A Tear For You - A Frank Glencairn Film

[Postmaster]

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1808/posterq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


So after the "The Door" desaster here comes a new try for loss fest.

One Tear For You

A melodrama by Frank Glencairn.

Music by Jimmy Gelhaar - jimmyg.us

CLICK TO VIEW: http://www.dvxfest.com/lossfest/index.php?id=2900456

[Postmaster]

This one will be a real challange for the HVX/Lex combo.

The whole scenery will be lit only by a christmas tree and some table lamps.

I did some tests. In the moment I try a setting where I shoot in cine D but the pedestal cranked up till he image looks real "milky", than I do my curves in post.

I was able to rduce noise by a good ammount.
I will probably ending up shooting uncompressed, cause the DVCPro HD codec gives me some headaches in that light situation.

I tried to simply overlight but I´m not getting the mood and atmosphere that way.

Here are the first tests. I´m not really satisfied yet with the final look, but I keep tweeking.
...and yes, I know it´s out a focus.

The third picture is about the look I want to get.

[Postmaster]

Some BTS

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8696/1001226.jpg

[Mark Johnson]

Reserved for Fat MOnster comments

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Reserved for commenting on the Fat Monster comments.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Frank, I love your work. This sounds pretty intriguing. I was wondering if someone was going to do a holiday themed entry.

Best of luck!

MAH

[Horncastle]

Woo hoo - Frank is in the running!! Good luck.
Jason

[Susanne G.]

Fantastic - go Frank go! Nice to see you back! I am very much looking forward to this one. I loved a lot your TimeFest entry. Unfortunately you didn't finish 'The door', so I hope you will finish this one. :beer:

Susanne :bath:

[stinkpot]

Great title and great poster! I can't wait to check this out.

:beer:

[Rodney V. Smith]

and Frank is back! Can't keep a good man down!

[Simon Höfer]

Nice! Really looking forward to this one :)

How are you going to handle the language problem? German with subtitles?

[Postmaster]

Nah! Will be in English.

Jenny is a native (brittish) speaker and sounds pretty good as long as she don´t have to fake an american accent ;-)

And she will be the only person who speaks in that short.



Frank

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Nah! Will be in English.

Jenny is a native (brittish) speaker and sounds pretty good as long as she don´t have to fake an american accent ;-)

And she will be the only person who speaks in that short.



Frank
As long as they are speaking in their native tongue you should be fine. :beer:

Should be a good one.

Good luck!

Mike

[Postmaster]

Update: Light tests on first side of the thread.

[Richard J. Johnson]

The shot of the Tree is a huge difference. was that just basic color correction?


This one will be a real challange for the HVX/Lex combo.

The whole scenery will be lit only by a christmas tree and some table lamps.

I did some tests. In the moment I try a setting where I shoot in cine D but the pedestal cranked up till he image looks real "milky", than I do my curves in post.

I was able to rduce noise by a good ammount.
I will probably ending up shooting uncompressed, cause the DVCPro HD codec gives me some headaches in that light situation.

I tried to simply overlight but I´m not getting the mood and atmosphere that way.

Here are the first tests. I´m not really satisfied yet with the final look, but I keep tweeking.
...and yes, I know it´s out a focus.

The third picture is about the look I want to get.

[Postmaster]

Basic Lift/Gama/Gain curves grading plus a bit of diffusion.

Need to lower the saturation also.

Tonight I´ll do some skin tone tests.

Frank

[Richard J. Johnson]

Very cool. I am sure the final result will be just what you want. I am shooting with same combo and I am going to have a hell of time with lighting.

[Postmaster]

Got some new light & colr tests.

Actualy I´m still not happy with the look.
But I got some more ideas that I can try out.

[Mark Harris]

Nice. Somehow I thought you were out for the count...would really love to see something from you again.

[Postmaster]

It´s getting a bit tight, but I think we can make it.

The need to build my own camera crane dolly with remote head for this, delayed it for a view weeks,
cause I wanted to do it right.

I will post some more soon.

Frank

[Postmaster]

Just found out that Merry X-Mess is already the title of a german short film -duh!

So I changed it to "One Tear For You" - after a lot of redoing the screenplay it fits the tone better anyway.

Stay tuned, more to come.

Frank

[Postmaster]

Setting the tone.

Some of you are probably thinking "why is he so obsessed wit his color and light timing instead of start shooting?"

Well lighting is verry critical in that film and I have a certain tone that I want to nail. But shooting with a HVX200 and a LEX means, I need tonns of light - wich is excactly the opposit, I wont it to look like.

I want it to look like it was only lit by a christmas tree and some little table lamps - verry noir.

That´s why I did so many tests. I was never satisfied.
The difference of what was on my mind and what I was able to achive was too much.

Well, now I think I nailed it.

