"Stay Sharp" a film by Amy Beth O'Brien

[AmyO]

Purple Macaroni Productions
and
O'Brien Family Films
present:
"Stay Sharp"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/Stay_Sharp_poster.jpg

Starring:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/Kevin.jpg
Kevin Alexander

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/Ana.jpg
Susana Margarita

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/Cheyenne.jpg
Cheyenne Elizabeth

with
Briana Ledford as "Mom"

Score by
Damian Sanchez

Sound Re-recording mixer
Ryan J. Frias

I'm doing this one solo, but I think the kids are old enough to do some grip work this time around :) .

[AmyO]

5/12/2009:
Second draft done and awaiting critique at Writing Group tonight. I got some great feedback from them last week, so I think I should be set. I'm picking up my rental gear tomorrow (good tripod, lights, assorted grip stuff), and if all falls into place, I'll begin filming Thursday!

Also, I'm pretty geeked out about my Igus parts order arriving today. I just have to get the hole in the carriage and I've got myself a neat little slider (see here for ZazaCast's great tutorial). Since this whole movie takes place in my cozy house, a full on dolly is too much, so having a slider will give me options to keep my shots from being too static.

Here's hoping I have stills to post on Monday! :)

5/14/2009:
Stuff happened and I didn't start filming today. But, I did get my Brevis set up and collimated and all that jazz. Also, I put together my Zaza Slider, so that's done. Gonna shoot all day tomorrow - well 9-3. Yay!

5/17/2009:
First weekend of shooting complete and I am a scene ahead of schedule. I was pleasantly surprised with Kevin and Ana's performances. They've improved greatly since "Girl vs. Boy." Will they be the next Macaully Culkin and Dakota Fanning? No. But, we had fun. and that's what this film is all about. Next weekend is Cheyenne's turn and she's raring to go!

Some BTS for ya. Yes, that is a C-stand.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNjEtMjAwOTA1MTYtMTkxO.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMzctMjAwOTA1MTUtMTYyN.jpg

5/25/2009:
Happy Memorial Day all. I wrapped principal photography yesterday - w00t! The kids were great and took driection remarkably well for non-actors. Doesn't mean they turned in Oscar-caliber performances, but they did improve from take one to the last take, so that's cool.

My friend Briana came over Saturday afternoon and helped me out by playing the part of "Mom." I decided this time it would be better if we actually saw the character rather than her only being an offscreen voice. Briana was a great sport for coming in on her day off for such a brief part.

Now for the next phase - logging all 314 shots and starting on the edit. Joy!

.

[AmyO]

Screen Shots:

First weekend:
These are actual screen shots captured from P2CMS with no correction.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/stay_sharp_03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/stay_sharp_02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/stay_sharp_01.jpg

Second weekend:
Again, straight screen shots with no correction.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/stay_sharp_06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/stay_sharp_08.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/amyholly/QuestFest/stay_sharp_09.jpg

[Matt Sconce]

Yay! I love your movies! I look forward to it. -Matt

[Robert Eldon]

I always enjoy your films. Great production value and good story telling. And... it looks like you will be working with children again. Good for you!

Looking forward to your entry. :)

[Robbie Comeau]

You just love working with kids!

This is my second film now (in a row) working with kids (this time a bit younger)

Good luck!

Robbie

[ZazaCast]

Excellent...Midgets.... I love midgets!

:):):)

[AmyO]

Thanks for the welcome, guys!

Yes, I do like working with kids. Often it is out of necessity and/or convenience. I have a more complex action script I want to produce this summer, so this is just a simple little film to keep me busy until then. It has the added benefit of being a family project.

I'm hoping to see a broad range of entries this time around. You can really play with the idea of "quest" beyond something out of Tolkien. I'm already seeing a nice variety judging by posters and the few synopsis I've seen so far. Yay for DVX Fests!

[AmyO]

Excellent...Midgets.... I love midgets!

:):):)
I don't doubt that. ;)

[Rodney V. Smith]

AMY!!! you're BAAAACK! Hurray!

[stinkpot]

Hey, this looks great! Very cool poster.

