Tucson Summer Project: Star Wars Fan Film???

I'm thinking about making a Star Wars fan film this summer. There's this little tiny piece of me missing since may 18th... and I need more star wars to fill it. So, I'm thinkin' why not make a star wars movie right? right... If your interested, keep reading, if not, well... stop reading. Anyways, I'm thinkin' new characters, completely original, and since this is tucson, this movie might as well be placed on tattoine or something, maybe even an unknown system. Basically, the only Ideas I have right now for the story are that two friends, raised as jedi on coruscant(this being some 2000 years before Ep. 1) are like brothers train togather until they are about 17-18, then after their ship is brought down upon an unknown world(tucson) by a war over head, the brothers are seperated and one of them, probably named Drim Kairist, is tempted by a Sith lord. When he returns his friend, senses something different about him. they skirmish over Drims newfound Ideals and then part ways, neither wishing to kill the other. The two boys aren't the only ones who landed on the planet, along with them is a score of jedi(all should be played by older roles) and a few diplomats from the republic. Unknown to them a few sith squads were deployed to kill the survivors. You can kinda get the Idea from there... Drim continues to return to his new sith master becoming an apprentice. the rest of the story will include the jedi struggling with the sith detachments and the two friends trying to resolve their conflict.. I'm thinking of adding a love story in there, but not sure yet. Contact me if you have any questions, or are interested in being a part of this.

 

I?m extremely interested in making a film...But as a suggestion I'm not sure on your screenplay idea. I think it has been done a bit much.

I know it?s a big theme in the genera for the old light vs. dark plot. I think we should think of something more unique. Some other antagonist struggle other than the known, and exploited, "Ls" VS "Ds".

Maybe a more political theme? Still have Jedi but instead of their own internal dilemma and a few saber fights we could see the Jedi as the diplomatic peacekeeping role that has been talked and hinted about but not really explored. Possibly a negotiation between 2 planets and Jedi are there to mediate. A possible assassination attempt by a hired force adept assassin? The Jedi instilling the council?s political views on these planets in secret? I?m up for anything and Id love to wield a light saber in film. I?m just thinking something else to make our film something new and interesting. Please write me here or email me (mrbimble69@cox.net) if you are really interested in something. Don't get my hopes up!!

 

If this dosn't happen then I'm just getting MY hopes up, I'm completely serious about this, and I was thinkin' after we get enough people on the "team" then we'd all sit down togather and go over a rough draft.

I like the politics Idea, but I was still hoping to include the best friends, cause beyond the whold light vs. dark is the struggle in the tempted friend, I'm thinkin' of adding scenes that clue to the friend wanting to remain a jedi for his friend and what feels right, but is too convinced that the republic is evil by the Sith lord. And I was thinkin' the reason they even end up on this planet is because the Jedi were escorting diplomats back to their homeworld from Coruscant. Then they come out of hyperspace unexpectedly(sp?) and find themselves in the midst of a battle between the republic and a sith armada. Their cruiser is shot down by some stray fire, and they crashland on the unknown planet. and... well you kinda get the rest, so the whole time the Jedi's sole mission is to protect the Diplomats...

About the weilding the lightsaber part... just about any one who plays one of the jedi's get's to cut down some sith... :-D

I'm mainly lookin' for 1 or two more teens to play some Jedi other than the friends, and then about 10 or so people to play the rest of jedi, favorably 25+ years old.

 

I can imagine several of us would like to attempt this.. my son takes acting lessons and does so simply because he has dreamed of being in a star wars movie forever.. now if I explain to him this is not the REAL thing.. he would I imagine still be interested.. he is ten yrs old.

 

Awesome, I'm sure he could be a young jedi aboard the ship for training purposes or something. If he's taking classes he might want to go to my agency and they might sign him, it's called Elizabeth Savage Talent. So yeah, check that out, and does this mean I can't count you two for the movie?

 

as long as we are in town and available when you do it.. yes.. would be fun.

 

That's awesome, we do need a lot of older people though, anyone who reads this should tell their friends about.

 

You can count on me. As long as I believe in the work I'm fully supportive. I just don't want it to be another "saber slash and hack" ya know...something with a little substance. We can get enought people easily. Once the ball gets rolling on both the fan group and the film we will have plenty of support.

The other side of things... what about equipment? Did you have pre-connections? Do we need to recearch rental possibilities?

