What Do You Think of the Website Changes?

Just a quick post today... To let you know that we've changed the look of the CubeCity website.

Let us know what you think.

Go to www.cubecity.org...

(Also, if you find any errors, or things that aren't working as they should, please let us know so we can fix it. You can let us know here. Thanks!)

Website Design

Thanks to everyone who gave us their feedback on the new look of the Under Jakob's Ladder website. We've implemented a few of the changes. Other changes are still on our list. (Minor changes...)

We're also reworking the design of the CubeCity website. We'll probably get that up and running sometime this week. Nothing too drastic. Basically, we're incorporating a new logo.

So, stay tuned...

Remembering Stockings...

Some sad news... We received an email recently from Sandy Essington about our prison rat, Stockings:

"Thought I would let you know that Stockings the rat passed on a few weeks ago. Thanks for the great opportunity we had!"

So, this blog post is in memory of our smallest cast member... an interview with Stockings' owner and handler: Dana O'Connor. (Note: This Q&A was done in the Fall 2009.)

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Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Name: Dana O'Connor
Role: Rat Handler

Q: What did you enjoy the most about working on this film?
A: I enjoyed having my rat in a movie and being on the set. We both had a lot of fun! I enjoyed seeing how a movie was made. It was interesting how many shots it took to make just one scene in the movie.

Q: What was it like to be on set with the actors?
A: It was amazing! I actually got to meet lots of the actors, and they all loved my rat! My favorite part was meeting Yasha [played by Quentin McCuiston], the character who worked with Stockings, my rat. Yasha was very nice and he loved Stockings just as much as me and my family do.

Q: Were you nervous at all?
A: I was nervous that Stockings wouldn't participate, and I was also nervous that the people wouldn't like Stockings and would be scared of her. But it all worked out better than I ever expected!

Q: What was your job when Stockings was on camera?
A: My job was to hold Stockings until her scene came up. One of my favorite jobs was when I had to lay on the floor during the scene and release her out of my hands when it was time for her to come into the scene.

Q: Do you think Stockings enjoyed the experience?
A: Stockings must have enjoyed the experience so much because, during the movie, she always acted happy and never did anything wrong. She wanted to be a movie star and did a perfect job! Whenever I bring up "Under Jakob's Ladder", Stockings licks my fingers and acts so happy.

Q: Why do you think rats make good pets?
A: I wanted a rat as a pet because rats are more happy and affectionate than mice, hamsters, or gerbils. I definitely feel rats make great pets! My rats have made the best pets yet! Rats are very intelligent and bond with people better than all other rodents.

And a few questions for Dana's mom, Sandy Essington...

Q: How did you hear about this film?
A: From an ad on Craig's List.

Q: Did Stockings have to audition for the role?
A: Yes. The director and production coordinator came to my house to meet Stockings. They particularly liked her friendly personality.

Q: Tell about being on the film set.
A: This was our first time being on a film set and it was really exciting! It was myself and my two daughters Dana (11) and Kaitlyn (8). Stockings is Dana's special pet and the two are quite bonded. We were all very excited to have the opportunity for Stockings to be a star! The crew seemed a little ambivalent at first about working with a rat. But as soon as they met Stockings, everyone fell in love with her, especially the actor [Yasha] who played the character who would befriend the rat. All his time off set was spent playing with Stockings! One day, Stockings even crawled onto his shoulder and under his T-shirt with her face sticking out and fell asleep! The two of them got along great! During a scene when Stocking was to walk through a bunch a prisoners sleeping on the floor, she walked over and sniffed the noses of a few of the actors! She is quite a natural at acting!

Q: Do you think Dana had a good experience?
A: This experience was an awesome experience for Dana. Dana loves animals and is a young animal activist. When her special pet got the chance to be in a movie, she was so excited! She actually got the chance to help in a few scenes, like when the rat was to walk out from behind a log, Dana lay on the floor on her stomach, behind the log, and released Stockings at the appropriate time.

Real Life Versus the Movies

Alfred Hitchcock once famously said that drama is life "with all the boring parts taken out."

And that goes for true stories as well...

Legendary screenwriter William Goldman would agree. He says that when it comes to movies, a true story shouldn't necessarily be point-for-point truth. (Although, he maintains, it should still remain truthful to the essence of the historical event or person.) To illustrate this, Goldman tells a story of how he once saved a kid from drowning. "In real life it was extraordinary. On film, nothing."

And the Olympics are packed full of drama, right? So, since we're in the middle of the 2010 Winter Olympics, why not use an Olympic movie as our example? Cool Runnings (1993)... The movie's tagline says it well: "One Dream. Four Jamaicans. Twenty Below Zero." And with that, you have the "true story" of the 1988 Olympic Jamaican bobsled team.

Which brings us to our next point. How true is "true"?

IN THE MOVIE: The Jamaican bobsled team consisted of top track sprinters.

