News Archive...
9th October 2006
The rough cut continues to develop nicely - now with well over an hour on the clock. Watch for a re-design of the site in the next couple of weeks as the film's development changes a gear moving into post-production.
26th September 2006
We are very pleased to announce that Jonathan Kennerley is to be the soundtrack composer for Slovenia after Six. His previous credits include the New Zealand feature, Futile Attraction, along with several other short film projects.
25th September 2006
The rough cut for Slovenia after Six now has 45 minutes 'on the clock' - hurrah! Very pleased with how it is shaping up. The folks who have seen the cut as it stands are also impressed. Whatch this space for further updates!
Also, like what seems the rest of the planet, we have joined the MySpace revolution.
11th September 2006
Hope you like these - two new desktop backgrounds to use on your home computer.
Missed out on viewing the earlier video clips? The links are on the Downloads page.
5th September 2006
From the video vault -here's a little treat - the original lead cast auditions from April this year. Click here to view the clip on Google Video.
Also, here is the article I mentioned earlier on Ain't It Cool News.
4th September 2006
Now that we are officially in the 'post-production' phase, we are actively seeking funding and partners for completing Slovenia after Six. We are looking at starting post-production as early as possible, to stand a chance of reaching our goal of film festival entry next year.
Are you a potential investor, sponsor or supporter interested in helping us achieve our potential? Email us, we'd love to hear from you!
27th August 2006
Click here for a photo from the wrap party which we threw on Saturday, which was by all accounts a roaring success. Thank you to everyone that attended and helped make it a great night.
We had 20 minutes of edited footage to show on screen, and the feedback from cast, crew, and some industry people there was very positive.
22 August 2006
Our wrap party and Earthwire Productions launch is fast approaching - this coming Saturday. We are certainly expecting a big turn-out, and are all looking forward to this big milestone. It's been a full-on three months for all concerned, and I can say that, in this early stage of editing a rough-cut, the film is looking AWESOME.
17th August 2006
New trailer is now online! Click here for the Google Video link.
13th August 2006
The last big scene - a funeral. Very happy with the footage we captured today, which also signals the end of the major shoot. We are about 90% done now in terms of raw footage in the can.
Also, for you internet film news/rumors/trivia guys, we recently featured in a post on the long-running Ain't It Cool News.
12th August 2006
Last big location shoot - Helensville and Kumeu. Wrap party is planned for a fortnight.
6th August 2006
Today was one of the few 'rain days' we have had over the whole shoot - so we didn't get done what we set out to do today. Next weekend is the last 'big push' out on location - after that, only a small number of scenes to tidy up. Into the first rough cut of the film now that we are about 80% done in terms of footage in the can.
30th July 2006
We are pleased to announce a partnership with the Slovenian software company, New Age Software. There has been a great amount of interest from the film's name sake country in the last week or so, and we look forward to more association in the coming months.
29th July 2006
Day 15 is in the can - finished up at our bookstore location today. The weather held, and we got pretty much everything done that we set out to do. Bits and pieces tomorrow morning, including Fay's opening scenes.
26th July 2006
Trailer is finally up on Google Video!
25th July 2006
New pictures from the weekend added. During filming at the cafe over the weekend, we only had one guy come in ask for coffees from us... we did expect more. Four weekends of planned shooting to go.
Also updated the Slovenia page, now resplendent with interesting links thanks to some visitor feedback.
22nd July 2006
Week 7 is all done. Almost managed to complete the second shot list. Very lucky with our 'pub' location, the Grand Hotel in Helensville, was a quiet night for them which worked out fantastically well for us.
Pictures, as usual, to follow in a day or two. The observant and regular visitors will notice the absence of the trailer, which is currently 'back in the shop' while we sort some audio issues.
17th July 2006
Apologies for the long delay between updates... the PC blew a graphics card with smoke and everything over the weekend - back online now! Just past Week 6 of filming, with another 5 or so planned ahead. We are past the half way point now in terms of filming. Via the website, I'd like to offer a big thanks to all the cast and crew of Slovenia after Six for the hours and hours of hard work, late nights, early starts, that have enabled us to come this far.
Check out some images from last night, at Godfrey's Waitakere, where we shot the Mr Suck sequences. In one shot, check out our little store mascot, Mr Suck himself.