 

i've got the DV camera covered, and I'm planning on add the lightsaber/blaster/other effects in myself after shooting is done, and depending on shooting conditions, I might also consider some voice overs... all of this i could do myself(I'd obviously need the actors for the voices though) and the only thing I'd need is lightsabers, I'm thinkin' when we all sit down with a script I'll give the actors some control over their costumes and lightsabers. The only thing we'll really need is a few props that can be easily purchased, or even donated.

 

oh yeah, count me in too! ^_^

 

Okay, whoops... so that first post by Drim_Kairist was actually me, I didn't see that he was logged in instead of me.. (I was at my friends house) just Imagine that I said that

 

Alrighty, sounds like we have somewhat of a start. Could get exciting!

 

Here's a good idea of the characters, if you see something that would fit you go ahead and post a message expressing your interest. Keep in mind this list isn't final, if you have any Ideas, please tell me, and I'm still thinkin' about adding a love story to this, so if you have an Original Idea for that put in your two cents.

Characters-

Drim Kairist- Male padawan in his late teens. Light but logical attitude in the begining, but very serious, though confused after meeting with the Sith Lord.

Dek Æther- Male padawan, same age as Drim. He's very dedicated to the Jedi. Though he does not trust the republic, he hates the Sith even more. Everyone around him agrees he is bound for the rank of master.

Master Vrae- A member of the council sent to oversee the operation and to insure it's success. Fairly old.

Jedis- Just 4 Jedi sent on the mission. Age ranging from 25 to 45.

Oron Kaste- 10 year old Jedi Youngling, brought aboard the ship with 4 other promising younglings to expose them to real life situations. This youngling is especially vicious.

Younglings- 4 other children on the mission for further guidence and exposure.

Diplomats- 3 diplomats returning to Coruscant from trade negotiations on Naboo.

Sith- about 10 people to play sith ages 18 and up, not sure really, just whatever.

Darth Cascus- Drim's to be Sith Master, very morbid type about 60 years old. No known lair, usually found mediating on the side of a mountain.

 

No offence, but for a first project not only for yourself but for most of us that is a large list of characters and therefore would lead into a large production. Now I can?t speak for anyone else, but I can only input time and very minimal financial assistance. With that list of char. That?s going to be a pretty long production for a fan film and therefore costly both in time and money.

My question is what experience are we looking at? Are you looking to write/direct/produce/edit Etc. all? Are you looking for help? Do you have expertise already lined up? Let me feel what the plan is. What we are looking at in sense of timeline, both production and post-production? Have you started writing a screenplay?

I?m just trying to get an idea of what is going on. I am just one for being informed. Thanks

 

The simple answer? wing it.

 

"Wing it?" you say? Yikes! That is a scary answer. I?m thinking Winging it was never a option for GL. IF you have ever seen footage of him working he plans and plans before even thinking about going to a studio or even getting actors. The man had scripts for 6 movies before he even started production on one!

How do you expect to get support if your answer to the following...

"My question is what experience are we looking at? Are you looking to write/direct/produce/edit Etc. all? Are you looking for help? Do you have expertise already lined up? Let me feel what the plan is. What we are looking at in sense of timeline, both production and post-production? Have you started writing a screenplay?"

...Is "Wing it"?

Myself personaly have worked on a few small films before and there is no possibility, regardless of how small a production, can you fly by the seat of your pants.

Great you have some char. Idea and a few plot ideas. Now where? Without some structure who knows what will happen. No offence but my time is valuable to me. I cannot afford to be all free flowing with things. I bet there are others out there that don't have all the time in the world to be hanging around a set, waiting, and then watch it come to a screeching halt as the authorities shut it down because you forgot to go to the courthouse and get a on-location filming permit from the AZ motion picture department. Witch is required for any filming other than totally private (i.e. home movies,vacation stuff),put it on the web and it becomes semi-private to public domain. What about the other legal implication and necessary forms? What about sets? Sound? Transportation?

I?m not trying to be an ass. I'm just trying to have you think and give us something other than "Wing it".

 

I am hoping once we sit down to a draft meeting we can work on a lot of these issues we all have.. for me.. I am a female almost 38 yrs old... my son is ten.. and yes we are both extremely interested in doing this. I am of limited funds and talent for costuming.. but can do my best.. I am capable of making robes and tunics.. but harder with the more elaborate it gets.. and I do have to put my monthly bills in front of anything.. wish I could just go all out with money.. but I can't ... I am very much looking forward to all of this... I think it can be done.. just waiting for our first rough draft meeting to see what all we come up with.. I will be out of town until the 14th of June.. at least I leave on the 6th of June and back on the 14th.. are we looking at a definitive start date yet.. and are we looking at a timeline yet.. I am the odd one out.. most likely.. I am really better on weekdays than weekends.. I work a lot of hours on weekends and sleep is hard to come by.. so is this a hinderance.. Just asking some general questions to get an idea.. What area of town are you considering.. again all these are just questions for us to discuss..

Cathie

 

Sounds like an awesome Idea! If you need help with costuming, Jedi belts, sword techniques, ect let me know....If you have a part for me COOL!!!

 

hmm... lot's to respond to...

First, James, sorry, I don't intend on making it up on the set at all... I may not be on top of things, but I would still never attempt that. I've only got little bits and pieces of the story worked out, I just have to string it togather. I'm glad you brought up the legal stuff, I really have no Idea about that stuff, and if you could take care of that stuff, the paper work and ect. that'd be great, I'll back you if it costs anything, or you could just tell me how to get the permits. As far as sets go, I'm thinkin' about making this a major outdoors movie of course, and just about anything inside will be digital. I figure it'll be cheaper, unless anyone has an excess of lumber and paint sitting around. So the only set we would have to worry about is some green screen stuff. I've got the programs and what not to take care of all that. the sounds are the least of my worries. There are so many libraries of sounds online to cover anything we could dream up. And transportation is kind of one of those wing it things, try your best to be places, if you have trouble, we'll try to help.

Second, Cathie, If you're interested you could fill the role of a Jedi, or a Diplomat if you feel up to it. I pretty much wrote the Oron Kaste part for your son, if he's a good actor then there should be no problem with this and I might make his part a little bigger. If you could work on costumes that would be awesome, but we'll see the demand for them when we get there... also, try not to worry about money, I don't want this to cost that much and if anything I'll try to foot the bill as much as I can. I don't have a lot of financial necceseties so I can blow whatever money I get. The schedules can be worked out once we see who's all onboard with us. The part of town for the meetings I'm cool with whatever, I'm good as long as we're still in tucson. But as far as shooting goes I wanted to see if we could go somewhere outside of the city with a pretty clear horizon and nothing near us... but not too far, if we need to we could always carpool and stuff. Thanks for being excited!

Finally, Mugen, ANY help would be fantastic. I might have a part for you but you gotta tell me a little about yourself.

If everyone could do it I think a good first meeting should happen sometime maybe the 15th so Cathie can be there, or even this sunday if everyone can pull togather that soon. Location is up for discussion, as well as time.

 

does it require a lot of programs? I am kind of dense in this area.. so will a lot of the background take place in the editing room.. will we be more on green screen unless we are shooting outdoors.. do you have software to create space scenes and lightsaber duels? I myself think I would make a good diplomat.. as for my son.. he has not taken on a full scale role ever.. but was told in acting class that he has some major potential.. will just have to see how he does.. he is excited in any case.. though I have not fully informed him.. just in case it does not happen.

Look forward to more info and regular updates

 

I want most of the shooting to be outside, I don't want to explain alot on here, you guys will see when you see the rough draft. I do have the software for the lightsabers/Space/Greenscreen and what not, I'm only struggling with a way to add a ship in the background of the sceens on the surface... but that's all post production that we can do without, so I'll not worry about it for now.

 

Cat does live in a wide open area with awesome desert views, and hills and draws as well...I also know of an awesome place I took pictures of in Gold Canyon...(Apache Junction) neer the Ren Fair...there is alot of interresting rock formations, brush, and sandy plains...alot of vegitation, and looking on is the Superstition Mountains! If you want to see some of the pics I have shot, we need to set up a meet, that way you can make a better informed decision

As for me, I am CRAZY!! I wanted to be a stunt man..(too much FALL GUY) when I was a kid, and can handle myself in a lightsaber battle...I was trained lightly with Katana..you can also see some of my work..Sith/Jedi belts, gauntlets, shin guards..masks, stuff like that....well, here is my # 850-8814...we can make is a TFF affair, and make the meet an official meeting for the TFF!

 

it should be about how the sith realy started. maybe the first sith were jedi until a young jedi saw the errors in there ways and instead of joining the sith he creats a new group of people the jedi and that boys name is yoda. later

 

But the sith didn't make the stuff up, they followed the ways of a once brutal race of aliens called sith, and used their teaching along side with the power of the force.

 

Fan Films are alot of work. The Phoenix Fan Force has done an amazing job with their trilogy http://www.spiritsoftheforce.com/