"TUNE" a short film for twilight fest by Neil Rowe

[Neil Rowe]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/239/1224718436.jpg

not much else to say.

[Brandon Rice]

whoa! Neil's bringing something out!

[pauly_the_hitman]

Cool good luck man.
Pauly

[Kyle Stebbins]

Eeexxcellent.

[Ben Sliker]

this better have some kick ass dolly shots in it or i'll be disappointed. :)

[Beat Takeshi]

Hey Neil,
good to see you have come back to the fest. I still love that first joint you did with the model airplane. I still use your dolly too on occasions where the other one is too much.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Awesome to see you in!

Does TUNE have anything to do with the type of "tuning" they did in Dark City?

Looking forward to it mang :beer:

[Simon Höfer]

Nice! Welcome to the fest! :)

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Cool.

Welcome to Twilight!

[Neil Rowe]

brandon, i think your post is more to be excited about than this film. ..seriously. :)

sorry ben, no track work. :(

Jack, I saw dark city quite some time ago when it came out, and i cant remember much of it really except the sullen face of the main actor and that sort of comic book like noire look to it. so im going to just guess and say that i dont think its anything like that. this is really just a little peice that sort of popped into my head and I finally decided to do it spur of the moment because i needed to do something just for fun and active participation again. so its sort of quick and dirty, but i think it gives the "twilight" vibe that i wanted it to.

looking forward to watching all your entries!

[Ben Sliker]

sorry ben, no track work. :(


Neil, i'm not mad at you. I'm just disappointed. :)

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

...
Jack, I saw dark city quite some time ago when it came out, and i cant remember much of it really except the sullen face of the main actor and that sort of comic book like noire look to it. ...



SIDE NOTE ON DARK CITY: I've posted this about a dozen times. But DARK CITY is a much better (quite good in fact) movie if you watch it with the volume down until Rufus Sewell wakes up in a bath tub - the way I saw it in a test screening sans Keifer Sutherlands V.O. at the top which ruins the movie. Without his V.O. the viewer is placed in the shoes of the protagonist (Sewell) not knowing whether he is a homicidal psychopath without memory of his kilings or whether or not there are forces in play merely making it look like Sewell is a killer. Sutherland's V.O. gives you the answer in the first 2 minuts of the film.

So add it to your netflix cue if you haven't seen it, but watch with the volume down until Sewell wakes up in teh bathtub. (And don't read the spoiler below, it tells you exactly what Sutherland's V.O. does at the top) :)


....

Now for the "tuning" in Dark City ...

SPOILER (highlight to read)

The "tuning" in Dark City referred to when the gray floating men came out at night and changed reality or "tuned" the world.

END SPOILER

[Tim Joy]

I just watched the directors cut of Dark City (one of my favorites), and the director really worked hard to keep that V.O. out of there, but the suits wouldn't budge I guess.

Great way to show a spoiler Jack!


Perhaps Tune has a musical element to it? Give us some hints.

[gabrielflorit]

Post some grabs! We want to see. :)

[Edgen]

Lookin' forward to seeing your film, Neil.

Cheers!
/j

[ZazaCast]

This should prove interesting... looking forward to it!

[Brian Parker]

Like the title. Looking forward to it. Cheers!

[Mike Insane]

It seems like all kinds of people are coming out of the wood work for this fest... exciting!

[sean90291]

Just watched Tune. I loved it. It's experimental in its story telling and technique, which I actually appreciate in contrast to films trying really hard to emulate the conventional style of "the movies." Beautiful camera work. Of course I'd have wanted more from the story when you were giving me such amazing images. Your actors were so good too. Wonderful tone to the whole thing. Your "piano teacher" could have been a little less ominous and it might have worked even better for me. But I found this short makes me want to see more from you.

[Richard J. Johnson]

Just watched Tune. I loved it. It's experimental in its story telling and technique, which I actually appreciate in contrast to films trying really hard to emulate the conventional style of "the movies." Beautiful camera work. Of course I'd have wanted more from the story when you were giving me such amazing images. Your actors were so good too. Wonderful tone to the whole thing. Your "piano teacher" could have been a little less ominous and it might have worked even better for me. But I found this short makes me want to see more from you.

Exactly. Images were fantastic. Totally agree with the voice. It was recorded great but it seemed a little out of place. otherwise it was one of the best I have seen so far. good job.

[disjecta]

Hi Neil,

I'll echo what has been said already. The film held much promise at the beginning with beautiful imagery and presence from the actors but it didn't really go anywhere for me. Seemed like a trailer with a weak punchline. The voice added an ominous feeling that confused the story for me.

Sorry I coudn't be more positive.

[Zak Forsman]

sick. :)

[MrKilloran]

I can only say wahts already been said: It started out incredibly - imagery, idea, just look overall was good, but by the end of it I was left wondering what was going on? It's stops too soon and leaves us with nothing really, I wanted more story cause everything else you had was just great. Good work, keep it up.

[stinkpot]

Very creepily cinematic. Great use of natural lighting! How the he!! did you do the finger breaking thing???

