BEHIND THE SCENES: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

This entry was posted on 1/22/2007 4:08 PM and is filed under production.

On this night to remember, we filmed in the courtyard of the Pima County Consolidated Courthouse on a cold January night for the scenes where Lionel is led into the stronghold of the Diseased where Victor The Butcher intends to crucify him. With more than seventy Actors and Performers creating the brutal celebration of catching "The Devil", ODAIKO SONORA provided the Taiko War Drumming with Performance Artist Tou'Renee laying some serious mojo on Lionel as he is paraded past the jeering crowd of Diseased, punctuated with firebreathing and the hypnotic Poi Fire Performances of ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY, directed by Todd Bedinotti.

When we began filming at 7:30 PM, the first take took everyone by surprise with the thunderous energy put out by the crowd that absolutely rocked Downtown Tucson. The atmosphere was like some crazy, frenetic rock concert that was the experience of a lifetime. I've worked on a lot of low-budget independent films in Los Angeles but I've never seen anything like this outside of a big Studio picture. By the time we wrapped at 9:50PM, we had filmed some of the most epic scope scenes ever filmed in Tucson for the cost of renting the light tower, two patio heaters and a bunch of hot New England clam chowder to warm everyone back up to room temperature after filming, when everyone went back to the staging area at ARTFARE's Area 51.

SOUTHWEST AMBULANCE provided on-set Emergency Medical Technicians with an ambulance standing-by, just in case there were any unforseen problems. As always, everything was planned to the degree where there were no injuries or mishaps so everyone could go home smiling with the satisfaction of having participated in what will likely remain standing as one of "The Last Man" movie's most memorable scenes, and one of the most memorable scenes ever filmed in Downtown Tucson besides our huge Presidio Gun Battle scene.

THANK YOU to everyone involved! Set security was air-tight as always under the supervision of Tommy Maguire, for everyone to enjoy another great night of filming. You all continue to set the bar higher for independent film with every filming day you go above and beyond anything even done before in Tucson and continue to demonstrate that the impossible is really possible, even without a budget when there is this much GREAT TALENT in Tucson.

With the eyes of Los Angeles filmmakers upon us and the eyes of filmmakers in many other countries blown away by what we've all accomplished here, you're a huge part of helping me and Gabi finally getting Tucson on the Indie map in a meaningful way. You can't make an independent feature like this without a ten million dollar budget anymore, packed with this much production value anywhere else in the world besides Tucson.

With the help of Tucson's Arts Organizations, the support of our local Corporate and Commercial Enterprises and the talent of many Creative Individuals in Tucson film backed up by the support and help of Pima County and the City of Tucson, we've managed to produce one of the largest scope, micro-budget epics in independent film right here in Tucson. We couldn't have achieved this anywhere else besides Arizona.

Below are some behind the scenes photographs of this night to remember:

More than 75 people arrived at the staging area at Area 51 to be put through FX makeup.
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra, FX Makeup Artist Matthew "Bones" Copley and Lead FX Makeup Artist Danny Hernandez working their way through the makeup for our army of Diseased.
Our Diseased Actors standing in line for their turn in the makeup chair.
Our Diseased Actors standing in line for their turn in the makeup chair.
Our Diseased Actors waiting for their turn in the makeup chair.
Actors Gary McGaha and Steve Adelson from the "Siberia" scenes waiting for their turn in the makeup chair.
"Hospital" scenes Actors Denise Blum, Teresa Shade, Renata Caspers, Roy Patterson and Donavan Baker.
Everyone pitches in to move the propane set heaters into Actress Liz Haro's truck.
Everyone pitches in to move the propane set heaters into Actress Liz Haro's truck.
Performance Artist Tou'Renee between ODAIKO SONORA's Karen Falkenstrom and Rome Hamner on set.
Our crowd of Diseased Actors on set by one of the fire pits in the Pima County court yard.
EMT's Jason Sullivan and Megan Humphries of SOUTHWEST AMBULANCE on hand for assistance.
Performance Fire Jjuggler Danny Borrego practices on set between takes.
Asstiant Director Paul Adkins and Actress Teresa Shade help Star Santiago Craig get onto his cross.
Star Santiago Craig gets tied to his cross by Assistant Director Paul Adkins and help from Actress Teresa Shade.
James Arnett and A.D./"B" Camera Operator Justin Mashouf discuss the next scenes to be filmed..
B.A. Loya, Joey Hernandez and Vernice Robles-Barker await filming for the next scenes.
Diseased extras waiting for filming the next scenes at the courthouse courtyard.
Diseased extras taking a break on set at the courthouse courtyard.
Karen Falkenstrom, Tou'renee and Rome Hamner performing for the talent extras on set.

