Stickman Productions Blog

Le Film: Part Deux

2009-12-17T13:21:00.000-08:00

Coming early next year is Stickman Production's homage/parody/tribute to the pretentious art house films of early France and America, "Le Film: Part Deux". In the style of "Paris, jet'aime", each of the StickMen will direct their own segment. Check back for updates on the project.

The War Next Door: "Culiacán" / "Narco"

2009-01-11T22:57:00.000-08:00

Mitch Bykerk and I have begun developing a project, alternating between the tentative titles "Culiacán" or "Narco". It deals with the extremely fascinating and currently ongoing drug war in Mexico. A war which, to date, has been described as twice as worse as the War on Terrorism in terms of casualties, both civilian and military. This is going to be a "script first and ask questions later" project, meaning that budgetary concerns are not in play here.

We have discovered a main player in this true story that we think would make for an interesting central character. Our plan is to make this as accurate as we can to the real life situation and to fictionalize as little of it as possible. Once you've delved into the media and wealth of other material available, I think you'll find the concept gripping without much need for embellishment.

I have compiled a list of reading material for those interested in working on this. Contact either one of us with questions, concerns, ideas, and so on if you are interested.

Netflix "Find Your Voice" Film Competition

2009-01-08T14:15:00.001-08:00

Might as well enter in here:

http://www.netflixfindyourvoice.com/

You never know.

Squeaky Clean: Behind the Scenes of "The Cleaners"

2008-12-29T08:48:00.000-08:00

Let's start the new year off right.

Ty Brown's long-awaited documentary of the principle photography on "The Cleaners" shoot of '07 is coming up later today.

It's long, sprawling, humorous, and an interesting look at a group of close friends setting out to make an ultra-low budget film.

Part 1.

Part 2.

A little something for the viewers...

2008-12-01T16:34:00.001-08:00

Hey, holla, Bonjour, Chow

Comment-allez vous???!

Thought so, good to hear from you. Anywho, I have some pictures or "screengrabs" if you will from some of the Get it Started footage. Please, enjoy.

The Take on Red

2008-11-19T23:19:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I just want to say that hopefully, when these come out, we (the stickmen) will get one of them... i cant even explain how stoked i am for one!!!

Advancing the Audio

2008-11-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hey gang. Ok, so I just finished this project for my Advanced Audio Class. Its cool. lol, anyway, its not really "finished" but its "finished" for all intensive purposes involving my class and teacher. I hope to go back and do more. Anyway, about the project, we were given this scene to COMPLETELY redo the audio from scratch, designing everything in the mix. We recorded the voices, made sounds, and used a sound library as well. Tell me what you think.

Turn your speakers up LOUD, its mixed like a movie, not like a TV show

Advanced Audio Project Fall 2008 from Stickman Productions on Vimeo.

The Art of the Animal

2008-10-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Well folks, here it is: The long awaited world premiere of the House of Orange Video for 'The Art of the Animal.'

Watch it, study it, love it. Then tell all your friends to rinse and repeat.

House Of Orange - The Art of the Animal from Shane Bierley on Vimeo.

Thanks again to everyone who helped. It turned out awesome.

PS. I realize this is my third video post in a like 2 months. I assure you, I am all quality over quantity, but this moth was busy with a lot of small stuff.

-Shane Bierley

The Take on Getting Things Started

2008-10-16T22:55:00.001-07:00

So my friends it has been FOR-EV-ER since I have updated this, and I am sorry. So let me start by saying "qaleghqa'neS" aka "I am honored to see you again."

So I have been uber busy with getting ready to "Get it Started" (I did that to be punny)

Yes it is true, I am Directing the music video for the Hit Single from Faith Fitzgerald "Get it Started" And tomorrow we start.

I just want to say I am excited, anxious, and ready as ever. I have a great crew, great cast, and hopefully great extras! Haha. But really, Shane, Blake, Ty, Chase, David, Brent, Rob, Faith, The Back-up Dancers, Jubilee, and my friends that will help from SMU or elsewhere, this is going to be big, that only the STICKMEN can do.

So grab your popcorn people and bring your dancing shoes, because we are going to "Get it Started"!

And Here We Go...

2008-10-07T09:34:00.000-07:00

As I sit and write, I am excited, scared, and ready, all rolled into one big emotion with out a name. In less than a 5 short hours, we actually begin production on Do Not Disturb, the (hopefully) funny and honest mockumentary about a guy who has a sleeping problem.

It feels surreal. This is the biggest thing I have ever directed that I also wrote, so I am hoping I have the clarity of vision to see the thing from script to screen and it be as great I could ever hope for. The script was completed in February, and it's been stewing in my head ever since, but today finally we can begin to commit our ideas to celluid. (Or P2 cards... tomatoes / tomahtoes, I say...)