:beer:

[AmyO]

Thanks guys.
I started on a totally different poster and then I found the notebook paper background and decided to change my concept completely. Finished in 15 minutes. It works.

In other news, UPS tracking tells me my new camera should be here tomorrow. Sweet!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Welcome!

Great poster. I really love it.
So what camera did you get?

MAH

[AmyO]

Thanks Michael.

With my DVX100a on semi-permanent loan to my friend Cassie for her doc, I decided it was time to upgrade to HD. Really tried to hold out for the Scarlett, but couldn't wait. Went with the HPX170 instead. Looking at all the clips on Vimeo, I think I'll have fun with it.

[John LaBonney]

Best of luck Amy!

[AmyO]

Thanks, John. :)

[kurtmo]

Glad to see you're back in action again.

I'll be in the game too. No kids for me this time around...well except for a teen.

I like the poster, too!

[AmyO]

Thanks, Kurt. Glad to see you're planning to make a Quest film, too! :)

[kurtmo]

Actually, I'm going all out on this. I'll be shooting in HD too. I was one of the first to by the HMC150. It's a great cam. You will like the HPX170. I hear the images are comparable.

I'm trying to decide if I shoot this on the HMC or my new camera that just arrived, the Panasonic ZS3:laugh:.

[AmyO]

I was so close to getting the HMC150 (partially because of your rave reviews last year). In the end, I went with the added flexibility of variable frame rates and output options that the HPX170 offered.

[Susanne G.]

Hi Amy,

I adore your poster - very simple and charming. Your last two films here around were very enjoyable. I am looking very much forward to this one. Best of luck and good work.

Susanne

[AmyO]

Thanks Susanne. With any luck, "simple and charming" will also describe this film, so I hit the right tone with the poster, I guess.

[kurtmo]

Amy, when does production start? I'm trying to coordinate schedules and travel for my production around memorial day weekend.

[AmyO]

I hope to start filming next week. My son Kevin is out of school next week (he is in a "year round" program and gets several short breaks a year) so I'll have a few days with just him in the house and can shoot the girls' scenes on the weekend. The girls go to a different school with a regular schedule. I fully anticipate having to finish up the following weekend as well. I don't want to push too much in a day as this is supposed to be a fun family activity. However it turns out is fine with me, since this time it's the process and not the product that's important.

This is all dependent, of course, on finalizing the script and getting shot lists together. I brought the script in to my writing group last week and got some great suggestions for punching it up - I just have to fit them into 6 minutes!

Hope you can get everything ready to go for Memorial Weekend. :)

[Bro. Stephen]

looking forward to seeing it

[AmyO]

Thanks Bro. Stephen! :)

For interested parties, I have begun a production notes/journal post on page one.

[AmyO]

Filming begins in 14 hours!

[AmyO]

Finished my first weekend of filming. All went well and I'm a scene ahead of schedule!
BTS and screen grabs on the first page.

[kurtmo]

Like the look on the grabs! What kind of adapter is that?

[AmyO]

Thanks Kurt. I am using a Brevis with flip attachment.

[AmyO]

Wrapped principal photography on Sunday! Yay! Now I get to sit in front of the computer screen for hours and hours, which is where the real fun begins . . .

New production log entry and screen shots on page one for those interested.

[ZazaCast]

Amy... looking good! I hope you have some fun with your ZazaSlider. Glad to see you made one. I'm looking forward to seeing how you used it.

[AmyO]

The slider was awesome! I only got two or three actual moving shots in there because I was doing this by myself, but it was great for quick setups since I could just shift one way or another to fine tune a shot. And shooting over the table - I could hang the slider over the table to reach in further than my tripod would allow for close ups since I shot the whole thing with just a 50mm lens. Great piece of kit for the solo-shooter!

[kurtmo]

I noticed the slider in your BTS. You built this?

[ZazaCast]

The slider was awesome! I only got two or three actual moving shots in there because I was doing this by myself, but it was great for quick setups since I could just shift one way or another to fine tune a shot. And shooting over the table - I could hang the slider over the table to reach in further than my tripod would allow for close ups since I shot the whole thing with just a 50mm lens. Great piece of kit for the solo-shooter!

