02 Dec 07
I've had a great many people asking me when the film will be finished. So, here's an update on my progress thus far.
I have approximately 96% of the film shot. I still have to re-shoot one interview, get footage at Fire Alarm, finish up the Ladder segment, work on one segment about DAC Mike Day and some other filler-footage and introduction shooting to do. That, in the grand scheme of things, is only about 4% of the film.
Now, I know that I said the film would be done in the fall... which is almost over. Then I said the film would be done in the Winter, which is fast approaching. At this point in time, I am going to say that my intended time for completion of the project is late February of 2008. The problem is that it is difficult to stay on schedule when trying to work with a great many conflicting schedules. With me working a regular, 40-hour per week job and trying to jam in shooting on Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes after work during the week, it's been insane. However, I somehow managed most of it already and that in and of itself is amazing.
The largest portions of the film - those being the ride-alongs and the interviews - are now all complete (except for the re-shoot, which will take 30 minutes). Once those things are done, I can go to post-production. The good news about post is that I pretty much have the whole thing edited in my head. I've reviewed the footage on numerous occasions and now it's just a matter of cutting it together.
That's where we stand and once again, my eternal thanks to the members of the Providence Fire Department who have given so freely of themselves for this project. It's been an incredible ride. As always, my thanks to the Executive Board of Providence Firefighters' IAFF Local 799 for their unwavering support - you guys are awesome.
02 December, 2007
Shooting the Stills
02 Dec 07
Poor Doughty... the things I put that man through! LOL I wouldn't necessarily say that he's camera shy, but I know it's not fun for him to pose for stills. Luckily, he and Fran have become friends and I'm sure that made it a little easier to deal with having to endure still shots.
So I made the guy get into his turnout gear and grab his helmet so we could take still shots of him on the Hazards. I could have gone over to Ladder 6 on Friday night and shot them there, but that just did not seem right to me. The guys who ride the Hazards ARE the Hazards. It would not have been an accurate depiction of him to shoot him at Ladder 6 and when I told that to Paul, he agreed. The Hazards is his home... just like the rest of the firefighters who are assigned to the truck. Most of the people on it have been there for years - because they love it. Okie, Chris Brown... it is WHO they are, not just their assigned truck.
Fran asked me what it was that I had in mind and I explained the shots that I was looking for. Of course, she got them right away (as always). Maybe my opinion is biased, but I'm sure I've got the best damned photographer on the planet for this job! Anyway, when we were through, the rest of the A-Group crew from the Hazards came down to the apparatus floor because they were getting ready for an air bag drill (practicing using special air bags that are used to lift heavy objects that people are pinned under). As we talked a little bit with Paul, he asked Fran if she would take a picture of the group together by the Hazards. Of course she said yes and they all gathered by the chauffer's side. Fran got a great shot of them and showed it to the guys - apparently they liked it very much.
Again, this is where something unexpected happened for me. As I watched these four men standing by the side of the Hazards and posing for Fran, I saw what Paul talked about during his interview. He told me about how the guys that he rides with are his brothers - "minus the blood bond", he told me. "We talk to each other pretty much every day, we live together at the station, we go to social functions, we even fight like brothers." I was able to see the bond between these Brothers and it was a wonderful thing to bear witness to. I'm proud that my best friend and photographer, Fran, was able to capture that moment.
Just another perk to taking on this incredible task of mine... gotta love it.
Poor Doughty... the things I put that man through! LOL I wouldn't necessarily say that he's camera shy, but I know it's not fun for him to pose for stills. Luckily, he and Fran have become friends and I'm sure that made it a little easier to deal with having to endure still shots.
So I made the guy get into his turnout gear and grab his helmet so we could take still shots of him on the Hazards. I could have gone over to Ladder 6 on Friday night and shot them there, but that just did not seem right to me. The guys who ride the Hazards ARE the Hazards. It would not have been an accurate depiction of him to shoot him at Ladder 6 and when I told that to Paul, he agreed. The Hazards is his home... just like the rest of the firefighters who are assigned to the truck. Most of the people on it have been there for years - because they love it. Okie, Chris Brown... it is WHO they are, not just their assigned truck.
