I pictured it, a much smaller and somewhat adapted version of Simons Mansion. It's an interesting place to visit, as it is full of period clothing, furnishings and accessories. One room is devoted to antique dolls; the third floor ballroom has a pipe organ; and the main parlor has a full concert grand piano.
In January, I approached the Magoskys about using the mansion for filming the Bryony videos. They not only enthusiastically agreed, but offered to stage any room with any props we wanted and open up the museum anytime we wanted to film.
Their only request was for me to tune the piano, if James Onohan, Bryony's composer and pianist, felt it warranted it. Stephen Tuplin, our filmmaker, didn't think it was necessary because he wouldn't be using the audio, unless an out-of-tune piano would mess up James' playing. I didn't want to take any chances, so the day before shooting, the piano was tuned.
So, in February, Stephen shot some "B" footage, and in March, when Sarah Stegall was in town for the Big Brothers Big Sisters' Bowl for Kids' Sake (proceeds from the Bryony cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters), Stephen filmed her interview inside the mansion.
Then came a flurry of emails to coordinate filming of the trailer and music video. But before we could do that, we needed pajamas and a makeover for my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah, who would be playing Melissa, and Victorian suits for both our John Simons.
You'd think with four theatres in the Joliet area and one Victorian mansion, period clothing would abound, but we couldn't locate a single one. Blond wigs were even harder to scrounge up and frustration and panic were mounting. Actually, it was Dulcinea Hawksworth, my publicist, who saved the day.
In the eleventh hour, we contrived what we could not find. Our tools? Headbands, human hair, and earrings, along with creative shoppings and pairings. More tomorrow.
Since its owner, Seth Magosky, died in 2007, his parents have struggled to fulfill Seth's dream of renovating the museum, so they were eager to show it off to me. I declined for two reasons: lack of time and an unwillingness to wander around Victorian mansions until my story was finished. I wanted Bryony's ideas to come from my imagination, not from an actual house.
Once I began querying agents and small presses, I was ready to see the mansion. Amazingly, the layout was exactly as I pictured it, a much smaller and somewhat adapted version of Simons Mansion. It's an interesting place to visit, as it is full of period clothing, furnishings and accessories. One room is devoted to antique dolls; the third floor ballroom has a pipe organ; and the main parlor has a full concert grand piano.
In January, I approached the Magoskys about using the mansion for filming the Bryony videos. They not only enthusiastically agreed, but offered to stage any room with any props we wanted and open up the museum anytime we wanted to film.
Their only request was for me to tune the piano, if James Onohan, Bryony's composer and pianist, felt it warranted it. Stephen Tuplin, our filmmaker, didn't think it was necessary because he wouldn't be using the audio, unless an out-of-tune piano would mess up James' playing. I didn't want to take any chances, so the day before shooting, the piano was tuned.
So, in February, Stephen shot some "B" footage, and in March, when Sarah Stegall was in town for the Big Brothers Big Sisters' Bowl for Kids' Sake (proceeds from the Bryony cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters), Stephen filmed her interview inside the mansion.
Then came a flurry of emails to coordinate filming of the trailer and music video. But before we could do that, we needed pajamas and a makeover for my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah, who would be playing Melissa, and Victorian suits for both our John Simons.
You'd think with four theatres in the Joliet area and one Victorian mansion, period clothing would abound, but we couldn't locate a single one. Blond wigs were even harder to scrounge up and frustration and panic were mounting. Actually, it was Dulcinea Hawksworth, my publicist, who saved the day.
In the eleventh hour, we contrived what we could not find. Our tools? Headbands, human hair, and earrings, along with creative shoppings and pairings. More tomorrow.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Making the Bryony Videos, Step One: Stephen Tuplin
Book trailers, in general, turn me off. They're too static and dry. I wanted something more visually exciting for Bryony.
Enter Stephen Tuplin.
Stephen is all about movies. Growing up, he'd invite a dozen kids to his house for the sole purpose of watching a movie together. The events were so well put together, and my son Timothy enjoyed them so much, that we offered similiar affairs at our house all the years we ran The Higher Ark youth group.
No one was surprised when Stephen was accepted into Tribeca Flashpoint Academy in Chicago as a film student. We had seem some of his childhood endeavors (His squirrel movie was a cult favorite at our house), so we all knew he had talent, and I enjoyed watching his progress from the clips he posted on Facebook.
