Each year teams of filmmakers from around the world compete in a film competition known as the 48 Hour Film Project. In this no-holds-bar event teams have only 48 hours to write, shoot, edit and submit a short film in their randomly chosen genre. As if that weren’t enough, there’s also a list of requirements that each film must contain in order to be eligible for the competition. This year required the prop of “bubble wrap,” a character named “Charlie/Charlene Sparks,” the profession of “farming,” and the line of dialogue “He never tells me anything”. On top of all that, the Litewave Media team was chosen to be part of a documentary about the 48 Hour Film Project as the team had won last year with their award-winning film “F”. And so, a film crew documenting the madness of the film project had their cameras pointed on the team the whole weekend.
Director Christian Schwier and his Tampa production company drew the genre “Buddy film” out of a hat on Friday, July 26th. They quickly swapped “Buddy film” out for a wild card genre “B-Movie” and began their race to finish: Sunday, July 28th. (A “B-Movie” can best be described as a lower budget, melodramatic film.) Perfect for our Tampa video crew!
A MELODRAMATIC Litewave Media 48 Hour Film Project Cast/Crew
The first thing the team had to do was decide on an idea, which Schwier said was “The most difficult part”. They looked to old 50’s B-movies for inspiration. With a room full of writers, brainstorming wasn’t an issue, instead it was picking the one idea and saying “this is it!”
Christian Schwier, Jeff Zampino and the rest of the crew brainstorming in the Litewave Studios conference room
By 3 a.m. three things were decided: the movie needed a robot, an overly dramatic kiss, and blue speckled aliens. Make-up artist Anya Yushchenko quickly got to work bringing two of those elements to life.
Anya Yushchenko applying blue speckled make-up to BobbyAnn Loper
Anthony Brock (QX-45 robotic support droid) being assembled by Anya Yushchenko
When the 48 hour time constraint started affecting the film, the team had to take action quick. “We had to edit down the script and cut two locations out in the middle of shooting to make this film doable”, Schwier stated. And so, on July 28th at 6:42pm (18 minutes to deadline) with the help of Jeff Zampino’s set design, Steve Allen’s special effects, Andrew Ortoski’s lighting, Stephen Maxwell’s original music, and an amazing crew and cast, “Man-Eating Hatchlings of Galvac-7” was born and officially submitted.
Anya Yushchenko, Maylin Morera, Linda Roser, and Karleigh Chase on set
Jim Flynn in the “hibernation pod” with Steve Allen, (Special FX) hovering over
Karleigh Chase, Jeff Sheppard and Jim Flynn stand by on set location two
All the sleepless hardwork and dedication paid off in the end. The Litewave Media crew received seven nominations: Best Film, Best Director, Best Sound Design, Best Use of Line of Dialogue, Best Special Effects, Best Costumes, and the Audience Choice Award. The winners will be announced on August 27th, Muvico Centro Ybor at 7 p.m.
For more information about the 48 hour Film Project click here, 48 hr. Film Project
Without further ado, here’s “Man-Eating Hatchlings of Galvax-7”
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And please contact our studio for any of your video production needs or for a free consultation! Until next next time… 🙂
What a weekend for Litewave Media! The Gasparilla Film Festival took over Tampa on March 19-24, launching a celebration of independent film with a focus on local Florida talent. Two films by our production company in Tampa FL screened back to back on Friday night: our feature length anime-action adventure comedy Jules Dongu Saves the World and our award-winning short film “F.”
This was the official Florida premier for Jules Dongu, which made its world debut at The Gotham Screen International Film Festival in New York City in October 2012. Our Tampa film crew started working on the movie seven years ago, and with many of the local cast and crewmembers in attendance at the Florida premier it felt like a real reunion. We are proud to say that many of us are still working together as colleagues and friends!
The Jules Dongu crew seven years after beginning work on the film
Jules Dongu garnered a very warm response from our hometown crowd. “People said they appreciated seeing a funny, feel-good movie at the festival,” said Litewave Media founder Christian Schwier. “Festival goers typically see three or four movies a day, and most deal with some pretty heavy subject matter. We were glad to lighten the mood.” Dongu is slated for a full festival circuit this year – and look out for the Amazon.com DVD and Bluray release this summer!
