Stylism

Sara (stylist) and I are looking for sustainable brands that want to collaborate in the film. It is very important that the overall sustainable approach is in every department of the project. I also want to maintain a minimal aesthetic with organic materials for the outfits. Here are some of the options we have found.
One of the props was a suitcase where CharacterI would keep all the materials they are collecting. We thought that it might not makes sense that they carry out a suitcase in this landscape/space and maybe it could work if they use an element from their outfit (hat).
We would use the hat on the right, made out of recycled paper.
Final garments:
CHARACTER I: RECYCLED-PAPER HAT + RECYCLED POLYESTER SUIT
CHARACTER II: RECYCLED PAPER TOP + TROUSERS MADE OUT OF CSM FASHION STUDENT SCRAP

Casting confirmed

Finding the casting I wanted has been a long process. Profiles that are non-binary or gender fluid are not common in Spain and there are not many options. I have been in contact with a few different agencies and also have done some Instagram casting. I found the perfect talent for what I’d imagine but they live in Belgium. For a moment I thought of investing in the tickets to fly them over to Spain but considering all the issues that traveling can bring at the moment (quarantines, cancelled flights, COVID), I thought it was best not to risk it this time.
The final casting is Victor and Yosephine. I’ve known Victor for a long time, his silhouette is perfect for the project, he is 6,3ft tall and very slim. I think it’d be cool to have him walking in a gigantic dessert. Yosephine is a trans model signed with an agency. We will be traveling to the location from Madrid (3’5 hrs) but she lives in Barcelona. Production will need to arrange train tickets from Barcelona to Zaragoza, and one of the cars will need to pick her up from there and drive to the location (1hr).
Yosephine
Victor

Director of photography – art director call

I had a zoom call with Jorge Rico (dop) and Fiorella (set) to discuss the set design. The shots in which the set will be in and the dimensions of it.
Fiorella might not be able to fly as Spain is still on the quarantine list of countries for the UK so I am looking for two assistants that can work with her remotely on the shoot day.

BTS for a 16mm film set

I came across a project I really liked on Facebook and messaged the director. They are filming the short film next week in Suffolk and I offered to do some BTS. I was interested in being part of this as they will be filming in 16mm which is what I want for my project.

Proust’s Questionnaire

Who is my character? A conversation with Victor
  1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? I want to live in a planet where human beings have evolved into a complete partnership development with nature.
  2. What is your greatest fear? I am concerned about the environment and the future of humankind had we continued to progress the way we were going.
  3. Which living person do you most admire? The tribe I am looking for. I am interested in the process of waste-free-material-making for fashion.
  4. What is your current state of mind? I consider myself curious, and was a bit desperate, but feel very enthusiastic about these new findings.
  5. What do you consider the most underrated virtue? Knowledge is the most precious possession. I am looking for the knowing and understanding of the tribe’s process.
  6. When and where were you happiest? When I met the tribe.
  7. Which talent would you most like to have?
  8. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
  9. What is your motto?

The location got canceled?!?!?

I received an email from the admin team of the location saying that we might not be able to get access to the park the week of the shoot as it’s part of the American army and they will use it for gun and bomb tests those days. WHAT!?!?

“However, I take the opportunity to inform you that they have just told us that for the week of August 24 to 28, they are going to carry out maneuvers with live fire in Bardenas. This means that, during those days, there will be many periods, especially in the mornings, when access to the Park will be closed by Security. I indicate it, in case you have the possibility of coming at another time, and you want to modify the dates of your request. Otherwise, you would be authorized, but not knowing the hours you can work.”

My producer and my DOP can’t do the week earlier of the one after, and I need to get back to London for work in September so I don’t really know what other options I have. We are looking for similar locations in Spain as a backup plan. But they’re all miles away from each other.
I am trying to find out if we’d be able to get access during the late afternoons/evenings, I want to film in the last hours of the day.