That's great. I built it for theTwilightFest and now I use it all the time. It really is a help for the solo shooter, if even for tweaking the framing without having to move the tripod.:beer:

[AmyO]

I noticed the slider in your BTS. You built this?

Well, "assembled" is a better term. Zaza has a great step by step here (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=145701). Most challenging part was drilling and tapping the hole in the carriage. For the end stops on mine, I tapped the end holes and screwed in 1 inch bolts from the bottom. The bolt holding the head on the carriage didn't screw in all the way making it jut out a bit and catch on the bolts at the ends. Took me all of 20 minutes to assemble.

[fixitinpost]

How's post going?

[AmyO]

Going pretty well, thanks for asking. I'm comfortably under the 6 minute mark, which I'm happy about. Found a few continuity issues I have to work around or let be, which is par for the course of shooting solo. I am racing to get picture lock before I leave to shoot a doc in Texas next weekend so that I can get it over to my composer in time. It'll be sound editing and color correction when I get back on the 15th. Good times.

[kurtmo]

Excellent! Sounds like you're on track.

[Susanne G.]

I love your photography - very soft and sensitive! :thumbup:

Susanne


BTW: Your daughter is very beautiful.

[AmyO]

Thanks Susanne!

[Rodney V. Smith]

Cute kids Amy. You don't have a puppy in the film as well do you? If so, we're all sunk...

[Brandon Rice]

Nice shots, your style is very raw and real :)

[Tim Joy]

I'm sensing that this has something to do with pencils......? :)

Seriously looking forward to it.

[AmyO]

Puck: I do have a pretty unusual looking mutt, but she's not in this one. You're safe on that front ;-)

Brandon: Thanks for your comments. I hope that carries through to the moving footage.

Tim: Perhaps I'm just misleading you and the real Quest is that of the audience to figure out what the film is about, hmmm?

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Always enjoy your films, Amy. Best of luck with this one.
The grabs look great.

MAH

[Rodney V. Smith]

So... what IS the film about? Your sharp rapier wit perhaps?

[AmyO]

Thanks Michael.
And, Puck, you'll just have to wait and see ;-)

[AmyO]

I'm looking at my schedule and looking at what needs to be done on this film, and I'm not entirely confident that it will be done in time to be eligible for competition. The plan was to have picture locked by last Wednesday before I left for Texas. Last Tuesday night, I showed the cut to my Writing Group (where I developed the script) and they had BUNCHES of suggestions for me. So, picture lock didn't happen. And I don't know when it will happen at this point. My family is going to the beach for an overnight trip on Thursday, and I have my first week of teaching Filmmaking Summer Camp next week. In between packing and prepping lesson plans, I hope to find time to edit.

I may have to reduce the size of my ulcer and shoot for a exhibition entry. I'm still pushing for a July 3rd completion, but I just don't know. Damián Sánchez (ghennek) offered to score the film, so I need to give him a decent lead time to work on it. I'd rather be able to make the film be the best it can be than slap something together for the sake of competition. However, I do owe it to those involved to enter it in one way or another since they put a lot of hard work into it and their work should be shared.

Anyway, that's where I'm at in this whole crazy process. Thanks for listening (reading, if you must get technical). ;-)

[ZazaCast]

Either way...I'm looking forward to the film. Take your time & do it right. I know a lot of users are into the competition aspect of the fests...but it's really about making films...I use these fests to make sure I keep going. (easily distra....There's a squirrel....distracted!)

Love you work.

[AmyO]

Thanks, Zaza. Yeah, I make films for these fests because they give me a deadline and a structure to work within. And this film was more about creating something with the kids, so it really doesn't matter - and is probably better - if it isn't eligible for votes. I'm just a bit disappointed about missing the deadline because it is missing a deadline, not the competition part.

[ZazaCast]

No worries...

[RodThompson]

I was originally aiming to make a Top 10 film. Even with it being my first film...that was my aim. I mean, why compete if you don't plan on bringing it? But now that I am sitting down and getting to the nitty-gritty, I'm less worried about placing and just fascinated with making the BEST film I can with what I have.

