MARCH 2014 Update with MATT BUSCH

March 19, 2014By Aladdin3477Production News

From the desk of Director Matt Busch, here’s a new ALADDIN 3477 update!

Hi everyone! We are 2 months away from Principle Photography! Lot’s going on, so here’s what’s happening on all fronts.

**The biggest news is that we have finally secured our Soundstage! The facility is incredible, and I couldn’t be happier with it. Located in Clinton Township, Michigan, this 4,500 square foot industrial unit will serve as our production offices and larger sets. Barring any of the location shooting, most of the interior sets for Aladdin 3477 will be created and filmed here. This place is a little pricier than I was hoping to spend, but the space, comfort, and flexibility will really help make the experience go smoothly, and I’m so excited to see what we’ll be seeing on the screen.

**So the first step with the Soundstage is just to do some basic Spring Cleaning and painting. The previous tenants left a little dust, and we want to have a beautiful and clean place to start with before we dirty it up ourselves. Just yesterday we had a meeting there with our First Unit Director and Sound Designer Ric Viers to organize and brainstorm the office and studio space, in terms of what will make the easiest workflow. We’re excited to start moving in office furniture and tools and supplies and materials and start building sets!

**We have completed the audition process and have cast all of the characters that have speaking parts. To the right you can see the casting couch area we had set up in the studio of our home. It may sound strange that we held auditions at our house, but having been through the audition process ourselves, we wanted to do something a little different and less sterile.  We had our auditions a little more personable.  We could potentially be working with these actors and actresses for months, so we wanted to get to know them well and really give them a sense of what they would be immersing themselves in.

**For anyone interested, there will still be opportunities to be an extra. That information won’t be announced until closer to filming, so stay tuned to the website here and of course make sure you have “Liked” the Aladdin 3477 Facebook Page HERE to stay in the loop!

**Business-wise, the script is currently going through the approval stage from the Michigan Film Office (to apparently make sure it isn’t too obscene to be filmed here). We’ve also met with my tax guy, are aquiring filming permits, and are on top of insurance next.  Blah- this is the stuff I loathe. I just want to dig into the creativity! Bring it!

**We have of course announced that the lovely Christi Perovski is going to be playing the lead as Princess Kamala. We will be revealing our Aladdin soon, as well as the rest of the stellar cast. We’ll be meeting with everyone in the next week or so to have contracts signed and get measurements for costumes, etc.

**Speaking of costumes, wait until you see some of the elaborate stuff we have going on.  Wow!  In some cases, we are purchasing authentic ethnic clothing that really sells the exotic look we’re after.  In other cases, we are creating custom wardrobe from scratch, really fabricating unique outfits from the year 3477. Betty Selestow has been leading a small team to make this stuff and already- wow- we have so much cool stuff ready to go.  It’s been neat for me to create the look and draw whatever I envision- but then to see it come to life…  Wow!

**To the left here you can see Actress Christi Perovski trying on an elaborate sarong. We took a day a few weeks back to take Christi on a fun Shopping Spree to doll up our princess in some really cool Eastern Indian boutiques in Hamtramck, Michigan. So excited for you to see our Kamala in full makeup and costume!

**I’m continually creating concept art for these characters, vehicles, robots, sets, weapons, and props from 1,500 years in the future. And now that we have the studio space, I’m meeting with some incredible prop and armor fabricators this weekend to hopefully get that physical ball rolling.

**April will continue with lots of building, and will also be jammed actor and actress script read-throughs, physical rehearsals and fight choreography.

On May 19th, we begin shooting desert scenes for Aladdin 3477!”

**On May 19th, we begin shooting desert scenes for Aladdin 3477! It’s rumored that Star Wars: Episode 7 begins filming that same day, so that’s a fun coincidence, considering how influenced by Star Wars this project is.

**One of the (somewhat) alarming things happening is that- as much as I tried to avoid this- a lot of other non-Aladdin projects are creeping into the summer. For example, it’s looking like I’ll have about 56 Star Wars illustrations for various yet-to-be announced projects all due in the August – September time frame.  That’s right around the time we finish filming! I’m actually not complaining. To be honest, I will need the money to start paying off these debts!

**Another project that has unavoidably creeped in is the release of my giant 208 page hardcover art book, Hollywood is Dead. This was based on my successful Kickstarter campaign last year, and the book was supposed to come out late January / early February.  Now it’s looking like it will be April / May.  The timing couldn’t be worse, but thankfully I have an incredible support team of family and friends that will help on all fronts.  And sleep?! Who needs it?!

Thanks so much for the interest and support!  More soon!

-Matt Busch, March 2014