"Hollow" a film by Justin Chandra [Archive] - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Danielleus

02-11-2008, 12:20 PM

Nice tagline combo with the poster ... gives me an idea about the premise and I'm def. interested.

Q: Did you work on "Moments" too?

Thanks JDS. Can't wait to see yours. As always.
Same production company. I'd like to think that they're fairly different films so it won't be the same stuff over and over again. A chance for us to stretch our legs. We had two more we were working on but those couldn't make the A. upload deadline and B. time limit.

jojopop

02-11-2008, 03:18 PM

I'm glad this thing got posted! I was getting worried at the end with the server issues... Larry and Jason are awesome.

EduardoMiguel

02-11-2008, 04:29 PM

Glad to see you threw your hat back in the fest. You last film was one of my favorites.

Marlon Ladd

02-12-2008, 06:14 AM

That poster's so cool. Sounds like a great story too.

Innercityking

02-12-2008, 07:18 PM

nice job guys. nice poster as well!

Danielleus

02-12-2008, 08:15 PM

That poster's so cool. Sounds like a great story too.

Thanks for the kind words guys. We think this one will probably fall in the "wasn't expecting that" department. Which, we hope, will make it worth watching.

Michael Anthony Horrigan

02-14-2008, 09:19 AM

Very cool.
Dark and depressing... I liked it. You did a great job on the visual aspects of this movie. For that I commend you. The story was a little lacking but it still made me watch so that's always good.

Overall I thought this was pretty good, I just needed a little more info.
I see you worked on Moments as well.

2 solid entries! Nice work.

Cheers,

Luis Caffesse

02-14-2008, 09:25 AM

I just saw this one... and just wanted to pop in here to say fascinating work, Justin.
I love seeing stuff like this that can stand out from the crowd.
You clearly had a vision in mind - and while I can only assume you got the look/feel you were going for - there was no question in my mind that there was an individual with confidence behind the camera.

Work like this is risky - as it's not everyone's cup of tea and when not done well it can fall totally flat with an audience.
So hat's off to you for going off the beaten path and putting out there.

The look was great - the tone was great -

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW****
(not that this one can really be 'spoiled'...but still)

My only small critique is that I would have liked to have seen more progression in the story in the small window of time where we are following this guy. I'm not saying we need a conclusive ending - but I am left wondering...of all the time this man has spent searching for this woman, why choose this segment to show us? What makes this time period different from the day before it, or the day after it... why start and end where it did?
I don't mean that as a slight - but as a legit question.

I was kind of left feeling that this could have been shorter as easily as it could have been longer - only because it becomes a question of how long I want to 'hang out' in this world that you've created - aside from the tone/look/feel... there wasn't much story pulling me along. Of course, the look and tone were enough to pull me along for the full running time, I wasn't bored at all or anything like that. But at the end of it I did feel like I was still wanting for a bit of progress - whether positive or negative.

But, that's me... and I'm not the kind of person who would ever make somehting like this (I don't think I could capture that world a fraction as well as you did with the look you got), so I would take my comments with a grain of salt.

But regardless of that - this is one film that I know I'll remember from this fest.
Nice work.

hunter richards

02-14-2008, 09:38 AM

Very strong visuals and effects. The high-contrast B+W looked fantastic for this story. Like Luis, I felt like I wanted a bit more progress at the ending. Maybe thats how you wanted people to feel though...

Just a side note here on wardrobe: Liked the doctor and the blood on the mask, I really felt though that if your main actor wasn't wearing something so clean, timely and modern, the story would have worked better for me. It had a timeless feel, but I was distracted by his clothing in this. Just my opinion.

Overall, very strong visual style that was much appreciated. This one must have taken you a lot of time in post. Thanks for sharing!

jojopop

02-14-2008, 10:19 AM

Well I'm certainly stoked that some of you are enjoying this one. This was one of those ideas my brother had lingering in his head and he wanted to do -- but he didn't get up off his ass until the week of the fest. It took a lot of convincing for him.

He shot it probably last wednesday or thurs and worked like a madman to get it done. I and another friend of ours helped him with some of the backgrounds and he handed it off to me to "destroy" and crunch it down in b&w... so I'm pleased that the look is appealing to you guys.

I'm with you guys as far as wanting more out of it -- I would have loved to have him develop some of the character a little more. I haven't actually had the opportunity to talk to him in-depth about his end goal with it, but I do know he was trying to leave you with a 'hollow' feel... I'm sure he'll drop in and elaborate soon enough!

Thanks for the comments!!

Ted Arabian

02-14-2008, 10:30 AM

Hey Justin, just watched your film and I left a little speechless.

First of all, the feeling of this film, the effects, the cinematography are unique and with a vision.

However, I am lost on the vision. I don't understand the story. I guess, I understand what I am supposed to understand... the guy is looking for someone and can't find her. Maybe that's all there is to it. And that is okay. Just not my type of film and that's okay, too.

What is important is that a vision was carried out and executed. There was a really bizarre vibe to this film. And I liked the vibe. I just wanted more story.

Soundtrack worked for this.

Effects were awesome.

Congrats on the film!

Best,
Ted

Cliff Wildman

02-14-2008, 11:58 AM

some of the feedback here is saying 'not enough story'

i have to slightly disagree. i think there's enough story, but that there's too much screen time. i think if this was cut down by 1-2 minutes it would have been a superb piece. that being said, i think this was excellent overall.

very risky, very well executed. just lingered long enough for me to think about what was going on (my one core criticism.) this is truly an 'experience' piece, meaning, imho, you want the audience flowing from shot to shot, involvled, intrigued, but floating along the current of the piece in this foreign world, feeling/experiencing, but not asking questions. the length leaves spots where the audience can stop and ask questions, which is where i think you're getting the feedback asking for more story.

just my 2 cents, but very well done and impressive creating such a stark world. that is not easy for most to do and, ESPECIALLY for the time you had to put it together... WOW!

the one thing i thought someone else might mention, but hasn't yet (unless i missed it) is that this really reminds me of some of david lynch's early work. and that, is a very good thing :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Matthew R. Rodwell

02-14-2008, 09:01 PM

Great job! Awesome effects and great storyline, could really relate with the character. Did a great job getting the emotional feel across. Definitely one of my faves

Bryce A

02-15-2008, 02:16 AM

*spoilers*

In regards to the lack of story comments, I was just chatting with Justin and he mentioned that he thought some shots were a bit long. I'd have to agree on that. I'm sure it is the sense of pacing that lets the mind wander a bit. But for the most part, I thought it was all there. Though I'm surprised at how depressing people think the ending is. I didn't find it necessarily depressing. Sure, it's a downer, but the character comes to a bit of an understanding. That he needs to move on. When brainstorming with Justin, the idea of taking the picture down was to remember her and keep that piece for himself. I thought it showed character development. Hard to do in a short film.

Anyhow, I was completely blown away by the world that was created. Especially in the amount of time the film was made in. Good job.
Let this be a lesson: Justin, make more films.

Danielleus

02-15-2008, 09:54 AM

*spoilers*

Anyhow, I was completely blown away by the world that was created. Especially in the amount of time the film was made in. Good job.
Let this be a lesson: Justin, make more films.

Agreed. Justin, make more movies. That is all I have to say for now.

Chris Messineo

02-15-2008, 07:26 PM

This was really very interesting.

I love the style and the way you told this story without any dialogue. All the questions you leave unanswered are wonderful.

The pace was slow, but I found myself drawn into the story. The music was perfect for it.

Two small things I didn't like. The constant grain added in post felt too "digital" to me. Also, I wish the lead wasn't wearing glasses - I wanted to see his eyes and feel his emotions a little more.

Still, this was very well done.

Jason Ramsey

02-15-2008, 09:28 PM

Hey, man. Thanks for sharing your work with us!

Very unique and creative entry.

I echo the critiques on the story that I have seen.

I actually am interested if you'd be willing to share a bit about the process, and the technical side of things. I'd like very much to hear about how you accomplished some of the effects, looks, etc... as that sort of thing is very new to me.

You definitely stepped out on a limb with this entry and it was fun to watch. Lots of eye candy. thanks again for sharing it.

later,
jason

jojopop

02-16-2008, 12:14 AM

Hey Jason,

I'll talk to my brother and see if I can convince him to drop in and maybe throw some BTS stuff up!

J

KenV

02-16-2008, 02:45 AM

*spoilers*

I'm sure it is the sense of pacing that lets the mind wander a bit.

I guess I'm to blame on the pacing part. I didn't get contacted till the last last last last minute to do a score/soundtrack for this short (I won't say how short). But, yeah the shorter version could have definitly made an impact if I did my job properly. Because I know this film didn't have dialog, sound design and music were supposed to achieve mood and feel just as much as the visuals. Sound design rocked though, and if I had more time I think I could have solved the pacing part of the film.

Best of luck to all of you.

KenV

kingstubby

02-16-2008, 03:12 AM

Hey guys.... thanks for all the comments!

Jason - I'd be happy to talk about any part of the process of making the movie.. is there anything you would specifically like to to know? We shot the movie on a greenscreen... and did a whole lot of photoshopping of stills for the backgrounds. We then combined the backgrounds with live smoke, fire and other video elements within after effects.

Ken - I think you did a fantastic job with the music with the direction and time you were given. I can understand the pacing comments... which I believed could have been resolved if it were a bit tighter or if used more inserts to break up the pacing of some of the longer shots.. I think the music does its job well.

thanks for watching,

justin

KenV

02-16-2008, 04:46 AM

Yeah I'm sorry if I messed the pacing up, but I'm just gonna say both of your films look dark on screen. Dark on the monitor that is.

Cliff Wildman

02-16-2008, 08:33 AM

I actually am interested if you'd be willing to share a bit about the process, and the technical side of things. I'd like very much to hear about how you accomplished some of the effects, looks, etc... as that sort of thing is very new to me.

this! i'd love to see the opening few seconds - where you pan from the airplanes and burnt buildings down to your main character the first time - broken down by the layers you added.

again, very well done!

kev - the music was pretty damn good!

don't any of you sell yourself short on the quality here. the timeframe that you all executed on is astounding.

i hope you continue with a little work on this. no reason to not go back and make some edits to improve places you think would work. i think there's a lot of good fests you could send this to!

kingstubby

02-16-2008, 10:38 PM

this! i'd love to see the opening few seconds - where you pan from the airplanes and burnt buildings down to your main character the first time - broken down by the layers you added.

Cliff, thanks for your comments.. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. The first shot is composed of the following layers (from bottom to top):

1. A cloud layer, made from a still photo that is moving slightly.
2. An airplane layer, composed of airplanes that have keyframe-animated propellers and doubled in another comp.
3. A video element of moving clouds/smoke to provide a haze.
4. The photoshopped buidling background, with the sky removed.
5. The actor on a greenscreen.

These elements were combined in after effects, and an artificial camera tilt/pan was added.

I hope this breakdown is helpful. Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to know. I do plan on revisiting the movie.. tweaking the editing and audio here and there.

thanks.

Brian Parker

02-17-2008, 10:29 PM

Good movie, amazing job of creating this world. The different people that the main character encountered made me curious about the current socio-political status outside of the apparent war. Visuals were very well done and creative.

That being said, I have to agree with the previous posters that said the pacing is a little slow. A combination of the visuals, the speed in which the actor is moving, and the music kind of make this one drag just a little. All in all though, it was a very well executed piece.

Texture

02-18-2008, 07:39 AM

Beautiful work. A rich visual snippet in the day of a life after a disaster.

You worked so hard to create an anytime anyplace environment for this to occur in, yet I found the lead's wardrobe a bit off. An urban style street hoodie with a nice clean mask kinda goes against the rest of the production design. Something a bit more generic, disheveled and grimy would have fit the bill better.

The soundtrack production was a little too canned and thin in contrast to the incredibly sophisticated visuals.

I was brought back to the thousands of posters at the ferry terminal as I made my way to work in the months after 9/11 and wondered if you too live in the New York area.

Maximus

02-18-2008, 07:50 AM

Cool film! I really like the music, kinda reminded me of Angelo Badalamenti. I think the repetative nature of the music emphasized the hopelessness of the situation, as in hell or purgatory. Things ain't gonna get any better! Ever!

The visuals gave it a surreal, dream like quality. Well done!

cinealma

02-18-2008, 04:02 PM

I liked this film a lot. Loved the visuals and atmosphere. I'm always partial to black and white. I think the compression may have killed it a bit, I'm sure it looks fantastic in full-rez.

Although I liked the score on its own, I don't feel it went with the film, kind of made it feel slightly "music-video-esque". Just my opinion. I would have rather had some nice "hollow" wind blowing throughout and let the landscape be the score; maybe some subtle pads/strings for emphasis.

I also you feel you could really delve further in the sound design on this one.

I agree with those that mentioned the wardrobe. But, I understand you did what you could with what you had and the time to put it together... although some old Eastern Bloc gas masks would have looked great. :happy:

Two scenes I thought were fantastic: The scene where he goes by the shop with the t.v.'s in the window with the video camera out to the street and he puts the poster in the window. The scene where he puts the posters, sits down, time/people flow by, and he rises to find his posters have been covered with new ones of missing people. Awesome stuff.

So, the pacing. I thought the pacing was fine. I feel this piece needed a very slow pace so that we can soak in the reality of what we are seeing. My only comment to this is that I don't think it needed to be shorter. I just think you had too many scenes. For example, the scene with the guy with the Super8 camera could have been cut. That would have given more time for the film to "breathe" a bit and let us become more involved with the main character and what he is going through.

I applaud the compositing work. And you did this all in a week? Bravo. Believe me, I know the work that went into it. Great job.

Anyway, I could go on and on...

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers!

kingstubby

02-19-2008, 12:51 AM

I was brought back to the thousands of posters at the ferry terminal as I made my way to work in the months after 9/11 and wondered if you too live in the New York area.

Texture - I actually live on the West Coast, but the thousands of posters that you described was the image I had in mind when designing that shot.

Thanks for your comments.

Mark Harris

02-19-2008, 05:41 AM

This is a wonderful film and I really wonder why it's not getting more attention. It's pretty stunning.

You did such a nice job with the pace in this. I just read cinealma's post and it makes me think there have been those who did not like the pace? Anyway, I thought it was perfect, and I think it will be more so on a big screen where your attention is not divided.

And of course the compositing. In general I hate digital EFX. But I LOVE the way you used them in this, not so much to create things and convince us they are real, but to create this world, which we kind of have to meet you halfway on. Like this is not a completely real world, but it is enough to hook our imaginations and let us start filling in the realities that you don't give us. And the world's unreality gives it such a creepy feel, esp with the old planes, but what looked like modern dress.

Again, usually I am not one to give a crap about BTS, but in this case, I would love to see some. On second viewing, I went through to look at the composites and try to figure out what was real and what wasn't, looking at the film from a more technical viewpoint, and I could not.

Also, I would love to get my hands on a full res version, maybe after the fest. Like I said, just seems like the bigger you watch it, the more it can suck you in.

I guess the only thing I would try if I were you, would be remove the music. It sounded like you had a really nice sound design, and I kept thinking this would be about 100 times creepier and more effective if all we heard was the wind and the footsteps. I feel like you were pretty bold to pace it the way you wanted, and not give in to trying to make it "more exciting," and I think that kind of thinking would help the sound as well. Just let the sound design carry it. I dunno, maybe try it. But the music tended to take me out a bit and separate me from the reality, rather than add to it.

But wow, great work.

Texture

02-19-2008, 06:58 AM

Been thinking more about the soundtrack to this...

Its a great visual work and its been sticking with me since I saw it.

My fantasy for this would be to have Massive Attack create one of their darker more industrial trip-hop soundscapes for this... With lyrics.

Check out their work on "Mezzanine" and "100th Window."

The possibilities are way exciting.

Suddenly the street cool hoodie is working for me. :smile:

Cheers,

Erik

Will Clegg

02-19-2008, 07:43 AM

Hey Justin,

This was one of my favorites in the fest. After watching a number of saccharin-sweet stories (not knocking those entries though), this was totally unexpected and a welcome departure from the norm. Ken - I loved the music. I must agree with Mark in that I don't understand the pacing comments from some other posters. Worked for me...

Please keep up the good work - looking forward to seeing your next short.

mentatDUKE

02-21-2008, 11:09 AM

Justin, this was an extremely visually stunning film. You created a world and transported us to it. Quite an accomplishment. First I was reminded of Sky Captain, then I thought of cinealma. So you're in good company.

Black and white was a great choice. I can't imagine this in color at all. I love the fact that you don't explain anything and leave the audience to come to their own conclusions.

Cool costumes, cool art direction, great atmosphere, and nice visual gags (The TVs, the posters getting covered)

Looking forward to more from you. Still need to watch Tailight. What are you doing next? More scifi? Any way to see some of your previous work?

Good job on this.

Jack Daniel Stanley

02-22-2008, 02:58 PM

Two scenes I thought were fantastic: The scene where he goes by the shop with the t.v.'s in the window with the video camera out to the street and he puts the poster in the window. The scene where he puts the posters, sits down, time/people flow by, and he rises to find his posters have been covered with new ones of missing people. Awesome stuff.

Yeah I agree these scenes will stick with me.

Amazing look and art direction obviously. This film kept surprising me in cool visual ways that drove the simple story forward and added intrigue.

Nice sound design too. Really top notch and evocative. aIntense.

Here’s some thoughts as I watch it a second time:

Really interesting what he does with her picture and the TV’s.

I like this groove a lot too.

I like the reveal of the wall of missing people. Very effective. One thing though. Dunno why we cut back to the guy in the white coat. Seems like it should go … lab coat guy points … hood guy looks … cut to his POV of the board … would be a better through line for that moment I think, we don’t care about the guy in the white coat anymore and it muddies the reveal / impact of wall.

So I loved this piece. The only thing I felt it was lacking was an ending. So many great moments I wished it had gone somewhere. Cyclical is fine and can work well for a short, but I felt it lacked payoff here.

Very strong original work. One of the favorite shorts I’ve seen, it will definitely stay with me.

Danielleus

02-22-2008, 03:10 PM

Thanks to all for the wonderful feedback. We are humbled by such positive reviews from such talented filmmakers and artists. Thanks so much.

In addition to whatever degree of praise we've been getting it's most helpful to see where things didn't work for people. With that said we're getting a sense that this could be a little tighter. And that's mainly become apparent because so many have mentioned it. So thanks for watching critically and responding honestly. I think the plan is to take all your feedback and see what we can do to make it a stronger piece.

So for everyone who watched (and maybe not have left feedback) but especially to DVXuser and its community of filmmakers, thank you all for watching.

Much appreciated.

KenV

02-23-2008, 01:10 AM

Thanks for the feedback on the film score on this one. Especially yours Texture. Mezzanine is one of my favorite albums although it wasn't inspiratation for Hollow. All my inspiration came from the director, . . . in a directorish sort of way. =)

kingstubby

02-24-2008, 08:47 PM

Y
I like the reveal of the wall of missing people. Very effective. One thing though. Dunno why we cut back to the guy in the white coat. Seems like it should go … lab coat guy points … hood guy looks … cut to his POV of the board … would be a better through line for that moment I think, we don’t care about the guy in the white coat anymore and it muddies the reveal / impact of wall.

JDS - Thanks for your comments.. and for promoting Hollow.. we definitely appreciate it.

In regards to the wall of posters.. In retrospect I agree completely. The reveal of the wall was definitely a moment I wanted to have impact. I believe that when I was editing the movie I felt that I didn't want it to seem like everyone the man encounters is just kind of there in frame already... so I purposely left the shot of the doctor exiting frame to show that he's got other things to attend to. But in the end, I agree with you that it doesn't really matter and the scene would flow better without it.

Thanks again.

Innercityking

02-24-2008, 08:54 PM

i like this movie it reminds me of land before time IV

Bryce A

02-24-2008, 10:11 PM

we don’t care about the guy in the white coat anymore

damn. i care about him....... :(

j/k cut that fool up.

Kholi

02-25-2008, 01:09 PM

HOLLOW -- Thoughts from the land o'the missing!

Sorry that it took me SO long to get to this one. Had a little "hitch" in my looking. This short describes what I feel when I stop watching DVXfest entries. =P No, but, all jokes aside? This is REALLY cool! It was nice to pick back up fest watching with a visual clencher. I really like the use of 2D backgrounds and compositing in this short. It works very well. Just goes to show you that you can do a lot with greenscreen these days, especially if you're creative about it.

I also totally dig where it's going. It's nothing too grande for the dinner table, I especially like the moment with the wall of the missing. Kinda sad for that dude and everyone else.

I do feel like it kinda ran a lil too long at parts. Some of the shots lasted longer than I would've liked for the material but that's all choice. An example would be the shot of your guy walking to the wall to begin putting up pictures. This is purely an editorial choice, though. It just kinda lingered there and I was in a moment where I wanted to find out what was going on.

Music track worked okay. More so because there wasn't dialogue to offset it. Although I hope it doesn't get stuck in my head. =P

I liked it. I even said out loud "that's pretty cool." Next time dialog!

Mark Harris

02-25-2008, 08:59 PM

Hey, I am SOOOOOO glad you guys got some recognition for this film. Really, really great stuff.

Jack Daniel Stanley

02-25-2008, 09:09 PM

I agree.
The TV and Missing Persons wall stuff ... whew ... nice.

Brian Parker

02-25-2008, 09:12 PM

Congrats on the award. Watching for more stuff.

Danielleus

02-25-2008, 09:28 PM

Hey thanks guys. Really appreciate the love we're feeling from the site. And, as I've mentioned before, the appreciation from such talented filmmakers makes it THAT much better.

JDS and Mark,

Thanks ever so much for helping our film get seen. I think that's really the reward. The critical feedback and getting to show our piece is what it's really all about.

Champloo (and all the others who have been looking to our stuff with continued interest and who we've lazily not gotten around to thank),
The other side of the coin is to continue to do good work that keeps people interested. At least good ENOUGH work to make people want to come back and check out what we're up to. So thanks ever so much for the continued interest. We hope to never disappoint. And truly look forward to seeing everyone's work in the future.