Let’s go back 3 years…
Eric and I had just moved to Toronto and taken jobs in the film/television industry. We were also making the final arrangements to incorporate 17 West Productions. The basis of our company is simple. I write. Eric directs. However, a funny thing happened over the last few years. Our plan never worked.
Surface was our first collaboration. Eric decided to shoot the film in North Bay but at the last minute, I was forced to work and missed the entire shoot. The same can be said about 4 Stops. While I had the night off, it wasn’t ideal for me to be on the trains with them. The last thing you need is a crowd begging for attention on the subway. For Playing Through, I was seated in the director’s chair and Eric was always moving around behind the scenes. So in reality, we’ve never actually collaborated on a set.
Enter 2009 and more specifically, Tactics. For the first time, we were on a set doing what we love most.
The day began on a sour note for me. I had just finished working 14 of 16 days and got to sleep around 3:30 am. I blinked and it was 6:30 am. It’s important to note that I constantly brag about my limitless energy and addiction to working. But that morning I was angry at the world. This happens to me once or twice a year. I was completely drained and had no intensity or excitement at all. The lack of energy then leads to depression and I drag everyone around me down. (Sounds bad right? I snap out of it very quickly most of the time.)
Things worsened when I got outside and experienced the windiest day in the history of wind or days. It didn’t stop Eric from bouncing around though. I could easily understand why. Too long he has waited to get behind the cameras again. We haven’t filmed anything since June and Eric’s brain was about to explode with anticipation. It reminded me of how annoying I must be when the energy levels are at full blast. Honestly, my overall mood aside, I couldn’t wait to make a movie again. I love this stuff!
The crew assembled at our cast’s apartment. I don’t think there are many romantic comedies out there that have the luxury of casting an actual couple and filming in their home. Alyssa and Jamie single handedly saved us a production budget and a desperate search for chemistry. Above all else, they brought talent and even more energy to the team. The combined enthusiasm of everyone involved finally snapped me out of my ‘screw off’ attitude and my idiot comments returned. It was time. Eric was directing, our crew was ready, our cast was prepared and I was awake. Let’s make a movie.
This film had a very distinct style to achieve. You would watch this movie like a home video shot by our couple. There are a lot of logistics involved to make it work but Eric did a great job. Immediately, I abandoned my fear that the scares wouldn’t look realistic. Alyssa and Jamie showed that they have a knack for improvisation. Every take was the same and every take was different. It was nothing but fun from there.
This was our first film without a budget and without time constraints. It’s pretty liberating to be able to shoot 20 takes and not have to worry about bumping the schedule. There are instances where this can back fire on a film set but this wasn’t one of them. The film got funnier with every take. The entire set was light and relaxed and it was a perfect way to return to filmmaking. (Oh and by relaxed I mean roooooom tonnnnnnnne haha. Apologies for referencing an inside joke. You had to be there to appreciate how funny that was.)
As the day progressed, Eric and I fell into a groove. We were constantly bouncing ideas off each other without stepping on either my script or his shots. It’s great to be able to work that way. Personally, I loved my new roll on set. My job was simply to ensure that Eric wouldn’t be bothered by petty things. I have no problem admitting that I order pizza like a true professional. (I worked at a Pizza Hut for 4 years… Not a big deal.) Truthfully, it was nice to just be a writer/editor for a change. I had so much fun directing Playing Through but fell behind in my writing. I may direct again someday but it was way too much fun being on set that day with Eric at the helm.
He was in his element. The dude had a permanent grin on his face the entire time. I know for a fact he was a little nervous to direct again but after the first take he was back in a big way. It was the first time I had ever seen him direct and he didn’t disappoint. There were moments throughout the day when I thought about a statement he made a week prior to shooting. He said “After Tactics, I’m going to wait until the end of summer before I shoot another one.” His thought was justified. There is still a massive amount of promotional work and organization to do for Playing Through’s release. I think it took five minutes for him to change his mind. Anyone could have predicted that. I’ve met hundreds of creative people and there is one thing they all have in common. They all share a desperate need to create. Eric is no exception. We’re already discussing our next project.
The day absolutely flew by. Our crew was extremely small but everyone involved worked hard and laughed throughout the entire shoot. I have a theory that you can love your job but if you can’t stand the people you work with it’s still a pain to get up every morning. The memory of sleeping 3 hours was long gone for me. Everyone was having a blast. As for our cast, Alyssa and Jamie were never a concern for us. Alyssa is now 4-0 when it comes to 17W’s films. It’s getting to the point where I just assume she’ll be in every film we ever make. Jamie was absolutely incredible when it came to improv. There were so many subtle lines he would sneak in. These lines were constantly quoted by the crew. Between takes, I believe my exact words were “Quit fucking around and go say those funny lines I didn’t write!” Alyssa was as good as ever. She has a show stealing scene in the shower that I’m still laughing at. This film was about the unexpected and our cast delivered exactly that on every single take.
As the day came to an end I was completely exhausted. Actually, I think shattered is a better word for it. It took two minutes to fall asleep once I got to bed. 15 hours later, I came back to life. I put on my editor’s hat and Eric and I got to work. We watched every take and it was great to be able to plan how we will package the final film. While we worked we found ourselves discussing the different types of movies we wanted to tackle next. These conversations are the number 1 reason why I love filmmaking. For the first time we were talking about a big film that’s almost done, another film we just shot and future films that will raise the bar for 17 West.
What comes next will remain a mystery for now but it will definitely arrive sooner rather than later. I can’t wait to get back on a set and I know Eric can’t wait to direct again. The only difference is going to be the wake up call. It’s my company too and getting up at 6:30 is mean! I’ll be paying extra close attention to the call sheets from now on. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for more on Tactics including artwork, clips and the film’s home page.
Episode 1: America’s Funniest Home Videos
What does Bob Saget have to do with our new short film? Truthfully, our film is about a couple that narrates each others lives using annoying cartoon voices that all sound identical. Are you excited yet?
So what is Tactics exactly? The story begins about a year ago. Like many from the YouTube generation, I spend my “bored as hell” time watching endless videos and laughing my ass off. There was one specific evening where I spent a great deal of time watching people hide and scare each other half to death. There are at least ten billion videos of people reacting to those ghost emails. We’ve all been there. This is what makes AFV an awesome show to watch.
Okay I admit the last video doesn’t really fit the profile. I just thought it was a wicked idea. For me, it’s the anticipation and the scheming that makes these pranks priceless. True scare tactics is an artform I intend to master someday.
Tactics, the short film, was born that night while I watched countless videos of people jumping out of there seats and running for their lives. I pitched the idea to Eric and then to Alyssa and Jamie. It took a year to finally sit down and write something. Besides not having any free time to write, I also struggled to find a story to tell. Finding a concept is easy but wrapping a story around it is much more harder. (Microsoft Word maintains the previous sentence has grammatical errors. I disagree…
That little green squiggly underline can kiss my ass.)
With a script already in Eric’s hand we will hopefully get this one shot in April. While Playing Through essentially took a year to complete, Tactics should be wrapped by mid May. Not too bad.
I’ll be updating this blog regularly as things progress. In the mean time, why don’t you find a good laundry hamper or closet and scare someone to tears.
Here is the synopsis for 17W’s Tactics:
Tammy and Shawn are living together and loving every minute of it. The only problem is how much time they spend plotting to scare the hell out of each other. Who will win?
