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Neil Chase

Location Locked. Cast Set. Cameras Next.

Published about 2 months ago • 3 min read

Hi Reader,

This past week has been a big one for my upcoming short film, Room 309.

The location is secured, the crew is set, and casting is complete. In just a short amount of time, this movie is starting to feel very real.

As the writer-director, I’m reminded again how much every little detail matters when you’re the one driving the creative side behind the camera. Thankfully, my producing partners, Preston and Elizabeth, have taken on a lot of the heavy lifting with contracts, location management, and costuming.

That gives me more room to focus on the things I love most:

  • character development
  • actor prep
  • shot lists
  • lighting plan
  • props
  • blocking
  • and all the little visual details that help shape the final film

The importance of being there

This past week, we went back to our main location for another site visit. We took more photos, checked measurements, and did our best to make sure the equipment and props we have planned will actually work in the space provided.

It's a real, working hotel, and not a set built in some warehouse. That means real-world limitations for everything from camera placement to lighting restrictions to simply the number of cast and crew we can have in a single space, such as a hotel room or hallway.

But honestly, it's also part of the fun! Challenges like these push us creatively, and as a writer, it a way to see firsthand the difference between what's in our imaginations and what's available in the real world.

Next steps

Naturally, the next step is to discuss with my cinematographer, David, and the rest of the camera team, and work through the logistics of all of these things. And then have a follow-up site visit to better plan our shots and lighting.

It's all just a big reminder that as a writer or director, it means being open to differing viewpoints and ideas that other people's experience brings to the table.

Film is a collaborative process, and you have to welcome other perspectives - even when they don't line up with what you initially thought or planned. Having a solid team around you helps to keep your own ego in check. And honestly, that leads to a better story and a better movie!

But that's not all I have going on

At the same time as all this is happening, I’ve been working double-time on the final edits for my upcoming novel, Dead Strays. It’s a genre-bending horror-thriller about a group of robbers forced to hide out in a remote mansion... only to discover something much worse waiting inside.

I’m getting close to finishing the final edits now, and I’ve started looking into the best way to make the book available for pre-order.

That part is still new territory for me, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience with it. What worked for you? What didn’t? Any lessons you learned the hard way?

I’ve also been working on several cover ideas for the book. So next week, I’m planning to share my favorites and let you help me choose which one stands out most!

And if you missed my latest video, I go deep into the importance of creative resets, and how taking a break is sometimes the best thing we can do for our stories.

🎥 Watch the full video here: Why You Need A Creative Reset (Before You Burn Out)​

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And if you want help with your screenplay - on a human level, and from an experienced writer and story coach, then click one of the links below and let's talk about:

👉 My coaching calls - great for brainstorming, outlining, character work, and solving story problems early: Book Your Session today!​

👉 My coverage packages - a great next step if you need meaningful developmental feedback before diving back into the draft: Click here!​

👉 Rewrite to Greenlight - my ongoing developmental editing program for taking a script from almost there to funding or production-ready: Click here!​

Bottom line, there’s a lot happening right now. A short film moving toward production, a novel moving toward release, and plenty more updates coming soon. So stay tuned!

Until next time - keep writing, and stay creative!

Neil

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P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!

Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel​

And see my latest feature, Contamination, now on Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango, and Hoopla!

Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

Looking for in-depth help with your script, story or film? Check out my one-on-one coaching services here.

Check out my Gothic horror-western novel, Iron Dogs, available in eBook, print, and audiobook.

**My emails may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure and privacy policy here.

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Neil Chase

Filmmaker, Writer and Story Consultant

Neil Chase is a story and writing coach, award-winning screenwriter, actor, and author of the horror-western novel, Iron Dogs. Neil believes that all writers have the potential to create great work. His passion is helping writers find their voice and develop their skills so that they can create stories that are both entertaining and meaningful. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, join the email list for writing tips and inspiration!

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