Tidy Town - The Movie

Feelings of Apprehension + Exaustion

2006-05-11T21:58:00.000+09:30

Well the last post was meant to be a bit of fun and I thought I would just throw some random script out there for your enjoyment. But the fact is that there is a lot to do and not enough time to do it. I am feeling very overwhelmed about my film. Actors Ink has just sent me a list of possible actors for my script but they said they have no ideal for FRANK., the main character. Harry . . . . my no.1 choice for the part cant get the time off work to do it!

I am also really struggling with my place off work! It's starting to become a huge problem! Over the last few weeks I have been asking for quite a bit of time off, to either plan things for the film or shoot random doco's (something I am really starting to regret - doco that is). I went to them this week with more requests for time away and it was almost the last straw for the manager, who went ape at me. She told me that she really doesnt think that it is working out (me working there) and that she might have to let me go. I managed to sweat talk her round as I cant afford to not work. I need the money!!

This is also a tender time for me as it is Mother's Day on Sunday and my mum has recently seperated from my Dad. It's kinda hard to know what to feel on this special day.

Its not all doom and gloom though. The ball has already began to roll about opportunities for work next year. I am extremely excited about a prospect about working for a production company. Also Courtney along with 5 other guys from ET's was baptised on Sunday. Its so great seeing these guys get baptised.

Also maybe an opportunity to work with kids. Its kinda strange but over the last few months my heart has gone out to kids. Especially kids from broken homes, which in these days divorce and seperation is commonplace with more than 60% of families divided. I am almost in tears as I write this because I have seen first hand the effects that it can have on those children. This also is why I am so excited that Courtney has given her life to Christ and been baptised. Courtney too is from a broken home, and I must say that she has been a source of encouragement to me! Anyway thats pretty much everything in my life write now. Thanks for listening!

"Special"

2006-05-11T00:19:00.000+09:30

I thought I would also share a short story with you. This script is something I wrote one night when I desperatly couldn't sleep. My mind was travelling a hundred miles an hour, and I couldn't stop thinking of crazy things. This is one of those crazy things. I wrote this in half an hour, making everything up as I went along:

"Special"
by Ben Chudleigh

INT. BUS - DAY

A very-tight close up on the bus driver. He is a young man, probably mid-twenties. He is a fairly normal looking guy. A little better than average.

Narrator
Meet Ronnie LLoyd. On first apperances there is nothing really special about him, just your average, everyday bus driver. We dont know this yet, but Ronnie is quite a special guy. He has a special family, a special car, a special dog . . .

The camera pulls out to reveal the passangers on the bus, they are all mentally retarded.

Narrator
. . . and even drives a special bus.

Ronnie looks over his shoulder a little and then looks back to the front and keeps driving.

INT. BUS - DAY

Ronnie pulls the bus to the side of the road at the next stop. Ronnie opens the doors and looks down towards the curb. There is a mentally retarded girl standing there waiting to step onto the bus. Everything goes in slow motion, and as the girl steps on to the bus she flicks her hair and then winks at Ronnie.

Narrator
One day, Ronnie met a special girl . . .

INT. BUS - DAY
The retarded girl is sitting at the front starring wide eyed at Ronnie. Ronnie painfully looks over and forces a very forced smile.

Narrator
. . . and one day she asked a special question

Girl
DDDDDDo yyyyyou llllllllllove me RRRRRonnie?

Ronnie moves around in his seat looking very uncomfortable.

Ronnie
Um . . . . . . What . . .?

Girl
RRRRRRonnie, dddddo yyyyou llllllove mmmmme?

Ronnie pulls on his collar and begins to sweat. Ronnie looks up at that special sign that says:

Sign
Do not talk to driver!

Ronnie points to the sign. Girl sits back in her seat looking a little sad.

Girl
RRRRRRRRonnie, it wont take long just say yyyyyyes if you llllllove mmmmme.

Ronnie looks up at the sign again.

Narrator
Now, Ronnie is a special young man, and he cant stand to be rude to anyone, even if he does have to break the rules.

Ronnie
Um . . .yeah . . . I love you. Yeah as a friend I love you. I love you as a friend. The bible calls for us to love . . .

The girl starts crying. Just then Ronnie gets to the next stop he stops the bus and opens the doors. There are more mentally retarded people to get on. Suddenly the girl, now almost in hysterics goes running out the bus biting her arm. Ronnie stands there not knowing what to do. Does he let her go, or does he leave the bus and chase after her?

