TowerFan - First Fest - AdFest 2007

[TowerFan]

Hey All,

Been a lurker here for a while and have posted in the 3D section. My buddy, Aldo Baggins, and I have been waiting for a first fest to try and this is it!

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TowerFan/Kinetica/TowerFan_Kinetica_Poster.jpg (http://www.dvxfest.com/adfest/loader.php?id=19456)


Cast and Crew

Innocent Bystander: Jeanne Langford
Satisfied Customer: Aldo Baggins (Alan Langford)
Dr. Nervis Serebelem: TowerFan (Jeff Tatro)

Director, Editor: Aldo Baggins
Producer, Technical Director, Visual Effects: TowerFan
Co-Writers: Jeanne Langford, Alan Langford, Jeff Tatro
Production Assistant: Ryan Langford

Equipment/Tools: DVX100B, Rode NTG-2, Avid Xpress Pro HD, LightWave 3D, After Effects

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Visual Effects BTS

Some folks commented on the VFX so I thought I'd post some before and after stills of the roto shots I did.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TowerFan/Kinetica/BroomQuad.jpg

Unfortunately we had to break for about 1/2hr between the two shots and the light changed. Had to do some creative feathering and blending here. Aldo's nephew Ryan was totally jammed up under the counter working the dustpan.
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http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TowerFan/Kinetica/DrNervis_Dual.jpg

Had to take out the clothspins (idiots!) and roto'ed out the stick on the bottle. (I'll never be accused of being on-screen "talent"!)
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http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TowerFan/Kinetica/VaderRemoteChair_Dual.jpg

Had to roto out the stick and it's shadow.
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http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TowerFan/Kinetica/VaderRemoteHand_Dual.jpg

We called this whole gag the Vader Remote. We were inspired by Kirshner filming Han's blaster being pulled out of Vader's hand and running it backwards. I roto'ed out the string below the remote in AE, and painted out the string crossing the remote frame-by-frame in PS.
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Deleted Shot

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TowerFan/Kinetica/Hose.jpg

And here's a DOF with a focus pull we didn't use. The shot started on the hose then pulled focus during the acting. We wanted a shot which showed some skill with the camera. This was probably my pet shot and I really wanted it in, but in the end it had to go.

[Bezakor]

good luck!

[Zoidoid]

I'm glad to see that there are a bunch of first-timers like myself creating entries for this one. Good luck!

[krob43]

Best of luck!

[Gord.T]

Hey tower, way to go.

[TowerFan]

Thanks all!

Spent the day yesterday shooting. I know we're going up against pros and we don't expect to be in the running, but the point is to get out there and shoot something and have some fun, right? Well, we acomplished that at least!

[Aldo Baggins]

Hello all !
Hello Tower !
Let the games begin!

Aldo Baggins

[trinitysj]

let the games and fun begin.. good to see you here. This is my first one too.. so i'm with ya.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Thanks all!

Spent the day yesterday shooting. I know we're going up against pros and we don't expect to be in the running, but the point is to get out there and shoot something and have some fun, right? Well, we acomplished that at least!
Yeah I know exactly what you mean, this is my first fest as well and I'm teaming up with my friends Shaun W and Rick V. Good luck to you and everyone else, this should be fun!

[TowerFan]

Thanks again all. This is a real blast! Can't wait to see all the finished entries.

[Zoidoid]

Sounds like you guys are being pretty ambitious! I'm looking forward to see what you guys have come up with. Good luck with the rest of your production.

[TowerFan]

Thanks Zoidoid, I like the still you posted. Looks like yougot some good footage. Looking forward to seeing all entries!:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[TowerFan]

That's a wrap! Finished polishing the cut and finished up the VFX shots.

We had a great time working on this short. After watching some winning entries from other fests we know we're not in the same league as the pros here, but we all have to start somewhere. I think we did a good job for a couple guys with no resources.

This is my first "story telling" project as I usually do events. My buddy Aldo Baggins has done a few; including winning third place in the Robot Chicken Win a PS3 Contest (Check it out!).