I look forward to your film, Amy! Because it definitely shows your dedication to the art of film making that you still want to make a great film even though you may be out of the contest. KUDOS to you, dear lady.

[ZazaCast]

I was originally aiming to make a Top 10 film. Even with it being my first film...that was my aim.

Give up now Rod, you don't stand a chance! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)


....and they have prizes at these fests????:undecided

[RodThompson]

Not to hijack the thread, but I hope that everyone else's film get trashed in some weird cosmic event and only mine remains, thus allowing me to finally get some gear of my own (in the case of prizes like Lossfest).

/end pirate

[Rodney V. Smith]

No worries Amy. I'm sure you'll make it in on time and give us the story you're really after. You do great work, so go ahead and knock it out the best you can.

[AmyO]

Thanks guys. I'm really not trying to throw a pity party, but it is nice to get some words of encouragement. I hope to make a big push this weekend. Right now, I'm kinda surveying the overall picture and making a "game plan" so I don't get derailed by details.

[RodThompson]

All of my well-wishings are false...I'm secretly praying your mouse breaks after radio chack closes so that you won't be able to enter and I'll have less competition.

But KUDOS on the Weekend! You can do it! :D

[Rodney V. Smith]

Feh on RadioShack: Walmart opens 24 hours. Don;t worry Amy: we've got your back against the RodThompson menace...

[AmyO]

Thanks, Puck! :)

[AmyO]

I've had some close calls in these fests before, but nothing like this! Just locked picture this morning after being away from my editing computer for two weeks! Ugh! Sent it off to Damian Sanchez who had been waiting ever so patiently for me to finish. I might be cutting it close for him to be able to score it, since he's so far ahead time-zone wise.

Now it is time to clean up the sound and put it through Color. Wheeee! At least I have a compression profile created from past fests so I can just load it up and let 'er rip Friday morning - er, ah - Thursday evening, yeah, that's it. I'm not gonna tempt fate by trying to compress and upload this at 10am Friday morning. No, really, I'm not.

[Rodney V. Smith]

I see right through you Amy. I know you're secretly plotting to be the last (even though you said you were so its not quite so secret come to think of it...). Thankfully Damian is mainly finished my score so I've warmed him up for you.

He'll be able to pull some amazing music out of your film and turn it around fairly fast. Even with the time zone thing, he will rock your world.

In a good way of course.

:beer:

[AmyO]

I've been hearing lots of praise for Damian's work in this fest, so I'm confident he will deliver.

And, yes, you are on to my little plan. But that doesn't matter, I will succeed! ;-)

[ZazaCast]

Damian did a great job for me too!

Glad to hear of your progress....see.... I knew you'd make it (Damn it!). I'm sure this one will do well too.

.....and just so you know... I dedicated the very last line in "Miss Laid" to you! You are an inspiration.

[AmyO]

Aww, thanks *blush*. Looking forward to seeing "Miss Laid"!

[ZazaCast]

Aww, thanks *blush*. Looking forward to seeing "Miss Laid"!

Hold that thought! :)

[kurtmo]

Keep chugging away! I thought I would be closer, but I frittered the month away. Mostly down to audio.

On another note, my son has entered too. His first short and its not too bad. He likely kick my butt.

[lyonfilms]

When we have our cast and crew screening here in Portland (some point likely 2nd or 3rd week in July) do you want to come? The entire team is PDX local, so we think it would be totally cool to meet you. We would, of course, ask that you bring a good Quicktime of your movie and we will watch it as well!

[AmyO]

Kurt: I think it's great that your son is entering this one! Can't wait to see what he creates. I'm teaching a few weeks (here and there) of a filmmaking camp for 4th - 6th graders this summer. They amaze me with the stories they come up with.

Devon: I'd love to attend your screening. I'm always up for meeting PDX filmmakers! Just let me know the date and time when you get it locked down. Thanks for offering to screen my film as well.

[AmyO]

Okay, sorry for the double post, but this is MY thread, gosh darnit, so I'll do what I like.

Anyway, just wanted to say a public thank you to Ryan Frias for offering to do my sound edit for me. And to Damian Sanchez for doing my score. Their credits have been added to the first post as well. Thanks guys!

[Brad S.]

Okay, sorry for the double post, but this is MY thread, gosh darnit, so I'll do what I like.

Anyway, just wanted to say a public thank you to Ryan Frias for offering to do my sound edit for me. And to Damian Sanchez for doing my score. Their credits have been added to the first post as well. Thanks guys!

Glad to hear that Ryan is aboard. He's definitely a big asset to the film.

[ryanjf]

Had a great time with this! Damian was amazingly fast with the score!!

[Rodney V. Smith]

I got him all warmed up for you Amy. He lives for this stuff.

[ZazaCast]

Then I guess I warmed him up for you Puck!

[AmyO]

Thanks, Ryan. And you were no slow-poke yourself.

Both Ryan and Damian did an amazing job in a short amount of time. It is greatly appreciated. I really thought I'd be doing it all myself given how close to the deadline I was working. The DVXUser community rocks the casbah! :)

[AmyO]

And I'm done. Colored, compressed, and uploaded. More than 12 hours before the deadline. Yay!

[Matt Harris]

Amy i just saw your un-color corrected stills, very nice looking images, soft and pastelly.
(Not soft as in focus, just the "feel")
What did you do for color correcting? it looks like the footage just needed a little contrast.

[AmyO]

For the most part I did just adjust the contrast. I also had to adjust for shifting colors as I shot the dining table scenes primarily with available sunlight. A couple of the other scenes needed some color TLC as well. Nothing major. Just balancing things out between scenes and giving it a bit of punch. Thanks for your complements!

[Girgej]

Beautiful Poster & Shots.... Good Luck

[Erin]

I adore Briana, I can't wait to see this one!

[armisiano]

I love your work, I really do. I remember last fest around commenting on how beautifully you captured color. The ability to make things look so natural is really the toughest thing of all. The kids of course are adorable, and the littlest one is SO FREAKING CUTE. My girlfriend and I are fest watching together and simultaneously "awwwwe"'d. Very nicely done, and isn't Damian Sanchez brilliant? I love his work. Top marks. :)

[ramsaur]

Not a bad film. The kids did great on acting! The music had a good theme with the film.The story wasn't really that entertaining, but it was good.

[krestofre]

I think this is your most accomplished film. Your shots are becoming more polished and professional. You're really getting adept at bringing performances out of your young cast. Everything in this piece worked for me.

[ZazaCast]

Nice! Charming story that brought back horror stories of my past, I could never get my kids to sit and do homework for that long! I liked your shots and framing, but would have liked to see you use that slider a little more. I can't say the transitions worked the best for me, but I get it. Your actors did a great job and for that, I hope they all got a big dish of ice cream.

Although the story played a little on the slow side, this is a very solid film with an excellent score. Congratulations on getting it done and in.

[Ryan E. Walters]

Congrats on completing another film. :) I'm very impressed that you even attempted a film with a cast of kids, let a lone completed it. I admire such an undertaking!

[AmyO]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. We had a great time making this, and the kids really surprised me this time around. Although, I did write to their personalities, and this story isn't that far off from real-life events, so that helps. I appreciate the comments on the cinematography. It is an area I'm still working on.

And, yes, Zaza, I would have liked more slider shots, too. In fact, I had to cut two quite nice ones because they slowed things down even more. Maybe I'll put them up after the 26th. I didn't have enough practice to slide, pan, and focus all at the same time do use it all that much. Next time . . .

Ryan, I'm touched that you are impressed that I worked with kids, but since they live with me, it is pretty easy to shoot here and there. This was shot over two weekends, one three day and one two day. No 20 hour shoots like yours :) Longest day was 6 hours - including an hour lunch break.

[conrad_johnson]

Begin stream of consciousness:

Opening of film kind of reminds me of I heart Huckabees, LOVE that movie.

Lighting looks natural, not over lit and good values throughout , although a bit un-dynamic at times.

Are those Kix all over the floor?

You'll get better sound if you leave less headroom in your framing, It will also make your compositions a bit better. (not the whole movie, but certain shots eg. 2:26 and 2:31)

Overall looks a bit soft.

