IN THE BELLY OF THE MACHINE by Canvus Productions

[hazelwould]

Poster:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212036378.jpg

Screen Grabs (Updated):
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1213736103.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1213736399.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1213736459.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1213736495.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1213736541.jpg


Thank you for browsing! As a member this is my first entry in a Fest. This has been a fantastic learning experience!

Now for the bits of information:

Music (exclusively by):
Grails

Cast:
Jorge Rodas
Stephen A. Watkins
Riley Morris
Aaron Hunsicker
Sean Ginn

Crew:
Aaron Ginn- Director/Cinematographer/Editor/Producer/Writer
Dick Campbell- Camera operator/Cinematographer (Fellow DVXUSER.COM Member)
Sean Ginn- Executive Producer/Line Producer/Production Asst./Boom Operator
Matt Beck- Lighting/Production Asst./Grip
Jason Martinez- Boom Operator
Jeffrey Stack- Sound Designer/ Mixer

Tech Spec's:
HVX200 (720p/24p/60p)
3 650w Quartz Lamps
2 500w(x2) Flood lights
1 (not sure brand or type) LED on Camera Light
Edited on FCS2

The movie is about a black market deal to sell a machine that slows time.

Special thanks to all DVXUSER's for their wealth of knowledge!

[Matt Sconce]

Cool! Welcome to the fest! I want that machine!

[Beat Takeshi]

Welcome welcome.

[jeremytuttle]

Welcome to the fest. Story sounds interesting.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Sounds great! Very intriguing idea....

Best of luck.

Mike

[hazelwould]

I appreciate the warm welcome!

[Mark Johnson]

Kickass poster. Seriously, I love it and especially the title.

[jasonthewho]

Welcome fellow Texan!

[hazelwould]

Thanks guys! The poster is actually a screen grab from the short.

[sfoster]

Awesome. I'm looking forward to this one!

[pia12254]

Looks cool fellas! Best of luck!

Good to see another North Texas user! Where in Dallas are you guys?

We did a short here in Denton, just north of you guys... You can see it here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=131864

[hazelwould]

Were actually at the Plano/Frisco border. Not to far from Denton.

Yea, I'm thrilled to see some good Texas representation on the fourm!

[Dick Campbell]

Hey - welcome Denton :beer:(the Waco contingent here)

[Mark T. Aro]

Cool idea... Welcome!

[Zoidoid]

Very nice poster! Very nice concept! Very nice forum picture!

I am now officially excited about your film, sir.

[hazelwould]

I appreciate that! I hope we live up to the expectation!

[hazelwould]

Screen grabs added!

[hazelwould]

New Cast posters/ screen grab combo's added.

[Anubis]

Had a great time working on this project.




Aaron, check your PM's. ;)





-Stephen

[Dick Campbell]

Hi Stephen - I had a great time too!

[hazelwould]

Stephen,

Problem solved!

[Anubis]

Hi Stephen - I had a great time too!

Heya Dick :thumbsup:


Stephen,

Problem solved!


Awesome, thank you :thumbup:

[Kyle Stebbins]

dig the poster

[hazelwould]

Here are some behind the scenes (hopefully nothing is given away...).

HOT LIGHTS... On a cold night!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212121311.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212121288.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212121257.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212121226.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212121196.jpg
Dick Campbell, Aaron Ginn, Matt Beck, Jason Martinez
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212121166.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/29141/1212121142.jpg

[hazelwould]

So officially the band Grails (on Temporary Residence Limited/ Important Records), have agreed and given rights to a song of theirs to use in ITBOTM!!

[hazelwould]

The film has been cut, mostly color corrected, and is nearing the phase of sound editing.

[hazelwould]

Finally posted some screen grabs from the film. Feedback is warmly welcomed!

I was really hoping to achieve a sort of vintage "neo-noir" feel to the film. Influenced by "Le Cercle Rogue," "Elevator to the Gallows" and other earlier French/ German films.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Digging the grabs! :thumbup:

I like the look of it.
You could go a little grainier but I like what I'm seeing.

Cheers,

Mike

[hazelwould]

Appreciate that Mike!