:beer:

[Marlon Ladd]

Awwww, the little girl was so cute and an actress for real. Very good cinematography. Compelling and freaky story. I heard the audio pop a couple of times between cuts, which can be fixed with an audio transition, but that's all I saw or heard. The finger was cool. Good job! Wish it would have been longer.

[galbach]

Awesome poster cant wait to watch!!

[Brandon Rice]

Good short... looked great, but didn't really go anywhere for me.

[alex whitmer]

Yet another one i cannot open. 'Failed to render'

I have no idea what that means.

I'll try again.

aw

[ZazaCast]

Interesting film..strange story...and quick! loved the look of it and you had some very cool shot throughout. Cute kid! Nice job.

[gabrielflorit]

Wha?

I'm confused. It started out so well - fabulous lighting (love the backlight), very moody, good music. But then the ending.... I don't get it.

[armisiano]

I've never tried acid. But I imagine this is what a "wicked bad trip" would be like. I say that as a compliment. I'm a bit confused, but again, wicked bad acid trip.

[Adam J McKay]

I am about, well however many films down your film was, and I have to say. I LOVE THAT YOU DIDN"T USE ALL THE 6 minutes. There are a lot of decent films, but there are a lot of bad ones. Something I have learned along the way, learn how to say what you want to say in a short amount of time. Audiences will love it, especially for shorts. I loved this film. Short, creeped me out...hard. I say if that's what acid is like, count me out forever. Actually count me out forever anyway.

Great film.

[Brian Parker]

Beautiful shots and lighting. Your atmosphere is great. The little girl is a natural. Even the tune itself hand the right amount of ominous feeling within the context.

Like others here, my only issue with the film is lack of a clear story direction. If that was your intention or this was an experimantal film, then more power to you. Everything doesn't need to be wrapped up in a neat little package but I just want to know more about the story. I'm guessing that the thing with his finger is a karmic payback for him doing something he had no business doing.

Overall really great film!

[galbach]

I don't get it either... Looked awesome though

[Tim Joy]

The visuals were totally cool, and the whole thing was creepy. Big kudos in that department. The VFX and sound design rocked.

Coming from a musical background, I was confused that they seemed to be playing different notes, not that one note was out of Tune. At one point they were playing different keys even? I've tuned a few pianos myself, and there are some great sounds when bringing up one string to match the others...etc, and really wanted you to go there, or use some micro-tuning in-the-cracks "notes".

I didn't mind that you left it way open to interpretation. It's an interesting creepy well done art-piece.

[Maximus]

Your film was gorgeous to look at, your actors were perfect, the special fx were amazing. Very memorable. Original and artistic, but did not feel pretentious in the least. Great job. :beer:

[pauly_the_hitman]

I thought the whole concept was great and I did get it. I liked the different colors and feels of the two parts of the film it worked for me well done.
Pauly

[Susanne G.]

Very nice cinematography and the story makes me curious, but I didn't understand it. I like the detail when the finger bends.

Susanne

[heccky]

Uff,, Scary!!!

And shorter than others, but not too short at all..

I like it very much!!!:thumbup:

[John LaBonney]

Loved the photography and the eerie feeling. Nice job.

[jpsheets]

Dang Neil, why do you do this to me? I wanted to see more of this flick! Really loved the skipped film effect, (not sure what else to call it) how did you do that by the way? I really thought the whole film just looked fantastic. I'll have to go back and watch it again for a more thorough review. Great job!

best,
Jon

PS I still want a dolly handle...:)

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Very nice looking entry, great cinematography.
I really can't comment on the story but I did like what I saw.

Guess he should have tuned his piano. :)

[pfista]

spoiler alert?

First of all, amazing composition, quality, etc. Everything on the visual side is superb. I'm going to have to disagree with anyone that says the story isn't there. It is there. Yes, there is room for interpretation and I have my own idea of what is happening. Obviously, the man and the little girl are somehow connected. It's sort of like a loop; the girl plays something, and then the man hear's what she plays. Whatever the man plays is the sound that comes out at the girls side. But you can see that when he 'echoes' back what she plays, he plays the wrong key. He plays a black key, on purpose. When it cuts to the girl she is still playing the white key, but it is making the sound of the black key the man pressed. So that's where this strange narrator breaks the man's finger to teach him a lesson, and make him play the right notes... and he does. So the piano is tuned. I love the ambient sound, and the narrator is great. The changes between b/w and color are spot on. Every aspect of this film gave it an eerie undertone. I would have loved for it to have been longer since I was so into it, but it got the full message across in a concise and subtle way. Once again, excellent work Neil. This is my favorite film of the festival!

[disjecta]

I don't usually go back on my initial impressions but I have to say I have given this film a chance at multiple plays and it has changed my mind.

This is one of those films that is very dense for the short time it occupies. Giving it a fair dose of my attention was difficult at first because I was watching all of the films in a single sitting.

The ominous tone of the story, coupled with the strange echoes the man hears and the juxtapostion of the ominous voice with the innocence of the girl is quite beautifully done.

