"The Rooster" - by J. Van Auken

[Hans Moleman]

I'm personally challenged myself, and I made it happen.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1213645422.jpg (http://web.mac.com/joevanauken/iWeb/J.%20Van%20Auken/The%20Rooster.html)



CAST

Ray Ghering: Mike O'Brien
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1207763535.jpeg


Dr. Meinel: Megan Merrill
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1208490223.jpg

Young Ray Ghering: Samuel Krump-Johnson
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1208498797.jpg


CREW

Director: Joe Price

DP: J. Van Auken

Sound: Clayton Hansen

Score: Jeremy Wolfe

Gaffer: Tom Kenyon

Grips:
Chris Hernandez
Paul Nawrocke

Makeup artist:
Bryttannee Eaton

Documentary: Andy Berlin

[Hans Moleman]

PRODUCTION UPDATE
Picture is locked, and uploaded.

PRODUCTION UPDATE 5/31/08
Got back yesterday from two full weekends spent on location in Morris, MN.
All the photography is done. I'm fully spent, and the director is looking over the cut remotely.
98% edited as of right now, and It's almost ready to be sent for scoring.
We did it.


PRODUCTION UPDATE 4/21/08
It's the day after our shoot day, and I've finally decompressed. I have to say that I've put more of myself into this film than any other I've made.

The shoot was on the edge of failing the day before, because our audio guy bailed, and I had to find another one quick. Ended up shelling out good money for Clay to come in, but it was well worth it. I made a good contact and hope to work with him in the future (under less strained conditions.

The actors surprised me ALL DAY. it was one incredible take after another. I found myself stopping camera moves because I started just watching a movie through the monitor. Mike and Megan really made this whole story, and I can neevr thank them enough for it.

Joe Price is probably the best director I've ever worked with. He is one of the first (outside of theater) to not care about lights, or equipment, and kept his eye on the actors alone. Every time I had a note about the performances, Price leapt in before I could say anything, leaving me completely free to run the camera. It was heaven.

Tom and Paul were a fantastic grip team. Tom knew just where to put lights to get the look, and we were able to work together flawlessly.

After everything, it was easily the most rewarding shoot I've ever been on. Absolutely incredible to be part of a team who were all moving in the same direction, and there's nothing like hearing someone say words you've written, and seeing it evoke real emotions in other people. I'm going to be doing this for the rest of my life.


PRODUCTION UPDATE 4/9/08
Did the prelight tonight with the gaffer. We got the ratio's we wanted and will have to do very little tweaking later. Here are the two grabs we spent longest on. Lemme know if you want diagrams too. Many thanks to Gaffer Tom for standing in.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1208815424.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1208815492.jpg


PRODUCTION UPDATE 4/5/08
Held auditions today and yesterday. The very last guy we had come in just Nailed it, and we've come to our decision on the lead.
Here are some shots from the audition space.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1207446838.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1207446879.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1207446987.jpg


PRODUCTION UPDATE 3/19/08

Got my make up person locked today. Also, did some dolly and color tests. Here are some grabs.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1205991876.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1205992008.jpg


PRODUCTION UPDATE - 3/14/08

The script is locked, the location is secured, the audition day and space has been confirmed. The Shoot date is tentatively set. The director and I had a great little jam session and improv at the set, and I'm digging it a lot. prop list and costumes are nailed. We're ready to set this mother off.


Production Update - 3/1/08

The rough draft of the film is finished and ready for polishing.

Both units are crewing up quickly, and dates are starting to get nailed down.

I'm in contact with the guys to do the score, which is pivotal with this piece.

Production Update - 2/28/08

Found a writer to iron out the script with. He's a good (nonunion) guy named Andrew Rasley, and he seems really in tune with the theme of the piece.

Also, pegging down crew for the Chicago Unit, which is looking very, very good.

[thematthewbone]

nice looking poster.

[Brandon Rice]

Wow, the poster looks awesome!

[tmnt]

If you can get Alice in Chains "Rooster" you have my vote now.

Good luck buddy.

[ZFarms Productions]

Very cool poster

[Hans Moleman]

f you can get Alice in Chains "Rooster" you have my vote now.

give the man a cigar!

[Rodney V. Smith]

damn cool poster. and love the title.. reminds me of that Alice in Chains song "Rooster"

[thematthewbone]

lol.

now i think you need to incorporate alice in chains in some way or the masses may be upset.