7th July 2006
Weekend 5 of shooting: full three days, and we're half way through principal photography. Look out for our listing in July's issue of OnFilm magazine. The photo above is from first weekend at the car yard, with our celeb cameo Ewen Gilmour in attendance.
3rd July 2006
A few pictures from Saturday. More to come from the road testing on Sunday.
2nd July 2006
Week 4 is in the can! Had productive days in both the cafe on Saturday and on the street on Sunday. We had fog roll in at 11am today, but apart from that, brilliant weather. Photos as usual will follow shortly. Had a quick edit of today's footage, which translated as: 3 hours on location = 24 minutes of tape = 17 second scene.
30th June 2006
Week 4 of shooting tomorrow - Helensville!
26th June 2006
More pictures from the weekend
25th June 2006
Today marks the completion of Day 6 of filming, very pleased to report that we are on schedule. The weather has been very kind to us for our exterior shoots, in the middle of all this winter madness, giving us another fine day today that more or less matches the weather we had during the first day shooting at Croydons.
Some photos for the weekend's shoot are now up.
24th June 2006
Interior night shoot - the 'dinner scene'
20th June 2006
Photos from weekend two of shooting are now up.
19th June 2006
Weekend two of filming is now done and dusted - and what a great weekend it was! Captured many great shots, very successful weekend. Will post pictures of the weekend's efforts soon.
16th June 2006
We are very pleased to announce our new supporters, Atomic Coffee Roasters, Butch Pet Food and Jacqui-e.
15th June 2006
New Gallery images! Taken at our Danske Mobler 'Vanity Fair'-style fashion shoot.
13th June 2006
Apologies for the lack of updates - looks like network problems with ClearNet, and/or the PC...
More to add to the gallery from the photo shoot very soon, also some pics from the first weekend of filming.
11th June 2006
Shoot days 1 and 2 are now complete. Very excited and pleased to finally be shooting on location. Thank you to our cast and crew who have put in the hard yards these last two days. Thank you again to our fantastic locations this weekend - Croydon Wholesalers and Avondale Book Exchange.
The first of many, many absolutely amazing photos from our 'Vanity Fair' style photo shoot on Friday evening can be found here. Expect more in the coming days.
The winner of our MOKA dinner for two has been drawn, and we are pleased to announce Edna Mueller of Albany as the winner. Once again, thank to all the people who entered that fundraiser.
8th June 2006
Location visit with key cast. Last minute planning. Photo shoot with main cast tomorrow night.
7th June 2006
3 days to the start of shooting!
3rd June 2006
Saturday heralded the end of group rehearsals - it's on location from here on in. Thank you to everyone who participated, we had a great day. Gallery for that is now up.
29th May 2006
Earthwire Productions Ltd is now a registered company!
28th May 2006
Production meeting. Logistics are such a pain to work out! Had to reshuffle a few weekends around to make it all work. Last rehearsal next Saturday, followed by an informal meal and drinks... check your emails if you're involved!
23rd May 2006
New gallery page. Not much on here until I get the tapes back from the Canon.
22nd May 2006
Many thanks to everyone who attended the full rehearsal we had yesterday afternoon. Some stella performances that went down well when we reviewed the tapes last night. The shoot for real is only a few weeks away now - the real logistics and planning of the exercise kick in now - how to get people and gear to some physically very small spaces in very short spaces of time. We'll make it work - after all, that's what indie film making is all about.
20th May 2006
Successful location visits with principal cast. It was good to let the owners of the locations meet the cast prior to shoot ing as well. As this point we'd like to thank so very much the local businesses who have very kindly supported us by permitting the use of their sites: Croyden Motors, Henderson, The Cafe, Helensville, The Grand Hotel, Helensville, Moka Restaurant, Henderson, Godfreys, Henderson and Avondale Books, Avondale.
16th May 2006
We are very pleased to announce a new major sponsor, KEA. KEA will be providing our crew with a camper on location as a base of operations. A new gallery page has also gone up from last weekend's lead rehearsals.
14th May 2006
Another excellent day of rehearsals. Picked up another face in front and behind the camera, David Luff. Full rehearsal planned for this coming Sunday - so if you're in as a lead or minor role, keep an eye on the email over the next few days for details.
11th May 2006
Mr Suck needs a mascot! Val's daytime torment, the vacuum cleaner store known as Mr Suck - needs to be branded. Take a look at the three ideas below, then give us some feedback!
