Some lessons need to be learned the hard way. I wasn't prepared like I was during the first phase of filming. I let everything get out of control. Never again.
Connor said he couldn't come back for one more day. School and such he said. That sucks. We could go on and do the last scene set in a mechanic's garage.
Mario calls for a production meeting. I agree.
Mario, J.P., Nate, and me meet up and discuss how to do it better and cleaner. Nate apologizes for pulling the gun. I decide to make a detailed shot list and break everything down into a schedule.
Nate has mutual friends who own an auto repair shop. They agree to to let us use it after hours. Nate knows a guy who will play the victim. Coincidentally, I knew, Stephen is his name.
We arrive and start filming. It goes smoother at first, we get the first part done. Then Stephen is to be made up by Mario to look like he was badly tortured. So far so good....
Then it starts, I am to run double duties as director and boom mike operator. It doesn't take long before tensions rise between me and Nate with our different styles. I almost lose it, but a part of me tells me to keep it together, and I manage to do it. Barely.
Finally the last part is shot. I make the announcement that Suburban Rebels has wrapped. Much deserved congratulations and hugs go around.
I did it! I finally wrapped my first feature.
Oh, not to brag or anything, but I did initially make up a 13 day shooting schedule. We finished on day 12.