Clean Slate Productions Presents: JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL

[Ben Sliker]

FROM THE DIRECTOR AND TEAM THAT BROUGHT YOU "IN PIECES"

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1213416626.jpg

"THERE'S A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING ... EVEN MURDER."





Some Questions to Be answered right off the bat:

1. IS THIS A SEQUEL TO IN PIECES?
Yes, it is. We felt that we barely scratched the surface of all things John Abbott Mitchell.

2. WAIT?!?!? HOW CAN YOU DO A SEQUEL? I THOUGHT HE TURNED HIMSELF IN IN THE END?
This story takes place some time between his first murder and his last murder. It's a sequel in the sense that we're making another one, but not really a prequel either ... It's like a mid ... quel.

3. (QUESTION THREE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DVXUSER JASONTHEWHO)
Hey, is there anywhere I could watch the first one?

Man ... you would think we woulda thought about that ahead of time. ABSOLUTELY there is.
CLICK BELOW (OR PREFERABLY RIGHT-CLICK AND SAVE) TO WATCH THE 2007 ALL HALLOWS FEST WINNER "IN PIECES"

IN PIECES (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/inpiecesfilm.mov)


GRABS!!!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254377.jpghttp://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254404.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254447.jpghttp://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254468.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254487.jpghttp://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254532.jpg

[Ben Sliker]

CAST:

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1207592008.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1207592042.jpg

IAN ............................ DAN BLACK
MAN .............. AARON HOWELL
WOMAN ............ MARIE HARTSELL

CREW:

DIRECTOR: BEN SLIKER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: JUSTIN KUHN
GAFFER: JESSIE HOFFMAN
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: BRAD MATE
DOLLY GRIP/BOOM: SHEA SIZEMORE
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: AARON HOWELL
SOUND DESIGN/SCORE: HERMAN WITKAM

[Ben Sliker]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911054.jpg
Aaron chewing on my pen ... thanks buddy.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911121.jpg
"We missed Little Feat on Tuesday" "I know, this makes Brad a sad panda."

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911161.jpg
Ben Directs ... AND PEOPLE LISTEN.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911203.jpg
We LOVE the foot shot.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911071.jpg
Aaron's girlfriend complains that he does something stupid when people point a camera at him ... I don't see it.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911233.jpg
Brad took this picture. Unfortunately, Brad is dead now because Davis stared a hole through his brain.

[Ben Sliker]

CLICK THE PICTURES BELOW TO WATCH THE BTS INTERVIEWS FOR JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL:

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212416491.jpg (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/INTERVIEWSEGMENT1.mov)

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212112961.jpg (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/INTERVIEWSEGMENT2.mov)

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212816352.jpg (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/INTERVIEWSEGMENT3.mov)

[Ben Sliker]

Reserved For Jack Daniel Stanley's Dvxfest Trophy Case.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Awesome! Can't wait to see this one.
The banner and poster rock!

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Mike

[Mark Harris]

Nice!!! I love your guys stuff. Can't wait.

[Kholi]

About TIME this thread popped up. Gimme! I wants to see the script-to-screen translation NOW!

Also, isn't this the first official "SEQUEL" in a DVXfest? Ballsy! I'm lovin' it.

[Ben Sliker]

Also, isn't this the first official "SEQUEL" in a DVXfest? Ballsy! I'm lovin' it.

We were also wondering that as well, didn't want to take a title without verification! :)

I've been lurking long enough to remember the fests before zombiefest, like the "one script to rule them all", and I don't think anyone's done it yet. Maybe...

[ZFarms Productions]

Awesome! Looking forward to this Ben!

[Simon Höfer]

Wow, awesome! Can't wait to see it :) Your last entry was awesome!

[Kholi]

Did anyone notice Justin Kuhn on the mic? Pffft. Please hurry up deadline.

[Justin Kuhn]

Did anyone notice Justin Kuhn on the mic? Pffft. Please hurry up deadline.

Oh man...this guy.

"I don't have a license but I'm tryin' to gain prominence/while I'm livin' in a house with a fridge full of condiments."

Holla.

[Ben Sliker]

BEHIND THE SCENES PICS

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911054.jpg
Aaron chewing on my pen ... thanks buddy.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911121.jpg
"We missed Little Feat on Tuesday" "I know, this makes Brad a sad panda."

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911161.jpg
Ben Directs ... AND PEOPLE LISTEN.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911203.jpg
We LOVE the foot shot.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911071.jpg
Aaron's girlfriend complains that he does something stupid when people point a camera at him ... I don't see it.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911233.jpg
Brad took this picture. Unfortunately, Brad is dead now because Davis stared a hole through his brain.

[Simon Höfer]

Cool BTS! really looking forward to your entry! :)

[xpac84]

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not quite dead yet. Davis's stare only put me into a coma. Stop being so creepy Davis.

[Ben Sliker]

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not quite dead yet. Davis's stare only put me into a coma. Stop being so creepy Davis.

No, you're not, you'll be stone dead in a minute!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911203.jpg

Holy crap! You have my exact dolly. Exact same design, same colour wood, etc...

BTS looks great!

Mike

[Ben Sliker]

Holy crap! You have my exact dolly. Exact same design, same colour wood, etc...

BTS looks great!

Mike

Did yours come with a Justin Kuhn? We never actually dollied, it was part of Justin's demand list that he have one to ride back and forth 10 feet all day.

I got my 3' rails from glideshot.com (http://glideshot.com/catalog/)(obligatory plug, i think he gave me a dvxuser.com discount) and put it together myself to run on 1.5 inch PVC.

[Brandon Rice]

Really lookin' forward to this one Ben!

[carrieanne]

Just registered! Dropping by a hello. I'm really excited about the project and glad to see that there is some buzz about it already!

[Ben Sliker]

Hey Carrie Anne! Thanks for stopping by! (Now we just gotta get Davis to register!)

[jasonthewho]

Hey, is there anywhere I could watch the first one?

[Ben Sliker]

Hey, is there anywhere I could watch the first one?

Man ... you would think we woulda thought about that ahead of time.

ABSOLUTELY there is.

CLICK BELOW (OR PREFERABLY RIGHT-CLICK AND SAVE) TO WATCH THE 2007 ALL HALLOWS FEST WINNER "IN PIECES"

IN PIECES (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/inpiecesfilm.mov)

[Justin Kuhn]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911161.jpg


The reason my hand looks so weird, I was using sign language. "white man bald. want coffee." I can only sign with the grammar of Koko the gorilla.

[Tom Marshall]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911233.jpg
Brad took this picture. Unfortunately, Brad is dead now because Davis stared a hole through his brain.


lol. That guy looks like the anti-christ... :evil:

Glad to see you're in, Ben. I thought "In Pieces" was so well done. I'm looking forward to seeing this se-pre-quel. :beer:

[Ben Sliker]

lol. That guy looks like the anti-christ... :evil:

Glad to see you're in, Ben. I thought "In Pieces" was so well done. I'm looking forward to seeing this se-pre-quel. :beer:

thanks Tom ... that's funny ... cause he's also kinda looks like the "zeus" image of jesus as well, Davis can play both heaven and hell.

But seriously, Davis Osborne is probably one of the nicest people I've met. It's a huge testament to his acting skillz that he can be so creepy.

[Ben Sliker]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1211911161.jpg
The reason my hand looks so weird, I was using sign language. "white man bald. want coffee." I can only sign with the grammar of Koko the gorilla.

LOL ... you got that right ... this is what happens when Ben leaves his SPF 100 at home.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212004517.jpg

[DavisOsborne]

Hey Carrie Anne! Thanks for stopping by! (Now we just gotta get Davis to register!)
just checking in to the DVX MATRIX)....Davis Osborne....Reporting fpr duty....the Poster is Prime......nice work Sliker

[Ben Sliker]

DAVIS!!! Thanks for checkin' in bro!

AND NOW: CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW TO WATCH ONE OF THE BTS INTERVIEWS FOR JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL: (that's right ... you get #2 first.)

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212112961.jpg (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/INTERVIEWSEGMENT2.mov)

[Dustin R. Rogan]

Awesome! I loved the first one...or is this the first one...I'm confused now..se or pre quel? Reguardless I loved the one for All Hallows Eve Fest!

Welcome and heres my vote already!

Rogan

[Ben Sliker]

:dankk2: Thanks Dustin, that really means a lot!

Sent my picture lock to the oh-so-talented Mr. Herman Witkam yesterday. I'm always pumped to see what he comes up!

[DavisOsborne]

Just registered! Dropping by a hello. I'm really excited about the project and glad to see that there is some buzz about it already!

What are you doin here?...............

[Ben Sliker]

screen grabs tomorrow. I promise. :)

[Ben Sliker]

GRABS!!!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254377.jpghttp://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254404.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254447.jpghttp://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254468.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254487.jpghttp://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254532.jpg

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254487.jpg

Run!!








Nice grabs!

Mike

[Mark Harris]

Great grabs. Man I really like your guys shooting.

[Ben Sliker]

Run!!


Nice grabs!

Mike

lol. who's next? NOBODY KNOWS ....

Great grabs. Man I really like your guys shooting.

Mark, that means a lot man, I have to give props to Justin Kuhn and Jessie Hoffman (DP and Gaffer respectively), who under changing light conditions in the morning and a hefty number of shots to get, managed to get me footage that A. was all lit consistently, and B. gave me various options in editing. A director can't ask for more.

[Dustin R. Rogan]

I have nightmares of John Abbott Mitchell...he killed me once with an Orange Peeler...
Love the grabs, Good Luck, not that you guys need it!

Rogan

[jasonthewho]

Great grabs, looking forward to it!

[DavisOsborne]

Way cool pics....nice work Sliker)

[carrieanne]

We make a strange pair, don't we? Great pics!

[Ben Sliker]

Just submitted IN PIECES to the Action On Film Festival in the "Short Shorts" category, cross your fingers for us!

[DavisOsborne]

We make a strange pair, don't we? Great pics!
Romeo and Juliet,.....Sampson and Delila....Hopkins and Foster,........A true definition of what it is...and is to be.........is left up to the Audience)...much admiration.............................j.....abbot t

[Ben Sliker]

I thought I used ellipses a lot until I met Davis Osborne ... the guy puts me to shame.