Fran asked me what it was that I had in mind and I explained the shots that I was looking for. Of course, she got them right away (as always). Maybe my opinion is biased, but I'm sure I've got the best damned photographer on the planet for this job! Anyway, when we were through, the rest of the A-Group crew from the Hazards came down to the apparatus floor because they were getting ready for an air bag drill (practicing using special air bags that are used to lift heavy objects that people are pinned under). As we talked a little bit with Paul, he asked Fran if she would take a picture of the group together by the Hazards. Of course she said yes and they all gathered by the chauffer's side. Fran got a great shot of them and showed it to the guys - apparently they liked it very much.
Again, this is where something unexpected happened for me. As I watched these four men standing by the side of the Hazards and posing for Fran, I saw what Paul talked about during his interview. He told me about how the guys that he rides with are his brothers - "minus the blood bond", he told me. "We talk to each other pretty much every day, we live together at the station, we go to social functions, we even fight like brothers." I was able to see the bond between these Brothers and it was a wonderful thing to bear witness to. I'm proud that my best friend and photographer, Fran, was able to capture that moment.
Just another perk to taking on this incredible task of mine... gotta love it.
Finally!!! YAY!!!
30 Nov 07
I was finally able to shoot interviews with two Providence Firefighters today that I have very much been looking forward to - Paul Doughty and Kenny "Hoppy" Hoskin. Both are dear friends and both are guys whose stories I wanted to capture. I am absolutely elated about finally having the opportunity to shoot their interviews, both of which came out great.
I always enjoy the interview process, even though it can sometimes be emotionally draining. It amazes me every time I sit down and shoot an interview. It rarely goes as I anticipate it will... which is actually a good thing. It is especially interesting for me when I interview a person with whom I have become friendly and have a lot of interaction with. I don't always talk with them about their work, but during the interviews certain questions come up and they always answer - even if it is a touchy subject. It is those times when I usually see a side of my friends that I haven't seen before. So these interviews are always an opportunity for me to learn more about my friends - not just the acquaintances I've made along the way. That's ALWAYS a wonderful thing.
I'll meet with Paul again to take some stills of him - part of the Special Hazards segment filler. It's always difficult to be able to schedule with Paul because he is also the President of Local 799, the Providence Firefighters' Union. His schedule is insane and I have no idea when he finds time to sleep, let alone meet with me.
So, my thanks to Paul and Hoppy... I'm proud to have you both in the film and proud to call you my friends.
I was finally able to shoot interviews with two Providence Firefighters today that I have very much been looking forward to - Paul Doughty and Kenny "Hoppy" Hoskin. Both are dear friends and both are guys whose stories I wanted to capture. I am absolutely elated about finally having the opportunity to shoot their interviews, both of which came out great.
I always enjoy the interview process, even though it can sometimes be emotionally draining. It amazes me every time I sit down and shoot an interview. It rarely goes as I anticipate it will... which is actually a good thing. It is especially interesting for me when I interview a person with whom I have become friendly and have a lot of interaction with. I don't always talk with them about their work, but during the interviews certain questions come up and they always answer - even if it is a touchy subject. It is those times when I usually see a side of my friends that I haven't seen before. So these interviews are always an opportunity for me to learn more about my friends - not just the acquaintances I've made along the way. That's ALWAYS a wonderful thing.
I'll meet with Paul again to take some stills of him - part of the Special Hazards segment filler. It's always difficult to be able to schedule with Paul because he is also the President of Local 799, the Providence Firefighters' Union. His schedule is insane and I have no idea when he finds time to sleep, let alone meet with me.
So, my thanks to Paul and Hoppy... I'm proud to have you both in the film and proud to call you my friends.
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