[Dustin R. Rogan]

likin me some screen grabs good luck!

Rogan

[Dick Campbell]

We used the skip bleach scene file from Barry Green's book.

Looking good Aaron!

[hazelwould]

Thanks Dick!

I REALLY liked that scene file! I CC'd it the way I did, to give it a more stylistic feel as well as even out the shots (continuity). I'm thinking I MAY go a little harsher...

-Aaron G.

[hazelwould]

So I've decided to go a bit harsher (more contrasty) with the cc, I'll post some screen grabs later. Dick let me know what you think.

Lesson of the week: Get an experienced sound designer/ mixer.

[hazelwould]

The film is finally complete, and awaiting compression.

[Simon Höfer]

Congrats!
Screen grabs, screen grabs! :D

[Herman Witkam]

Nice screen grabs - Good luck in the fest :)

[Dick Campbell]

Aaron - congrats on the upload :beer:

[hazelwould]

New screen grabs posted!

[Drew Ott]

Nice short.

The lighting was very cool. Not necessarily motivated but cool.

Story was alright for me. Acting was believable.

A solid entry. Good work.

[Mattykins]

Rolling and reviewing...

Nice intro shot. Dramatically lit. But maybe if you had lights passing as cars passed. It was very dramatically lit. However, I think it did miss the "in a car" feel. Colors get a little...interesting around 1:20. Blacks are far from true black. Then cuts right back in at 2:00 to true black. I don't know what happened earlier. Maybe trying to boost the gamma to pull information out? Just one thing to keep in mind.

I do like the side conversations the guys have. And all the Toby lines are great. I liked the camera move at 3:40. But same thing with the blacks. Was that a two take or was that a very well done oner?

And I did like the concept. Why was everyone shot in the stomach? I liked the end though. Interesting concept for sure.

I liked the film. Like I said, my major thing was the blacks.

[hazelwould]

Hey Mattykins,

I just watched it, and I see what your saying on the blacks (and blues)... I accidentally uploaded that one instead of the correct one. I did a final CC for continuity, and I guess I uploaded the wrong one.

Glad you guys liked it though.

Keep the feedback coming!!

[hazelwould]

Also, I wanted to keep it... "IN THE BELLY..." That's why I chose the stomach.

Also, it was a very well done oner, but for the sake of time, it had to be chopped up. Most of the takes in the film were longer one takes (my preference).

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Very cool feel to this one.
I really like the shot of the 2 guys leaning against the car with the other guy setting up in the background. Dug the ending as well.

The main characters also seemed pretty natural.

Nice work.

Mike

[hazelwould]

Hey thanks Michael. I really strived for a natural feel. I worked to create an environment.

And Drew, as far as motivated lighting. I tend to be a fan of more naturalistic lighting. Even though this wouldn't be considered "natural" it was as it was because we shot in the pitch black.

Keep the feedback coming. I appreciate all of it.

Thanks!

[connorfilm]

The shots in the car with the spotlight were really cool looking. What kind of light did you use for that?

[hazelwould]

Hey Connor,

Dick might need to confirm this, but I could have SWORN he said he got it from Varizoom, and it's an on camera LED video light.

We had orignally purchased lights for the interior, and that idea flopped, so we ran with the small battery powered LED. It reminds me a bit of the lighting in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. That's a big reason why I wanted to run with this.

Hope this helps, and I'm sure Dick can correct me.

Take Care

[connorfilm]

yeah thats exactly the movie I thought of when I saw it.

[Dick Campbell]

Thanks for the comment, Connor. Aaron is correct. We used a on-camera type LED light (Varizoom under a different brand) but it was hand held off the camera for the effect.

[Mobie540]

I like the high contrast affect between light and dark. Must have been challenging to shoot while the car was moving, thought you pulled it off pretty well. I wasn't too crazy about the lighting in the car, maybe try a dashboard light affect but again you shot while it was moving. Was hoping for a little more explanation about the machine but I think I know what it did. Great film.

Doh! Boom mic shadow on the brick wall.

[hazelwould]

Haha, yea. I had done the final CC, and when I adjusted the image that shadow disappeared. The one I turned in... was the early CC.