I explained the project to Stephen, then sent him the manuscript and the illustrations. Soon afterward, he explained his vision for the trailer, along with a mention that he had an actress interested in portraying Bryony's main character Melissa Marchellis and some location ideas. Really, all he needed to do was film it.
That, I thought, was that.
Then, in December, when Bryony's web administrator, Sarah Stegall, was in town, we had a Bryony "Meet and Greet" so everyone on the team (thus far) could shake hands round and put names to faces. At the meeting's close, Stephen leaned over and said, "Your website needs more content. I'd also like to make a music video and shoot interviews with members of the team."
The music video would feature James Onohan, the pianist and composer, playing the Bryony theme song he had created for our upcoming Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons. That CD will also feature Onohan's original music.
I agreed to Stephen's suggestion, with an idea of my own. "Let's dress up James in period clothing and shoot him at a concert grand piano in a Victorian mansion," I said.
Stephen loved the idea. Of course, now we needed to find appropriate costumes, a concert grand, and an old mansion, or at least, fabricate a reasonable facsimile.
After much thinking and prayer, I'd found the answer.
Enter Stephen Tuplin.
Stephen is all about movies. Growing up, he'd invite a dozen kids to his house for the sole purpose of watching a movie together. The events were so well put together, and my son Timothy enjoyed them so much, that we offered similiar affairs at our house all the years we ran The Higher Ark youth group.
No one was surprised when Stephen was accepted into Tribeca Flashpoint Academy in Chicago as a film student. We had seem some of his childhood endeavors (His squirrel movie was a cult favorite at our house), so we all knew he had talent, and I enjoyed watching his progress from the clips he posted on Facebook.
I explained the project to Stephen, then sent him the manuscript and the illustrations. Soon afterward, he explained his vision for the trailer, along with a mention that he had an actress interested in portraying Bryony's main character Melissa Marchellis and some location ideas. Really, all he needed to do was film it.
That, I thought, was that.
Then, in December, when Bryony's web administrator, Sarah Stegall, was in town, we had a Bryony "Meet and Greet" so everyone on the team (thus far) could shake hands round and put names to faces. At the meeting's close, Stephen leaned over and said, "Your website needs more content. I'd also like to make a music video and shoot interviews with members of the team."
The music video would feature James Onohan, the pianist and composer, playing the Bryony theme song he had created for our upcoming Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons. That CD will also feature Onohan's original music.
I agreed to Stephen's suggestion, with an idea of my own. "Let's dress up James in period clothing and shoot him at a concert grand piano in a Victorian mansion," I said.
Stephen loved the idea. Of course, now we needed to find appropriate costumes, a concert grand, and an old mansion, or at least, fabricate a reasonable facsimile.
After much thinking and prayer, I'd found the answer.
Monday, April 18, 2011
WHEW!
Deadlines, editing, housework, meals, bills, homeschooling, one sick child, one sick cat, bad modem with subsequent loss of Internet and phone (gotta set up that new voice mail), and Bryony besides.
So where is Bryony in the production line?
* I'm feverishly working on another round of edits.
* The orignal actress for the Bryony book trailer is busy with a play this month, so the filmmaker, Stephen Tuplin, asked my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah to be Melissa; he likes her "look." So we rehearsed her script last night, which, despite good-natured heckling from two of her brothers, went fairly well. She's currently practicing swooning and swaying.
* Yesterday afternoon, we met with a make-up artist friend of web administrator Sarah Stegall. She experimented with eye and lip products on Rebekah, who then purchased a few items to fill in her supply gap.
* We also went shopping for 70's-style pajamas for Rebekah and found two. Stephen said to buy both, since it's better to have costumes choices. I will remember that today at the mansion.
* Today, I'm meeting with Pat Magosky, director of the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life to piece together costumes for James Onohan to wear in Bryony music video (http://www.jamesonohan.com/) and for the actor playing John Simons in the book trailer.
* Also today, the USF student and I are re-recording the audio interview. This time, I hope to be better prepared (...as I watch the minutes tick by...).
* Found and sent three James Onohan song clips that sound vampirey enough for the student's audio project. None of them are James' Byrony music. We're not sharing those until they are officially released. James has created the Bryony theme song and is working on nine extra tracks. I've heard two more, and the are awesome!
* Some members of the Bryony team are patiently waiting my interview questions, since Stephen his hoping to film those videos this week, too.
* Two thousand Bryony business cards dispersed; another thousand ordered.
And, yes, despite being a little cranky, I'm still having fun!!!
So where is Bryony in the production line?
* I'm feverishly working on another round of edits.
