Christian Cisneros

New Way To Blog...

2008-10-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

So I got a new camera so that we can start doing video blogs for not only me or films, but the company as well. Here is some footage I took for my Video Blog last Saturday. We basically are not going to edit the footage, just dump all the clips into a timeline and export out one Video Blog.. Alot of stuff will just be random, but I hope you enjoy this little look into our lives..
This blog is a look into my Saturday, from Nathaniel's soccer game to their friend Noah's Birthday party at the Bowling Alley. It is 35 Min long so have some time to watch it and allow it to load..

saturday from Christian Cisneros on Vimeo.

Christian Cisneros

Christian Cisneros Update...

2008-09-26T05:59:00.001-07:00

Hey guys and gals,
Just giving you all a little update on what is going on in my life.

____________Rio De Sangre____________
Well, Rio De Sangre has been pushed back for about 10 days or so, which may turn out to be a good thing and give everyone involved more time to plan, and give me a chance to find a good AD. We are still rolling strong though. We have uploaded two new production blogs check them out at www.riodesangrethemovie.com or below.

Rio de Sangre Production Video #2 from TMI Videos on Vimeo.

Rio De Sangre Production Video #3 from TMI Videos on Vimeo.

Remember if you have an HD monitor or TV you can see these videos in HD @ Vimeo.com. Follow the links on the video by pushing the HD button.

We are still looking for key positions on our film that will start sometime in early Oct. If interested please email your resume and cover letter to TMIVideos@gmail.com

_________________TMI__________________
As far as the rest of business, TMI is going strong as well. We just finished some Tests and Interviews on green screen for one of TMI's Corporate Clients. Here are some pictures from my phone.

If you notice some of the test shots that we took were our video blogs, which told us alot about making the real footage work (like that the tables were really reflective).. We will update our videos as they are finished. You can find out more about TMI @ www.themovingimagecompany.com

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me or TMI at TMIVideos@gmail.com

Christian

Arrogance AND Arch Enemies

2008-09-19T09:08:00.003-07:00

This blog has been removed for Political Reasons..... Check back soon for a new blog..

Christian

Next week on HMF Indie Radio

2008-09-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

*** Update***

Special thanks to Stacy Davidson, Odyssee Pictures for the above artwork. Have you bought Domain of the Damned on DVD yet? Click on Odyssee Pictures to buy it direct.

So next week, 28 September 2008, on Horror Movie Fans Indie Horror Radio with Parrish Randall:

At 7:45 PM Central - Christian Cisneros, Texas Independent Filmmaker

The Moving Image Company’s Christian Cisneros was raised in Texas. At the very young age, he showed an interest in Filmmaking and devoted all his time to this developing fascination. Christian graduated Texas State Technical College with two Associates Degrees in Digital Media Design and Media Communications. For 6 years now Christian Cisneros has worked in the film and video industry as a Producer, Director, Assistant Director, Post Production Supervisor, and 3D Animator. Recently Christian has devoted a majority of his time developing and directing his own projects. From Short films like FR-674345 to The Trunk, Trailers like TANK , and Features like Krampus, Hello, Lola , and Rio de Sangre Christian is pushing ever closer to becoming the director he dreams to be.

Christian Cisneros' Demo Reel

Christian Cisneros' Demo Reel from Christian Cisneros on Vimeo.

Act fast, only a limited number of Bruce Campbell Autograph Meet & Greet Packages Available!

Captured / Five

2008-09-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

2008-09-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

What can I say... Dont make any plans on Nov 15!

"Krampus" on Indie Radio

2008-09-01T10:33:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,
Marcus and Amanda, Producers from Krampus, were on HorrorMovieFans.com Indie Radio with Parrish Randall.

Here is a little insert from the site about Indie Radio:
HorrorMovieFans.com Indie Radio is a show focusing on independent films. It's the second radio show developed by HorrorMovieFans.com. Hosted by Director--Actor Parrish Randall this show focuses on independent horror films.

They say some great stuff about "TANK" and dive into some great topics about horror films.

Find out more about Krampus here www.Krampusthemovie.com

Find out more about TANK here www.myspace.com/whatistank

You can also watch the TANK trailer here:

TANK (trailer) from TMI Videos on Vimeo.

Feel free to email me and tell me what you think.

Christian Cisneros

Detroit Rock City

2008-08-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey, Christian here writing from Detroit.

Richard and I flew out of Austin Wed. morning (6am) to Chicago, then had a 2 and a half hr layover and then its on to Detroit.