Anyway, we can't wait to see all entries and we're looking forward to the next Fest!!

[cinealma]

Congrats on finishing. Looking forward to it!

[Zoidoid]

Wow, everyone's finishing and I'm starting to see a few late nights in the near future to make the deadline. Congratulations, TowerFan, on your first submission!

[cinealma]

Wow, everyone's finishing and I'm starting to see a few late nights in the near future to make the deadline. Congratulations, TowerFan, on your first submission!

I'm with you there, Zoidoid!

[TowerFan]

Just successfully uploaded!

LET'S LIGHT THIS CANDLE!!

[Gord.T]

bump..

[Barry_S]

Really enjoyed this spot. I thought it was well-written and funny. The animation was cool and the broom shot was hilarious. Nice ending, but maybe the actress shouldn't have frozen in mid-step--looks a little odd. Also, the piece really needs some color grading. But overall, very creative and enjoyable.

[CarlSpackler]

I really enjoyed yours.

[cinealma]

Good job. Really felt like one of those daytime television ads. Nice FX and played well. When we move to the exterior scene at the end, it kind of took me out a bit. Maybe it was the girl, maybe the photography, I don't know. Can't put my finger on it.

Good job. Thanks for sharing.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I pretty much agree with John (Cinealma).
The shadows were to harsh in the outside bits at the end and couldn't see all that I wanted to.
Lots of fun and well done. And the effects are so well done you almost don't notice them.

[Gord.T]

The Dr.Nervis bit and following shot stood out (liked it). The final girl-guy smiling bit was a good payoff.

The effects were well done and did not draw attention to themselves for the most part. The closeup of the remote flying off the couch I didnt like. Just the timing off it looked cheesy, but suitable for the style of the ad. The broom shot was right there as well as the rest.

It put a smile on my face and thanks for submitting. I enjoyed it.

[Jason Ramsey]

This was a fun one to watch. Solid all around. To the point. Looked good, funny. Felt like a commercial.

I would totally buy it (not the product. The commercial:) ) if I saw it on t.v. late at night, or in the middle of the afternoon.

It was fun watching this one. Thanks.
Jason

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

What? You would not buy
TELEKENETIC
MiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiND
ENHANCING
Pills?!?????

Don't you want to pick up the remote ...
WITH YOUR MIND!!!!!!

:grin:

EDIT: Actually this would be the worst thing for me. It is the only think I could possibly do to get fatter:)

[Jason Ramsey]

I'm already too lazy :beer:

Jason

[TowerFan]

@ CarlSpackler - Thanks. CANNONBALL!! :beer:

@ Raptor365 - Thanks for the compliments and crits. If this was even 1/10 as good as your Spitfire then I'm satisfied with the result. I agree about the remote flying shot. It is a bit odd.

@ JDS - I saw your comment in the other thread. I didn't think we'd make anyone's top anything list. After clicking on your signature link we're truly complimented. Thank you sir.

Thanks for the other comments and crits all. Our thoughts from the beginning was the cheesey yet not, daytime/late night commercial. Fortunately that's where our skill level is at this point so it worked out! Obviously we wanted to do a comedy as well.

Cinematically we're happy with it for our experience/resource level. I'd really like for someone to expand on Barry's comment about the color grading though. Was this a "they should have used their vectorscopes", or a "the sets and wardrobe need more color" comment.

We should have done better with the outside shot too. We only used good ol' El Sol but probably should have added more light. Maybe cinealma felt taken out by the one hand-held shot thrown in there? Our tripod wasn't up to the task for that shot that day.

[Tom Marshall]

I really enjoyed this one. :)

But also, I just took a look at your McLaren F1 on your photobucket site... Man, that thing is SWEET!!! NICE job on the car. :beer:

[CarlSpackler]

the pond would be good for you. your piece is one of the best

[TowerFan]

@tommyinla - Thanks man! That was definately a labor of love.

Updated original post with some VFX BTS.

[Michael_Petro]

man i see this as a 30minute infomercial... well done.... esp the effects i didnt see the string or nuthin :beer: