|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Episode 1: |
And Then There Was One
All ten Project Greenlight finalists were flown to Los Angeles and given the "green carpet" treatment amid a flurry of interviews, limousines, and glittery events. But only one finalist could win, and the jury panel spent the better part of eight hours debating the creative and commercial merit of three extremely well written screenplays. Ultimately, it was an impassioned speech from one contestant that seemed to win over the jury. And so, Illinois-born Pete Jones will sit in the director's chair, after his script "Stolen Summer" was chosen out of 7,000 to be produced by Miramax and LivePlanet.
|
|
| Episode 2: |
Pete Goes to Work
Pete hit the ground running as he began prepping his film. When he wasn't stopping in on radio shows, chatting with director Kevin Smith, or getting his photograph taken, he was debating budget and casting issues. The main question: How can this film be made for $1 million? Pete, Chris and Line Producer Pat Peach work hard to find ways to pinch their pennies, but Pete insists the film be made in Chicago, and that it be set in the year 1976. Both requisites cause headaches for Pat, whose job it is to deliver a $1 million budget to Miramax. |
|
|
| Episode 3: |
Ben Calls Harvey
The budget debate appears to be resolved, and Pete is headed to Chicago to shoot his film. But it took a phone call from Ben Affleck to Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein, and Miramax exec Jon Gordon became incensed that Ben would go over Jon's head. Meanwhile, Pete and co-producer Jeff Balis hope to lock down Aidan Quinn to play "Joe" in the film, but risk losing him when a key deadline is missed. For Aidan to be approved, Miramax must agree to add five days to the shooting schedule. |
|
|
| Episode 4: |
Sweet Home Chicago
18 days before the cameras would roll, Pete and his production team moved their offices to Chicago. The team grew to include a first assistant director, a cinematographer, and a production designer, to name a few. The actors arrived at the office to meet Pete, and to add faces and voices to Pete's characters. One cast member was missing, however, the actor who would play "Margaret." 10 hours before Pete would yell "Action!" for the first time, Bonnie Hunt would agree to play "Margaret," wife of Aidan Quinn's "Joe," and the mother of eight. |
|
|
| Episode 5: |
One Down, 24 To Go
Pete's first day on the set delivered some valuable lessons. The morning went smoothly for the most part, once everyone got a feel for the ebb and flow of the thunderous El trains that rumbled overhead every five minutes. In the afternoon, Pete learned a thing or two about directing young children, whose already rigid schedules do not permit overtime, and whose attention spans are shorter than the little guys themselves. But perhaps the toughest part of the day was returning to the hotel to debrief the boss. Ouch.
|
|
|
| Episode 6: |
It Hits The Fan
There are bad days on a movie set, and then there are Bad days on a movie set. This was just one of those days when anything that could have gone wrong, did, and, even worse, the boss, Chris Moore was around to see every minute of it. While no one can be blamed for the caterer showing up an hour late after getting caught behind a pileup on the freeway, plenty of fingers were pointed, blame was assigned, and voices were raised in an eventful couple of days on the set of "Stolen Summer."
|
|
|
| Episode 7: |
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Crewmembers called it one of the worst shooting days in their filmmaking lives. The actors were miserable, the extras were shivering, and there was no backup plan in the event of rain. The crew had no choice but to gut it out through a cold and wet day, thus shaking the collective confidence of a production riddled with questionable choices. The only thing less predictable than the Chicago weather was who would get the blame for such a blatant producing blunder. |
|
|
| Episode 8: |
Avoiding The Fire
As Jeff Balis did his best to understand why Chris Moore wanted him home, Pete Jones took on what he felt was his most difficult shooting day, an action sequence in a burning home. As the day wore on, different crewmembers grew frustrated by a seeming lack of shooting organization that left the cast waiting hours longer than was economical. But by the end of the day, and a slightly singed stuntman later, Pete found a new love for "blowing up things," and Jeff Balis found a new appreciation for being employed. |
|
|
| Episode 9: |
Tightening the Reigns
Tension builds on-set as 1st Assistant Director tries to reign in DP Pete Biagi. Much of the crew is pointing their collective finger at the self-proclaimed "camera flunkie," as his ambitious lighting leaves little time for Pete Jones to get optimal performances out of his young actors. And when the production moves to the shore of Lake Michigan, the challenges that lay ahead are grossly underestimated, the least of which is putting 70-pound kids into 50-degree water. |
|
|
| Episode 10: |
Life's a Beach
In one of his final on-set struggles, Pete ventures to film what he perceives to be the most important shot of the film; a crane shot, 120 feet out from the shore of Lake Michigan. As the day wears on, Pete battles his DP who seems to stall for just the right light, frigid lake temperatures, skinny little actors, and time. Finally, after 25 days of shooting, Pete returns to Los Angeles, his movie shot and ready to be cut. |
|
|
| Episode 11: |
The Big 'Dance
Pete can breathe a deep sigh of relief. From beating out thousands for the opportunity of a lifetime to learning the realities of filmmaking without a very large safety net, Pete Jones arrived in Park City, Utah to showcase his vision to a film-savvy audience. The Sundance Film Festival was the debut for "Stolen Summer," and Pete's chance to show the independent film community that he indeed has what it takes to swim with the sharks. |
|
|
| Wrap-Up: |
Countdown
HBO said goodbye to Pete and his crew, but our site lives on, with fresh content to keep you up to speed on the status of "Stolen Summer." With less than four weeks until "Stolen Summer" hits theatres, the marketing machine soon kicks in, and Pete brings his movie to public audiences. And you don't want to miss our exclusive Film section, set to roll out shortly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
