Far Rockaway - how lost are you?

Happy Birthday John Sebastian

2011-03-17T18:39:00.001-04:00

Today John Sebastian, founder of the lovin' spoonful, turned 67.
i recommend a fine selection of his songs on coverville (iTunes Podcast)

some songs made it in the preliminary FAR ROCKAWAY soundtrack and really feature the mood of the film.

first big screen

2011-03-12T18:46:00.000-05:00

Saturday, March 12th saw the initial screening of FAR ROCKAWAY in Krefeld, Germany.
About 200 special guests attended the preview. Amongst them Alexis Savino, who came from NYC to join the film he is starring.

Cast & Crew Preview, March, 12th 2011

2011-02-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

o.k. friends, the time has come - after a long and exhausting post production the movie will make it into a theater for the first time.
we will show the english original version to selected crew members and specials guests at KREFELD, Cinemaxx and have an after show party later on.

watch the official trailer

2010-09-10T12:00:00.001-04:00

New Teaser online

2009-10-22T10:33:00.005-04:00

while the editing of FAR ROCKAWAY continues with STEFAN GRECO and MICHAEL SCHUERGER one can have a second look. After the music video from STEPHANIE LYNN with scenes from FAR ROCKAWAY a first teaser is now online.

With more and more material in the hands of the editors the raw cut will be finished soon.

stay tuned.

Stephanie Lynn video out!

2009-09-01T17:12:00.006-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YqdBJbtQUM

while visiting europe Stephanie Lynn recorded her song "broken before" with filminitiative niederrhein. watch the video containing scenes from FAR ROCKAWAY.

spread the word

2009-09-01T17:01:00.004-04:00

part of web 2.0?

join the FAR ROCKAWAY group on facebook and check the people behind the movie and become a member

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=57056963653&ref=mf

partners III

2009-02-12T19:07:00.003-05:00

Als weiteren lokalen Werbepartner konnten wir die go!Akademy gewinnen, einen führenden Anbieter für Vertriebs- und Managementtraining.
http://www.go-akademie.com/
Proben findet ihr als Podcast z.B. iTunes unter "COACHCAST"

59. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin

2009-02-05T11:38:00.002-05:00

the berlin film fest is one of the first festivals in europe each year.
besides the regular competions there are as usual different slots for all kind of movies.
Today Michael Schürger, Chris Wessel and Marcel Belles went for the 2009 edition.

for our production the fair and exhibition is of special interest. since far rockaway is in post-production director Michael Schürger checks out the entry mode for next year and contacts production and distribution companies.

partners II

2009-01-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

FAR ROCKAWAY is an independent movie - meaning Filminitiative Niederrhein and few people behind produced & financed the movie. Please acknowledge our marketing partners for supporting this project.

FIN recommends our special partner NY Apartment Petra Loewen LLC for exclusive lodging in the big apple.
http://www.aptpl.com/

Postproduction II - Making Off

2008-12-12T03:47:00.003-05:00

After reviewing all the stills from the FAR ROCKAWAY shooting even more harddisk capacity got occupied with the HD video "making off" material.

Supported by JVC many scenes were documented with HD video. from the initial casting at hit-and-run productions to the final day the documentation will not only show the work of actors and the crew but show the diffence between HD video and real film optic and look.

stay tuned, even if the news are getting in more rarely

partners I

2008-12-01T16:55:00.000-05:00

while the movie is in post production, we want to introduce some of our partners, making everything happen. starting today with leading german insurance ergo victoria.
volker peters was amongst the first to support the project.

postproduction I - stills

2008-11-23T17:53:00.003-05:00

guess you have 6 people running around with various digital devices, two of them assigned to document the shooting of a movie. How many pitures do you get in our times?

i got 4.978 making the PC crahing from time to time. using tags and stars to identify pictures and sort them by quality, the first results come up: a slide show for upcoming events and a dvd for the participants.

Time to say goodbye | october 30th

2008-11-06T19:57:00.006-05:00

After one month of working together from casting to the last scene, many friendships were founded. obviously the crew was sad to go back home.
on the other hand we are curious to see the film's raw material, the making off video and the 4500+ still pictures taken during the shootings.
More to come soon.

Alex!s - the lead actor

2008-11-06T19:48:00.004-05:00

FAR ROCKAWAY is the story of his stay in new york. the photographer MARC is the main character and with Alexis were found a good one!
Alexis took very good pictures indeed and was on topic from the very first moment. it was really nice to work with him all the time, his patience and good attitude helped in many ways.
we are sure that people identify with him from the beginning to the credit roll...

the camera guy - ARI TAUB

2008-11-06T19:44:00.003-05:00

not only operating the camera in many sets, Ari Taub supported the production in many ways: from preparations to the casting, supply of equipment and good advice, the movie wouldn't have been possible without him.
Thank you Ari! We gonna rock you again the next time in old europe...

special shot

2008-11-06T19:39:00.002-05:00

And action: this time not only for the actors but also for the crew! ARI, MICHAEL and JAN surround the couple MARC & MAGGIE in a special shot.

