The big comeback.

So here's the idea for the big finish that I'll be changing in the script soon. Jaime picks up Micheal and slams him on Pedro's desk in front of Paid. Jaime demands a gun from Pedro. Michael kicks Pedro and it looks like he snaps his neck. Micheal beats Jaime off enough to get to his feet then either steps off a chair or the desk and tackles Jaime sending him over a fallen object and through the glass table. Michael gives him a few punches while he's down with a look on his face that is not easily read. Michael gets up and walks over to Pedro, looks him over then walks out. We see a beaten Jaime lying in the ruins of the table, clutching the amulet given to him by Don Carlos.

Hear's the first response to the script I sent out the other night. It's from my cousin (primo) John:


Hey Primo,

I just read the script and I have to say...I'm intrigued. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment.

I like the characters. They are well formed. I especially appreciate how you have represented Mexican or Hispanic ethnicity without making it too cliche or cheesy (at least it doesn't read like that). As I was reading, I could imagine the scenes being played out in my head, voices and all. It was exciting.

My only criticism: Michael stabbing Paid's hand with the letter opener was a bit much. It would seem to me that having Michael slap Paid around like a little bitch would be sufficient (you know, the whole back hand with the right cross). There's just something about the stabbing of the hand that doesn't fit. Maybe Mike stabs Paid in the chest but doesn't hit any vital organs. Or maybe he lodges it in his forehead. I don't know, I don't want to mess with your creative process.

Otherwise everything looked good to me. I don't consider myself to be an expert of any kind, but I will say that I would definitely be interested in seeing this flick and I might even pay money to do so.

Glad to hear your working on something. Keep me posted.

John


And to tell you the truth I kind of agree with him. I've thought about the stabbing of the hand to the desk before. But it kind of works for because I need it to be kind of ambiguous on whether or not Michael kills Paid. The idea is that with his hand stabbed to the desk and the thrust of getting punch the other way snaps his neck. So I may have to work on that idea. But there's still the particular shot I want of Michael knocking Paid around while he's sitting.

Crew Updates

I've yet to mention some very important crew updates.
Brock Rizy is coming on as Storyboard Artist and possible camera operator.
Melissa Hurta will be our Makeup Artist.
Richard May will more than likely be Director of Photography and starring as Don Carlos.

And the already established basics:
Adan Gutierrez as Writer/Dir/Exec Prod and starring as Jaime.
Aaron Martin as Producer, starring as Michael Foster and doing the original score.
Jason Mueller as Producer, Editor, Sound, starring as Matt Foster and also working on original score.
Katie Howard as Documentarian, and Script Supervisor.

Now the bad stuff.

Along with the joy of "finishing" the script. Also comes the doctor's news that the damage in my knee is quite extensive. I've torn a ligament nearly completely. And partially torn some cartilage. I'll be seeing an Ortho and probably from there schedule my surgery. My other knee problems have been cartilage only so I'm not sure what kind of recovery time we're looking at. Hopefully it wont be long.

It's out.

The script is out. I finished watching fellini's 8 1/2 and it spurred me on to finish formatting and rough edges. I emailed it out to the people directly involved that I had email addresses for and those who I'd like to get feedback from.

This maybe a bit backwards but I'll be doing character sheets next primarily for the actor's benefit since they'll be depended upon for working out their dialog.

Already looking back I dont like the campfire scene. It's primarily the exchange which is alot in the dialogue. But that exchange is integral to the development of the trilogy. So that will probably be rewritten.

Oh and I picked up this cool little toy:

Shot idea.

Thinking about the final fight scene for part 1: I have some particular shots in my head that'd I'd like to get during the fight. The initial action is that Jaime picks up Michael and throws him against the wall. Jaime kind of assumes that will be it and lets his guard down. All this will happen without seeing Jaime's upper body. Michael slowly gets up. Jaimes moves toward Michael, grabs him and drags him to the other side of the room. Holding him halfway up punches him and lets him slump to the ground. All of this action will be very slow. Camera movements and cuts will be slow and infrequent. Now this i see in my head very particularly the camera is very low to the ground. Michael is slumped against the wall framing the leftside and Jaime's feet frame the right. Michael slowly rises again. The camera rises with Michael then beyond up to reveal for the first time in the movie Jaime's upper body and very angry face. From there we will move into some fater moving action.

Delay

Well unfortunately it looks like there will be a significant delay in the making of Tussle Part 1. I still havent had an MRI yet but I have experience in these things so I'm pretty sure I'll need a scope to get full range of motion back into my right knee. I probably could still do a fight scene but not a the scene I really want to do. The good news is right now I'm still able to workout upper-body and cardio so recovery time will be minimized. Once I get official word I'll update.

Also the script shall be ready to hand out soon.

Time Management

Evolution. I am still trying to adjust to the new job. Oh yeah, I got a new job. The job itself is fine, but I'm not used to the schedule yet, and am trying to develop a new routine. So, I've been exhausted and haven't been too wise in managing my time, but I think about Tussle everyday. I am still excited and very eager to commense rolling film(or dv). I haven't devoted much time to the Tussle soundtrack in the past couple weeks, but I am hungry to dig into it again. I just hope the ending product is something Adan might like to use to accompany his vision. Anyhow, I hope to make some progress this week(crossing my fingers).