I’ve said it several times and it’s very true but one of the things I enjoy most about my job as an artist is not just getting my imagination on paper but getting the ideas out of someone else, and creating an image out of that.  Hearing “you took the picture right out of my head” is a big fat check mark in the I did it right book. 

When we set out with the onset of this project last year with Singularity, we aimed high and "shot for the moon!"  This year, with Fortunes Mine we're "kicking it up a notch!"  The script is nearing it's final approval stages and I must say, it's going to be awesome to shoot!  Geoff, Rich, "Hollywood" and myself have been working tirelessly on the cave set design, traps, treasure, etc.  We will begin the process of gathering materials next week when Rich get's back from his hiatus, and full fledged construction should begin middle of the week.  We are hoping to have pictures and video to upload as a preview of the set itself!

Fortunes Mine is going to be a challenging project in it's own right.  Compared to the film we did last year, which was set/prop driven - Fortunes Mine is one level higher.  A large portion of the script takes place inside the mine itself and for that reason an incredible amount of detail is required.  We at Dawnrunner like to make sure things "Could work...."  It's our goal to make sure that what happens in the script is at least within the realm of possibility while still being entertaining and fantastic.  This has meant, as the writer on the project several fun things:  Exploring abandoned 1850's gold mines in the Coarsegold (Gold Rush Town) area.  Which is very scary I must admit.  Reading several accounts from early gold rush miners about their experiences in the caves, and all the amazing things that happened to them.  Going over and over the Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine and trying to rationalize how it would fit into our story (no spoilers here!).  The research I enjoyed the most however, was of traps, puzzles, and other hinderances that might exist in a cave holding the greatest treasure thought to be on American soil.  The chore as I've been writing it, is to make sure to turn the ordinary - extraordinary!  The really rewarding part I think, personally, is being able to write a script for a film that I would have really enjoyed watching when I was younger.  If I would not have gotten a kick out of watching it, then why would I make it - after all?

As we close in to the 1 month deadline we be moving into the scheduling process and the nuts and bolts of the production.  We are hoping to be able to update with lots of pictures and videos throughout the process.

Definitely check back for more updates and information!

When we set out with the onset of this project last year with Singularity, we aimed high and "shot for the moon!"  This year, with Fortunes Mine we're "kicking it up a notch!"  The script is nearing it's final approval stages and I must say, it's going to be awesome to shoot!  Geoff, Rich, "Hollywood" and myself have been working tirelessly on the cave set design, traps, treasure, etc.  We will begin the process of gathering materials next week when Rich get's back from his hiatus, and full fledged construction should begin middle of the week.  We are hoping to have pictures and video to upload as a preview of the set itself!

Fortunes Mine is going to be a challenging project in it's own right.  Compared to the film we did last year, which was set/prop driven - Fortunes Mine is one level higher.  A large portion of the script takes place inside the mine itself and for that reason an incredible amount of detail is required.  We at Dawnrunner like to make sure things "Could work...."  It's our goal to make sure that what happens in the script is at least within the realm of possibility while still being entertaining and fantastic.  This has meant, as the writer on the project several fun things:  Exploring abandoned 1850's gold mines in the Coarsegold (Gold Rush Town) area.  Which is very scary I must admit.  Reading several accounts from early gold rush miners about their experiences in the caves, and all the amazing things that happened to them.  Going over and over the Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine and trying to rationalize how it would fit into our story (no spoilers here!).  The research I enjoyed the most however, was of traps, puzzles, and other hinderances that might exist in a cave holding the greatest treasure thought to be on American soil.  The chore as I've been writing it, is to make sure to turn the ordinary - extraordinary!  The really rewarding part I think, personally, is being able to write a script for a film that I would have really enjoyed watching when I was younger.  If I would not have gotten a kick out of watching it, then why would I make it - after all?

As we close in to the 1 month deadline we be moving into the scheduling process and the nuts and bolts of the production.  We are hoping to be able to update with lots of pictures and videos throughout the process.

Definitely check back for more updates and information!

It's official!  Singularity is an official selection at the San Diego International Children's Film Festival!  It will be screened August 15-16, schedule TBD! Here is a little more information on the festiva from the festival's websitel: 

The 6th Annual San Diego International Children's Film Festival is July 24 - Aug. 16 2009, at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, at Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center, at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park, at the Carlsbad Dove Library and at the New Children's Museum downtown.  The festival will feature hour-long blocks of films from around the world made for children and teens - animation, live action and documentary - clustered for different age groups.

For more information please refer back to the website as it is updated throughout the summer.

Everyone at Dawnrunner is extremely excited and looking forward to attending the screening of this great little film!  As we get closer to working out all the details we will be posting additional information and providing information for people interested in attending the screening.  Dawnrunner will definitely have a large presence at the show and we are in the process of redesigning all the film promotional collateral.  With the next project hot on the burner, Fortunes Mine, we are hoping to improve on the proven formula we employed last year!

Be on the lookout for the Official Selection Laurel hitting the Singularity website sometime next week!  We will definitely be taking photos and perhaps even some video behind the scenes at the Film Festival and posting it here for those of you who cannot make it!

I would like to congratulate the cast and crew of Singularity for this wonderful honor!  Great job to everyone involved.

The time to begin building the sets for this summer's film is rapidly approaching, and that means getting our designs in order.

James, Rich and I sat down and discussed the mine walls a couple of weeks ago and set out the requirements. We wanted to make a few reusable set pieces that could be moved and reconfigured to create new locations and shots in the mine. That means the pieces have to be interchangeable and must have some standard form to follow. They also have to be light, inexpensive, good looking, and quick to build. At least we're not too demanding! The solution we came up with is very light wood frames to give them shape, a pvc tubing infrastructure so they can stand on their own and paper maché facing.

We worked out the scale and the basic shape. I then took all the ideas we had and started to mock them up in 3d. Here are a few of the renderings:

The first two shots illustrate how the camera will see the set, using the lens and settings we'll be using during the shoot. The blurriness of the mine wall illustrates the depth of field we'll be able to achieve and we also get to see how some of the angles will look.

The other two shots show the construction method. We're going to build 15 panels with a similar profile (that can be used as walls or ceiling). We're also going to build 3 angled sections to allow us to put bends in the mine shaft. Also you can see in the last shot how a roof piece can be removed to allow for lighting.

So there we go, building starts in a week so check back for some photos of the process.