Picture 1 shows what comes out of the camera.
Picture 2 is after grading
Pictue 3 is how I restore some of the warm light with a tracked traveling mask.

I have to do some final skintone tests, but otherwise I´m happy.

Shooting is next weekend. Till than I have to finish my universal dolly-crane-slider-constuction.

Best, Frank

[Jeff Anderson]

Those tests are looking great - that twilighty look is hard to nail - especially with a tungsten source like that lamp in the shot, but I think you've got it nailed my friend. Looking forward to this Frank!

[Postmaster]

Yeah, just heavy blue geling for my main lights, and leaving the tree and little tungsten lamps allone did not work at all, but I had massive noise. Now I have much mor controll over it in post (and much more work).

Stay tuned for the skin tests.

Frank

[Mark Harris]

Shooting next weekend? Wow, I thought I was cutting it close! Good luck, Frank, looking forward to seeing it!!!!

[Postmaster]

Yeah, it´s getting a bit tight.

But I have everything prepared now.
Color grading presets, music and even a timeline filled with storyboard pictures.

So I only have to shoot, select the best takes and throw them at the timeline by replacing the storyboards with real footage....


.....BAWHAHAHAHA! Yeah right!

No, honestly I think it works pretty smooth after shooting.
Of course there will be some obstacles and hurdles, but the night is long. :)

Here comes some skin test with my grading/lighting combo.
Still a bit noisy but I have more light in the garage.

Miriam wears no make up at all, since I don´t have my make up kit here.
But you get the idea.

Frank

[Mark Harris]

What are you shooting on?

[Postmaster]

HVX200/LEX/Zeiss Medium Format Primes.

The tests where done with Firestore, the shooting willbe uncompressed via components direct to my workstation, wich gives me a cleaner picture and a bit more headroom for grading.

Frank

[Beat Takeshi]

remember that when you compress for web its going to get even darker.

[Postmaster]

Frank

[Postmaster]

Just came back of my workshop where I build my Universal Wonder Dolly/Crane/Silder.

I have to say that I´m pretty frustrated.

First the Flex gave up, than one drilling machines, and two of my saws.

Grrrr!

I bought the wrong nut´s and bolts, the hardwareshop had only 6 wheels (need 8), the parts for the integreded slider did not arrive and I run out of time, tomorrow is shooting.

So I bolted it rough-and-ready together.
It works allright, but there is lot that needs streamlining.

I provide some photos tomorrow together with some BTS stuff.

I´m tired as hell, my back hurts and I smell like a sheep pen.

Need a beer a shower and a bed. Tomorrow is the day.

Good night, Frank

[Rodney V. Smith]

beer shower would be good too

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Very nice teaser, Postmaster! It contains a minor typo, but it was really effective and grabbed me. Looking forward to this one.

[Postmaster]

Yeah saw that typo, didn´t have the nerve to do it again but organiizing the shooting.

Oh boy, oh boy, what a day.

But we`r WRAPED!

Here is a BTS photo - we where to busy to do much of them.

Grabs ar comming up

Frank

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8696/1001226.jpg

[Mark Harris]

Good god, just how big is that monitor?

[Postmaster]

24"

[Postmaster]

First grabs - fresh out of the camera

[Postmaster]

Even more grabs

[Mark Harris]

These look good. I love the look of her. The period make-up, clothes. Be eager to see some grades as you apply them.

[Postmaster]

BTS section on page #1 updated
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1495048&postcount=3

Frank

[Postmaster]

Did a raw edit today and basicly like what I see - thou I still suck at the crane.
I have some .....ahem ..err "intresting and creative" camera moves.

Frank

[Rodney V. Smith]

dude that crane is a monster. did you build it?

[Postmaster]

Yes Sir! I call it a "UniversalWonder-Crane-Dolly-Slider" and I´m friggin proud of it.

The Slider part will go on top of the rails (50" travel) but the parts did not arrive in time.

Frank

[Rodney V. Smith]

i love your crane and I want to marry it.

[Postmaster]

You could marry me Rodney, then you can use it any time.

Frank

[Eric Meisner]

Can't Wait to see these Creative Camera moves with the "UniversalWonder-Crane-Dolly-Slider"...

[Rodney V. Smith]

You could marry me Rodney, then you can use it any time.

Frank

Aww, my first proposal.

How much did that thing run you anyway? Looks like you've got some major parts on there for the turret part.

[Simon Höfer]

This looks freaking amazing! Now I am thinking of squeezing the plans out of you and building my own one :D

An yeah, what Rodney said.... how much in total?

[Rodney V. Smith]

Simon! You;re back! If you get those plans outta Frank, I'm always up for a new build!

[Sprocketboy]

Good God! That mechanical monstrosity is wonderful. You should have a Panavision camera mounted on that thing. I can't wait to see your camera moves on this film?

