2016 - 48 hours film entry "Why Charlie doesn't order pizza anymore" and NEW web-series News

Alot has changed since my last post, my promotion at work has meant I have been more focused on the daily grind and less on my dream, so I am looking into this and am working on the following things :) That and i played a full football season, played all 21 games and scored 3, though most of it I was playing CDM, I prefer striker or number 10. Not sure about playing for Three Kings again next year, I need a team closer to home and where I can play to my strengths.

Scored a 2nd goal in 2 weeks for my outdoor 7 a side social club, last nights was a mazy run from our third, around 3 defenders and the keeper to a calm finish to the left inside post. Love football :) but wattaaaah! Need to get myself back into kicking contention!

I love making action films - brings out the kid in me for sure! 

Matt Kinsman News

-what Acting work have I done this year? I have done an acting course so learnt some basics I hope to apply in my next project (web-series mentioned below) apart from that, It's been a quiet year so far. So I have taken part in 48 hour film festival again this year :) A link to our finished project and some trivia below it :)

- new website - better layout then the current one on the godaddy basic page, check it out here at Mattkinsman.com

- NEW webseries! -After The Bulletlist I needed a new project because I wanted to make a DVD of work I can put on my website that fans can own and I have come up with a good idea I think. I'm going for an office/mockumentary vibe and a semi-biographical take of this journey, watch this space :)

- A Straight to DVD film - The Temp has been shelved unfortunately as I am working on a feature 'william knows karate',  like the page here to follow it's progress but i will be completing this web-series first before completing this one as will need to raise a small budget i hope to attain by making the web-series a success.

- Sanda Fight - I have to keep fighting Fit! and since I have taken this job at work I have done no martial arts training as gassed at the end of the day, have been meaning to get back into it and Sifu texted me a couple days ago inviting me for a sand invitational, I'm down, working out and will post training videos soon. Content Content Content :)

- Ebook - I'm working an ebook to share with people things I have learned in the sales game. What's knowledge if not shared? Keep you posted. Finished an outline at this point, Gonna be awesome! (I hope)

Basically I know the only way to go forward is build a fanbase, no use making things if its only entertaining close friends and acquaintances, there's a whole world out there so I need to raise my game and apply myself, so the world of martial arts action film can get that one film bigger :)

48 hours 2016 - Why Charlie doesn't order Pizza anymore

The one thing we hate and love about 48 hour film festival is you have 48 hours to make a film. And that includes casting but because everyone wants to know what they are going to be casted for and we can't tell them because we don't know until the launch night you have to assume everyone is unreliable. You know why? EVERY YEAR I have actors/actresses pulling out and having to scramble to find some replacements, and make a story that fits who we can get as everyone works for free (which is part of the rules as most unprofessional teams like me don't have a budget and works out as a leveller with the professional teams (honestly some teams have 20 plus people involved. I have 5. yay)

SuperSuper thanks to my team (from left) Jon Chan (Camera and story), Zoe Boyle (girlfriend), Kevin Chen (friend), Georgina Lamsam (Sarah), Me (director, Charlie, writer, editor etc)

I really wasn't planning to act in this one and you can probably see from the film I sort of tried to make the character up as we went along. I really wanted to apply what I had learnt in my acting course but Charlie still comes across as 2D. The guy who had said yes prior to shooting was going to act as the lead kept replying with smiley faces via FB and text. Meanwhile the camera and crew were all waiting around until 1pm that day from 9am for this guy to show, enough was enough and we needed to film something. He could have txted he wasn't coming and we could have started earlier. Anyway, he txted me saying he was free at 7pm. We were long done by then.

At least he replied. Others just pulled out altogether citing they were working with with other teams which is fine...I can't wait to be professional and pay peoples - reliability is one attribute I hold high and since everyone was volunteering I can't be disappointed, though I was.

Would have loved to have more time to come up with an awesome story but it is what it was and this year we finished on time, with all of the elements so we had that going for us which was nice. The heats night at the Hollywood cinemas event was good, I was a bit worried but seeing our film with the other 14 or so entrants in our heat was good, we were mid table I feel, our story needed work but the camera work and acting was good.