It all starts out this morning on the way to the airport and we are listing to 101X and I will be damned, they are talking about Detroit and how it is a horrible place, and thousands of people leave and don't come back every year.. They go on to talk about 1,000 dead people leave Detroit every year (their families dig them up and leave with them so they don't have to come back to Detroit to visit.) So all of that and my friend Robert telling me not to go out at night, doesn't put us in the best of moods on this day of flying.

The reason we are in Detroit can come in another blog when the contracts are signed.

Back to the trip... So that first flight has to be one of the worst flights I have every been in. Its started with Richard and I being late to the check in, which put in the "C" loading group so we are like the last 2 people on the plane. So we get on plane and there are only one row with 2 seats together.. The very back row. Its one of the smallest rows on the plane, so I sit at the window and Richard gets the middle seat. It was an unbearable 2 hr flight. And get this, we are about to land at Chicago Midway and we are on our descent and we make our touch down and bounce up in the air and touch down again. everyone started screaming.. The drinks in the back of the plane all spilled and made a huge mess. It felt like we lost our wheels it was crazy

The 2nd flight wasn't as bad but still Southwest doesn't make seats for fat people, I'll tell you.. We met up with our friend Kevin Minke in Chicago for the flight to Detroit.. Hell by the time we got up to our cruising altitude we started our descent. We walk into the airport in Detroit and it was a total different feel. everyone is depressed and looks all upset.. Ready to leave.. and it looks like they are closing the airport, it look like we stepped out of a time machine into 1977. The roads are so terrible, pot holes, and just holes.. Its feels like we are offroading. So the rest of the day is very uneventful. we make a 3 hr trip to find an apple store half way across Michigan, thank you minke, I just wanted to go swimming. And then we eat dinner at the place called Gus O'Conner's its an Irish pub that just so happened to come up on the GPS under American food.. weird..

FYI Richards new pork chop side burns are a real chick magnet in 1977 oh, Detroit... so much that it flustered our waitress so much that Kevin and I never got that second glass of "POP" and she even forgot what Richard ordered and sent the hostess to ask again....

other than that here I am writing this blog..

Here are some pictures from the trip... More to come..

Me already having the "Detroit Depression"

Richard ready to fight..

Kevin driving with no hands...
"It Works Better With Your Hand On The Wheel, ASS!"

That is on someones porch...

Nothing to say about that...

Look for me to update you about the trip home, yeah we are driving.. so the next one will come from some were in the Midwest.

Christian Cisneros

"Rio De Sangre" (feature) Update

2008-08-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey,
I'm back... Sooner better than later. Here is a little update on "Rio De Sangre".

We are about a third of the way done with the script, and very happy with it thus far. Richard Watson is spending sleepless nights on it.. I am currently casting the project so if any one is interested here are the people who are cast as of now..

Current Cast List:

Marco - Maurice Ripke
Claudia - Nataly Pena
The Hunter - Robert F. Stewart
The Driver - Esteban "Dirty Dog" Lopez
Monico (Claudia's Dad) - Casting
Jorge - Julian Guevara
Deputy Morris - Jason Harper
Agent Stanton - Casting
Dr Stevens - Joe Azzato

If you are interested in any of the roles above please contact Christian Cisneros at christiancisnerosproductions@gmail.com (please include a headshot and any links to past work) put Rio De Sangre Casting in the subject line.

We are still in need of some crew..
Since this is a low-low budget we cant afford to pay everyone including ourselves but we do have 3 meals a day and hotels for everyone who can come out to work, and we are shooting the the beautiful west Texas desert. Think of it as a vacation.

***Important Info, we are shooting for 14 days in West Texas. Please keep that in mind when applying.***

We are in need of the following positions.

Grip Electric Swing - will assist our DP in lighting and setting up for shots, handling equipment

Make-up Artist (Practical and FX) - Will need to work on Bullet wounds, bloody faces bruises, and other action make-up.

Still Photographer - Production stills, marketing stills, everything

Behind the Scenes videographer - produce a behind the scenes documentary about the film and filmmakers. (you do not have to have your own camera, production has a canon XL2)

Production Assistants - Helping in the production, art, make-up, FX, behind the scenes, and other depts through out the production.

Anyone interested in one of these positions please send your contact info and resume to TMIReviews@gmail.com All are welcome and we look forward to hearing from you

***New Update***

Here are some pics of the TMI Office during pre-production. Enjoy..

Richard hard at work.

Me writing this blog..

If you have any questions about TMI or "Rio De Sangre" Please feel free to contact me anytime.

