Stories of what a film crew can do when left unsupervised, with several days off, on a distant location are legendary. This is not one of those stories. Recently I was working on a film in Shreveport, La., and with 4 days off due to circumstances beyond my control, got together with some of the other crew members and made a short film of our own.
[vimeo 8825229 w=500 h=282]
FULL CONTACT SCRABBLE from Jeff Gatesman on Vimeo.
I shot this film entirely with a canon 5D Mark II and grip and lighting equipment purchased from Home Depot. Our one prop was purchased at a swap meet for $7. Of course the film could not have been made without the great talents of our cast and crew, and a ready-made set.
The film was conceived and written by Nancy Breaux and myself, and we borrowed the strengths of our stunt coordinator, Gregory Brazzel, electric best boy, Ken Ballantine, key grip, Scott “Scooter” Hillman, set decorator, Mary Beth O’Connor, and location manager Kendrick Hudson. Our three actors were the stunt crew from the feature: Jennifer H. Cobb, Gregory Brazzel (stunt coordinator) and Tracy Thomas, who also wrote and recorded all the music for Full Contact Scrabble.
Sound for the film was recorded on the 5D using the built-in mic, which is less than desirable. Fortunately during post, 2-time Emmy-award winning sound designer Adam Johnston stepped in and trashed all of the location sound and replaced it with a mighty soundtrack complete with cicada’s, buzzing flies and the snapping gum that helps define Jennifer’s character.
If you liked the film, leave a comment for us. If you didn’t like it: what the heck is wrong with you?
Nancy Breaux: writer/producer
Gregory Brazzel: stunt coordinator
Ken Ballantine: gaffer
Scott, “Scooter” Hillman: Key Grip
Mary Beth O’Connor: set decorator
Kendrick Hudson: location coordinator
Ron King: location re-recording
Tracy Thomas: original music
Adam Johnston: sound design
cast: Jennifer H. Cobb, Gregory Brazzel and Tracy Thomas.
co-written, directed, shot and edited by Jeff Gatesman.
Watch it again in High Def:
Great now you have to go full feature..I know $ is no problem…glenn
Ahhahahah…..! Freaking hilarious! Love the new sound mix. Nice work everybody….
Nice work! It really looks awesome. What a great way to kill time. I loved the gal, she really knows how to take a punch.
Fun little short…. reminiscent of “My Name is Earl” genre.
Jennifer Cobb is awesome…that’s all I’m saying.
Funny concept, great acting and well put together. Great job.
Great job Jeff. I thought it was fantastic!
Love It! The sounds of the hitting were terrific and it actually made the Louisiana back country look like a nice place to be.
Great Job everyone! The finished product is AWESOME!
Matthew DeJacimo is at a loss of words. I guess that means you have another thumbs up Jeff.
Fantastic…mind if I ask what your Home Depot shopping list included?
Thanks Ed: we bought the small light above the table with a 5500 compact fluorescent, 3 small triangular furniture dollies for under the tripod legs and a smooth piece of pressboard to roll them on.
Thanks Jeff! 😀
me and my brothers would always love to play scrabble every weekend, `
;”- that seems to be a great topic, i really love it ‘*,