CKINK Productions

By The Franklin Lakes Journal

Published: February 18, 2009

The digital cameras, the Internet, and a variety of modern software applications is certainly changing the cinematic landscape. While Hollywood continues to grasp to its old business model, the changes in terms of distribution via the Internet and cable is allowing aspiring filmmakers to produce a product and distribute it themselves. Although the dream of Hollywood dollars still is the ultimate goal of many.

Communities from California to Connecticut have been promoting amateur filmmakers, especially students, through mini-festivals that provide a platform for them to exhibit their work in a public setting. Lacking such an event in the FLOW area, The Journal is following the progress of local filmmaker Chris Kincade whose work was featured in an article last summer. Although school comes first, Chris has managed to incorporate his passion for film making into projects that involve his school activities. He also continues to bring to fruition his own creative vision.

The first selection available here is called Saw Spoof, and follows in the tradition of horror movies which utilize an innocent childhood plaything to increase the sense of dread. It’s a technique used often in the old Twilight Zone television series, as well as with numerous modern day horror films, but the title of this short indicates it is a spoof. The second selection is entitled New Start. This was a project Chris worked on during a filmmakers boot-camp during the summer and includes a larger cast than his other endeavors. Cirque Du Freak, the third selection originated out of a school project and was an overall group effort with Chris providing his skill in film making for an English class project. A Hollywood version of the book is being released, and this short captures a small scene from the story. Finally, the last clip is a tribute to the RHS girls volleyball team. A compilation of highlights and plays from their successful season.

Each clip is accompanied by our Q&A with Chris Kincade.

Saw Spoof

Who’s doing the possessed voice in Saw Spoof and how was it done?
Me. I  just did my normal voice and played around with the audio and finally got it to sound deep and scary.

Do you hope to ruin Etch -A-Sketch for a generation of youngsters the way Steven Speilberg ruined the ocean for many when he made the movie Jaws?
Well I definitely wanted to make it with a Chucky feel where the everyday children toy that terrorizes people. But I could only hope that I could create something so powerful that it could change the life of youngsters.

It appears that once you pick up the knife, the film changes into a partial black and white. You appear in black and white but the soda and etch a sketch stay in color. How did you do that and why?
Well in editing I changed things like the saturation and did some chroma keying and finally had what is called the sin city effect. Well, I chose to do it because not only because it looked interesting but I also thought it somewhat added to the suspense.

A New Start

This film has a lot of extras in it, are we correct in that it was done as part of the summer film boot camp?
Yes, NY Film Academy.

What was it like working with a bigger cast than most of your other videos?
It was a great experience because for pretty much the first time I wasn’t doing everything myself so I got to show my crew how I wanted to have the shot look or how I wanted the set designed just like in a real movie.

Do you ever give “acting” directions to the actors? For example, telling them to act more angry or something like that?
Oh definitely I would show them how to react or where there eyes should be or what their facial expression should be.

Was this actually filmed at the Dalton School, or did you just use the outside?
Yes, that was where the camp was held. However we were able to shoot anywhere in 10 block radius.

What was the average number of takes for each scene?
I would say about four because even if you think it comes out great when you import it to the computer you may find that maybe the shot was bit shaky or the audio was cut of so you definitely want to be safe.

Were all the scenes shot the same day?
No actually it was shot in a 3 day period however I made sure my actors and the sets were exactly the same for continuity.

Cirque Du Freak

What was the English teacher looking for from each group in terms of a project?
All we had to do was act out one scene from the book so what we thought could fit with the group size and the due time period we had would be the actual freak show,

Have you read all of the trilogy?
Not yet but I am really into the books and to finish hem all soon.
Will you be going to see the Hollywood version when it is released?
Yeah, actually our group has already promised to see it all together.

RHS Video

What was the motivation for doing the volleyball team? Someone you know, or just a fan?
Actually my sister Nicole plays.

Did you edit after each game and keep it on file, or did you tackle it all at once when you went into production?
I did try to throw it all together in the end which had me staying up for days trying to get it all together because I had only a week to do it.

Do you have interest in filming other sports?
Yeah I mean I like all sports and I definitely would enjoy filming them.

Future Projects

Are you still taking suggestions for short film ideas, and do you have any projects planned?
Yes, I’m always open to ideas for a film. I am always trying to think ahead for what I am going to make in the future so yes I have a lot in store for the future.

Readers can visit the CKinK Productions website for other short films.