Monday, November 27, 2006
(if you click on the pictures they get bigger)




On the Set (November 26, 2006)


My wife and I got to see a couple days of the shooting of the film PARANOID PARK, based on my book of the same name. It's directed by Gus Van Sant, and shot in Portland with kids from the area. There's more pics on my myspace page too: myspace/blakenelsonbooks.com.

Here are some highlights:






Shooting Hot Tube Scene


In this scene, the camera was down at water level following a conversation of the three skater guys in a hot tub, at a party. Like everything we saw, the camera set up was pretty minimal. And there were only seven or eight takes. It was very relaxed and loose. Sometimes the actor would make a suggestion or say something like: "Is it okay if I move my arm over here?" And Gus would say: "Sure."








Sunday, November 26, 2006
Beth on the Train Tracks


This is the spot where the security guard gets killed. We beat the crew there on this day, they were just doing one make-up shot of the dead guy gurgling or whatever, after he gets cut in half. The producers were saying that Gus was editing on the days off so I guess that makes it easier to figure out which scenes he needs to make up.






The Four Skaters


These are the four main skater guys. From the left: Winfield who plays Christian Barlow. Joe, who plays Paul Auster. Gabe who playes the unnamed narrator (Alex, was the name they gave him in the script), and Jake who plays Jared.






Gus and skaters


This is Gus contemplating a shot with Joe and Jake Miller. The actor kids were so poised, it was kind of amazing to watch them. Most of them were fifteen, sophomores in high school. They were so pro, and yet totally fun kids at the same time.






Gus thinking


This is Gus thinking. That's cinematographer Chris Doyle on his right, Chris's assitant Kathy Li is leaning on the camera.






Gabe Nevins


This is me and Gabe, the lead character. Gabe is in almost every shot of the movie. In the book, you never find out what the guy's name is. In the movie he's Alex.






Me and Felix


This is me getting miked up by Felix, the sound man for the movie. Felix also did the sound for Elephant, which is great, and which I actually noticed when I saw it. I mean how often do you notice the sound of a movie? Check out the sound on Elephant though, there are all those cool ambient voices, etc. It really is amazing.






Chris Doyle (November 26, 2006)


Me and DP Chris Doyle. I found out later that he shot most of Wong Kar Wai's films and is considered one of the greatest cinematographers in the world. That's me in the dumb hat.