With the time that we had there really wasn't much time for an explanation for the machine. It originally came from a 12 page script (which had the explaination, as well as a DOUBLE-double crossing). When it came time to edit, most of the extras had to go... Only the beef.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Mark Johnson]

I loved your film guys. The mood of the piece was way cool and it shows how you can make something simple (the machine) totally believable and amazing with a little bit of acting and by careful editing. Brilliant.

I, for one, am a fan of the lighting in the car. To me it was more surreal and mood-like as opposed to being literal or supposedly realistic. In fact, it worked totally for me as it has sort of the "flashlight-on-the-face" feel to it.

Great work all around.

[ZazaCast]

I liked this film...really nice job! The acting was totally believable. I liked the lighting, especially since it was shot at night. Good story too. The machine's effect was cool, but I really didn't know how the one bad dude broke out if it and unpluged it?

Spoilers----
* I felt the music in the opening scene wasn't right, too 'backwoods' (and I play banjo!). Then there were style changes to the rest of it right to the end.

Great job all around on an excellent movie.

[hazelwould]

I chose the song I did, because it seemed to work properly with the short (growing as the action grows etc). I can see where you might say it was backwoods, but it had a more desolate feel (with the banjo), and based on what was going on outside of the window and where we filmed it, it was more desolate.

[pauly_the_hitman]

I wanted more from this, I liked the story and the way it was shot. But I needed more effects like gun flashes and blood and an explanation as to how one man was able to break lose of the machine. But overall I dug it.

[Zoidoid]

My favorite thing about this short is how seamlessly it mixes the gangster/heist genre and sci-fi. I love seeng amalgams like this. And now that I've seen you do it, I'm wondering why I don't seen this kind of a mashup more frequently! Great idea.

The lighting looked surprisingly good all around. Sure, the blacks were a bit milky in a few of the shots. It didn't bother me all that much -- then again, I'm not really a stickler for that kinda thing.

The story concept was very nice, I thought. I loved the understated simplicity in the time machine. I liked how focused the storytelling was.

I would have liked to see a little more frantic energy in the scene where the deal goes sour. I feel like it all happened a little too slowly. Maybe some more dramatic music would go a long way here? Just a thought!

Overall, definite thumbs up. Nice film. Congratulations!

[hazelwould]

Hey guys I'm glad you liked it! I was really trying to leave things more open ended. I like watching a story with a resolution, but at the same time allow your imagination kind of work things out a bit...

I approached the machine with a more "Hitchcockian" approach, no explaination, just that it does what it does and what happens, happens. I'll try an extended cut after the film and let you guys take a look. I agree that its a little shady as in how Ed gets out of the machine.

This is great feedback, so please keep it coming!

[alex whitmer]

Loved it. Toby was a great actor, and carried the role perfectly.

You lost me a little in the middle when S hit the fan. Did the machine come unplugged by accident, or was it all a set up? Were the other two in on it?

Anyways, this will be a nice short with just a tad of clarification there.

Alex

[hazelwould]

Technically Ed fell out of the prolixity of the machines path. He then see's what is happening and disconnects it. Toby stayed away and basiclly set up the whole thing as a "deal." Notice in the last shot Toby has the money, the machine, and the gun. So you can assume he killed Ed and Dom.

[Bryce A]

Loved the lighting! The car lighting was awesome. So stark and contrasty. It fit the hip neo-70s noir crime flick vibe. Guys in suits, dirty deeds, brief cases, tricky little scientist guy. You managed to pull off "hip."

On the other hand, i felt some of the style was distracting. Just in the editing really. a little too choppy at some points. Plus the white fade with the gun shots erked me. But that's just me. Oh and the guy calling 911 on a cell phone? Dude, he's smarter than that. I wanted him on a pay phone.

Positives beat the negatives by a long shot. Did I mention your lighting in the car KICKED ASS?
oh and awesome soundtrack.

Good work.