Narrator
Of coarse, Ronnie is a very special young man. He sees himself as a shepherd to the people that he drives on that special bus. And . . .well . . .you know that story about the shepherd who lost one of his sheep. . . leaving the whole flock . . .just for the one. . .

Suddenly Ronnie runs out of the bus, and starts chasing the retarded girl.

Ronnie
Hey, wait up, oi, I do love you . . .
The girl keeps running

Ronnie
I DO LOVE YOU.

Everyone on the street has stoped to watch what is happening. Ronnie passes a group of really hot looking women. But keeps running after the girl

Ronnie
I LOVE YOU! WAIT I LOVE YOU!

NARRATOR
But unfortunatly for Ronnie, that special girl never stoped running. He never caught up, and she ran off into the distance never to be seen by Ronnie again

RONNIE stops running.

RONNIE
(DESPRETELY)
I LOVE YOU!!

RONNIE looks around everyone is staring at him. One guy pats him on the back

Guy
There are plenty more special girls out there. Im sure you will find a really special one one day!

NARRATOR
And he was right! RONNIE is a special guy, and he did one day find a special girl. But none were as special as that girl from the bus.

THE END!!

Locacation Recci 3 continued

2006-05-07T23:38:00.000+09:30

Guess what?! SHE ANSWERED!! And she is more than happy for us to use her lil' cottage! This cottage was the very first home built in Old Noarlunga! She said that it is heritage listed and that she feels that it is'nt her home it is the communities! So I will be able to use it in my film. She said that I would even be able to film the inside. She may even act in the film. Maybe as Mrs. Jones. There is another lady I need to talk to first before i give out the role. The deeper and deeper I get into this production, the more and more I am falling in love with Old Noarlunga. I am starting to worry about my film giving it a bad name. Old Noarlunga is just so historical and beautiful, I am very tempted to make a doco on the town. It would go well on the dvd.

Location Recci 3

2006-05-07T23:24:00.000+09:30

Willoughby Town Hall

Friday was an awesome awesome day for the Tidy Town movie. Adam (the DOP) and I went down to Old Noarlunga again, and mangaged to talk to the old lady that was cleaning the church here. This church was built in 1850 and is heritage listed. I think it will be awesome as the town hall for Willoughby. I am fairly certain that Ill be able to use the church. I am also trying to find out if Adam and are able to climb that spire, to take some awesome shots of the town from on high.

Workin way to hard!

2006-05-03T22:22:00.000+09:30

For the last couple of days I have been doing the camera work on a documentary, that will be promoting the School of Langauges here in Adelaide. Although it is fun, and I am doing what I love (working as a Dop), unfortuanatly it means I have not done any work on my film this week like I had hoped ( I have to hussle because, prelimenary paperwork is due next week, and I so dont wont to fall behind). I also have not done any work on Alan's film. I really feel like I am letting him down on that. I was real keen to go to SA casting with him today and find actors for his film. Also to organise his schedules and call sheets.

The really awesome news about working on this doco, is that I have gotten to know the directors really well, Lisa and Alison, and Alison asked me today if I would be keen to film her 16mm piece that she is intending to get funding for from the SAFC, to enter into tropfest next year!!! This would be an awesome awesome oppurtunity, and I would be thrilled to do this. I looooove 16mm film, and to be a film DOP is my dream!!!!

Why wont she open

2006-05-03T00:19:00.000+09:30

The Tidy Town family just keeps on getting bigger!

2006-05-02T23:32:00.000+09:30

Woo hoo, two new characters cast! Maggie who acted as Betty in Long Weekend is on board to play Mrs. Grover! She is very excited to be acting in the film and as I worked with her on Long Weekend I am very confident about what she can bring to play the part. She is very well-to-do, and has an english accent, which I think will be perfect for the role.

Also Debbie, from Long Weekend is playing the part of the mum in the film. I am very much looking forward to the day when we film the scene that the two of them have a run in with each other. I think that it will be a whole lot of fun!

Lots to Do!!!

2006-05-02T23:14:00.000+09:30

There is so much to do to get this film made! There is so much logistics that need to be done. I somehow need a garbage truck! Eek, I also need the Garbage man to say some lines! Also, if anyone out there, knows anyone that drives a taxi, and is also keen to act in a short film, let me know!

Fortuanatly I am doing fairly well with locations. The location recci's we had were really good (except the people who dont answer there door). It looks as though I will be able to use Sharyn's house, and her landlord from accross the road, and her neighbour!

Location Recci

2006-04-23T23:50:00.000+09:30

In other news, on Saturday we went down to Old Noarlunga to check out the place, and to also ask some of the locals if we were able to use their houses! Unfortuanatly, the first guy I dont think was to keen at all! He said he will think about it and get back to us. But something tells me he isnt going to let us use his place.