[DavisOsborne]

I thought I used ellipses a lot until I met Davis Osborne ... the guy puts me to shame.
...with ellipses and admiration..........davis)))

[carrieanne]

Fingers (and toes) are crossed, it's a wonderful short and deserves lots of attention! As does the se - pre - mid - quel, of course. Everyone is 'dying' to know, I'm sure.

Great stories are made out of ellipses and admiration - p.s.

[Ben Sliker]

WATCH THE SECOND (FIRST) OF BTS INTERVIEWS FROM JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL.

CLICK THE PIC!!!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212416491.jpg (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/INTERVIEWSEGMENT1.mov)

[DavisOsborne]

Love the interviews).....nice work...its cool to go back and see my evaluation of the character....Not...that he was an easy one to forget......davis

[Tom Marshall]

Just submitted IN PIECES to the Action On Film Festival in the "Short Shorts" category, cross your fingers for us!

Good luck, man! :beer:

Love the interviews).....nice work...its cool to go back and see my evaluation of the character....Not...that he was an easy one to forget......davis

Davis, top notch performance in "In Pieces". I'm looking forward in how you further develop the character in this addition to the story...

[DavisOsborne]

Good luck, man! :beer:



Davis, top notch performance in "In Pieces". I'm looking forward in how you further develop the character in this addition to the story...
Many Thanks Tom)........it is one of the most complex characters I have had to go into.....I Love what i get to do tho))).....and I hope that the viewers are moved....all my best to you and your work)......davis

[Ben Sliker]

wow, just got a first draft of the score from Herman, and I am confident to say that without the talented Mr. Witkam, there would be a part of this character that is missing. The music is that much a part of the character. Can't wait for you guys to hear it!

[Ben Sliker]

I'm always hesistant to post more grabs, but after seeing this, I had to share.

Anyone see any religious imagery here?

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212606252.jpg

How about now?

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212606339.jpg

Davis calls me up and says "Dude, did you see the cross in the film?" And, wow, there it is. The creepy thing is that it doesn't really show up in anything else we have. Even some of the shots with the same angle.

I guess our boy JC is rooting for John Abbott Mitchell! :engel017: ***






***This is probably not true. :)

[conrad_johnson]

Jeez guys, wonderful framing and lighting. Values and exposure are perfect for my taste. Seriously, I'm stunned and they're just stills.

:Jealous:

-Joe

[Ben Sliker]

Jeez guys, wonderful framing and lighting. Values and exposure are perfect for my taste. Seriously, I'm stunned and they're just stills.

:Jealous:

-Joe


wow, thanks Joe! seeing the quality of the images over on your thread, that means a lot!

[Troy Ruff]

Hey guys looks great! Cant wait to see :)

[carrieanne]

So very excited! And hey Ben ...where's Claire? *ha* perhaps that's a question for Davis.

I can't wait to hear the music!

[Rodney V. Smith]

Holy -- this is what happens when I go away for a few weeks? Damn dude, nice work. So many in my top list to view already. You're making this hard for all of us, I hope you know that.

Love the poster and the screen grabs.

[Ben Sliker]

Holy -- this is what happens when I go away for a few weeks? Damn dude, nice work. So many in my top list to view already. You're making this hard for all of us, I hope you know that.

Love the poster and the screen grabs.

thanks!

yeah, now we have some expectations to live up to, but I'm pretty confident we've taken the character to a new level. I am really looking forward to everyone seeing this piece, and to what you guys think of John when he's out in the real world. :thumbsup:

[Ben Sliker]

To everyone who doesn't think they can make it, here's our story and the lessons learned.

JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL was all set and ready to shoot. Budget, Crew, Actors, everything.

And then I crashed my car. Nothing serious (slid into a curb doing 35) but enough to put a hefty dent (and by dent, I mean, eliminate) my film budget about 2-3 weeks before we were to shoot.

JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL would never had been possible without the generous donations of many people, of money and time, and some smart budgeting by myself.

So, here's some tips for low-budget filmmaking: (for next time, or this one, who knows!)

1. All you have to do is make sure you have enough money to START shooting. (With a short film, this usually ends up being all upfront, but I managed to spread out actor payments and rentals over a few weeks, making the financial burden easier, allowing me to spend more on shoot day, making things more comfortable).

2. More time = More money. Another key to this shoot was the marathon day that we shot it in. Everyone was willing to try and get it done all in one day. Most everything in this business works on a day rate, actors, rentals, food, etc. Cutting it to one day helped immensely.

3. Call in every favor you have. Even to people you barely know. People tend to get really excited about the thought of filmmaking and will bend over backwards at times just to be a part of it. And the answer is ALWAYS no until you ask.

4. Make friends with rich people. In particular, rich people with some extra film equipment. Cause they don't charge you to borrow their equipment, it's not worth it to them. I mean, really, what's 50-100 bones to a guy who's living in a 3 million dollar home! (BTW, thanks to Steve Pearce for hooking us up with a light kit, totally free)

5. The answer to every question is two phone calls away. Because if the first person doesn't know, odds are, they know someone who does.

6. Make sure you ALWAYS give yourself post-production time, you never know what may happen. In my situation, I sliced open my right hand in a freak dishwashing accident (that would be the ol' mouse clicking hand) that required 12 stitches, making it painful to do anything with that hand for about a week. But because we had time, This was not an issue. It also gives you the opportunity to get as much feedback on multiple edits, instead of just getting one shot at it.


I hope some of this is valuable to y'all, cause I learned some of it the hard way, but in the end, it came down to "are you going to make a film or not", and we chose to plow through the setbacks.

Again, thanks everybody that made this possible.

[DavisOsborne]

June 16TH....WAITING),,....Time..Time .....Time..,,These Walls that Confine A Part Of Who I Am......Will Hold It No MORE!!!...........

[Ben Sliker]

June 16TH....WAITING),,....Time..Time .....Time..,,These Walls that Confine A Part Of Who I Am......Will Hold It No MORE!!!...........

Can someone take the knife away from Davis? Nobody? .................. Beuhler?



WATCH THE THIRD OF THE BTS INTERVIEWS FROM JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL.

CLICK THE PIC!!! (or right-click and download)

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212816352.jpg (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/INTERVIEWSEGMENT3.mov)

[carrieanne]

Thanks to you to, Ben! Low budget, but high class ;) haha.

[Ben Sliker]

Thanks to you to, Ben! Low budget, but high class ;) haha.

lol, i'm totally using that for my production company's tagline -

Clean Slate Productions: Low Budget, but High Class.

I like it. :thumbsup:

[Ben Sliker]

Whilst out picking up a timelapse shot for the film, my GF took this rad (yeah ... i said rad) picture of me. She rocks.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1213063267.jpg

[DavisOsborne]

Hot Shot)....nice job M!!!!!!!...

[Justin Kuhn]

Wow. Rockin the long exposure!

[Ben Sliker]

yeah, i think it was about an 8 second exposure (she did it by hand so who knows exactly), around 5 with me in front and another 3 after i ducked away really quick (as to not get any ghosting from my movements).

[Brandon Rice]

Downloading your BTS vids.

[Ben Sliker]

from the cutting room floor of JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL:

(couple of night timelapse pick-ups that won't be used.)
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1213235222.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1213235256.jpg

totally doesn't fit the mood/color correction of our film, but the colors were so awesome, i thought i'd share. And that lovely bench that we shot on ... doesn't exist anymore, so our film is like a little piece of history now.

OH ...

and here's a production logo i created for this movie, ended up not using it, needed every second of that 6:02.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/cleanslatelogo4dvxuser.mov)

[DavisOsborne]

TICK TOCK...TICK TOCK....In Just 3 Days.............

[Ben Sliker]

I KNOW!!! I'm pumped to release John on the world again.

*scurries back to finish final touches on edit.

[carrieanne]

Ben! You should really use that as your tagline. I love it. "Low Budget : High Class" ... better than "Low Budget : High Def" -- just doesn't have the same magic.

Hope the editing is going well!! I'm really excited to see the finished product!

[Mike Insane]

I preperation for the festival I started looking at everyone's threads again. This one is really good. i love the stills and the fact that you are doing a mid-se-pre-quel. Good luck! Can't wait to see it.

[Ben Sliker]

Thanks Mike!

Totally put some of your beats on this week while i was working. They rock.

[DavisOsborne]

2 DAYS.......SET LOOSE..........I Wait....With NO patience...........

[Ben Sliker]

2 DAYS.......SET LOOSE..........I Wait....With NO patience...........


seriously ... you should see the emails this guy writes me ... scary ...



IN OTHER NEWS .... (DRUMROLL)

NEW POSTER!!!!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1213416626.jpg

[DavisOsborne]

Nice poster.....no more E-Mails for you....instead....I will carry them out in real time.....TICK TOCK....TICK TOCK!

[Mark Johnson]

Doooods. I am absolutely on the edge of my seat for this as I thought John Abbott Mitchell was astonishingly great as a character. You guys rule for bringing this little slice of disturbia to TimeFest. ... Not to mention the new poster is just insane.

[Ben Sliker]

sweet! the dude is looking forward to more JAM.

we're bringing the creep factor for timefest. :eek:

[Ben Sliker]

I finally have a poster that's large enough to make a decent print out of it.

Anybody got any links (other than the obvious, like kinkos) for a good place to get a full size (27" x 40") or half size poster that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

[DavisOsborne]

TICK TOCK........Do You see me on the corner?.....Do You see me on the Street?...Is It Me that you see?............When First We Finally Meet?.............

[Ben Sliker]

so... i'm 3.5 hours into a 14 hour workday, I'll go home in the middle of the night, sync up Herman's final awesome sound and score, and then upload in the wee hours of the morning. Wish me luck.

Gotta love filmmaking. :)

[Herman Witkam]

Uploading the AIFF file now :)

[Ben Sliker]

nice! now i get to sit here and wait anxiously at work before i can go home and rock the upload. Thanks again Herman!

[carrieanne]

I'm so excited to see this!

[Ben Sliker]

And We're Uploaded!!!!

[Tom Marshall]

And We're Uploaded!!!!

Right on! Can't wait to watch this one.

[carrieanne]

eeeee! where issss it???

[Tom Marshall]

Carrie, what part of LA do you live in?

[carrieanne]

Carrie, what part of LA do you live in?
Currently, I am in NC, but I have friends out in LA and so can be bi-coastal when need be for working on projects. When I was out there last, I stayed in Echo Park and out near Santa Monica.

[Justin Kuhn]

Hey y'all on this movie, I lurk here even if I practically never say anything! Just thought you should know. I'm here. ...waiting.

