Moon Tribe Studios

Portland film Population: 2, directed by Gil Luna, has been receiving a multitude of awards and recognitions since it finished production in December of 2011. Top among these has been the reception of an Award of Merit by The Indie Fest and an Award of Excellence from the Accolade Competition.

Now Population: 2 will be featured as an official selection in the World Premiere of The 45th Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film and Video Festival, which takes place between April 13th-22nd. The film will also be winning a Remi award, to be presented at the festival. The Houston World Fest is the oldest Independent Film & Video Festival in the World and presented first honors to filmmakers Oliver Stone, Spike Lee, and the Coen Brothers (amongst many other recognizable names). Population: 2 was one of 2000 entries into the festival this year.

“I couldn’t have had a better group of people to work with to make such an ambitious endeavor of the imagination come to being. They deserve to be recognized and this award is a sign of their accomplishment”, says director/producer Gil Luna.

Population: 2, the story of a woman left alone after the end of the world, was filmed entirely in Oregon with an all-Oregon cast and crew that included cinematographer Kenneth Luba, producer Jonathan Stark, and Suzanne Tufan and John Ashley Hall as leads. The music was composed by Edouard Brenneisen (whose music is also featured in the trailer, below). The film, according to The Indie Fest judges, “features exceptional production quality, locations, visuals, sound and Suzanne Tufan is embracing as Lilith in the lead role.”

Moon Tribe Studios has won a prestigious Award of Merit from The Indie Fest. The award was given for Gil Luna’s exciting feature film, Population: 2, which frames what it would be like to live in the end days into the apocalypse. Population: 2 features exceptional production quality, locations, visuals, sound and Suzanne Tufan is embracing as Lilith in the lead role.
“I couldn’t have had a better group of people to work with to make such an ambitious endeavor of the imagination come to being. They deserve to be recognized and this award is a sign of their accomplishment”, says director/producer Gil Luna.
The Indie Fest recognizes film professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievment in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film industry. Information about the Indie Fest and a list of recent winners can be found at www.theindiefest.com.
In winning and Indie, Moon Tribe Studios joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award. Thomas Baker, Ph.D., who chairs the Indie Fest, had this to say about the latest winners, “The Indie is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world. The indie helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptionally high quality of entries. The goal of The Indie is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”

-February 14, 2012

When you finally sit down plan to make a film, nothing is more
 important than having a budget.  No matter how many friends you know 
in the industry, at some point you are going to run into costs and if
 you don’t have a budget, your project will grind to a halt.  There is 
nothing worse than getting a project all the way through production
 only to have it die because you don’t have enough money set aside for
 post.  Don’t let this happen to you!

There are many ways to fund your film. You can charge up all your credit cards, borrow money from a distant uncle, work in close
 collaboration with talented friends to lower costs, or do it in some 
other nontraditional or unsanctioned way. All can be acceptable ways
 of going about making your film. Also, when all is said and done,
 there has to be a plan to get that money back for your investors.

In these articles, I’m going to discuss ways to fund your film in “healthy” ways. That means, having a plan, not only for paying it back, but also for getting funding in the first place.

Budgeting your film is not the first step.  Before you ever 
put your first dollar sign on paper, you need to have something else 
in place.  Experience. Lack of experience is a curse. Money can give
 someone false confidence to go forth and do little more than waste
 their money.   But the other side of the coin can be just as much of a 
curse!  Let’s say you aren’t independently wealthy but you have a lot
 of knowledge about making a film.  Unfortunately, if you’ve never had 
enough money to make a film, then you don’t have a track record to 
show.  Without this track record, you can’t possibly dream of getting any money to fund your project. But if you can’t get any money, how do you make your film?  That’s the Catch-22.

This is where you have to have patience. It’s time to do your homework, put aside your pet feature project, and hone your craft.

When I first got started, I wanted nothing more than to jump into making a film. But I knew nothing about it. As I have seen many people do, they make the mistake of jumping into a project without knowing the first thing. On top of that, they do it thinking they can direct, produce, and captain a project without having the first clue how to do so. Take my advice, and don’t do this. Film is best learned from the ground up not from the top down. You wouldn’t build the roof of a house before the foundation, would you? You wouldn’t come into a
company fresh out of college expecting to start as the CEO, would you? 
You can’t start up a cookie shop without knowing how to bake cookies;
you shouldn’t start as a director without knowing the complex formulas 
that make a great film. I’m not talking in theory, here; I’m talking
 in practice.  We’ve all read books on how to make a film.  It can’t
 substitute for real experience.  Even more importantly, reading books 
won’t give you the valuable connections you will need to make

 I came out of the womb making films. Well, close. My first experience
 with film was as a highschooler when a schoolmate of mine asked me to 
act in one of his films. I took him up on his offer. We won some awards and I was hooked. I loved it!

In college I auditioned for a film that was a Star Trek knock off. There I met people with whom I am still friends today. One of them
 brought me on a film a short time after that, after I graduated. I went in as a P.A. and came out as a Set Dresser. By this time, I was totally bitten by the bug. I read the script for that film plus several others and decided to write my own. Ten years and several films later, though I never shot that original script, I had written another and filmed a short scene from it. Then, a year later, I shot a short film. Three years after that, I shot a feature. I spent a lot of
 time making sure that I was ready and when the time came, I did it.  I feel like my films have turned out quite well, and I credit that to the experiences I had along the way.

 Granted it doesn’t have to take you as much time as it did for me. It works differently for everyone. But don’t expect it to happen next week or next month for that matter. So, don’t jump into filmmaking, especially if you have the money to do
 so, without first learning the craft. You’ll be the better for it.

It’ll prevent you from wasting money, resources and everyone’s time; and possibly ruining relationships, and it’ll give you invaluable experience. Take classes from people who have worked in film, if you can. But more 
importantly, work in the field yourself!  Volunteer to be on film sets
 or become a P.A. The money is decent and you’ll learn tons.  If that’s 
not an option, then grab a camera and some friends and shoot
 something… but make sure you take it all the way from start to
 finish.  You and your college buddies probably won’t make the next 
Summer Blockbuster, but you’ll learn first hand the traps and pitfalls
 of filmmaking and you’ll all be starting from scratch together. That knowledge will save you when it comes time to
 making your first budgeted film.

In the next article I’ll tackle different ways to fund that film. Once you’re ready, of course.

Thanks to all who attended the private screening of population: 2. We got some great feedback from many of our friends and family and from the film community of Portland. Our plans are now to send out an updated version of the film to festivals around the nation and possibly the globe. I’ll be posting when and where those screenings can be seen. Be sure to catch it if it’s near you and feel free to log on here or on facebook and post your response.

Currently in a session finishing up audio for Population: 2. Three weeks or so of this. It takes dedication I tell you! But fun.

Sometimes you have to be willing to make no or less money on a project or at least garner a back-end deal in order to gain experience. But when’s enough, enough?

I’ve been coming across ads for no pay filmmaking as no-experience filmmakers ask for help from anyone willing to work for food and experience. I’ve also seen those ads get “marked for death” by naysayers who just can’t stand the sight of people being taken advantage of. Well, those people know who they are and it’s unfortunate that they can’t remember a time when they’d give just about anything for some experience making films, making connections, and having fun. Maybe it’s because they paid their dues so long ago that they just don’t remember what it takes anymore. Or someone gave them a chance at a time when it was right for them. They were lucky. Who knows. What burns me up about these guys, and you know who you are, is that unless they are willing to give a viable solution or secret or plan or whatever it is that will give these first-timers a chance to do something they love, then maybe they should shut the fuck up?

That said, yes there are some filmmakers out there who don’t mind taking advantage of those lusting to get involved. But there’s a difference between taking advantage of people and giving them an opportunity to get involved.

So, let me tackle two things here. First thing, when do you know if you’re being taken advantage of? Here’s a few tips:

1. If the filmmaker who asks you to work for “free” is not even giving you a back end deal of any kind, then they’re probably taking advantage of you. Think about it. This person could go on to sell their film and make a profit off of your hard work.
2. If you truly are getting experience from your filmmaking adventure and you’re satisfied then consider that your pay…as long as you’re being treated well of course!
3. If you’re working for free and it’s not enough then talk to your employer and discuss something satisfactory to compensate you.
4. More importantly, if you want more than just experience or maybe you think you either won’t benefit from a project or think the project will benefit more from you than you will of it, then ask for payment. If you don’t get a job because of that, it’s probably not because you’re not worth it. More than likely, they just can’t afford you.

Secondly, let’s tackle this…what if you think you should stop working for just experience?

1. Start out moderately. Don’t go overboard and ask for something crazy.
2. Also, don’t have unrealistic expectations. Don’t expect the going rate when you’re dealing with independent film.
3. Start taking your talents to more professional sources. The local casting agency, start getting your face seen regularly, and, if you’re a crew member, get to know the people who do what you want to do. Hopefully, you’ll end up getting the inside scoop and possibly a job in the industry apprenticing.

It takes years to establish a reputation. Work hard and do good work. If you’re an actor, hopefully the talent is there as well. It helps.

The trailer is up!  You can view it here:

Official Trailer

Please share the link with family and friends!  Also be sure to check back at Open Film in October and drop your vote for Population 2 in Open Film’s big contest, judged by Robert Duval and other prominent personalities in the industry.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the film to this point!

Hello, everyone!  I’m writing with more footage of the Population 2 cast and crew at work (at play?):
http://vimeo.com/13351294

This video presents a wide range of footage taken by our amazing documentarian, Matt Mastrantuono.  The clips highlight the locations, makeup, and costumes that permeate the world of Population 2.

To elaborate on the locations a little bit, we shot at six locations during the making of the film, five of which you’ll see here.  The three main locations were… the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Silverton, Oregon, the Shanghai Tunnels underneath Portland’s Chinatown, and The Fairview Training Center (originally called The Center for the Feeble Minded) which is located in Salem and is being torn down bit by bit (you can see this in one clip in the video).  We also shot at the abandoned bar Pinochio’s, the Ziba design firm, and Studio 3 (all in Portland).

A little bit more on the locations… the FLW House is easily recognizable in these clips for its warm colours and interesting layout.  One shot of the house that is particularly pleasing is that of actor Shelly Lipkin standing by the door while the rain is coming down.  It was a cold night, that night, but the rain was especially beautiful.  A special thanks goes out to Molly, who is the caretaker of the house, and who was extremely supportive of the film, staying late with us every night of shooting.  The Shanghai Tunnels you can spot by all the crazy dust and plastic that was set up in the area, as well as the nutty lighting (an effect caused by latticed wooden boards, which give us a “sewer grate” effect).  Fairview was a particularly interesting location to shoot at, as it is an old mental institution and has a somewhat dark history to it.  The buildings were incredible… and very dilapidated.  Being there truly felt like walking through the apocalypse.  I’ve had the pleasure of talking with some of the original tenants since then and they’ve been able to elaborate on the history of the place.  We’re hoping to take their stories and include them on the final DVD.  It’s an ongoing project that’s been greatly supported by the Special Education Services at Portland State University, with whom I work.

The music for this piece was done specially for us by the extremely talented Nicole Adams, a young artist currently based in South Lake Tahoe, California, moving to Reno, Nevada, at the end of August.  More of her work can be heard at the following link:
http://www.digiskai.com/

As always, a huge thank you to everyone who has helped us with financial or emotional support.  I’m happy to be able to show you what your support has helped create.  Keep watching the facebook site for Population 2, or join up if you aren’t already a member.  This is a good time to be keeping an eye on things, because we are expecting to release the official trailer, complete with colorization and original music, in a couple of weeks.

Jonathan Stark
Executive Producer

Here’s some behind the scenes footage from the latest film by Gil Luna and Jonathan Stark of Moon Tribe Studios and Kenneth Luba of golightlyfilms.  The film is Population 2, about a young woman who is left after the apocalypse to reflect on the circumstances of life that have brought her to this point.

http://vimeo.com/12998686

This clip highlights the mood that permeated throughout the production.  Though there are always rough moments in a film production, at any given time you could walk around the set of Population 2 and find someone laughing, making a joke, or just smiling.  There were a lot of moments of downtime in which people, especially the production staff, would start ad-libing, using whatever props they could find on hand, whether it be old copies of the script, office tools, or, yes, even a ninja midget.  I think the fact that we were usually getting less than 6 hours of sleep a night for the two weeks of the shoot helped these efforts quite a bit.

This creative levity brought people together as much as the creative seriousness that makes up the dark story of Population 2.

Stay tuned for more releases.  Part 2 comes next week. This is all leading up to an official trailer release at the end of July.  If anyone is interested in donating to the film, we still have a lot to do in post-production and the generosity would be much appreciated.  To everyone who has already helped us with financial or emotional support, a huge thank you.  Moon Tribe Studios is happy to be able to show you what your support has helped create.

Jonathan Stark
Executive Producer
jonmoontribe@gmail.com

In short: we can’t finish filming without some support. We’re looking for $10 donations: sales@moontribestudios.com

Okay, everyone, here’s the deal.  We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the support of much of Portland’s finest talent and with that have been able to shoot Population 2 on a less-than-shoe-string budget.  But even so, we’re still behind.  We need 12,000 to finish Population 2.  Through generous donation and by scraping our own pockets, we have raised 8,000 of this.  We have until April 26th to raise the remainder.

Please, if you have $10 to spare, please donate it to the film.  Donate $15, include your email in the donation note, and we will contact you after filming to send you a free signed DVD of Population 2. Donations can be made here: sales@moontribestudios.com

If you are interested in making a larger donation, please contact us at jonmoontribe@gmail.com.  Depending on the amount, there may be other incentives, such as tax refunds, producer credits, and more limited edition items.

The film and the message you would be supporting: Sometime in the near future, Simon and Lilith are faced with a tough choice after it has been made known that the man’s fate is about to come to an end. This choice leaves Lilith alone and left to struggle in the aftermath in an apocalyptic setting.

“Population 2” is a short film about the the consequences of the choices we make, and don’t; both as a society and on an individual level.  It warns about the dangers of taking things for granted, including our planet.

As part of supporting this message of preservation, this non-profit production is being shot entirely at historic sites in and around the Portland area, including the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Salem (the Gordon house), the Fairview Center for the Feeble Minded, the Shanghai Tunnels, and historic buildings in the downtown area.  The DVD will include a special interview with Portland historian and author Michael Jones as well as exclusive footage of the Fairview Center for the Feeble Minded, which is being torn down in May.

We have already shot a short scene, a piece of which can be viewed here:

http://www.vimeo.com/10502236

Help support Portland history.  Help support Portland arts.  Help support Population 2.

Thank you for your time and your donations,
Jonathan Stark, Executive Producer, and Gil Luna, Director