So forget my earlier comments, this film has grown on me as has its meaning.

Nice job Neil.

[Vader]

This is a film you cannot watch only once, you have to see it like, 5 times because it makes you go.. " Whoa... did I really just see that?" and then you go back to review it. I give it a solid 4.7/5 ^.- (Solid)

The only issue I had was the Piano teachers voice.. I lol'd, it sounded like.. a child molester.. lol.. SORRY NEIL it just did i dont know why.. but that was my first thought after i heard your voice.

Very nice! Me Gusta

[Neil Rowe]

Hey thanks for the feedback guys.

When i first ran this by people about 1 out of 5 said they thought they may get it, so i knew what i was getting into by going through with it. i guess for me its really just a conversation peice thats supposed to open a door, and then just leave you there while it hangs open creeking on the hinges and it never pushes you through. I just wanted to leave people in that strange and uneasy place. so the story is intentionally subversive, and i take full responsibility for all the "what the hecks?!?" that im sure were spoken :) . i realise that its a piece that may require close attention (especially to audio) and/or repeat viewing for the story to come through. but..

SPOILER ALERT

..as far as story goes "pfista" pretty much hit the nail on the head. to further boil down his take on it, ill give my own take on it which is simply that the man is the personification of the piano that the young girl is playing. ..of course i left alot open to interpretation even for those that "got it" . .. its the creeking door left hanging open.

anyway I hope people enjoyed it as much as im enjoying viewing all these other films, and to clarify a few earlier things for youz..

its not all natural light.

thanks for the compliments to the actors, ill pass it on. ( i already told my daughter she rocks of course.)

they are playing the same keys except for the one note the guy is playing flat

"Yet another one i cannot open. 'Failed to render'" ..this means your computer is unhappy with its social life, have you considered getting it an I-pet?

the voice speaking to the girl is just an unexplained entity rather than any certain persona such as piano teacher ect. but thats part of the open door.. although originally planned as such it just didnt work with a normal explainable voice there. it negated the mood of the peice almost entirley.

anyway thanks again for the feedback and id love to hear any more. now im off to watch more twighlity films. :)

[Darkline]

Hi Neil,

great vibe to this. I loved the bit where his finger is snapped. i think it's a great little idea that has meaning if you care to look for it. I really like the look of your last peice, was it 'fallen?' the one with the guy on the rooftops with his arms stretched - and I was pleased to see here you have somewhat continued that dreamy vibe you had going on. There is certainly a vision behind your work. very interesting piece.

You know what's a really funny co-incidence? You used the same rumbly backing track that is in my entry for twilightfest. I recognised it as soon as I heard it. And also people don't get my ending either...lol

[Neil Rowe]

really? .. the same one, or is it just really similar? heh. anyway i loved your short, and i thought it was really well done. one of my favorites for sure.

[Dick Campbell]

well, I didn't get it, sorry. but I went back and read the threads above. however, very nice photography, smooth flow to the edit.

[Mile Bozicevic]

Didn't get it. Ambience is awesome, really awesome, but I'm having hard time saying anything about this, either good or bad.

Maybe I just need some time, if get some clue, I'll bump back in.

[Ben Sliker]

neil, great stuff, shows that you don't need to use the full 6 min to tell a great story. Cinematography was beautiful, I especially loved the feel of the B&W shots with the smoke. As far as story goes, I loved that the viewer could put their own spin on it. I felt like the older guy was some ghost of a jazz legend who nobody listens to anymore, so he latches on to a young person through the piano. But there's some sort of demented contract about it, like selling your soul almost, hence the broken finger.

That being said ... i wished it was longer. :)

[hoz]

nice short.

spoiler

i took from your short that the man is the piano? not sure though. he is shot in b and w and the keys are b and w. he also has a busted finger much like the key that is off. would've liked a smile from him though when the piano is fixed to make that work, if in fact this is what it is?

really well shot!!! very cute kid. didnt like the voice over, in fact at first i thought the old man may have killed the girl or something, the voice over threw me off.

[Edgen]

Neil,

F'n creepy film. And weird. I think that it's short and sweet really sold the idea. Definitely TW material.

congrats on entering!
/j

[Mike Manning]

Hey! I really enjoyed this one!
God job all around...

One question... where's the ball?

[Geoff_R]

Nice work, Neil. My favorite from you thus far. Great cinematography and editing. Love the creepiness and overall 'off-kilter' view this gives. Simple and strong storytelling! Perfect for this fest and one of my top picks right now. Thanks for sharing!

[Neil Rowe]

One question... where's the ball?

clear, dimpled/bumped.. on top of piano. @ 17 sec and again later.

[Bryce A]

Really dug the mood of this film. The cinematography was great as well. It had that shaky aesthetic that can be really horrible when overused, but it came off really well. Surprising, epecially with the situations it was used in. It added to the uneasy feeling of the piece. Really dug the actors and the voice. creeeepy. Good job!

[SparkyZa]

Interesting story, good film.