We'll see about next year, paying $225 to enter vs using that cash to fund a film on your terms may be more beneficial, but my argument (to my wife anyway) was that the exposure and networking that make the event worth it - Without a deadline some people never finish and you get to watch on a cinema screen with your friends. Anyway, spiel aside, Hope you enjoy the film, feel free to leave comments on the Youtube page.

It just HAD to rain on the day of filming our 48 hours film - so we filmed indoors. Check out my Umbrella ;)

And well done to Kevin and Georgina for their first time acting on camera, and to Zoe who battled a smoking car and a ride from her folks to get here, AND still managed to act in 2 other team projects that day also :)

Also I have to use my house again for my web series so will have to make it look different haha, otherwise you will be very used to it :) The joys of no budget film making ;)

2016 - Wager (short film) release and The Temp on the way!!

Hi you!

Welcome back to the blog :) I have started putting together the dream team to help make 'The Temp' a reality. I've been trying to make a self made action feature film since I moved up here to Auckland back in 2011. Who knows what reaction and repercussions it will create, but to finish a feature on local DVD shelves has been a dream of mine for what seems like forever. This year I'ma make it real :)

The Script is finished (at 104 pages) and the page is up, www.facebook.com/thetempofficial so head on over and like our page to keep up with the latest news.

As part of the audition process for new people to work (had over 80 applications for both actors and actresses so not easy to sift through as so much talent)  I've made a simple short film with Richard Knight who will be playing one of the roles in the movie, the Wager.

2 strangers meet up to spar to win the contents of the others bag.

Hope you like what you can see, if this is the product of 3 hours work, wait til you see what we have planned for the film. This project also gave me a chance to try out the new Assistant director/ DOP Laura Tait. So all in all it was a great creative afternoon, my only regret is not wearing sunblock (been sunburnt all week sigh). Video link at the bottom of this blog entry :)

WAGER - Short Film below

Also, in other news, I have got a promotion at work (after 3 years so I'm pretty stoked). This also means from March on I will have EVERY weekend off!!!! Means heaps in terms of this blog and the acting side of things as most projects are on weekends, not to mention I can finally play 11 aside Saturday soccer :)

Anyway, Thanks for following the blog and lets keep focused so we can make these big things happen :)

Blackwater - My latest short film

Hi guys! 2015 is coming to a close and I thought I would squeeze one last small project in before the year was over. I present to you Blackwater.

"When a hitman is found out by his protege, only one of them can leave alive. A short test film by Matt kinsman, featuring Troy Angove, its another test film as I prepare for 2016 feature film project. This one was to try out nunchaku and nunchaku fights with martial arts action, a bit time constrained but I liked what we came up with :) feel free to leave comments or suggestions for other shorts :) Some stills below;

 Video embedded below for your enjoyment; :)


 notes;
I wish we had longer to film this as we had great chemistry and we had fun making this short. But those who have worked with me know we usually shoot for three hours and that's it, and 2/3 of us were running late as it was ;)

We got to the location and it was empty (much to my relief, gambling on my part). We started shooting and then realised the tide was coming in so each shot we were slowly making our way up the hill, which keen observers will notice :)

I was running late as I had to buy black shoes and black pants on the way and couldnt find my size, or the pants with the right material as I needed to be able to kick. The first pair I fit no problem but fit so close I couldnt kick so had to stop at another store on the way over haha.

I wrote the script the night before as was still wrestling with different ideas of things I'd like to try. I want to try something with blood and a knife fight. (you can see a knife here but was going to be extended originally). So no blood again in this one as was pressed for time but my first project next year will have some fake blood in it. I need to master it!! This short film experimented with weapons which was nice. However adding sound fx in post was time consuming, wow, way too many nunchaku twirls!

When I do a proper film though will have these safety ones painted to look either like gunmetal or hardwood. Used this as both had work in following days, and last thing we need is a nunchaku marked across our faces! Any other weapons you'd like to see?

