Shooting - Day One, part one

Hi, it's me, Shannon. The Producer. I apologize for not getting these blog posts up sooner, but I am happy to be able to present a slice of our production process for your review, and hopefully amusement. I'd love to go back and detail some of the pre-production process at some point, but I thought that, for now, I'd skip right to the filming. I should also begin by stating for the record that we don't have photos from every location or day, but I will try to post whatever I have that is relevant.

The script had been fine-tuned, the actors were cast, the costumes were selected, the gear had been obtained, the table read had been.. read. It was time.

Our first week of shooting, which began on July 16, all took place at Trafalga. For those not from the Provo/Orem area, Trafalga is a "fun center" located just off of I-15 in Orem. Trafalga has batting cages, go-karts, an arcade, and (clearly the most important) two miniature golf courses.

We started the day with some of Bryce's scenes. Bryce is played by William C. Stewart. William, in addition to being a really great comedic actor, was, in his off-acting times, an incredible Production Assistant. Bryce asking Jeff if the club he has is regulation is one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

Shooting - Day One, part two

After blocking the Trafalga employees from using their desk for a good three hours we moved outside to the course for our first golfing scenes. For those not familiar with the plot, Jeff (our hero) is a rather poor mini-golfer and The Flamingo (our villain) is a very talented minigolfer. One of my favorite moments of filming was the moment when Jason made what was supposed to be a very poor shot. In the shot you see his face, disappointed and frustrated. Which convinced me right there that Jason was the man for the job, because he had just made the most beautiful hole-in-one.




Here we have, from left to right: John Allred (PA), William C. Stewart (Bryce/PA), John D. Moore (Director/Writer), Doug Andrews (Lackey/PA), Jason Jensen (Jeff), C. Leon Lee (Lackey), Enoch Allred (Writer/Assistant Director), Bijan J. Hosseini (The Flamingo), Sean Benson (Director of Photography)

The Post-production Post

We've been more than a little negligent of our blog here. But I can assure you that all the time we've not spent updating this blog was spent on something just a wee bit more important: making our movie.

We wrapped production a little over a month ago. There were many of us working on the project over many long, hot, and surprisingly humid days.

Camilla Whitney (our editor) and I are now neck-deep in post-production. We're working hard to get a cut together in time for upcoming film festival submission deadlines. It's very exciting seeing the film come together, and even more exciting seeing that it's good.

As we near completion of our visual cut, we're looking for someone to do our post-production sound work. Clean-up, mixing, that sort of thing. If you are knowledgeable in this area and would like the experience (and credit) of working on a feature film, email me.

That's all I have for now. Watch this website in the coming weeks and months for more information. Our producer, Shannon Fugal, should be posting some images and perhaps some production stories at some point. And hopefully soon we'll have some news to report regarding festival acceptance, distribution, etc.

May 24th: Final Open Casting Session

First of all, thanks to all who have come out and auditioned for our film. We were impressed with many of you and deeply appreciative of all of you, and are simply casting the net a little wider with this last session. Shortly after this next session, we will be making offers and/or callbacks. Watch this space!

Meanwhile, we will be having one last open casting session, by appointment, this coming Saturday, May 24th, at the Sprague Library in Sugarhouse at 2131 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. We will be in what has been described as the "large conference room." We will be having audition appointments between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please call director John D. Moore at (801) 623-1289 or email him at johndmoore5@gmail.com to set up a time in there to read for one of our characters. The sides are available here. We have not committed to any actors for specific roles (though previous auditioners, we definitely have some strong leanings), so we are open to you reading for whichever one or two parts you think you would fit best, though we are particularly looking for actors to read for the parts of Jenna and Mark.

Utah County Casting May 16th

Thanks to everyone who came to the U of U casting last Friday. This coming Friday, the 16th, we'll be having another session in the conference room at the American Fork City Library in American Fork between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.. The address is 64 S. 100 E., American Fork, UT. The sides previously posted will be used again, so please prepare one or two characters. Call John at (801) 623-1289 or drop him an email to schedule a time.

Thanks!

Sides for Upcoming Auditions

Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in the upcoming casting session on May 9th.

Sides are available for the following characters:

• Jeff
  
• The Flamingo
  
• Jenna
  
• Chelsea
  
• Troy
  
• Mark

There are not sides for Shannon, who will likely be cast from those auditioning for Jenna and/or Chelsea. Those wishing to audition for Rob should know that he has one scene that is mostly represented in Chelsea's scene.

Some sides contain multiple scenes. Please prepare for all scenes in your character's sides.

Open Casting in Salt Lake Friday, May 9

The producers of a low-budget independent feature comedy, LEGENDS OF MINIGOLF: THE FLAMINGO'S CHALLENGE, a comedy about minigolf and self-destructive behavior, will be holding a casting session at the University of Utah's Francis Madsen Building, Room 201, on Friday, May 9, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The film will be shot on HD digital video this summer over 12+ shooting days in Utah County.

We are looking for actors for the following parts:

Jeff: Early-to-mid-twenties. Male. The story's protagonist, Jeff is a more or less average sort of guy, both in attitude and appearance. He is trying to get his life back on track when he develops a crippling obsession with mini-golf. This part will require some harsh profanities.

Jenna: Early-to-mid-twenties. Female. Jeff's girlfriend, who works hard to please those around her and keep the peace, while never betraying the toll that takes on her. This part will require some harsh profanities.

The Flamingo: Late twenties to mid-thirties. Male. An almost mythic, eccentric, over-the-top minigolfing supervillain in a pink tuxedo, speaking in an exaggerated mid-Atlantic accent, with oodles of dastardly charisma who sets the story in motion as Jeff's minigolf nemesis. He could perhaps best be described as a cad and a scoundrel, of the most classic and classy variety. This part will require some light profanities.

Troy: Early-to-mid-twenties. Male. Jeff's housemate and best friend, a snarky video game enthusiast. This part will require some harsh profanities.

Chelsea: Early-to-mid-twenties. Female. Jenna's roommate, a bubbly and aspiring actress who strives to balance both scholastic and thespian responsibilities.

Mark: Early-to-mid-twenties. Male. Long-time friend of the protagonist, Mark is finishing up college and preparing to move away to grad school with his girlfriend/fiancée/whatever, Shannon. This part will require some light profanities.

Shannon: Early-to-mid-twenties. Female. Sensible and to the point, Shannon is finishing up college and preparing to move away to grad school with her boyfriend/fiancé/whatever, Mark.

Rob: Early-to-mid-twenties. Male. A good-looking but socially awkward aspiring actor who wants very much to connect with Chelsea, but comes off more quiet and creepy than anything else.

Lackeys: Two physically impressive, largely mute brutes who make up the Flamingo's lackeys/flunkies/caddies.

An additional casting session will be held the following weekend in Provo, details for which will be shortly forthcoming.

We are currently determining what sort of (if any) upfront financial consideration we can offer. Should the film show any profit in the future, additional compensation will be provided.