#nettlepointe

This weekend, we tackled one of the more complicated scenes of the soap opera: April’s transformation into the Sainte Nettalia priestess-hood. To aid her in this transformation, April (played by Ivy Lynch) has been given an ambassador or a nettle “spirit animal” of sorts: the infamous Divine (played by Gabrielle Parish). We sought out much collaboration from friends and brought to life old nettle notes/ideas to give it the ample strength a scene like this deserves. {recycled nettle idea: We first thought of nettle spirit guides when our friend Devin Frank, looked helluva lot like Neil Young... Dan and I thought that Neil could help Joey Spikes (played by Thomas Sallings) back into reality from his bad nettle high, but soon our eyes turned toward our friend Gabe when she was Divine for halloween..} This scene features Isabel Accurso as choreographer, creative director, and as Sainte Nettalia (way to go Izzy!!). And I FINALLY used the amazing 7 person daisy chain dress that Phil Gresham made years ago (which we had to cut into 6, but no biggie), which I have been wanting to use and film long before Nettle Pointe was even thought of.. We pulled out all the stops - I mean, how else would we think to get April to turn into her new enlightened alien/blessed self (played by Steph Foley)?

Sometimes you wonder if the extra “PR” work pays off when you’re a teeny tiny small time filmmaker, but every once it catches up to you and says, “Good job, and keep up the good work!” I have been sending these tumblr updates about the Nettle Pointe Soap Opera to anyone that writes their name on the email list, and one of those persons, an extra from the “Spring Berry Festival” scene, has turned out to be an editor at a local magazine. She told me that she had just been conversing with a friend, wondering, “Whatever happened to that diy soap opera film we were in?” Next day, voila!, my email arrives full of Nettle Pointe updates, intriguing her enough to want to pitch a story! Read it here :)

After jumping in last Monday from our filming hiatus, we set up another shoot Sunday, September 18, 2016. This one involved “Dream April” played by Steph Foley, which is an element of surprise that Dan, myself, and the Nettle crew are still weaving together for an ultimate plot twist. We have the main outline together, but now its the little things that are slowly coming to us about this “Dream April”: her costume, attitude, and possibly her own theme music?? I can’t give anymore away, but trust me, it’s good!

We also filmed the two cop brothers, Ted Sharp and Pat Kopine, causing mischief and violence. Filming them has brought me such joy, and I have a feeling they’ve enjoyed it too, diving into the brutal terribleness of law enforcement. Filming all of the actors brings me joy in fact. It’s the best part of doing this whole thing, seeing my friends become someone else. One said to me, “It’s therapy.” Me too! Therapy on a dime, y’all! Come and get it! :)

Dream April and Twist Pulley rehearsing lines. Costumes provided by Maude Vintage Clothing and Costumes.

Refilling prop beer and doughnuts for continuity of the scene.

She’s serious. Hair by Sabrina Garcia-Rubio. Makeup by S.Goodnow

Action shot of a local Nettle user on the run from the two cops. Nettle is not illegal in Nettle Pointe, just throughly hated amongst the traditional folk, which makes up majority of the small town.

Max Garcia-Rubio as an unknown harassed Nettle Pointian at the wrong place, wrong time, profiled as a Nettle head.

Up to no good..

Taking direction between takes from Dan and I.

It’s hard to keep up with all the changes this year brought. People moved away, other projects stacked up, feelings and priorities have evolved and changed. Miraculously, Dan and I’s desire to finish Nettle Pointe still remains, with new direction and fervor. We’ve vowed to take this three part saga by its prickly, stingy self until satisfied. 

September 13th 2016, we began again with one of our biggest scenes: the S.C.A.B.B. (Safe Citizens Assorted Berry Board) meeting. The townspeople are frightened after April Snow’s brutal attack and fed up with the nettle craze that many have adopted as their new favorite past time. The main culprit in question is Joey Spikes, April Snow’s boyfriend as well as the town’s beloved berry farming boy. Word is that he went nettle crazy and choked her, and his Aunt and Uncle couldn’t be more upset. 

Thanks so much to everyone involved that night, Matt Schacht, Gabby Galarza, Elizabeth Pfieffer, Graham Kennady, Ted Sharp, Patrick Kopine, Sarah Goodnow Riley-Land, Ritch, Dan Bugnitz, Gabrielle Parish, Nikki Pyatt, Logan Epps, Don Jourdan, Madeline Carl, Maude Vintage Clothing and Costumes, and Cafe Berlin.