The Big California Shoot, Part 1

The Big California Shoot.

Howdy folks. We got back from Cali a few days ago, and I finally caught up on jet lag and work, so I can show you what we did out there.

First of all, the trip was a huge success and a big step for the film. We're almost finished shooting in the US now, I feel. Just a few more random interviews and then comes Europe in late winter/early spring.

This trip was the turning point for the film. I went from being fairly confident that I had a really good film on my hands to being absolutely positive that I do. The interviews I shot out in the Bay Area and AmiWest filled in the missing holes that I felt we needed to really tell the story. Europe is pretty much the only gap we need to fill at this point, except for a small US amiga user shoot or two.

The first shoot was actually at RJ Mical's house. Wow. To an Amigan, this is a pretty big deal of course. I wish I could go back and tell my 13-year-old self that someday I would meet one of the principal Amiga designers and attend a party at his place. And oh yeah, make a film about the Amiga too. RJ threw a party for us and his old Amiga buddies, and all kinds of people showed up.

Here's a rundown of the interviews we shot first:

RJ and Dave Needle

First up, Dave Needle. There's RJ giving him a big welcoming hug.

Me giving Needle the lowdown

Needle's Interview

Next up was Mike Boom, technical writer at Amiga, Inc. 

Mike on set

Some party snacking and shmoozing. I can't remember the name of every person pictured here, so rather than name some and not others, I'll just show general party shots. They're mostly original team members. I'll get with RJ and make sure I get the names right, and fix them here. 

Next up, Don Reisinger. First Director or Marketing at Amiga, Inc. and employee #3.

Don's Interview

And last but not least, the Big Kahuna. 

RJ Mical's Interview

Oh yeah, RJ worked on Sinistar, the classic arcade game as well. Run coward! We also asked him about his time at Williams in Chi-town. 

More party pics. 

So yeah, this worked out incredibly well. We had an amazing dinner...RJ and his personal assistant cooked us chicken curry, these amazing portobello mushrooms, and these crazy pork roll things. We got amazing interviews. Some of the very best footage yet. 

Thanks to RJ especially for coming through and being an incredible host. The guy is really a class act and I plan to repay him by making the film Extra Specially good, instead of just really good, as I was planning. 

Stay tuned for the Big California, Part 2! Pics and notes from AmiWest! 

Much love and HAM, 

Zach