Anyway, Hoped you enjoy the short film and I wish you and your family a happy holidays and happy new year! 2016 should bring me my first feature film and a couple of good quality fan films, so see you in the new year and hope to entertain you further!!!! :)

The BulletList (Day 6 -Suzy/Gabriel Drama scenes ep2/3) and Commercial Shoot

19 April 2015 - Bullet List Day 6
Shooting digital at night was a learning experience. The eye can see things in a lot more detail than my little old camera can so making sure I was in an environment with lots of light sources was a priority. Sunday night was a work night but I needed to get some action happening on The Bulletlist project, as those following my blog will know, it's taken me a couple months just to get 6 shooting days done!

Anyway, May is the month we can hopefully wrap things up and get it all together in time for late june release each week :)

So for the night shoot it was 2 secenes, one from Episode 2 and 3 respectively, between Suzy (Katherine Mewett) and Gabriel (Steve Heke). I have shared some screenshots with you below. It was a fun, quiet shoot, (apart from the cafe, so much background noise, will have to overdub it later I think....) and the night ranged from asking a coffee place if I could shoot just before they closed, to a retiree who was sailing the world, mentioning the giant behemoth of a boat we shot near was worth 35 million. That's some expensive rubber duck lol - the maintenance alone would be worth more dollars than what most people make in a year.

Suzy (kat) and Gabriel (Steve) get to know each other in Episode 2.

The night, street light contrast was beautiful, Kat brought out the best of it.

This shot might not be in final edit but I'm so damn proud of it! Director Matt lol.

22 April 2015 -Plans, Commercial, Feature Film, 48 hour film competition

Busy week, after the shoot Sunday night, got home 11pm, had work Monday, football Monday night, work Tuesday, work function night and football 9pm Tuesday night, then today, Wednesday, off work and working on a commercial for a credit card company with a sport star, Tonight have an investment seminar to attend then away for 4 days on a long weekend road trip with the wife to rest from work/dreams/sport for a breather.

Once the Ad is finished I will share a link with you guys, won't talk about anything regarding the content to avoid breaking any contracts but it was nice to get back out there and do some filming again. Awesome to see the cameras the big boys use, people lugging around lighting materials, sound crew setting up and away again and the AD's herding the extras - it all definitely looks like a lot of work/fun. Can't wait to get to that stage myself, but for now slowly building my team :)

My feature script is finished now. Just choreography and locations to decide. Will do this once get back from our trip. But I'm super excited to get started on this, just have to sort out a sound guy and I can start my super low budget feature, a feature nonetheless, the action has to be spectacular to stand any chance on video shop shelves and he story has to get people engaged to watch until the showdown in the end.

48 hours 2015 competion coming up 1st  May 7pm -3rd May 7pm. I'm a bit anxious for our entry as this is the first time I have done the 48 hour film competition since settling in Auckland. But I have assembled a champion spirited team and much ass we will kick! (or at least entertain)

Watch this space :)

Powerstation - Finished short film link

As promised here is the Powerstation test short film we shot as Plan B to an original shoot this easter (fullstory last post);

Hope you enjoy! I'm working on creating more things, maybe a couple more short films before Bullet List is done and I start on the independent feature film I have been talking about for so long :) As normal, I welcome any comments/suggestions in the comments section.

ps. Sidenote; The last shot had to be the sound effect as the battery was dead and the last 4 or 5 shots of the day were one takes, and sadly I didn't have a clear one of the final kick, still, looks good for a first time working together, love acting again lol looking forward to more this year :)

My House uploaded to Youtube channel

After a busy week fianlly have managed to edit our Monday shoot from last week.

Behold in all it's 1min 30 glory! (video below)


For last minute stuff turned out pretty good, since then though I have done that workshop I mentioned last blog so heaps of new stuff I want to try out when it comes to shooting the fight scenes for The Bulletlist. Steve's a swords guy so thinking maybe an errant knight battle might be fun? Anyway, hope you enjoyed it for what it was :)

Will post Workshop review once I have been sent the videos :)

How I spent my day off: Cancelled Day 2, shot short MY HOUSE instead!

Had my one day off on the 18th August Monday (7 day rosters are (not) fun) and had planned to shoot day two of the bulletlist and had everything set up, Steve had moved some things around and I had banged out the script, locations and shooting plan earlier in the weeknights to be able to do this, however, the actress we had in mind to play Briana had to cancel at the last minute due to personal reasons which sucked for us but I understand.

Still from My House (Steve Heke)

So to keep the motivation and momentum up since I can never get enough time off for this I txted Steve, "Wanna shoot another test film instead?", we haven't shot a short film since Ambush 2 which was ages ago. "sure, my place is all good if you want". I was happy as, "OK, cool, see you in a couple of hours". I sat in front of my computer....ready to type,....What could be a good reason for a fight scene? lol. Banged out a rough plan and drove over. So funny, spent half an hour tearing my house apart looking for a balaclava I had used when I shot Mondays back at SAE in 2011. Couldn't find it so thank goodness Steve had one. What do you think? It was a hot day, so it was very uncomfortable haha.

Still from My House (Me, Matt Kinsman)

I haven't shot a film my  old way since I left Christchurch. Which are basically all my films I shot with Sam back in the day. This 'method' involves me setting up the camera on a tripod, setting the frame, pushing record, running around in front of it, shooting our scene a couple times for the editing room then running back, stopping record, replaying it, reframing and repeating the cycle! Phew! tough but fun. Below is one unedited take so you can see what I mean. (finished film to be uploaded after sfx added, maybe next week)

May contain spoilers -however chose scene that doesn't give too much away

I have been trying to keep active too. I'm 27 now. It's make or break at my job at the moment so If I want this dream I have to make it happen or it's in with the suit and the sales focus. 

Most actors do their best work in their 30's so I need to make my move now. The First of my moves is getting some credibility (ironic since that was my first film) and getting out in the industry again, so tomorrow I am doing a stunt school fight for camera workshop. Pretty excited/nervous but hoping through it that I a)learn some new things, b)meet some new people who have the same interests and might like to part in shooting bulletlist with me and c)get a notch on my film CV.

Second of my moves is being proactive in sourcing opportunities so I've also put in for an audition for a kids action tv series and an internship as a director in another series. I hope to get good news but the fact I've even applied for this makes me happy, If you don't take action today then you are no better than you were yesterday. Between you and me I really hope I get these roles :)

I also did a camera test for my outfit as 'Mark' in The Bullet List as I had planned on shooting the scene on Monday, (next month now til next free day) so I'll share one of the pics with you below, I reckon it will be nice to play an actual character for once...

Anyway, post a blog tomorrow about how my first day went of this 2 day stunt school course I'm doing. So nervous lol, am I the real deal or a pretender?, we're going to find out... Wish me luck, apart from my football I'm so unfit, hoping to survive haha....

Ambush 2 - Finished Video and Making Of

 With a couple days off in a row lined up and a much needed break from writing the 'Fight Me' Script needed I contacted Steve and Ben and we came up with an idea to shoot Ambush 2, a sequel to this years earlier short film Ambush. Steve plays the same terrorist type figure (or is he?) and this time he is hunted down by a different spy.

Like all film making endeavours something bad always happens and we have to hurdle it, this time it was getting lost trying to find totara park, thanks to most of south auckland looking alike. anyway, a couple of hours later me and ben made it and met Steve and his friends at the park. It was a fun shoot, alot of it was improviosed, dialog, half of the choreography and shots. But the end result looks cool. The purpose of this was to build a body of recent work that I caqn use in my pitch for funding/sponsorship when I come to start 'Fight me' Later this year, just have to finish building this script!!!

It's amazing how hard it is to write words on blank pages sometime knowing that this will be the skeleton you build the muscle on later, one wrong move and the thing collapses and you have days of rewrites ahead. Ah, it breaks my heart, but I must fight on!!

Anyway, here is the little 'break' project AMBUSH 2 and a couple of random outtakes, hope you enjoy :)