I was browsing the web and saw Vincent Laforet announcement of his contest. I thought it was a GREAT idea to take a still image, interpret it, and turn that interpretation into a short film of 2-4 minutes. Not only does it give you exposure, but it gives you a purpose which drives motivation and determination which is the foundation to success in any industry. In addition, it would help build a reel (portfolio) of my work in all categories of filmmaking.
So in this film, we had to interpret a treasure chest in a warehouse. I had a million ideas how to take it, but of course, have to stay within budget which “NO BUDGET”. But I knew that the only time we can do it was at night and I had the perfect location to shoot it. But as the result, I needed a shoulder-rigg which I had to dish out, out of my pocket. We shot using natural lighting which is pole lighting from above and used a flashlight for a “spotlight”. It was about 20 degree below and we took 2 nights to shoot it (5 hours each). After we shot it, I spent well over 40 hours of editing, sound designing, music scoring, and overall production on this film. I can tell you that within that 1 week of editing, I only slept about 3 hrs a night. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the film!
Brief Synopsis:
An ordinary man and woman stumble across a mystical clan of spirits yearning to break free from their dwelling inside a vintage 1950’s radio.
Kvibe Productions, LLC
Produced by: Khoa D. Le & Salvatore E. Sutera
Directed by: Khoa D. Le & Salvatore E. Sutera
Written By: Khoa D. Le & Salvatore E. Sutera
Director of Photography: Khoa D. Le
Editor: Khoa D. Le & Salvatore E. Sutera
Original Music & Written By: Khoa D. Le
Sound Design by: Khoa D. Le
Behind the scene photos: George Rivera
Production Assistants: Kim Nguyen, Joe A. Nunez, Eggie Belizario Escueta, Alyssa Pontecorvo
Actors:
Jean / Girl: Jean Farinella
Man: Paul Santiago
Jean’s Friend: Alyssa Pontecorvo
As an independent producer and as requested, I am putting out songs that I record with various Artists via iTunes and internet stores. If you like to download via iTunes from your computer or iPhone, please do so as it supports these talented Artists making a living from what they do. Thanks and I hope you enjoy.
If you asked to get onto iTunes and have an internet presence and wish to make it big in this industry, a question should come to your mind on if you are mentally ready for hard work. If you can’t put the effort into marketing your music and proving to people that you really want this, you may fall short and scar yourself or put yourself in a little box to be viewed as someone else.
If you wish for big things and big things do happen for you, it’s like a double edge sword. You have to be ready to take on the challenge. If you don’t, you lose the opportunity and you probably will fall hard and can be career ending. Opportunity is a double edge sword. Try not to fall on your own sword is what I’m saying =) Work hard and smart with a lot of heart and passion and you’ll get there in my opinion.
In 2 weeks, I finished 5 songs, finished 2 short film screenplays, setup online distribution stores to sell songs from Artist I worked with as I’m doing Independent releases to my records, and shot a wedding for my photography work. I also entered into the Vincent Laforet Contest to shoot short films with a deadline for each submission. And this is on top of my 9-5 job at Ernst & Young.
People ask me how do I find the time to get things done. Well, lately I’ve been sleeping around 4:00 am – 5:30 am and having to wake up at 8:00 am for work. I guess you can say that I’m more motivated than ever as I feel I am producing quality work, very confident in my abilities, and I smell something happening around the corner. I also think having management to help me expose my work motivates me as I finally have a vehicle to drive my music to another level. I have someone to take my work, present it, and I don’t have to go out of my way to do small talks with people just so they are comfortable on who I am so they can “place” a song for me. If only they used their ears instead of relying everything on reputation, it would be much easier for me.
Anyways, that’s my update! Please go to my iTunes store or Amazon or whatever stores that are posted on my page and download and support! Thanks!
As you know of this tragic devastation that has happened in Haiti, the best we can do is put them in our prayers and donate money to them.
I put the song up for sale “We’ll Get There Soon” written and sang by me. Each download will go to the cause in Haiti. If you don’t like the song, please support Haiti anyways. This song has a lot of meaning to what’s going on and I hope it can help people by instilling hope into their hearts.
Check out some of my songs that I’ve produced and wrote along with some other songwriters. The songs are up for sale as references for placements and licensing opportunities. If there are any interest in my records on the business level, please do email me. Thank you.
PS: Some songs will be available as is via iTunes for download very soon. Stay tuned and check back as the download links will be available.
Richard M. Ponce: “A Flock of White...
Shavon Grass: I would be interested in submitting...
Khoa Le: Major labels shot themselves in the foot....
Robert M: Great topic and I think I can add...
Khoa Le: You too Tuan! It’s always nice to...
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Richard M. Ponce: “A Flock of White... Shavon Grass: I would be interested in submitting... Khoa Le: Major labels shot themselves in the foot.... Robert M: Great topic and I think I can add... Khoa Le: You too Tuan! It’s always nice to...