[hazelwould]

Hey glad you liked it. I orignally wanted the muzzle blasts, the I decided to opt out on the flash special effects. To kind of lend to that early genre of films (also, this is my first real edit job and I don't have AEffects nor the skills to operate it :))

For the closing shot I wanted this real sweet running dolly shot of Toby running to a pay phone, but at 6 am (at the end of your allotted 1 day shoot) we had to run with what we had. We filmed for 12 solid hours.... And I've learned a ton about planning and planning for more time. (read: shoulda tested the DIY squibs, the lighting ECT.)

Overall we had an awesome team of guys helping and I know this film would only be a fading thought without them.

[Bryce A]

For the closing shot I wanted this real sweet running dolly shot of Toby running to a pay phone, but at 6 am (at the end of your allotted 1 day shoot) we had to run with what we had.

Holy crap do I know that feeling. Many examples of this exist hidden away in my timefest entry! Whew.

Well I'm glad you had it planned! I get a kick out of learning something that had bugged me was really just part of a production issue. Best laid plans, right?

Look forward to more!

[Horncastle]

I liked the stark lighting and colours, which fitted very well with the type of film. Gangsters trying to get their hands on a time machine made sense, as did the idea of the first two bad guys freezing the new arrival and then the good guy freezing him to make his getaway. Something lost me though I'm afraid - I think partly the rather wooden acting (especially in the gunfight).
Pretty nice film though and it had its own style to it.

[Matt Sconce]

I also felt the acting was a bit unbelieavble and that it was very ark but I liked the concept of a double double cross. People have already said the thing about the payphone versus the cell phone. I thought the time machine effect was very cool and the elements of a successful movie were all there, just fitting together slightly off. Congrats on getting this into the fest. It shows a ton of potential and points to an amazing next movie! A nice lighting kit would really help you out in the future.

[Mark T. Aro]

Agreed on most of the above comments... I liked the idea and I think it has potential to be explored some more.

I totally know what you mean we you talk about run and gun and having to compromise because you are outa time. I totally feel for you there.

[Danielleus]

Hey,

Just caught the flick. I enjoyed it. There were parts that erked me but overall, I'm a fan.

First and foremost, I love the style of the piece. I would have liked to see it stay consistent. Right when I was really enjoying one style it would switch over to another. (The opening is simply pimp, with the fast jump cuts and the music, the title right there in your face, characters barely peeking out from between the letters. Ballsy but it worked for me). Good Michael Mann-ish editing with the cars, etc (think beginning of The Insider). I dug it. The colors are nice, the backgrounds, cars, etc. are all very nice in the opening. Like I said, ballsy.
I, for one, wasn't a TOTAL fan of the stuff in the car. I thought the acting was hit and miss, here and there (mostly dead on, just a few lines/beats were misses. But those beats are the ones that can shoot holes in credibility, no???) For me, anyway. Also, I know, limited by what you had, but I'd not a fan of the camera light. It was just TOO much of a tell that you're filming a movie.
But I think this opening sets the tension of the movie well, and so I dug it. I also like how you dance around the machine but never say what it is/does. That's good work there.
The rest of the movie kinda falls flat for me. The machine looks cool and I think throughout your compositions and colors are great. But the gun effects hurt the realism, the acting at times, and the thug and his Matrix-esque henchman kills it for me. Also, the climax just didn't feel like much of a climax to me.
I really like the Toby character and I would have liked to have seen him fleshed out. For me, story-wise, Toby is the best and worst part of it. He's the best because he's solid, a character we can relate to, and (either unwittingly or not) kinda the hero of the piece. He's the one who gets "played" and yet he makes it out in the end. And yet, the last scene kills me because I just don't know what to think of him. Maybe it's the way the whole end is played because I don't know if he is cool about the whole thing (i.e. he's got his back-up disguise, "it's finished" line, etc.) or got lucky or what? It's a hard line and I think he sits on the line, neither falling on either side or not. Which makes it hard for me.

But I liked his character, the look and overall, this movie in general. Good work. Can't wait to see more. I'm worried that you are gonna be a force to be reckoned with now that you've got a grasp on the schedule.

[jojopop]

I can definitely say that this one ranks as one of my favorite flicks. And that's based on the look, feel and just overall cinematography. The interior car stuff was pretty fantastic, I was pretty much sold there. And the closing credits kicked my ass. Hard.

The Toby character's acting was spot on for me. I really liked his performance and almost wish -- hell, I DO wish -- I could've seen more of him. I felt he made the movie work as far as the acting goes, as I wasn't soo thrilled with the others. Very natural and just exuded this great sense of believability. Awesome job there.

The Machine, itself, had me smiling. So elegant in its simplicity and ridiculousness that I couldn't help but love it. And what it actually does... man, way cool. Neat effect and I dig the slow-mo on the "victims."

Yeah, the gunshots pull me out of it (in fact, the whole climax does) -- it feels like it gets a bit sloppy as far as your staging. But I still feel the overall atmosphere really saves it for me. The movie just has this cool vibe that rocks. Period.

Definitely looking forward to more!

[hazelwould]

Hey Jojopop,

I really appreciate the compliments on the film!! I spent more time planning the visual style then the actual storyboard and stuff... And I think this is apparent (not necessarily in a good way).

I watched a lot of different films to prepare for the short. Such as: Le Cercle Rogue, Alphaville, Eternal Sunshine, The Marriage of Maria Braun, Jules Et Jim, Elevator to the Gallows, and Heat (to name a few).

I agree that the ending feels sloppy. I have started another edit for the film with hopefully a tighter ending. As well as fixing all of the color correction errors.

The opening and closing credits are actually a fluke. I didn't have access to LiveType, because my copy isn't working. So I was forced at the last minute to create a title sequence using basic FCP text overlays. Once I completed it, I couldn't think of a better title/closing sequence.

I appreciate the feedback!! You guys are really such a great help!!

I hope when I direct future projects I can deliver.

[jojopop]

Jules & Jim... wow, that's an interesting film to draw inspiration from. Actually, you've got quite an eclectic mix there but Jules & Jim sticks out particularly... probably because of my disdain for most things Truffaut.... but anyway -- cool dude. Whatever inspired you -- keep on reaching to that place. I'm anxious to see what else you can pull out of there!! :thumbsup:

[totitefilms]

You got a good story but I think the acting can be improved. I think if you adjust some of the lines and add a little more camera angles and some closeup then the quality will definitely improve. I'm not sure why you want to have the music over the dialogs. It's kind of distracting and the music doesn't seem to fit either. Did you intend to add the big black circle around the movie? This black bar is distracting also. Anyway, you did a nice job putting everything together. Congrats!

[jasonthewho]

Loved the performance of the actor who played Toby.

Loved the shot of the two guys talking in the foreground, and Toby setting up in the background.

Loved the concept of the machine.

Wasn't a fan of the light in the car.

I didn't really understand the ending. How did Toby get a gun? Was he with the other guys or what?

You guys had a big challenge shooting outside at night. It made for some empty looking images sometimes. This might have been the style you were going for, but for me I wish you had put some light on a few background elements.

[hazelwould]

Jules and Jim has some amazing camera work. I drew some basic ideas from that. About 50% was handheld, 40% tripod, and 10% wheelchair.

Thanks tottie, I appreciate the review! As far as the border I don't know what happened...

[Susanne G.]

I like the idea of the story, but sometimes I lost my concentration during I saw this film. I really like that you used this red suitcase as a detail with the antenna behind this suitcase - this detail gave this gangster genre film a little humorous part. The main character was pretty good, especially at the end when he put the cap on his head. Compliments.

Susanne

[Blaine]

This was an interesting short. I'm not sure exactly what the "machine" did but I went along with it. The acting was okay. Not great, not atrocious.

There were a few technical problems. The exterior night shots (for the most part) were a bit milky and washed out. The shot of the two guys against the car weren't bad though. It was a bit jarring moving from them to Toby and back, because of the color correction problem.

I think there was also a continuity problem. When they saw headlights, they drove to meet them, pulling to a stop again. But when the "deal" was done, they were standing next to the red briefcase.

The music got a tad overbearing while he was on the phone, but I really loved the 70s vibe with the music and end credits. :Drogar-Love(DBG):

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I actually thought this was pretty good. The acting took on a humble and authentic feel to it for the most part and the story was good. I assume that the machine stops time for everyone not wearing a watch, right? At any rate, it was well done. The only thing that bothered me was the blue layer over some of the scenes. Good job and good luck!

[JackStudios]

I like the cinematography in this short! It's has one of the best overall looks of all the films in the fest.:love4:

[justin ewart]

I can't say much that hasn't already been said, you had a lot of nice things going for you technically, so I'd just like to chime in with some constructive criticism about the script.

I think you had some nice moments in here with what felt like a lot of filler. One of the struggles for all of us as filmmakers is to resist the urge to tell the audience what is happening as opposed to just showing them through well chosen shots, body language, and what is left unsaid in the situation. I think the dialogue could have been cut down and more done with tense moments and glances between characters. It would have been interesting if that sequence where the two guys are leaning against the car chatting and the other guy is setting up the machine, you had them quickly mention the in the belly reference, and then talk about something completely unrelated to what is about to happen next, it would give the piece another level and let us into the characters more. Kind of like the whole "what is mcdonalds called in europe" discussion in Pulp Fiction...

Really dug the coloring and spot lighting and the story had a lot going for it.

[hazelwould]

Hey guys I appreciate the feedback! I agree about the continuity, color correction, and dialogue.

I am not a set writer do I did this with no real experience in writing for the screen. I recently picked up a copy of Syd Field's "Screenplay," I need to learn the do's and don't's of screenwriting, as well as structure.

I've started working a new cut an I've noted and changed those continuity issues.

[Chuklz]

I recommend you watch some John Ford movies so you can block your 3 person shots better. Also I would look into learning how to shoot coverage so you give us a more dynamic point of view when you carry on dialog.

[hazelwould]

I recommend you watch some John Ford movies so you can block your 3 person shots better. Also I would look into learning how to shoot coverage so you give us a more dynamic point of view when you carry on dialog.

Thanks Chuklzzz! Noted!

[Edgen]

Red titles scrolling across the screen? That in itself set this entire film up as an amateur production. I was tempted just “x” it out and move onto the next film, but I resisted…

HA!!! The yawn in the back rocked!

There were places in the film that looked and sound promising, but unfortunately your actors did not pull it off. The production needed a bit more work. Perhaps you should have considered a place indoors where you could control the lighting a bit more and re-work the script for an indoor shoot instead of going out in a random parking lot at night with household lights. (assuming those were the lights from lowe’s hardware?)

The ending left me in the air. I would have to watch the film again. I’m not sure I can do that.

I do however wanted to say congrats on finishing the film and entering it on the festival. Looking forward to seeing you improve by leaps and bounds.

[iSTy]

I liked this very much, the storyline was different and not what I expected at all.
Although I thought the acting started off a little 'strained' I was so engrossed I didn't notice after a while.
Thank you.

[hazelwould]

Red titles scrolling across the screen? That in itself set this entire film up as an amateur production. I was tempted just “x” it out and move onto the next film, but I resisted…

HA!!! The yawn in the back rocked!

There were places in the film that looked and sound promising, but unfortunately your actors did not pull it off. The production needed a bit more work. Perhaps you should have considered a place indoors where you could control the lighting a bit more and re-work the script for an indoor shoot instead of going out in a random parking lot at night with household lights. (assuming those were the lights from lowe’s hardware?)

The ending left me in the air. I would have to watch the film again. I’m not sure I can do that.

I do however wanted to say congrats on finishing the film and entering it on the festival. Looking forward to seeing you improve by leaps and bounds.

Well, tell me how you really feel?! :thumbsup:

Seriously I appreciate you fighting through and finishing it once, your a true champ!

As with your "artistic" landscaper, I have my "artistic" red scrolling titles.

I hope I do improve leaps and bounds... Thanks for pointing me in the right direction dude! You rock!

[hazelwould]

I liked this very much, the storyline was different and not what I expected at all.
Although I thought the acting started off a little 'strained' I was so engrossed I didn't notice after a while.
Thank you.

Thank you for the view! I'm glad you it wasn't what you expected! Take care!