Wednesday was our second shooting day for the feature length film "Unspoken Heart."
I've known and worked with Daryl for years, beginning when Daryl starred as Mr. Big in the web series "Places Please" (the series Rodney Reyes, Rachel Skrod and I created years ago - Check it out!).
Since then, Daryl has become an accomplished writer and director. I've worked on several of Daryl's projects, including his Off-Broadway play "The Very Thought of You," and several shorts. Recently, Daryl completed his first feature length film, "Fists of Love," which has screened at several film festivals. The next screening will be on September 21st at DCTV, 87 Lafayette Street in NYC as part of the Viva! Latino Film Festival.
A few years ago, Daryl asked a few friends, including me, to read a short film script that he wrote. The short involved a love triangle among three long time friends. The other actors were Brian Pollock and Frances Lozada. The short was shelved when Fists of Love entered production. As well as acting in the movie, Brian was the writer of Fists of Love, while Frances was the lead.
Anxious to work on a new project, Daryl contacted us this past Spring to revisit his short film, "Unspoken Heart." Daryl had made some rewrites, added a new character and fleshed out the story. At the time, my Summer schedule was wide open and I wanted to work on something as well, especially if the project was lead by and included my friends.
Plus, Daryl enlisted Rodney and the Fictional Films crew to produce and shoot the film. As always when making films with little to no money, having a crew with flexibility and adaptability is a prerequisite. At this point in our careers, knowing how to shoot guerrilla style is as important as having a good script and enthusiastic actors. Also, a sense of humor helps.
After the reading, the cast discussed the script with Daryl and Rodney, the changes, our schedules and eventually wound up talking about our desires of what we would actually do with script. Most of us agreed that there was enough material in this short to expand the material, and I think at one point Daryl even mentioned that the end goal was to turn this short into a feature length. Our response was why can't we turn this into a longer film, now?
Or, I guess the bigger question was, with all that we've learned and done over the years and accomplished are we able to make a feature length film with next to no money? Can we rely on each other, tricks, the equipment we have, and the desire to make something? The questions were not new. Ever since Rodney and I acted in our first show together, years ago, we've been asking ourselves similar questions. Every project, short film, mini-documentary, music videos, interviews, etc., was an experience to add to the bag of tricks to see if we could shoot a quality feature length without a large production as a foundation.
Daryl went home and over the next few weeks expanded the script to a feature length.
The production was off and running.
In the middle of July, we got together to shoot the movie poster and announce the new project.
The last Sunday in July was our first official shooting day an absolutely lovely mid-summer afternoon. We shot one scene, a happy moment within the movie where the friends go to a park for a picnic. The location was in Astoria Park, in Astoria Queens along the East River. Although a busy day for the park, we were able to claim a small piece of the park without too much inteference.
In only a few instances were our shots ruined! For example, a few bad takes of random people walking unknowingly (we hope) through the back of the shot. Every 15 - 20 minutes the LIRR rambled overhead to deaden our sound. While we were setting up only 30 yards away from our set an outdoor wedding took place that included a mariachi band.
Overall, the first shooting day was a lot of fun and a great way for all of us to get used to each other and the process.
The schedules for all of us began to fill up for the Summer. Rodney has a few other projects, and I did some other acting work. So, the next shooting day came a few weeks later.
The second shooting day began at a diner in downtown Newark. A friendly environment and fantastic looking set, the diner ended up creating other problems and headaches. The restaurant never fully closed down. So extra noise coming out of the kitchen posed a problem for a couple of takes as well as music blaring out of a radio. But, ever the professionals, we persevered.
The scene in the diner was great for acting exercises. Brian, playing my best friend, was working through bad news, while trying to sell me on escaping the city for a weekend getaway. My character, hung over and craving solitude works though his own misgivings. Not exactly the scene from Michael Mann's Heat with De Niro and Pacino, but I think Brian and I did good work!
From there, the whole unit shifted production to Alphabet City in Manhattan to shoot a scene on the roof of my apartment building. In Manhattan, Frances joined us. Again, another quick scene that moves the plot along for other deeper moments in the movie.
Originally, the idea was to break for dinner before shooting on the roof, however the look of an absolutely beautiful late summer evening with the sun setting was irresistible. On the roof, Daryl and Rodney worked out the shots, while Bryan, Frances and I rehearsed. Then, quickly and efficiently, we worked through the various shots of the scene.
The crew broke down the equipment on the roof and we headed to dinner at a local pizzeria.
One quick scene was left to shoot for the second shooting day. After dinner, Brian and Frances left and most the crew headed home. Daryl, Rodney and I headed into the subway. We caught a nearly empty J train heading down town and quickly worked through the necessary takes. Waiting for the downtown subway and then turning around and waiting for the Brooklyn bound J took longer than the actual shooting of the scene.
As I stated earlier, a big part of shooting is being adaptable and flexible. Fittingly, the last scene of the day broke down to the essentials: an actor, a camera, and the writer with an idea. Rarely is filmmaking more basic.
A long day, to be sure, but the day never felt like work. Being around Daryl, Rodney and everyone else in the cast and crew made the day pass quickly pass. As a director, Daryl provides a very grounded and clear environment. I feel completely free and secure to attempt to do my best work. I'm sure that level of confidence not only comes from years of working together, but also from working with enough people with different styles that at this point I recognize my own comfort zone. Over the years, I think Rodney and I are in agreement that when there's little to no money involved, the least that can be done is to create a welcoming and positive atmosphere.
I'm not sure when the next shooting day is. We still have a lot of ground to cover, but keep checking in for updates.
Brian and I working at the beginning of our scene
Another moment between friends
Daryl studying the scene
A shot of the crew, while filming in Newark. You can see Rianna Ronquillo entering the scene as the waitress.
Brian and me working, the top of my head in the mirror.
Looking over my should while rehearsing lines.
Setting up Brian's close up before I walk into the shot. Dominic Mistretta behind the camera.
The actors and director going over the scene while the sun sets.
Rodney and Daryl preparing the next shot
Jasmine Freeman working on the difficult task of getting sound while on a rooftop in NYC.
Rianna slating... for the shot over my shoulder
Rodney and Daryl watching Brian and me rehearse the scene.
A quiet moment between Frances and me.
Frances and Brian on the first shooting day in Astoria park.
Daryl discussing the scene with Brian, Frances and Mariana Cardenas.
Mariana, Brian and Frances, having a moment.
Bruno Ferriera doing the sound on the first day of production
I'm actually supposed to be holding site lines for the actresses.
Rodney and Daryl going over the shot list.
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