An Official Selection
We are very pleased to announce that The Trap: An Urban Web Series (aka Chrysalis) has been chosen as an official selection in the 2011 La Femme International Film Festival in Beverly Hills!
Chrysalis will screen October 13-16, 2011 at the LA Femme International Festival. Click here to visit their website for more information: http://www.lafemme.org/
WPFW Interviews Nia Malika Dixon New Year’s Eve 2010
Writer-Director Nia Malika Dixon is interviewed about indie filmmaking and her latest project, Chrysalis: An Urban Web Series. Chrysalis was shot over 4 days in Baltimore, MD and is scheduled to begin airing weekly on January 31, 2011. For more behind the scenes and exclusive updates, follow Nia on twitter.com/niamalikadixon, and “Like” the official FB page for Chrysalis: http://bit.ly/hpjZWu
Day 4 Principal Photography Final Shoot Day
Watching my scene unfold...
Day 4:
Today involved the most complicated action sequences, including a big gunfight in the middle of Mosher Street. In the pouring rain.
Thanks to a wonderful friend of mine (who I’ve known since he was a baby) we shot a robbery/shoot out in a tiny rowhouse apartment in the heart of West Baltimore’s drug district. AND, a major gunfight involving six different actors, two cars, and one monster truck-style, tricked out Chevy Suburban.
We lost a lot of blood. Literally. The rain kept washing away the blood off of my actors and their gunshot wounds.
But, thanks to a superb make up artist, a talented DP, and the patience of neighbors and the local Police Department, we shot an amazing gunfight scene in the pouring rain.
The cast and crew really did a great job. We spent our final day in West Baltimore, and culminated a 4-day shoot with good cheer and a few hilarious, behind-the-scenes moments not sufficient for work. 🙂 (Well, your work anyway. LOL.)
Well done, good people. Well done.
Westside Rowhouses
Division and Mosher Streets, Westside Neighborhood
"This is what's going to happen..."
Sound, Camera, Gaffer, Director
The Camera
The Famous Marble Steps
It's starting to rain.
"Where is she?"
"Get my money!"
The Director and Her iPad
I used my iPad to hold all my scripts, call sheets, notes, etc. for my latest film shoot. I love my iPad, and I think I shall name him. 🙂
Day 3 Principal Photography
Day 3:
Overheard on set: “Wow. That was deep. I’ve never seen a body wrapped like that before.”
Today, one of the scenes we shot involved the preparation of a dead body for a Janaazah, a Muslim Funeral. It was a very spiritual experience. One cast member who wrapped the [very much alive] actual body said, “It made me very sad, and aware of my own mortality.” One of the producers was seen welling up with tears.
On a lighter note, my actors had a fun time playing with guns today. In fact, too much fun. My DP/Stunt Coordinator, Antar Hanif had to scold them, “I can’t leave you guys alone for a second! Stop playing with the guns.”
The cast and crew did an amazing job today. 🙂
Wrapping the Body
Body Washing Supplies
Bloody Cloth from Body Washing
Mischelle the Amazing Make Up Artist
Nia Directing Justin and Allison
Nia Antar and Sam prepping a shot
Nia Running lines with Justin
Justin as "Jamal" struggling with his choices
Back outside shooting
Nia Directing Tia as "Tanya"
Nia Directing Allison and Justin
"Action!"
The scene unfolds
Antar Hanif, Genius DP
Day 2: Principal Photography
Day 2:
A six year old girl, wearing a traditional head scarf and sucking on a grape ring pop, asked me, “Why y’all got those cameras? What you doin’ here?”
We were shooting Friday prayer, Salatul Jumuah, a mandatory congregational prayer every Friday at Masjid ul Haqq. It was an amazing experience working with my multi-religious cast (Catholic, Christian, Muslim, etc.) in the midst of my hometown community.
One of my producers, Alvin Gray, remarked, “[Islam] is like a whole way of life.” He and many other cast and crew members told me how much they learned about Muslims and our beliefs today.
Nia Directing Justin, Mikey, and Napoleon
Wide Shot of the Scene
Nia conferring with DP Antar Hanif
"Action!"
Watching the take on the Canon 7D "monitor"
"It's freezing out here!"
Prepping for the next scene
"Let's go back outside!"
Masjid Ul Haqq
Islamic Way
Principal Photography
Day 1:
Shooting a web series is: Fun. Exhausting. Stressful. Exhilarating. Awesome. I need more sleep. 🙂
Nia and Antar review Day 1 Footage
The Director, The Producer, and The Director of Photography
Sam the Awesome Sound Guy
Alvin Gray, Producer and Tim
Tia, the amazing Production Coordinator
Tim the Spectacular Gaffer
Quick break before we reset.
Nia Reviews the Footage
Nia reviews footage
And...Action!
Preproduction Day 23
December 6, 2010
Day 23:
Rehearsal today was great. 🙂 My actors are stepping up their game. 3 more days…
Allison stars as "Shug."
A tense moment between brothers "Jamal" and "Hasan."
- Justin and David rehearsing a robbery.
Mikey watches and learns.
The cast listens to Nia.
"I want more energy."
Nia explains it to Kwasi.
"Do it again, just like that."
A tense family moment.
Nia is directing and thinking simultaneously!
You got it!
You two, over there.
Uh huh.
Justin and the Script.
Cheating off book.
Allison and Antar discuss the script.
Nia only answers the phone during rehearsal if it's the producer, Dawn!
"Jamal," "Gina," and "David" smiling uncharacteristically for the camera. 🙂
Preproduction Day 20
December 3, 2010
Day 20:
So, it’s crunch time. Down to the last few days before production. Guns, check, food, check, fake blood, check…
Blocking, shot lists, and call sheets. Oh my!
Preproduction Day 19
December 2, 2010
Day 19:
Today, one of my actors rode the mega bus from New York City for rehearsal. I picked him up at White Marsh, and we had rehearsals from 4 pm to 8 pm. They did a great job! They are stepping up their game.
The one stand-off scene that involves guns and a murder, requires so much choreography, but the cast is up for the task! We have to block the hell out of that scene! 🙂
Great job today guys!
Preproduction Day 17
November 30, 2010
Day 17:
First day of rehearsals. My actors better bring it. Today’s rehearsal made me want to get tough. I’m not Michael Bay, but I can channel him if I have to…
Preproduction Day 14
November 27, 2010
Day 14:
Prepoduction: Chrysalis An Urban Web Series. Paperwork. Re-budgeting. More auditions. Re-scheduling. I’m back on coffee.
Preproduction Day 12
November 25, 2010
Day 12:
I’m hard at work today. I might have a nervous breakdown. 🙂 Or, just continue breaking down my script into a shot list.
Woke up to news from my producer that I must come up with an additional $1200. And, shorten my shoot schedule. And, bring on another producer. . .
Ah, the joys of filmmaking. (That was a little bit of sarcasm. I’m working on becoming adept at using it. Those who know me are fully aware of my inability to decipher and use sarcasm. I’m a work in progress. For real.) Smile, it’s Thanksgiving. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!
Many Murals like this one decorate West Baltimore. This one is right around the corner from where the series takes place.
Preproduction Day 11
November 24, 2010
Day 11:
Script Analysis. Emotional Beats Breakdown. Shot list creating. Storyboard drawing. Floor plan designing. Oh, what fun! This is the nitty gritty of directing, before actual production.
Masjid Ul Haqq is the Masjid (Prayer hall) that inspired the one in the series.
Preproduction Day 10
November 23, 2010
Day 10:
Locations are secured!
This is Islamic Way, formerly Wilson Street, in West Baltimore where the Masjid has stood for over 30 years.
Preproduction Day 9
November 22, 2010
Day 9:
Just getting home from a long day of mtgs and location scouting. Shooting very soon!
Preproduction Day 7
November 20, 2010
Day 7:
Looks as though we’re completely cast! Working on securing locations. Awesome day!
Preproduction Day 6
November 19, 2010
Day 6:
Back from an uber productive 3 hr. mtg w/ my amazing producer. I love her. Really.
Preproduction Day 5
November 18, 2010
Day 5:
…The saga continues… More rewriting, audition scheduling, and email sending…
Preproduction Day 4
November 17, 2010
Day 4:
I now have an awesome producer and an amazing assistant. Let’s go!
The Trap Film 