Fire performer Michelle Baas of ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY.
Cast and Crew await their cue to perform for the camera.
Cast and Crew await their turn to perform for the camera.
A.D. /"B" Camera Operator Justin Mashouf getting instuctions above the noise from James Arnett.
Actors Greg Cornwell and Lynne Korff taking a break between takes.
The "Diseased" warming up by the fire pits between takes.
A.D./Camera "B" Justin Mashouf observing KGUN videographer Alfonso Sahagun getting coverage Cast and Crew.
The "Diseased" taking a break between takes of filming.
The procession of 75 Actors and Performers were on hand to make this scene one of Tucson's largest action scenes to date for any film.
Actors and Performers getting ready to roll for the cameras.
Taking a break between filming.
Performance Artist Tou'renne taking a break between filming.
Director James Arnett, A.D./"B" Camera Justin Mashouf and Assistant Director Paul Adkins.
Alfonso Sahagun of KGUN capturing images over the shoulder of Director James Arnett.
A.D. Paul Adkins is giving instructions on the bull horn as he is captured on camera by Alfonso Sahagun.
Lights! Camera! Action! Cast and Crew perform for the camera as James Arnett gets close ups.
ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY perform for the Actors during filming for the scenes in the movie.
Overhead view of the procession with the Cast and Crew in line during a break.
Actor Julio Garcia smiling out of character as "Victor the Butcher" during a break in filming.
Overhead view of Cast and Performers during a break in filming.
Cast and Performers getting ready for their cue to fire it up for the camera.
Overhead view of the procession on set at the courtyard.
Bruce Woodruff of City of Tucson on set enjoys filming this evening.
Bruce Woodruff watches the action during filming.
Peter Rathke, Megan Humphries and Jason Sullivan enjoy the action during filming.
Star Santiago Craig in warpaint make up takes a break from the action on set.
Taking a break during filming.
Karen Falkenstrom, Tou'renee and Rome Hamner keeping warm on set during a break.
Fire Performer Kristen Schekel, Actors Greg Cornwell and Lynn D. Korf keeping warm by the fire..
Actors keeping warm by the fire pit during a break in filming.
Actor Roy Patterson in FX make up on set waiting for the next cue to perform for the camera.
Actor Roy Patterson in FX make up giving Producer Gabriele Andres a mean "look" for the still camera.
Not quite sure if this cute dog was part of the evening's performance.
Actor Armando Franco assisting Star Santiago Craig for the next scene.
Actors Armando Franco and Fausto Olmos before the cue to perform is called to drag Star Santiago Craig through the crowd.
James Arnett getting ready to film along with a.D./"B" Camera Operator Justin Mashouf.
James Arnett capturing images of Fire Performer Todd Bedinotti of ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY.
ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY perform for the cameras during this sequence in action.
Lonnie Nelson of ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY awaits his cue to perform for the action in this scene.
Director James Arnett says:"Can you believe this?" to Producer Gabriele Andres during a break.
James Arnett giving thanks all around to the Performers and Actors.
Space heaters provided warmth to the Actors and the Performers that evening.
James Arnett gives Thanks to everyone performing that evening during a break in filming.
Actresses Madison Elsnor and Carol Elsnor in FX make up take a break during filming.
A.D./"B" Camera Operator Justin Mashouf cleaning his camera during a break in filming.
Actor Armando Franco, Stunt Coordinator Rober Linden and Actor Fausto Olmos await their cue.
Enjoying a laugh between takes. Stuntwoman Dominque Borrego, Actor Armando Franco, Stunt Coordinator Robert Linden and Actor Fausto Olmos.
Stuntwoman Dominique Borrego talks to Actor Julio Garcia and FX Supervisor Frank Guerra during a break.
A.D. Paul Adkins adding fuel to the cauldrons before the next scenes for filming.
ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY Director Todd Bedinotti with Fire Performers Tracy Anderson and Lonnie Nelson.
James Arnett sets the camera settings for the next filming sequence on the steps to the second level at the Pima County Courthouse.

ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY's Todd Bedinotti and Lonnie Nelson getting ready to blow fire directly to the camera POV.
James Arnett overlooking the entire crowd scene.
Actor Julio Garcia in the center of the crowd right after the scene is called a "cut".
James Arnett filming the crowd scene below.
Rome Hamner of ODAIKO SONORA speaks with James Arnett as AMSOG's Ben Psalms looks at the drums set up for the scene.
FX Makeup Artist Danny Hernandez touching up the Diseased during a break in filming.
Actress Liz Haro underneath the heaters during a break in the action.
Star Santiago Craig stands next to his parents, Diane & Kent Craig who came on set to see their son.
Actor Rogelio Rogel speaking with Actor Paco Vilaro and Actor Michael Hojjatie during a break in filming.
ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY perfoming for the cameras during this sequence.
James Arnett coordinating the next scenes to be filmed.
A.D./"B" Camera Operator Justin Mashouf and James Arnett discuss safety issues with E.M.T.'s Megan Humphries and Jason Sullivan before the next scenes.
A.D./ "B" Camera Operator Justin Mashouf getting close up views of ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY's Todd Bedinotti and Lonnie Nelson.
James Arnett and Justin Mashouf getting close ups of Fire Performers Lonnie Nelson and Todd Bedinottie.
ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY provided great fire perfomances for these scenes in the movie. Thank you.
Tracy Anderson, Kristin Schekel and Michelle Baas of ELEMENTAL ARTISTRY watching the action captured on camera.
Richard Barker of the City's Parks and Recreation Department watching his daughter Actress Vernice Robles-Barker perform on camera.
 

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