PORCH PIRATES
Producing the High Seas of Package Thievery.
Pre-Production
Where movies are planned
It started with a box…
…and grew to an empire.
As the film evolved through pre-production, the vision
for the world expanded and we found that the characters of Porch Pirates were made for a comedic television series. So we set out to make this proof of concept with that in mind.
From a simple story in a house to a negotiation gone wrong at the Porch Pirates multi-million dollar headquarters. Our finished version entails all the crime/comedy of the original story with enhanced depth, characters, and overall thematic excellence.
Re-Write. Re-write. Sorry Justin. Re-write.
Measure Twice. Shoot Once.
On October 13, 2020, we filmed a “pre-visualization” in order to see into the future of how the the frames would cut together in an edit.
The result is a piece filled with unpolished acting, script reading and cardboard cut outs but a guide doesn’t have to be beautiful, only the final cut.
Jeremy Frost (Director) stands in as Douglas.
Shaune May (Douglas) dominates the frame in a way Jeremy could only dream of.
Ryan Fahey, (Teddy, The White Hill Syndicate) stands tall as Vinny.
Nick Battiste (Ray, The White Hill Syndicate) reunites with the Frost Brothers as Vinny Abruzzi.
A horrifying cardboard cut out we made of Kimmy Dunn.
The real Kimmy Dunn (Grace) on set. Equally terrifying but for completely different reasons.
Eric Holt (Zack’s Ex Co-Worker) hides his hand in his sleeve to create the severed hand look.
James C. Lawrenson (Keith) is back with his two amigos and is wilder than ever.
10.27.2020
Production Begins
The second installment of our Frost Studios short film slate saw us take on not just the high seas of package thievery but the challenges of an overnight production. It was a wild 14 hours but our crew held through the night, capturing a story we can set our sails on.
Cinematography:
Capturing Vision
Diego Cacho (Cinematographer) captures Shaune May (Douglas) for his final scene. Jeremy and Zack (Directors) observe.
Justin Key (Producer) supervises as Bennet Self (Gaffer) and Gabe King (Gaffer) rig up a light box for the set's main light source.
Bennet secures lights from the warehouse ceiling.
Gabe King (Gaffer) digs through tool box.
Actors James C. Lawrenson (Keith) and Nick Battiste (Vinny) take the stage under the light box.
Diego captures the final shot of Vinny Abruzzi as Levi Carter (audio) swings in a boom for the final lines.
Diego sets for a slow motion close up on Keith.
Bennet works some tool magic.
Zack and Diego collaborate to set up a shot of Douglas for the first shot of the film.
Jim stands finding his character as Diego and crew tweak lighting.
Jeremy looks on providing guidance to Jim and Diego for the final seconds of the warehouse scene.
Diego inspects some settings on the Arri LF.
Jeremy and Zack creep over Diego's shoulder as the morning approaches.
Art Direction
Designing an Empire
On October 26, Shaune May (Douglas), James C. Lawrenson (Keith) and Kimmy Dunn (Grace) awaiting blocking direction at dress rehearsal.
The warehouse before the transformation.
Selby Knoblock (Art Director) sets boxes for the warehouse negotiation.
Two cronies (Chris Ward & Patrick Raines) pose with Vinny's 2021 Mercedes G-Wagon. (Courtesy of Ellison Car Emporium)
The OG mock up for Vinny's hair, beard and costume. (Created by Jeremy Frost)
Keith takes a fucking load off.
Justin cannot tame Zack and Jeremy and never will. Stop trying Executive Producer scum.
Justin becomes one with the set. We think?
Camille Bostick (Assistant Producer) folds boxes for hours...
Camille makes some final adjustments to Douglas's costume as Emileigh Potter (Assistant Camera) tapes Douglas's mark.
Camille spray paints the Porch Pirates flag.
Hair & Make Up
Cutting it Up
Nadia Salem (Hair and Make Up) begins on Keith's mullet two days before shooting.
Jim poses for Jeremy for some hair and costume portrait tests.
Early sketch of the severed wrist prop and blood shooting mechanism.
Abigail Woods (SPFX Make Up) sets the severed wrist in Keith's jacket.
Diego Cacho suits up for a bloody affair.
Directing
executing vision
Jeremy and Zack (Directors) discuss the opening sequence.
Justin and Jeremy discuss the warehouse layout as we set the space.
Justin and Camille remain calm at all times to provide sound guidance as our producers to ensure we are on time and get what we came for.
Zack watches the scene on the monitor. Jeremy looks past as it unfolds on set.
Jordan Kinard (AP/Script Supervisor) adapts to the ever changing shot list to track which takes were successes.
Camille keeps spirits high with coffee and craft services.
Nadia Salem wields a comb as Jeremy and Zack discuss framing of Keith's intro walk up.
Zack inspects Diego's proposed framing for the wrist reveal.
Zack wipes blood from his hands as the sun threatens to rise and the shot list is rearranged to achieve a successful wrap.
It's almost 5:00 AM and we've nearly been up 24 hours.
“You and the spark, in the end they’re one and the same.”
- Martin Scorsese
Thank You
TO ALEXA CAMPBELL FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS
And to every person who has become apart of the Frost Studios community. Every individual on and off set. Thank you. You have brought our dream to life.
We’ve never not made films and we will not stop. We love stories too much and can’t wait to keep sharing them together.
MORE COMING SOON…
We’d love to hear from you and have you more involved in our community, please reach out with any feedback or ideas.