my sign business slows down in december and january so i have signed on with columbia pictures to be the lead sign painter on a film they are shooting locally. this is a very lucrative deal i have negotiated, it will be 6:30 am to 5:30 pm monday through saturday with time and a half on saturdays and some ocassional sundays at double time! the film will be set in the 50's to present day, all signs will be painted with latex paints. i love this kinda stuff!!!
Big Fish Cast : Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange,Danny DeVito, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Buscemi and Alison Lohman Director : Tim Burton Big Fish Written By : John August Producers : Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks and Richard D. Zanuck
i hope to be posting photos as production proceeds. wish me luck.
mark
this is great work, you might want to contact your state's film commission for such work.
Posted by bronzeo (Member # 1408) on :
Congratulations Mark....Sounds like a dream job. Its going to be fun to watch for the signs when the movie comes out.
[ December 04, 2002, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: bronzeo ]
Posted by Nevman (Member # 332) on :
VERRRY COOL Mark...
Sounds like a lot of work but a lot of fun!
Good Luck and keep us 'posted'.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Cool Mark! I love Ewan McGregor!
Can't wait to here all about it.
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Hey Mark, CONGRATULATIONS!!! You're Core Crew, the best, there from start to finish!
Only tough part is....letting go!!! what they do to your work in the way of ageing(block ageing is a favourite) and generally messing it up for the cameras can take some getting used to!! But, it's also fascinating, brings the sign right into the "Real World", so to speak.
Sweet winter work, HAVE FUN... and ...
L A T E X R U L E S..... in this work, among others!!
John Lennig / SignRider / BIG TOP Graphics "headed North in One Hour"
Posted by Bob Darnell (Member # 27) on :
Sounds cool, Mark. Have fun with it!
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
Wow, Mark! I'm really excited for you. Please keep us posted as the job progresses.
Good Luck, though I know you don't need it.
Suelynn
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Good news! Will we get to see your name in the credits? Keep us posted (IF) you have time. Those hours won't leave much time for Fish On Wheels.
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
Cool! What a fun job!
Hope you can take us along for the ride as the job progresses.
Have Fun!
Posted by Talisman (Member # 1869) on :
! ! ! N I C E ! ! !
Way to go Mark! Your work is awesome!!! They certainly picked the right talent!!!!
Joe
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Who the cast is will not affect you, who the art director is will. Is the production being done by non union folks? Do you have a union card? Will you be able to get one? Are you listed as "stand-by painter" and might get your name in the credits, or are you the guy sub contracting the sign writing? These jobs can be fun and also beat you up. Set a pace to maintain. Get the shooting schedule so when they crank hard you'll know the real pressure rather than letting someone dump on you 'cause someone did it to them. Have fun!
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
thanks for the tips rick and thanks to everyone for words of encouragement. this is a union job. 3% goes to the union. i am well aware of what it involves (movie signage) i have worked on several film productions over the years. on all the other movies i was a sub, but on this particular movie i am being paid a great hourly wage.(i don't expect to be drinking buddies with Tim Burton or Danny DeVito! hahahahahaha)
i thought i would drop names to show this is a serious production involving serious money.
i start monday.
yeehaww!!!
[ December 04, 2002, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: Mark Fair Signs ]
Posted by Wilson Ardmore (Member # 3230) on :
Yer jist a mean hog lookin' fer a place to root.! I'm totally in envy.
Good Luck Mark,
CrazyJack
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Good for you Mark!! Once in a while a job like this is just what the doc ordered. It makes you appreciate your 'normal' work and a change is as good as a rest they say.
Have fun hangin with the celebs!
-dan
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
thanks dan and jack, here is more info... Big Fish, The Movie Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Sounds like party at your place after they wrap it. Do they give you designs or do you wing it yourself? Do you get to keep the work you produce? Do you stand around until they need a sign, or are you in "blitz" mode the whole time? How long is the gig? So many QUESTIONS..........
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Hi Mark, this is great news. I'll bet that this is one movie that will be viewed by a majority of Letterheads. We will all be looking forward to seeing your work and wishing we could be there helping you.
Posted by Chris Elliott (Member # 1262) on :
Wow!! I love it when good things happen to good folks!! Congratulations Mark!! In addition to everything else about this job, it sounds like a perfect chance to sell some Flying Bisquit Antique Signs!! Have some fun with this, you've earned it bubba!!
p.s. I think Sonny's got a great idea there, so, when's the party? & does this mean that we're going to see you at Joey Hutson's or Fred's meets this year? (don't make me come by & get cha) Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Sounds Fun Bubba! Watch out for Steve Bucsemi, he likes to grind people up inWood Chippers! yah you Betcha!
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
first day on the set of BIG FISH... i arrived early and filled out a mile of paperwork for columbia pictures. made patterns, hand painted one side of a large hotel sign, coated out several mdo panels, sanded some hdu letters for a storefront and cut some stencils. this is almost like a vacation! i don't have to answer the phone or do bookwork!!! LOL
early to bed, this movie stuff starts early!
from the movie trenches,
mark
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
I been meaning to answer this post for two days now, and now I finally am. I cant wait until this move comes out, cause I can say one of my friends did the signs for this movie. Send me a pic of yourself Mark, so I can take it into photoshop and add my photo to it and stick it on my wall. Man, I hope you have fun out the wazoo! Sounds like you already are. One of these days maybe they'll make a movie out here in boonieville. They did make a documentary here once. Harlan COunty USA. Won an academy award. Thats about as close as we'll get Id imagine. Keep us posted Mark. Itll be cool to know whats going on there.
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
hey john bubba! this is more fun than eating grits! LOL all i do all day is pull a brush! when i am on break or lunch break i walk around and talk to all these cool artisans from LA, carvers, mold makers and master carpenters!
i met the lead carver today and he showed me his tools of the trade. they are carving a cave out of big blocks of styrofoam, interiors will be shot in the gigantic warehouses we are working in.
all signs are hand painted from patterns made from sketches by the art director out in los angeles.
in a few weeks a ton of window lettering in various locations.
this is almost like going to a letterheads meet and getting paid well for it! i put in 12 hours a day, then i go to my signshop and try to play "catch-up"
thanks folks for your inquiries and comments. photos coming soon.
mark
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like a fun type of job........I wish you the best. And keep us posted......with lots of photos.......
"Stay koooool Bubba" Shep'
Posted by Chris Elliott (Member # 1262) on :
Glad to have the progress reports Mark!! So,..are you getting any brush blisters yet?? Is the wrap party Sonny suggested above in the planning stages?? Does yer face hurt from smiling all day long?? Is getting paid for this causing you to have any guilt complex problems??.....If so, I'm sure we can help with that!!
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