[Hans Moleman]

alice rules. it was inspired by the song, in fact, and by the early passing of Layne. Though, I really don't think I can afford the rights to rooster.

[tmnt]

He was a great singer and they were a great band. The Jerry Cantrell album Boggey Depot is pretty good to if you haven't heard it. For some reason Layne always reminded my of Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger), anyone else?

I think a sniper's a good character to tackle too.

[Rodney V. Smith]

damn! so i was RIGHT! score one for me. pity about the rights though... you can;t even have one of your actors hum it or quote it, cuz even that is a violation...

woulda been an swesome song to go with it though... bummer

[Hans Moleman]

you can;t even have one of your actors hum it or quote it

I hear that's cheaper than using the real recording

[Hans Moleman]

Breaking, urgent, vital news:

Made the first purchase for this (or any DVXfest) today.

A whip. 12". Redrock.

That's all.

[Hans Moleman]

Met with the screenwriter tonight, and over three hours learned quite a bit about the short genre, which I will now share snippets of with everyone in this fest's round of hard life lessons from Hans.

LESSON 1:

"Smoking a cigarette and thinking does not constitute a story"

So you want to write a story about X, because X is sweet, and you already have a poster. Great.

the first step, after you have your situation, or premise, or character, is to have an immediate problem for them to address. It isn't enough for them to be flawed and 'internally conflicted.'

This goes along with what I said last thread with raising the stakes. Don't just have a character with memory problems, have a character who has memory problems, and if he doesn't remember this one thing, he dies. Not just that, but he'll die in the next 6 minutes (including credits).

[Sid Barnhoorn]

Good luck, Hans. Sounds interesting.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Love the poster!

Good luck.

[Simon Höfer]

Oh yeah! Thats a really nice poster!

Good luck with your entry :)

[Hans Moleman]

thanks a lot guys. I hope to continuously offer those little lessons I pick up like last fest and maybe garner more attention to the thread. If there are any topics anyone would like covered, drop me a PM

[KOHR]

Epic poster man! I was also thinking of doing a war short that was based around a rooster, but yours looks really impressive so I'm glad I didn't! haha. Good Luck!

[Hans Moleman]

Well, rough draft's done. I've started working out a little ritual I use to iron things out, and I think it works pretty well.

[Hans Moleman]

I made some pretty big leaps today as far as crew. Let me just say right now that Craigslist is effing fantastic.

[DJ Lewis]

Glad to hear things are moving along. Care to share your trick for beating your script into submission?

[Hans Moleman]

Alrighty, consider this a mini lesson:

My building has a white, sterile, boring as hell laundry room.

Being a guy, I haven't done laundry this year yet, so I brought my jeans and whites down. That's a 25 minute cycle each, then 45 a piece to dry.

I sit there with a dramatic problem worksheet I put to everything I write, my script, and a pencil. I'll also have a diet coke and m&m's if I have the cash.

Since it's 3 am, there are zero distractions.

I go through the worksheet step by step, which gives me a 'technically correct' script, at least in terms of basic western narrative.

Then, I go through, line by line, and mark things that I catch on. Words that I don't like, etc. Make sure everything makes sense.

This time, I had to be very character intensive, so I made sure I avoided conversation by making sure each character has a goal, and a method of achieving said goal.

I also included voice over, and the rule (apparently) with voice over is that the script should be able to make sense without it, or at least not seem comically random. So, that was ironed out a little bit.

In the end, my nebulous concept based off a song written by a guy who did a LOT of heroine turned into a screenplay that a friend of mine called "very moving." So that's good.

[DJ Lewis]

diet coke, m&m's dramatic problem worksheet, heroin. Got it. :thumbsup:

Wait.. plain or peanut?

[Tom Marshall]

Cool poster you've got there and it's good to see that you've got a rough draft done. Best of luck! :)

[Hans Moleman]

Plain. I'm trying to watch my figure.

Anyway, made some calls today, and it looks like we might be able to reserve a soundstage to shoot on, which means we'll have to construct the interiors, but it'd be pretty spec-freaking-tacular to be in a studio for once.

[sfoster]

I'm curious about the worksheet. Care to post??? Or is it your secret to awesome scripts that will give you the power to conquer the world. . . or save it. It all depends on you!!! Whoa, now I'm ready for the next herofest!

[Hans Moleman]

might as well. 30k a year on filmschool might be worth something to someone.

[Hans Moleman]

Here you go. For absolutely freaking free, I'm posting the standard screenwriting worksheet given to me by screenwriter Richard (Hank) Boland. I got this in my screenwriting class, which is 3 credits hours at columbia, which comes in around 3 grand. I really believe that if there is a section on this sheet you can't answer, you don't have a script.

Page 1 (http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1204863115.jpg)
Page 2 (http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1204863366.jpg)

[clarkage]

Thanks for the worksheet its great! And wow that is an amazing poster u have!!

[Hans Moleman]

thankya much. anything for my fellow filmies

[Edgen]

Hey guys.. I really dig the look of the poster. Anxious to see your film come together! Gota' luv the war epics.

*watching quietly*

/j

[Hans Moleman]

thankya much, Ed. It's definitely a departure for us.

[DJ Lewis]

Hans, thanks for the worksheet... I'll have to send you a bag of M&M's

[Hans Moleman]

J. Van Auken
525 s state street #628
chicago, IL 60605

I will love you forever.

[DJ Lewis]

They're on the way....

[Hans Moleman]

i love you...

[Hans Moleman]

Talked with the composer today. I'm really really excited to see how this is going to end up :) He understood instantly what I was going for, which is so nice.

[Hans Moleman]

things are ramping up quickly here, and auditions are being held for our principle cast on the 5th in Chicago. We're very excited to see some of the talent coming out.

I have a question though:

In the interest of making this experience as educational as possible, how interested would everyone be in a BTS documentary that I would post on this thread after the premiere of Rooster?

[Robbie Comeau]

I WOULD LOVE IT!

I would rather watch BTS footage than the actual movie in any case :)...

I know, I'm weird.

[Hans Moleman]

fair enough, my comie. Anyone else?

[Wyatt]

I'd be interested in seeing it.

[Hans Moleman]

Hell, wyatt, you'd probably end up shooting some of it ;)

[Larry R]

Yea, definitely. I'd love to see any BTS that might be educational in nature. After all, many (myself included) consider this (dvxuser.com) to be an online film school with free tuition :)

Awesome poster, BTW :thumbsup:

[Wyatt]

Hell, wyatt, you'd probably end up shooting some of it ;)

Heh, I wish I could, but you are doing it in Chicago aren't you?

[clarkage]

Bring On The Bts!

[Hans Moleman]

wyatt - we'll be doing a Minnesota Unit in Morris, so get prepped for some Late may funtime


Alright. It's official. I've contacted some docu majors (gotta love film school) and we'll be having a fairly sizable BTS video made up. My only question would be, is it 'legal' or in line with the contest rules to put out the BTS video prior to the actual premier?

[clarkage]

yes, the rules state that BTS footage is allowed. You just can't screen your actual film prior to the end of the fest.

[Hans Moleman]

sounds good to me.

hope its as helpful as i'd like it to be for everyone. Anything specific people want covered?

[Hans Moleman]

Had the director stop by and look at the set, which turns out to be PERFECTLY in line with both of our visions for the project. This is going to be great.

[clarkage]

I would really be interested in seeing that! Do you have any shots of the set?

[Hans Moleman]

not yet, the studio is open to us the day of shooting only, but we'll have a camera crew following both the writer (me) and the director (price) before auditions, at auditions, the prod meeting, the shoot, and the edit, plus a little after, plus we might might do a commentary track for the movie.

[Hans Moleman]

Just a little sidenote for the day:

I sat down with the guy helping me on camera (Griffin) and went through the Barry Green dvd scene by scene and constructed a scene file for lighting tests today. Did the tests and loved it. Really beautiful, and I'm pretty new to doing colorgrading in camera, but I think it's a beneficial decision that we've made on this project.

[Hans Moleman]

I want to comment shortly about our process of coloring this time around.

Having taken the time to construct, piece by piece, a scene file that will get us our look spot on before it ever hits that codec, I really want to hype the merits of working in camera. Not only does it relieve you from having to match everything later, and work endlessly against the destructive effects of rerendering, but it lets your director look at the movie he wants shot on that preview monitor. Also lighting and camera tests are shorter to do, and less tinkering in the NLE gives me peace of mind with the color (i could sit on that 3-way corrector forever and not be satisfied).

My goal with Rooster is to perfect the look before shooting, so all I have to do is cut it later. This is going to exercise a lot of the conventional filmmaking techniques I've had to learn (lighting for contrast instead of using a slider later), but I think it's going to end up looking much better than it would have if I had rested on my 'magic bullet' laurels.

As an added bonus, and teaser, I'm putting the Rooster scene file up for everyone to look at and try out for themselves. Questions are welcome.

AG-HVX200P
TITLE:ROOSTER
<F1>
SCENE NAME :RSTR
00005000: 10 ; DETAIL LEVEL: 2
00005001: 1 ; V DETAIL LEVEL: -7
00005002: 11 ; DETAIL CORING : 3
00005003: 6 ; CHROMA LEVEL: -2
00005004: 1 ; CHROMA PHASE: -7
00005005: 13 ; COLOR TEMP: 5
00005006: 9 ; MASTER PED: -7
00005007: 8 ; A.IRIS LEVEL: 0
00005008: 1 ; NEWS GAMMA: OFF
00005009: 6 ; GAMMA : CINELIKE V
0000500A: 3 ; KNEE: HIGH
0000500B: 0 ; MATRIX: NORM
0000500C: 1 ; SKIN TONE DTL : OFF
0000500D: 0 ; V DETAIL FREQ : THIN
0000500E: 1 ; OPERATION TYPE: FILM CAM
0000500F: 14 ; FRAME RATE: 24 FRAME
00005010: BE029001 ; SYNCRO SCAN :

[Hans Moleman]

Sat down with Andy Berlin today about the documentary, and I like what I'm hearing as far as ideas.

Oh, and I've officially changed my mind. Lighting isn't the hardest part of filmmaking anymore.

Scheduling is.

[Hans Moleman]

added some bts shots for everyone

[Hans Moleman]

over 1000 thread views. woohoo! that might be a personal record

[Robbie Comeau]

Pretty much how many POSTS johnson has...

Congrats!:beer:

[Hans Moleman]

A Minilesson from Hans: Frugality, or: "but I really want it"

I just wanted to cover a little topic tonight after a small epiphany I had earlier.

I spent most of today between a number of camera stores in my town. I had my own CF card, and was taking countless test shots on every professional model camera each store had in stock. You see, I've been agonizing for weeks/months about which new dslr to upgrade to before taking my trip to Alaska. I leaned this way and that, and came to the conclusion that There's no way I could spend less than 2500 american dollars.

After surgically testing resolution and dynamic ranges all day, I came to a realization on my way home.

"I don't make nearly any money from photography. That's not my career."

And suddenly, it hit me that blowing 2500 bucks (75,000 legos) on a 'hobby' was insane, when I have a perfectly good 'job' I can put them towards.

I got so caught up in gear lust, that I lost sight of what I was trying to accomplish. I was even completely distracted from gearing up for Rooster. gah!

So, let me save you time and heartache, and legos: Buy what you need, when you need it. Plain and simple.

2500 bucks can fix a lot of problems with my rig right now (cough*indifocusbaseplatesucks*cough*), and I really shouldn't have gotten caught in the tide of new still cameras coming to the market.

My other tidbit for the evening is: Look for cheaper ways of doing it

Para exemplo: I've been wanting an AC's pouch from cineporter for some time. It costs well over a hundred bucks (1 lego castle)

I was in home depot earlier, and found a very similar pouch, nay, BETTER pouch, for thirty dollars. Same color, same durability, even has a badass little huskie symbol on it.

They do the same thing equally well, and one costs less. Easy stuff.

But it ties back to the idea that we get so damn caught up in the gear lust, we lose sight of what we're trying to do WITH it.

[Robbie Comeau]

I got that your same setup, 'cept the dolly and 35mm:(:(:(

How did you light that? Wasn't the background over exposed like a mo'?

[Hans Moleman]

wasn't lit besides practicals, just a movement test, so yeah, bigtime

[Hans Moleman]

Today, the governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, declared March 29th to be state wide VIETNAM VETERANS DAY.

To keep with our film's theme of memory and memorial, as well as the premise, We'll be posting a little early bonus material for everyone to enjoy ;)

[Hans Moleman]

Today, they began shooting the behind the scenes doc. Kinda weird for me cause I'm not used to having a camera follow me and ask questions, but hey, ya get used to it. Attracts a lot of attention in downtown Chicago, though, which i guess can be a good or bad thing.

[clarkage]

Glad to here everything is coming along well!

[Hans Moleman]

Held the auditions for the lead today and yesterday. Had found some pretty good candidates until the very end, we had a guy come in, and blow us the F away! It was nuts. His first cold read through and we were almost in tears. Two days of full auditions and waiting for people and all the bs you go through casting, and it was all completely worth it. Once the decision is announced I'll be posting a headshot for everyone in front.

[clarkage]

Wish I could find actors...

[Hans Moleman]

craigslist

[Robbie Comeau]

www.mandy.com

[Hans Moleman]

also in chicago we have a periodical called performINK, which is really great. I'm not sure if it's specific to us or not, but it's a great resource

[Hans Moleman]

LESSON FROM HANS: Midnight Persistence

So i get a nice late night call from my AC for Rooster, right? Tells me he's decided to shoot a student film out of town, exactly on the date we scheduled our shoot. You'd think it's no big, except he has the dolly, and the dolly will be out of town that same day.

A year ago I might've said, "Aww.. Well, we dont need dolly moves."

But now? I've been on the phone for an hour calling everyone and their mama, finding someone with a dolly. I hit craigs, mandy, even here.

Finally, find someone. Not just any guy, but an eager young camera guy with a hefty dolly and a free weekend.

the lesson is to never settle, not even in the middle of the night. Be motivated, keep making calls, and you'll get the film made that you wanted to make.

[Hans Moleman]

Added the lead's headshot, just for fun.

If you're ever in Chicago, and need a fantastic older actor, call this man.

[Hans Moleman]

Added the actress and her headshot. Very talented lady.

Tomorrow is our rehearsal day, and I'm pumped. I think it's a little sick that I consider having the time to rehearse such a luxury, and I know a lot of guys go in to a shoot completely blind.

If I have one suggestion to anyone trying to improve the acting in their projects, it's: have a rehearsal day. You'd be surprised.

[conrad_johnson]

Added the actress and her headshot. Very talented lady.

Tomorrow is our rehearsal day, and I'm pumped. I think it's a little sick that I consider having the time to rehearse such a luxury, and I know a lot of guys go in to a shoot completely blind.

If I have one suggestion to anyone trying to improve the acting in their projects, it's: have a rehearsal day. You'd be surprised.

Word to that, my friend!:laugh:

[Hans Moleman]

Minneapolis?

How's the arctic treating you? I hear you got some wicked snow earlier this week

[conrad_johnson]

Minneapolis?

How's the arctic treating you? I hear you got some wicked snow earlier this week

Yeah, but its 60 during the days now, so smooth sailing, wooooooo:grin:

[Hans Moleman]

so smooth sailing,

alright! break out the pontoon

[Hans Moleman]

After a really busy day with rehearsals, detail covering, loose-end-tying, I thought I'd post a picture of my favorite prop from the whole movie, and one I'm proud to say I made allll by myself.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1208579011.jpg

[sam_kj]

i have to say, i can't wait til the film gets to my end of the spectrum!

[Hans Moleman]

Just finished principle photography. Best shoot of my life.

[Hans Moleman]

Put together the rough cut today, and I am sad to say that it looks like Rooster might be exhibition only :(

[jasonthewho]

Why?

[Mark Harris]

ha ha, I say that every time. But this time, I bit the bullet and cut it to min. I think it plays too quickly myself, but I went for it.

Is it that you think you are sacrificing story? Moments?

[Hans Moleman]

We're at 8:30 without credits now, and I really can't rush through it. It's those long moments that make the whole thing. I can try for a 6 minute cut, but I think that'd take away something really important.

[Hans Moleman]

So the HVX is noisy.

So I got parallels, a copy of XP, downloaded virtual dub, connected a fw800 1Tb hdd, ALL just to use Neat Video. Took almost a week.

The verdict? Worth it. Totally. When they project Rooster at festivals, it is going to be glassy smooth.

If you have the means, you need this program.

[smashedburrito]

Good luck cutting it down. It's hard, but sometimes it can be worth it.

Any grabs?

[Hans Moleman]

I'm hesitant to post grabs lest I give away story details. Maybe once I'm done in Minnesota I can post something

[Hans Moleman]

Well, it's official that Rooster will be exhibition only. The director and I debated for some time about it, and we agreed that if we cut it to the 6 minutes, something important will be lost.

oh well. More prizes for everyone else

[Hans Moleman]

Well. It's done. Just got back from Morris MN today. All photography is DONE. hahahahahahaha! We did it!

[jasonthewho]

Any grabs we can see?

[Hans Moleman]

twisted my arm. I'll give you the last shot of the film

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9586/1212275514.jpg

[jasonthewho]

Very interesting. Looking forward to watching this!

[Hans Moleman]

I'm very anxious to premiere it

[Hans Moleman]

For anyone interested,

I'm organizing a theater premiere for The Rooster in my home town of Maple Grove, MN, on August 12th.

Hit me up for details

[Hans Moleman]

Just wanted to announce that simultaneous to the premiere on DVXuser, I will be hosting a high def version of The Rooster on my own website.

[Rodney V. Smith]

Sweet! I might actually be in MN during that week. Have I mentioned how much I reall wanna see this movie?

[Hans Moleman]

it's going to be a big event. An 800 seat auditorium, we'll be showing the film, the documentary, then have a Q&A with the film makers. Plus there will be a preview of the next production. DVD's, posters, and sound tracks will all be available.

[NatetheGreat18]

Wow, great poster and title.

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Just wanted to announce that simultaneous to the premiere on DVXuser, I will be hosting a high def version of The Rooster on my own website.

Not to rain on you, but that could get you DQ'd unless you are only submitting for exhibition. DVXUser servers are supposed to be the only source of public footage until voting closes. Usually that's like a week after the deadline. The reason is so people can't host slightly different versions, etc.

Btw, this short looks awesome! Is this a Vietnam flick?

[Hans Moleman]

sadly, it is for exhibition only, so I'm not worried about being DQ'd (unless that means they won't let me show it.)

It's a film that deals somewhat with Vietnam, and one scene takes place there, yeah

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

sadly, it is for exhibition only, so I'm not worried about being DQ'd (unless that means they won't let me show it.)

It's a film that deals somewhat with Vietnam, and one scene takes place there, yeah

Exhibition only? Why's that? Compete dude!

[Hans Moleman]

over ten minutes, man. it's a shame, but at least Telluride and Cannes don't have time limits

[clarkage]

He had said earlier i before in the thread that his film goes over the time requirement of 6 min and that if he were to shorten it, it would take away from the story.

But I'm disappointed for him too! I thought you guys would definitely have a good chance when I first saw this thread. But never the less, I will for sure be watching your film!!

[Hans Moleman]

in the end, the biggest prize with be the feedback on it before I send the film off the to nationals.

[Hans Moleman]

I have my final cut, and it's been uploaded. Absolutely beautiful

[Existentialist]

Hands down the best poster. Amazing colors. Absolutely gorgeous.
Good job.

[Rodney V. Smith]

They came to snuff the Rooster, but you know he ain't gonna die...
Looking forward to this one.

[Hans Moleman]

Thank you very very much for the kind words :)

[Hans Moleman]

Also, as a reminder, I am set to release and host the high def version of Rooster on my website the second that timefest viewing begins

[Drew Ott]

Also, as a reminder, I am set to release and host the high def version of Rooster on my website the second that timefest viewing begins

You might get DQ'd for that. I heard that you can only do that once voting is over. This way everybody is limited to the 50mb and traffic stays at DVXuser.

edit - no... you're exhibition only. Disregard this post, please. :thumbsup:

[Hans Moleman]

I've already messaged Larry about my exhibition status, and I've made no secret of it here, so I'm not worried. I just love the idea of showing off at HD resolution now that I finally have my own site.

[Hans Moleman]

Also, updated the front page poster to reflect the official poster, and made it a link to the website

[Hans Moleman]

Just curious, but would 300-400 mb be too big of a file for people to see the film in HD on my site? That's the best quality i can get out of H.234 at that size. I can downgrade somewhat and get to 76mb or so

[Postmaster]

I think 100 is the border. Less would be great.

Frank

[Hans Moleman]

The rooster is officially up on my site in HD, go have a look :)

THE ROOSTER (http://web.mac.com/joevanauken/iWeb/J.%20Van%20Auken/The%20Rooster.html)

[Existentialist]

Hi Hans
Nice short!

