Adrian Make Movie is a film production company based in Arlington, TX created by Adrian Testolin and Daniel Laabs, and was started in the summer of 2008. Our films have screened at SXSW, AFI DALLAS, and The Texas Black Film Festival. Here we will post news about screenings, movie reviews, and general blogish type posts concerning film and our company. Enjoy!
Last night Aaron and I had our first post semester meeting about "Big Hands" and where we wanted to take the film now that it is in our hands, no pun intended. And for some reason I got the idea stuck in my head that I should start retracing my steps. I began with my most recent film prior to 24hr, which was "sleet/snow," on top of that Frank asked for some footage for his reel, and even though there is only one shot of his face in the film, I dug up the project file and began to watch the different cuts. s/s was the first film I had edited closely with someone else, er... Adrian, where we saved every cut we finished. In final cut it is never a good thing to rely on the auto-save to catch all of the little moments that changed everything. But since we were on such an expedited timeline for finishing the film, we had the aforethought to keep a record of every major step. That is something Adrian is at full credit for doing, was so exhausted when the shoot was over, I didn't have the endurance to marathon edit and to honest I don't think Adrian did either.
This 5 minute clip from "sleet/snow" was one of the first sequences to be cut from the final film. Mainly because it disrupts Robert's character arc. It isn't even the whole sequence, but I thought this worked really well when I watched it. I put some shots at the beginning to kind of add some scope and pace to the sequence. This clip also catalogues my frustration with Marian's character, and the situation I put her in. In the film who she is is very ambiguous, she is both the object of affection for Robert, but at the same time a human being that isn't in the same head space her. The clip is called "i thought i saw pete at the gas station because" that is the conversation had over sandwiches in the following scene (not included here). But that was the idea I had to reference her husband, and that her being there was an act of independence from her daily life. The trip is that for both of them, but ultimately I felt her character's arc distracted us from Robert's. I think cutting Marian arc, was and is still the choice that distances me from the final cut. That was more my failure then the anyone else's, but as shown here, in its roughest state, I can't entirely feel I let myself down. Indeed this is part of the original cut assembled while we were shooting, with just a hint of finessing. Collectively, these are some of my favorite/prettiest shots we got, and then were left on the "cutting room floor." I hope you enjoy.
Well you've seen the reels here's some completely awesome trailers and more for some of the films we've produced. I hope you enjoy and if you are interested in getting a screener of any of these films please feel free to contact us at adrianmakemovie@gmail.com.
Please checkout the rest of Noe's videos on Vimeo, if there is such a thing as a man behind the curtain, well that's Noe, Hurtgenwald was his narrative debut short. If ever get a chance to see it on the big screen it is a truly awesome experience. One of the most cinematically meditative films I seen from a friend and collaborator. I think Noe has shot or lit everyone of my narratives. Become a fan on facebook to find out about upcoming screenings and support this incredible film.
Aaron Holloway's latest short film was produced in association with Adrian Make Movie, but technically is a Manamal Production, and it won Audience Choice and Best Narrative at the UnderExposed 7 Film Festival. We are still in post on this one, but hopefully we'll be in a place where can start submitting to festivals very soon! Become a fan and find out news about upcoming screenings at the good ol' facebook!
I guess this is the creme de la creme of embeds, this is the full version of David McGinnis' Award Winning Musical Short Gillface. Join the good fight and become a fan for Aquatic Americans young and old on... facebook.
Indeed this very first short produced by Adrian Make Movie, originally intended to be straight forward narrative short, but ended up becoming a test shoot for the film that ultimately became "sleet/snow." As rare as the screenings are comparatively to films like Gillface and sleet/snow, become a fan and get updated with news, although subscribing to this blog's RSS might be the easiest thing now that I think it, but support it anyways. North Street will be online in full by the end of the month.
One of the first films I produced, this is another in association with Manamal Productions sort of deals, but I helped write and I produced it, so by my count it is Adrian Make Movie as well. This is also presented in full
Other Great Adrian Make Movie Films The Runner (in association with INRI Films) - Facebook The Moving Rows - Facebook Hot/Cold (in association with Revision Films) - www.myspace.com/hotcoldfilm That Makes Five (which will be posted online soon) Catchers (which will be posted online soon)
Lastly I am doing this in part because June is our one year anniversary for Adrian Make Movie and it has been both an exciting and pretty successful first year, with films playing at SXSW, AFI Dallas, Fearless Film Festival, Reality Bites, Texas Black Film Festival, and UnderExposed 7. Does anyone have any ideas on how we can celebrate?
or at least that is a paraphrased quote from director/writer Frank Mosley. I can't say enough nice things about our crew and our Director of Photography Ron Gonzalez. It has been a nice blend of UTA folks and new people for me. Marc Howell won an excellent game of scrabble (with a little help from me), Corrie saved us from near disaster with her boom stick, Jenny our Art Director masterfully designed a beautiful bed room, Nathan took pictures of everything (well not everything) that I look forward to seeing with great anticipation and I hope to be able to speak more about everyone and their amazing deeds after next weekend as well post some stills for everyone see some of the awesome work being done. Crystal and John are two of best actors I've ever gotten to work with, and all in all it has been one of the most comfortable sets I've ever been on. Great work everyone can't wait for next weekend. I don't think I have ever been this happy with a movie I been a Producer for. Thanks and I'll be sure to mention everyone's heroic acts next week. Just thanks to everyone who has been a part of this film from the beginning.
And speaking of Boom sticks... Adrian and I went to see Drag Me To Hell last week before he left for Taos and all of its glory. And I have to say it was one of the most perfect cinematic experiences I've had since Bones with Snoop Dogg. And people were talking and talking, and for once I didn't care. As a known cinematic elitist, I find myself backing away from this more and more with every day that goes by. I'm still picky but damn it, I want to nothing more then to see Drag Me To Hell for a second time. It reminded me of my top films of 2001, Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, and Bones. (I think they were the only films I saw in the theater that year.)
