Sorry for the lack of updates. For a lot of the time I’ve been unwell, and then I’ve been having other problems/incidents causing the film to be delayed. I didn’t think it was worth blogging about them as it wouldn’t help the project and would just get me more upset.

Anyway, forget that, the important thing is Shattered Pieces is close to complete! (Pause for applause). For some reason, I won’t get into, I ended up doing all of the visual effects and I’m currently finishing off the last shot. (The applause gets louder). It is the “biggy” and the actual VFX shot most people will notice, but I think I will have it done by tomorrow evening! (The crowd goes wild).

BUT, (gasps followed by sudden silence), it doesn’t mean the film will be complete. As I’m finishing off this last shot, Chris Reading is doing the sound design, and the music is still being put together by Vince Pope. Once all of that is finished, Howard Berry (editor) will put all of that together, and then the two of us (which would probably end up being more like me sitting next to him while he does it) will colour grade the thing and put the last finishing touches to it.

All in all, I expect two more weeks until Shattered Pieces is complete. Then, all that’s left is sending it away to festivals and waiting. Oh, I may also have a sort of wrap-party/screening for cast, crew, family and friends, but my first concern is getting this thing finished! It’s taken long enough.

Oh, and for those wondering why I haven’t posted any VFX work-in-progress images/videos; The simple reason is: I don’t want to spoil anything for you or give you false ideas about what the film. Plus, the VFX in this is quite basic and mainly invisible things like TV and background replacements. The focus is on the story between these characters.

Hopefully the next time I’ll blog it will be telling you Shattered Pieces has been completed. Ah, so close!

Another long delayed update, sorry. What’s been happening?

Well, Vince Pope (from Beetroot Music) is busy doing the music for the film. I sat down in the studio with him last week (Tuesday 9th June) to see what direction the music needed to go into. Watching the film with the rough music ideas was exciting. Music is so important.

I’ve been editing the poster a bit and got one printed out (for £45!). It looks great though, so I’ve made some tweaks to it, and will be sending it off to a print factory to get a whole lot of them printed out.

Yesterday I met up with Pete Wallington outside City Hall (London) to take some plates of the city that I’ll be compositing into the backgrounds (as we originally filmed on the Northbank). Talking of compositing, I’ve also met up with Chris Andrews who I’ll be working together with on the visual effects for this film. It’s going to be epic because of his work load, but I’m confident.

I’ve already started on some of the more easier ones like compositing in televisions. Oh, and if you’re interested, here’s an image of the poster. The detail is probably to small to see properly at such a low resoultion, but it’s actual size is 30 by 40 inches; massive!

Click on the image to enlarge.

I’ve been inactive for a week, just trying to recover while tying up the last few bits and bobs after production. 

I’ve also given the last lot of footage to Howard Berry (the editor) and finally got to watch the rushes myself! I have to say, it does look great. It’s probably going to be 3-4 weeks before I see the first rough cut of the film. I’m feel really impatient, but I’ve just got to wait.
I’m both excited and scared.

While Howard edits, I’m researching on visual effects techniques, currently crowd simulation. I think I’m getting the hang of it.

Anyway, there’s probably not going to be many updates until I actually start doing the visual effects shots with Chris Andrews, which is probably going to be in about two weeks. Until then, we’ve all just got to wait. Sorry about the brief sentences. Brain drain.