What have you learned?

[Postmaster]

What have you learned while creating your entry?
What would you do better or avoid the next time?

Here is my list:

1. A shotgun on a boom can´t replace a hyper cardioid - I underestimated that and got more squeeking floor and stomping heels than dialog.

2. I need a crew - I know I said that last time, but I was insane enough, to pull it as a one-man-show again.

3. A crane needs practicing.

4. You can´t do moves that need a motion cntroll rig with a crane.

5. Everything takes at least twice a long as you think.

6. Have a shotlist and follow it, instead of wild improvising at the set.

7. Feed your actors well - it pays off.

8. Uncompressed recording makes great pictures.

9. Having real actors is better than talking all your friends in front of the camera.

10. Take your time.

Frank

[pia12254]

Nice Frank!

Things I learned:

1. Show the film to "test subjects" who are not familiar with the story/film in any way to get honest feedback about story/plot/etc.

2. Having constructive input from other people while editing is extremely helpful!

3. Simplify the edit. Less is more.

4. Sound design and music totally change the film (for the better)

5. Spend time and come up with a color treatment that makes sense for the story


And I'm sure there are a hundred other things I learned on this one that I just can't think of right now!

Daniel

[Lawsuit_Boy]

1. That dvxuser fests are "the bomb!" :thumbsup:

I'll come up with a list later.

[Richard J. Johnson]

1. Dig deeper into character development.

2. I really need a full crew.

3. Production design plays such an important role.

4. Take the time with the script and play with new ideas about where the story can be taken.

5. A follow focus and good HD monitor is must for my style of shooting.

6. I know that I have gotten better but still need a lot work.

7. That the comments and critiques are absolutley critical in the growth process.

8. That no film is flawless.

[Tim Joy]

Listen to the actors and crew more than I think I already do - so I don't F up so much next time.

"My" "best" work has always evolved from the collaboration with others, and many of the mistakes made while shooting were things that an actor or crew member mentioned, and I dismissed. I get into editing and realize what an idiot nazi I was for not listening.

[ZazaCast]

If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem!

[realogist]

Things I learned, for my first entry which did not make the deadline :-(

1. Do not try to cram 50 shots in one 12 hour shoot day.. I'd say 15-30 shots is a good estimate.
2. Allot extra time in post, especially if it's your first time working with a new format, such as Red code raw.
3. If you're doing sound foleying, triple the amount of time needed in post!
4. The more cores you have the better of you're in color grading and render times.
5. Media backup: a windows formatted NTFS drive does not work on a MAC, make sure your laptops can talk to your backup hard drives before you get on set.
6. Don't pull multiple all nighters when editing. This is not a 48 hour contest, plan ahead!

[rfox]

Wow!, great thread Frank. I'm so glad I'm not the only one grappling with these issues.


What have you learned while creating your entry?

Just because I know how to accomplish something technically, doesn't mean that I remember to do it. (Get more people and share the work load.)

Pre-production planning pays HUGE dividends. Now, if I can just remember to do THAT next time.


What would you do better or avoid the next time?

1. Take more time with each shot. I get *some* shots that I really like - so take some more time to make each scene look like what I want.

2. Get ambient sounds recorded.

3. Lock-down the set - make sure people don't move things around. (Continuity-shmontinuty)

[warau]

What have I learned?
1. A good script is primary if you want a good film.
2. Just because a camera has lots of options for color, etc doesn't mean you HAVE to use them, save color grading for post.
3. It is easy to get overwhelmed on set and forget EVERYTHING that is not clearly written down on the shot list/script.
4. Actually looking at the shot list during the shoot would help.

What would I do different?
1. Try to get someone who knows what they are doing to handle the boom mic/ or work with any volunteers on an earlier day for practice.
2. Give several people a copy of the shot list and ask them to help make sure we GET those shots.
3. Get the script finalized before shooting begins.

There's more, lots more. This has been an excellent training program so far! Thanks to everyone who commented on my film, it is hard to see the forest for the trees sometimes on your own film.

[Blaine]

5. Media backup: a windows formatted NTFS drive does not work on a MAC, make sure your laptops can talk to your backup hard drives before you get on set.Go to the following websites, download the software and boom! NTSF drives will work fine on your Mac. It doesn't help Mac formated drives work on a PC, though.

http://code.google.com/p/macfuse/
http://www.ntfs-3g.org/

You'll need to install macfuse (free) followed by the ntfs-3g driver (free)

[Blaine]

1. Dig deeper into character development.

2. I really need a full crew.

3. Production design plays such an important role.

4. Take the time with the script and play with new ideas about where the story can be taken.

5. A follow focus and good HD monitor is must for my style of shooting.

6. I know that I have gotten better but still need a lot work.

7. That the comments and critiques are absolutley critical in the growth process.

8. That no film is flawless.If you follow your advice and continue to work it out, you're going to be a force to reckon with around here. :beer:

[Mark Harris]

I think I learned what I needed to learn. I mainly focused on solidifying my methods of working with actors to get consistent results I'm looking for. Meaning, I focused some of the things I tell actors.