FACT: No elite sprinters from Jamaica were actually interested in competing in Bobsled. (Do you blame them?) Instead they had to recruit four sprinters from the Army.

IN THE MOVIE: The bobsledders had an American trainer (played by John Candy); who was on the outs with his bobsledding peers because he had been formerly involved in an Olympic gold-medal cheating scandal.

FACT: At the time of the movie's release, the American bobsled team had not won a gold medal in Bobsled (since the four-man event was introduced at the 1948 Winter Olympics!). Therefore, how could this American coach have cheated in a gold-medal race?

IN THE MOVIE: After the Jamaican bobsled crashes in the Finals, the team gets up and carries their bobsled to the finish line.

FACT: Yes, the bobsled crashes. No, it wasn't during the Final run. Yes, they walked toward the finish line. But, it was the officials who seem to be pushing the bobsled, not the Jamaican team. (Want to check it out yourself? Here's a YouTube video of the real crash in 1988.)

Okay, so the filmmakers took some liberties. But think about it. If they had followed history literally, recording each incident as it actually happened, then you'd get what Goldman calls a film that "simply won't shoot."

The point of a good movie is to tell a good story. And that's probably why these movies are "based" on a true story.

As Hitchcock mentioned... That means eliminating all boring parts.

A New Look for JAKOB'S Website

Change is inevitable...

Yes, we've changed the layout and some of the graphics for our Under Jakob's Ladder website...

And we'd like your feedback on the new look.

First, take a look at the website... (Click here to go to the website.)

Then, fill out our online form and tell us what you think! (Click here to give us your feedback.)

We look forward to hearing what you think...

Photos of a Funeral

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Name: Len Cardinale
Role: Stills Photographer

Q: How did you find out about this movie?
A: Actually my daughter had heard about the production and I simply followed along with my camera in hopes of capturing a few shots of her during the audition. One thing lead to another and I was asked if I would do some of the still photography.

Q: You took the stills on the day that the funeral was shot. Did you find any special challenges in taking photos on the film shoot?
A: Not really. The staff and all the extras were very accommodating and that made the shoot really easy. I find that the more professional the people are, the easier it is to work.

Q: Describe your favorite photo that you took on the set of Under Jakob's Ladder.
A: There were so many great shots and I'm sure, so many great stories, but my favorite photo from the shoot was of our leading man Jeff Stewart. I believe that it brought out the drama in the character Jakob. [see photo at left]

Q: Who introduced you to photography?
A: My uncle introduced me to the wonders of the dark room and for the first year and a half or so I hadn't picked up a camera. Everything was in the darkroom. I loved it then and I kinda miss it today with the advent of digital. So every once in a great while, I still shoot a roll of B&W film and develop it.

Q: Do you prefer shooting in color or B&W?
A: I love color images, but my roots still take me back to B&W. There's so much feeling and drama in B&W.

Q: What are your favorite subjects to shoot?
A: Portraiture and fashion are my passion. As a form of relaxation, I love to do landscape and an occasional fine art shoot.

Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: I guess I'm sort of boring in this area. When I get behind the camera, I get real serious about my work. If I had to talk about my scariest story, it would have to be the first time I did a fashion shoot. Even though I was well trained, I felt that the models would see my inexperience and that didn't happen. The models were great and just took my simple direction and started to move. From there, it was a walk in the park. A scary, but great experience.

Q: Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph (and haven't had the chance yet)?
A: Right now the sky's the limit. I'd like to go out west and photograph some of the landscape, it's so beautiful. As far as people are concerned, anyone who walks in front of my camera.

Q: Who or what gives you inspiration?
A: In the world of landscape work, it has to be Ansel Adams. Probably the most well known and greatest master of B&W photography. In lighting and fashion, it would be Dean Collins and Janusz Kawa respectively.

Q: If someone wants you to take photos at an event, how do they contact you?
A; I can be reached at cardinalestudio@aol.com or at 914-310-4264.

Shooting Photos on Set

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Name: Thomas Vaillancourt
Role: Stills Photographer

Q: As a photographer, what does photography mean to you?
A: Photography is one of my most creative outlets. I think most people have a deep need to create, and that creative need is often frustrated with the everyday requirements of modern life. I try to set aside time to do those creative things.

Q: Are there any special challenges you found with taking photos on a film shoot?
A: If there was a ‘pecking order’ on the set, I was at the bottom. I had to be behind all the cast and crew, and they kept shifting around. So I kept moving my camera and tripod to find a ‘hole’ to shoot from.

Q: How did you find out about this movie?
A: My wife, Judy, was an extra and I came along out of curiosity.

Q: From the photos you took on set, which are your favorites?
A: One of my favorites would be the one with Chloe [role of Marta] and Victoria [role of Rachel]. It shows a deep eye-to-eye connection they shared. It is a sacred and personal moment. And if you were to draw a line from Chloe to Victoria, it would form a diagonal. Diagonal structures in a photo tend to be more interesting that horizontal ones.