I'm curious as to why you didn't use any of the poster image in the actual movie? I was expecting to see a mini half battle scene.

The cinematography inside the clinic is nice though. Good job.

[Hans Moleman]

I was expecting to see a mini half battle scene.

money.

[Existentialist]

Your main actor did a good job. A lot to memorize there, solid delivery.

[Hans Moleman]

Mike was an incredible performer. We were really lucky to have him

[Brandon Rice]

Great short... shame it's non-comp.

[Hans Moleman]

From brandon, that means a lot

[Hans Moleman]

Well, for anyone who's curious, The Rooster was submitted today to the following film festivals across the US and Canada:

Great Lakes Video Competition
Angelus Film Festival
Chicago International film festival
Heartland film festival
New York City short film festival
RedRock film festival
New Filmmakers film festival
Small town film festival
Souther California independent film festival
Starz* Denver film festival
The Student Shorts film festival
V.S.M. inc film festival
Woodstock Film Festival
Telluride Film Festival

Thanks to everyone who's watched and commented

[Rodney V. Smith]

I absolutely loved this film and it's going to do well at the festivals. You're done an awesome job on your story and your visuals and I just wanna say thanks for taking giving us a chance to watch this film come to life. Definitely a must watch for TimeFest. :beer:

[Hans Moleman]

Also, I still plan to release the documentary on this fim within a month. should be a great behind the scenes look

[sean90291]

I loved this film. I wish it were competing, because I think it would get my top vote. I'm not sure, Hans, but are you the producer, and someone else wrote and directed? Anyhow, it's the most mature, thoughtful, emotionally truthful and sure-handed film of the fest for me so far. It feels like the work of a real filmmaker...or at least a real filmmaker in the making because it's still missing a beat or two in the story for my liking, and there are a couple other bits that could be cut down (like the young soldier's walk up to the first door is really really drawn out, without effect). I want to know more about who was behind it all because it was just so impressive.

Oh, and I'll be most interested in the behind the scenes.

[Matt Sconce]

Beautifully shot film! Good acting as well! I loved the tearing up scene!

[Hans Moleman]

For the record, my name is J. Van Auken. I wrote and Photographed the film, just in case people are confused.
I thank you very very much for the praise

[sean90291]

Your bio on your home page says you are 19. Is this still, uh, accurate? Your bio also states you've been a professional photographer for 5 years, so...maybe you'r just packing a lot into your teen years (I for one was passed out on a nightclub floor for my 19th year).

If you're 19 and you're writing and shooting films like this, well, I think you'll be very successful if you want it. Even if you're not 19, I think this film bodes well for your career.

[Hans Moleman]

just turned 19, yeah. I proably shouldnt be smoking such a large cigar at 19, but, meh.

[sean90291]

Live fast, die young. You'll be rich by 30. And holding hands with River Phoenix by 35.

Looking very forward to your next film.

p.s. Who did direct Rooster, if you shot and wrote it?

[Hans Moleman]

Joe Price directed the actors. I'm crap with directing scenes and performances, but this guy's amazing, so we tag teamed the project and this was the product.

You can see the very prototypical stage of my next film on my website (feel free to click the button about investing)

[sean90291]

Wow, okay, you really are 19.

[Hans Moleman]

lol!

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Just watched it and enjoyed this! Though I gotta say it was weird to never see any combat after your poster of gun toting and helmet wearing and then there was none of that in the actual piece.

Well shot, and I especially loved the scene with the boy in the grass field smoking, really, really incredible!!

Get your film into compete next time!

[Hans Moleman]

I'll be the first to admit that the poster was misleading somewhat, but, as the story developed, combat became less feasable, and frankly less important to the story. Instead of the fighting being the thing that he fears, its the blackness, and while he might think that it was caused by the violence, the audience knows otherwise, so I think it's fitting that we only get a piece of it with the audio.

[iSTy]

Sad, but true short, thank you

[Hans Moleman]

You're very welcome

[Susanne G.]

This was an impressive film. It sucked me completely in and took me on my emotional side. Fortunately you didn't cut it to six minutes - I think that this one needs more or less this ten minutes which you used. I was also impressed that the old man seemed really the younger man when he was younger. So you choose very well the two actors. The only thing is that I am not really sure how credible is the situation where the doctor (actress) went out of the room and started to cry. There are so many people with the alzheimer illness, that the doctors have an certain routine with it. However - very well done. I enjoyed it a lot of. Thank you for doing this film.