Woman in Street

2008-11-06T19:35:00.004-05:00

Here is Mika: After so much work and support for the production we were happy to include Mika as an actress as well. Find out about her role in the final cut, sometime next year..

YES WE CAN

2008-11-06T17:58:00.003-05:00

the crew is back in germany, the US election is done and here are some more pictures from the last week of shooting.
Starting with John McVay as stranger in Far Rockaway.

almost done | wednesday, oct. 29th

2008-10-29T18:45:00.004-04:00

It's almost done. Thanks to many people who supported the production in different ways, we made an incredible project. within only about three weeks of shooting all dialogues are spoken, and all scenes are done.

there is a lot of work still to come. from processing to editing it will take a while before the feature hits the big screen.

But after a fantastic month we are pround of the accomplished.

MANY THANKS to everybody for your support!

This weblog will continue with news about the postproduction for a long time. i guess after the return of the remaining crew there will be more pictures to upload as well.

It ain't over 'til it's over | Saturday, oct. 25th

2008-10-27T19:36:00.003-04:00

the far rockaway wrap party must have been great. in facebook you'll find several albums with presumably drunk french girls, smiling actors and people having a good time.

EXT. Manhatten | Friday, oct. 24th

2008-10-27T18:58:00.002-04:00

DAVID & JONATHAN talk outside their law firm. George Jay Wienbarg III playes DAVID. George is a relative to the legendary Buffalo Bill. We are happy to have real american history with him on board. JONATHAN is played by Mike Rutkoski. His brother Bill is also cast in one of the restaurant scenes.

Once upon a time in the west | September 1989

2008-10-27T17:19:00.007-04:00

Back in the days of two german states, the first step was taken: In 1989 during the summer holiday from college Michael Schürger, Tim Schnöckelburg and Mark Alexander won first price in a local short film festival. the old guy in the middle is an notorious "bad guy" in german features and tv-productions (Rolf Zacher).
Hopefully FAR ROCKAWAY will make it also to the top. Been There - Done That... .

INT Messler's Office | Thursday, oct. 23rd

2008-10-25T17:50:00.008-04:00

one of the first scenes in the movie has been shot very late: the visit of MARC at MESSLERS office. With little time at the location Michael as MESSLER couldn't enjoy too much the presense of BETH (Tammy McNeill) and other (Bond)Messler girls.

In this scene, MARC gets his directions for the upcoming photostory.

PARTY ON, MIKE! | saturday oct. 23rd

2008-10-25T17:15:00.003-04:00

tonight the remaining crew celebrates the "wrap-up" party of far rockaway. allthough some scene are not on film yet, this is the last weekend for the german crew.

Thanks to Masa, the party takes place in a nice private environment and i am sure that i get some picture to publish later on. Michael & Mark met Masa in oct. 2006, when the idea of FAR ROCKAWAY was born and the story was developed.

new roles pls. | Tuesday, oct. 21st

2008-10-22T17:36:00.003-04:00

not only more and more film roles are used, also the crew has to be more flexible since Mark, Stephan, Alex and "tupitz" Chris have left the set.

JAN took over the sound as well and MATTI takes more time to take still pictures (of himself?)

more actors, more fun | monday, oct. 20th

2008-10-22T17:30:00.004-04:00

because cool places like the jazz club allways are packed with
cool people, the crew decided to bring in some more characters.

Sara is among the supporting cast, thanks for being with the production.

flashback | Friday, oct. 17th

2008-10-22T17:07:00.004-04:00

finally some pictures from last weeks scene drop in. Gwen B. played JUNE, one of the key characters besides the main couple.
the intense scene came out very good.

Don't Mess with Messler | Tuesday, oct. 21st

2008-10-22T16:59:00.003-04:00

Seen this guy before? Yes, Michael put himself under ARI's directions and performed as the "penny-pincher" MESSLER. this is where the story starts: MAGGIE meets MARC who met with MESSLER in the reastaurant.
confused? See FAR ROCKAWAY in 2009 !

dream on | sunday, oct. 19th

2008-10-20T15:18:00.006-04:00

Berlin, Fürstenwalde - after two weeks also STEPHAN "making of" S. and his son ALEX "assistant to sound" returned to good old germany.

out of the candid shots during the set, i believe that at least the young one dreams that he would be stil on the set with amber, playing ANDREA, the bitchy waitress... .

EXT. on the street | Wednesday oct. 15th

2008-10-20T15:10:00.003-04:00

and some more pictures from last week: for our camera the lovely carmine became FRANK, who is molesting his wife CAROLINE.