My second favorite would be the one with Victoria in the background and Johanna [1st AD] in the foreground. It captures the contrast between the historical past as represented by Victoria and the contemporary present, represented by Johanna. It doesn’t hurt the photo that they are both beautiful women. There is also the diagonal compositional element present in this photo also.


Q: What got you started in photography?
A: I got my first real camera in Tokyo when I was on R&R (rest and recuperation) in the Army during the Vietnam War. My first real photo shoot was of the Bob Hope Christmas show at Long Binh in December 1968. I was picked to be on the stage crew so I had an opportunity to get some close-up shots of Bob Hope and Ann Margaret.

Q: Do you prefer taking photos in color, or in black and white?
A: I know many photographers prefer black and white, but I am not one of them. I look at it this way: If I had to choose between seeing the world only in black & white or in full color, my choice would not be difficult. I would choose color in a heartbeat.

Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: I really enjoy shooting people, but I don’t get a lot of opportunity to do that. That is one reason it was a treat for me to shoot on the movie set. I also enjoy waterscapes, wildlife, and bridges.

Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: I had the good fortune to go on a cruise for photographers that originated in Montreal and cruised around to Boston, stopping at many interesting ports on the way. Members of this group attended classes on photography when we were on the ship and went on photo shoots when we put into port. We were really able to connect with our instructors and with others attending the workshops. My richest memories always involve the bonds I have had the privilege to form with other people. On that cruise I also fell in love with the City of Quebec and was awed by the beauty of Acadia National Park in Maine.

Q: Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph (and haven't had the chance yet)?
A: There are many really talented actors and actresses I would love to shoot. Bjork, the singer/actress comes to mind. Actors/actresses communicate as much with their eyes and facial expressions as they do with their spoken words. To capture those silent soul messages in a photograph would be just fabulous.

Q: What is your advice to someone who wants to be a photographer?
A: Concentrate on learning good composition. And then learn everything you can about post-production editing with Photoshop.

Q: If someone wants you to take photos at an event, how do they contact you?
A: You can call me on the phone at 845-294-7361 or email me at: croton@warwick.net. They can see some of my work at www.postersfromtheheart.com by clicking on the ‘photo gallery’ link.

Creating a Storyboard

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Name: Lizzie Hupcey
Role: Storyboard Artist

Q: How would you describe a storyboard?
A: A storyboard is a sequence of drawings that show the main actions in a scene, along with the camera's position and movements.

Q: Under Jakob's Ladder is set around the time of World War II. Is there anything special that you do when storyboarding for a historical movie?
A: The clothes, the props, and in particular the car, had to be the right period. I was given reference pictures to work with. Some were historical photos, movie stills, or photographs of the actual items being used. Some of the props lived at my house for a while, so that helped.

Q: Storyboards are often created long before locations are secured and all the actors are cast in a project. What did you use as models for your storyboards?
A: I had access to some casting and location-scouting photos. I took some of my own as well. Mostly, I posed my friends like mannequins and used a few stock reference images.

Q: Compare your completed storyboard to what was actually filmed. Did it turn out like you visualized?
A: There were some rewrites after I did my work. Some shots were straight off the page. It would be the actor's hand in the film, but I'd know it was really my dad's. I tackled a sequence with Yasha during actual production. It was exciting to see that brought to life because it was fresh in my mind and stayed pretty much as I was given it.

Q: Do you have any funny stories or anecdotes about working on this film?
A: The day we forgot how to assemble the jib. I think Kevin [Wiley] built it, and he wasn't there at the time. The photographs I had of it were from too far away, so we had to look at someone else's. The team would huddle around a laptop in the barn, then go back out and try to make sense of the pieces. I took detail shots from several angles once they finished, just in case.

Q: What did you enjoy the most about working on this film?
A: I met a lot of cool people, and I experienced a real, organized production. Collaborating and working with someone else's ideas was great. It's something I'd like to do more of.

Q: What artists inspire you as an artist?
A: I love the Impressionists, because they were people watchers. Jeff Smith is probably my favorite cartoonist. As far as animators, there's Milt Kahl, Ollie Johnston, Mark Henn. Tim Burton is a big influence, even though our styles are complete opposites.

Q: If you could get a dream job as a storyboard artist on any film (past, present, or future), which film would you choose?
A: Terry Gilliam's Don Quixote.

Q: What qualities (apart from formal training) do you think are important to working as an artist?
A: Observing the world is a big part of it. It helps if art is a compulsion. I have itchy, sketching fingers; they crave an outlet at all times.

Q: What do you enjoy most about creating your artwork?
A: Showing people what goes on in my head is incredibly satisfying.

Q: And finally, do you have a website?
A: My website -- http://www.rabidlemur.com/

Note: We posted a short sequence (the arrest of Jakob) that was storyboarded by Lizzie Hupcey. If you haven't seen it yet, have a look.