Across the road, one lady didnt even answer her door when we knocked! Hopefully we havent scared her to much.

In good news we have found a petrol station. We have to write a letter before anything is confirmed but Bruce from Caltex Willunga was very nice and I think it will be ok!

We also checked out the park, swing bridge, and a couple of the old churches there! Walking around the old Anglican church with all its graves was quite moving!

How great is our God!!!

2006-04-23T23:41:00.000+09:30

Hey guys, just wanted everyone to know that two members of our cast will be baptised in the next couple of weeks! This is so awesome and it is so great to see these two young guys getting real with Christ and putting him first in their lives. I couldnt be prouder of both Jeremy and Courtney, who both belong to the youth group I am a leader at, at Edwardstown Baptist Church.

Jeremy is getting baptised at Lighthouse Community Church next sunday at 10am and Courtney is getting baptised at Edwardstown Baptist Church in 2 weeks! Praise God that he is working in both their lives!

Welcome to Tidy Town, Courtney!

2006-04-23T23:33:00.000+09:30

Welcome Courtney! Courtney will play Kristy in the film. Courtney too is from Edwardstown Baptist Church. I am very excited to have her playing the part of Kristy. Courtney was also on the camp on the weekend, and knows Jeremy very well. I think that the two of them will make a great brother and sister combination!

Things are heating up!

2006-04-19T18:53:00.000+09:30

I'm very very happy to announce two new additions to the Tidy Town family. Our first actor has been cast. Very happy to have Jeremy locked in to play the part of Bobby. I was on a church camp with Jeremy on the weekend, and he was very keen to hear all about the script, and asked heaps of questions. Jeremy is a very talented actor, and his CV already includes being stage manager for a theatre play at the fringe this year. His Dad is also part of the local Neighbourhood Watch Group. Mmmm . . .maybe we can get some badges and other goodies.

Amy Duncan is also going to come and be our 2nd AD. Woo hoo, I worked with Amy on the very first film I ever worked on, and we have a very great working relationship. She also is an awesome friend, and I am so excited to have her on set. She will definately keep me in line, which I will need.

It's Funny and Cute!!

2006-04-12T21:59:00.000+09:30

Yep, thats what Leigh said. And more importantly, it is locked off!! Very pleased that Leigh liked it. My meeting with him today actually went really quick, and he only had a couple of things to say about the script, which he said was a good sign. He said that I should feel pleased and confident.

The rest of the time we talked about pre-production, and he asked me some questions as far as the style I am going to use to film it, how I will dress the sets, which locations would be good, and who I had in mind to act in the films. I couldn't answer to many of these questions as I am only going into Pre-production mode now.

So now into Pre-production!!!! But in the mean-time he has given me some homework. Lol, he asked me if I had seen 'Dumb and Dumber', which of course is my favourite film. He told me that I should watch it to get inspiration in staging and directing my actors!!as the humor in mine is similar! Wow, that is awesome, I idolise that movie, and to have my movie even remotly similar it would be a dream. My mission is to make movies to rival Dumb and Dumber!! Lol

D-Day

2006-04-11T22:59:00.000+09:30

Today was D-day at MAPS. Today was the day we were meant to have our film scripts locked-off. Very pleased to hear that James, Allan, and Stan have all been given the green light by Peter and Leigh. (By the way, check the links).

I finished off the fifth draft of Tidy Town last night. Well it was more of a final reading. I read it out loud to my sister, and changed a few things that sounded a little funny or didn't quite flow. Very pleased to hear that she thought that it was funny. She especially liked the start of the film. I think thats the part I have always been excited about too. Its the ending, that I have been pouring my energy into all this time. Thats the reason this script is now into it's fifth draft. I looked at the first draft last night, and pretty much the first 10 scenes are the same, just with slight modifications.

Anyway, 1 o'clock tomorrow is my meeting with Leigh, to see what he thinks! In Alan's words hopefully "my goose is safe'. Hopefully he thinks the same as my sister.

Only trouble for me is that I am actually meant to be at work tomorrow at 1. Eek, sorry Kmart, but MAPS does come first.

Willoughby Main Street

2006-04-11T00:03:00.000+09:30

For my MAPS buddies

2006-04-10T15:50:00.000+09:30

Hey guys, I was laying in bed last night thinking about my movie and I suddenly felt overwhelmed. It suddenly hit home that we only have four weeks of pre-production. May 11 is the deadline for all the paperwork to be in, and we still have a long way to go. Gee wizz, we have 8 productions all going at the same time, all needing locations, actors, props, costumes, etc.