La Lanterna di Vittorio | Saturday, Oct. 18th

2008-10-20T15:00:00.004-04:00

o.k. folks, here is cool place to be: the lanterna has a nice patio, some tables in the restaurant with and also a famous jazz club downstairs, all in one place.
thanks to mika, carmine and the real owner VITTORIO we are up to have a third (and last) shooting at MACDOUGAL str. in downtown Manhattan.

check out the location by yourself - there is live music allmost every night.
http://lalanternacaffe.com/page/nutr/The_Bar_Next_Door.html

INT. Restaurant 2 - Andrea & Customers | Wednesday, oct. 15th

2008-10-20T13:56:00.007-04:00

here are pictures from our second set @ la lantera di vittorio "next door" jazz club (see album). this time the other waitresses ANDREA and CAROLINE were on the set as well. Bill Rutkoski made a special apperance as CUSTOMER and PETER "the owner" took care of the ladies and "his" place.

the crew from left to right: ALEX (assitant to sound), MICHAEL (director), CHRIS "tuppes" (sound), ARI (camera), JAN (assistant to director).

Another day off | Thursday, oct. 16th

2008-10-17T12:13:00.004-04:00

While the FAR ROCKAWAY production has another day off, the race for the POTUS goes on. I haven't found a single supporter off McCain so far, but the race may not be over until somebody recounts Florida over and over until its over... .

in germany the coverage of the debates is pretty high, even Joe Wurzelbacher made it into the news. his open tax duties hopefully are another brick in the wall for obama. the guys on 53rd street show their opinion during the last outdoor shooting.

TUPPES GOES AMERICA | wednesday, oct. 15th

2008-10-16T13:51:00.003-04:00

they just love him. chris wessel is stunning all americans. in his typical lower rhine area mentality and his charming accent chris has conquered america on the fly. while waiting in rockefeller center even nbc caught attention."he is such a character", "the special one" and even comparisons to sesame street's "big bird" show the great attention he gets in the states. being a successul manager in germany on the FAR ROCKAWAY set chris is responsible for the sound. Michael calls him "Tuppes" all day, so his american nickname went "(s)tupitz" right away. Carry on, man... .

INT. Restaurant | oct. 14th.

2008-10-15T01:02:00.004-04:00

the restaurant is a crucial place for the story. waitresses Maggie, Andrea and Caroline work here and their stories are an important part of the plot. today two complex scenes were realized at "La Lantera di Vittorio" on macdougal str. in Manhattan.

the set needed a lot of light and 7 actors were engaged. the crew contained 10 people so the space heated up quickly.

Making of by JVC | oct. 14th.

2008-10-15T00:56:00.004-04:00

by the way... : the making of is featured by JVC. the hdv camera is used for documentary, interviews, rehearsals and so on.

the prosumer model is easy to handle and provides excellent video quality.

the making of is filmed by STEPHAN.

EXT. Washington Square Park | Oct. 13th.

2008-10-15T00:49:00.004-04:00

another outdoor scene was shot on monday. number 0030 "woman in park" was allready used in the auditions and now finally came alive. the set was on washington square park next to nyu.

MICHAEL worked out the lines with the 11.year old girl, who takes the photos in the park.

Rod Stuart loves the hamptons | oct.

2008-10-15T00:40:00.004-04:00

Did you know, that 90 % of all nyc graffity is done by white jewish artist from the upper east side?
found a lot of tags and pictures around the city.
the slogan "rod stuart loves the hamptons" is also all around the town. haven't found anybody to tell the story behind this.
rod stuart rules anyhow... .

INT. Restaurant - Marc & Maggie | Oct. 13th

2008-10-15T00:34:00.004-04:00

the first scene today took place in a nice mexican restaurant in brooklyn. owner Antonio worked in the office while we used the space in the morning. the dialogue came out pretty good and nothing special happend.

In the picture you see, ARI operating the camera, MATTI watching focus and lens, STEPH acting and MICHAEL directing the set.

taking a day off - sundowner | oct. 12th

2008-10-13T00:45:00.005-04:00

the rolls stood still this sunday. the crew took a rest and enjoyed the american way of live. the world famoust long island sundown can also be seen at the seagate community next to coney island.

Far Rockaway x2 | oct. 11th

2008-10-13T00:35:00.004-04:00

bringing MARC the first time to Far Rockaway, the titel-spot it took a small crew. CHRIS recorded some sound at the jfk airport and from Williamsburg a 2 man crew went with the legendary A-Train to Far Rockaway.

