Chucowski Productions

The last piece

2010-03-03T02:18:00.000-08:00

Long time no update. Doesn't mean things haven't happened.

The documentary, titled [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee], was finished in editing last September, but due to other commitments I was not able to have hardcopies until recently. I've had major difficulties with file sizes and quality (as always, what's new?), but I guess you have to take what you can get at some point.

DVDs have been shipped to the fantastic people involved, so I'm currently awaiting feedback.

As for any public viewings, there's some uncertainty. I wouldn't expect to have it available online any time soon.

Zzzzz updates

2009-08-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

The greater part of the new documentary is finished. I'm having some troubles thinking of an appropriate way to end it. Otherwise than that it is, as said, pretty much done. Sound levels and light/color are yet to be fixed as well.
The documentary, which has been titled [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee] with three subtitles for the three portraits, is currently 49 minutes long and will after further editing be between 50-55 minutes. Each portrait is 13-14 minutes long.

My previous plans of submitting it to U.S. film festivals have been abandoned due to the likelihood of being banned, and instead focus lies on European film festivals and Swedish television.
Because of this the documentary (all of it) won't be available to view on YouTube or such - at least not any time soon - but a trailer will be uploaded some time after completion.

Post-production

2009-07-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

Guess it's time to reveal the people who will be in the new documentary. I bet you've figured it by now, and some I've already told, but here goes.

Dahveed Kolodny-Nagy and Steve Sievers; creators of web-animated series Supa Pirate Booty Hunt.
Miles Hurwitz; marketing and artist relations development at Talking House Records, band manager.
Dan San Souci; children's books author and illustrator.

The documentary will also briefly feature Luke Franks of the Federalists, and Jonathan Devoto.
Music will be by Dave Smallen, and Devoto.

A name for the documentary is yet to be figured out.

Video cameras + Mac = not true

2009-06-16T01:19:00.001-07:00

So it has come to my knowledge that it is impossible to find a video camera that works with Mac computers, if you want a price range that is suitable for a student too lazy to get any summer jobs.

And also, if you're waiting around the electronics store for someone from the staff to help you, it is effective to set off the alarm. (But I have to say they have very sensitive alarm sensors.)

So the bad news is that I can't find a decent video camera to back me up. It's ridiculous how none of the latest cameras can work with a Mac (they say you can download a program but of course that didn't work for me), because pretty much all serious filmmakers use Macs since those software programs are the best for editing and all kinds of media creativity.

The good news is that the planning is going great and I've got some rad artists/musicians lined up for you. Everyone has been really helpful and accommodating. One of my participants is getting married two days after we shoot his part of the doc. I can only take my hat off.

Missing part + new updates

2009-04-25T03:42:00.000-07:00

Someone notified me that Part Two of the Warped Tour-documentary on YouTube couldn't be found. I checked it out and it seems like the video has been removed because of a copyright claim by WMG. I suspect it has something to do with the music being played on one of the nearby stages that can be heard in the background. Not much to do about it, but Part Two is still available here on this blog (one of the first posts), if you're feeling groovy.

Chucowski Productions has got new plans for this summer. Another trip to the U.S. will result in a documentary about people in the music-/art business. I'm in the middle of pre-production and contacting people like mad. I've already got a few participants in the bag, but they will remain secret for now.
The documentary will firstly be submitted to film festivals in the U.S.
I'll keep you updated.

Making of Yankee in a Chip Shop

2008-12-10T13:08:00.000-08:00

It's hard in the UK.

2008-09-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Clips from the YIACS-video shoot in London.

Phone booths, double-decker buses and still Matt Whalen

2008-08-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the YIACS-video shoot. It felt like we were dragged all over London by Emilee - probably not though since it's a big city, but what I do know is that we filmed on Brick Lane, Carnaby Street, in Kingston, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, various small streets and more places I do not know the name of.

Possibly more to come.

What's "wholetta"?

2008-08-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

If you wanna know what the hell I mean by the title, you'll have to ask me. I'm not sure I can explain though... might be better to ask Shawn, if he remembers it. But it's pretty easy to figure out, I bet you can do it.

The "Yankee in a Chip Shop"-music video will premiere on MySpace tomorrow, Friday. You can't miss it. Prepare yourself to meet the real streets of London.

More pictures from the shoot will be posted here soon.

Snowflakes and soup - one year anniversary

2008-08-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

On the 4th and 5th of August, it was one year ago that the documentary about Warped Tour was filmed in New York and New Jersey.

Go to Chucowski Productions' YouTube to watch the documentary.

Stay tuned for more YIACS updates.

The Smoker.

2008-06-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

After finally being able to look up this certain cinematographer, I figured I'd share with fans of the Matches. I don't know about you, but I would find it interesting to know who was involved in the making of the video. But maybe that's the filmmaker talking, anyways, here we go.

The Director of Photography for the upcoming musicvideo "Yankee in a Chip Shop" is named Sam Mitchell, a London-based award winning professional. Visit his website: http://www.twentyfiveframes.com/

Sam (yeah, the guy in the video in the post below) is really good at what he does, and he's also really nice. Smokes like there's no tomorrow, and the bastard borrowed my lighter and never gave it back, but "lucky" me got a sticky dirty lighter tossed to me by Shawn, a lighter he probably found on the floor... hence the stickyness. But I don't hold grudges. I'm completely over the kidnapping of my precious lighter.

Jokes aside, Sam is awesome and talented. The camera used during the shoot was a regular mini-DV camcorder, you gotta love the man.

Of course, the on site directors for the video are Emilee Seymour and Shawn Harris.

More unrevealing material from the shoot

2008-06-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with the shoot, except for the fact that it was filmed during those days in London. Shawn, Emilee, Sam (DoP for the music video), my sis and I are on our way to Banquet Records for the in-store performance.
I had forgotten that I had this, as well as some other filmed clips from the shoot - some actual scenes, which I can't post yet obviously. I'm a terrible tease, everyone tells me so.

"I really love my hat" - pics from the YIACS video shoot

2008-05-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

I have no willpower whatsoever.
These pictures have been posted before in other places, but my fingers are itching and I figured it would be time for an update.

Bryce was the star of the whole shoot.

Justin's bass and one of the guitars that were dropped off by us at Julian Grace's office the following Monday morning after the shoot.

And especially this one has been seen in various places (sorry about that):
Eating out at an Indian restaurant Friday night.

That's all for now. Perhaps I showed something new to some people, otherwise - happy re-run everybody.

"If you wanna fight us then, fight us then!"

2008-04-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Since it's been a lot of buzz around the yet to be released musicvideo for the Matches' song "Yankee in a Chip Shop", I figured I'd post some pictures from the shoot - merely to make the waiting easier.
Even if people hate waiting, it's worth it - Shawn showed me the video, and it's really effing brilliant. Best thing I've seen in a long time, and I'm not just saying that because I was there. This video is really something exceptional.

Me and Justin's jacket.

By London Eye.

These are only a few, but I will not, cannot, post photos from the actual scenes. We wouldn't wanna ruin it for you all. This will have to do for now. I'll post all my pictures from the shoot here in this blog as soon as the video is out there.
As for my "making of the musicvideo", I'm not sure when and how it will be released for viewings, I've pretty much handed that part over to Miles and the guys. If possible though, I'll upload it on Chucowski Productions' YouTube shortly after the musicvideo has been shown.

Snowflakes and soup

2008-04-25T06:23:00.000-07:00

Finally! ALL the parts of the Warped Tour-documentary starring the Matches are now up on Chucowski Production's YouTube - I had to re-cut them and leave the performance of "Sunburn versus the Rhinovirus" from New Jersey on the cutting room floor, but otherwise everything's there.

I will not post the clips on this blog, like I did with the first two parts, because I am a very comfortable person. Ha.

I know this has taken some time. Give me some cred for having them available before this year's Warped at least? Thank you.
Just go to the YouTube-channel and check the documentary out.
http://www.youtube.com/ChucowskiProductions

Enjoy.

I hate the internet...

2008-03-23T01:13:00.001-07:00

So, as you might have noticed I've only posted the first two parts of the Warped Tour-documentary (post below). That is because no matter how hard I try, part three and following will simply not be uploaded. Anywhere. If you've checked out Chucowski Productions' YouTube, you will see only the first two parts there as well. Just like always I'm having major problems with formats and file sizes/video quality, and unfortunately these documentary files are not in the most common format so it's not always easy to get them uploaded.
But, do not fret - since I've already succeeded with a couple parts, it shouldn't be impossible to get the other ones up there. We'll just have to do some more waiting. I will head back into the editing room next week (week 14 that is) and try to re-convert the remaining parts, and hopefully they will be able to be uploaded soon. Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience.

A documentary about Warped Tour

2008-03-22T01:02:00.000-07:00

Starring the Matches.

Part One:

Part Two: