Wednesday, May 10th 2006
We left Chicago by airplane, and arrived in Ft. Myers Florida at around noon. Instantly walking off the plane, we felt the humidity of Florida. The weather we just left in Chicago was cool and breezy, so the instant heat was a shock to the system. We headed out to the office to meet with the director Tony, and his wife Ashley. Other crew members Dave and Mike we're already working on lighting the inside sets for Saturday and Sundays upcoming shoot. We spent the next few hours going over story boards, and the shooting schedule, and going over all the last minute details before the shoot began on Thursday. We were then brought to the location we were staying. Our lodging was in Ft. Myers Beach, in a beach cottage overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. From the screened in back porch, the gulf was amazingly beautiful, and peaceful. We we're given the warning, to beware of the Fire Ants... (More on these later)
We ate dinner at a local bar and grill called Beach Combers. We met a 2 man band, playing acoustic guitar, called The Oysters. Amazing guys, and very talented.
Thursday, May 11th 2006
We had a call time of 9 AM for wardrobe and makeup (I know, I know... STAGE makeup, not poser makeup.) The exterior shooting location was on private property in a wide open 25 acre field. It was here the external sets were assembled as needed. The heat and humidity on this day was the worst of the week. It reached 96 with a 87% humidity, making it feel more like 110. The heat was incredible, and wearing multiple layers of clothing, and in all black in an empty field, I started to wonder why I enjoy torturing myself so much!
We met Brooke, the young actress who is the main character in the video. She was joined on set by her parents, and brother, and we all were put into an air conditioned RV between takes. Watching the amazing crew of about 20 people, building and setting up scenes for the shots, I have a tremendous amount of respect for everything that goes into each and every scene of a movie, or video. The care in lighting details, placement, camera angles... and to see it all come together was humbling.
As far as what was shot on this day, all of the sweeping, and more complicated camera movements were shot using a crane, and a separate crew to operate it. Keep in mind, this video is more of a 6 minute movie, and very different then anything out there now. I'm really being careful as to not give away too may surprises just yet. Even the photos are pretty vague. All I can say, is picture the artwork in the CD booklet to come alive.
The day was long, and miserable heat took our energy away, and we knew sleep would be needed, and soon. In perfect Novembers Doom fashion, the air conditioning in the Beach cottage was not working, making the night quite difficult to sleep in the house. We stayed in and ate frozen Pizzas, being wiped out from the heat. We called it a night, to attempt sleep. It didn't work for me.
Friday, May 12th 2006
A call time of 10 am, we arrived to the outdoor set location once again for our morning wardrobe and set makeup ritual. Our makeup artist was also named Brooke, so we had big brooke and little brooke on set. Big Brooke and the band formed an instant bond, and we relied on her to make us ugly bastards look presentable. She's basically a magician!
Todays shots we're close ups, and far away distance shots, many of which using the exterior of the cabin, scarecrows, and fencing. A few stand out moments of the day, the recreation of the artwork for Swallowed by the moon was just creepy as hell, and today I did my first vocal lines for the video. The temperature was lower today, near 88, and the humidity was down, so this was a more comfortable day to shoot in.
Each guy in the band has his own solo scene, where they have a specific task, either playing thee guitar, or being part of a scene. These were all shot today, and then the big moment, the collapsing of the cabin! An amazing sight to be seen. So metal, and huge, an injury was bound to happen. Alix, another kick ass female crew member, was hurt when ropes crushed her hands, and removed a few layers of skin, when the weight of the cabin dragged her off her feet, after wrapping the rope around her hands for a better grip. The cabin falls away from her, and pulled her down fast. In serious pain, what do you think she says? "How was it? Did it look awesome?" The answer was YES.
A second injury would occur when a crew member dropped a sand bag on top of a fire ant nest. Within 20 seconds, his hand and arm we're swarmed upon, and the fire ants attacked his skin. These little bastards are fast, aggressive, and hurt like acid. In the end, everyone was OK, thankfully!
Some bad news came for me by cell phone, hearing that my daughter back home came down with pneumonia. It certainly freaked me out being so far away from home, and really depressed me. (She's much better already!)
We wrapped just as the sun was going down, making another long and warm day. We headed back to Beach Combers, where we sat with The Oysters again, and they invited us to play on their equipment the following night if we wanted. Back at home, we enjoyed the amazing breeze coming in the from the gulf, cooling the house down, and finally giving us an amazing nights sleep.
Saturday, May 13th 2006
This was going to be a better day, and our last day of shooting with us, as this was all interior shooting, in studio. Today was focused on extreme close ups, so our magician Big Brooke, once again needed to work in high gear to pretty up our ugly asses. Actually, her job is quite opposite. She needed to dirty us up... You'll understand when you see it all complete! Lots of close ups, green screen shots, more vocal additions, some guitar, more solo sections... Lots of great stuff going on today. Little brooke had some amazing scenes shot as well. Her look is perfect for this, and she's really a talented young lady.
Shooting was smooth, and this was easily the most relaxing day so far. We invited the crew to join us at Beach combers once again for a sort of wrap party, since our parts completed that day.
Much of the crew joined us, and those who drink, drank PLENTY. We were met by a journalist from the UK, who runs a metal webzine. He knew of us, and was thrilled we walked in. Unexpected and really a nice guy. He joined us with our "party." Things got loud, and we all had an amazing time. At one point, Larry and Joe took over the stage and began to play some acoustic covers from Kiss, the Cure... Lots of fun. I joined the guys on stage for a killer rendition of Kiss's COLD GIN, and my semi drunk ass had fun. At the end of the evening, we took to the stage one last time, only this time performing a clean toned version of 'Autumn Reflection' for the crew. It actually sounded cool and the crew was happy we did it for them! An impromptu Novembers Doom performance in Ft. Myers Beach.
We needed to get some sleep, as we were flying home on Sunday.
Sunday, May 14th
We packed up, and cleaned the cottage, and it allowed us enough time to stop in the studio for an hour before we had to leave, seeing little Brooke shoot more internal cabin scenes. It was all her day.
Leaving was actually difficult for me. On one hand, I couldn't wait to get back home and see my sick daughter, but on the other had, It seems to have ended quickly. Everyone we met that worked on this video is so dedicated to this, and having it come out amazing, I have been humbled. We've made many new friends this week, and people we plan on keeping in contact with for a long time to come.
I wish we can show you more then these pictures, and it will take a couple months before editing and effects, but believe me, it will be worth it in the long run!
The other guys will join in, and fill in some spots I'm sure I left out. Feel free to join in on this conversation. Questions? We'll do our best to answer, as long as it doesn't give away too much. We want you to be surprised, and blown away by this.
We left Chicago by airplane, and arrived in Ft. Myers Florida at around noon. Instantly walking off the plane, we felt the humidity of Florida. The weather we just left in Chicago was cool and breezy, so the instant heat was a shock to the system. We headed out to the office to meet with the director Tony, and his wife Ashley. Other crew members Dave and Mike we're already working on lighting the inside sets for Saturday and Sundays upcoming shoot. We spent the next few hours going over story boards, and the shooting schedule, and going over all the last minute details before the shoot began on Thursday. We were then brought to the location we were staying. Our lodging was in Ft. Myers Beach, in a beach cottage overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. From the screened in back porch, the gulf was amazingly beautiful, and peaceful. We we're given the warning, to beware of the Fire Ants... (More on these later)
We ate dinner at a local bar and grill called Beach Combers. We met a 2 man band, playing acoustic guitar, called The Oysters. Amazing guys, and very talented.
Thursday, May 11th 2006
We had a call time of 9 AM for wardrobe and makeup (I know, I know... STAGE makeup, not poser makeup.) The exterior shooting location was on private property in a wide open 25 acre field. It was here the external sets were assembled as needed. The heat and humidity on this day was the worst of the week. It reached 96 with a 87% humidity, making it feel more like 110. The heat was incredible, and wearing multiple layers of clothing, and in all black in an empty field, I started to wonder why I enjoy torturing myself so much!
We met Brooke, the young actress who is the main character in the video. She was joined on set by her parents, and brother, and we all were put into an air conditioned RV between takes. Watching the amazing crew of about 20 people, building and setting up scenes for the shots, I have a tremendous amount of respect for everything that goes into each and every scene of a movie, or video. The care in lighting details, placement, camera angles... and to see it all come together was humbling.
As far as what was shot on this day, all of the sweeping, and more complicated camera movements were shot using a crane, and a separate crew to operate it. Keep in mind, this video is more of a 6 minute movie, and very different then anything out there now. I'm really being careful as to not give away too may surprises just yet. Even the photos are pretty vague. All I can say, is picture the artwork in the CD booklet to come alive.
The day was long, and miserable heat took our energy away, and we knew sleep would be needed, and soon. In perfect Novembers Doom fashion, the air conditioning in the Beach cottage was not working, making the night quite difficult to sleep in the house. We stayed in and ate frozen Pizzas, being wiped out from the heat. We called it a night, to attempt sleep. It didn't work for me.
