We shot the first scene (well actually scene 2) on December 13, 2013. We filmed through rain, ice, cold and hot for eight months. Finally, on July 26, 2014 we filmed the last scene (Scene 49). I did one pick up shot with Rusty (Jason Foreman) last week and we still need some B-roll.

However, qualifications aside…

We did it!

I am so grateful to a cast and crew who were so faithful, so professional and so GOOD.

I am thankful too for the community of Wimberley. We filmed at four locations in town (Heart of Texas Yoga, Calley’s Jewelry, King Feed and Bent Tree Gallery) plus a few car-mounted shots around the square itself. Carolyn Cusack generously allowed us to film in her home and along Loneman Creek.

Thank you also to Karen and Jeff Stocki, who when they bought their home in Wimberley did not realize it came with a green screen soundstage out back. The green screen inspired the TV station setting and the film could not have been made without their generous support.

Thank you to Marvin Niebuhr who allowed us to invade his studio and home for three scenes, including the big party scene that had 38 people involved. Marvin also did the big sculpture that plays a featured role in several scenes.

Thank you to Morgan Marion who did the many paintings used in the film including four canvases that mark the evolution of the Big Painting.

Finally, thank you to my wife, Dianne, for putting up with a film crew in her home for eleven of the 29 days of shooting.

Below are some photos, shot by Jane Knaus, Line Producer, on the last day of shooting.

Muriel Jackson as Miss Margaret	Rob Mahoney and Dan Richards
Celeste Coburn, Rodger Marion, Tiffany Patch, John Daws and Carla Daws… getting set for scene 7	Jason Foreman, John Daws and Celeste Coburn
Sarah Pennington listens as Jay Penninton and John Daws discuss Rusty’s fate	Rodger and Carla watch the playback

Jason marion relaxes between scenes

Since much of Nudged takes place at a little TV station, we needed TV programs in the backgrounds. There are no sets for the shows because the TV studio is a big green screen. All the sets are digital. So below is the snippet that appears in scene 39. Jason Marion has planned a longer show called The Bachelor Chief and this segment will end up in the movie.

A long, hot day got us through 8 scenes that made up the sequence where Paul shoots Rusty. It was a picnic setting and the cast, crew and insects appear to have been well fed. Why is Rusty shot by Paul? It’s not a secret (in fact the shooting script is over on the Schedule page) but to see it you will have to wait for the premiere.

One more shooting day to finish principal photography, then it’s just shoot B roll as needed, special effects, editing, color balancing, sound editing, composing music, performing music, editing music with dialog, more special effects, credits, outputting about 150,000 still frames, combining them with the sound track into a 2K digital cinema package… and we’re done. Then, premiere. Followed by publicity, marketing, film fests, screenings, distribution, etc. and etc., until the whole world has seen it.

John Daws offers archery training to Nina (Celeste Coburn). Rose (Tiffany Patch) assists .	Rusty (Jason Foreman) considers his options.
Carla Daws, Celeste, John, Rob Mahoney and Jay Pennington either run over to check on Rusty or lunch break was called.	Getting Jason’s close-up (Jay, Rodger Marion, Jason Marion, Jason, Tiffany, Celeste, John, and Rob).

After several mis-tries, we finally shot Miss Margaret meets the gardener at King Feed. Jane Knaus, Line Producer, took the photos below.

Also, we got the scene with the motorcycle riders where Rusty steals one of the bikes. The three riders (See below) did an outstanding job. A rough cut of the scene is at the bottom of the page.

Simon, the King Feed garden cat, made a cameo appearance.	Miss Margaret (Muriel Jackson) interviews the Gardener (Juli Dearington).
Rodger Marion, Muriel and Juli look at the previous shot.	Pat Cope, Jeff Stocki and Eddie Foster were the Three Riders.

We have been busy shooting since the Big Party scene. As we drift into Summer, people’s schedules get complicated but the puzzle pieces do fit even if I have to bite off the corner sometimes. Jane Knaus, Line Producer, took the shots below.

Rodger Marion adjusts the camera for Scene 39 with Jason Foreman.	Jason Marion adjusts the audio receiver, while Andrea Ballentine holds the camera.
Rodger prays the jib shot goes OK.	Jason Marion does his cameo role as the Bachelor Chief.

About 38 people assembled at Marvin’s house on Saturday to film the biggest and most complicated scene in Nudged. The weather was lovely and the day’s shoot flowed smoothly and Rodger was only a little bit panicked. Some pics by Jane Knaus, Line Producer, are below.

Troubadours and Clowns (Amanda Mora, Lee Epstein as Eppy the Clown and Mollie Rose)	Exotic Dancer, Brenda Morrow, with Jay Pennington and Rob Mahoney in the background.
THEGIANTBRAIN takes a break.	Crew stayed calm (Jason Marion, Rodger Marion and Andrea Ballentine)

It has been busy on the movie front so far in May. At the end of April we finally filmed scene 4 at the Bent Tree Gallery. I am so grateful to the wonderful artists who own that co-op in Wimberley for allowing us to film there. Rehearsal for the BIG Party scene was on May 3rd (and we got in scene 25 too) and the next day we had to reschedule the WHOLE thing due to an emergency. So, this week end we shot scenes 33 and 35 and FINALLY next week the BIG Party is coming together (See the schedule for details). Below are a still from the Bent Tree Gallery shoot with Paul (John Daws) and Mary (Carla Daws) and a few behind-the-scenes pics by Andrea Ballentine and Jane Knaus.

Still from Scene 4
Rodger Marion attaches the camera to Paul’s Jeep for a trip thru town.	Jason Foreman practices taking a fall for the BIG Party scene
Paul (John Daws) ponders the Big Painting.	No, he’s not going fishin’. Jason Marion selects the right cable or connector for recording the audio.
Rusty (Jason Foreman) loses focus by “too many pills and liquor.”

This weekend we were shooting in the Loneman Creek gorge below Carolyn’s house. It is a wonderful location. Tall rocky cliffs, trees, clear water, no snakes. Andrea got great pics of Rose (Tiffany) and Nina (Celeste) out for a morning’s hike.

Scenic location on Loneman Creek (Jason Marion, Celeste Coburn & Tiffany Patch)	Celeste, Rodger & Tiffany discuss the blocking of the scene
Jason Marion up high to catch ambient sounds	Rodger discusses the shot with Tiffany and Celeste. Jason stands guard (apparently).

The last two weekends have seen the cast and crew at various locations in Wimberley and we added three scenes to the total count. We are over the 50% mark now. The photos were taken by Andrea Ballentine, Assistant Director and Jane Knaus, Line Producer. One was taken at Carolyn Cusack’s home, that is standing in for Mary’s home, and the other at the studio of Marvin Niebuhr. Both Marvin’s home and his sculptures are being used as John’s home and work.

Actors run lines while crew go about setting up (Andrea Ballentine, Rodger Marion, Carla Daws ,Celeste Colburn, Jane Knaus and Jason Marion)

Sculptures at Marvin Niebuhr’s studio

Last weekend we got a scene in the TV studio and a couple of scenes in the great outdoors. Spring is arriving quickly and we have shot 50% of the scenes in the film. The photos below were taken by Sarah Pennington and Jane Knaus.

It’s a green world (Jason Foreman, Jane Knaus, Jay Pennington & Rodger Marion)	Careful with that apple, Tiffany! (Tiffany Patch, Rodger & John Daws)
John & Rodger consider good form in archery.	Jason Foreman looks worried.