The making of 'The One Long Night'
After finally finishing off all of his paid gigs, Mike Hill was ready to go into production for his first movie. Problem was, all of the finished screenplays he had needed more resources than he wanted to put into his first film. To ensure a successful completion, he decided he needed a screenplay that met the following criteria:- Short
- Single Location, and that would be Mike Hill's house.
- One actor. Zero actors would have been difficult.
- Didn't use any special props, at least none that we didn't already have on hand.
- Explored the techniques needed to produce some of our more ambitious stories.
- No on-screen dialog. This would make finding bullet #3 easier...
- Can be shot after working hours, because we all have day jobs.
- Use no distinguishing branding. No copyright issues...
The reluctant Dan Veazey was recruited to play the part of Jacob. He also got wrapped (literally) into the role of the ghosts as well, and spent several hours wrapped up in dyed cheesecloth, sweltering under the hot studio lights.
Shooting started on September 29. Dan had a close friend, Margaret Loyd, that did his makeup work. Ken Silliman, Margaret Loyd, and Debra Oliver took turns as production assistants. Ken also doubled (tripled?) as grip, dolly grip, and best boy (a title he didn't really care for much, but we'll list it here anyway...) Ken, Curt Danhauser, and Jason Scherer help out with the practical effects on set. Curt held the boom for the front door scene. The whole time Joy Hill did an awesome catering job. Principal photography was complete on October 22.
Mike Hill did the editing, visual effects and sound effects work. He recruited Curt Danhauser to hand paint around 24 frames that didn't quite look right. Due to day jobs and family schedules (the important stuff) the few short evening hours were stretched thin. Some keying issues and other technical difficulties slowed the whole process down as well.
PMC was brought in for the music, and in a little over a week we had a killer soundtrack for the short. No canned music!
On November 20, the short was complete. It took a little longer than originally planned, as we were hoping for a October 31st premiere party when we were originally writing the story. Things seldom go as originally planned.
The first private screening for the short was held on November 21, 2006 for the cast and crew.
