Introducing... Chai Pepe
24.6.08
Chai Pepe is one of 12 sets from Nipe Jibu, it appears in 20 different scenes. I began designing the set by exploring any visual ideas Nadine had while writing the story. I combined these thoughts with my design ideas which came from my understanding of the character who owns the cafe, observations of materials and styles in the area and of course my "western" influence. I did a few rough sketches to make sure Nadine was onboard with the design and then moved onto drawing it up on the computer. Jeremy introduced me to SketchUP so I downloaded and learned it. Once I had it drawn up in SketchUp I could move in the 3D space in any way, add measurements and export as 2D graphics (see first part of image below). I provided Sig and Davin with these drawings and they used to them determine material needs and to figure out construction (the picture in the middle of the image is from mid-way through construction). The last step is Set Dressing which takes place a few hours before shooting at the location. If I have to do the Set Dressing by myself and make every detail look the same as it did (ie. if we shoot Scene AA on Thursday and we finish the scene the next Monday) then it takes me about 2 hours to set it up.
In the coming weeks I'll introduce you to other sets as well.
posted by Cynthia at
6/24/2008 12:23:00 PM
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In the summary below I mentioned that a few of us went to Moshi on Sunday, June 8th. I really like it. It's smaller then Arusha but it's got a great vibe to it, the people are very friendly and there aren't so many tourists.
Here are a few photos:
posted by Cynthia at
6/23/2008 01:14:00 PM
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Another long update
22.6.08
May 27 - Ruth pulls out of the lead role. As mentioned in a previous post, Ruth's sister died a few weeks ago. Ruth is the only financial responsible one in her family so she now has to support her parents and her sister's children. Working on our project would only offer 2 months of stability. Her boss, from the job she was quitting, offered her a raise. She made a tough choice to honour her parents. We'll miss her.
Same day - Liz W from Kenya is called to replace Ruth. We have been in contact with Liz ever since her audition because she offered to come volunteer full-time in any area of the musical. She had been trying for her passport to come ever since the auditions. Just a few days before the phone call from Nadine with the news that she was being called up into the Lead Role, Liz had given up hope in getting her passport. After the phone call, she went to the office the next day and demanded to see an officer. She sat there for 10 hours and finally got in. Wouldn't you know, the officer knew her uncle, who died in '89, and promptly issued her passport.
May 29 - Liz W arrives at Pamoja
Same day - Reshooting begins
Same day - Back to square one for costuming for the Lead Role (about 24 outfits including a wedding dress). Since we have such a small budget I have to work mostly with the clothes that the actress has plus a few custom designed/made outfits. Even though it was a lot of work to redo I like the new costuming better. (The character is a little quirky so she wears some "unique" things).
Around the beginning of June - Conner, who recently returned to Tanzania with his new wife, has offered to help us 3 days a week. He's really skilled in video-related things. It's awesome to have him on the team.
Around the same time - Christelle, of the Sower's (the band doing all the major songs and programming for the musical) announces that she is expecting her third child. We're obviously very excited.
June 1 - We are invited to attend the Children's Service at a local church, Patendi. The Children's Department there is headed up by one of our worker's, Martina. The Pastor's Wife, Anna, is one of the Major Characters in our movie.
First week in June - David, who plays Kilele, experiences a death in the family. He is unavailable for about 5 days. We have to reschedule everything for the week.
June 8 - JoAnna, Davin, Joel and I meet up with Lis in Moshi. We spent the day by walking around town in the morning, hitting up a great local joint for lunch and then heading out to a Lutheran Cathedral in the middle of nowhere for a tour and a hike.
June 14 - JoAnna, Davin, Lis, Joel, Brad, Angie, Boston and I go camping overnight at Par and Miriam's place so that we can wake up and attend the Motorcross Race the next day. But not before crashing the Russell's and sleeping in their tents. We were given a tent with no poles (even though there are 2 other fully functioning tents available)!
June 15 - We wake up early, eat some french toast and watch our friends race. I spent the good part of an hour learning and helping to replace a tire tube. Apparently I need a better teacher because there ended up being 4 holes in the new tube! You can read a much more interesting account of the events at http://joelbentley.wordpress.com/2008/06/15/the-race/
June 19 - Lis from Moshi, is visiting. We head out to the ViaVia Club for some live Reggae. David, the dancer from Contagious who I mentioned in a previous post, now works there. Joseph and Cliff were there as well. It was great to see them again. We rarely see them now that they are no longer apart of the movie.
June 20 - Davin, JoAnna, Joel, Brad and I go to see IronMan.
Same night - On our way home, Davin who was riding a motorbike, is almost squashed between two vehicles. He skidded out and escaped with only a twisted ankle.
June 21 - Paschal, who has been hired to help specifically with Props and Sets and plays a minor role in the movie, goes for surgery for something to do with his large intestine.
posted by Cynthia at
6/22/2008 06:39:00 AM
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