I also think I have a better idea of how I want to fit improv into my process.

Also learned what it takes to work with the RED in production and in post. Which was another goal in doing this project, in prep for a feature, so I know what I am in for.

I experimented much more with a looser camera over all than I had before, so I learned a lot of where the bounds are with that, as well as the limitations of doing that with a larger camera like RED, both for the camera ops and getting the thing into tight spaces.

Hmm, will think on this some more.

[preston]

making this film, i learned a lot. off the top of my head, no particular order:

1. i'm not very good at this. i'm not even as good as i thought i was.
2. preparing for a shoot is essential. a shot sheet is a must.
3. shooting fast causes stress on the set, and even bigger problems in post. schedule plenty of time to get what you need.
4. taking enough time to get good audio is just as important as anything else.
5. that little flip-out screen on the camera is NOT accurate in any way.
6. doing it all yourself is very difficult. any help is huge.
7. no one is as excited about your film as you are. not even your wife, haha.
8. did i mention shot sheets? scouting is a good idea, too.
9. giving actors direction is a good thing; don't just assume they know what you want. especially if they're not real actors. then they need more to go on.
10. light in any form helps pictures look good, so use whatever you can. there's a big one in the sky.

i could go on, but i won't. i had a tough time with just about every part of the process. hope next time i am better prepared and a little more crafty.

[orchidsofwrath]

1. make each day more productive instead of having more days...
2. start production really really early...
3. make simple stories with minimal # of actors, # of locations, difficult scenes and concentrate on executing what you have flawlessly.
4. writing a crappy script then refining it to a good one is loads easier than trying to write a good one from the get-go. (for me anyway)
5. plan plan plan plan plan... count on forgetting at least 1 thing every shoot. Count on some stuff to go wrong... Count on pickup days...

[lawriejaffa]

Just from watching films from the US, Europe and the British entry.

1. US filmmakers need to take a leaf out of European filmmakers, Europeans need to take a leaf from US filmmakers, and British filmmakers need anti-depressants and that I need a spell checker for most of my film feedback reviews!

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Just from watching films from the US, Europe and the British entry.

1. US filmmakers need to take a leaf out of European filmmakers, Europeans need to take a leaf from US filmmakers, and British filmmakers need anti-depressants and that I need a spell checker for most of my film feedback reviews!

Spell checker or not, your reviews are rock solid.

And I completely agree. We'll never hurt ourselves by borrowing from other nationality-based filmmaking aesthetics. It will, of course, make things more comprehensive and fuller.

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Also, I've learned that leaving lengthy reviews on every film is an arduous, but ultimately very rewarding, process. It seems that the comments have really been beneficial.

[lawriejaffa]

Indeed well thanks very much for complimenting my reviews - i mean we're all artists and all our points of view are totally relative and subjective anyway. I remember at film university that people (in the UK) were particularly arthouse designated (no bad thing) but it meant some of my er genre based melodrama's went down like a lead balloon lol

Here they might get a better reception - i mean we've all experienced it. Annnyway to cut a long story short I too have got tired of writing lengthy reviews but i have come up with an incredible and uber er masterplan!

A full video review of all entries! That's right, tomorrow or the day after i will post a thread up that offers a full feedback (in one video stream) of all the films I saw. Voila!

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Indeed well thanks very much for complimenting my reviews - i mean we're all artists and all our points of view are totally relative and subjective anyway. I remember at film university that people (in the UK) were particularly arthouse designated (no bad thing) but it meant some of my er genre based melodrama's went down like a lead balloon lol

Here they might get a better reception - i mean we've all experienced it. Annnyway to cut a long story short I too have got tired of writing lengthy reviews but i have come up with an incredible and uber er masterplan!

A full video review of all entries! That's right, tomorrow or the day after i will post a thread up that offers a full feedback (in one video stream) of all the films I saw. Voila!

Terrific idea! A full examination of the films streaming right out of the mouth. Very nice. Looking forward to it.

[Chris_Keaton]

Mind you I have only watched half of the shorts so far, but I am noticing that no one can do everything and it takes a good team to succeed.

Oh, and clean your camera's lens.

[Postmaster]

A full video review of all entries! That's right, tomorrow or the day after i will post a thread up that offers a full feedback (in one video stream) of all the films I saw. Voila!

Good Lord, brilliant idea. Very good Sir.


Frank

[MrKilloran]

In the words of CLockman: "meh"

[Zak Forsman]

In the words of CLockman: "meh"

clockman just blabbers on and on doesn't he?

[Zim]

Sound, sound, sound

[MrKilloran]

clockman just blabbers on and on doesn't he?

A visionary, he is a man of true insight.

1. Friends who are enthusiastic about a project and willing to help give you their time and effort are absolutely indispensable. However, a DP and some people who know what they're doing couldn't hurt.

2. Stay Genuine, keep things feeling real.

3. Organization.

4. Actually punching someone in the face is not necessarily the best looking take of the bunch and also gets you angrily chased down. :grin:

[Dustin R. Rogan]

Things I learned.

1. A film isn't always planned down to the micro detail. Its alot more fun when you just make the sh*t up on the fly.
2. Frank hates me (jk)
3. Rodney can be a valuble alie to have around...when he isn't b*tchin' like a woman (no offense women who read this) or begging me for a Kolachie :D
4. I may have learned more this fest than any other fest.
5. It isn't the camera that makes the film, its the man behind the camera....though if that man were behind a red, the hot topless chicks would want to give him kisses and such, so he'll remain behind whatever camera he borrows or steals and keep shooting :D hoping for the topless hotties...but Harris will do for now :D
6. Penguin will never make a film... :(


Rogan

[MrKilloran]

6. Penguin will never make a film... :(

However, I have been in story talks with a few people and we have a good cast and crew ready to film a short piece either the second week of April or sometime over the Summer depending on how fast we can come up with a good plot and pull everything together. I will keep you updated on that as soon as I have details.
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8229/penguin11.jpg

[Helferc]

1. Don't get actors the night before the shoot.
2. Don't write the script the night before.

Everything else went pretty good though.

[Richard J. Johnson]

Number one, I definately agree with.


1. Don't get actors the night before the shoot.
2. Don't write the script the night before.

Everything else went pretty good though.

[Kegan]

I've learned a couple things in this fest.

1. Having great sound, really changes the whole dynamic of a movie. I will never shoot another movie without a dedicated sound guy.

2. Spend more time on shot selection and props - it's the little details that stand out and matter the most.

3. Sometimes, you can't always be "vague" and let the story tell itself. Even if you don't spell it out for the audience, at least give them the first couple letters. Hints never hurt.

4. I will likely not enter another DVXfest (however, I'll never say never), though those reasons shall be kept to myself. They are well run and a lot of hard work goes into them, but there are flaws and significant ones that really affect the outcome of them.

Kegan

[ZazaCast]

One really good lesson to learn?

NEVER have sex with your lead actress until AFTER you've finished shooting the film!
It can cause massive delays and an uneasy feeling on set.

(...not to mention a strange rash that just doesn't seem to want to go away...:huh:)

[Rodney V. Smith]

One really good lesson to learn?

NEVER have sex with your lead actress until AFTER you've finished shooting the film!
It can cause massive delays and an uneasy feeling on set.

(...not to mention a strange rash that just doesn't seem to want to go away...:huh:)

When I work with a crew I always have a talk with them and let them know that they're not EVER to hit on, flirt with, and especially SLEEP WITH any of the cast until after we have wrapped. It definitely does not make for a comfortable set.

There have been a couple of time though where I myself was tempted... there was a moment where I say the lead actress through the camera as we dollied in towards her and something sparked right there.. she was so damn hot. That's when I knew that she was gold. She could make us fall in love with her through the screen....

The camera operator dated her after we wrapped and I've hated him ever since. Worked with her again, but definitely not him. :grin:

[abraham]

I've learned that while making movies with a buttload of lights, sound, gear etc is great...

...it can be even BETTER to come back to the old DVX, natural light, and a skateboard dolly, as long as you've got the right people on the set.

[JCVR]

I've learned that while making movies with a buttload of lights, sound, gear etc is great...

...it can be even BETTER to come back to the old DVX, natural light, and a skateboard dolly, as long as you've got the right people on the set.

Agreed, even though we shot on the RED and had a skeleton crew it was nice to not have 35 people on set. It was nice to just get out and make something again that isn't for a client.

[abraham]

make something...that isn't for a client.

Key phrase is right there my friend.
word.
:beer:

[abraham]

along these 'client' lines... I just got a script revision back from a client.

My 1st Draft sentence read: "He quickly opens the door, and lets in a woman."
(the characters' names are just 'Man' & 'Woman')

from the client: "He quickly opens the door, and lets in a SEXY woman."

really?? that's what you've got for me??
am i supposed to send this script to the actress playing the woman??
c'mon now...