[Rodney V. Smith]

Sorry: I got distracted by the crane.

The shots look pretty good. I can see where you've been experimenting with the lighting and it's giving some nice soft shadows. What kind of lights did you end up using?

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Good god, just how big is that monitor?

Holy cow, I didn't notice the monitor until Mark mentioned it. That's quite a collection of toys you have there.

Excellent grabs as well! Really distinct style. I have a feeling the film will feel very solid.

[Simon Höfer]

Simon! You;re back! If you get those plans outta Frank, I'm always up for a new build!

Never been away ;) Just not writing very much, but always reading in the background. Haven't got that much time lately. Studying and exams.

Back on Topic:
Those grabs are nice indeed! Looks very interesting to say the least.

[SparkyZa]

This one looks really cool...

[jasonthewho]

Very nice grabs! The style you've got going for this looks really cool.

[Postmaster]

Thanks for the praise gentlemen.

The crane was in the neighbourhood of 350 Euros. The slider part comes for an other 230.

Getting the used Quick Set monopost with that monster pan/tilt head for 130 Euros at Ebay helped a lot, (but I had a cheaper plan B).

The rest is standard of-the-shelf stuff from Homedepot, some blood, sweat and tears plus a solid amount of 4 letter words.

Took me about 7 hours to build. It still needs some streamlining.

I made it super heavy duty, cause most cranes or jib arms I ever used, where to wobbly in my book if you throw a 30 pound camera at them. This one is super stiff and needs 120 pound of water filled sunshade stands to balance my camera.
The rails can be pulled out and extend to an other 50 inch for longer reach.
The sunshade stands are a bit bigger to transport as barbell weights, but they wight next to nothing when empty.

The Dolly can be outfitted with a bazooka ( I made that of a table leg and an old Vinten treepod) instead of the crane within under 5 minutes.

If it is all done and the slider parts are here, I do a DIY documentation - including detailed parts list - before you guys start twisting my arm, so everybody can get some inspiration or just bluntly copy it. All you need is a saw, a drilling machine and some wrenches.

Back on the film.

When I said errr. "creative and intresting" crane moves, I ment I messed it up.
I underestimated that you need some practice to make the camera on the crane move the way you want it.

Too my defence I have to say that I had some moves in my head that need rather a Motion Controll rig than a jib.- and yeah, I´m working on that.

Now I have to improvice a bit in the editing - but the sheer emotional power of my lead actress redresses it.

The lights I used is 2 110 Watt flou lights with softbox, a tungsten fresnell and a.....


....Wellness Light.

Yes you heard right, a Wellnes Light. You can see it on page 1 of this thread, in the BTS section, where I mount it above the mirror.

Comes for 42 Euros with diffuser screen and sports two 40 Watt Osram Dulux daylight flou bulbs.

...cheapskates Cool Lights :)

Oh, and the monitor is a 24" full HD Gateway with RGB inputs - 250 Euros - refurbished - Ebay (of course).
It mounts on a double arm - 1:1 preview is verry comfortable. Get used to it once never look back, but you need AC.

Frank

[Postmaster]

Some more BTS and a grab from our additional shooting last night.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Looking good, Frank!

This will be one of the first movies I watch. I hope you manage to get it finished.
Looked like a fun shoot last night. Great pics.

Good luck!

MAH

[Postmaster]

No problem, just finished editing and do some audio foly and streamlining now - probably upload tonight or tomorrow morning. :)

Frank :beer:

[Postmaster]

Here are the some grabs with the final color grading.

Frank

[Postmaster]

...and here comes the rest.

It took me quite a while to figur the workflow out, how to achive the look (only lit by a christmas tree and some table lamps). But now I´m pretty happy with it,
Exactly what I was after.

Frank

[Sprocketboy]

The film has a nice look and feel about it. I like the fact that you are consistent in the use of either a green cast or a warm amber cast, or both. The closet shot is very good.

[Postmaster]

Actualy the closet shot is no closet at all, since they are pretty unusual in Germany.
But I wanted one in the film, so I had to fake it.

It´s actualy the door of our bedroom with 2 guys holding a broom stick with some clothes amd hangers in front of it.
I was shooting from the hall way. :)

Now I´m sorry that we did not take a BTS photo of that stunt.

I was totaly obsessed about light and the color of it in that film.
It has some deeper denotation with the story and the way I did the blocking.

Can´t tell too much about it now, caus I don´t want to spoil. But after the screening I will write someting about the visual language I developed for the scenes.

Frank

[Susanne G.]

Your BTS have a very nice mood. I like them. Is the film located in the 40's ?

Susanne

[Sprocketboy]

It´s actualy the door of our bedroom with 2 guys holding a broom stick with some clothes amd hangers in front of it.
I was shooting from the hall way. :)

That's fantastic! A great use of ingenuity.