* The orignal actress for the Bryony book trailer is busy with a play this month, so the filmmaker, Stephen Tuplin, asked my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah to be Melissa; he likes her "look." So we rehearsed her script last night, which, despite good-natured heckling from two of her brothers, went fairly well. She's currently practicing swooning and swaying.
* Yesterday afternoon, we met with a make-up artist friend of web administrator Sarah Stegall. She experimented with eye and lip products on Rebekah, who then purchased a few items to fill in her supply gap.
* We also went shopping for 70's-style pajamas for Rebekah and found two. Stephen said to buy both, since it's better to have costumes choices. I will remember that today at the mansion.
* Today, I'm meeting with Pat Magosky, director of the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life to piece together costumes for James Onohan to wear in Bryony music video (http://www.jamesonohan.com/) and for the actor playing John Simons in the book trailer.
* Also today, the USF student and I are re-recording the audio interview. This time, I hope to be better prepared (...as I watch the minutes tick by...).
* Found and sent three James Onohan song clips that sound vampirey enough for the student's audio project. None of them are James' Byrony music. We're not sharing those until they are officially released. James has created the Bryony theme song and is working on nine extra tracks. I've heard two more, and the are awesome!
* Some members of the Bryony team are patiently waiting my interview questions, since Stephen his hoping to film those videos this week, too.
* Two thousand Bryony business cards dispersed; another thousand ordered.
And, yes, despite being a little cranky, I'm still having fun!!!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A'Gaming We Will Go
For several months, the Steward of Tara has been hard at work at the first Bryony computer game, and it is ready for a test run.
This Wednesday, after his interview at the P.Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet, Illinois, Ed Calkins will try out the game with several of my sons, while, in the next room, Stephen Tuplin will film the Bryony music video featuring pianist and composer James Onohan (http://www.jamesonohan.com/).
The Steward's been mum on the details, but he has said it will involve role playing--with Ed Calkins being the strongest and most ruthless character--and strategy, which Ed is certain to win.
His only dilemna is whether or not to release the game now or wait to for the upgrade. My question: If you've created yourself as an unbeatble character, how much upgrading can you do?
This Wednesday, after his interview at the P.Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet, Illinois, Ed Calkins will try out the game with several of my sons, while, in the next room, Stephen Tuplin will film the Bryony music video featuring pianist and composer James Onohan (http://www.jamesonohan.com/).
The Steward's been mum on the details, but he has said it will involve role playing--with Ed Calkins being the strongest and most ruthless character--and strategy, which Ed is certain to win.
His only dilemna is whether or not to release the game now or wait to for the upgrade. My question: If you've created yourself as an unbeatble character, how much upgrading can you do?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
We Have a Mansion!
Pat and Andrea Magosky, owners of the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet, Illinois, are "loaning" us the mansion for filming purposes. Stephen Tuplin has already shot some initial footage and plans to use the location for the Bryony trailer, interviews with the Bryony team, and the Bryony music video. The museum even has a grand piano! Bryony web administrator Sarah Stegall will be in town this weekend for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, so she will be the first person interviewed and photographed on location. Lucky! I'll share more about the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in future posts. For now, a brief history and some photographs can be seen here: http://www.cityofjoliet.com/business/museum.htm
Monday, March 14, 2011
So, Is There Really Going to be a Book?
LOL! Yes, there is. It’s been four months since I returned Round Three Bryony Edits to WriteLife, but word is that my editor is finishing up a comprehensive edit, and I should see the manuscript again soon. In the meantime, there is plenty of Byrony pre-publication bliss to keep me happy: * Just saw the proof for the business cards, and they took terrific! * My editor posted a quote from Bryony on her site. Woo Hoo! * My publicist, Dulcinea Hawksworth, has talked to people eager to review Bryony AND * The first person to review it (a university English professor) sounds positive AND * Dulcinea is lining up venues interested in a Bryony event AND * I'm to appear at a pre-event in April (details as we get closer). * Fundraising for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake on March 25 is slow, but happening. * I’ve met a number of terrific people willing to be interviewed for the BryonySeries blog. * Sarah Stegall, Bryony’s web administrator, has added a music room page to the Bryony website (http://www.bryonyseries.com/) and is working on a humane society page. Plus, the board of trustees page is updated. Check them out! * Stephen Tuplin, Bryony’s filmmaker, has begun some initial shooting for the Bryony trailer in a REAL Victorian mansion. * A small press that MIGHT be interested in the Bryony cookbook is reviewing those files. We're getting closer....