[Ben Sliker]

Hey y'all on this movie, I lurk here even if I practically never say anything! Just thought you should know. I'm here. ...waiting.

yeah ... i know. It's not like you shot it for me or anything.

Glad to see you back in action Justin. I'll start working on that "other" shot list here soon.

*everyone wish Marie a Happy Birthday!

(she's the pretty lady on the left :) )

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254487.jpg

[carrieanne]

Happy Birthday Marie! And hello Justin -- haha. I always knew you were a stalker...

[Matt Sconce]

Interested to see what happens with this character.

[DavisOsborne]

Appy Birth-Day M)

[Justin Kuhn]

I always knew you were a stalker...

Yeah....you can tell.

Hey Ben how's that "other" shotlist coming?

[carrieanne]

When is the film supposed to post?

[Ben Sliker]

i wouldn't expect them very soon (by soon i mean today). I'd say in a couple days, but it may be sooner.

Justin, started working on the "other" shot list last night, and preliminary storyboarding with an awesome program called ToonBoom Storyboard pro. It's a little hard to draw with a mouse tho, might have to get a Wacom tablet here soon.

[Tom Marshall]

Wacom tablets are the BEST! I use one for everything. It really gets rid of the sore mouse wrist problem if you seem to be having one.

[Rodney V. Smith]

Gotta agree with the graphics tablets. go get yourself one right now. right now! go!

[Ben Sliker]

yeah, i'd definitely be a "beginner" with one, but i was thinkin' the wacom bamboo fun, not bad for $100 (or $200) bones.

IN OTHER NEWS:


John Abbott Mitchell (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=136334) - Ben Sliker - Uploaded, Upload Verified, Approved

SWEETNESS.

[Tom Marshall]

Definite sweetness.

[conrad_johnson]

Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

[DavisOsborne]

Hee.He....HEEhe...............)....Uploaded, verified, approved......thems fancy words for set free)))....

[Ben Sliker]

I should really write Davis a happy character so he stops talking like this. :D But seriously ........ I'm scared.:undecided

[carrieanne]

Honestly, I always thought JAM should be a children's book, speaking of happy. It can be narrated by Claire. Of course. haha.

[Horncastle]

Very much looking forward to seeing this. If it's anything like as good as In Pieces it will be very good. Hats off for having the courage to make a sequel, and good luck with the festival entries for In Pieces.

[Ben Sliker]

Very much looking forward to seeing this. If it's anything like as good as In Pieces it will be very good. Hats off for having the courage to make a sequel, and good luck with the festival entries for In Pieces.

Thank you!

It was very interesting to do something different with the same character. The John everyone saw in In Pieces was confident and sure of himself, at the top of his game. The John in JAM is for certain, a "take you out of your skin" creepy man, but he's definitely in the process of finding himself and how things like time and people can have an effect on him.

John gets a little upset when things don't happen on his agenda. :Drogar-BlackEye(DBG

[Heather]

He was a horrible man in "In Pieces". I feel sorry for the poor people he will meet during this movie.

[DavisOsborne]

Not to offend anyone on DVX..........i will withhold my statement.............He is still gonna do what He does.....horrible or not.......Lock Your Doors)

[Ben Sliker]

lol, it was probably too evil for DVX.

Davis ... i told you for the last time, no taking souls over the internet.

[DavisOsborne]

Collecting Souls...I Saw her ....the vision of who she was....and the Thoughts of Her..."IN PIECES"............

[Kholi]

Finally got to see the script come to life. This dude is CRAZY. I'll withhold my LOL points but you guys are successful at creatin' a real maniac, man.

Favorite shot of fest for me might just be the dollying boot shot in this one. Really cool, dude.

Have you considered feature territory yet? You may be knockin' on that door, seems hard to fit a lot of solid narrative about this guy in just six minutes.

[Brandon Rice]

Hey Ben..

I actually like this entry better than the one before it...

I am glad you used more locations, it felt like a bigger film, yet kept that great character... good work here.

[Ben Sliker]

Favorite shot of fest for me might just be the dollying boot shot in this one. Really cool, dude.

Have you considered feature territory yet? You may be knockin' on that door, seems hard to fit a lot of solid narrative about this guy in just six minutes.

My favorite is the hand coming out of the tub shot.

I got to 50+ pages with John about 5 times, and scrapped them all, didn't do the character justice. Maybe I need the assistance of "one who scribbles" :) Although it has been suggested that we put a feature together (pun intended) "in pieces".

Hey Ben..

I actually like this entry better than the one before it...

I am glad you used more locations, it felt like a bigger film, yet kept that great character... good work here.

Thanks Man! I know I can always count on the Briceman for an early review. That's exactly what we wanted to do, something different, but in a lot of ways, the same. Thanks for the watch!

[Ben Sliker]

oh, and if anybody reads this before they watch it ... Turn that sucker up! Herman has created a phenomenal sound design and score that deserves some volume. :)

[Gohanto]

I liked this a lot. Excellent beginning with just a look from him to scare the girl away and VERY good ending shot.

The more subjective moment in the middle though, I wasn't too crazy about. It was very cool and well done in it's own right, but it felt like something out of the first movie and I think keeping it more objective through those scenes would've been more interesting and fit in better, but that's just my opinion.

Very excellent job overall and you've done an amazing job bringing a unique killer to life on the screen with a great style.

[Ben Sliker]

The more subjective moment in the middle though, I wasn't too crazy about. It was very cool and well done in it's own right, but it felt like something out of the first movie and I think keeping it more objective through those scenes would've been more interesting and fit in better, but that's just my opinion.

Thanks, that's some solid feedback right there. This is the stuff that's really of value to us.

We felt that when John's in "killing" mode i guess you can say, that things do become a little more subjective. Things like time, pain, emotion, exist in a world that's a cross between what is actually happening and what is happening in John's mind. And since he's haunted by time, since Ian has forced his hand before John was ready, his mind takes control, before John physically takes back over by destroying the clock. If we do anything else with the character in the future, that will probably be a big debate for us, whether or not to be completely subjective, objective, or like this piece, a mixture of both.

Thanks for watch and the great feedback!:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[Drew Ott]

Good work.

Good characterization of course. I agree with what Gohanto said.

Loved the last shot quite a bit.

[Gohanto]

Thanks, that's some solid feedback right there. This is the stuff that's really of value to us.

We felt that when John's in "killing" mode i guess you can say, that things do become a little more subjective. Things like time, pain, emotion, exist in a world that's a cross between what is actually happening and what is happening in John's mind. And since he's haunted by time, since Ian has forced his hand before John was ready, his mind takes control, before John physically takes back over by destroying the clock. If we do anything else with the character in the future, that will probably be a big debate for us, whether or not to be completely subjective, objective, or like this piece, a mixture of both.

Thanks for watch and the great feedback!:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Thanks. Good to hear my feedback was good feedback:beer:. I watched it again and thinking about it a little bit more, honestly, I'm not quiet as sure of myself in that opinion anymore. It's a very interesting idea that his "killing" mode is shown differently, and I think I probably would like it a lot more had I not just watched the "pure subjective" first movie so recently. If I had only watched this 2nd movie I think you're idea would've been much clearer and come across better to me. So I think you made a better movie by incorporating the central idea of the first movie, but at the same time having watched that movie, I judged it a little rougher for not being completely original (such as the objective scenes were).

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I really liked it. The last shot was great!
I almost felt like it wasn't nasty enough during the torture scene. I guess I just expect him to behave in a more shocking manner.

Overall this was great. Beautifully shot and Herman did a fantastic job!

Cheers,

Mike

[Ben Sliker]

I really liked it. The last shot was great!
I almost felt like it wasn't nasty enough during the torture scene. I guess I just expect him to behave in a more shocking manner.

Overall this was great. Beautifully shot and Herman did a fantastic job!

Cheers,

Mike

Mike!

We walked that fine line between John being mentally intimidating and him being physically intimidating, and we sided with him strutting his mental creepiness. I think it's our way of staying away from being just a torture movie or gore movie. When people imagine what could be happening, often times, it leaves a bigger impression than if we tried to show it. We thrive on letting your imagination get the best of you.

Thanks for the watch!!!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Mike!

We walked that fine line between John being mentally intimidating and him being physically intimidating, and we sided with him strutting his mental creepiness. I think it's our way of staying away from being just a torture movie or gore movie. When people imagine what could be happening, often times, it leaves a bigger impression than if we tried to show it. Because most of us here have very vivid imaginations.

Thanks for the watch!!!I agree. I guess showing us more of him about to do something horrible would have been cool. Instead of the multiple shots to the ribs with the bat. I hate the pure torture movies myself.

Minor gripe though really.

As I said, I really liked it. The closing shot was killer! :thumbsup:

Cheers,

Mike

[Ben Sliker]

hmm, now you are getting me thinking about the subjective vs. objective feel of the B+W scene. I guess it really is a mix of the two, in his mental and physical actions.

glad you enjoyed that last shot. that was our biggest setup! :) ( i think i have some BTS vid of it around here somewhere.)

[Mattykins]

Rolling and Reviewing...

Interesting opening shot. Bench is pretty cool. Guy is pretty creepy. Girl is pretty.

Oh man, he is a creeper then isn't he? Certainly smokes a lot doesn't he. And I liked the transition to black and white. It was a great switch. I enjoyed it. Though what is that mushy thing on the ground.

Maybe if you added in the sound of bones crushing or something. It would have added to the attack. There were a huge amount of excellent shots in here. I am very impressed thus far with the film.

I saw the...wow

Totally speechless with the reveal. I was literally typing I saw that encounter going the other way. And then cue reveal. Last shot was amazing.

Love the film.

[Ben Sliker]

Mattykins,

Love the stream of consciousness review. Glad we could blow your mind. :)

Thanks!

(now that home from work i can start watching and commenting. SWEET!)

[justin ewart]

Your lead actor was incredibly strong. One of the best actors i've seen in all of these shorts. Really well done! I think I need to go watch the preceding piece to this now to really get the storyline... But in itself it is a compelling piece. Loved the slow motion black and white sequences. Good sound work. I also agree with comments above that I didn't get what that sponge like thing was that hit the ground and I think you could have really pushed the violence in the torture scene...Even just in one single shot to show the depth of his depravity. But overall nicely acted, good lighting, great shots, and I agree the last shot was great.