Christian Cisneros
Producer/Director
The Moving Image Co.

www.christiancisneros.com
www.myspace.com/ananos
www.imdb.com/name/nm1870338/
www.themovingimagecompany.com

Newest Project

2008-08-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Howdy Howdy People!
Its been awhile huh? I have been super busy working on restructuring my production company and developing some new projects. I was sitting at home the other day and realized that I am drifting farther and farther away from my original dream and goals that I made in the film industry. I am still working but as an assistant director here and there, and all my directing opportunities just cant get funding... And I find myself doing weddings and events to make a pay check and pay my bills.. What happen to what ever it takes? what happen to I don't care what others think? Well funny enough that same day a good friend of mine called me and asked me, "What the hell are we doing? Why aren't we out there shooting something? We have the talent. We have the equipment, and We have the friends.... There are people out here making movies and dont have half the drive and experience we do...." I pondered for a moment and replied... "F*&#K IT! Lets do it.. Ill call you back.." I had been asking myself this question for the longest time, but never been confronted by it.. I called my friend Richard and said, " We need a story, easy, the least amount of characters, Somewhere in the desert, and good..." and his reply was "I'm on it!" (My Boy!)

Needless to say The Moving Image Company is shooting its first of many feature films this September.

Title: River of Blood
Producers: Christian Cisneros
Robert F. Stewart
Written By: Richard Watson
Cinematographer: Chad Brewer
Directed By: Christian Cisneros
Duration: 14 Days
Location: Big Bend National Park Area
Budget: Zero (na just playing we have enough for hotels and meals)

If you or anyone you know would like to be a part of this adventure please contact me. We are rounding out the funds needed and starting preproduction next week. There is no pay but will have tons of fun.. Thats How We Roll!

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me anytime.

Christian Cisneros
TMIVideos@gmail.com

"The 2 Bobs"

2008-05-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,
Its been a while, we have just wrapped our 3rd week of production at "The 2 Bobs". This has to be the hardest and most stressful production that I have ever been on.. But in the same sense its the coolest and most fun. I have met some really cool people, and people I would really like to work with again. The days have been long and hot but I managed to get some pictures off with my cell when it wasnt dead.. Enjoy...

The 2 Bobs

Devin Ratray
(Home Alone)

Mika Boorem
(Blue Crush)

Leonardo Nam
(The Perfect Score, Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift)

The Cars
(2000 Ferrari, 2008 Ferrari, 2001 Porche, 1969 Aston Martin)

The Whole Gang in "The Thing"
(Mika, Leo, Cody, Tyler, and Devin)

So there you go.. a little look into the production and the people in "The 2 Bobs" Check out Myspace for more pics of the production. Until next time..

Christian

Little Update

2008-04-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
I am currently switching to night shooting on my latest productions so I will give you a little update. I just wrapped on pickup shot for the feature film "The Sno Cone Stand, Inc.", were I was the 1st Assistant Director, and jumped right into production as the 2nd 2nd Assistant Director of "The Two Bobs" which is directed by Tim McCanlies (Dancer, TX, and Secondhand Lions). We started production on Monday and have a great bunch of people who came out for this film. Keep checking back for more updates, pictures, and other cool stuff.

Christian Cisneros

My Demo Reel

2008-04-06T19:30:00.001-07:00

Christian Cisneros' Demo Reel from Christian Cisneros on Vimeo.

For info on Director, Producer, or Assistant Director work please contact me at:
christiancisnerosproductions@gmail.com
or call me at:
Cell: (254) 292-2764
Office: (512) 668-4554

See my Resume Here

Transformers 2 (Spoiler!!!)

2008-04-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

This just in @ IESB.net thought some transformers fans may like...

IESB Exclusive: Transformers 2 Character Breakdowns Plus New Decepticons!

Written by Robert Sanchez

Thursday, 03 April 2008

With a sequel to the mega-hit Transformers coming, fans everywhere are excited about seeing old friends again on the big screen. OK BIG SPOILER WARNING PEOPLE! BEWARE...

The big questions are who will be back and what new characters will we see? Which new heroes and baddies will we get to see on the big screen this time around?

There has been some web speculation that Transformers 2 is already in production, that is not accurate, it's public knowledge that Michael Bay worked on the script during the WGA strike and once it was over it was handed over to the writing trio of Kurtzman/Orci/Kruger. So a lot of prep work has already been done on the film getting ready for the upcoming July start date, the film is definitely gearing up for the intended mid-summer start date.

