Finally, Special Effects

While editing scene after scene of stagnant dialogue is reeeaaaalllllllyyy fun, I decided to skip to the scenes in 'Finding Genesis' that I was most excited about--the special effect scenes! Here is a vague tutorial on one way to make a crater like the one in 'Finding Genesis' (spoiler alert?).

Step 1: Record a field. If you're insane, don't put the camera on a tripod.

Step 2: Make the crater. But have your local water company mark the pipes first.

Step 3: Composite. Blend the crater using smoke and fire. If you don't have smoke and fire, go out and buy matches and lighter fluid. Start a small fire in your basement and go outside. Wait until the house burns down, then use the insurance money to purchase one of many online pre-keyed element packs which include smoke and fire, and After Effects!

4. With some finishing touches, your crater is ready and looks just like mine! I'll see you in court.

Finding Genesis teaser trailer

Was up all night animating this. Also have to get my money's worth out of the soundtrack. Enjoy.



An astronomer struggles to afford his fiance's life support when he discovers a message from an extraterrestrial intelligence. Starring Austin Mooney, Rob Tracy, & Joshua Preston.

Below the Line

With two years left of school, the looming question for me is: what's next? Go on to grad school, or immerse myself in the industry. The latter can be pretty dangerous if you don't know what the f**k you're doing, and the former can waste time and money. While it doesn't hurt to have a good reel of student films, it won't help you get into the DGA. For that, you need to start off as a Production Assistant and work your way up the ladder. How else are you going to learn what a lockup is or how to read a call sheet and fill out an Exhibit G? (Maybe by buying and reading THIS BOOK). They are certainly not teaching us that at school. So, thinking realistically, I should balance my own projects with finding opportunities to build a good resume. Anything that will make it easier for me to get that first PA job. The catch 22 is, you typically need PA experience to be hired as a PA. So, as of where I am, the best thing I can do is be involved in the works of grad students.

I jumped at the opportunity to work on the set of my former screenwriting TA, Avi Michaels, who is directing a project he wrote called 'The Whistleblower'. This was a great start. I learned a lot, got hands-on experience, and worked 14 hour days with 4 hours to sleep in-between. Our crafty was all vegan, so I got a taste for all the foods I love except made of beans. I've never felt healthier. Hell, even the apples were made of beans. Most importantly, I met a lot of new awesome people at and above my level who I hope will be future contacts. Networking and experience are worth more than a paycheck until I get my first "professional" gig. I'm not really sure how I would define "professional", since we did everything as professionally as possible in this production.

Thanks to Ryan and Turk for letting me crash at their place this past week, my mom for letting me use her car, and all the people involved in the production!

Save The Date!

Here is the time and date that my film, 'Waiting for Eternity', will be shown at the Interrobang Film Festival (Des Moines Art Festival). Friday, June 24th; 5:00 in Room 2. It will be the third of three short films being shown at that time. I hope to see you there! If you can't make it, watch it online here.

Here is the trailer I don't think I ever posted: