Today (2015) · Short Film

3.1.1 A Call for Help

While Gerald was working on THE GOLdEN TREE, Guy Pace, writer of "Treasure Chest of South Sacramento," one of the winning selected films, sent out an email to the producers of the other nine productions to see if anyone could/would give him a hand to make his film.

Gerald felt sad about Guy's situation that his director/Camera guy bailed on him. Without asking Brendan first, Gerald offered to volunteered himself, Brendan, his equipment, and anyone else who would join.

Once Brendan was on-board, the task was to create story-boards from screenplay and gather other crew members.

An excerpt from "Roots of Gold." The Cast & Crew newsletter for THE GOLdEN TREE. Issue #11 - July 8, 2010.

As some of you joined more than one PCS movie project, so have Brendan and I. We are going to co-direct and co-camera on “Treasure Of South Sacramento,” and we start at 10 am tomorrow down in Cosumnes River College if anyone is interested in helping, we need crew.

A while back there was a plea for help from Guy Pace who had his Director / Camera guy flaked on him and he sent an email to all productions to see if anyone could help. I asked him what were his production days to see if they conflicted with ours. One part of me wanted them to be knowing I would be tapped with two movies if I commit. The other part wanted to be a part of another production and build my name and portfolio with another project.

I have over many finished screenplays from shorts to trilogies x3; sci-fi and imagination, and the family drama. I have access to equipment and crew from up Burbank and up here to make these films, but when it comes to actors, most of them want to either get paid or cannot do it due to conflicts — having a low to no budget makes things stop for indie filmmaker trying to build his body of work.

When PCS came along — and my story was selected — I took this as a sign, a chance, an oportunity to: take advantage of the poor saps that volunteer for this. I mean: work with talented and skilled actors and crew that was offered to me at a very cut rate — I still have to feed and keep you hydrated — and make a movie that exceeds people's expectations for a film made for PCS. Hence the reason I want to make a 30+ minute version of THE GOLdEN TREE.

So Access Sacramento's "A Place Called Sacramento" is a great place to create THE GOLdEN TREE project to show the money people something else to get $300k or more to make Chardonnay — everyone will get paid but me — and to work with people to see who likes me and who I would like to bring on the project; thus being involved with Treasure Chest of South Sacramento on just adds to the portfolio. Something I thought Detective A would do for me.

3.1.2 Storyboards

Gerald spent a many hours and hard work making storyboards for camera angles to make things easier and to see if it fit Guy Pace's vision for his movie, but when they met on location on friday to do the scene, Guy never mentioned them or had them printed out.

3.4 Filming

Unfortunately there is not much in Gerald's memory bank for this film, nor is there much written down in his journal about the production of this film other than it was two quick days of production for Gerald. And what Gerald vaguely remembers, is day one at a school and having to corral the actors to keep them focused on the task. He does remembers Jay Atlas as being a professional and relaxed young man. “It was easy working with Jay Atlas. He listened and hit his marks. ”

3.6 Post-Production

All media files were delivered to William Redenbaugh who is the editor of the film. All credits were sent, but not all were added or entered correctly.

3.7 Crew

Directed by

Gerald Martin Davenport … co-director
Brendan Brooks … co-director

Writing Credits

Guy Pace

Produced by

Gerald Martin Davenport … producer
Brendan Brooks… producer
Guy Pace … associate producer
Dougie Piper … assistant producer

Film Editing by

William Redenbaugh

Casting by

Guy Pace … casting director

Sound Department

Aria Leven Davenport … audio
Michael Carl … boom operator

Camera and Electrical Department

Brendan Brooks … camera operator
Gerald Martin Davenport … camera operator
Susan Slaven … first assistant camera

5.2.1 Video