Friday, May 12th 2006
A call time of 10 am, we arrived to the outdoor set location once again for our morning wardrobe and set makeup ritual. Our makeup artist was also named Brooke, so we had big brooke and little brooke on set. Big Brooke and the band formed an instant bond, and we relied on her to make us ugly bastards look presentable. She's basically a magician!
Todays shots we're close ups, and far away distance shots, many of which using the exterior of the cabin, scarecrows, and fencing. A few stand out moments of the day, the recreation of the artwork for Swallowed by the moon was just creepy as hell, and today I did my first vocal lines for the video. The temperature was lower today, near 88, and the humidity was down, so this was a more comfortable day to shoot in.
Each guy in the band has his own solo scene, where they have a specific task, either playing thee guitar, or being part of a scene. These were all shot today, and then the big moment, the collapsing of the cabin! An amazing sight to be seen. So metal, and huge, an injury was bound to happen. Alix, another kick ass female crew member, was hurt when ropes crushed her hands, and removed a few layers of skin, when the weight of the cabin dragged her off her feet, after wrapping the rope around her hands for a better grip. The cabin falls away from her, and pulled her down fast. In serious pain, what do you think she says? "How was it? Did it look awesome?" The answer was YES.
A second injury would occur when a crew member dropped a sand bag on top of a fire ant nest. Within 20 seconds, his hand and arm we're swarmed upon, and the fire ants attacked his skin. These little bastards are fast, aggressive, and hurt like acid. In the end, everyone was OK, thankfully!
Some bad news came for me by cell phone, hearing that my daughter back home came down with pneumonia. It certainly freaked me out being so far away from home, and really depressed me. (She's much better already!)
We wrapped just as the sun was going down, making another long and warm day. We headed back to Beach Combers, where we sat with The Oysters again, and they invited us to play on their equipment the following night if we wanted. Back at home, we enjoyed the amazing breeze coming in the from the gulf, cooling the house down, and finally giving us an amazing nights sleep.
Saturday, May 13th 2006
This was going to be a better day, and our last day of shooting with us, as this was all interior shooting, in studio. Today was focused on extreme close ups, so our magician Big Brooke, once again needed to work in high gear to pretty up our ugly asses. Actually, her job is quite opposite. She needed to dirty us up... You'll understand when you see it all complete! Lots of close ups, green screen shots, more vocal additions, some guitar, more solo sections... Lots of great stuff going on today. Little brooke had some amazing scenes shot as well. Her look is perfect for this, and she's really a talented young lady.
Shooting was smooth, and this was easily the most relaxing day so far. We invited the crew to join us at Beach combers once again for a sort of wrap party, since our parts completed that day.
Much of the crew joined us, and those who drink, drank PLENTY. We were met by a journalist from the UK, who runs a metal webzine. He knew of us, and was thrilled we walked in. Unexpected and really a nice guy. He joined us with our "party." Things got loud, and we all had an amazing time. At one point, Larry and Joe took over the stage and began to play some acoustic covers from Kiss, the Cure... Lots of fun. I joined the guys on stage for a killer rendition of Kiss's COLD GIN, and my semi drunk ass had fun. At the end of the evening, we took to the stage one last time, only this time performing a clean toned version of 'Autumn Reflection' for the crew. It actually sounded cool and the crew was happy we did it for them! An impromptu Novembers Doom performance in Ft. Myers Beach.
We needed to get some sleep, as we were flying home on Sunday.
Sunday, May 14th
We packed up, and cleaned the cottage, and it allowed us enough time to stop in the studio for an hour before we had to leave, seeing little Brooke shoot more internal cabin scenes. It was all her day.
Leaving was actually difficult for me. On one hand, I couldn't wait to get back home and see my sick daughter, but on the other had, It seems to have ended quickly. Everyone we met that worked on this video is so dedicated to this, and having it come out amazing, I have been humbled. We've made many new friends this week, and people we plan on keeping in contact with for a long time to come.
I wish we can show you more then these pictures, and it will take a couple months before editing and effects, but believe me, it will be worth it in the long run!
The other guys will join in, and fill in some spots I'm sure I left out. Feel free to join in on this conversation. Questions? We'll do our best to answer, as long as it doesn't give away too much. We want you to be surprised, and blown away by this.
I am sure most bands have at least one video like that, but it has been done so many times!!!