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Stephen Tuplin, Close Up. Part Two
The second and final part of the interview with Stephen Tuplin, the film student creating the Bryony trailer, the James Onohan Bryony music video, and interviews with members of the Bryony team. Connect with Stephen on the following sites: http://flavors.me/echowhitefox, http://www.facebook.com/echowhitefox, and http://twitter.com/#!/echowhitefox. See also his videos on YouTube. 6) Where do you hope to use your skills after you graduate? "I hope to either work for a production company, or do PA work on shoots happening around Chicago. I’m really open to whatever opens up. God’s brought me this far; I don’t worry about tomorrow." 7) It's ten years from today. What are you doing? "I hope to be directing at an independent film company, perhaps my own." 8) Is creating a compelling book trailer more difficult than creating a movie trailer? Can you elaborate? "Well, a trailer consists of footage from a movie that has already been shot. Since this is a book, it’s more about making it into a movie and then making a trailer. Since I don’t have the means to do this, it’ll be more about thinking up specific shots and sequences to film. So, this is going to be more difficult than a movie trailer; but it’ll still be a blast." 9) After agreeing to create the Bryony trailer, you offered to film interviews with members of the Bryony team? Why are these extras important to have? "I proposed this because it sounds like your website for the book is in need of content. Since you’ll have a video for the book, it only seems more convenient to have face-to-face interviews with those responsible for the book. Knowing the faces of the people behind a novel causes a connection for the reader. I find I respect a film more after watching behind the scenes footage of the filming; a book is no different." 10) What feeling will people have after viewing the Bryony trailer? "My goal is to tease the audience with ambiguity and wonder; but also some surrealism. If the footage is the book's cover, it’s my goal to make them want to open it."
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Stephen Tuplin, Close-Up. Part One
Stephen Tuplin is working on his last semester at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, a digital media arts school located in Chicago, Illinois. He has agreed to film the Bryony trailer; a music video for James Onohan (http://www.jamesonohan.com/), the composer/pianist for Bryony; and a series of interviews with the Bryony team. Last summer, I had asked Stephen if he'd like to jump on board because his passion for movies was just the vision I needed for the Bryony trailer. Stephen also regularly posts in-depth movie reviews on his Facebook page. Below is the first of a two-part interview with Stephen. Connect with Stephen at echowhitefox@yahoo.comecho whitefox@mac.com http://flavors.me/echowhitefoxhttp://www.facebook.com/echowhitefoxhttp://twitter.com/#!/echowhitefox 1) Have you always been a movie buff? Why? "Movies have always been in my life. Some of my best childhood memories involved watching movies with my family with a roaring fire in the fireplace. Every time I would watch a movie, I would always get something from it. I don’t do my homework with the TV on cause I need to watch what’s on. The way I see it, movies are about entering the world of another person’s personal vision. Whether it’s a good experience or a bad one, I still respect all film; someone had the guts to pull it off. 2) When did you first try your hand at filmmaking? What did you film? "In the summer of 2003, my friend Luke and I started production on a film called, “the Squirrel”. It took us about four months to do. The production had no script; just a handicam and some terrible actors: Us. Needless to say, this film doesn’t get shown often. Good times though. 3) What made you pursue a filmmaking degree? "I knew I wanted to go into filmmaking in high school. People regarded me as the “movie guy” so I knew it was just in my blood. To be honest, I consider this question done; I was always going to make movies no matter what. 4) Why did you choose Flashpoint Academy? "In my senior year of high school, my dad told me about a new school in Chicago that was all about media arts and filmmaking. He sent me the link to the website and I signed up for my newsletter. The next day, after coming home from JJC doing my annoying Gen. Eds, Flashpoint personally called me. Their policy is to contact everyone who joins their site; this was encouraging for me.After going on their tour, there really wasn’t any other school that could satisfy me. Tribeca Flashpoint Academy is an all hands on school that doesn’t waste my time. Students from Columbia room with students from Tribeca, and they are always surprised at all the things we get to do. Word of mouth can contain exaggerations; Tribeca doesn’t need to." 5) Which do you enjoy more, filming or editing? Why? "The highlight of my year last year was directing. I get no greater pleasure than working with actors and collaborating with fellow filmmakers.Editing is just one of the many facets that Tribeca was able to teach me. Editing is something I enjoy thoroughly, but it’s not something I would call myself a pro at. The film is crafted, and sometimes saved in the editing room, but the actual shoot is where my adrenaline is."
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