10th May 2006
Rehearsals continue. Welcome aboard to Rajiv Raj, whom we're delighted to have aboard as our new camerman and Director of Photography. More images in the Gallery from last weekend's practice.
7th May 2006
On the shout-out for a kiwi band to cover our movie soundtrack! We are looking for a established or up and coming band to collaborate on a full film soundtrack. For logistics, an Auckland band would be best but not necessary. A very brief gallery of the weekend's work is up, more to follow.
6th May 2006
Lead rehersals, plus a few auditions for unplaced minor roles. Testing new gear.
3rd May 2006
Front page now has the main cast listing and a small bio of each... accidentially clicked past it? Click here to jump back. Also an official 'welcome aboard' to some of our crew, Line Producer, Catherine Keville, and production assistant Ken Maule. Both of them have working with us respectively on diverse tasks such as script lining, location scouting and equipment tests.
2nd May 2006
Big casting announcement tomorrow!!
30th April 2006
Another good day of production meetings and final auditions. We aim to announce the main cast on Wednesday.
29th April 2006
Auditions: day two. Looking today to cement main characters and aquire a good range of secondary characters and possible extras.
23rd April 2006
Auditions day one: aftermath. The day went really, really well - we had some excellent talent throughout the day and met heaps of cool people we are sure we can work with. Auditions will hopefully conclude next week. After that date we expect to announce our cast.
22nd April 2006
Audition day!
14th April 2006
Auditions are on again - this time organised for Saturday, 22nd of April. An email has gone out to all interested parties, please have a read if you've indicated an interest and book yourself in a time. If you think you've been forgotten or haven't received the email, please email us and we can organise a time.
Chantal has been home for a few days now and is doing well. We're hoping to focus our full attention on Slovenia as soon as possible.
8th April 2006
Chantal was unable to come home today as hoped - hopefully not too much longer in the hospital. The laptop has been so useful in this situation. The script has been tided up a bit and I've been teaching myself Premiere. Oh and an update on the car story - we have subsequently found out the plates have been changed, so ignore that part of the description below.
5th April 2006
On the Sunday just gone, the family car was stolen. This on top of Chantal's illness has compounded problems and made a tough week tougher. The family have to get up to Greenlane every day to visit Chantal and this blow has just made life more difficult. There were Slovenia audition flyers on the back seat, so if you're reading this and had anything to do with it, WE NEED OUR CAR BACK. It's a dark metallic blue 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer VRX, rego BPB175.
On a more upbeat note, MOKA Restaurant in Henderson have very kindly donated a dinner for two as a raffle prize to assist us in our fundriasing efforts. Moka have been vigorous supporters of arts locally, and we are delighted to be associated with them.
1st April 2006
Due to an eye injury, Chantal has been admitted to hospital and has had to be 'taken out of action' for the short term. Apologies to everyone who had booked in an audition, the first round of which had been planned for today. For our film Slovenia after Six, this means we will need to put the project on hold temporarily until we deal with this hurdle. Many thanks to everyone who has sent through messages of support. Special thanks goes out to Ken Maule who organised emails and messages to go out to people booked in for auditions at short notice while Chantal and I had a new short-term focus.
Also, if anyone knows of a caryard in the Auckland area (ideally out West!) who would maybe be interested in providing a location for our film, please get in touch with us!
26th March 2006
We have several promising male leads lined up for auditions next week, but only a few for the big female roles of Fay and Mary. If you yourself, or anyone you know fits the profile on the casting page, please get in contact with us. The first round of auditions will be on the first of April - so get in contact if you are interested!
23rd March 2006
We are pleased to report that we have secured a few locations around the Auckland area for use in our film. As these get confirmed, they will be listed on a new page.
21st March 2006
We're have a good response from our 'blitz' around Auckland Uni, Unitec and our places of work for actors - but we're still looking! Click on the casting link above to get more details on the kind of people we're after. We are still keen to find women aged early-mid twenties to play the female leads. Auditions will most likely take place in the two weeks.
18th March 2006
It is heartening to see a vibrant, active film community in New Zealand. There are so many projects underway by talented people that do not get media coverage.
Rialto Cinemas Newmarket here in Auckland have indicated they will continue their commitment to New Zealand Film. The feature Memories of Tomorrow is currently showing. I believe they now have digital projection equipment in place now too, which will open up opportunities for smaller digital features, saving the need for producing an expensive film print.
