"ALIEN 51"


 SPECS

Prod Dates:   10/13/03 - 10/26/03

35mm Feature Film
Spherical (1.85:1)
Ultracam with Zeiss Super Speed Primes

Filmstocks:  5284 Kodak Expression 500T for all Interiors and Night Exteriors - 5248 100T for Day Exteriors (shot uncorrected)

Lab:     CFI

Telecine:   Magic Film & Video  (Jerold)

UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES:

All Tungsten stocks shot uncorrected in Daylight (and HMI's).
 




VIDEO CLIP
         


Alien 51 was shot in October, 2003 in the desert two hours north of Los Angeles. In this story, a horribly misguided military experiment escapes and effects a killing rampage. Former head scientist Cleo is called in to help end the project  .  .  . for good.
Meanwhile, opportunistic circus king "Psycho-Billy" happens across the horrific creature and sees dollar signs! The race is on as Cleo and the local Sheriff, Cash try to capture and kill the alien hybrid before  Billy, Evelda (Heidi Fleiss  .  .  . yes  .  .  . that Heidi Fleiss) and their deformed, crystal smoking driver, Speck make it their next show-stopper!
"Since I am always looking for new ways to show things," States D.P., REStevens. "I was happy to hear that co-Directors Paul Wynne and Brennon Jones did NOT want to see this desert tale in the typical hot, golden, saturated desert style"

"It's a HORROR film" Echoes Paul. "It should be dark, even in the daytime".

Roderick chose to shoot the predominantly day/exterior movie with uncorrected Tungsten stocks (5248 and 5284). "For guidance, we'd shoot our charts through an 81EF to bring the colors somewhere between natural and cool blue". Additionally, Roderick chose to underexpose generally by about a stop, letting the shadows go dark and the highlights expose as normal.

"It gave the whole movie the dim, cold look I was after" Chimes in Brennon.
 

"This was a great shoot, and I think we got some very cool footage, and I really felt the contribution of every one of the crew. What a great bunch!" Raves Roderick.


(left) - The Camera Crew; R-L 1st A.C. Josh Greer, 2nd A.C. James Barela, Loader, etc. (see below) - Tamela and D.P. REStevens.

(bottom) The G&E Crew; L-R Gaffer John Matysiak, Best Boy Alex Markle, Hyphenate Tamela (who'll do anything to get in front of the camera), Key Grip Cass Rasmussen, Roderick, and in the back, G&E Victor Medina working Condor duty.

(above) Key Grip Cass Rasmussen kept the air quite smokey by  .  .  . well, we didn't ask where he was reaching here.

(left) The last day of the shoot was "Career Day" during which 1st A.C. Josh stepped up to Operate, 2nd A.C. James  1st-ed, and Roderick showed 'em how a slate is done! He also mixed sound for a few shots. Of course .   .   .   they were MOS  :-)