First Color Test

Here's my first stab at treating the look of the film. This is a Photoshop'd still that looks exactly like what I'd want from the final film - click the image to make it bigger. To see the sample I did (which doesn't quite match the subtleties of that still) click HERE.

Stills

"The Bet's" MySpace page has production stills and screen caps (with temp color correction) posted in the pics section. Check it out.

"The Bet" on the Interweb

In case you haven't seen, "The Bet" is being promoted on a couple of popular websites, including the previously posted YouTube.

The trailer is being shown on IFC's Media Lab.

Rubbersquare has a MySpace page which is promoting the film.

"The Bet" also has it's own dedicated MySpace page. The latter will be getting a serious overhaul in the coming weeks, including some stills and a few surprises.

There's also an Audience page on withoutabox.com for the film.

Promotion for the film will be popping up all over the interweb shortly to give it some exposure and gain interest. Again, a shameless plug for the forum, which is still in its infancy, but will be ramping up shortly. If you haven't joined yet, DO IT NOW. It's free and will get you in touch with others who've seen or heard about the film. It will be the place for discussion. I encourage everyone to join and discuss the film, filmmakers, etc.

Editing Continues

Taking cues from the first preview, more editing is being done. Somehow, trimming some stuff to tighten up various scenes (which dropped about 30 seconds from the running time), I've managed to add back in about 20 seconds - not exactly sure how that happened. The pace seems a bit more appropriate, but there is still a bit of work to be done. Tomorrow (maybe) will be a pre-screen of the 4th version of the cut with a few new eyes on it. Despite being in the middle of moving, I've managed to carve a few moments here and there to focus on the cut. I think it's getting better and more solid the more I work on it, but at some point I'll have to lock the picture and get to the task of finishing.

I've noticed a few chances to get the film seen by outside eyes prior to the intended CineVegas premiere and am trying hard to fight the impulse to release it early. I don't want to jump the gun, but it's getting difficult. I can't wait for it to be done and to have the VIP premiere. Anxious, excited (and more than a tad nervous) to let everyone see what's become of the few hectic weeks of shooting. Hopefully everyone will like it as much as I do.

First Responses to the Rough Cut v3

Screened the rough cut, version 3, to Matt, Chris and Kurt (and Chris' wife, Alex) and was I was shocked how positive the comments were. I was expecting much harsher criticisms, but in general it was relatively small things. Mainly, tightening up some of the dragging (no pun) moments. I had kept very strictly to the actual time (one minute in each room) which felt a bit slow at times. One minute is oddly long when there's not a lot of action. So a few trims and tightens and some other tweaks and I'll be at version 4 - which will get a fresh round of eyes to critique. Hopefully from that we'll be at a picture lock and finishing will commence.

Without a Box

To facilitate the film festival submission process, I registered at withoutabox.com. In addition they allow filmmakers to create an Audience page with details about the film that anyone can view and post comments to, etc. The link to that page is audience.withoutabox.com/films/rubbersquare-thebet. Go take a look.

oh fuck!

WOW! After a few little tweaks in the rough rough cut, I am LOVING the new rough cut, what I will proudly call the "Director's Cut." Amazing what a few stylistic touches can do. I can't wait to show it to the rest of the posse (Matt, Chris and Kurt) and get their feedback. Once all the finishing is done, this thing is going to freakin' rock! There are moments that, even after watching them a bazillion times still make me all quivery. Michelle and I watched it last nite and she was in total agreement. So I think any suggestions, etc. that the guys have can only enhance it. Plus a few things I still think need to be massaged. And of course getting the color fixed and adding the sound design (which is really a HUGE component). Never thought I'd actually be as happy with it as I am.

Assembly Edit of “The Bet” Complete

Director/editor Michael Dunn to screen the assembly edit for producer Matt Wilkinson, co-writer Chris Smith and director of photography Kurt Rauf.

Major Website Update

With the new hosting plan which allows unmetered traffic (finally) comes some new additions.

The trailer is finally on the website, nice and big and clean. Recommended for faster connections, but shouldn't bog down others too badly.

Updated bios in the bios section.

A revamped stills section (which has some work to be done, but is up in the interim). I'm going to be adding multiple ways of downloading the images, since right now the only option is to grab the hi-res RGB files all at once - which is a whopping 200MB download. Be patient. Options are coming, including adding CMYK files.

The site can be reached at either rubbersquare.com/thebet or thebet.rubbersquare.com

Plus, the forum is open (which links from the site and is accessible at forum.rubbersquare.com. Very limited right now, but this will be where you can not only discuss all things about the film (from cast to references to theories, etc.) but will also be where you can discuss all things Rubbersquare - which, aside from the movie, is right now limited to graphic design. Suggestions, comments, etc. appreciated.

Website is down

Upgraded the hosting plan to allow for more traffic. Should be up tomorrow.

Rough Cut is Done

Very rough. But maybe good? Screened it for my wife and it was difficult for her to be objective since she was there for the filming and laughed at some parts, just because she knew what had gone on during the shoot. On the whole, though, despite some lighting and sound issues, she thought it was pretty good. And I, watching it on a TV on DVD rather than on a computer screen, actually liked it better than I thought I would. Hard for me to be objective especially.

Hoping to make a few tweaks and screen it for a few other folks involved in the film to get it even tighter and better. Then, once we have a relatively locked cut, it's on to the finishing - which is where it will really take shape.