The Crew of “The Force Begins: A Star Wars Fan Film”

UPDATED
After a month of searching, I finally found the people to complete the crew line for the Star Wars fan film. I got the team that we ever needed to make this film possible.


Directed: Tennyl Dehm Canlas

Executive Producer: Glenn Marco San Agustin

Assistant Director: Ericka Perez
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STORY TEAM
Story Consultants: Kiko Miranda,
Story Writters: Tennyl Dehm Canlas, Usef Fahmy
Character Designer: Victor Ian Covarrubias
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P.A. TEAM
Production Superisor: Danica “Nica” Jane Follero
Production Assistants: Danie Alted Nebrija, Zoe Cueva, Gianafe Andrion
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COSTUME AND PROPS TEAM
Costume and Props Supervisor: Marjorie Escobar
Costume and Props: Ruffy Gerard Enopia Matarlo, Ayase Shiro
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PHYSICAL & ACTING TEAM
Physical Trainers: Julx Jacob, Andy Andaki, John Lura
Acting & Vocal Trainer: Kiko Miranda

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CAMERA TEAM
Director of Photography: Kendrick Rico
Camera Operator and Assistant: John Renzo Wee
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POST-PRODUCTION TEAM
Video Editor & Visual Effects: Tennyl Dehm Canlas
3D Modeler: Omar Sharif Bael Warad
Music Composers: Ruffy Gerard Enopia Matarlo, Tennyl Dehm Canlas
Voice Dubbing Directors: Tennyl Dehm Canlas, Kiko Miranda

So far these are the people who are on board. These people I’ve selected are not just skillful but also talented, and they share the same vision not just as a filmmaker, but also as an artist and to make dreams a reality. There are few more people are coming on board but I didn’t mention it here yet cause I need to interview them further and confirm their position for this film.

I’m only missing is a Production Designer for our set and design. Nevertheless, we almost complete our production crew lineup. But even with this lineup, we still need to work together as a team. I will organize a proper workflow.

Let’s make the impossible, possible.

--
Tennyl Dehm Canlas
Director

1st Visual Effects update

I've been working on the visual effects these past few days as side finalizing the draft of the story. I finished the 1st phase last week. Basically it is were the potential 3D models for the visual effects are being created, texture and do a studio and light testing before going for phase 2.

Phase 2 is were the live footage and the CGI/3D model are in place for motion tracking, and several draft test. Phase 3 is were visual details and enhancements added.

Here's a quick demo of the video. Take not that this is only Phase 3, there's still one more phase to do for further enhancement. Plus it's in 4K.

I've shown it on Instagram and to my story group. They were amazed about it even though it's only phase 3. I'm really confident about it. The next and last phase which phase 4 it is were final compositing happen like more visual enhancements and effects before adding it to the final editing stage. After this, my next task will be explosions and other visual effects.

For this weekend, I'll be concentrating finishing up the story treatment of the film and present it to the story group with Kiko Miranda, Rogin and the rest this Monday. They will help me to do a proper screenplay.

Also, I really need to find an Assistant Director to help accomplish my task and to help off load some of my task. Currently, I have 2 jobs as of the moment (4 including helping Kiko and this film). So I kinda need to off load some of it but the problem is I can't find someone who can really help me. If I can't find someone before the end of the month, I might be working by my on and that adds pressure to my workload. I hope I can find one soon.

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Tennyl Dehm Canlas

More production crew update

Earlier today, I met Kendrick and Giana during the opening of SIGPAT Photo Exhibit. I talked to them about this film and if they are willing to join. They're both in and so as Rogin who I was able to talk him after I discuss with Kendrick and Giana the plan.

So far I don't have specific roles for them but eventually, I'll be meeting with them soon for their specific roles of the film but Kendrick will be my DOP (Director of Photography).

And earlier tonight, I was able to talk with Victor Ian Covarrubias about this project and to be my Character Designer for the potential costumes of our main characters. He's in. I will be in touch with him as soon as he's done with his open house of their new school in Manila and likewise as soon as my story is done.

