BEHIND THE SCENES: THE MASS CREMATION PIT

This entry was posted on 10/3/2006 8:33 PM and is filed under production.

This weekend's shoot was another big production value day where all of our efforts paid off in gold footage on a scale seldom seen in a DV Indie picture. First, we were permitted to film on a fantastic location that is truly exotic, even for southern Arizona. Mike Smith, General Manager of CPC SouthWest Materials allowed us to film in their primary excavation site, under the safety supervision of Mr. Scott Hughes, Environmental and Safety Manager.

Many people don't fully understand how important this local business is to our local economy and how dramatically it has shaped the familiar face of Tucson for decades. We were extremely lucky to be able to enjoy filming at this site when operations were off this weekend. The "baked earth" effect on the soil from rainwater produced some of the deepest craqueleur patterns I have ever seen in nature - anywhere outside of Photoshop.

Once again, the professionals from the Arizona Mil-Sim Operations Group (AMSOG) joined us to provide a level of authenticity that even impressed the hell out of the off-duty National Guard who came down to play Corpse extras.

What stunned everyone was the arrival of the Humvee project truck that started life as a commercial GMC H1 Hummer that a gentleman in Mesa Arizona has been converting into a replica military vehicle that cost way more than our movie. You'll never notice what he made out of vacuum formed plastic that looks just like metal to the camera.

Besides filming the "Pit" scene, we also filmed the tree grove scene at the Golf Course (which, in the story, was excavated as a mass cremation pit) where we also served lunch. On this day, we made burritos, rice and black beans, with salsa and chips.

 
Assistant Directors Justin Mashouf and Paul Adkins behind G.M. Mike Smith of CPC SouthWest Materials and Mr. Scott Hughes on the right.
AMSOG team members Dan Tonkovich, Robert Pathammavong and Cody Baker in the staging area.
AMSOG team members Robert Pathammavong and Quinn Kavanaugh in the staging area.
Stuntman Garren Ard in the staging area, waiting for FX makeup application.
AMSOG team members Quinn Kavenaugh and Cody Baker in the staging area.
AMSOG team members Robert Pathammavong and Quinn Kavenaugh in the staging area.
AMSOG team members Dan Tonkovich and Cody Baker in the staging area.
AMSOG team members Robert Pathammavong, Nathan Bilbow and Quinn Kavenaugh in the staging area.
AMSOG team member Quinn Kavenaugh.
The AMSOG team, on set, in the "Pit".
FX Makeup Supervisor Frank Guerra setting up shop on the tailgate of a truck, on the floor of the "Pit".
Actor Mike Distel, B.A. Lugo watching Frank Guerra apply FX makeup to AMOSG's David Pathammavong.
FX Makeup Supervisor Frank Guerra applying FX makeup to AMSOG's David Pathammavong.
Stuntman and Actor Robert Linden called into FX makeup by Frank Guerra. Stuntman Garren Ard suited up in costume.
Stuntman and Actor Robert Linden in FX makeup, performed by FX Makeup Supervisor Frank Guerra.
FX Makeup Supervisor Frank Guerra applying FX makeup to Robert Linden.
Another angle of FX Makeup Supervisor Frank Guerra applying FX makeup to Robert Linden. with Actor B.A. Lugo waiting in line.
FX Makeup Supervisor Frank Guerra applying FX makeup to David Pathammavong.
Assistant Director Paul Adkins suits up to play an additional corpse.
Assistant Director Paul Adkins suited up to play an additional corpse on the baked earth floor.
Stuntman and Actor Robert Linden getting into costume.
Actor Santiago Craig arriving on set in his new combat boots.
The foundations of most of Tucson's homes and public works were "born" from materials we were filming upon at the CPC SouthWest Materials production site.
It didn't escape me that we were filming the beginnings of our movie on the same site that also produced much of the materials that built our city.
AMSOG member Quinn Kavanaugh playing a National Guardsman overcome by plague.
James Arnett filming Quinn Kavanaugh from a different angle in the "Pit".
AMSOG member Quinn Kavanaugh between takes.
AMSOG members and the H1 Hummer conversion project we had trailered in for the shoot.It may not run but it looks as close to real as you can get.
A.D.'s Paul Adkins and Justin Mashouf with Michael Hojjattie gaffing the H1 Hummer for James Arnett.
A.D. Paul Adkins and Michael Hojjattie waiting to fly in the reflector at the right moment in the shot.
Stuntman and Actor Robert Linden about to get dragged out of the vehicle by Actor Santiago Craig.
James Arnett rigging the harness used to drag Stuntman and Actor Robert Linden out of the vehicle.
Stuntman and Actor Robert Linden with A.D.'s Justin Mashouf and Paul Adkins.
Converting a commercial H1 Hummer into a replica military Humvee is one hell of an expensive hobby. One big, gigantic THANK YOU TO WOODY!
A.D. Paul Adkins, James Arnett, A.D. Justin Mashouf, Michael Hojjatti photograph Santiago Craig next to a Corpse laying against the Hummer.
Actor Santiago Craig watching the column of smoke rise (which won't go in until Post Production).
James Arnett filming over the body of AMSOG team member Dan Tonkovich.
Paul Adkins, Nathan Bilbow and the AMSOG team playing Corpses strewn across the baked earth.
AMSOG team member David Pathammavong.
James Arnett filming Paul Adkins playing a military plague victim.
AMSOG team member Nathan Bilbow.
AMSOG team member Quinn Kavanaugh.
AMSOG team member Robert Pathammavong.
James Arnett filming AMSOG team member Cody Baker with Robert Pathammavong in the foregound
AMSOG team member Cody Baker
James Arnett filming AMSOG team member Cody Baker with the H1 Hummer in the background.
Assistant Director Justin Mashouf trims the sled balance on the Steadicam.
Assistant Director Justin Mashouf makes an adjustment to the Canon XL-2's menu settings.
James Arnett on the Steadicam in the "Pit".
Actor Santiago Craig during filming of the reveal plate shot at the tree grove that drops off into the Mass Cremation Pit.
Michael Hojjatti and Paul Adkins bouncing light onto Actor Santiago Craig while filming at the tree grove.
Assistant Director Paul Adkins and James Arnett checking footage before wrapping out of the tree grove.

 

  • 10/3/2006 9:27 PM Sandy Distel wrote:
    I wanted to say that the photos really look great. Mike Distel is my step-son and after FX Makeup he looks very professional. Mike has been having a lot of fund, and with the direction of James he is really learning a great deal. I want to thank Gabi and James for helping him to help learn about the FX. Thanks again.
    Reply to this
  • 10/7/2006 8:56 AM Big Edd wrote:
    The Troops look very real and very Dead in the pit.Movie Magic once again James.Looks Great!

 
 

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