JAN & MATTI joined the team at the station and later on, the were somes scenes while MARC gets drunk in some bars.

sneaky shooting all the way. the production has a day of on sunday. from monday on the big dialogue scenes are on the scedule.

who's that guy? | oct. 10th

2008-10-13T00:29:00.004-04:00

what the hell does sugar-mike on "top of the rock" with a super 16mm filmcamera? guess what - another sneaky shooting of new york city's skyline.

just by coincidence our couple of MARC & MAGGIE showed up on the main platform a few moments later.

downtown again | oct. 10th

2008-10-13T00:14:00.004-04:00

the shootings in downtown are always interesting. unlike in major hollywood releases we do not evacuate several blocks of nyc just to fill them with extra people later on again. so the scene with charakter MARC all took place in a reallife environment in midtown.

because of traffic and parking issues the delivery of a tripod can take a while, but with this we hope that the "face in the crowd" shots went well.

We are the road crew.. | Oct, 9th

2008-10-12T00:03:00.006-04:00

just in case someone doesn't know the workload: Besides director MICHAEL, Ari Taub operates the camera in dialogue scenes, MATTI works as assistant to camera and "tuppes" CHRIS is the sound guy.

EXT. WILLIAMSBURG | Oct., 9th

2008-10-11T23:14:00.005-04:00

excellent weather and a great couple in love. with the background of Manhatten on the shores of williamsburg characters MAGGIE and MARC get along with their love story.

actor A. gets better and better taking pictures from his main target.

Shooting Far Rockaway | oct., 08th

2008-10-09T22:18:00.006-04:00

collecting more and more pictures from our trip the slideshows are now separated: one is for scenes from the set and shootings, the other one contains backstage impressions and pictures.

New Album: Character ADRIANO and others in the webgalerie "Shooting Far Rockaway"

INT. MAGGIE’S APT. - EVENING | oct., 8th

2008-10-09T22:03:00.004-04:00

JAN aquired an apartment for the second shooting. the stylish location was used as Maggie's (Brett's) apartment. with ARI operating camera, 4 actors and a crew of 8 people, the small place was packed with people.

the scene works as one of the key turning points and we were happy that it came out very well. MAGGIE (picture) had an argument with MARC and BRETT, which also had some funny moments.

Shoot a movie? Start Shooting one day! | Tuesday, Oct. 7th

2008-10-08T00:17:00.002-04:00

And Action! finally, after two years of preparation the first slant clapped (virtually). actually we started the films in michael schürger way of working: sneaking around and having pick-up shots from our main character MARC. fortunally the actor really took a lot of good photos, so we are looking foreward to the upcoming shooting.

location, location, location! | Monday, Oct. 6st

2008-10-08T00:05:00.004-04:00

Like in realty business also in a movie location is everything. in new york city this is not so easy as it seams: first of all almost every corner has been filmed a lot of time, so it is a challenge to find an individual look. the second thing is the immanent budget question. it is usual that locations are paid by productions. JAN and MATTI cheked out different places and found really interesting people. MATTI also took a wide range of photos from the title spot FAR ROCKAWAY.

22nd Monster Game | Saturday Oct. 4th

2008-10-05T15:50:00.006-04:00

Starting at 8 p.m. ARI introduced a bunch of newcomers into the rules of the monster game. in an old venue right next to his building in Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY) two squads of monster hunters had to clear out a rotten industrial site filled with monsters.
the monsters held big supersoakers and sniped the incoming hunters. the two umbrellas and the single lasersword for each squad frequently didn't succeed against the monsters in different turns. later also some zombies walked through the area filled with fog and flashlight.
The real scary atmosphere ended around midnight without serious injuries.

Filmschool | Saturday Oct. 4th

2008-10-05T15:42:00.005-04:00

Again the facilities of hit and run production were the center of the action. at first we started to check another scene with our favorite actress for leading role maggie and an new candidate for marc.
later on ARI introduced JAN and MATTI into super16 camera operation and CHRIS in handling his sound equipment.
MARK (the real life one with "k") started this blog and hopes you like it.

audition | friday, oct. 3rd

2008-10-04T14:36:00.003-04:00

shooting a feature ? will need good actors !

at hit and run production MICHAEL lead the audition of the actors. ARI organised the casting giving different scenes and situations to the incoming actors. in this manner the production team got an good impression of the characters interacting together and the quality of the actors in their roles.

the script from JOE came alive the first time and made everybody curious about the complete story. the casting went very good, ARI did a great job bringing in many talented and motivated actors.

getting ready | thursday, oct. 2nd

2008-10-04T14:29:00.001-04:00

the first day was used to check the apparments for the crew during the stay, getting mobile phones and other preparations. the production office will be at hit and run productions in williamsburg, brooklyn. managing director ARI prepared the schedule for next days casting.

MATTI allready get first impressing stills from downtown, coney island and the sneaky crew.

Fly In | wednesday, oct. 1st

2008-10-04T14:25:00.001-04:00

It's going to happen... .

today the first crew members startet towards nyc. director MICHAEL, executive producer MARK, production manager JAN and photographer MATTI came in via paris, france.