[Horncastle]

Those grabs look beautiful Frank, every one of them. The lighting looks wonderful - all your research looks like it's paid off. As for the Unique Wonder Whatever Crane/Dolly/Slider ... I am at a loss for words.
I look forward to watching the film.
Jason

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

The grabs are stunning! Love them.

Are you going with subtitles for this one? Can't remember.

MAH

[jasonthewho]

Actualy the closet shot is no closet at all, since they are pretty unusual in Germany.
But I wanted one in the film, so I had to fake it.

Hey, I've got a fake closet in my film too!

Looking forward to seeing this one! Liking all the new grabs.

[Postmaster]

Are you going with subtitles for this one? Can't remember.

MAH

No, both actors are native english speakers - the kid says only one word.

Thou it looks so in the first place Susanne, the film is not situated in any specific period. It´s more like Barzil or Bladerunner that got some retro look elements.

Our apartment just looks that way, and most of our friends are also in the 40s and 50s retro scene, so it´s no wonder that everyting I do has that touch.

Thou I was aiming for that "Film Noir" or "Neo Noir" look.

Actualy I tried a BW filter and it was looking instamtly like a Sam Spade hardboiled film. I think I will do a BW version for the DVD.

Frank :beer:

[jasonthewho]

Brazil is my favorite movie. I'm looking forward to this even more now.

[Postmaster]

UPLOADED! Yeeeehaaaaw!

O.K. That´s it! Now I´m of like a prom dress in a hot summer night.

I spend the weekend in Swizerland, see ya guys on monday.

Frank

[MrKilloran]

Let this thread slip by me till now.

Its looking great and glad to see you're uploaded, looking forward to viewing.

[Postmaster]

Uploaded - Approved! http://www.ask1.org/modules/Forums/images/smiles/jubel.gif

Time to break out the popcorn http://www.ask1.org/modules/Forums/images/smiles/popcorn.gif

Frank

[jasonthewho]

Congrats!

[Simon Höfer]

Congrats Frank!

[Rodney V. Smith]

Popcorn and BEER time.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Really looking forward to this one.
Best of luck, Frank!

MAH

[Postmaster]

Thanks a lot gentlemen.

Hope you guys like it.

Let the plays begin and may the best man win.

Frank

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Frank, this was disturbing. :)

I won't give too much away but the ending left me feeling a little uncomfortable.
Sad little film.

Loved the scenes with here getting ready to go. Really nice work there.
The colour and softness was really nice. What a great look.


POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!



I could have used a wide shot to show their positions in the room. I wanted to see more of where they were in relation to one another. I was also thrown off by the shot when she looks back towards the window and he was gone. Looked like a different window?

PS- You need some room noise. It will help hide the hiss that pops up every time someone speaks. That or a slight pass on the dialogue.
Improving the audio will only help keep us in the moment.

Well done, Frank. This really is an interesting piece.

MAH

[Postmaster]

I hear you Michael, I regret it so much that I did not thinking of geting some wider shots to establish the room and get some more motivated editing alternatives.

Having a wider one when he opens the window would helped a lot, to connect the next two scenes.

We shot everyting in one Sunday afternoon, and now I pull my hair, cause I knew that I need shots like that - just didn´t do them in the heat of the moment. (yeah tell me about shot lists, I know, I know).

Oh well, it´s live and learn.

Frank

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I hear you Michael, I regret it so much that I did not thinking of geting some wider shots to establish the room and get some more motivated editing alternatives.

Having a wider one when he opens the window would helped a lot, to connect the next two scenes.

We shot everyting in one Sunday afternoon, and now I pull my hair, cause I knew that I need shots like that - just didn´t do them in the heat of the moment. (yeah tell me about shot lists, I know, I know).

Oh well, it´s live and learn.

FrankStill a very strong piece, Frank. Very compelling story. :beer:
Very topical as well. Overall this is a strong entry.

MAH

[Will Clegg]

Frank, I tip my hat to you for taking on such an interesting and unfortunate current topic. The cinematography was simply lovely and I think the story works quite well.

I must say that I didn't really buy the lead male's performance. I think the entire story would have had a greater impact if he was a bit more human to me - this is partly his performance, and also the use of so many cliches in his dialogue.

I wonder - why not shoot in German and use English subtitles? I'm not suggesting that this would necessarily be better, but I am just curious as to why you choose to shoot in English (based on this and your TimeFest entries).

[Postmaster]

This was the first time Chris was in front of a camera, so I did not expect award winning performance. But I agree, a more experianced talent or even profesional actor would made a difference.

Talking about cliches in his dialogue, well I grew up with american movies and TV shows, so what did you expect :D

The main reason why I shoot in english is, I aim for international festivals.
I feel that subtitles are always distracting me. No problem if you can watch the film 2 or more times, but for international festivals I think english is easyer for everyone.

Having said that, I shoot my next short film in German and my first feature film is also in German.

Thanks for your thoughts Will.

Frank

[Will Clegg]

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more from you - these last two were very impressive.

[Richard J. Johnson]

It just looked amazing. The set design was perfect. The entire package just worked for me. The lead actor was a little rigid for me but no where near enough to ruin anything. Hell my actors are still learning the trade as well. great film. Sad as hell But a great film. I simply do not understand how to light scenes like you did.

[Postmaster]

I simply do not understand how to light scenes like you did.

Ask the guy that lit Puppeteer.
Hell of a good lighting there.

Thanks, Frank

[seductivepuppy]

a very interesting piece. nice work.

[Maximus]

Cinematography and Production Design very impressive.

My critique would be the opening scene as already mentioned. A wide shot to establish the geography between the man and woman would have helped orient the space. Helpful, but not essential for the scene to work.

As is, the main problem is with crossing the axis. If the man looks screen left to face the woman, she should really be facing screen right if she is looking back at him. The fact they both look left to speak to each other is confusing. Flopping the woman's scenes is an option to resolve the eye direction issue.

My two cents.

[Chris Messineo]

I really liked this a lot.

The tone throughout was perfect. There was a sadness, a sense of loss, in the air that you could feel in every scene. The music was lovely and I especially liked the way you book-ended the short with the little music box.

Very well done.

[Mark Harris]

Frank, this was fantastic. Really tight and solid. You did a nice job of maintaining the tension between them.

The only technical thing I saw was the sound mix needed some work. It was easy to hear when you were taking the levels down between people speaking. And I thought I heard a tad too much noise reduction at times, but that might have been compression.

Otherwise I think it's incredibly solid and moving. Performances were simple and unaffected. Compositions and lighting beautiful. Nice use of the push in to build tense moments.

[Postmaster]

Thanks guys.

Yes Chris, Jimmy Gelhaar`s music was a great inspiration for me.
I listened to it all the time over and over while fleshing out the screenplay.


And yeah Mark, sound was a challange. I learned that a shotgun on a boom is doing a different job than a hyper cardioid.
I got more foot stomping/rubbing on the floor and squeeking parquet than dialog.
That, in combination with a cheap home theater wanabe system instead of 2 good speakers did the rest.

Time to raise some funds for better audio equipment.

Anyway, lesson learned - glad you like it.

Frank

[alex whitmer]

Jesus Christ, Frank, what a gorgeous film.

The acting didn't bother me at all. I like the drollness of the character, and felt it fit perfectly someone about to jump out the window - an almost zombie-like state. Any more personality would have been a distraction to the woman's more colorful role, and to the subtleness of the music box.

Excellent!!

Didn't bother me we didn't see the whole apartment. Not sure what would be there to reinforce the story. Costume/make up and a few props set the film firmly in it's period.

And man do I love that music. Hope I can find it on youtube!!

I'm a nimrod when it comes to tech critique, so I'll skip that. Boom? Shotgun? yeah, whatever.

For me the lighting, the framing, and most important, the rhythm of the piece was fricken outstanding.

A most superb film!

aw

[Postmaster]

Wow, thanks a bunch for your warm words Alex.

For the music, have a look here: http://www.jimmyg.us/

Frank

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Frank,

I love that you're tackling a period piece of sorts! Your cinematography is very strong throughout and I really enjoy the strong sense of grounding that your film gives itself.

I thought the performances all felt right, just as Alex said. The man performed exactly as I'd expect someone in such a condition to do. The woman was also peculiar in her reaction, but why she had to compose herself so made some sense to me (or at least from my interpretation, anyway). This is a very strong piece, Frank, and I think you have a very adept way of blocking and lighting your scenes. It's very basic but in the best way. I guess I'd call it "crisp filmmaking."

Of course, people have already mentioned the sound foibles. It was strong throughout, but the cutting in of lots of the dialogue gave way for a lot of noise to sneak in and out each time. But we don't need to beat this point to death.

Very nice work, Frank. :beer:

[Rodney V. Smith]

This is a beautiful and poignant piece Frank and you have to be very proud of yourself. You did a solid job here, with great cinematography and a very simple but effective story. Well done all around man and I applaud you. Your hard work really shines through.

Good job on the period piece as well. Your actors did a good job and were well directed.

[Norm Sanders]

Hey Frank,

I've got SO many thoughts & things to say about this piece! First, let me say that I was LOVING the beginning! All the way up to where the needle was lifted off the record player was SOOO pro! Sound, music, art/set design, titles, everything. NICE!

I was brought down some by the performances, mostly the male's, because they seemed so droll, but in looking back quickly at just the comments on this page, as well as going through the entire film, I can see that's what you intended & was the style. In that, it worked perfectly then, because it was very consistent ... just didn't PULL me into the story is all.

My other hardship I had with this was the audio, specifically on the opening dialogue of the female. Sounded like a noise gate was cranked too high or something, so I'd hear the background/room noise cut in & out, which caused distraction.

Otherwise, your framing, the look (SO LOVED the set design, your attention to detail on makeup, wardrobe, setting, everything), etc was spot on!

This is the first film I watched, and really enjoyed so much about it, thank you. Hopefully the above critique helps some, if only about the audio issue.

Lastly, I saw that you not only directed, but SHOT this?! Amazing. I personally can't do both, and I don't know many that can, because of the level of detail & attention that needs to be paid to both, but you seemed to be able to grasp both quite well at the same time.

Oh, and question....I'm assuming that was his daughter ... did she hate the guy? Only person that seemed impacted at all was the wife, and even that wasn't much.

[Postmaster]

I don´t think Chris`acting was stiff (last scene aside - pun intended) as some say. I wrote his character to be traumatized by the loss. And that´s what he performed like - thou he is not an actor but the most dedicated and passionated suit salesman I know - he did a fine job. But of course a professional would have be able to add some extras.

For Jenny it was the second time in front of a camera (played the nurse in my Timefest entry).
And I really like her performance.

Even if the HVX200 is not known as the most crisp queen of the night and I was using a LEX with 1960s Zeiss Jena medium format primes, I was able to pull pretty crisp pictures.
Sometimes a bit to crisp and clear - now that I look at them again.

Some one even asked me if I was using a EX3.

I´m really happy to get so much good response.
After seeing that film a zillion times, I wasn´t sure anymore if some one would be able to connect with it at all. The usual editor syndrome.

Directing and shooting andwhatnot at the same time Norm, means that you miss some things that make you pull your hair while editing. Not an adorable situation. On the other hand, I like to have controll over the things. For me it´s easyer to also handle the camera than tell a DOP what I want.

And yeah, Lili hated her father cause he never had time for her and the relation with Jenny wasn´t the best for a view years - but that would be to much for 6 minutes. I writing this things when I develop the characters, but don´t mention them in the film.
I hope that they shimmer between the lines thou.

Frank

[Blaine]

Frank,

This looked nice and hit the sense of loss perfectly.

I thought your production design was outstanding.

Now, I am probably going to be in the minority but for me I thought the piece started to drag in the middle. I found myself becoming distracted and in danger of losing interest. You brought together at the end but I'd like to see you tighten it up in the middle.

Your acting was not too bad. Jenny (I hope that's right) was much better than Chris. But I'm willing to give him a lot of leeway since you were shooting in English.

I did find the clichés a bit distracting, though.

Overall, a good job.

[Postmaster]

Jenny (I hope that's right) was much better than Chris. But I'm willing to give him a lot of leeway since you were shooting in English.


LOL - Chris is from New Jersey. :beer: But I´m sure he will appreciate the leeway. :D

As I said, I grew up with american TV and movies - so you can expect some cliches.
Look at it as american folklore in the mirror of an "old europe" film maker wanabe.

Cheers, Frank

[Lawsuit_Boy]

I don´t think Chris`acting was stiff (last scene aside - pun intended) as some say. I wrote his character to be traumatized by the loss. And that´s what he performed like -

I also thought he did a great job. As I said, I thought his portrayal of the situation seemed very accurate. :thumbsup:

[Blaine]

LOL - Chris is from New Jersey. :beer: But I´m sure he will appreciate the leeway. :D

As I said, I grew up with american TV and movies - so you can expect some cliches.
Look at it as american folklore in the mirror of an "old europe" film maker wanabe.

Cheers, FrankWow. I figured the accent for European. There goes the leeway :happy:

[Postmaster]

Maybe he lives too long over here :)

[Sprocketboy]

This is a technical virtuosity. Every shot, almost every frame is a beautiful photograph. Your lighting, camera moves and color grading paid off. The actors had a wonderful retro look that really set the mood. I did notice, in the first scene, your actors’ eye lines were breaking the director’s line. This problem happens more often, than not. Also the actors’ performances were a bit stilted. The last shot is stuck in my head and I can’t get it out. It is truly a strong image. The music is unexpected and haunting. Great job.

[orchidsofwrath]

Story was ok. Dialogue just sounded a little bit "scripted" for me. I dunno if that was the acting or the actual lines. Visuals were utterly pro. Audio didn't cut it for me. Sounded like white noise popped up everytime someone talked (particurly the woman). Thats when noise reduction comes in extremely handy. Actually noise reduction is magical.

Don't mean to sound negative, still a solid movie.

