Been Awhile: New Projects and New Directions

CK Films, for the past 6 months, has been hard at work producing films for the 2011 Festival seasons.

First off some quick updates regarding two previously posted projects, Lost Land & Tablets of the Gods:

Lost Land: Lost Land was unfortunately the victim of an office wide harddrive and server crash, deleting much of the films progress and taking us back down to before the film was locked. The footage still exists, though other projects needed to take precedent. We are still hoping to have the film completed for the 2011 H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.


Tablets of the Gods: Tablets of the Gods was 9 days out from wrapping principal photography when one of our key actors, who we had neither the schedule nor the resources the cast, decided to quite cold turkey. The project, as a result, was immediately put on hold indefinitely. Though there is plenty of footage, certain scenes required for the scripts version of the film were not yet shot. Also, its a tad disheartening to look at such a big project, to see it end in such an unfortunate way. There are plans to release a teaser trailer with the footage, though salvaging the film itself and cutting it into anything more is still uncertain.

Thank you all so much for your patience regarding both of these projects.

And now, the year in review:

The Year In Review:

Upon the Green (May 2010):


Upon the Green (2010) from Woodruff Laputka on Vimeo.

-Nominated for the Royal Television Society Best Undergraduate Documentary in the UK, 2010.

The Director (November, 2010):


The Director (2010) from Woodruff Laputka on Vimeo.

"A retired filmmaker reflects on his life-long career." CK Films, 2010.

Special Boy (December, 2010):


Special Boy: Behind The Scenes from HYBRID COLOR FILMS on Vimeo.
 
Collaboration between CK Films, Hybrid Color Films & Scarface Productions.
2010.

News to come...

Hey folks,

So CK Films has been on radio silence lately. Mainly, its been a busy time this past spring and current summer, and the details/developments regarding our two current productions haven't been ready to release yet. And really, their still not ready to be released. I can assure, however, that updates will be coming soon, regarding both Lost Land and Tablets of the Gods, and that you can bet your bottom dollar on. In the meantime, know that we are working very hard to make the HP Lovecraft Film Festival deadline, and that we hope the programmers will enjoy the hard work that has gone into CK's efforts this past year.

Cheers from the front. More information coming soon!

Lost Land Update

After several months of principal post-production,CK Film's Lost Land has moved into it's final production faze before heading off to the test audiences this coming month. Earlier in the week, Lost Land was handed over into the capable hands of music composer Mark Brownrigg, who's scores have been waiting for the completion of the films completely foleyd soundtrack.

Lee Blanton, producer of the Lost Land soundtrack, recently completed the piece after nearly 6 months in Alaska, recording audio materials and generating appropriate synthetic atmospheres that correspond and match the films story and scope.Lost Land will also be finalizing its colour treatment faze, as well as receiving its title designs, with in the next two weeks scheduled.

As of now, Lost Land is set for completion on the 31st of May, with its premier and Festival distribution aimed for as early as this September and into Spring of 2011.

More news to come...

Fresh off the table: Stills from Tablets of the Gods

With principle photography in its final stretch, Tablets of the Gods is progressing well. Here are a few stills gathered from the editing table as the film starts it's initial faze of post-production this week.

Tablets of the Gods poster design released

More from Tablets of the Gods

Tablets of the Gods is running along it's schedule smoothly. Weve had about 13 scenes to shoot this week, including the Abdul's Den scene, starring french actor Rony Kramer. Currently, at this rate we see primary photography finishing up by late April, as on schedule.

(Photos from this weeks shoot at Portcullis Inn in Stirling)

More to come...

From the Set: Tablets of the Gods

Tablets of the Gods is now two whole weeks into production. Crew has been working hard to facilitate the detailed requirements of each scenes 1920's setting, and to portray the stories atmosphere effectively. Still a long way to go from completion, but the film is shaping up nicely to finish primary photography by the end of April.

Rony Kramer onboard for Tablets of the Gods

Rony Kramer, the Parisian actor from such roles as Ramos Garcia in Jean-Luc Godard's '04 film, Notre Musique and Dzhaffad in the '07 film, Apocalypse Code has recently been brought on board for the Tablets of the Gods filming, currently in progress. With this comes the announcement of his role, the mysterious character Abdul the Arab, who shares Alfred Ebor's obsession for the discovery of the lost "truth of the gods."