Now, on with the ROBOT ROLL CALL!

First, the Decepticons will be getting some new help in the form of Constructicons. In the cartoons, their names were Scrapper, Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Mixmaster, Hook and Long Haul. And what do we get when they all combine and form one huge ass robot? That’s right boys and girls, we are going to see DEVASTATOR on the big screen!

A REALLY BIG FUCKING ROBOT IS COMING!

It's hard to tell what Michael Bay and his merry band of filmmaker friends will be calling the Constructicons in Transformers 2, but the above names will most likely change, especially considering that they used the name "Bonecrusher" in the first film.

Fan Art Image courtesy the creative minds at Rise Studio

In addition to the Constructicon news, the IESB has just been given the following human character/casting breakdowns -
[CHUCK] 19-25 yrs., Sam's roommate at Princeton. He runs a conspiracy theory website. Funny in an irreverent, edgy way, he is shocked to see his conspiracy theories come to life. (2nd Lead)

[U.S. MILITARY LEADER] Late 20s/early 30s, African American with a great sense of humor and a tough military presence. (Supporting lead)

[UK SPECIAL FORCES LEADER] British, in his early to mid 30s, smart and capable. Can be Caucasian, Black, East Indian. (Supporting lead)

[GALLOWAY] Early 40s-early 50s, male, National Security Advisor and presidential liaison. A curt man who is tightly wound. (Supporting Lead)

[PROFESSOR COLAN] 40s, Sam's physics professor at Princeton. He's a self-satisfied intellectual who compares himself to Einstein, and is arrogant enough to wear leather pants to look cool. (1 Scene)

[THERESA] Early 30s; she's Sgt. Epps' wife, has 4 kids, sassy and sexy, good with comedy. Submit African American actresses only

[MOMMA SIMMONS] This NY Momma is in her late 60s / early 70s. She runs a deli/ butcher shop with her son in Brooklyn. Tough and sarcastic. (1 Scene)

[MASSIVE DYNAMICS CEO] 50s, male, this Corporate CEO appears in front of congress to testify. (1 speech/scene)

[TEXAS CONGRESSMAN] 55-65 yrs., on a Congressional Committee investigating the purpose of the "Automated Defensive Initiative" developed by Massive Dynamics.

[FBI DIRECTOR] Mid 50s, male, giving a press release assuring the public they will be safe against attacks. (1 speech/scene)

[CNN REPORTER] Reporting on missile strikes and bombings in various cities. Submit male / female, all ethnicities (1 speech)

**On a related note, there is a rumor circulating on the Don Murphy message boards that Natassia Malthe has been cast aleady in Transformers 2, but we haven't not gotten any confirmation on that tidbit, so that's pure speculation at this point.

We have reached out to Paramount Pictures as well as to different members of the production company to confirm the above story, but they have not yet responded to our requests.

As soon as we hear something from our friends at the studio we will let you know!

Stay tuned to the IESB as we continue to bring you the latest news on Transformers 2!

"Krampus" on IMDB

2008-03-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

The film "Krampus" has just been added to IMDB Check it out here. If you havent heard me talk about it yet then well maybe you dont know me..:) So its nice to meet you... Here is a little info on "Krampus" and find out more online at the official Krampus Movie website..

From the time we are born we are watched. Our actions are weighed and used against us. The wrong will be punished. The right set free. Your nightmares were a warning. Scared? You should be...

A devil born of Austrian legend, the KRAMPUS, has watched you...he knows... and he is coming.

Check out the official site below!

www.krampusthemovie.com

Also cast:

Joe Barbarisi
Chuck "Dead Body Guy" Lamb
Krisondra Daigneault
Elizabeth Henry
Judyth Piazza
Hillary Joines
Dion Ortega, Jr.
Micheal Placencia
Eliezer Castro
Lee Vervoort

More info on this film coming soon...

Christian Cisneros

Do you like movies? Do you make movies?

2008-02-26T16:00:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine showed me this video and I wanted to pass it on to the rest of you. Let me know what you think..

Christian

How to make a feature length film on a ZERO budget

2008-02-25T21:32:00.000-08:00

ARTICLE
How to make a feature length film, especially on a ZERO production budget
by Teja McDaniel

Upon moving to Australia in October 2005 and inquiring about the film industry, I was told that there was hardly any work. I was also told that one needed a production budget of $500,000 to $1 Million to produce a feature length film. When mentioning the $3,000 film The Magician by local film maker Scott Ryan, I was met with cynicism and ridicule. Not one to let naysayers dictate my aspirations, I set out to prove the point that money shouldn't be an obstacle.

Within the first two months of being on Australian soil, I had written a script and was directing and producing with 4 other production crews, an international espionage film called 5IVE. We have shot on 4 continents, 6 countries, 12 cities with over 85 actors on a production budget of ZERO. Currently, we're 90% edited.

Now for those in the audience, who are starting to try to pick holes in this, please don't bother. However, if you have a dream and really want to make something happen, please read on. First things first: Do you have an idea? This is not to be confused with having a clue, since it is debatable how many geniuses are short on their marbles. What is your idea? WAIT! Don't tell anyone, not even Mum if she tends to be negative and put things down! If the critics don't know what you're up to, they cannot destroy the dream.

More importantly ask yourself a series of questions:

• Is this your first film? If so, have you at least read Robert Rodriquez’s “Rebel without a Crew”? It is not the end all be all to make a movie, but it is very informative and inspiring. Having inspiration will help you get through those difficult challenges that will inevitably come.

• Have you ever worked on a film

before on the production end? If not, I refer to the book above. Spending 3 to
4 years in a University Program will teach how to make a larger budget film, usually shorts, not shoe string budget feature. Mind you, that until you make a “Look What I Made” film, no one’s spending a big budget on you. Plus, AFI won’t look at you unless you’ve had success before and it’s an Australian Heritage concept. Hats off to Shane Abbess, director of “Gabriel”.

• Is this a high concept film, i.e., special effects, period piece, tons of costumes, big sets, explosions? If so, save it for a later film to be done in your career, however don’t forget it. File it for your second to forth film, since I love it already. After all if they can make money from sequels of Ocean’s 11, Dare Devil, Electra, Predator vs. Alien, who says you don’t have a gold mine project?

• If you plan on shooting outside of your local vicinity, do you have the means to travel to that location and sustain a production? If not, keep it local.

• Do you have associates in different parts of the world that can get their hands on a decent camera and splurge the $25 for 5 digital cassettes, plus postage to you? If not, you will probably not be making an international film. Look at this first film as a stepping stone for the next project. I will not lie to you and tell you we didn’t spend anything on the making of 5IVE. However, we did not have a set budget. I also spread the word to every producer to keep things to the KISS rule (Keep It Simple Stupid). If you consider that Scott Ryan’s film was shot all in Melbourne, with a handful of people for $3000, we did pretty well with all the logistics of 5IVE spending only twice the amount Ryan spent. It comes down to resourcefulness. So think to yourself, “what can I write that will require the least amount of people in the least amount of locations in the shortest amount of shooting time, with the few bucks I have?” The best story lines are the ones that come from the heart and I don’t mean romances. Is there anything you feel strongly about? Are you mad at certain politics, are you passionate about cars, do you fear for wildlife. There you have: Fahrenheit 9/11, Christine, and March of the Penguins or Happy Feet. It all starts with a script and if you don’t have something you are passionate about, you will stumble out of the blocks. If you are not a good writer and have difficulty with dialogue, don’t worry, so does Sly Stallone. I must say though, that Rocky was a great “feel good” film and Stallone broke his ass to get it made. Do you have the courage as well? More importantly, Rocky was successful since it touched its audience. To start shooting your film, this is what you’ll need: A good story, so what if everyone is monosyllabic.

• A digital camera. Beg, barrow, but don’t steal, since your bail will be more than the film’s budget. • Why digital? If Lucas, Spike Lee, etc. are shooting on digital why can’t you? If you haven’t heard, 35 ml film stock costs a fortune.

• If you haven’t done a full-on production before, keep the cast small, really small. You will be devastated when people promise to show up and don’t. If you have at most 4 to 5 people in the cast, who are dedicated, you will more than likely have fewer problems, especially when people are not getting paid. Also with a small handful of people you can work out percentage points. • What are percentage points? For every dollar made on the film, someone who has been “contracted” (Please use contracts with everyone) a % point will be paid a portion of that dollar. For example if I have 10% of a film and that film makes $100,000 when it’s sold, I would make $10,000. It’s better than working for nothing even though there is no guarantee the film will make anything.

• A crew: Director (If not yourself) and make sure they share your vision or bring to the table something that you feel enhances your vision. • Cinematographer. Get someone who you can communicate with, who knows what they are doing. I had a cinematographer who had to be told five times what I wanted, before understanding. Despite showing him the storyboards, when I would ask him to shoot a tight shot of an apple, he would do a long shot of a banana. Unfortunately, I was not the main producer with the power to get another cinematographer. If you haven’t shot a film before, search through some cinematographers as they will help you make your film look better. Take a look at each one’s reel and don’t just fall in love with the first one.

• Lighting Crew (This will help your film look better); packages are around $150 to $200 a weekend. Make sure the rental place, gives you all the lights included in the package you’re paying for and extra bulbs.

• Sound Crew (After all silent films haven’t come into vogue again and digital cameras have horrendous mikes). This can run a slight bit more.

• The Editor (The prized individual, who will take your material and help make sense of it all). Get someone you can work with, collaborate with, and help enhance your film. With all these individuals you can offer % points.

• Secured locations. Nothing like showing up and the place is closed or waiting for the place to be opened, since the person with the keys forgot about your little inconvenience. Did you foresee anything like a construction project going on next door the day you are shooting? If you are shooting outdoors, what if it rains? Can you shoot an alternative day or alternative scene?

• Do you have relievable actors? Those that will memorize their lines, be rehearsed, and show up not only on time, but just show up? Did they get scripts before the shoot date to learn their lines, since one will have to do more takes when an actor doesn't know their lines?

• Props: If the script calls for a glass of water or the passing of a note, you need a glass of water and a note...you cannot pretend, it's not like doing an improvisation and mime an object. Make sure you have everything needed that will be needed to be seen on camera.

• Additional equipment: Lights, Sound, Slate, Log Book, Film/Video Tape, etc. • Extra Stuff: costumes, make up, furniture, did I mention FOOD and DRINK? Careful about costumes and makeup, the more elaborate the film the more expensive it will get to make. It will be better to think present day, as most everyone has clothing that is representative.

• Always remember that not everyone will be as passionate as you are about your film. The big thing is: Plan ahead when shooting. Unlike SCUBA diving where you plan your dive and dive your plan, otherwise shit happens; with films when you plan your shoot and shoot your plan, shit will happen anyway. Sometimes it will be unexpected great shit! Sometimes, well shit just happens. Be flexible; don’t get hung up on the unchangeable. It is okay to divert from the plan sometimes, but have one to start off with. If you just wing it you will more than likely not finish this film and find yourself over spent on something unfinished. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Every page in a screenplay (proper form) equals a minute of movie time. Schedule out what scenes will be shot on any given day. I recommend 6 to 8 pages per day or roughly three short scenes at the same location and more time for action sequences as you will have multiple cuts and need multiple set ups.

• If you are shooting 4 people trapped in a room together with no other locations, and everyone is up to speed to do a performance from beginning to end, you could do the shoot in one day. So, it depends on your projects specifications.

• Storyboard your script even in stick figure form as it will help you communicate with your cinematographer and keep track of the sequences you’ll need later when editing.

• When shooting, please take some cut away footage. Even if you are a detailed nut bag, and will make sure that every set piece is in the right place, nothing is more frustrating than actors who change their physical continuity every take. It will make the editing a nightmare. You can keep the scene flowing seamlessly by taking shots of the clock in the room or the paper stuck in the fan. Next time you watch a film, look for those cutaway shots.

• Take more than two angles of every scene unless it is a specific shot to comply with the style you are incorporating. If it is a scene of dialogue for more than 30 seconds, do your master, over the shoulders, cutaways and close ups. Audiences get bored quickly and idling on one shot too long draws them out of their interest. • When shooting: slate and write down your efforts on a log sheet, this will keep your editor from killing you with a blunt instrument like his mouse.

• If you do not know some of the expressions I am using, Google them.

• Ask family and friends to supply food and not just candy bars and spaghetti for those working on your film each day and that means drinks as well. Like the army your film cast and crew moves on its stomach and if you don’t consider this an important part of your film, you will have a problem on your hands. • Find an editor who wants to get some credits and has his or her own equipment. Again, review their previous work.

• Lighting will make a major difference for your film. Otherwise you will make a very two-dimensional-looking film.

• Plan, Plan, Plan. Not everyone can get away with making a film like Francis Ford Copola. Then again he has Oscars and huge budgets to pay people with and you don’t, so plan.

• Rehearse your film like a play and make sure everyone is up to speed. Nothing slows your production down like retakes when people don’t know their lines.

• A schedule: Think about what you need to accomplish by a certain time. For example, if you are scheduled to start shooting by 9am and don't start until 10:30am, you are already behind 1 1/2 hours and if you only have a location to shoot 4 scenes in till 12 noon, you're so screwed. Everyone needs to be punctual, even the Producer. If you don’t take your film seriously, no one else will. Here are some of the best concepts for “no budget” or low budget films that have been done before:

• Lifeboat, Hitchcock (Not a low budget film if you consider the actors, but wow, they save elsewhere)
• Rope, Hitchcock (Think about it, like the title, made on a shoe string) • Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the first one)
• Evil Dead (not the musical)
• My Dinner with Andre (Two guys eating dinner and discussing life)
• Open Water (Forget the crew, but the Sharks didn’t complain about the craft services)
• The Deadliest Game (Mostly shot in the woods)

As you can see there are many aspects involved with not only shooting a film, but especially a nearly no budget film. Hopefully this has answered some questions and I wish you all the best with your endeavor. Still feel in the dark? Understandable, I’ve only skimmed through the process, but if you are interested in learning more as well as an opportunity to network, I will be conducting a free seminar in Melbourne early 2008. Just leave your contact details and future aspirations at: SymmetryMM@gmail.com

ladies and gentlemen...

2008-02-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

richard here. another day has come and gone at tfw. it started like most days in this industry, full of promise and excitement but eventually lead to two grown men sharing a hotel room, trying to keep the neighbors awake with a snore war. it was cool to see all of the actors and filmmakers I've grown up watching. i hate that they are here charging people 15 bucks for an autograph instead of making movies. any way.

Review #1

Fingerprints (2007)
Rated: R
Runtime: 1hr 35min

Director: Harry Basil
Writer(s): Brian Cleveland, Jason Cleveland
Producer(s): Gray Frederickson, John Simonelli
Starring: Kristin Cavallari, Leah Pipes, Lou Diamond Phillips, Sally Kirkland, Josh Henderson, Andrew Lawrence, Geoffrey Lewis
Plot: Snow stars as a girl fresh out of a rehab who moves back in with her parents and sister (Cavallari) and gets involved in an investigation of what has paralyzed residents. The story is loosely based on an urban legend involving haunted train tracks.

I'm not sure what to really say about this movie. i'm sure their is a market for it somewhere out there. obviously they got a distribution deal. but I'm a little confused about what they were trying to accomplish. was it a ghost movie? was it a slasher movie? why didn't they show that blond chicks boobs when she was in the tub? obviously that's what everyone wanted to see. why even have that scene if she's not showing something pink. they should have been able to get more out of that half million dollar budget. disappointing...

more panels and reviews to come later.
*pics are from cell phone. better ones coming later.

More from Texas Frightmare Weekend

2008-02-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

George A. Ramero at his booth signing Autographs.

Tom Savini Doing an interview at his booth.

The RISEN Booth

Texas Frightmare Weekend Day-01 By:Richard Watson

2008-02-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, Richard Watson here blogging live from the the Texas frightmare weekend. Christian and i have been hanging out, taking pictures, shooting video and generally catching up with alot of our good friends from the industry that we don't see that often. It's been a blast so far and we cant wait to share some pics and video from the event. later tonight well be giving our reviews of several horror films premiereing so enjoy the pics and check back soon for updates and reviews soon. Here's a few observations so far...

1. Everybody here is a filmmaker. Talking loudly about it in line doesn't impress anyone.

2. It's gonna take a while to get the smell out of this place.

3. Hot chicks and free stickers are a good mix.

4. Forty year old guys with anime chicks are not a good mix.

5. Once again, Everyone here is a filmmaker. Talking loudly about it in the lobby is not gonna impress anyone.

6. the bathtub here is huge...

Between the Scenes

2008-02-20T20:34:00.000-08:00

Segment from the second season of Between the Scenes (www.btstvshow.com), a weekly program on Austin Community Access Television which covers the independent filmmaking community in central Texas. Directed by Christian Cisneros, "Five" was produced as a segment for a larger project shot around the world that will include five different productions to make one feature-length movie to be released this year in Australia.

Toshiba quits HD DVD business

2008-02-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

TOKYO - Toshiba said Tuesday it will no longer develop, make or market HD DVD players and recorders, handing a victory to rival Blu-ray disc technology in the format battle for next-generation video.

"We concluded that a swift decision would be best," Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida told reporters at his company's Tokyo offices.

The move would make Blu-ray — backed by Sony Corp., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which makes Panasonic brand products, and five major Hollywood movie studios — the winner in the battle over high-definition DVD formatting that began several years ago.

Nishida said last month's decision by Warner Bros. Entertainment to release movie discs only in the Blu-ray format made the move inevitable.

"That had tremendous impact," he said. "If we had continued, that would have created problems for consumers, and we simply had no chance to win."

Warner joined Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Co. and News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox in that move.

Nishida said his company had confidence in HD DVD as a technology and tried to assure the estimated 1 million people, including some 600,000 people in North America, who already bought HD DVD machines by promising that Toshiba will continue to provide product support for the technology.

Both HD DVD and Blu-ray deliver crisp, clear high-definition pictures and sound, which are more detailed and vivid than existing video technology. They are incompatible with each other, and neither plays on older DVD players. But both formats play on high-definition TVs.

HD DVD was touted as being cheaper because it was more similar to previous video technology, while Blu-ray boasted bigger recording capacity.

Only one video format has been expected to emerge as the victor, much like VHS trumped Sony's Betamax in the video format battle of the 1980s.

Nishida said it was still uncertain what will happen with the Hollywood studios that signed to produce HD DVD movies, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation.

Toshiba's pulling the plug on the technology is expected to reduce the number of new high-definition movies that people will be able to watch on HD DVD machines. Toshiba Corp. said shipments of HD DVD machines to retailers will be reduced and will stop by end of March.

Sales in Blu-ray gadgets are now likely to pick up as consumers had held off in investing in the latest recorders and players because they didn't know which format would emerge dominant.

Despite being a possible blow to Toshiba's pride, the exit will probably lessen the potential damage in losses in HD DVD operations. Goldman Sachs has said pulling out would improve Toshiba's profitability between 40 billion yen and 50 billion yen ($370 million-$460 million) a year.

The reasons behind Blu-ray's triumph over HD DVD are complex, as marketing, management maneuvers and other factors are believed to have played into the shift to Blu-ray's favor that became more decisive during the critical holiday shopping season.

Once the balance starts tilting in favor of one in a format battle, then the domination tends to grow and become final, said Kazuharu Miura, an analyst at Daiwa Institute of Research in Tokyo.

"The trend became decisive I think this year," he said. "When Warner made its decision, it was basically over."

With movie studios increasingly lining up behind Blu-ray, retailers also began to stock more Blu-ray products.

Friday's decision by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the largest U.S. retailer, to sell only Blu-ray DVDs and hardware appeared to deal a final blow to the Toshiba format. Just five days earlier, Netflix Inc. said it will cease carrying rentals in HD DVD.

Several major American retailers had already made similar decisions, including Target Corp. and Blockbuster Inc.

Also adding to Blu-ray's momentum was the gradual increase in sales of Sony's PlayStation 3 home video-game console, which also works as a Blu-ray player. Sony has sold 10.5 million PS3 machines worldwide since the machine went on sale late 2006.

HD DVD supporters included Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp. and Japanese electronics maker NEC Corp.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 game machine can play HD DVD movies, but the drive had to be bought separately, and Nishida said about 300,000 people have those.

Worldwide sales of personal computers with HD DVD drives total about 300,000 worldwide, including 140,000 in North America and 130,000 in Europe, he said.

Recently, the Blu-ray disc format has been gaining market share, especially in Japan. A study on fourth quarter sales last year by market researcher BCN Inc. found that by unit volume, Blu-ray made up 96 percent of Japanese sales.

Sony said it did not have numbers on how many Blu-ray players had been sold globally.

Toshiba's stock slipped 0.6 percent Tuesday to 824 yen after jumping 5.7 percent Monday amid reports that a decision was imminent. Sony shares climbed 2.2 percent to 5,010 yen after rising 1 percent Monday.

Also Tuesday, Toshiba said it plans to spend more than 1.7 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) for two plants in Japan to produce sophisticated chips called NAND flash memory, which are used in portable music players and cell phones. Production there will start in 2010.

By YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer

Christian Cisneros' Demo Reel

2008-02-17T19:21:00.001-08:00

Check out my Demo Reel. New one coming soon.

Judyth Piazza Chats with Director, Christian Cisneros

2008-02-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

The American Perspective is a cutting edge radio program full of information and inspiration. It is intended to help people succeed in life. Each week the American Perspective features celebrity guests from across the Nation. Here is the one I was talking about:

Judyth Piazza chats with Christian Cisneros, Krampus

also Check out these sites:

www.krampusthemovie.com
www.myspace.com/krampusthemovie

Caught in the Act - 2007

2008-02-17T18:55:00.000-08:00

Here is an article i am in from the SXSW edition of Caught In The Act. The story was written by Sarah Garza. Enjoy....

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