For this, here's the list of the crew who are in and their roles in order:

Tennyl Dehm Canlas - Director, Producer, Writer
Danica Jane Follero - Senior Production Assistant
Kiko Miranda - Story and Creative Consultant
Kendrick Rico - Director of Photography
Victor Ian Covarrubias - Character Designer
Marjorie Escobar & Lisamae "Chut" Villavieja- Costume Design Supervisors
Giana Andrion - Production Assistant
Zoe Cuevo - Production Assistant (Pending)
Danie Alted Nebrija - Co-writer, boom operator (Pending)


I will update the list from time to time. So far, so good! We are slowly building our team for this project. :)

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Tennyl Dehm Canlas

Production team update

Earlier today, I was invited by Sir Kiko Miranda if I can help him with audition theater play. While waiting for the whole audition to start, I met one of the Campus Headturners girls once again after 2 months. I manage to talk with Lisamae "Chut" Villavieja about my plans for this film. As usual, she literally got excited and I asked her if she knows someone to do the props and costume design. She gave me references including my good friend and one of our actress of Tiempo, Marjorie Escobar. I will work closely with her and Chut once the story treatment is done.

Photo of the audition for Sir Kiko's play

And speaking of story treatment, Sir Kiko Miranda will be our official Story Consultant and he will have his team to help us out if needed since we will be working together with his upcoming film project.

Also Zoe went also in the audition. I talked with her after the audition and likewise she is willing to join our team. For her role is still unknown since she's busy with her school projects.

For character design sketch, I might ask one of my closes friend, Victor Ian Covarrubias, to help me with the design I want. I will contact him soon.

Nica will be my senior production assistant. I will gather the whole MediaBro team once the story is done. John Renzo Wee is willing to join our team which I haven't finalize with him yet.

For the characters, initial I will have 3 main characters. I already chose my lead female role which is Chut. For the male lead role and main antagonist, I haven't thought about it since the story is still in progress but I already talked with Renzo Parreno, he's one of my candidates but he told me he might be leaving to the states soon but that is still unknown. I will scout for more people who can be a potential cast member but I will conduct an open casting call within April or May if I can't still find one.

Once the casting is done, a series of workshop will be followed. Acting and physical training workshop. Sir Kiko is willing to do an acting workshop with the potential cast members while for the physical training workshop, I still have to find who will be capable to do so. If not, YouTube will be a great source for that and watching Star Wars. Hehehe.

This day turns out to be great. I just hope more good news will come even the main production is still "far far away".

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Tennyl Dehm Canlas

A new story begins

Last Thursday, I started to do research about Star Wars from the original trilogy (Episode IV, V, and VI), down to the TV series called "Star Wars Rebels" even on the Star Wars wikipedia (Wookiepedia) and the official website.

I've spend hours and days and I finally got a wonderful idea. Instead of following the "Expended Universe" now known as "Legends", I decided to follow the canon stories.

The main reason is because if we follow the old stories, it won't be as interesting as the current one and likewise it will add confusion to the casual or non-Star Wars fans. At the same time, I decided to make this as a "standalone" like type of film. That means creating a new story, new characters and new planets that happen or exist but showcase a "history" brand or a myth to the Star Wars universe. Like what the director of Rogue One, Gareth Edward, said "If you too respectful of it that you didn't do any new or different or take a risk, then what are you bringing on the table?". That's why most fans or even first timers appreciate Rogue One because it's different but it's still Star Wars.

This is my new approach instead of doing the usual way because without making it different and brining something new, it's just a typical fan film with the same story, same characters, same lightsaber battles, etc. Why not making it different but still the same feel? This is also an opportunity for filmmakers like us to do some new within the universe we already know.

Are we going to see less lightsaber scenes? Mostly yes because I want people to understand the story of Star Wars that it's not just "a movie with lightsabers". There's more to it.

I started to write the draft story of it earlier and I might finish it before the end of the month or first week of February. The full production of it will start this August or July the earliest. Why? I want the pre-production to be well prepare rather than after deadlines. This will also give the production time to gather the props, the cast, the crew, the things we need.

Once the story treatment is done, I will begin the screenplay with Nica and possible with Alted which I'll be talking to him soon.