I thought I’d share with you all some of the storyboard work that we’ve been doing on the film.
Here you can see the progression of our storyboards from simple black and white outline to full colour concept. We are using our storyboards not just to plan the sequence of shots, showing angles and shot types, but also to show colours for the film – in this instance trying to blend warm and cool colours. Each storyboard develops the film visually as new ideas are created and new details thought out.

The storyboards are then developed onto an A4 sheet. Down the left hand side are the storyboards, then on the right the highlighted section of script that they relate to, followed by shot list coverage. It is designed to be a guide – not a list of what MUST be shot.

I’ve not tried this technique before (having everything on the same page) have to see how it works. Previously I would have the script in one hand and a shot list in the other. What I’ve found difficult is that the shot list becomes such a cold – unconnected thing “SHOT X -CU – John’s face.. line..” and so on. With the script, storyboard and shot list on the same sheet I hope to make a more complete guide to what needs filming.

I read an article in Sight and Sound (Talking Shop) interviewing a whole host of cinematographers about among other things their use of storyboards. I was really frustrated with the somewhat dismissive attitude to their use, “they’re useful for visual effects but I don’t use them for filming.” was the general consensus.

I come from an animation background where the storyboard is traditionally integral to the film making process. Once the storyboard is created you can create an animatic (the storyboard filmed with approximate timings) and then as the film is made, the animated sections can be inserted into the animatic.

The cinematographers interviewed by Sight and Sound felt, I think, that they’re creativity was being attacked when someone else had created storyboards.

I think that storyboards are an important and underated tool for keeping the whole production focused on what’s trying to be achieved and we shall be using them extensively in Raven Waiting.

In the next few weeks we are going to be running a one day “fun funding day” to help increase our funds on the movie.
On the day we”ll be releasing lots of behind the scenes videos and some fun videos, including “french zombies”.. you have been warned.
So keep you’re calendar free and keep in touch.
Dan.

Back in April we were inundated with replies for the role of freelance costume designer from all kinds of people. It was a fantastic and unexpected response. It took ages to read through all the applications and what started as a fun selection process became a really tough decision.

In the end, and despite requests from all over the world, we went with someone relatively local who we could meet up as and when required.

Raven Waiting, perhaps more than other low budget independent UK movies, needs a lot of development for its visual style. As you can see from the website we’ve spent a long time developing the fantasy visuals of the film and the costumes are no exception.

Hopefully we’ll be able to show you a glimpse of the actual costumes as they are developed.

New in stock are these fantastic little badges. Every badge sold helps the production of the film and you the fan get something to wear – what a deal!

There are three designs that read:

• 1) I’m a movie mogul
• 2) I make the movies
• 3) Indie Movies Rock

Show your support by ordering here.

Hi everyone,

Thank you to everyone who has supported so far, the reaction has been amazing. It’s really easy to say that, but it genuinely has been fantastic, I imagined the film might gain a little bit of interest but to have the constant river of emails flooding through has been very unexpected and very exciting.

So what have we been up to?
We’ve been working hard on the project in a number of areas. We’ve been working on the 2nd draft of the script and will be getting some input from a professional script writer. We’re still working with a variety of concept artists on various aspects of the film as well as working with a costume designer who has provided some fantastic concepts (more on this later).

We’re still in the middle of finding a composer for the film after a phenomenal 300+ responses. Please, if you have submitted your details, we will be in touch with everyone, it’s just taking a little time.

Hopefully, updates to the website will pick up the pace again and we will hopefully start casting in the coming months.

Feel free to email me any questions. All the best, Dan.

Hi everyone,

It’s been a while since the last podcast but here’s the next installment. I’ve been considering whether these should have a regular slot, catch up with the movie every wednesday? or something like that. Would that make a difference? if people knew to stop by the site the same day each week. I’ll think it over.

All the best,
Dan.

We require a composer to create the music for our debut feature film ‘Raven Waiting’.

We are looking for someone who could go beyond just creating texture for the film and instead we’re interested in composing themes for the main characters: Juliette the hero, The Creatures and also the Elders.

We’re open to artists interested in experimentation, if someone is creating interesting music that breaks down the barriers between sound design and scoring then I think that could be really interesting. Most of all the music needs to be fun, exciting and dangerous.

If you are interested contact dan@cosmic-apple.com.

Please include a link to examples of your work and a quick note about where you are based.

Our latest podcast is now available on Dailymotion.

I’m so excited, finally it has been confirmed that I am a winner. To be precise I’ve won some sculpting tools courtesy of Nimba Creations at http://www.specialeffectssupplies.co.uk/.

I’ve used some of their prosthetics items before and I highly recommend them. They’ve also got some video tutorials at http://www.nimbacreations.com/how-to-prosthetics.html which are really useful and describe how to apply such things as bullet exit wounds- nice.

Firstly, thank you to everyone who’s emailed their CV across to us in response to the costume designer role. It’s going to take us a while to get through them all so please be patient.

In the meantime we’ve started a podcast series over at www.raindance.tv with a behind the scenes look at the concept art from the film, as well as an introduction to me (Dan) and the project.

Don’t forget to comment.

Thanks,
Dan.