JC and I just got back from our final pre-production trip. It was a great weekend, and we are ready to hustle.
During this trip, we needed to interview and decide on the Lead Cast, finalize the production schedule, start on wardrobe and props and extra equipment search.
We started with our "Search for Delisha".
Sapril and Ucok took us across the water to a neighboring coastline village where Roby and his family lives. We decided to search for the mother character there.
Coastline Village
Sapril and I on the boat overWe stumbled upon a wedding, and Sapril was very kind to suggest that we look for women that we like in the crowd.
Me and JC with groom and bride.At the end, we interviewed two who we liked, IAH and ZABIAH. Roby came back from school around the time of Iah's audition so we did some acting exercises with the two of them.
IAH (Sony Ex1 Still)It felt good to get on my feet and start working with actors/nonactors. One of the big challenges this time though is working in a foreign language. Sapril and I have been figuring out the quickest and most honest way for me to communicate with the actors through him. It has been fun and challenging.
We invited Iah, Zabiah, and Roby for callbacks the next day.
Later that afternoon Sapril, JC, and I left for the fishing village of Kawal to check on the house that Rene (Art Director) would be decorating. We also scouted the new location for the restaurant scene and boat junk part area.
Character's house in kawal at low tide. (SONY EX1 still)
Me walking on planks of wood high above the ground - notice the kids.
Wide shot of coastline. (SONY EX1 still)
That night JC and I went to a hotel where he did scheduling and insurance work. JC is very proud of our paper work and receipt trail. We are very lucky to have a producer as knowledgeable as JC about producing internationally on our team. Meanwhile, I worked on the acting exercises that I would run with the actors the following morning.
The next day Sapril picked us up and we dropped JC off at the local office. JC stayed and continued working on the schedule while Sapril and I went to Rivud's house to meet with him again and see what things from his home we could use to re-create the house where his character lives in Kawal.
As always Rivud and his family were extremely welcoming and warm.
Rivud Wardrobe Front
Rivud Wardrobe Back
Wife's Clothes
Prayer matAfter a pleasant hour with Rivud and some Bird's Nest Drink and cookies, Sapril and I headed back to the office so I could begin working with Iah, Zabiah, and Roby. Rivud joined us a few hours later for the final round of acting exercises so we could see how everyone gelled.
It took almost 3 hours of work to decide between Iah and Zabiah. We are very thankful that Zabiah took her time to work with us but in the end we cast Iah.
Roby and ZabiahRoby did brilliantly and even sold the performance of playing dead while Iah and Zabiah were crying and screaming on his body.
Iah cries over Roby's body
Roby plays dead
Rivud Playing DrunkA big thank you to Sapril as my Interpreter. It has been a pleasure working with his so far and we are excited about the collaboration.
WEIRD FISH (IKAN LANGKA) ....... IS CAST!
Final Cast: Iah, Roby, Rivud
Cast with Basil and JCThe last hour was spent with Sapril and JC going over the schedule and then JC and I headed back to Singapore.
This is my the last director's post because we leave for production in two days. We will continue with the posts after principle photography.
Thank you for reading and your support.
I will leave you with a few more from the beautiful village of Kawal, and then a photo of me struggling.
(Sony Ex1 Still)
(Sony Ex1 Still)
(Sony EX1 still)Basil Mironer, Director