Susanne

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

This was an impressive film. It sucked me completely in and took me on my emotional side. Fortunately you didn't cut it to six minutes - I think that this one needs more or less this ten minutes which you used. I was also impressed that the old man seemed really the younger man when he was younger. So you choose very well the two actors. The only thing is that I am not really sure how credible is the situation where the doctor (actress) went out of the room and started to cry. There are so many people with the alzheimer illness, that the doctors have an certain routine with it. However - very well done. I enjoyed it a lot of. Thank you for doing this film.

SusanneI was going to post but Susanne summed it up for me. The part with the doctor pulled me right out of it.
I work with doctors every day, we specialize in cancer patients. Mostly men, but we do come across young adults, even children with terminal cancer.
They never walk out the door and cry.

I know many of them personally. They are professionals.
Possibly at home after a rough day. Who knows?

Maybe if you made it clear that this was her first day or something... maybe. Even that would be a stretch.

Aside from that, I loved it!
I saw your last entry and this is miles apart. The direction was also excellent, as was the story.
I did expect some action so your poster kind of threw me.

Keep at it! Can't wait to see the next one.

Cheers,

Mike

[Hans Moleman]

She cried because she had to personally condemn him by not letting him go. If she released him, he MIGHT have a shot at finding his girl, but he's be a huge danger to himself. By locking him up, she damned him to darkness for the rest of his life. Basically took everything from him with the turn of a key. I'd cry.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I'm talking about doctors who have to tell parents that their child is going to die! If that's not a reason to cry I don't know what is??

Just a minor point in an otherwise stellar entry. I really enjoyed it as I said.

Cheers,

Mike

[Hans Moleman]

I just found it more compelling to depict a character who is emotionally moved and experiences a change

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I just found it more compelling to depict a character who is emotionally moved and experiences a changeI agree with that statement completely.

I just happen to work with professionals so that's probably why it irked me a little. Not sure about Susanne. Nobody else mentioned it so I wouldn't even think twice about it.

Still a great short! Well done.

[Susanne G.]

I agree with that statement completely.

I just happen to work with professionals so that's probably why it irked me a little. Not sure about Susanne. Nobody else mentioned it so I wouldn't even think twice about it.

Still a great short! Well done.

I don't think that you have to work with doctors to know how professional they are.
This was only a little critic for a fantastic film. I agree completely with Michael what he said before.
Still a great short! Well done.

Susanne

[Hans Moleman]

Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure somewhere in the rules that the only critique you can give is, um, positive in nature only. So like praise, but different. Meanies.

[metro2307]

Great job! I disagree about the doctor crying...yeah, Michael is right about real doctors, but cars don't blow up at impact (3 in 1000), muzzle flashes are not bright during the day, etc. At best, movies depict truth, not facts. It might have been better if she'd toned it down just a notch, but it didn't throw me.

[Hans Moleman]

Thankya thankya

[totitefilms]

I like your movie. The acting is nice. I only wasn't sure about the actress's role. Is she related to the guy? Also the hospital scene needs better lighting. Overall the movie is well made. I like the music also. Great job!

[Hans Moleman]

define better?

[Hans Moleman]

Just as an update: Rooster's been accepted as a semifinalist in the 2008 VSM festival to be screened in Hollywood this spring.

[Tom Marshall]

Congratulations! :beer:

[metro2307]

Kudos!

[Hans Moleman]

just rubbing it in the face of ll my detractors. ESPECIALLY metro2307

[Hans Moleman]

kidding, of course

[metro2307]

I think its perfectly understandable why I dislike you so much. Every time you produce something I cry myself to sleep because your not even old enough to drink and you'll be mega famous someday. Your posters are better than anything I've filmed.

I hate you.

Keep up the good work.

[AmyO]

Great news. Congrats!

[Hans Moleman]

A little thread CPR:

The Rooster was accepted to the Small Town Film Festival in Ontario this morning. Screenings will be November 1st I think.

Woot!

[metro2307]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::beer :

[Hans Moleman]

Thankya much. One fan left on the boards ;)

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Kool. Good luck on that. :beer:

[Hans Moleman]

Finally got on IMDb:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1308662/

w00t!

[metro2307]

OK...I'm impressed....(Congrats!)

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