C. M. Franke | Photography

As work continues on the new, web based version of The Tidewatcher , I thought it might be fun to go all the way back to the very FIRST rendition of the idea, in a behind the scenes shot from the early 1990's. Here we see the original creators of the film, on the left: Tim Guest. In the center, Ray Guiliano. And myself on the far right. (I have no idea what was going on with my hair and clothing in that shot.) We were down on the West Haven Connecticut shoreline, shooting title FX on a SUPER 8mm FILM CAMERA, when this image was captured by a photographer for the New Haven Register newspaper. It made it to page 2 of the following morning's edition! A blast from the past, and one of the reasons I had to go back to the original locations to bring this story to life once again. Get ready... He's on his way.

With most of the principal photography for The Tidewatcher now completed, it's now on to the post-production phase. This is the area where a lion's share of the time will be spent, as there are several shots called for in the 'story' that are impossible to achieve without some heavy-duty special effects. While this aspect is definitely the most enjoyable part, it does push the anticipated completion time up considerably, since it "...has to be done right to be done right." Updates and "teaser" shots coming soon!

Principal photography for the Tidewatcher project was completed today on the sandbar between West Haven, and New Haven Connecticut. There is still a great deal of post-production work to be done, and a number of "pick-up shots" to be taken, but the whole thing is moving along well, and the images on the camera's LCD screen pretty much match the ones in my head, so this thing looks to be a pretty effective telling of the story. My thanks to Lloyd Meyer for playing the title role of our friend the relentless and shadowy Harbormaster!

While principal photography is still taking place, and this project is far from complete, here's a little "sneak peek" at the 'new' Tidewatcher . One quick image of the shadowy Harbormaster himself staring contemplatively across the bay as the sun sets and day turns to night. More to come..!

A really quick shot from "behind the scenes" on the Tidewatcher Project.

For any who may have been familiar with the old version of The Tidewatcher from the short film of the early 90's, the upcoming web-based re-telling will be substantially different. No longer an impossible shadow figure from some odd parallel-dimesion, this new version is much more reality based. The character's appearance does take a surreal turn, yet there is a somewhat logical explanation for this. And the underlying story behind the imagery is based on plausible events. Needless to say, I'm hoping that the end result will be very compelling and visually interesting. Coming soon, to an all new gallery on the site...