Jules Dongu made its official Florida premier at Gasparilla Film Festival
There was also some star power circulating in our midst. Surprise guest Colin Farrell came out in support of emerging artists, and actor Thomas Jane from the “The Punisher” franchise (filmed right here in Tampa Bay, FL) received the festival’s 2013 Career Achievement Award. “Gasparilla is a great platform, and it shows that we can produce Hollywood-quality film here in Florida,” said Schwier.
Christian Schwier and Thomas Jane with Gasparilla festival coordinator
After our big night, we spent the rest of the festival connecting with local and visiting filmmakers and attending some great industry panels. It was also an honor to support Litewave Media alum Jamie Parslow’s music video for the song “Waiting For Summer” by A Call From The Coast.
Christian and Taylor connect with new friends at the festival
To top it all off, ABC’s show The List did a news story on the festival and featured our film in the segment. Check it out here:
We’re looking forward to sharing even more great independent film with you this year. Follow the blog and like us on Facebook to keep up with all Litewave Media’s projects. Do you have a video project coming up? Contact our Tampa video production company today for a free consultation.
As the full moon rose on October 29th, our Tampa video production company shot the first scene from our next short film, The Skyship Chronicles, a Steampunk action-adventure. “This film is a complete story in its own right,” shares Director and Litewave Media founder, Christian Schwier. “We also hope to gain enough interest in the idea to produce a full-length feature film of the concept.”
Don Knight (left) operates boom as actors Jeff and Mick traverse through a dense fog.
Pre-production began in early October when our Tampa video crew traveled to Tommie Turvey’s Equine Extremist Liberty Horse Ranch in Brooksville, Florida. Tommie and his stunt horse, Blade, have worked on numerous films and TV shows, including The Walking Dead, Jonah Hex, and 3:10 to Yuma.
Jeffrey Gross (left) and Devin Keebler (right) set up the RED camera.
Jeff Zampino (writer/producer) with actor Jeff Shepperd at the horse ranch.
While at the ranch, our Tampa filmmakers scouted locations, filmed test shots with the actors in full Steampunk costumes, and rehearsed the riding stunts with Tommie and Blade. After making some minor modifications to the shooting script, nearly two dozen cast and crew took their places to shoot the first scene.
Actors Jeffrey Shepperd and Mick Ellis played the two guards being hunted by the film’s villain Gustav (Ed Olson). Tommie rode Blade and performed several challenging stunts including the horse rearing up and chasing the actors. “We even shot some of the chase scenes from the back of an ATV Mule!” says the Tampa film director.
Jeffery Shepperd (left) and Mick Ellis (right) let their guard down.
Steve Allen (co-DP) operating the jib and RED camera (shooting in 4K)
Our costume designer, Bridget, with stunt double and expert horseman, Tommie Turvey.
The intense chases required the actors to move swiftly over rough terrain while dodging trees and low hanging branches. “We were on a horse ranch in the middle of the woods, so there was no light aside from the moon and the lights we brought,” explains Schwier. “Since there was no power, we had to bring our own generator. It was quite a task hauling a multi-thousand watt generator out into the woods!”
Ryan GrosJean (Co-DP) and Andrew Ortoski (Gaffer) discuss lighting.
Thankfully Andrew Ortoski, our gaffer and movie lighting master, provided the film crew with a condor, or lighting lift, that projected moon-like rays from almost 100 feet in the air. “We’re so happy with how the chase scenes turned out,” says Schwier. “We’re looking forward to the post production process and editing the scene in our Tampa post production studio.”
Ryan Grosjean (co-DP), Jeffrey Gross (AC) and Devin Keebler (AC) make some camera adjustments.
To add texture and dimension to the scenes, the crew brought in an industrial-grade fog machine. “Getting the right amount of fog in each scene for continuity was definitely the biggest hurdle of the night,” says Schwier. “In some shots the wind would blow all the fog away, and in others there would be too much and we had to disperse it.” But by the end of the night, Jeff Zampino, our Producer/Writer, was a master at wielding the fog machine.
