We are currently filling out our crew positions and making progress on casting. We’ve been working with a list of actors we want to pursue and our casting directors are checking availability and interest. We took some big swings like going after Yara Shahidi and Nico Parker. They are all (obviously) booked so we are working on getting talent that are seasoned actors. But also have the right look. Instagram followers are nice, but what’s most important is that the actor playing the role of the teenage runaway Alice looks the part of someone who is a child out of their depth and has a range of ability. The role of Alice requires a combination of emotional depth, immaturity, and sass. She is both an assistant and a sparring partner to the whirlwind that is Travis.
We have hired a makeup artist and wardrobe designer, who we are meeting with in tandem this upcoming week. Wardrobe and makeup can be elements of a film that are easily ignored. On a lower budget movie, an actor will typically bring whatever they have and also do their own makeup. But Chris brought up something very important with this film:
Giving each character their own signature look that makes them a unique character in the world.
THE REALITY CHECK
Travis is a musician who has been on the street for a short while, but is also trying to get back to the life he once led. He is balancing trying to survive his everyday life and also hold onto his past. We imagine that he would have a signature jacket, one that he wore whenever he was in the studio. We also envision that because of his synesthesia, sometimes he would take out sunglasses whenever the sounds and lights of the world are too overwhelming. These will be worn from his harsh living conditions, but also personal to him and making him human.
His makeup look shows someone who does live in the conditions of the unhoused, but also manages to keep himself together. Many people experiencing homelessness find ways to keep up appearances – whether that be gym memberships to shower in or using the work bathroom. So Travis would keep his beard and hair as trimmed as he can while living rough.
Another reminder that Travis is all of us. We are just trying not to imagine it.
Alice is a rebellious character who is deep inside skater culture. Because she comes from a wealthy family, her clothes are from more expensive stores. But her recent experiences of running away have worn down her nicer attire. For her makeup, we are going with something easy but noticeable. We pondered 2 looks – one with glitter around the eye and one that’s black eyeliner with some lash extensions. We decided on the black eyeliner, because we imagined that her contemporaries at school would lean into the glitter and this would make her stand out.
Beyond the main pair, we are also making sure each character in Travis’s world has their own signature look and style. From his best friend to the pawn shop owner, each person has their own personal story that informs their sense of fashion. These details make each character stand out by wearing their stories through their clothes and mannerisms.
Even if we never hear them speak on it.
The Challenge: Right now we are in the very beginning, so the looks are all on paper. We have our main actor cast of JQ Cole and we have the opportunity to experiment with what works best with him. Not having our lead of Alice or any of the other cast yet means we are coming up with looks we think will work, but don’t have an exact person where we can really dial things in.
Making a film is often waiting for dominoes to fall. Our biggest domino is getting an AD on board and securing our schedule. We have a rough schedule ready which involves shooting in chunks over the course of November and December. However, getting an exact schedule needs to be done in order to truly lock down cast.
The other key position is a Production Designer. We have yet to solidify this position and it’s an important one as they will be working closely with both makeup and wardrobe. They will define the environment that encompasses the world of the characters and help us make the city itself a unique element of our story.
Lessons For Fellow Creators
- Character design begins with personal details. Think about how your characters will look through their hair, makeup and fashion sense. What styles and colors are they attracted to? What is their unique look as a character?
- Every visual choice should have meaning. Think about why your characters look the way they do. What about them or their backgrounds make them wear certain clothes or style their hair a certain way? Do they keep their clothes neat or messy? What function do these elements serve for them? Is there a certain way they dress that communicates something specific?
- Details create memorable moments. Every detail should be thought of before you get to set. Work with your actors and department heads to think about how these elements will bring out something unique in the character. The things that make up a person are what goes unsaid. The spaces between dialogue and also the way a character looks. It’s all these little details that exist outside of dialogue that we notice in films, especially in the quiet moments, that create a film’s most memorable moments.
LOOKING AHEAD
Next we are looking to get our final crew positions locked down, namely finding an Assistant Director, Production Designer and Location Sound Mixer. If you have recommendations (or if you want to be a part of the production), we’re still doing interviews.
Getting these looks back from the makeup and wardrobe departments is making me think of small details to add inside certain scenes. These can become little bits of actions that the actors can give their characters certain mannerisms and affectations. I’m sure this will inform yet another draft of the script where these new elements add to the world we’re building.
Production Stats:
- Days completed: Still in pre-production
- Budget status: Still being raised
- Team morale: Very high
- Biggest win this week: Adding more members to our team and getting responses from our casting options