Late night shots test directors' ingenuity

God stands outside Dagwood's at 1799 E. 10th St. on a late snowy night, smoking a cigarette. God, played by senior Christian Schmitt, then enters the restaurant to join the Son and Holy Ghost in front of the camera.\nIt is midnight on a cold Tuesday in early March -- actually, a very early Wednesday morning. Most people are sleeping, studying or at least have the sense to avoid making any trips in the sleet and wind. The cast and crew of "Conversations with the Almighty" apparently have found this the optimal time to shoot a middle and closing scene from the script.\nDirector Adam Carroll and screenwriter David Mickler chose the late time because Mickler's former co-worker allowed him to use the restaurant, provided he cleaned up afterward.\n"Did they want me to mop?" Mickler said to no one in particular. "I said I would, but they didn't say yes or no; somebody's getting in trouble tomorrow."\nLike most responsibilities on the low-budget project, Mickler does the cleaning himself and prepares to shoot the two diner scenes in the film.\nAfter scrapping diner footage from a previous shoot, Mickler and Carroll prepare for the challenge of filming a morning scene when it is pitch black outside.\nCarroll, who said he usually opposes the use of manufactured light, points the camera away from the front windows, using backlighting to create the impression of the sun.\n"I just want a little bit of \ndaylight," Carroll said. "I can rationalize (the use of lighting) 50,000 times, but the question is, does it read visually?"\nThe scene involves sophomore Ross Matsuda, who plays Patrick, in a discussion at a table with characters named only Father, Son and Ghost, whom Carroll and Mickler refer to as the Trinity. Despite the religious overtones, the Father and Son are dressed normally, and the Ghost wears a sheet.\nDuring a break in the evening, the Ghost, played by sophomore Annie Kerkian, deadpans about her costume.\n"It's amazing how little I can see through this sheet," Kerkian said.\nThe cast is active between shots, talking on cell phones or gossiping about the past weekend's activities, but Carroll and Mickler corral them back to their spots for each shot.\nThe pair take a little time to discuss changes and relay them to the cast. After changing camera angles, Carroll tries to keep the cast's attention on the matter at hand.\n"Everyone take a deep breath," Carroll said. "And let's make a movie."\nAt about 1 a.m., Carroll makes a snack run for the cast. He said the costs for the project are minimal, encompassing only digital videotapes and food, so he is happy to feed the actors.\nNot everything works as planned this morning. By 1:30 a.m., almost everybody is on the verge of collapse, but Carroll and Mickler insist on getting one more shot with Matsuda and junior Jenna Weinberg, who plays Mary. \nThe scene takes place outside in the wind and cold.\nCarroll and Mickler move the equipment outside in hopes of finishing in one shot. The four shiver while filming the scene, but when they finish their lines, they realize it will take another try.\n"They started laughing, and then the (camera) battery went dead," Carroll said.\nAfter the addition of an extension cord, they finally finish the scene at a little past 2 a.m., and everybody goes home.\nCarroll's assessment of the film's progress is paradoxical but fitting.\n"We're a week behind where we should be," Carroll said. "But we're right on schedule."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Josh \nKastrinsky at jkastrin@indiana.edu.