[MrKilloran]

On an emotional level I wasn't feeling this. The dialogue or acting fell flat for me, it was too unnatural and robotic. The characters in the story just seem to be uninterested or too cold and I wasn't invested in their story.

On a technical level... wow, this is shot beautifully, every scene is wonderfully lit and consistent. Excellent use of framing, its a fine thing to look at. Maybe open up the shots a little wider so we can get a feel for the surroundings but overall it is solid and fine-tuned. Great job.

[Postmaster]

I thought it might be a good idea to let you guys know, what I was thinking while developing characters, blocking and lighting.

So here it goes:

The Visual Language of O.T.F.Y.

There is a story behind the visible story that can not be told in 6 minutes.
So I tried to let it "shimmer between the lines" by using analogys and metaphors in my visual language. So I can almost double the information within the same time frame. There is not a single random frame in there. Everything has at least one reason or motivation.

I´m hoping, that the unconscious mind picks up those bits of additional information and transfers it to a feeling, that helps to understand the untold story.

1. Opening sequence - The Gramophone

It all starts with a romantic song, till Chris interrupts it and plays his own tune.
Pretty much what happenes to their relationship over the last years.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236768090.jpg

2. Introducing Chris - The cold light and the mill

Chris got a lot of cold light coming straight to his face from the outside world.
He is not only facing the loss of his fortune (literally) but also the social cold from the world of capitalism and greed. A cold social Darvinism that knows no mercy for those who lost everything. The little musical box is like the treadmill he is in for years and he kepps winding it all the time.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236768553.jpg

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236768588.jpg

3. Intoducing Jenny - At the threshold.

Jenny stands between the cold space of Chris and the warm space where the christmas tree - an ancient symbol for light in the darkness - is situated.
She is torn between those two poles, between her fading love to Chris and her yearning for warm love and hope. While standing there she is bitter, cynical and snappy.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236768924.jpg

4. The Light of Hope

When Jenny turnes away from the "dark" (blue/cold) side she gets into the light of hope in the dark, that is emblematised by the tree. That is also reflected by the color grading. Also her attitude changes. She talks in warm words of hope now.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236769147.jpg

5. Chris`childhood memories

There is one little moment, when Chris awakes from his Zombie like state.
It´s the moment when he remembers his childhood. I tried to aggravate that moment by having a shimmer of warm light on his face that almost supresses the cold blue from outside. Till the blue light takes over again.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236769326.jpg

6. Washing hands

When Jenny is washing her hands, that refers to an old symbol of beeing innocent, but also getting rid of things. The grading is pretty neutral and will get green accents and greenish shadows in the next scenes. Whereby green is known as a color of hope and spring (new begin after death).

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236769639.jpg

7. The Mirror

A mirror in film is often a mark for a turning point of the charakter. Looking in his own eyes is looking in his soul. A very traditional - even vintage - film language I used here.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236769832.jpg

8. The empty suitcase.

As the grading gets more greenish (new begining) we see an empti suitcase.
Jenny´s life in the moment - just empty. She starts to fill it with her own stuff and a picture (memory) of Chris.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236769987.jpg

[Postmaster]

Visual Language - part 2

9. The closet.

A closet is a dark place where you hide things.
She only taks a light coat and let everything else she had there.
Leaving her past in that dark place, giong into the light (mind the HMI on the right side), thou her future is still blurry (out of focus).

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236770180.jpg

10. Twilight

When Jenny calls Lilly, both of them are lit by warm and cold lights at the same time.

As a side note: I made the police lights in Aftereffects and I´m friggin proud of them. :)

What appears to be police lights is also the process of transition.
Torn between cold and warm - unsecure future, but they are leaving the lights and head for a new morning.

...ummm I hope that doesn´t sound too esotheric.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236770434.jpg

11. Silence of the treadmill.

Lilly stops playing dad`s melody and lays his treadmill down - so she also frees herself from the domination of her father - who never had any time for her. Now his treadmill is silent for ever and so is he.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236770632.jpg

12. Stone cold

Dad is dead. But he also found peace and disburden himself by jumping out of that window. Consolation and release from his sorrows.
What`s left of him is the Chris, Jenny once fell in love with.
So that romantic melody - "their melody" comes back for a moment.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/31135/1236771014.jpg

Frank

[jasonthewho]

Like the explanation of the lighting. Amazing how much thought you put into it. You are a true visual filmmaker.

The visuals were exemplary. I was disconcerted though, by the crossing of the line. I was confused where they were spatially in relation to each other.

The music is haunting. How did you get the rights to that song? It's amazing.

[jasonthewho]

Scratch that question, I just answered it by reading back a little further.

[Robbie Comeau]

Camera, sound, acting, grading, was very nice in this film.

