Leap Year (2010)

It's the last day of February. (Leap year day to be exact). Days seem to be going by very fast that I can't even catch my breath sometimes. Friday is Spring break. Which means it's just about Spring. When did we have Winter?

Somehow I only managed to have 3 midterms out of 8 classes. I'm not complaining because I'm enjoying what I'm learning in my classes right now. (Psych, Art history, Editing, Sound, Screenwriting, Producing, Directing, and American Cinema)

This past weekend 3 2nd year productions went out, all of which I was involved with. It was so exciting! Hero I jumped in early on as Casting Director. Come See Paradise, I helped with props and set decoration, then on Coma Home I acted then became a bit of a PA.

My mom says I look tired. I think I look pensive.
 photo credit: Kess Jones

A leap year is a year containing one additional day in order to keep the calendar year synched with the seasonal year. This is a perfect excuse to do something memorable. I'm a sucker for days like this. Especially Palindromes!! 11-11-11 will always be memorable for me because I got busted after visiting a party in my apartment complex for minutes. I spent weeks in and out of the residence office "taking care of it", while some of my friends got into some serious trouble for no.reason.at.all. 

Austin probably saying something inappropriate.
photo credit: Bryan Sloyer

This candid photo was taken by someone very important to me. Someone that I planned on spending the next 3 years with, but due to some unforeseen opportunities, our time will be cut short. I don't blame him one bit because he is leaving for the very right reasons. I envy his bravery and his heart and commitment. I know he is not leaving lightly and he is leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. But I can't help but feel selfish and want to see him everyday. He sees the world like no one else. He's the kind of guy that can fill the most beautiful moments with nothing more than silence. A very, "if you don't have something important to say, don't say anything at all" kind of guy. I can't even express how MUCH I'm going to miss this kid! f

Evan Scott Russell, crafty.

On a lighter note. I spent my weekend on the set of Coma Home with some interesting characters. Especially Evan Scott Russell. Probably one of the funniest guys I know. He ran crafty and that gave us more time to discuss our 7 minute film. Enjoy the movie below:

Chris "motherf___" Ellison. 

I could fill pages about how highly I think of this guy, Chris Ellison DP'd my dream sequence last semester and I wish I knew then how lucky I was...

Michael "Furserious" Adler

Enjoying the beautiful (random) weather

Editing class break gathering

"how high do your tights go?"
"huh?" (pic 1)
"how high do your tights go?"
"this high!" (pic 2)

In Art History, my professor shared with us work by Francesca Woodman. Just a brief look at her stuff really moved me and I've been looking at her work since. Here is a link to her bio and one of her photographs. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesca_Woodman

Haven (2012)

Last semester I went on and on about a directing assignment I was very excited about. It is finally done and I'm very proud of it. Take a look and tell me what you think!

HAVEN

I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS MUSIC.
Copyrights belong to Cosmos, Columbia, Sony Music Nasty Kutt record labels and Madcon music group.
Virgin / EMI record label and Massive Attack music group.


This is a short film written, directed and produced by Christene Hurley

Co-Director/Cinematographer: Austin Witthuhn

Starring

Kira Geiger
West Webb
Wil Bethman
Brandon Hurley


Grip
Ben Guillbault
Brandon Hurley


Party Extras

Amy Rowland
Alex Epply-Schmidt
Harry Rossi
Jake Kath
Liliana Pagano
Austin Elliott
Camilo Herrera
Kaelie Kandel

50/50 (2011)

This is my 50th post! What a milestone! These last few weeks have been crazy busy! I shot my 5 minute film this weekend then jumped right into crewing as a 2nd AD (Assistant to the 1st AD who is the assistant to the Director) on The Trouble with Proposing.

My 5 minute film went swimmingly with the help of a wonderful cast and crew. We made due with what we had for such an ambitious story. The premise: Camilo is a young boy with a terminal illness who's only escape is his imagination inspired by his best friend, Austin who unfortunately is leaving for college and may not be back in time to see his best friend before his dies. Pretty heavy, huh? Try telling that story in 5 minutes or less.
The anxiety hit in waves just before the big day, but wise and encouraging words from the upperclassmen really helped. I'll be sure to pass on the words of wisdom to future students.

Crewing on my fellow section mates' films and filming my own really reminds me that I'm in the right place. I'm also reminded that I want to be a director. I think the knowledge of a Producer is really helpful which is why I want that to be my 2nd concentration. There is room to change my mind and I intend to research and really gig fit thought before I make it official. 

One very important thing I learned through this directing assignment was the importance of pre-production and Art Department. I've never questioned why we are required to crew on upperclassmen films because I've learned the most on set. Pre-production is 50%, Production is 30%, Post is 20%. (or so it feels) 

I've had some wonderful opportunities to act in some films. It's the funnest thing, but not easy. And seeing my performance may be the most uncomfortable thing I've experienced. I respect good actors. It's hard work. 

Most helpful piece of my preproduction, The Shot List (above). It's the schedule of shots and a breakdown of the camera angles. I color coordinated the actor being shot, which helped. And I combined as many shots as I could. My only regret was that I didn't think of more creative shots. 

Ohh and I made cupcakes that looked like little forts with walls. :) I LOVE cupcakes SO MUCH!! 

We haven't had very many screenings required it feels. But this Friday we are screening Ghost Busters on print I 'm hearing. I haven't seen that movie in over a decade! 

I have been writing a lot for screenwriting. Lots of cool script ideas. The script I'm most excited to write is going to be co-written with my buddy, Evan Scott Russell. It's going to be my second year 7 minute film.

Onto editing my film, well syncing audio with sound, which is a bitch. 

xoxo