Thursday, June 20, 2013

Makin' Moobies

Over at our house, we've been making a movie.

No, really.

It's hard work. Plus when you're finished, you have to fill all the holes.

The film, called "Strong Love," is scary and romantic. The black & white photos are stills from the film, which stars Jeff Elam and Karen Zumsteg (both pictured) and is directed by my husband, John Sandel.

This week, we shot at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum in Altadena. I love this place. Really. I know it's a cemetery, but wow.

If you've got to die, you want folks to put you here.

This door is my favorite thing in the Mausoleum. And upstairs, there's a rooftop crypt I like.

We also shot out on the grounds. Left to right: Elvis Metcalf, Assistant Director; Marilyn Morris, Sound Designer; John Sandel, Director; Wael Shukha, Director of Photography (here with his Steadicam rig); Glen Silva, Assistant Camera (his site's not finished but you gotta love his url), and Rosemary Stevens, who is, as we say in the business, "talent."

   
Our crew consisted of seasoned pros as well as newbies, all of whom were amazing to work with, a supportive and professional group. Also thanks to Andrew Boyle, Eric Michael Kochmer, Greg Bell, Whit Spurgeon, and Chris Frederick. You guys made it a wonderful day. More pictures on Facebook.

26 comments:

TheChieftess said...

Sooo LA noir!!! Love the stills...very dramatic...
something tells me someone bites the dust in this one!!!

Shell Sherree said...

Very atmospheric! I'm guessing there's no Boz cameo in this particular work.

Petrea Burchard said...

And wait 'til you see that shot, Chieftess.

Although on previous shoot days, Shell, I have held the job title of "dog wrangler," the point was to keep Boz out of the movie.

Katie said...

Excellent post! Great fun getting a glimpse of all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making a movie. Looks like you've got a great crew. And the stills are little works of art themselves!

Ms M said...

Great post! Looks like such creative fun. I love the stills.

Greg Bell said...

Great shots, P.

Anonymous said...

Show me the movie! Maybe a screening at Mountain View?

Bellis said...

The photo of the light in front of the painted ceiling is absolutely terrific. What a great place for movie making, Where did you get the coffin from?

LOLfromPasa said...

Super collection, Petrea, that certainly got my attention when I spotted it on FaceBook :). (I like that door too.)

Petrea Burchard said...

I've already made a couple of (witty) comments that have disappeared. Google is messing with me.

A couple of things: no Boz in the movie, sorry! He's too much of a scene-stealer.
Karin, I love your idea of a screening at Mountain View and will tell John about it. It might be possible.
The coffin belongs to Mountain View. They are very accommodating to filmmakers and have several to choose from that are set aside for that purpose.

The cemetery is approximately 125 years old, and as it's illegal to bury a human body in Pasadena, it's filling up with the dead of both Altadena and Pasadena. Film crews are part of Mountain View's business and they do it very well.

Petrea Burchard said...

The door is heavy (iron and glass with a brass handle), and makes an echoing noise when you open and close it.

The Mausoleum seems endless. At first glance it looks like just a couple of hallways, but when you start exploring you get deeper into its quiet corners. A marvelous place.

Latino Heritage said...

What AH wrote. Wise choice re: Boz. Although the title of the film would seem to reflect the Boz and his humans relationship.

Latino Heritage said...

What AH wrote. Wise choice re: Boz. Although the title of the film would seem to reflect the Boz and his humans relationship.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

John had some really beautiful photos on his FB page - two in particular that I thumbs upped

Petrea Burchard said...

The stills from the shoot are especially fine. We've had more than one director of photography, so I'm not sure who shot each one, though John's been the director from the beginning!

dive said...

When can we see the finished movie, Petrea? Your teaser looks great.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm not sure, Dive. We still have a couple of shots to do (a partial shoot day), then there will be the final editing, sound, and music.

Unknown said...

How exciting and I agree with AH and Roberta - a screening at Mtn View would be oh, so perfect!

Beautiful shots of the interior of Mtn View, too. Most of Scott's relatives are buried there.

Petrea Burchard said...

Wouldn't that be lovely, Lori? I mean that in both ways: the screening, and to be buried there. Not that I'm in a hurry. I mean, I'm in a hurry for the screening, but...

Dina said...

Very very cool, the whole thing!

Desiree said...

Fabulous

Adele said...

I, too, am in a hurry to get to that cemetery. To see the movie, of course!

Unknown said...

Very cool, Petrea! Hope I can see the movie when it's done. :-) And that ceiling is just amazing.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, you all. We're excited.

Gunn said...

Great images!
You must have a great time!

HaPpY Summer!!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Gunn! We do have a great time. We wear ourselves out, too!