Mike Barnitt, our sound mixer, and some of the film crew.
Later in the night the temperature dropped into the low 40’s but our cast and crew soldiered on, and the last shot was taken as the sun began to rise. “We were all tired,” says Schwier, “but our sense of accomplishment kept our spirits up through the night. We were all definitely glad to be home in warm beds later that morning though!”
Ryan Grosjean (co-DP), Christian Schwier (director), and Steve Allen (co-DP) pause for a photo.
If you’ve got a film script that you’d like to shoot, give us a call for a free consultation. And be sure to like our Facebook page to keep up with all of our filmmaking adventures.
The Skyship Chronicles CREW
Seth Jones – Grip
Jeffrey Gross – Assistant Camera
David Bergvik – Production Assistant
Evan Zissimopulous – Camera Department
Ryan Grosjean – Co-Director of Photography
Steve Allen – Co-Director of Photography
Andrew Ortoski – Gaffer
Harold Hood – Production Assistant
David Lasky – Grip
Taylor Girard – Grip
Jeff Zampino – Producer
Bridget Desjarlais – Costumes
Rachel Lappe – Production Assistant and Craft Service
TJ Maynes – Set Photographer
Christian Schwier – Director
Devin Keebler – Assistant Camera
Tommie Turvey – Location Services
Don Knight – Boom Operation
Mike Barnitt – Sound Engineer
Our Tampa video production company was hired by ABC to film the back story package for two local contestants appearing on the new season of the hit show Shark Tank.
ABC producers flew from Los Angeles before the show to film the story of David Mealey, an unemployed golf equipment salesman, and his pregnant wife Nique. Footage was shot on a North Tampa golf course and inside the clubhouse. Their product, Back 9 chicken dip, was presented to the Sharks on October 5.
The Shark Tank crew was eager to partner with Litewave Media, a veteran reality show production company, and was thrilled with how smoothly the day went. The Tampa video crew included camera operator Christian Schwier, sound technician Mike Barnitt, and production assistant, Harold Hood.
Litewave Media founder, Christian Schwier, on the Shark Tank set.
“It was a fantastic experience to work with the Shark Tank producers,” says Schwier. “We shot on the Sony XDCAM PDW-700 and used a variety of sound gear to get great audio for the different shots.”
The Mealeys pitched their dips, which include Bubba’s Chicken Wing dip, then stayed poised during an interrogation from Shark Lori Greiner. After some negotiating, the couple secured $150,000 in a partnership deal from Greiner and fellow Shark Robert Herjavec. The money will be used to fund production and distribution.
After several months of post production, the music video for “Dirty Blue Jeans” has been released by our Tampa video company. Litewave Media founder Christian Schwier was the lead editor and also performed the color correction from our Tampa post production studio. The music video, which features singer Erin Cosgrove, was filmed by our video crew earlier this year. We’re thrilled to show it to you now! Please check it out below.
Here’s the original blog about the music video from May 3, 2012!
Litewave Media’s Tampa video crew headed to Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida to film the music video for Erin Cosgrove’s new single, “Dirty Blue Jeans.” This high end music video production will support the band’s efforts to help the single go viral.
Litewave Media the leading innovative video production company, took a Tampa production crew of twelve, including lighting techs, camera, Jib, and Dolly operators, and production assistants to the famous Florida state park known for its ancient cypress oaks. The video was filmed on three Canon 7D cameras using Canon L series lenses, which provided stellar quality and pushed the optical envelope.
The flora and fauna at Weeki Wachee provided the perfect backdrop for the country-crossover single. Getting the perfect shots and right angles was a breeze with Kessler Crane’s motorized slider. Add in the Steadicam, Varizoom Quick Jib and a number of DSLR shoulder rigs and the result is clear, crisp footage that will create a video worthy of an MTV premier.
Editing is scheduled this month at Litewave Media video production studios in St. Petersburg, Florida. Using Final Cut Pro and After Effects, the team will craft the perfect video to accompany the pop country song that Erin recorded earlier this year at Tampa’s premier recording studio, Litewave Media. The music video and single will be available in June 2012 on iTunes.