But then I thought, what an awesome problem to have!!! How awesome is it that we can show our creativeness and tell stories through film (or digital video)!!! How much fun are we going to have, actually being on set again and being out there filming yet another movie!!! How friggin awesome will it be at the end of the year when each of us have our own wicked, kick-arse production that we can show our mates, family, or even enter (maybe even win) some film festival!!!

So, its not long now untill we start filming, lets get to it and make sure pre-production is the best it can be, so that we can make each production run as smoothly as possible!

Ill see you all tomorrow at MAPS.

Ben.

Production Meeting Today!

2006-04-06T22:06:00.000+09:30

Hey Guys, as promised I'm back with another post, to keep you up to date with whats happening. The Tidy Town Movie crew had its first production meeting today, where we just talked about the story, the produduction of Tidy Town, the problems we may face, and a few things that need to be cut from the script. I am pretty sure that I know of at least one whole scene which needs to be cut altogether. The script is 17 pages long at the moment, I think its at least 2 pages to long. Sharyn has posted the minutes on her all-productions blog.

I really really am getting excited by how things are going. Although I have a lot to do before this movie happens (all the paper work is due on May 11, eek), I am confident in the story and am looking forward to making the film. I dont think Ill be having to much of a holiday this hols, I got to catch up to where the rest of the guys are with their films.

Before I went missing :(, Alan and I had gone on a recci to Old Noarlunga. Although I need at least one other location as well, it is perfect for what I want. Its awesome, and there is one section in particular I want to use, as the houses are all so unique.

Gee, I talk way to much dont I! I havent even told you the rest of the crew yet.

Stan, who DOP'd the hilarious Bonjour, Love Story, and one of the Homeless movies I think, has offered to help Adam with the camera work. Beautiful!

Maxx, is Mr. Gaffer, and as he is a very accomplished DOP, will have awesome vision on how we should light our set.

Production Design and Art Department in this film is probably one of the most important aspects. James is very creative in that way. And so I am extremely pleased that he will be involved in the production design. It will be a massive job and so I am currently looking for someone to give him a helping hand. I am going to help out as much as I can to, but I definatly need someone else as well.

Mick is helping out as far as Post Production goes. Mick has proved that he is a very good editor, accomplished in Final Cut Pro, Live Type, Flash, and Motion.

So that's the whole crew, I am gonna see if I can somehow put the crew names next to the links section so its easy to see who is doing what.

Anyway, sorry about the long post. But I cant help it, I am to excited.

Keep it Tidy,

Chuds

Tidy Town lives again!!!

2006-04-05T21:27:00.000+09:30

Oh, finally, Im back. The tidy town movie has had a little scare but fortuanately is back bigger, and better then ever. There has been some major problems in the month of March (not really anything to do with the film) and I was really worried that the film was going to be axed. Fortuanately it has all been worked through, and now we can concentrate on just making a kick arse movie.

The script is looking gooood. Real good. Something that was missing from the script that I couldnt quite put my finger on has been found, and now it is complete and looking healthy. Maybe just a little tightening needed thats all. Script lock-off is Tuesday.

The Film now also has some crew. Im glad to anounce that we now have on board an awesome Producer, Sharyn, who has produced such shorts as Long Weekend and Spilt Milk. She is an extremely accomplished Producer, and i am looking forward to her keeping me in line.

We now also have a Director of Photography, Adam, who is keen as to learn about camera. He is actually an awesome director, and I am very pleased to have him on board. I am very excited about his vision for the film.

My great mate Alan, has put his hand up to be the First AD. I have made a couple of films with him before and we are great mates and I am really pleased to have him runnin the show on set. He will be a great ally to have.

This post is getting massive. So ill tell about the other crew in the next post! Which will be tomorrow. I have a meeting with Sharyn and crew tomorrow. So Ill have a lot to say again.

Anyway Bye
CHUDS

Welcome to Tidy Town

2006-02-21T21:14:00.000+10:30

Hi, welcome to my blog of Tidy Town the movie. This website will act as a production diary, for all of you who want to keep upto date on what is happening on the set and in the production house.

What is Tidy Town you ask? Tidy Town is a hilariously funny film that has just been given the funding and go ahead by the Executive Producers of MAPS Studios. Written by director Ben Chudleigh, this movie looks into the lives of the country folk that live in the small town of Willoughby.

Willoughby itself is beautiful and tidy and is kept crime-free by the deligent, steadfast members of the local Neighbourhood Watch team.

Ill keep you posted.