The set design and wardrobe seemed fitting as well.

My only con is the framing you chose on the man. The side of his face look out/and speaking.

Just looked funny I guess.

Overall, good fillm man!

Robbie

[Postmaster]

I thought it was a good idea, cause he is not much connected to her anymore.

Looks like that did not work at all.

Frank

[preston]

hey quick comment - i used sinks/hand washing, suitcases, and a mirror in my film, too.. for much the same reasons. :)

great looking film, excellent production. thank you for posting about the visual language you used in telling the story.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I thought it was a good idea, cause he is not much connected to her anymore.

Looks like that did not work at all.

FrankI think had you shown them both in the same frame and we could see that he was intentionally doing that to her... it would have worked much better.
Just my 2 cents though. It still works on some level. :thumbup:

[timbook2]

ahhhh I smell some Fassbender.....much better than the Tarantinizing I see all over.

Excellent filming!!!!! a little too unemotional for my liking but the music and the setting, the whole congrinuity: excellent!!! triple A !

In the middle it drops a bit but the lights, the images, the wardrobe, the props, all extremely well done!!!!

I didnt mind the sound so much, yes there is some noise when the female speaks, but the mix was sensible, no overloud sound fx, excellent choice of music!

and one of the films that took the "loss" theme and kept it til the end, actually one of the few where the theme was kept alive very subtle and with a straight line!!! I actually remembered what the theme was.

invest in some good audio stuff and continue!!! :thumbup:

[Spear670]

I thought this film looked great, but there wasn't much going for the story. It was a simple story to be fair, and I think you did a decent job filling us in on the characters world without just flat out telling us.

[SMarston]

your movie was soooo well made. i loved all the shots and music, the calm voice of the husband. if i had walked away from the computer, just hearing it in the background would have been relaxing in some weird way, but it was a little too slow for my personal taste.

[warau]

Really well done visually. The lines were somewhat wooden to my ear but not distractingly so. I did think the ending might have been stronger if you had left his body out of it. But, what do I know. Good job!

[ZazaCast]

You did a great job shooting this...really...just beautiful. The story seemed to darg a bit for me and I had a hard time believing the actors in their roles. I didn't feel the emotion that the guy had lost everything. The very end...left me a little flat, I already knew he jumped, didn't need to see the body.

Everything else worked for me, cinematography, sound, lighting, editing...excellent!
I always look forward to your films.

[alex whitmer]

Doing some second rounds. Dang, still need to finish up the first!

Still love it as much as the first viewing. And I noticed something this round ...

Is it my imagination, or did you purposely move the guy closer to the window each time you cut back to him? Seems he's advancing inch by inch, then we see the window, and then it kind of becomes clear what's about to happen.

What I really love is we see her reaction to finish what we think we know.

If that was intended, then that is brilliant story-telling. If not, well, brilliant happenstance.

alex

[Noel Evans]

Frank this was visually wonderful. A sheer delight in lighting and composition.

That said some angles betrayed your mood slightly insofar as the relationship between the two main players, well not betrayed, I just think some 2p's would have allowed you to show the relationship visually as well.

Sound, you know about that. Story, kind of slid away a little at one point.

Really solid, and again some of the best lighting I have seen this fest.

[Brian Parker]

Beatiful lighting and shot composition. I liked the way the colors felt both vibrant and muted at the same time if that makes sense. There was a calm, subtle pacing to the film which fit well with the subject matter and time period. I gotta learn to light like that! Nice piece of cinema!

[Spear670]

From the start this struck me as one of the most professional looking films. My interest started to fade but the composition of the end with the police lights flashing outside was just amazing. Great job, this was definitely some quality eye candy!

[Postmaster]

Thanks.

The police lights where made in AfterEfects and worked much better than I thouht.

Frank

[singleframe]

solid effort! great lighting. nicely put together...
lead actress was awesome...some of the better acting i've seen in these shorts.
thanks for submitting and good luck!

[Chad_from_Chad]

nicely shot, performances felt really uninspired though. Kinda that Jessica Alba effect, the words are comming out, but they're not really sure why.

[Susanne G.]

Hi Frank,

Your film has a beautiful cinematography and an intelligent story. You are tecnical perfectionist. Compliments :thumbup:
My only critic is the acting. Your main actress seemed to me a little rigid. I remember you said already that the actors/actresses in 'UNZEIT' were not real professionists and she also was an actress in it. I think that in 'UNZEIT' were so many locations and different things - a more complex film, that I didn't realize it so much. 'A Tear for you' seems to me a calmer and simpler film and was so much concentrated to the acting. So it was for me too obvious that the actress wasn't a professional one. I like your work Frank and I hope that you take this as a constructive critic. I didn't read the other messages in your thread, so I hope I haven't repeated the argument. All the best

Susanne :bath: