EVERY TIME

When I watch TAKEN IN, each time Simon and Brooklyn's journey begins again...I feel like it's a stage play. I see Tim and Maddi getting into their costumes and places, ready to replay this story once more. I know where they're going...what's going to happen, of course...but it doesn't change the fact that I worry for them—characters and actors, every time.

Simon's Story

Tim Brosnan ("Simon") got to see some of his work tonight in the edit suite...he seemed pleased with it.

It's hard to watch yourself act on camera. Many actors refuse to do so, and I think Tim is one of those who prefer not to.

But I am insistent. Tim has good taste. It's helpful to hear what he thinks.

When I see the film now, it always strikes me how much the story is Simon's. That was something we were never quite sure of when we were writing, rehearsing and shooting. But the story wins. It's Simon's tale.

The Bridge

Photos by Adam Robitaille.

Shoes Matter

The shoes worn by Madelain Hoptry ("Brooklyn") and Tim Brosnan ("Simon") in TAKEN IN may be so small a detail, it may not even be worth pointing out to you.

But.

They do reveal a whole lot about these characters. And great consideration was given to each pair our actors wore.

Tim wore a black, lace-up oxford. Not a slip on, nothing fancy. Smart, reliable, elegant, sensible. This is all you need to know about his character, really. (And we sincerely thank Rush Wilson, Ltd. for providing them to us...at no charge.)

Maddi wore two-toned, lace-up, 3/4 boots (from Urban Outfitters). Of course, she wore them with two Sunday dresses...a pair of short-shorts...and skinny jeans. They create a sense of rebellion, I think...incongruency for her character that is most certainly played out in the film.

Most people won't notice our actors' footwear. But in a micro-budget film, every detail has to count. And rest assured...in TAKEN IN, every detail does.

CINCO DE MAYO

Lunch with Tim Brosnan...then saw Josh McGill on Skype...and saw Daniel McCord, Madelaine Hoptry, Jeter Rhodes, and Emily White last at Dan's...where we all chatted with Jennifer Baxley on the phone.

REALLY ready for public screenings of our movie...

SCENE 9 \ "CRACK OF DAWN"

INT/EXT The Motel Room

Simon chats absently on the phone, as he stares out of the motel room window, across the nearly barren parking lot.

“Are we still talking about a deal? This is starting to sound like a date.”

He starts when he notices Brooklyn walking across the parking lot with a man twice her age.

“Hey, look…I gotta run…I’ll call you back.”

Blam-blam-blam! A sudden knock on the motel room door.

Simon cracks the door and see the waitress, Dawn, standing there.

“What even happened last night, I mean…god, did we do that?”

Simon and Dawn talk in the doorway. She’d rather come in, though. He is far more interested in where Brooklyn is going, and with whom, but doesn’t say that.

Soon, they are making out on his bed, though the passion fizzles abruptly when she notices that Brooklyn’s things are gone.

“What happened to your daughter?”

“I don’t…she…I just saw her walking across the parking lot with some guy in a red cap.”

FIRST LOOK!

This is TAKEN IN.

Or at least, this is what it looks like on a Final Cut Pro timeline.

The picture edit is complete, and a DVD draft has been sent to Josh McGill in Dallas for scoring. A few people have seen the full locked-picture cut (Jeter and I...Emily, her brother Dan), and a couple have seen the very end of the film (Colin, Maddi and her roommate Alex, Tim).

There are a few problems. Most have to do with just how much exposition, or back story, we release to the audience. At present...there is almost none. Just...story happening. I wonder how much our audience needs to know, setup-wise, to commit to taking the ride with us. Most movies explain everything. And most of the time, they do a clever job at this.

Not sure if this film can stand up straight with as little as we're giving.

WORTH WATCHING?

Does the story work? Does it hold together over the entirety of the film?

When each scene and sequence is locked in place...just as written, just as I intended...are sum of those parts, a story worth watching?

This is what I am thinking about as each scene falls into place and our picture edit nears a final lock. Right now...I'm not sure. Not sure if a consistent tone has been struck throughout or not...if Simon and Brooklyn's tale is worth watching yet.

It's one thing to direct a scene (re: GOOD LIFE). Quite another to direct a feature.

30 SECONDS \\ 10

30 SECONDS \\ 9

30 SECONDS \\ 8

30 SECONDS \\ 5

30 SECONDS \\ 4

30 SECONDS \\ 2

ON LOCATION \ IT'S A WRAP!

ON LOCATION \ DAY 5

And so it comes down to this: Monday. Our last day shooting.

We have now shot the first 13 scenes of the film. Tomorrow morning, we will shoot the last two, sequentially.

The first scene will involve Tim and Maddi, and Vicky Saye Henderson...an old friend and one of the best actors I know.

I must say, the film is as well-acted as I'd hoped. And from what I've seen of the footage we've shot to date, I think I can guarantee that our actors consistently hit the right note...just enough, right when it's called for.

I am so proud of my actors. I am flattered that they have given so much to this film for so little. I am glad to call them friends and colleagues.

ON LOCATION \ DAY 4 [b]

This morning we shot at South of the Border's newest attractions: Reptile Lagoon.

Once again, Madelaine Hoptry shined as "Brooklyn." It was only her fourth full day of film acting, but she "brings the goods," as they say. Besides being a talented actress and hard worker, Maddi is very smart...easy going...and can perform minor dentistry.

Ronnie Gunter shined this morning, too. He's already headed back to the West Coast, but we hope to see him again soon. (The rumor I heard was that he's planning to shoot a feature in the Upstate of South Carolina...)

And fresh from last night's performance at the Cafe and Then Some, Traysie Amick joined our company this morning as "Dawn." We are so glad to have her here.

ON LOCATION \ DAY 3 [a]

Sunny Day Two of shooting. Seriously Hollywood weather this week at South of the Border.

"Back to one." Cast and crew walk back across the walk-bridge for another take.

Shooting at dusk. Risky, because there is so little available light.

Madelaine Hoptry as "Brooklyn." Tim Brosnan as "Simon."

On top of the Sombrero!

Tim, Pedro, and Maddi.

ON LOCATION \ DAY 2 [b]

Tim Brosnan looks picture-perfect in wardrobe by Rush Wilson.

ON LOCATION \ DAY 2 [a]

After one full day of shooting, one thing is for certain: Madelaine Hoptry and Tim Brosnan are absolutely the best actors for the roles of Brooklyn and Simon.

Not only do they look like the father and daughter we’d imagined, they are excellent screen actors. Each offered smart, nuanced performances today…spanning the entire first half of the film.

Maddi and Tim came to TAKEN IN as experienced stage actors with few if any screen acting credits.

Indeed, their “big screen debut” will impress you.