As production nears an end, the filmmakers discover the magic in between the takes.
Behind the Attic Door - Episode 6 - Something Amazing Happens from The Attic Door on Vimeo.
A sudden flood destroys the roads leading to the exterior shooting location. In this episode of BEHIND THE ATTIC DOOR production is at it’s darkest and the filmmakers must rely on faith alone.
Behind the Attic Door - Episode 5 - Monsoon Season from The Attic Door on Vimeo.
A look into the production design of THE ATTIC DOOR and the friendship at it’s center.
Behind the Attic Door - Episode 4 - A Tale of Two Friends from The Attic Door on Vimeo.
You can follow along with Alex’s design journey by visiting his six part series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Alex Eastwood
Production Designer
Sixth part in a series. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Part 6,
We worked, and worked, and worked.
The future was unwritten and I was afraid of failing, of forgetting some detail, and of being revealed as an amateur. My alarm clock became obsolete by the second day. I was consistently waking up before 5AM each morning, and I would sit outside in the pre-dawn hours and pour over the script, shooting schedule, budget, props list, and construction blueprints to make sure I had everything accounted for. No stone could be left unturned.
The Art Department was working hard on the assignments I had given them, and they deserve a lot of credit for the final product. Filmmaking is a collaboration and there is no way I could have done all of this on my own. As they worked together on gathering props and set decorations, and Josh worked in the warehouse all day, everyday, I drove to every corner of southern Utah possible, making sure that we were always three steps ahead of production.
It gets worse before it gets better. Continue Reading »
Behind the Attic Door - Episode 2 - The Old Frontier from The Attic Door on Vimeo.
We are proud to present the very first episode of Behind the Attic Door.
Documentary filmmakers Chris Walker and Roman Safiullin have created seven episodes about a group of young filmmakers, on the verge of realizing their childhood dreams, who must journey to the desolate American West in order to realize their vision.
Please stay tuned to the blog every week for a new episode. Even more, help us spread the word. Link our video to other blogs, forums, and social network profiles (our facebook and myspace). Leave us reviews and ratings! Thanks for the unwavering support and we hope you enjoy.
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Behind the Attic Door - Episode 1 - A New Frontier from The Attic Door on Vimeo.
Alex Eastwood
Production Designer
Fifth part in a series. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
Part 5,
I remember a very long two days of driving from Orlando to Utah. This road trip was enjoyed by Bryce, the Line Producer, and myself, in an absurdly overpacked SUV. We split the driving duties, which I admit, Bryce drove more than I, and I read a book that I had purchased at a Good Will thrift store for 99 cents titled, Into The Wild. I am not trying to illustrate some underlying cosmic connection between my approaching adventure and this book, but the random timing of my reading, and the adventurous wanderlust of the book’s subject, coincided in such a way to make our filming in the Western desert mountains almost divine. I was nervous and thankful.
We arrived about a month before shooting and settled into our new home at the Parry Lodge. The rest of the Art Department arrived the following day and we immediately started having meetings and preparing for the unexpected, or at least, the unexperienced. Lack of communication will sink even the grandest of ships, so I had decided early on to have Art Department meetings everyday, and we collectively discussed what needed to get done, and who would be assigned what tasks.
Joshua Zeigler, the Construction Coordinator, showed up from Salt Lake City and the both of us got along immediately, which was good since we both were living in the same room for a month. While the rest of the Art Department was busy with their tasks, Josh and I delved into all the sets that needed to be built for the film. We poured over all the sketches, drafts and blueprints I had and started making a list of all the supplies we would need. This was the transition from concepts on notepads to thousands of dollars of lumber and tools. We became regulars at the local hardware store, and though the projects we were starting to undertake were massive, Josh always had a professional coolness, sense of humor and a realist’s point of view that instilled calmness. I was especially glad of this because Josh was literally going to be the only person building 95% of all our sets!
Feature filmmaking is an interesting creature. At first everyone is excited to make movies and willing to work long days with little recognition. However, what happens when you enter week two of an eight week process, with no day off in sight? What happens when you are just at the beginning of an enormous project and you’ve never felt so overwhelmed and alone in your life?
