Atomic Swan Films Article in 360 Main Street

360 Main Street, an online magazine dedicated to all things Mid-Michigan, is graciously featuring an article about Atomic Swan Films!

http://www.360mainstreet.com/article/770/charles-shavers-atomic-swan-films

Veteran's Day

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Scene 7 Improv

Atomic Swan Films

Wanna know where 'Atomic Swan' came from? From the Wu-Tang Clan, of course: "I bomb atomically, Socrates' philosophies and hypothesis can't define how I be droppin these mockeries, lyrically perform armed robbery..."

Graceful as a swan; yet frenetic, energetic and undeniable as an atomic bomb.


~ Charles Shaver, Pres. Atomic Swan Films and Ex. Prod. of Project Swan

Fred Rohlman's 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Fred Rohlman's 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme will be featured in the short film Among Thieves, a part of the Project Swan Movie.

Painting a work shirt for Among Thieves

I just finished up hand-painting this work shirt for the character Burke for the short film Among Thieves to be featured in Project Swan. ~ Charles, Ex. Prod.

Special FX and a severed head

Director Charles Shaver discusses how to dress up a head for a severed head scene with Tracy Fox.

Gun shot effects

Testing out gun shot effects 8/28/2010

Welcoming Terry Wayne Lawrence to Among Thieves

I would like to welcome Terry Wayne Lawrence on board the Project Swan Movie. Terry has earned himself the role of Jessie, the farmer, in the short film Among Thieves. I would also like to thank Terry for his incredible help in securing locations for the film. He has been of tremendous help and is a nice guy, to boot.










~ Charles Shaver, Ex. Prod.

Introducing Christina Shaver

I would like to introduce Christina Shaver to the cast of "Among Thieves"! Christina has earned herself the role of Mila, the young sexy farm girl.

Costuming

I did some costuming for the part of Smitty today. Check out the jacket and t-shirt I hand-painted.

Welcoming Rocco Guirlanda

Welcoming Rocco Guirlanda on board with Project Swan. Rocco has earned himself the coveted role of Burke in the short film "Among Thieves".

Welcoming Tyler Zickafoose to "Among Thieves"

I would like to welcome Tyler Zickafoose on board to Project Swan. He will be playing the part of 'Smitty' in the short film "Among Thieves".




~ Charles Shaver

Behind the Scenes with the "Chain Gang Bitches"

Behind the Scenes of John A. Benjamin's and Anarchy Productions' "Chain Gang Bitches" trailer to be featured in Project Swan! PLEASE NOTE: Adult language and situations are present... viewer discretion advised.

Officially in Production!

With John Benjamin of Anarchy Productions now filming a trailer, Project Swan has officially shifted into the production stage!

Blood Red Moonlight Sonata

Camera test with the Canon Vixia HF20 during a red moon. Some quality was lost during upload and there's a couple soft focus issues thanks to a combo of digital zoom and auto focus. Now at least I know what NOT to do Haha




~ Charles

Happy Fourth of July!

Without our troops we would not have our freedoms, including our freedom of speech. I post this in honor of our troops serving or who have served. Happy Birthday, USA.

Back and Ready!!!

Charles here. I was out last week because I was slammed by a ton of personal and family issues... ending with the worst sinus infection I've ever had in my life! That being said, I've been up for an hour and have already sent out something nearing two dozen emails concerning the film. I'm back. I'm hungry. And I've got energy to burn.

Let's rock n' roll!

~ Charles

Out of the Office

I will be out of the office for the next two days. Leave messages, etc. if you're calling or emailing about "Among Thieves". I'll get back to you ASAP.

~ Charles

Pre-production Party and BBQ

Had a very good BBQ today. Not a lot of people showed to the pre-production BBQ, but that's okay. I found it fairly productive anyways and walked away from it feeling pretty good and maybe in a better position than I was before (not that I was in a bad position before). And I relaxed quite a bit. Good times were had, as well. Good hangin' out times. Movies we watched: One Down, Two To Go; Pink Angels; The Killer (John Woo's); and Barry Gordy's Last Dragon!


:D Father's Day tomorrow, hopin' to go to lunch with my dad.

Have a good Father's Day, errrbody!

~ Charles

Playlist that inspired "Among Thieves"

I'm just about 7 weeks out from beginning to film. I'm trying not to freak out and doing an okay job being cool so far. I'll learn some things this weekend about key people to be involved with the film and I'll know by then whether or not to freak out Haha

The big point is that all my time from hereon in will be dedicated to the film, so I won't be writing much here on the blog. That's a sad scenario for some, I assume, but a good one as I'll still be working creatively, just in other capacities.

So for today's post I thought I'd share with you the playlist of songs I've been listening to fairly consistently while developing the script and generally working on the film. Since I can't possibly afford the licensing and rights to these songs for the final film, they won't be featured in the movie. These are only serving as inspiration.

