Great Books
Amazing reading.
Aloha,
If you are just joining, welcome. Darieus Legg is an independent animator, filmmaker, and surfer.
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These are journal entries about…
…making an independent animated surf documentary with the working title; Stoker Machine.
Today’s newsletter is short. I am back from the shoot.
How did it go? Not at all what I expected. Almost nothing went my way. Documentary filmmaking is a wild ride. Need excitement in life? Want uncertainty at every corner? Then have I got the solution for you! Make a documentary. Lol. I am not complaining. In fact, I love it. Even when it’s tough times.
Expect the unexpected. I think I’m coming to terms with this, so-called truth.
The whole story of the movie hinged on what was initially a “mystery” to be solved. Who is Stoker and where did this board come from? This shoot, which took months of prep and planning, where the main character meets and gets all the answers, all got washed down the drink. Life had other plans. Things beyond my control, which I won’t go into, caused the films climax and ending - not to be.
It’s a trip. Shocking in fact. Because I’ve invested and dedicated two years of life into this film. Not only me, but a ton of people who have been helping and supporting on the peripheral. Especially my beloved Marilen. It takes a village as the saying goes…
Remember all those animations and hand drawings that were lost in a computer crash? Well, this is a similar type of low. But guess what? I am resilient. Despite not getting the ending I thought I’d get, I still have an opportunity to make a terrific movie with what I have. All I can control is what is in my control.
I’m looking at the footage, seeing what makes it into the film, and what does not. But more importantly, I got more clarity on what is missing and where the story needs to go. More context on surfboard creation, retro boards coming back, and how Stoker’s V-Machine fits into that culture. I’m going to interview shapers, glassers, and retro surfboard collectors to help fill in the holes. That way, when we weave into Chad’s Stoker story, the general audience will have a deeper understanding of surfboards in general and give me an ending that doesn’t require a big “reveal”. Instead of the film ONLY being a main character “mystery” to be solved. It is now a niche surfboard history documentary meets minor character mystery. Lol.
The hiccup that almost derailed the entire project has, if anything, caused the film to get better. Which is what happened after I lost my initial animations and drawings. The film got better because I had to look for new ways to FIND and TELL the story. The same is happening now. That excites me! I’ve never seen a film like this before and with a few add-on’s and tweaks, Stoker Machine will see the magical darkness of movie theatre.
In the meantime, please enjoy some books I recently finished reading, and a photo from production. In the Close-Out section I share some thoughts on doing the work.
Fiction.
My beloved Marilen turned me onto this gem. A great reminder to be grateful for what you already have. A magical story, aimed at thirty-somethings struggling to find purpose to live anymore.
Non-fiction.
Another gem found by my beloved. Both Marilen and I read this together recently. A powerful book that has transformed our relationship. Packed with thought provoking exercises. A must read for anyone with a relationship to anything, or anyone. It applies.
Non-Fiction.
An animator and illustrators, delight. Exquisite book that shares techniques used by the filmmakers on the classic film. Great interviews with the legendary art director, Kazuo Oga.
Randal Rostoker. Production still from the short-animated documentary, Stoker Machine.
Concept art for the poster.
WHAT’S GOING DOWN:
Setting up an online network to back-up the film. That is in my control!
Writing and re-writing the film, Stoker Machine. I’m somewhat in a new place all together with the story, so I am making adjustments in-script before I commit to more interviews and editing. Doesn’t that sound fun!? I kid, it actually is fun to me. Solving a puzzle.
If you missed my last blog post, check out a short grindhouse film that my friends and I made many moons ago. For frills thrills and laughs, click on the hyper-link.
The Close-Out
No matter what, life to me appears to be a series of relationships. Work, family, friends, hobbies, all of them are a relationship. Relationships require decisions. Show up. Stay open to learn. Do work. Simple. Simple does not mean easy. Easy way, hard life. Hard way, easy life. It’s how growth happens. Sure as shit is fun to experience, reflect, and participate. Making hard choices is rewarding and paying dividends in all the right areas.
Thank you for stopping by! Have a great week. If you’d like to share something you are grateful for, feel free to post it in the comments below.
Here is mine: I appreciate living next to the ocean, inhaling salty air while making a cup of coffee at dawn, and checking the surf before most people are awake.
Stoked,
Sheila Scorned (A grindhouse Intermission)
Sheila Scorned
Aloha,
If you are just joining us, welcome. Darieus Legg is an independent animator, filmmaker, and surfer.
These are excerpts from…
a journal. About making an independent animated surf documentary and comic called, Stoker Machine.
This week I’m on location shooting the final scene of the Stoker Machine documentary. Below is a fantastic genre “Grindhouse” short-film. We made the film six or seven years ago. I think you’ll find it very entertaining. Please enjoy as we will return to our regular scheduled programs when I get back!
Sheila Scorned
I had the pleasure of making two dear friends from this film. One is Mara Tasker. A fellow cinephile and filmmaker, she invited me to help edit and tell her incredible kick-ass story. We had a ball making the film. The other is Jim Senti, a talented actor and performer. Cinema is unique in a lot of ways. One particular way is their ability to bring people together in service of a story. Possibly, creating life long friendships along the way.
I hope you enjoy watching this short-film as much has we do!
WHAT’S GOING DOWN:
This week shooting the final scene of Stoker Machine.
Met with the talented Coleen Baik to discuss working together on Stoker Machine.
If you missed my last blog post on PT.1 of my origin story, check out Live Stoked.
Spotify playlist for when you working Stoker #02.
Bonus Material
An animation test for fun. Why else?