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Mime - A short film by Paige

  • Mime - Photography Production Wrap Up

      21 September 2015
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    In less than 2 standard film hour days we wrapped on set at the lovely David Reid Homes Waikato home. Ben Fransham was up from Wellington for the weekend to be available for filming, and is (as we speak) on his way back down to the windy city.

    The Mime team head count added up to be 41 people by the end of production. This number included actors, crew, catering ... a dog and a baby. Arno Minnema became the most marvellous host when he offered his house at the production base during rehearsals and the base. It made it an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone involved. People networked, and people laughed ... and we have some absolutely memorable photos and outtakes.

    Everyone worked extremely well with each other, and we really got into the full swing of things by Sunday... we had to finish on Sunday, and somehow we got almost all the planned shots.

    The words 'Lets have a joyous time' will stick in our minds for a long while ... and if anyone would like a copy of this please PM me for advanced orders.

    I really appreciate all of the generous donators on the givealittle page, and anyone else who contributed in any way to make this production a success. This production has really stirred up a momentum and I am really looking forward to what comes next!

    Thanks team!

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  • The filming days are here!

      19 September 2015
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    I am very excited, and a little nervous that today is the day it is all happening. Ben Fransham, Chris Hanlon and I are currently in Coffee Culture (my place of inspiration and coffee) to get a heads up on today. Everyone else will arrive at Base at 2pm today.

    Can't wait to live this day out!

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  • This is coming to a close ...

      16 September 2015

    This weekend is the filming of Mime. Ben Fransham is traveling up from Windy Wellington to play the lead as Tim for this telepathic short film. I'm sure you can all already sense this is going to be epic.

    Here is a brief snippet of a scene we filmed the previous weekend featuring Joanna Bishop as The Doctor.

    These last few days are the closing days of this campaign, so if you would like to give this is the time. Remember if you give more that $40 your name goes in the credits.

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  • The Mime crew grows!

      14 September 2015
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    The gorgeous actress Mary Rinaldi joined us, along with the production guru Chris Hanlon for our 13th September rehearsals. It was a fantastic atmosphere. The team of amazing people just keeps growing along with my givealittle supporters!

    The support is truly inspiring

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  • Doctors Scene - 13th Rehearsals & Filming Day

      13 September 2015
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    Wow, this was an amazing day! Arno Minnema was our fabulous host for today and led the actors through performance coaching to get the true 'Mime' feel - similar to the film Stepford wives. There were many people involved: actors, hairstylists, caterers, make up artists and crew. For any newcomers the busyness is very overwhelming. Particularly for Wai, and Peta who are the Set Designers and Prop Masters. When they entered rehearsals we asked the actors to approach them in true stepford fashion and look at them with love. The look on their Wai and Peta's faces were priceless!

    After the rehearsals many stayed for the rough screening on Ben Corcoran and Sasha Nixon's film DareDevil:Bad Blood, while having a bite to eat and talking film.

    Later in the day David Reid Homes Waikato opened up the set for us to film Joanna Bishop in her doctors scene. It was gorgeously lit by Andrew Garfield and filmed by Georgia Cullen.

    Below you will hear other cast and crews comments on the day...

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    • 14/09/2015 by Ben

      Hi, Ben here (1st AD).

      The rehearsal went really well, with people quickly becoming comfortable with their roles and movements, no doubt motivated by Arno's delicious smelling lunch cooking in the background.

      The David Reid showhome location looked fantastic and we all spent some time imagining that it was our house and we were graciously allowing this motley film crew to traipse in and out (shoes off of course!).

      As usual, near gear meant new problems - a crisp clean SmallHD monitor was produced (courtest of Wintec) but getting it and the camera to talk to each other proved troublesome. The lesson is - be as familiar as you can with your gear before shooting! Luckily this didn't impede the work in any way.

      Jo Bishop looked great as the authoritarian Doctor, and was the first actor on film presented with the challenge of first delivering her lines, then asked to deliver them non-verbally.

      All and all a great day, with more like a fun workshop feel than a gruelling day of rehearsing and filming.

    • 14/09/2015 by Joanna

      Jo, the creepy doctor here. Exam anyone?

      Well, what a great couple of days so far. Paige is simply amazing to work with and has brought together a really superb group of people. Cast and crew are all wonderful.

      As an actor, the challenge of 'speaking' without speaking is a good one - makes you think about all the nuances of language we usually ignore. I think I might start doing it a little more!

      Shout out to Arno for his incredible hospitality. Forever the host with the most :)

      Bring on next weekend!!

    • 14/09/2015 by Chris Hanlon

      It was definitely a memorable day! Getting zapped by a taser and looking up into the circle of fake-smiling faces is indelibly etched into my mind. -Okay it wasn't a real taser. But I was in the moment...

      Seriously it was great to catch up with a diverse and talented bunch of people and extend my networks further. Even recruiting a couple of people for a project I have coming up...

  • Mime Rehearsal

      11 September 2015

    Our first rehearsal was very hilarious. We are going for the freaky horror yet comedy feel. But what I want to know from you in this telepathic singer number is, what could we do better here?

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  • Photography Support

      9 September 2015
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    Thank you so much Dan Inglis for doing our photography stills for our short film production.

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  • First Rehearsal for Mime

      9 September 2015
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    Mime’s first rehearsals 6th September

    It was a brilliant first rehearsal. Actor Arno Minnema was a wonderful host who had all the commodities you need for a successful film shoot: coffee, food, costumes galore, music, and a comfortable homely feel. Amelia Williams choreographed a beautiful little dance number for our party goers scene. And we quickly scene blocked the last climatic scene which encompasses a taser and some really awful singing. There is still further rehearsals to go to really get the essence of communicating with telepathy, but we have already moulded out what are the beginnings of a drama with comedic and horror elements to it. Our filming begins this Sunday 13th with Joanna Bishop, acting as the pompous doctor. Filming will take place at our sponsored location, David Reid Homes Waikato.

    Questions to you:

    “I’m currently struggling with a decision on the film. It’s whether I should include a ‘telepathic baby’ or not. What do you think?”

    Photo of Frankie Vallis, courtesy of Dan Inglis

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  • David Reid Homes Waikato

      7 September 2015
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    have graciously said yes to using their show home on Hukanui Road for our production. It would be good to hear from our supporters what they think about this. It is a gorgeous home, and matches the aesthetic of the film.

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