Anyways, please wish me luck as we begin the journey. This is not MY film... this is OURS, all of ours. And to everyone who has agreed to help in some way, shape, or form... from costume designers to musical composers to cinematographers: thank you. This project will be awesome and it is because of your help.

From the bottom of my heart of hearts: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

I'll see you on set.

Humbly,

Shane Bierley

PS. "... And ACTION!"

Another One?

2008-10-07T09:33:00.001-07:00

I have a new film online called Escalation.

It was for an FDM class, so it's short and sweet. Let me know what you think!

Escalation from Shane Bierley on Vimeo.

Thanks!

Shane

*Mod Note: Click on the "Escalation" link in the Filmography bar to your right to watch in glorious high-def.

The Janitor's Curse

2008-09-18T08:22:00.001-07:00

Hidey-Ho neighbor.

So, since everyone else was posting things that they are working on, i figured i would post one that I too am working on.

This is tentatively called "The Janitor's Curse." Its a pretty cool idea I do think. I pitched it to Blake first, and he and I came up with a general story. I then did some storyboards and Chase came up with Roh-bit ideas. There is more to come, but probably further down the road considering we have other things now on our plate...

A Cup of Sugar

2008-09-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hey all.

I have a new film online now called 'A Cup of Sugar' on my new vimeo page.

It was for a film class of mine, but I was just so happy with it, I had to share it with the whole cyber-world. Here it is:

Thanks to everyone on was in or on this film: you guys are awesome!

Please let me know what you think and enjoy the show!

Do Not Disturb

2008-09-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

On behalf of Shane,

Contact him if you haven't gotten a chance to read the final draft of his upcoming film "Do Not Disturb".

It's very funny and more than worth your time to read.

-B

House of Orange Video Update

2008-09-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

The House of Orange video went AWESOME. The band did great and the entire crew stepped up and gave it their all. I can not thank everyone enough. Truly, the star of the show was Taylor Rudd, the Cinematographer. Holy moly... this video is one of the best looking things I have directed and it is mainly his fault. Let me give you a taste:

Yeah, and that's just the appetizers. Roger Deakins, watch out. When BK finishes editing (which, of course, is the cream on top) in a few weeks, this video will be great. Back for more soon.

With Hands Dabbled In Blood

2008-08-23T20:36:00.001-07:00

Well as some of you know, I am working on a Sci-fi movie. It is a Drama/Action set in the future. Mankind has spread throughout the galaxy, setting up colony after colony. They are unified under one central government that works well for a time. Soon the World becomes polarized into the Wealthy, who control the government, and the Poor, who just want a chance at a better life.

The story is about a few men who set out to fight the corruption of a deteriorating government.

Below, you will see some concept art of what I would like the sets and costumes to be like. *NOTE* I am not an Artist. These are merely my pathetic attempts to get down onto paper what is bouncing around in the gray matter. Also these are very random things to be drawn. They are also no complete.

First is a Dress uniform that Michael, one of the main characters wears in a couple scenes. He is part of an elite military unit tasked with protecting the 'royal family'. The red symbolizes the Royal family. The blue cord over the shoulder signifies the job of protection. The three tassels hanging from the blue cord signifies that he is the commander of the detachment. In the scenes, with the dress uniforms, Michael and his team are the only ones wearing that uniform. All other uniforms are quite different and they all signify different things. I will put them up as I finish them.

Next is the Exterior of Williams house. It is butted up against the mountains and is walled in with very large walls. It is a very secure 'compound'.

Finally is the Main 'throne' room where the Head of the government meets. The center chair is where the big cheese sits. In front him him are the representatives from all of the different 'colonies' Above all of them are the five council members who oversee all happenings of the government. There are many things that I am probably going to add later. One of these things is, on the back of the five council members seats there are going to be eyes. Possibly behind them I would like to put up either a window or a mural depicting two Griffins facing each other in a very elaborate organization. I just can't draw that well.

I am still working on a few others that I will more than likely post up here as well.

VH1 Presents: Stickman Productions: Behind The Movies

2008-08-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

For a while now, people have been asking me where we came up with the name for our humble company: Stickman

I'm not 100% sure, since Blake and Will were the ones who actually came up with the name, but at this point, I am fairly certain it is from the lively characters we "create" in our story boards. Since none of us can draw, our boards end up looking like toothpicks badly arranged into the rudimentary shape of a human or dog or the occasional cleaning van. See figure 1 below:

These are from my collection, but if you were to glance into everyone else's notebooks, they would all look the same. Chocked full of skinny people usually with huge eyes and balls for hands. I know, they are borderline pathetic, but I love these style drawing for a few reasons:

1) It makes for a better experience for us when we actually get to see our visions come to screen. If you look at Lucas' or Spielberg's boards, they are all drawn by professionals who detail the image and really show you exactly what you are going to get on screen. Where's the fun in that?

2) It provides for a good laugh when you have to explain to a cinematographer or producer that our drawings are hands and feet and not tenticles or... other things.

3) It's a fun trip down nostalgia lane to look at them months and years later, after the film is done. They make you laugh at how you though the shot was gunna go and how it actually went.

Which brings me to my last point. Regardless of drawing talent (or lack there of) I hope we can all keep doing this for the rest of our lives. I think I can speak for everyone else when I say: I sure do love making movies.

Coming Eventually

2008-08-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

Here for my first post I have the teaser poster for my movie idea called "Gold Standard". I'm sure its not apparent at all that this was made on paint, we don't all have photoshop. On second thought, lets just go ahead and consider this a concept for a poster.

Blog Poem

2008-07-31T19:54:00.001-07:00

I missed out.
Missed out on "Cuz"
...oh well.
My own fault, too damn busy for friends.
For that, I'm sorry.
... oh well.

Thanks for all your patience, and I hope you'll still keep me around.

"Cuz" looks awesome.

Let me know if I can help in any other way.

...oh well.

A New "Cuz" Teaser

2008-07-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so at the request of Blakus Brownus, I have made a picture of the opening of CUZ, where you can get a palatable hankering for the upcoming smash hit CUZ.

Take a look at my personal blog soon for my take on the Sitcom, as well as Blake's and Shane's for their views.

*editors note: click for high res. it looks even better.

A Taste of "Cuz"

2008-07-30T00:12:00.001-07:00

Here is a little teaser for all you loyal readers out there, the crew of "CUZ" reenacting the opening titles for the show.

"Cuz" Aftermath

2008-07-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

Stickman Productions has just completed principal photography on Jubilee Productions' pilot episode of "Cuz".

The production was frenzied and hectic, tiring, and ultimately rewarding. Post will begin early August.

We'll be throwing some behind-the-scenes photographs taken by documentary guru Jonathan Graves up on the site in the next few days.

Thanks to all who worked so hard on the production.

PS. Apologies for this not fulfilling the promise of an "extensive entry" to the blog coming soon. I am recovering from a Benadryl hangover. Check back within the week for a (hopefully) detailed account of how it all went down.

"Cuz" Day One

2008-07-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

So this is a short blog.

Day One = Finished

Day Two. Here we come.

Check back later for a little more updated and extensive entry :)

The Story of "Cuz'

2008-07-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

About 3 months ago, I got a call from the executive producer of Jubilee Productions asking me if I wanted to direct their new sitcom, 'CUZ', along with having the rest of Stickman Productions do the rest of the above the line credits (DP, Produce, Edit, etc.) They were familiar with some of my other work. After a read though of the script and a few logistical talks, we agreed to do it.

I don't want to say too much-- I want you to see the pilot first. But I will say the show is about a two cousins who are in different walks of life who are forced to live together in the midst of their crazy family and friends. It feels like 'Fresh Prince' meets 'Everyone Loves Raymond.' If we do it right, hilarity ensues.

We have spent weeks rehearsing, and with each meeting, I get more excited. I am truly lucky to have such an excellent cast. Everyone on the show is very energetic and brings a whole new level to their character I couldn't have even asked for. I also have a great crew. Blake Brown, The show's producer is top notch and the shows' DP is also a working pro: William Kamp. Plus a handful of other professionals coming like Bernard Garceau (He of 'Violet' fame) and Brent McCabe in from out of town to help out-- it's gonna be good.

But now it hits me: we are only 4 days from shooting this show now. This is exciting and scary. I think like everything else in the film business, people put up a good talk, but results vary with the actual product. Directing is such a funny business-- you are only as good as the people around you. I certainly feel ready, but who knows. I just have to trust my gut instinct that we are going to be able to put something together really special. At very least, I hope it can sift above the rest of the pathetic 30 minute assaults to my senses known as 'popular television'-- seriously, does anyone really like 'Dancing with the Stars'?

And in a few months, who knows-- it could be on TV. The CW has already shown an interest in picking it up. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

More pictures and webisodes will hit the Internets soon, but until then I give you this teaser picture:

Stay Tuned...

Noobz.

2008-07-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

For those new to Stickman Productions, check our our various resources littered throughout the world wide web:

Official Website

Official MySpace

We'll have more updates to come in the future.

Keepin' you posted,

Introductions.

2008-07-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow StickMen,

This will be the access point for all things Stickman Productions related.

With our productions of the sitcom "Cuz" coming to fruition this weekend, expect to see a glimpse of how all future production updates will be handled.

We appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,