[ZFarms Productions]

great reveal near at the end. i watched it twice for that alone. great job. i really enjoyed the first one too. the guy who played Mitchell did a great job. loved the lighting and directing. good story too. i'm gonna be honest, i liked the first film just a bit more (not dissing this film whatsoever. i enjoyed it quite a bit. something about the first one was more enjoyable though IMO).

[Ben Sliker]

I didn't get what that sponge like thing was that hit the ground.

John cut out his tongue ... nothing like a noisy victim to distract from the kill. I figured there was enough cues in there, the dropping of the shears, the blood splatter and tongue on the ground, the victim not talking, the victim with blood all over his chin.

Don't know about pushing the violence tho, we're keen on being suggestive instead of explicit. We also didn't want it to distract from the real character of the film, that being John's mental state. A perverse character at that. :)

Thanks for the critiques guys! Keep 'em coming!

[Mark Harris]

I'll come back for more, need to watch again. But one thing is sure, you accomplished what few ever have: The sequel is better than the original.

[connorfilm]

Great character study. I really liked it. Acting was great. Also the shot in the end was money!

[Ben Sliker]

I'll come back for more, need to watch again. But one thing is sure, you accomplished what few ever have: The sequel is better than the original.

thanks mark! i'm looking forward to more from ya! (and your movie blew my mind btw.)

Great character study. I really liked it. Acting was great. Also the shot in the end was money!

connor, glad you liked it! Jessie had some crazy C-stand setups to be able to block the light off like that and it really paid off!

[pia12254]

I agree with the final shot...genius! I guess taking your time and making it right really does pay off...who woulda thought! :D

Good job guys!

[Existentialist]

Well done. Your actor shines.

[Ben Sliker]

Well done. Your actor shines.

thanks tony. I was downright insistent that every piece of the puzzle had to return from last time, plus we added a few, it just wouldn't have been the same without.

Davis is a good friend and a truly gifted actor. If you are in need, this man can deliver.

[DavisOsborne]

to go with the like...yet different..was Bold...to step out of the box...and take the audience somewhere new.....was Very nice work).....Sub-levels are normally avoided....Tragedy is Alaways Rejected.....And Bliss....Always Embaced).......You chose to step out)....My favorite shot?.....A Man who Chose to see his story ....come to life...........)...davis...

[hawaiiirish]

Just. Plain. Scary.
Loved it. Creeped me on all levels. I really want to see the predecesor.
Thanks for sharing this.

[Ben Sliker]

hawaiirish, go the first page of this thread, there's a link to see In Pieces. (and we're glad we could take you out of your skin) :)

and Davis, you are a madman with the ... and the ), they could create a college course around interpreting your texts. I'm just glad you don't speak that way. (Thanks for the kind words man, i feel more epic adventures for us soon, i just haven't written them down .... yet.)

[DavisOsborne]

I am just me)..until I hear the words......Quiet on the set)...)))

[Moojangles]

I really liked this, it is a gorgeously shot film. My favorite shot is the switch the black and white, dolly at a dutch angle following the feet.

That was fantastic. I liked the

plot and thought everything went really well i just am not sure about where the TIME theme fits in. Did i miss something? I'll go back and watch it again, maybe it just slipped by me.

Feel free to clue me in.

[Ben Sliker]

moojangles, our concept of time in this piece is a little more abstract. John has obviously been watching this woman for quite some time, waiting for the perfect moment so that he can have his victim the way he wants her. Ian, the guy who slaps her, forces John's hand, so not only does he have to A. get rid of Ian, but B. deal with the mental anguish that comes from not being able to do things on his own timeline, this is what haunts him as he kills Ian. The fear takes over him, to the point where he imagines his conversation with Claire, his imagination has permeated his reality. So he decides at that point, it's the right time to pay her a visit.

Maybe then he can start over.

It's the simple concept of either a. operating on your own timeline, or b. having to deal with someone else's. John doesn't "deal" well.

[Moojangles]

now that you put it that way it makes more sense. I like it and time is shown passing in that location but i think thats the one aspect that could be more clear, maybe a timelapse from day to night so we really get the feel that this guy is stalking her.

[wesley]

you really managed to make an engaging story in a short time span. looked great too. and off course great music by herman :D

good job and good luck in the fest

[Ben Sliker]

and off course great music by herman :D

good job and good luck in the fest

Herman is a god among men in his native country. Women want him, men want to sound like him.

[Mobie540]

J.A.M. is one scary dude with mental problems. Great visuals guys!

[Mobie540]

moojangles, our concept of time in this piece is a little more abstract. John has obviously been watching this woman for quite some time, waiting for the perfect moment so that he can have his victim the way he wants her. Ian, the guy who slaps her, forces John's hand, so not only does he have to A. get rid of Ian, but B. deal with the mental anguish that comes from not being able to do things on his own timeline, this is what haunts him as he kills Ian. The fear takes over him, to the point where he imagines his conversation with Claire, his imagination has permeated his reality. So he decides at that point, it's the right time to pay her a visit.

Maybe then he can start over.

It's the simple concept of either a. operating on your own timeline, or b. having to deal with someone else's. John doesn't "deal" well.

Sweet, I got that without the explanation.

[ZazaCast]

EXCELLENT!!! This is by far the best film I've seen so far (just going down the list). I loved everything about. You are truly a VERY talented filmmaker. 10/10 from me.

Keep up the outstanding work and congratulations to the cast & crew!

[carrieanne]

I don't know why you guys think John is so frightening, I mean ... he was just over at the house to help me fix dinner ... can't you see how much he loooooves me? heh.

[Ben Sliker]

EXCELLENT!!! This is by far the best film I've seen so far (just going down the list). I loved everything about. You are truly a VERY talented filmmaker. 10/10 from me.

Keep up the outstanding work and congratulations to the cast & crew!

zaza, thanks for the comments! I'll pass along your praise, it is greatly appreciated! :)

[jasonthewho]

Great job. Wonderfully shot. Davis is excellent once again, and Carrie Anne is also quite good. As said before, the final shot was amazing.

I actually preferred this one to In Pieces. I liked that there was a lot more plot.

I would've really loved to have seen John even more overwhelmed by the real world. Perhaps the guy on the bench calls him out for being crazy, and John could have some sort of breakdown. I feel like a climax like that would help really push him into his final decision (trying to be vague for spoiler sake).

[Ben Sliker]

he he, i like the idea Jason ... of course ... Aaron already pissed off John once, and it didn't turn out well. (anyone pick up on that little cookie?)

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212606252.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1214004882.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1214004860.jpg

[Marlon Ladd]

First of all, Carrieann, you're gorgeous. . .now, back to the show. LOL. You guys did it again. D.O. was again, just great. It was cool to see how he interacts in the real world - I mean being so crazy and all. This was definately one of the first ones I wanted to watch, because "In Pieces" was off the chain. I did feel like the exterior shots were more compelling than the interior though. What he did in his torture layer this time around just didn't seem as shocking and as scary as the things he did in "In Pieces." I don't know what it was, but Mitchell sitting on that bench smoking with hair blowing in the wind made it kind of look like he was a rock star in a music video, except hez a cold-blooded killer with a kind of psychotic edge that was very evident without him ever saying a word. I enjoyed the story and the buildup and the last shot (not to give it away) was soooo damn cool and creative that I had to watch it again. Very nice and I will continue to be a fan of your work. Good luck.

[DavisOsborne]

A Great Many Thanks))).....For the Very Kind Comments..on me as the character......Big Props to Ben)......the twisted mind behind all of this......The Amazing crew......and C-ann.....who chose to sat with Him on the bench....knowing that He had to take the Short Bus)...All MY Best...to Those in the fest)..........

[Ben Sliker]

I don't know what it was, but Mitchell sitting on that bench smoking with hair blowing in the wind made it kind of look like he was a rock star in a music video, except hez a cold-blooded killer with a kind of psychotic edge that was very evident without him ever saying a word.

That's cause Davis Osborne IS a Rock Star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9wFRhm_iNo

[xpac84]

Just wanted to pop in and thank everyone for their comments. As Ben alluded to previously, there had been attempts to recreate In Pieces into feature length which have thusfar failed. We wanted to keep building the character, but weren't sure how to proceed. It's not easy creating a sequel that is as good as the original so we didn't know how the film would be recieved. It makes us feel good to know that our peers are liking what we're doing.

Not only do we appreciate the positive comments but the criticisms as well. While these contests are about winning they are more importantly about becoming better filmmakers. All posts are helpful for us to know what we are doing right (and wrong) with this particular storyline and with film in general.

Thank you again and keep the comments coming!

[conrad_johnson]

Fuc*ing gorgeous guys,

I knew from the stills this thing was shot well.

I was exited to see this one and it surely did not let me down.

On with the review:

Opening shots were very nice, shot composition lighting mood, all right on. I would have liked to see no title on the shot of him looking at the woman (0.10) I think it takes away from me getting into the film. Most of the time intros are cool, but in a piece this haunting I think we should never feel like we're watching a movie when this character is on screen.

Love love love the way you played with overexposure in the B&W stuff. Shooting this B&W is the only way you can get away with overexposure (color washes out if its in color) but the exposure sets the mood perfectly. I have no negative comments on the photography, it's all perfect to me! Damn im jealous.

As soon as the lady approached him, I was like What? this movie is going so well, don't ruin it with something totally unrealistic, you guys got me! stellar! Then when John is talking crazy, other dude checks his cell phone...Awesome. So awkward and tense.

The end shot was so phenominal with the blinds and everything, so. Damn. Good.

I also liked the humanness the bathtub gave to your character. Nice touch.

Well thats about all I can think of. Sorry it was so positive. Make something worse so I have something to critique. :)

Thanks,
-Joe

[Ben Sliker]

Love love love the way you played with overexposure in the B&W stuff. Shooting this B&W is the only way you can get away with overexposure (color washes out if its in color) but the exposure sets the mood perfectly. I have no negative comments on the photography, it's all perfect to me! Damn im jealous.

Thanks Joe! I'm sure Justin will be pumped about your praise!

And yeah, I remember back when we were shooting "In Pieces" it absolutely drove Jessie nuts to light the scenes the way she did, because they looked terrible on the monitor. Same with this shoot, the raw footage for the B+W scene really looks like garbage in color, but you have to shoot it that way in order to get nice high contrast black and whites. I'll post some comparison grabs later, then you'll really get to see what i mean. :)

[pauly_the_hitman]

Once I saw the opening shoot I was hooked. The B&W was awesome and the main character is flawless. The only comment I have is the caliber of actors has to match up to Davis Osbornes performance and for me they fell a little short.

[Ben Sliker]

Thanks Pauly, we are in a constant effort to improve every aspect of our filmmaking skillz. We'll crush it even harder next time :)

[Ben Sliker]

Since everyone really enjoyed the last shot, here's a little BTS video of Justin and Jessie in the middle of setup ... IN HD.

CLICK TO PLAY OR RIGHT-CLICK TO SAVE (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/JAM/LASTSHOTSETUP.mov)

[Dustin R. Rogan]

In my top 10 great job guys!

Rogan

[Ben Sliker]

Thanks Dustin! I'm still trying to recover from the dude-ity of your film, then i MIGHT be able to produce a review that's suitable to TDRP.

[cybercrypt13]

Great job! Good story line, great images, lighting. the works. In my top 10 but unfortunately I can't vote... :-( Loved it.

glenn

[Dustin R. Rogan]

Thanks Dustin! I'm still trying to recover from the dude-ity of your film, then i MIGHT be able to produce a review that's suitable to TDRP.

I love it...dude-ity I'm looking forward to it...oh and remember...10 stars and there will be less of it in my next...give me 10 or less...and there'll be more!!! MUAHHAHAHAHA:happy:

[Ben Sliker]

awesome. I finally made someone's quote block.

[Dustin R. Rogan]

awesome. I finally made someone's quote block.
How can i pass up your new look on male nudity...DUDITY!!! F'in awesome!

Rogan

[Maximus]

Good job, again. A couple of really good twists. Really like the ending. That John Abbot Mitchell, he's a bad man!

[DavisOsborne]

Bad Man?......Watch you through your windows at night!...............Sleep Well)))

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Bad Man?......Watch you through your windows at night!...............Sleep Well)))That's my guy! :Drogar-Love(DBG):

Seriously, nice work. It's always nice to have the actors show up and comment.
I can't wait to see more of your work, Davis.

Cheers!

Mike

[Blaine]

Hmmmm. I actually liked In Pieces better than this one. Perhaps it's not fair to make the comparison but since it IS the same character again I feel it is valid. John was much more frightening and I preferred the narrative style you used in that one to the voice over in this one. I think the claustrophobic feel of the garage also upped the ante in the terror department.

That said, this is still a very good flick. I don't really see it as a story but rather a character study, instead. This felt more like a part of a bigger piece. As an earlier reviewer said, I'd love to have seen even more of his psychosis. I loved the scene of Claire talking to him on the bench and finding out it is all in his head...excellent. The reveal was also killer...no pun intended...really.

The reveals in both movies were great. I really can't decide which is better...probably this one, though.

Very good job on John Abbott Mitchell.

[Mark Johnson]

Hey Ben,

You know I'm a fan of yours from the comments I've made on both IN PIECES and this new gem. I finally got off my rear to visit your web site but I couldn't get the video to play on your front page and couldn't find any navigation. I'd love to see more of your work so maybe you can clue me in if there's something wrong with my browser. Thanks dude.

[Ben Sliker]

John was much more frightening and I preferred the narrative style you used in that one to the voice over in this one. I think the claustrophobic feel of the garage also upped the ante in the terror department.

Blaine, thanks for the review! I'm actually kind of glad you feel this way. In "In Pieces", John was at the top of his game, completely sure of himself and his accomplishments. Here, he's a little wet behind the ears in the serial killer department, still trying to figure out how he fits into the world, and also dealing with keeping his own mind under control. We, of course, tried out a few new things in this one and it's been really interesting seeing how the audience reacts in comparison to the first film.

Thanks again for the notes! Cheers :beer:

[Ben Sliker]

Hey Ben,

You know I'm a fan of yours from the comments I've made on both IN PIECES and this new gem. I finally got off my rear to visit your web site but I couldn't get the video to play on your front page and couldn't find any navigation. I'd love to see more of your work so maybe you can clue me in if there's something wrong with my browser. Thanks dude.

lol, i guess i need to get off MY rear and fix my website. it was just a one pager that had my demo reel on it. I got the job i made it for ... so bonus for me.

anyone wanna make me a website? anyone? beuhler?

[Justin Kuhn]

Love love love the way you played with overexposure in the B&W stuff. Shooting this B&W is the only way you can get away with overexposure (color washes out if its in color) but the exposure sets the mood perfectly. I have no negative comments on the photography, it's all perfect to me! Damn im jealous.

Thanks! Part of my secret is working with an incredible gaffer. The other part is, I'm magic.

[DavisOsborne]

Well..Well...Well.....)...You have A Place in this Artwork....Get a web-site...if I have not said so before....I Am Very Proud of you Ben)......Thank You for Including me in your Twisted Vision......see you on the bench.......John)

[Bryce A]

Great Flick. Liked it. Nice and depraved. As much as the idea of a stalker/murder fills me with anger and loathing in real life, i dig it on film. I love the fact that you've revisited this character! Awesome. I know the feeling of not being able to get someone you've created out of your head.

con 1: The contrast from the controlled lighting situations (garage and house) to the streets scenes was too much. Switching from something so stylized to the "blandness" of the outside color palatte threw me off. I can understand if you had a thematic reason for that (creepy ass Mother F'er feels out of his element in the sunlight, for example), but it really felt like you just didn't have control of the lighting.

con 2: The character of John was, of course, great and Carrie Ann Hunt as Claire was good in a thankless role, but the rest just seemed like friends you pulled off the set. Once again, could have been a thematic element (i.e. creepy ass mother F'er TOTALLY out of place amongst us young hipsters), but it totally yanked me out of the moment (sorry random bench people).

Overall the film was great. I loved the way you used time as a theme.

Lastly... Why are you so creepy Davis? I'd shit my pants if i sat on a bus stop bench and saw John. Great acting (i hope it's acting)!

Good work.

[DavisOsborne]

By The Way....I am not creepy......I am just called to act that way......see you on that bench),,,,,davis

[Ben Sliker]

hey bryce, glad you liked the film! :) And thanks for taking the time to write a lengthy review. Here's a little insight to my thought process.

1 - i think you actually nailed the EXACT reason for the switch in style, it's John out in the real world (or how he sees himself out in the real world) vs. John in his own little world, "doing what he does best". Which, to John, the rest of the world would seem pretty bland compared to the little playground in his head.

2 - I felt the problem with giving Aaron and Marie more character is that it detracts from what is most important to the scene, and that's John (and his interaction with his environment). We did this in the first film by literally eliminating everything else. You were forced to pay attention to John. The characters are literally placeholders for a larger idea, and If in this film I got across that A. Marie is a woman and John threatens her, and B. Aaron is a man, and John doesn't threaten him, then I consider it a success. There was no way I wanted anyone getting caught up with who these people are and what their back-story was.

Thanks for the insight, it makes us better filmmakers being able to receive commentary, and then then being able to go back and make our film better. :thumbsup:

[Ben Sliker]

Ok, the dude, his royal dudeness, the dude-a-rino, Mark Johnson, has inspired me to fix my website and now i have have brand new shiny flash players on it.

Mark, the first vid is for you buddy.

BENJAMINSLIKER.COM (http://www.benjaminsliker.com)

[gabrielflorit]

ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. What a great performance from everyone! The acting is so strong, the images so striking, the voice-over well done and convincing, not a single gratuitous shot... definitely in my top 5.

Off to watch it again. And also, where can I find "In Pieces"? Nevermind, I'll google it.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

And also, where can I find "In Pieces"? Nevermind, I'll google it.No need. They linked to it in their first post. HERE (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1287340&postcount=1)

They are both excellent.

Cheers,

Mike

[alex whitmer]

Great acting, even the ones without dialogue. Solid all the way through.

Nice, dark piece. Has a somewhat creepy message on how obsession can manifest into both good and evil.

Love the lighting reveal of the bad boy at the end.

I was lost for just a second when you switched from what I assume to be the MC talking to the younger man on the bench as if he were the girl (??)

That actor reminded me a lot of an old 70s thriller called The Crawlspace.

Excellent job. I'll watch this one a number of times.

Alex

[Ben Sliker]

ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. What a great performance from everyone! The acting is so strong, the images so striking, the voice-over well done and convincing, not a single gratuitous shot... definitely in my top 5.

Off to watch it again. And also, where can I find "In Pieces"? Nevermind, I'll google it.

gabriel, apprecaite the kind words, yes, as mike said, it's on the front page.

No need. They linked to it in their first post. HERE (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1287340&postcount=1)

They are both excellent.

Cheers,

Mike

Mike, thanks for keeping tabs on my thread while i was asleep!

Great acting, even the ones without dialogue. Solid all the way through.

Nice, dark piece. Has a somewhat creepy message on how obsession can manifest into both good and evil.

Love the lighting reveal of the bad boy at the end.

I was lost for just a second when you switched from what I assume to be the MC talking to the younger man on the bench as if he were the girl (??)

That actor reminded me a lot of an old 70s thriller called The Crawlspace.

Excellent job. I'll watch this one a number of times.

Alex

Alex, Yes, John has been watching this woman for so long that his mind has taken over. This is how he imagines their first meeting would go. I mean, would YOU walk over and intentionally go say hi to John? ack!:eek:

Thanks for watching!

[Bryce A]

Thanks for the insight, it makes us better filmmakers being able to receive commentary, and then then being able to go back and make our film better.

Hey,

I think the better the film is, the more specifically we can point out our perceived "flaws" and give constructive criticism. :thumbsup: So it's compliment really!

Here's hoping for a John Abbott Mitchell Trilogy!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Mike, thanks for keeping tabs on my thread while i was asleep!
No problem. I don't sleep. :D

[Ben Sliker]

Here's hoping for a John Abbott Mitchell Trilogy!

Don't tempt us. :)

[Mark Johnson]

FINALLY got to see this disturbing opus. Sunuvabeech. Davis Osborne is so effective I do NOT want to ever meet this guy in the real world. He must harbor demons to be able to be this character so convincingly.

I'm giving you a 10. What great filmmaking. You know, I watched "The Watchman" this morning and I'm thinking that it would be so great to see both of these shorts on the same bill. Frankly, I'd pay money to see another installment of both characters' lives. In a lot of ways these two films compliment each other well because of the technical achievements that are evident in both.

John Abbott Mitchell is a brilliant character that is elevated by the acting and cinematography. I have to say that this little film shows just how high you can go when you hit on all cylinders. Unbelievably good, guys. I'm going to go watch this again.

[Ben Sliker]

Mark, I think one of the best compliments a filmmaker can receive is "I'm going to go watch this again", trust me, i had to watch 02 twice just to take it all in. I hope that you pick up even more in the film in subsequent viewings.

Don't know if you caught the BTS interviews, but Davis Osborne in real life couldn't be more the opposite of the character he plays. I've seen him reach down and grab some disturbing stuff out of his brain, and it plays so well on screen. It drains him emotionally and physically, and is something special to see that sort of commitment to a character.

Thanks again for your kind words Mark, we didn't do an AIM session for 02, but we may just have to now. :)

[snowleopard]

This was just superb. The pacing is perfect, and the acting top notch.

I agree that the concept, character and acting is so good here, you could look into making this into a feature. Though I understand that would be a lot of time with your butt to the chair to do it all justice.

[Tim Joy]

I liked how his 1st VO was kinda singing- kinda talking with the music.

The opening shots combined with the music set the tone perfectly. Going to B&W was a nice touch too. Well done all around.

The lighting was great on his reveal at the end, but I would've had her turn on the lights when she came into the house, then you could've seen the garage light coming through the cracks. Taking it one step further, she could've turned the light on and the bulb blows out, leaving her in the dark and fumbling around while he is revealed by the passing car.

It's amazing the effect even small dolly moves have, and this film really used those effectively.

Thanks and great job to everyone involved!

[Ben Sliker]

Thanks you guys sooooo much.

snowleopard, i'm seeking for inspiration before I dive back into the character again, cause it's a weird dark place to be. Not saying I'm done with him, but it's going to have to be one hell of a story for me to make a feature. Ok, fine, I'll work on it. :) Thanks for the watch and your kind words!

yeehawnow, we figured we could get away with her not turning on the lights when she came in cause, let's face it, I know I leave my lights on all the time. We also didn't want to deal with the HVX's noisiness in a low light situation like that. Although ... a bulb exploding shot ... would be sweet. Thanks for the watch and review!

oh and WE LOVE THE DOLLY :)

[Horncastle]

Very, very good. Davis Osborne is a phenomenal actor who comes straight through the screen and his voice is made for this stuff. The scene where he's talking/thinks he's talking to the girl on the bench and then the girl is there is great. That garage door flashes instantly back from "In Pieces". Then there is the final dolly shot. And I love the peaceful piano music score - such a great counterpoint.

As a prequel it works really well. As a stand-alone short it's very good, but I'm afraid that for me it doesn't stand up to "In Pieces". In six minutes, I think it would have been difficult if not impossible for narrative to equal the sheer raw power of the black & white interview format with all those close-ups.

It must have taken a lot of courage to come back to this character, so I take my hat off to you all. I've read here that there was a project to develop this into a longer film and that you wanted to explore the character further. From this point of view I think you've pulled off this short very well. I'm sure Davis Osborne as John Abbot Mitchell would make a very good feature.

Sorry - only just saw your comments above about making a feature.

[Ben Sliker]

Very, very good. Davis Osborne is a phenomenal actor who comes straight through the screen and his voice is made for this stuff. The scene where he's talking/thinks he's talking to the girl on the bench and then the girl is there is great. That garage door flashes instantly back from "In Pieces". Then there is the final dolly shot. And I love the peaceful piano music score - such a great counterpoint.

As a prequel it works really well. As a stand-alone short it's very good, but I'm afraid that for me it doesn't stand up to "In Pieces". In six minutes, I think it would have been difficult if not impossible for narrative to equal the sheer raw power of the black & white interview format with all those close-ups.

It must have taken a lot of courage to come back to this character, so I take my hat off to you all. I've read here that there was a project to develop this into a longer film and that you wanted to explore the character further. From this point of view I think you've pulled off this short very well. I'm sure Davis Osborne as John Abbot Mitchell would make a very good feature.

Sorry - only just saw your comments above about making a feature.

We appreciate all the kind words! When I originally sat down and considered doing a second film based on the same characters, it was inevitable that we were going to run into comparisons between this and the first film, but we decided to embrace them together instead of trying to distance ourself from the first. I appreciate the fact that everyone has seemed to get that these are very similar, yet completely different films.

If I could equate it for you, John Abbott Mitchell would happen somewhere in the first act of a film, whereas In Pieces would be the climactic ending. It's like telling someone the end of a story and then expecting them to be surprised at the end. There's no way we could duplicate that kind of impact. You all have made me think longer and harder about my filmmaking and the many ways it can be analyzed, a huge thank you for that.

If it's there, I'll do my best to write a feature based on John. This character deserves one hell of a script.

Cheers people, I gotta get back to work. (Damn you DVXuser for sucking me back in constantly!!!!)

[DavisOsborne]

Wow!......thank you)........I have to give Great Props to Everyone in this project).....I am Only as Good as my Team..........Everyone put So Much in to this.....in hopes that it would take you to another place......My Gratitude goes out to those involved....and to all of the viewers....Many Thanks)))....all my best to you and yours......davis.....P.S. I may KIll You in your sleep)

[Rodney V. Smith]

Wow. the tone.. the setting... the cinematography... the music... the bad, bad man... fricking wow. Great movie guys. Thanks for this and keep pulling them off. Seriously explore a feature based on this dude. I had to go watch the first one cuz I liked this movie so much and it's one of my favorites.

thank you for this great piece of cinema.

now go get the feature going and make us proud.

[Matt Sconce]

Great end reveal!!!!! I thought the cinematography worked well in this movie. Character was great. Creepy elements were achieved, and a good sequel/prequel was made. I like this better than In Pieces.

[Ben Sliker]

now go get the feature going and make us proud.

first ... a long cut of JAM, then I'll start writing. I think I may have fleshed out an idea that may work in longform.... I'll see when I get to about 80 pages ...

[conrad_johnson]

I want to shoot something for you.

I don't care if you don't want to work with me.

You have no choice in the matter.

HA!
-Joe

[Justin Kuhn]

I want to shoot something for you.

I don't care if you don't want to work with me.

You have no choice in the matter.

HA!
-Joe

Only if I get to shoot something for Mark!

[chstick]

Great visuals! Really good story also. But I loved the shots (& lighting).

excellent job!

[Ben Sliker]

I want to shoot something for you.

I don't care if you don't want to work with me.

You have no choice in the matter.

HA!
-Joe

lol ... i think there might be enough dvxusers in NC, fat monster east anybody? we need a different name tho. we can be like fight club, except we'd make movies instead of beating the piss out of each other and committing terrorists acts. .... okay ... fine, we can do that too.

[Mark Harris]

I echo what everyone else is saying. This is really nice. I am particularly impressed with how you maintain the semi-abstract visuals of his torture chamber. That stuff just has a great contrast and is so crisp.

I still have the same critique as I had in the last one. I still think you can afford to bring his performance down a little. There's nothing wrong with it at all, he's really good, but I think he has enough power on camera that he can just afford to do less with it.

But I think all of the elements are top notch.

It might be cool to make a movie with him and "Carrie" from R.P.D.M., but I think they would end up allies more than enemies :)

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

It might be cool to make a movie with him and "Carrie" from R.P.D.M., but I think they would end up allies more than enemies :)She had a lot of motivation to do what she did, he does this sort of thing for kicks!

I think he would eat her alive.

Nothing against her though. :evil:

[Ben Sliker]

She had a lot of motivation to do what she did, he does this sort of thing for kicks!

I think he would eat her alive.

Nothing against her though. :evil:

he has his own little motivations ... :lipsrseal:D

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

he has his own little motivations ... :lipsrseal:DI'm sure he does. Most serial killers have a terrible upbringing, to say the least.

Still waiting on that feature... :beer:

[Susanne G.]

I liked that I couldn't see violence in the moments of violence. I loved the play with the lighting: daylight - black and white sequences. There was a good thrill. Framing and music were perfect and your main character was fantastic - I adored the facial expressions.
I heard that you made also a film the last HalooFest and it is necessary to see both. Perhaps I have to see also the other one, because I didn't understand really the time subject in this one.
Lots of compliments.

Susanne

[Zoidoid]

Not sure why it's taken me so long to drop by and make a post about your film. Maybe it's because it's particularly difficult for me to come up with any useful criticisms. You've done a great job! The torture sequence is particularly cool. The relief of the imagery is so sharp and crystal clear that it takes on a surreal, dreamlike quality. I remember reading that Hitchcock specifically chose Salvidor Dali for the dream sequence in Spellbound because he wanted those specific qualities.

Anyway. Great short! It's one of my favorites.

[Ben Sliker]

I liked that I couldn't see violence in the moments of violence. I loved the play with the lighting: daylight - black and white sequences. There was a good thrill. Framing and music were perfect and your main character was fantastic - I adored the facial expressions.
I heard that you made also a film the last HalooFest and it is necessary to see both. Perhaps I have to see also the other one, because I didn't understand really the time subject in this one.
Lots of compliments.

Susanne

susanne, no need to see the other one to understand this. In fact, In Pieces is sort of a broad overview of John's serial killer adventures in a monologue form.

Here's my official description of the "time" element in JAM from a few pages back.

our concept of time in this piece is a little more abstract. John has obviously been watching this woman for quite some time, waiting for the perfect moment so that he can have his victim the way he wants her. Ian, the guy who slaps her, forces John's hand, so not only does he have to A. get rid of Ian, but B. deal with the mental anguish that comes from not being able to do things on his own timeline, this is what haunts him as he kills Ian. The fear takes over him, to the point where he imagines his conversation with Claire, his imagination has permeated his reality. So he decides at that point, it's the right time to pay her a visit.

Maybe then he can start over.

It's the simple concept of either a. operating on your own timeline, or b. having to deal with someone else's. John doesn't "deal" well.

But, of course, In Pieces is necessary watching regardless. :)

Right Click here and save a copy of In Pieces for yourself to watch. (http://www.benjaminsliker.com/film/inpiecesfilm.mov)

[Ben Sliker]

Not sure why it's taken me so long to drop by and make a post about your film. Maybe it's because it's particularly difficult for me to come up with any useful criticisms. You've done a great job! The torture sequence is particularly cool. The relief of the imagery is so sharp and crystal clear that it takes on a surreal, dreamlike quality. I remember reading that Hitchcock specifically chose Salvidor Dali for the dream sequence in Spellbound because he wanted those specific qualities.

Anyway. Great short! It's one of my favorites.

Thanks for the comments man! I promise I'll get to yours!

And it's about time I got this up, Zoidoid, you motivated me.

Here's a comparison of the raw footage to final product and why you have to shoot something that looks kinda gross to get some good high contrast black and white.

FIRST FRAME - RAW GRAB - As you can see, we went with a disgustingly orange look for this one, it's very hot in a lot of places, the oranges and yellows are particularly ... yucky.
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1214250531.jpg

SECOND FRAME - PUSH THE WHITES, CRUSH THE BLACKS (make moderate little changes to the mids) - we shot a fairly high contrast shot in the first place, but this technique adds a little detail in the face, and highlights some of the cool brighter features, like the glint in his eye.
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1214250560.jpg

THIRD FRAME - FINAL LOOK - Oh thank god, there's no color. I was about to set on fire with how hot that last one was. You simply can't get away with this in color! Plus the thing that draws you in are the bright whites ... making the glint in his eyes particularly more creepy.
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1214250596.jpg

[DavisOsborne]

Can't wait to take this in to an audition as my new head-shot).....Questions will arise.........

[Ben Sliker]

i don't know ... i think this one will work better.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254447.jpg

Excuse me, sir, can you please stare the paint off that wall ... great ... you got the part.

[Rodney V. Smith]

Can't wait to take this in to an audition as my new head-shot).....Questions will arise.........

The won't dare turn you down for the role now...

[Rodney V. Smith]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1212254447.jpg

freaking awesome

[DavisOsborne]

LMAO)....My Mom would be so proud)

[Danielleus]

Hey guys,

Just caught the piece. I liked it. The cinematography is just great. Love your editing, love your pacing, the music, the locales, the blood and guts.
The surrealist stuff doesn't work for me. It's hard for me to tell how insane this guy is. Like, does he just imagine stuff randomly, or does he have some other twisted way of looking at life.




SPOLIER (?????) Alert

Which brings me to the point of the girl walking up to him in his imagination. I don't get a good feel on his character in a number of ways. Does he love her? Hate her? Mix of both? Does he freak out cause he's been caught? I thought he loved her.

And is he so insane that he just imagines stuff?
Which, for my money, all needs to be explained in the film (or shown) to make it top notch. I think they're neat little story elements and I think, if you brought them out BEFORE we saw the important ones (i.e. the girl walking up to him) it would have made it much, much better for me.

Otherwise, I thought this was a, dare I say, classy piece with top quality stuff all the way through. Good work. Can't wait to see more of what you guys do.

[DavisOsborne]

Love...Hate....Mix of Both.....it's such a thin line......is it not what everyone faces everyday in all relationships...

[Ben Sliker]

Daniellus, thanks for the watch and review, here's some notes for ya. But, as a disclaimer, these are my thoughts on the film, which a lot of viewers have taken away the same thing after viewing, but of course, other interpretations can be perfectly right as well. As a director, I can only produce the film, what you take away from it, is something entirely different.

Hey guys,
It's hard for me to tell how insane this guy is. Like, does he just imagine stuff randomly, or does he have some other twisted way of looking at life.
he has varying control over his own mind. but no, he doesn't imagine stuff ALL the time.
Which brings me to the point of the girl walking up to him in his imagination. I don't get a good feel on his character in a number of ways.
Does he love her? in the conventional sense, noHate her? probably notMix of both? to tell you the truth, i can't answers these questions for you. It's really up for the audience to decide how they feel about John and Claire's relationship. He's obviously intrigued by her. Does he freak out cause he's been caught? I thought he loved her. He freaks out because his mind has taken control over his life. He imagines this first close encounter (seriously ... who would want to come up and talk to this guy?) because he's been there waiting for so long that his imagination permeates his reality. That, and he's had the jarring experience of killing a man, just cause he thinks Ian might kill/hurt her first. And that would ruin John and Claire's "perfect time" together. What are they going to do with that time? Well, to be continued I guess they say. (Another part where we've left it up to the audience to decide EXACTLY what John is going to do from behind that wall.)

And is he so insane that he just imagines stuff? yes.

Which, for my money, all needs to be explained in the film (or shown) to make it top notch. I think they're neat little story elements and I think, if you brought them out BEFORE we saw the important ones (i.e. the girl walking up to him) it would have made it much, much better for me.
Well, I'm not to particular about spelling everything out for my audience, when he starts talking to Claire on the bench and it switched to the man, i figured the reaction would be something like "Oh, f*ck, this guy's gone crazy. He just made that all up in his head." Did you need something more? We played it more as a reveal than a character trait. John doesn't imagine things all the time, he's just soo obsessive over Claire that his brain takes over.

Otherwise, I thought this was a, dare I say, classy piece with top quality stuff all the way through. Good work. Can't wait to see more of what you guys do.

Thanks!!! We appreciate the view and all the comments. Hope my ramblings make sense to you/make your viewing experience a little more enjoyable. :thumbsup:

[xpac84]

As Ben said, i dont think it's our place to tell you what you should take away from the film. But, I'll give you some of my explanation for john.

I think you have to trust the director in what he wants you to see in a film. The film can't lie or that viewer/filmaker relationship is ruined. The example of this is how much of what you are seeing is real vs. john's imagination. the only thing that is a given to you that is imaginary is the convo with claire. there's not really anything else in the film to suggest that the rest of it is imaginary. So while John is losing touch with reality, he is not completely out of reality. As far as i see it, yes, he is sitting on a bench, killing someone, and in claire's apartment at the end. i see it this way because the camera work is mostly objective (discounting some of the b&w) so it seems safe to assume that that is the world view and not john's. while this is how i viewed it, it certainly doesnt have to be how you take the final shot (or the rest of the film for that matter) as thats a little more ambigious now that you've seen that he's not always within the realm of reality.

the question of his feelings for claire i feel are a mute point. I think what you should take more away from it is that he wants control. In "IN PIECES" his point of control was "the perfect kill." In this film the control element is seen in two elements. the first is his "gaze." for those of you who dont remember freshman english the gazer has a sort of power over the...gazee. you see this with the encounter with the girl on the bench. you see it fail with the man. you see his insecurities in his imagination of someone like claire, who he had complete control over in the beginning of the film with his gaze, actually confronting him. this leadds to the issue of time. he feels like this other man who hits claire has forced his hand. maybe its becaues this man is inflicting violence to this girl who he likes, or who he himself wants to inflict damage to, or because after this incident she wont show up again and he wont have her to gaze at. its really up to the viewer. regardless, the argument forces john to change his schedule as he feels their time watching and being watched has come to an end and he must finally act.

Danielleus, I guess i kinda feel like Ben, that the statement you made about "bringing said elements out before important moments" (paraphrasing) sounds kinda like "spell things out." i'm sure thats not exactly what you meant so if you could clarify i think we appreciate understanding your point better.

Anyways, thanks for your detailed notes and for your praise as well as your criticisms. i hope neither ben nor i have come off as defensive. we just like arguing about what we get out of any film, not just the ones we made :)

[Ben Sliker]

ok ... you win brad, mr. master's degree in english. lol. congrats on 19 posts.

starting to cut out a longer version of JAM. submitting to a new contest that has a 7 min minimum requirement. I'm at about 6:57 already. wish me luck!

[Justin Kuhn]

The gaze huh? We could get into a whole discussion of "the male gaze" in filmmaking. Different but related. If I wanted to type an essay. But I'd rather prompt Brad to do it.

[DavisOsborne]

would you boys please quit Gazeing at each other.......not that there is any wrong with that....lol....gosh you guys are so Gaze....

[Justin Kuhn]

I just find the matching bald spots on Ben and Brad's heads to be a beautiful, tender thing...nothin wrong with that. Stop the gazing!

[Ben Sliker]

Mr. Osborne with the dynamite drop-in folks!

Just remember, he'll be here all night ... the 9 o'clock show is different from the 7:00 o'clock show, and don't forget to tip your waitresses.

[Ben Sliker]

I just find the matching bald spots on Ben and Brad's heads to be a beautiful, tender thing...nothin wrong with that. Stop gazing!

I can't help it if my brain is growing faster than my hair can cover it.

[DavisOsborne]

LMAO).....roll on floor.....Very Funny Comment).......nice job sliker!!!!!

[Noel Evans]

Ben and Justin, great job. I love this character and the actor who played the role was perfect in the delivery.

I have to say some of the black and white shots were some of the best I have seen yet in this fest. You really nailed them. I did a music vid not so long ago with the face coming out of the water, so I can really appreciate that shot - though in my case it was a robot man. I liked the transition into it especially. The shots on the bench were also good.

There were two shots though that did not do it for me, these two are mere moments compared to the rest of the great stuff, so they really stuck out for me. 1/ When she sits at 1.01 the dolly to seemed fine, just when she sat I thought the focal length was neither here nor there. and 2/ actually this isnt so much the composition, the exterior shot at 5.36 - with the low shutter speed, just didnt seem to fit for me. A slow dolly toward the house IMO would have worked better, as you had a number of moving camera shots, and I felt this would have lead to the interior cut.

Also the foley sounded a little fake, though I liked the score and your sound was good.

This for me has some of the best shots of the fest.

[totitefilms]

I like your movie. The drama is great. The acting is very good. However, I'm not sure if the B&W scene fits into the mood of the movie. I would rather see it in colors with some really contrast lighting. One of the last scenes also has wrong WB. Other than that your movie is one of the best in this fest. Congrats!

[Ben Sliker]

One of the last scenes also has wrong WB.

huh? timecode? (perhaps the timelapse shot @ 5:37?)



Thanks for watching!

[Ben Sliker]

There were two shots though that did not do it for me, these two are mere moments compared to the rest of the great stuff, so they really stuck out for me. 1/ When she sits at 1.01 the dolly to seemed fine, just when she sat I thought the focal length was neither here nor there. and 2/ actually this isnt so much the composition, the exterior shot at 5.36 - with the low shutter speed, just didnt seem to fit for me. A slow dolly toward the house IMO would have worked better, as you had a number of moving camera shots, and I felt this would have lead to the interior cut.

Also the foley sounded a little fake, though I liked the score and your sound was good.

This for me has some of the best shots of the fest.

Hey Noel, thanks for the watch and comments!

1. It's a pan on the long end of the lens from the other side of the street. We did it so that we could get the cars crossing in front of the lens and also have something that looked like John's POV. It's not the greatest, but your right, as far as local length goes, it's nothin' special.

2. That was a timelapse done with a DSLR, I can't lie to you and say that that shot wasn't a glaring black hole in my timeline for the longest time. And that's actually the 4th timelapse that I shot. I was going to do something creative with a day-night timelapse of the bench ... but went I went back to the location ... THE BENCH WAS GONE!!! I'm cutting a longer version right now, and that shot is on the chopping block. You are right, the transition could be a LOT cooler there.

I'm sure Justin will be happy with that last comment!

Thanks again!

Ben

[Justin Kuhn]

I'm sure Justin will be happy with that last comment!


I am, very much. Thanks Noel!

[krestofre]

Your main actor is fantastic and plays this part very well. That being said, this film didn't really capture my attention until the scene with John and the girl on the bench towards the end. The was that was constructed narrative-wise was really impressive and made me take notice. I also loved the reveal at the end just before the credits. Good stuff.

[DavisOsborne]

can we have rockets, needles, and bloody towels in the next adventure?.....OH yeah....and Boobs?.......

[xpac84]

Absolutely Davis. And, i think John Abbott Mitchell may be battling a killer robot version of himself in the next film as well.

[Ben Sliker]

ROBOTS!!!!!!!!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1214455066.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMV1PpIiEE0)

(click the picture, you know you want to)

[DavisOsborne]

thats Awesome Goodness)))....Thankyou.........its all about production value......and capturing the audience.....oh Yeah......and Boobs and Rockits)

[Drew Ott]

ROBOTS!!!!!!!!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5649/1214455066.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMV1PpIiEE0)

(click the picture, you know you want to)

No idea what that's from but it's hilarious.:thumbup:

[Mark Johnson]

I may have to go get my DVDs out ..... Yeah, I think I gotta. Nice to see those little suckers again.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

In the past few days, DVXuser Nick Lane sat down and chatted over AIM while simultaneously watching some of the TIMEFEST films. I call them, "The AIM sessions". Here's my thoughts on "JOHN ABBOTT MITCHELL"


conspiracypenguin (5:04:22 PM): That sounds good. Oh, hold on a minute, the film is done downloading.
sexycat (5:04:43 PM): Film, oh you dog! Tell me about it while...
conspiracypenguin (5:04:58 PM): lol. Hold on, I have to watch this.
conspiracypenguin (5:04:59 PM): Oh, I love the opening shot.
conspiracypenguin (5:05:00 PM): Feet close ups are cool.
sexycat (5:05:02 PM): I didn't realize you had a foot fetish...I just had a pedicure today.
conspiracypenguin (5:05:03 PM): Oh, no...you misunderstood.
sexycat (5:05:19 PM): You don't have a foot fetish?
conspiracypenguin (5:05:21 PM): No.
conspiracypenguin (5:05:39 PM): Can you be quiet for a minute, I am trying to watch this movie.
sexycat (5:05:43 PM): Why don't you tell me what's going on in this movie.
conspiracypenguin (5:05:46 PM): A guy is sitting on a bench smoking.
conspiracypenguin (5:05:49 PM): He is talking about some chick he wants to fu*k or kill or somehting.
sexycat (5:05:51 PM): Oh, so you like the movie style one's, huh?
conspiracypenguin (5:05:59 PM): What?
sexycat (5:06:02 PM): Pornos. You like the movie style pornos.
conspiracypenguin (5:06:08 PM): Pornos? No!
conspiracypenguin (5:06:10 PM): I am watching a movie for an online film contest.
sexycat (5:06:10 PM): But whatever happened to you...[I][innapropriate phrase]
conspiracypenguin (5:06:36 PM): Oh, that does sound like fun.
conspiracypenguin (5:06:48 PM): But the download is done, I have been waiting to watch this forever.
sexycat (5:07:00 PM): You're no fun anymore!
conspiracypenguin (5:07:04 PM): I'm sorry!
conspiracypenguin (5:07:05 PM): Can you please just hold on!
conspiracypenguin (5:07:06 PM): What the hell does that clock have to do with the story?
conspiracypenguin (5:07:07 PM): Now I have to start the damn thing over!
sexycat (5:07:19 PM): Screw you! I'm going back to Mark Johnson!
conspiracypenguin (5:07:23 PM): You know Mark Johnson? I know Mark Johnson!
sexycat (5:07:36 PM): So you're bi-sexual too? I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore!
conspiracypenguin (5:07:51 PM): Woah! No! That's not what I meant!
conspiracypenguin (5:08:00 PM): You know what? Fine!
conspiracypenguin (5:08:11 PM): I'll go back to that chat room and find another, better girl to have fun with!
sexycat (5:08:15 PM): Fine!

So there you have it, my thoughts on your film (along with the thoughts of some smokin' hot girl from Phoenix).

----------------------------------------------

Now for my real thoughts...

This film was one that I had on my list of ones I wanted to see. A funny tibit before I dive headfirst into my review: only just now did I realize the title was "John Abbott Mitchell" I have always thought it was "John Abbott Michael" for some reason. That'll teach me to scan too quickly.

At any rate, I really enjoyed this piece. Before I go further let me say that I have not yet seen "In Pieces" as during All Hollows Fest I was sort of in hiding. Another fun fact: I actually wrote a pretty terrible script for All Hollows Fest, but it never went any further than that.

Ah, yes, the review. While watching I felt this sort of struggle within myself, not sure whether to root for him or hate him completely. On the one hand, he is just a normal human being who has feelings for a beautiful girl and doesn't know how to go about them (and, in that sense, I am right there with him) but on the other hand, he is a cold blooded killer. That being said, upon my seccond viewing I realized that even I didn't quite understand the true nature of "thoe feelings" which only made my part harder. I enjoyed the contrast you illustrated, it almost confused me, but moreover it impressed me.

The acting was top notch from all ends. I know how hard it is to make a narrative piece work, but you did beautifully. I loved the opening shot witht he feet and dolly and, in fact, every subsequent shot from there on out. I was kept interested the entire way through, up to the end when I found myself thinking "Come on, dammit! There are only five seconds left! What is going to happen?" and then feeling that down the spine shiver with the final light flash.

Excellent work, and good luck!

PS: I freaked myself out while filling in that AIM session. The amount of lines I typed fit perfectly in the amount I had copied over from one of yours. Crazy!

[DavisOsborne]

oh crap!!...there he is...get back to your ship...and your needles)........there are Great actors depending on you)...........

[Ben Sliker]

lol. nick, thanks for the watch and EXTENSIVE review.

your chat session didn't turn out to bad. Better than some of my first attempts, nobody was online so, I tried to chat with the Moviefone bot, it just wasn't the same. (this is an exact copy of my experience)

spesliker (1:01:05 AM): ok, o2 ready?
Moviefone (1:01:05 AM): Hi there. I'm the new Moviefone bot!
spesliker (1:01:18 AM): i want to watch O2
Moviefone (1:01:18 AM): Ah -- you've got me again. Why don't you type menu.
spesliker (1:01:23 AM): ready?
Moviefone (1:01:24 AM): Excuse me?
spesliker (1:01:28 AM): 3
Moviefone (1:01:28 AM): No movies matched your query. Try again or type main to return to main menu.
spesliker (1:01:29 AM): 2
Moviefone (1:01:29 AM): No movies matched your query. Try again or type main to return to main menu.
spesliker (1:01:30 AM): 1
Moviefone (1:01:30 AM): No movies matched your query. Try again or type main to return to main menu.
spesliker (1:01:41 AM): I love this opening shot.
Moviefone (1:01:42 AM): Excellent.
spesliker (1:01:54 AM): the comps look a little clean ho.
Moviefone (1:01:54 AM): Pardon me? I tried to find movies and directors related to what you typed but didn't have any luck. Can you try again?
spesliker (1:02:14 AM): yeah mark johnson is kind of obscure, i'm not surprised.
Moviefone (1:02:14 AM): Indeed
spesliker (1:02:28 AM): do you want to talk about O2?
Moviefone (1:02:28 AM): Enter a valid 5 digit zip-code.
spesliker (1:02:34 AM): why?
Moviefone (1:02:34 AM): Not valid 5 digit zipcode. Would you like to try again?
spesliker (1:02:39 AM): not really
Moviefone (1:02:39 AM): Main Menu
Select a number or just ask me about any film, actor or director and I'll search for you.
spesliker (1:02:59 AM): where's O2 playing?
Moviefone (1:02:59 AM): Enter a valid 5 digit zip-code.
spesliker (1:03:11 AM): no, i don't want you to know where i live.
Moviefone (1:03:11 AM): Not valid 5 digit zipcode. Would you like to try again?
spesliker (1:03:21 AM): screw this.
Moviefone (1:03:21 AM): Not valid 5 digit zipcode. Would you like to try again?

Apparently moviefone doesn't want to talk about movies at all.

[Ben Sliker]

No idea what that's from but it's hilarious.:thumbup:

drew, youtube "don herzfeldt" and watch "rejected" and the animation show open, intermission and end. your life will be changed.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

:grin: I am not going to lie, sometimes when I get bored I, too, try to talk to online robots.

Was my review really that extensive? Minus the AIM chat I didn't think it was that long.

EDIT: Yeah, I guess it kind of it. :D

[Ben Sliker]

it was an epic post regardless. :)

[ConspiracyPenguin]

it was an epic post regardless. :)

The sexy chat girl disagreed. She did not get what she came for.

EDIT: Damn that sounds terrible! :evil:

[Justin Kuhn]

I would have liked to see a continuation of your reaction in real time, even with the bot--especially with the bot. Nice review though! I think we were talking about doing a session on JAM ourselves. I'm looking forward to it.

[Ben Sliker]

I think we were talking about doing a session on JAM ourselves. I'm looking forward to it.

Maybe tonight ...

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I would have liked to see a continuation of your reaction in real time, even with the bot--especially with the bot. Nice review though! I think we were talking about doing a session on JAM ourselves. I'm looking forward to it.

Are you talkin' to me? There was no bot. :embarasse

I just made up a fake chat session with a pretty AIM call girl. :evil:

[Brandon Rice]

This held onto my 2nd top film in the fest, good work :thumbsup:

[Ben Sliker]

This held onto my 2nd top film in the fest, good work :thumbsup:

THANKS DUDE!