So yea, I've been trying, trying and failing to get a group together in my hometown to make movies and music videos for a while now. Occasionally we'll get a music video together, but nothing major, and they're rarely professional looking. Well, here at Miami there is a group called M.A.F.I.A (Miami Association of Filmmakers and Independent Actors) they own about $50,000 worth of film making equipment: Jibs, track dollys, boom mics, $4000 cameras, FINAL CUT 2 (professional video editing software), etc. and I am now a member of this group, and am already working on my first film. So i guess I'll give you guys a description of the project (as best i can w/o giving anything away).

short synopsis: Shingen no Sakura is a short-film with no dialogue that takes place in a non-existent feudal Japan. A woman suffers from Tuberculosis and it is up to her lover to bring her a lifesaving medicine before she expires.

genre(s): Action, Drama

run-time: 15 min

I'm casting this show in September, filming it in October, and it should be finished by December, so keep checking for the updated status of my project, also you can go to http://oxfordfilms.com/mafia/ to see the progress of mine, and other films.



Update: Sept. 1st, I have scheduled my first production meeting for the project for Tuesday. As of now, the script is finished (its 5 pages of stage directions), the storyboard/shot sheet is almost finished too, and I found a camera man. The tentative shooting dates for the project are, Oct. 5th, 6th, 7th, and 12th.

Update: Sept. 7th, Production meeting was postponed until this morning. It went very well, I have narrowed down my shooting dates to Oct. 5th 6th and 7th. I have gathered up props and costumes, my project will be up on the site in the next few days, and I went out looking for filming locations for my project today and was was very successful. ^_^

Update: Sept. 11th, My film is on the site!!!!! ^_^ and my props are on their way!

Update: Sept. 18th, I've gathered/bought almost all of my props and costumes.
I have a cast and crew, except for an actress, I've found someone interested but she is gone the weekend of filming. I am currently working on finding another time to shoot her scenes, as well as looking for someone else who can be there on the shooting dates.

Update: Sept. 24th, I have a full cast and crew, and everyone is going to be at tonight's production meeting. I cant WAIT to start filming!

Update: Sept. 24th, production meeting: Started at around 5:15, at the meeting we discussed choreography, the shot sheets, the script, locations, and the filming schedule, which has now been set to Oct. 6th and 7th noon- until were done.  The meeting was a success and as soon as we finish the fight choreography this film will be ready to go.

Update: Oct. 1st, Movie making is stressful...... I think I prefer acting in other peoples' films. Although when this is finished it will be really nice to be able to show it to people, as the first high quality, high 'caliber' film I've made, i.e there is no way in HELL I'm posting it on youtube or facebook, or whatever. However, look for the trailer in about 3 weeks or so, I will definitely be posting that online. ^_^ Anyhow, there is something exciting going on following the completion of this film, but it all depends on whether or not the film meets my standards, so I've only told a few people about it, I will make the 'exciting' announcement upon the completion of the final product of my film, again thats if its up to par.

Update: Oct. 4th Had our second fight choreography session, and it's starting to look good, we're gonna practice the fight and add to it some more tomorrow, so that it will be ready to go on Saturday.

Update: Oct. 5th, Holy crap! We start filming tomorrow! I just finished the last of my fight choreography sessions, and I'm exhausted, but it was well worth it. The fight scene is intense, it flows really well, and is probably some of the best choreography I've ever had a part in. My stunt coordinator is amazing, putting his knowledge of European choreography, and 'safety' with my skill in Japanese fighting styles, has created an accurate, but flashy, heart-pounding fight sequence. I only wish that I was filming the whole movie this weekend, instead of just the 1st half. Not sure when were doing the second half, but my Assistant Director is amazing and will help me get this thing together.

Update: Oct. 7th, Filming went well yesterday, we got a lot done and we have a lot of great shots to work with. It took us about 5 hours to get everything we had planned done. Only 1 more day of filming to go ^_^, anyhow time to crash, I was exhausted yesterday, and I still am today....X_X
Update: Oct. 8th, PHOTOS!!!! (Day 1 of filming)

Update: Nov. 1st, I have begun to edit the footage from day one of this project, its looking good so far, but this film is gonna take a loooooooot of work to get it 'up to par' Also after a lot of thinking, i may be adding another day of filming to this project.

Update: Nov. 21st, I've finally figured out exactly what im doing with this film, to make it more artistic. I felt that film needed another layer to it visually, other than the authentic costumes and props, and not just plain old color film. I'm not giving anything away, so everyone who knows about this project will just have to wait and see what it looks like in the end. I have also determined the shooting schedule for the rest of the film. Look for some major steps forward in the next few months.