14th March 2006
Today Kim Crawford Wines joined us as our first business supporter. They have very kindly chosen to help support our endevour with some of their fine wine - their sav blanc gets our vote every time!
13th March 2006
A minor milestone for us: first draft is finished and printed! We are quite proud of what amounts to a little novel.
12th March 2006
The article in the Western Leader has given us some good leads so far, coming in contact with potential cast and crew. Thank you goes out to those people who have helped contribute to the film fund by winning auctions of Jonathon's art on TradeMe.
Remember, we are still on the look out for a kiwi band whose sound suits our film.
8th March 2006
As interest and exposure involving the film increases, people are starting to approach us interested in roles and positions. The momentum is building, and it is very exciting to be a part of it. Having just had a good read of this month's edition of OnFilm magazine, it's so good to see so many small New Zealand productions underway.
5th March 2006
As part of our fundraising campaign, Jonathon's paintings are for sale on internet auction site TradeMe, the proceeds of which will be going to towards the purchase and hire of gear for the production.
3rd March 2006
We were interviewed about Slovenia After Six for the Western Leader earlier this week. Hopefully the article will appear in Tuesday's edition. Remember, we are on the look out for interested people for cast and crew, so get in touch.
This week also saw a couple of evenings location scouting in the suburbs of New Lynn, Pt Chevalier and Avondale - the film is set in a fictitious suburb of Auckland and these areas share some of the characteristics we are after.
26th February 2006
T-shirts are now available on the merchandise page.
22nd February 2006
T-shirts promoting the film and this web site will go on sale from Friday. The t-shirt is black and features the web site on the front in white. Sample image is coming in the next couple of days. Also we've made a start on the downloads page, with one snazzy wallpaper to use on your computer.
21st February 2006
Today also we had contact from two potential bands for our soundtrack. We are waiting to hear from them with some samples. Soon we hope to post a 'dream soundtrack' of music from the 50s and 60s whose sound we are going after.
20th February 2006
We've chosen Panasonic as our camera of choice for our adventure (above). This model was recommended on several digital film making forums.
We are also very pleased to report that due to our 'Sponsor us $1 per Second' idea has attracted several contributions.
19th February 2006
Congratulations to Toa Frasier and his team for the film No.2, which took out the people's choice award for international drama at Sundance, and more recently sell-out sessions at the Berlin Film Festival. Toa's film was shot around Mt Roskill with friends and family as extras, with a budget of about $1.4 million. Here's hoping we can make our mark with one per cent of that!
Today we begun our quest for music for the film - a campaign that will involve a bit of creative networking, the internet and going to a lot of pubs on a Friday night!
11th February 2006
Message Board is up, in the Contacts page. We would like to use this forum to allow other visitors and interested parties to discuss the film, gossip, trivia - whatever. So take the time to join up!
8th February 2006
A sponsorship milestone! Today we had our first person to sponsor a whole minute of our film. Sponsoring by the second is our big fund-raising idea - check out the sponsorship page to find out more!
4th February 2006
New email has been set up for the film... mail us now at sloveniaaftersix@hotmail.com . We have also set up a Pay Pal donation button on the sponsorship page.
2nd February 2006
We have obtained a second tripod through a successful barter for one of Jonathon's paintings. Since we are probably only going to working with the one camera, having two set camera positions will hopefully make this process a bit easier.
30th January 2006
We have acquired a camera in the last two weeks and are currently coming to grips with it. The idea has been thrown around that we shoot a small 'mockumentary' on Slovenia as a technology test. The Live Journal links are now also up and running.
The 'Film' section of the site will continue to develop as well. Currently our screenplay, in its infancy as a first draft, is constantly changing focus and direction.
24th January 2006
We have decided to use Live Journal as our individual 'production diaries' and also as a medium for discussing film. The links to our live journals will be coming in the next few days on the Film Makers page.
4th January 2006
Happy New Year and welcome to 2006! I am pleased to report that the screenplay
is well underway after a few think tank sessions - we are crystallizing
ideas we have had for ages into story form. Prior to these developments
we were starting to sweat a bit as we had nuggets of character and situation
but no story to wrap around them.
21st December 2005
More site updates - all pages should be working now.
19th December 2005
The site is finally live - please check back in the next few days to see
what's new!