James' Blog

Fortunes Mine Update

2009-06-10T23:53:03Z

When we set out with the onset of this project last year with Singularity, we aimed high and "shot for the moon!" This year, with Fortunes Mine we're "kicking it up a notch!" The script is nearing it's final approval stages and I must say, it's going to be awesome to shoot! Geoff, Rich, "Hollywood" and myself have been working tirelessly on the cave set design, traps, treasure, etc. We will begin the process of gathering materials next week when Rich get's back from his hiatus, and full fledged construction should begin middle of the week. We are hoping to have pictures and video to upload as a preview of the set itself!

Fortunes Mine is going to be a challenging project in it's own right. Compared to the film we did last year, which was set/prop driven - Fortunes Mine is one level higher. A large portion of the script takes place inside the mine itself and for that reason an incredible amount of detail is required. We at Dawnrunner like to make sure things "Could work...." It's our goal to make sure that what happens in the script is at least within the realm of possibility while still being entertaining and fantastic. This has meant, as the writer on the project several fun things: Exploring abandoned 1850's gold mines in the Coarsegold (Gold Rush Town) area. Which is very scary I must admit. Reading several accounts from early gold rush miners about their experiences in the caves, and all the amazing things that happened to them. Going over and over the Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine and trying to rationalize how it would fit into our story (no spoilers here!). The research I enjoyed the most however, was of traps, puzzles, and other hinderances that might exist in a cave holding the greatest treasure thought to be on American soil. The chore as I've been writing it, is to make sure to turn the ordinary - extraordinary! The really rewarding part I think, personally, is being able to write a script for a film that I would have really enjoyed watching when I was younger. If I would not have gotten a kick out of watching it, then why would I make it - after all?

As we close in to the 1 month deadline we be moving into the scheduling process and the nuts and bolts of the production. We are hoping to be able to update with lots of pictures and videos throughout the process.

Definitely check back for more updates and information!

The Dawnrunner Universe

2009-05-29T00:20:02Z

We here at Dawnrunner are big sci fi fans. So when it came time to name our fairly expansive network, what better name than "Cosmos." From there our satellite hard drives become stellar bodies (named after various Stars throughout the Galaxy) and our local mounted hard drives became the various paired forces that exist, chaos and cosmos, conflict and resolution, action and reaction, etc. Cheesy? Absolutely! This created an elaborate "webbed" fixture of stellar bodies, effectively, in our office. What's not completely awesome about that? It has however made me a bit curious as to what other naming conventions people use for their professional networks. If you and/or your company have a unique system drop me an email, I would love to hear about it!

Fortunes Mine: Screenwriting

2009-05-21T16:53:21Z

The writing of scripts is always a toss-up. We sit around the office and talk about a script until you feel like you’ve already watched the movie. Which is fantastic, and a great way to test story lines. Then however, you sit down to write it and realize you can’t remember things, or the story line or piece that you thought was so awesome - now does not make a lick of sense. You muscle through that moment of frustration, read and re-read what you’ve written - THEN almost like magic, you go “Oh! I see what’s going on!” and then the script just flows from your hands to the keyboard. I wonder at times as I’m writing what it’s like for other screenwriters - though I’m just masquerading as one. Fortunes Mine is now on it’s second draft and I love it even more than I loved the first one! It will not be long now before it’s locked and we can start determining how we’re going to shoot it (my personal favorite part!) Until then….

Singularity "Commentary" Recording

2008-11-05T22:43:52Z

Today Geoff and I went into the studio to record the Commentary for "Singularity." It was our first time doing such, and I have to admit we had a lot of fun (probably too much!). The Singularity project was fun anyway - but getting to go back and yap about all the fun we had along the way was a blast! IF you picked up a DVD, make sure you watch it once with the commentary on - you will be entertained!

There's tons of stuff on the plate for Dawnrunner Productions, and as such be expecting a lot more blog activity in the near future! Including some commercials shot for local television, some music videos and some of our own projects we're finally getting around too!
Check back soon!

Gearing up for a Feature!

2008-10-01T21:51:21Z

All of us here at Dawnrunner Productions are excited to announce that we're entering into pre-production of a feature film! There are no details as of yet that we can get into, but what I can tell you is the following:

It will be a horror film, involving some pretty old folk-lore.

It will be shot in association with another production company overseas.

It will be shot in the southern United States.

It will be really - really scary!

Can you feel the excitement!? We will release more details as they become available.