My film, "Among Thieves", is based heavily upon 1970s indie movies, like Trip with the Teacher; Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry; Easy Rider; and Pink Angels. It follows three men on a crime spree across Michigan.

Here's the playlist. Enjoy.

Screen Test for "Among Thieves"

Screen test with Tuan Edwards, Mitch Socia and Tyler Zickafoose for the short film "Among Thieves" that will be featured in Project Swan.

Enjoy.

~ Charles



Let me know what you think.

Soft box

I built this soft box last night. Took me about an hour. I'll be using it for a screen test later today.

~ Charles

Please Help Me Out

Please help me out! I am conducting a movie survey and your response would be appreciated.

Atomic Swan Films Survey

Need 2 Actors for a Screen Test ASAP

Hey folks, Charles here.

I'm in kind of a unique bind. I'm taking an entrepreneurial class at Kettering University here in Flint and I have to give a presentation for that class in front of some professionals on Tuesday June 15th. It will be the last day of class for me, my graduating day. I would like to have some video footage, even a raw screen test, for my current production to be featured in my presentation. The difficulty is that I haven't cast everyone for my production so I'm in need of two actors willing to stand in or try out for my production by helping me make this screen test possible.

I'm looking for 2 actors willing to step up to the challenge. I would only require 3 or 4 hours of their time and about 2 pages of script to be read/performed. I'm looking to shoot Thursday, Friday, Saturday OR Sunday (just one of these days, whichever one works out for everyone).

This may present a unique opportunity for some. The last few graduating classes have been attended by Mayor Walling and one of the graduations was attended by Gov. Granholm last year. While neither the governor nor the mayor have been confirmed (that I know of) for my graduating class, I'm sure you can imagine what a sample of the production within my presentation would mean to me and everyone involved.

Please let me know. I would be greatly appreciative of any help.

Contact me at ifezine@gmail.com

Or call me at (810) 835-3437

Thanks,

~ Charles

Introducing Kris Haton

I would like to welcome Kris Haton on board to Project Swan. She will be filming "The $400 Kiss". Kris and I were film students together at Orange Coast College. Of all the student and short films that I remember from my OCC days, I most remember a film Kris did -- a touching, poignant love story that wasn't anything more than it needed to be.

Having her on Project Swan is truly an honor.

Thanks, Kris :)

~ Charles

Looking for Actors and Actresses

Looking for actors and actresses in the Mid-Michigan area for the short film "Among Thieves". Contact director Charles Shaver at ifezine@gmail.com for details. Please send a head shot if you have one.

Lil bit o' Stress

So I was stressin' about the movie only to come home to two emails: 1.) Someone interested in doing poster art and 2.) Someone interested in doing music :)

Just goes to show, it doesn't pay to stress.

Keep it breezy,

~ Charles

Toby had to leave Project Swan -- We wish him our best!

Casting and Crew Call for Among Thieves -- The Michigan Branch of Project Swan!

Quick Update

Okay, folks, Charles here, executive producer of Project Swan. It's been a while since anyone has posted an update so I thought I should post something, at least to let everyone know this project is not dead.

I've entered into a class being conducted at Kettering University here in Flint to establish business relationships. I've also been planning furiously around the movie. It would seem I will need no more than (hopefully) ten full days of shooting to complete my short film, titled Among Thieves. I'll start filming on August 4th (subject to change, seeing we're as yet 4 months out from that). I still need some locations and a few actors to fill the 8-person cast. I'll be posting a casting call soon for actors, actresses and crew.

Keep an eye and ear out for more rumblings soon-ish. And if you want to help out on any of the films, either mine here in Mid-Michigan or the two being filmed in Southern California, let me know. I can at least point you in the right direction.

Let's make a movie!

~ Charles

You can also follow us at -

Blog: http://projectswanfilm.blogspot.com/

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=112993832052624&v=wall&ref=ts

And on Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectswan

Testing out the new Canon Vixia HF20

Sunset Blues Teaser

Superbowl Weekend by Charles Shaver

Hey folks,

Charles here. I'll be taking time to enjoy the weekend and watch the Superbowl. The Red Green Show is on tap for my activities tonight... and a Henry Weinhard's Vanilla Cream Soda. ;)

Next week I'll be back at Project Swan in a big way. I need to continue assembling cast and crew, need to continue script edits, to break down the script into a shooting script and begin scheduling. I've been pricing light kits and keeping an eye out for other good equipment.

Of the three lead actors that I need, I've got one. I'm in talks with a second. And I have yet to find a third. I may also have an actress for the part of Mila, a young farmer's wife.

I've secured two locations this last week, however, and that makes me feel pretty good. The proprietor of one of the locations was super excited to hear a beheading would occur on her property. Haha!

All in all, things are rolling along at a decent pace and progress in pre-production is being made.

Cheers,

~ Charles

Official Announcement

Darkmind Films - Project Swan Video Blog

A New Blog for a New Project

Welcome to the Project Swan Blog.