Best Film and winner of
4 other awards for the Film Racing Grand Prix 2009.
"Gone Goodbye" was
created in 100 hours for the Film Racing Grand Prix
2009 based on a theme assignment
(privacy)
and a surprise element (a balloon). It went on
to take home "Best Film" and 4 other awards, and
also marked back to back wins in the Grand Prix for
Keith Rivers Films, LLC based out of Seattle,
WA.
Film Racing (FR):
Congratulations on winning the Film Racing Grand
Prix two years in a row! It’s been a year since you
created “thr33” and won the Film Racing Grand Prix
2008. How far have you come in the last year in
regards to your filmmaking and overall goals as a
filmmaker?
Keith Rivers:
Miles. Generations. Light years. Ha! I’m constantly
trying to push myself into unknown bounds, even if
that means failing a bunch before getting something
right.
Keith:
It’s a mom and pop shop without the mom and pop,
just me, a 5Dmk2 camera, computer, and talented
friends.
FR:
Break down the production schedule of “Gone
Goodbye”.
Keith:
Day 1 – Writing with Tyler, Day 2 – Pre-production &
Helicopter shots with Tabb, Day 3 – All principle
production shots with Clyde and crew, Day 4 –
Editing/Mo-graphs, Sound Design/Coloring/Sleeping
FR:
What equipment and hardware/software was used during
the pre-production, production and post-production
of “Gone
Goodbye”?
Keith:
We shot on a 5dmk2, 501HD fluid tripod, Zaruto Matte
box and focus pull, no monitor!, a plastic bag from
Target that kept the rain away, and a homemade
skateboard dolly with PVC pipe.
FR:
The aerial photography was very impressive. How did
you get the aerial shots and did you run into any
problems during the filming?
Keith:
Aerial Pan Imaging in Seattle had a custom built
remote helicopter. He agreed to shoot only if it
didn’t rain. It rained all day, but he still drove
out. Every once in a while a patch of grey sky would
appear and we’d have 4-7 minutes to get the shot.
FR:
What was the most difficult part of “Gone
Goodbye”
and creating a film in 100 hours?
Keith:
Getting the aerial shots. We picked a long deserted
road with no crossing telephone wires, we had to
avoid the stop and go rain. The goal was to achieve
one consecutive “Gus Van Sant looking shot” that
rises up past the barriers of any jib. We also
wanted to get that floating affect so as to look
like a balloon following/hovering over the car. In
the picture car, we had a stunt driver, and a PA on
a walkie communicating with the follow car. In the
follow car we had a PA on a walkie also holding a
wireless microwave antenna pointing to the heli to
get a monitor signal. I was in the back seat
operating the remote camera while Tabb was in the
front seat with his head out the sunroof steering
the heli. Our driver would yell my directions out
the sunroof to Tabb to raise or lower the Heli. It
was very tricky but so fun! It took us about four
takes before it got dark and we were satisfied with
the shots.
FR:
Any good behind the scenes stories?
Keith:
We only had one balloon with Helium, and it barely
fit in Craig’s car. Wish I had a picture of him
driving with the ridiculously oversized balloon. We
attached a razor blade to the end of a stick and had
to get the popping right. We set focus and hoped for
the best. Also, we rigged up the balloon with
fishing wire and Craig built a line release out of a
Vitamin Water bottle that allowed smooth pulling
motion of the fishing line to the balloon, allowing
it to rise or fall. We hid the Vitamin Water rigg
behind a bunch of stacked rocks and Craig would
trick the balloon up or down while Doug Vogel
reached for it. Sam roto-scoped the fishing wire out
of the picture frame by frame when we got into post.
Good times.
Check out
behind the scenes stills and footage from "Gone
Goodbye"
Music Composition & Photography by Sam Nuttmann
FR:
What were some of your favorite films from this
year’s Film Racing Grand Prix 2009?
Keith:
I LOVED “Game Night”. The comedic timing of the edit
was amazing. “Unfiltered” was embarrassingly funny
also. I very much want to work with both of those
writers.
FR:
What advice would you give to someone that wants to
get involved in filmmaking today?
Keith:
Become good friends with someone who will give you
lots of money and then give me a call. Haha, joking,
sort of… In all seriousness, read the poem “IF” by
Rudyard Kipling and IF you are following that poem
to the nines, you will succeed. Also, work hard,
even on rainy days.
FR:
Do you have any ongoing or upcoming projects you
would like to share?
Keith:
Yes, I’m seeking funds for a zombie music video for
Catherine Feeny (catherinefeeny.com). Anyone can
donate as little as $1.00. We need help with post
production and pick up shot finances to complete
this film:
http://kck.st/8ZhAXS
FR:
Will you be back to defend your title in 2010?
Keith:
Yes, I hope so. I can’t wait to upload a film in
16x9.
CREDITS FOR “Gone Goodbye”
Writer - Tyler Wilson
Produced, Directed, & Edited - Keith Rivers
Co-Producer & Motion Graphics - Sam Nuttmann
Director of Photography - Clyde Garrido
Aerial DP - Tabb Firchau (Aerial Pan Imaging)
Starring - Doug Vogel
Voiceover Talent - Cody Lewis
Assistant Camera - Ryan Reese
Titling Effects & Art Director - Craig Smiley
Driver - Keith Bolling
Photography & Behind the Scenes - Keith Bolling &
Ryan Reese
PA - Neil Mooney
Special Thanks
TCM
Tiffany Talent
Leanne Rivers
NYC Midnight, LLC
Shot at Rattlesnake Lake, North Bend, WA on the
Canon 5DmkII
.png "Follow Film Racing on YouTube")
