untitled

Happy New Year, everyone. Okay, I'm back in L.A., home sweat home, it took me a little longer than I expected, thanks to Delta's computers crashing on Christmas - causing thousands and thousands of people's flights to be delayed for 2 - 3 days, but that's another story for another time...

First two things; the brand-spanking-new completely-reworked 'budget outline', and a sneak peak at the mini35 kit * that will be used for proj:pedal. The budget outline of course can be found under 'the production' drop-menu to the left, please take a look, compare and contrast - Olivier did some research and dug-up some really, really great deals that helped the budget get a lot more bang for it's buck. Also, if you're interested in learning more about the original design of the mini35 kit by A.S.O.M.; you can click on the 'dig deeper' drop-menu and download the "Just Facts ..." PDF under the "recommended" category.

I just received an email from 'Aquatix International' - I had asked them the other day if they could build a custom water-tight housing for the Sony HDR-FX1 [which would actually have to be around 16 inches long. The camcorder only measures 14", but I wanted room for the wide angle] but unfortunately, despite their "custom video housing", they said they were unable to design a housing of that size. It seems every time I post a new 'budget outline', the next day it needs to be reworked. It's a never-ending battle.

I just realized while writing the last paragraph that some of you might be asking, "I though the budget outline said proj:pedal was going to have a home-made housing designed & made, why the change of mind"?

Well, that still may be the case, depending on what the budget allows and how much financial support the film pulls in by May. The plan is to buy a housing for under $400 - $500, so if any of you out there happen to know someone or somewhere that sells 16" long casings for that price - it would be greatly appreciated. The only problem with a homemade housing is that it would be a "prototype" and the fear if there was one tiny mistake or flaw in it's design - it could destroy a $4,000 HD camcorder. Needless to say, that can not happen.

As far as everyday 'rainy' situations, a homemade casing would work just fine, you'd never know the difference with the end result. But if you look at pg.8 of the storyboards [under 'the production'] you'll notice that one of the shots I hope to get involves the DP, Olivier, jumping off the edge of a small cliff with of course, the camera in his hand. This made Olivier very nervous... understandably. I guess if we get the money for a professional housing, that shot will find it's way into the film, and if we don't then we'll just have to stick to safer [less creative] shots.

* update: the mini35 "sneak peak" picture has been removed temporarily...