More information on Ron and his past work can be viewed here.


More news to come...

Shooting Started for Tablets of the Gods

Production crew started work on TOTG's shooting schedule this past Saturday, March 13th. On Saturday, we took camera and cast up into the Scottish mountains, working towards the second half of a "dream sequence", where Laidlaw is searching for a distant Alfred Ebor, but doesn't really find what he expects.

Shooting schedule currently has TOTG production running into late April, though several locations/actors are still in negotiations.

More news to come...

New Concept Art for Tablets of the Gods

Heres the latest piece of concept art from illustrator Alec Fritz. A character design of Ms. Emma, Alfred Ebors housekeeper:

Lost Land Stills

Production stills from Lost Land

Tablets of the Gods-Preparing for Production

Tablets of the Gods is nearing the close of pre-production. Most of the main cast has been filled (names to be announced later this week), while securing locations, extras and spare crew is currently under way. If you are in Scotland, in the Midlands area (Stirling, Edinburgh, Glasgow) feel free to check out our Casting Call for extras and supporting roles below:

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Characters desired are as follows:

·         Housing Agent: Male, early 30’s to 40’s, dark hair, balding, average height with slim build.

·         Professor: 40’s to 50’s, grey hair, average height, average build.

·         Constable: 30’s to 40’s, brown hair/balding, tall height, large build.

Extras desired are as follows:

·         Park goers/Dog walkers/ Couples: Men and Women, aged early/mid/late 20’s to 50’s, Height and Weight of All types.

·         Train station patrons/ Train Station Employees/Soldiers: Men and Women, aged early/mid/late 20’s to 50’s (same).

·         Funeral Procession: Men and Women, aged mid to late 20’s to 50’s (same).

·         Arabs: Men & Women of Arabian/Middle eastern descent, aged 20’s to 40’s.

·         Scientists/ Doctors/ Students: Men aged early/mid/late 20’s to Fifties.

Casting Call will be held Sunday, March the 7^th from 10am to 4pm at Andrew Stewart Hall, University of Stirling campus.

Callbacks will occur between March 8^th and March 11^th.

For more information, please contact our main office @ CKFilmsHelp@Gmail.com

or call: (07792) 898 637

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Right now, we hope to hit our goal of March 12th being the first official day of the shooting schedule. Production will run until April 18th. Thanks to all those who have assisted us this far.

More news to come...

Ebor and Laidlaws Lab concept

"Tablets of the Gods"concept artist, Alec Fritz has just submitted his layout for the Laboratory location, where our characters Ebor and Laidlaw spend several years working together.

Tablets of the Gods

Several weeks ago, now in the final stages of Lost Land post-production and having a lot of time on my hands, I started working on a screen adaptation of Algernon Blackwoods, "The Man Who Found Out." For those who are unfamiliar with the story, a researcher goes on an expedition to find the "Tablets of the Gods", which have plagued him in visions all his life. He finds the tablets, as well as the horrible truth they contain about mans true purpose in the universe.

For those familiar with Blackwoods short, 1921 tale, the adaptation will include all Blackwoods two original characters( Dr. Laidlaw and Dr. Ebor) as well as a new assortment of supporting roles to better help the story's development.

Though we hope to stay close to Blackwoods original 16 page vision, were hoping to build on various aspects story that its limited duration doesn't entirely permit: i.e. Ebors incredible balance between scientific skepticism and mystical curiosity; the effects of Ebors discovery to those around him; The relationship that Laidlaw and Ebor share, and and how thats effected during the course of events to come.

Were currently going through the sixth draft of the screenplay, while assembling our production team. This is the first film ChiarosKuro will be doing abroad, but local groups have been very considerate to help getting this concept off the ground and running towards a potential Spring to Summer shoot. Casting will mostly take place between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling, Scotland, while locations are being considered in the Highlands, as well as the before-mentioned areas.

More updates to come...

Woodruff

Lost Land Teaser released!

chiarosKuro films finally releases official teaser for the up-and-coming short film "Lost Land", scheduled for release later this year:

"LOST LAND" teaser (2010) from Woodruff Laputka on Vimeo.