The clock and iris wipes kind of bum me out.

This seems like a long time to focus on one individual who needs a sharpened pencil.

The woman in the film is good looking.

Those kids are adorable.

Nice work overall, esp. on natural looking lighting. I like the look of things like that. Good values, good soft light.

Word,

-Joe

[Ryan E. Walters]

Ryan, I'm touched that you are impressed that I worked with kids, but since they live with me, it is pretty easy to shoot here and there. This was shot over two weekends, one three day and one two day. No 20 hour shoots like yours :) Longest day was 6 hours - including an hour lunch break.

Kid's and animals are the two toughest groups of "talent" to work with- so it is impressive even if you live with them. And possibly even more so, as they may not take you as seriously when you are working on the film. So kudos' for accomplishing your vision!.

[Rodney V. Smith]

Amy, you're up next.

I was orginally planning on watching each film and then doing a careful review before moving on to the next one, but then I was on to my 4th beer and everything went downhill. So I'm rewriting your review.

Amusing story about a kid who just wants to keep his pencil sharpened so he can finish his homework. Cute kid, very convincing in his exasperation. But your daughter stole the show by being so damn cute. She was practically the queen of the castle!

You captured some good attitude there with the kids and it was beautifully shot, well composed for the most part. The transitions became a little too much after a while and I found myself distracted by them, just wishing for a hard cut at times. They seemed to be there more because you didn;t have anything to cut TO rather than a stylistic choice. Didn't also help that it wiped to the same setting, just moments later. A good solid edit would have cleared some of that up and moved things along a little faster. This was one of those films where you really didn't need the full 6 minutes, and by editing for style and pace it would have been more impactful. You were shooting your kids though, so maybe you didn't have enough distance from the subject in order to edit for the story.

Anyway, despite all of that, I did enjoy the movie and found it sweet and endearing. The woman playing the mother was a good choice and for a moment had me wondering if you were making a surprise appearance. Just for a moment though. You got good performances out of the kids (kudos to you) and filmed them well.

Nice music once again from Senor Damian Sanchez. Glad I warmed him up for ya! :grin:

Enjoyable movie. Edit with a faster more stylistic pace and lose the wipes and you'll have a much better movie. Less distractions is always a good thing.

[AmyO]

Thanks for your detailed feedback, Rodney. A little bit about the clock wipes. I DO have footage to cut to. I have whole sequences of him getting more pencils and the dictionary (not the water glass, though). When I did a first assembly, I was way over seven minutes. Trimmed all the edits, and I was still way over. So, first thing to go was getting the pencils. We saw it once, we know how it goes, stalls the story. Then went the dictionary. Don't need to know where that comes from. Cut down the time and kept things moving forward rather than revisiting action we've already seen. So, I decided to go with a style choice of the clock wipes - which was the point of using them within a scene where time passed. What may have pushed that over the edge is going all out and using the push wipes between scenes as well. I'll look at that and see how it feels with hard cuts between scenes. Honestly, I'm not a big proponent of cheesy wipes and transitions. They call editing "cutting" for a reason. But, when you know the effect they have on the viewer, they can be used to create a tone or style. In this case, I'm hearing (and not just from you) that it might be overboard.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'll pass your feedback on to Briana. She came over on her day off from shooting a feature to help out and she totally rocked the Mom vibe.

This time out since there were fewer films, I decided to do a first pass through of all of them just to watch and get a feel, then I'll go back through them and leave feedback. Really liked "Strange Days." Be over in a bit to tell ya more about it! :)

[MrFluffy]

Cool kids. They did a fantastic job on the acting.

Like the other the wipes didnt work for me, a dissolve with object moving around may have worked better. It may have been a little too long as well for the subject.

Your camera work was lovely and really sold the story. I really enjoyed this.
Congratulations on a lovely short.

Dont you think that making films with your kids is sooo much better than simply sticking photos in a family album !

[Brandon Rice]

Amy, I enjoyed your short....

I was charming :) I did feel it was a tad long for my taste and didn't have enough at stake... it's always tough when doing a short... the kids were really good though :) Nice work there... and there were some funny moments too :)

Good job!

[lyonfilms]

Amy -

I enjoyed your short. I liked the "feel" - it was quiet and enjoyable. I have worked with kids a number of times and know that it can be a real skill to get subtle performances and I honestly felt you achieved this from the little boy. There were a few wonderful pauses and little body gestures and eye flicks that I loved. Bravo.

I did feel that the film was a bit slow, and I am not sure how you get around that with the story. I enjoyed it though and that is what matters. I also think the camera and the moves were clean and well controlled - nothing over the top nor too static.

Cheers.

[Noel Evans]

Amy, agree with Devon above, very clean well thought out shots that matched the story, not sure there would be any "better" way to shoot this from the cameras perspective considering the content. Final credit shot was lovely.

[AmyO]

Richard - Definitely better than a family album! And when I send out "home movies" to the extended family, they actually WANT to watch them! :)

Brandon and Devon, thanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[AmyO]

Ah, thanks Noel! Appreciate it.

[kurtmo]

Way to go Amy! I thought this was your best film yet. The intro really drew me in, very well done! The story was cute and so were the kids!

I agree with other about the wipes. I would have liked to show some jump cuts in close succession to show the protraction of time. This would have helped the pacing. I think sometimes if you have short segments with quick transitions you get a faced impatient feel. A good example is Matt Damien in Ocean’s Eleven when he’s stuck in the back of the van with the two annoying brothers. A few rapid jumps and he seems like he’s been tortured there for hours. I also would have liked a little more frustration from you lead boy. My youngest would have lost it after the third pencil or so.

Glad you chose to work with kids on this. Keep up the great work!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Best film with the kids so far. They're becoming quite the good little actors.

I loved the look on her face when he told her to go ask her sister what colour to use. Too funny. :)

If I had any real complaint it would be that it may have went on just a tad too long. I had no issue with the transitions as I felt that they suited this piece just fine.

Great job with this one.

MAH

[Susanne G.]

Hi Amy,

It is nice to see what you are able to bring out of kids. I love especially your daughter. She seems so bright when she said 'Welcome'. This was a very cute nice film, even I think that the boy has to find the pencil sharpener happend to much, so it came out a little bit to long. I always liked your cinematography and the mood of your films. Compliments!

Susanne

[stinkpot]

This really drips of cuteness. Great short film! Personally, I like the wipe transitions... they fit the lightheartedness of the piece.

Technical: The lighting was a bit even for my taste and a little more contrast in post would really make your great shots pop.

Nice work.

:beer:

[John LaBonney]

Good shot composition and photography, and I liked the transitions, it's always fun to work on a piece where we can use some of those cool wipes in our NLEs that are all sitting there waiting for a chance to be utilized. The music fits the movie very well. I laughed in a couple of places. I felt the story was a little droll and the film could have been shorter.

[hoz]

nice movie! the problem is its about homework and you did such a good job showing the frustrations of doing it that i couldn't wait for him to be done! the younger sister is terrific. they all did a good job. nice directing! and nice shots too, very smooth. i'm not going to use a pencil for awhile, thats for sure!

[AmyO]

Thanks for your comments everyone! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[RodThompson]

I'm going to echo John's comments. Your opening and closing credits were cool. Homework in the beginning and Ice Cream dish at the end, like book-ends to the movie's story.

Story could have used a little more, but you made up for it with those beautiful shots and use of lighting.

[Robert Eldon]

Amy, I expected a lot and you delivered. I've always enjoyed your stories and films and looked forward to this one. I'm a sucker for these kind of movies.

I thought the story fit the 'quest' theme really well. And it was told with very little dialog. The kids were charming (as usual), especially the littlest girl (she's been in your films before?) Kudos for directing the kids and getting the shots and emotion you wanted.

I very much enjoyed the opening and ending credits. Great use of ending the story with the kids outside and the bowl of ice cream. Well done!

I thought the middle of movie became a little slow and redundant, but other than that, the pacing was good. Maybe you could get some shots outside (some other kids perhaps) to change up the interior locations?

The music was right on and fit perfectly. Great job to your composer! I really liked it!

Overall, very charming and I look forward to your next film (as always). :)

[AmyO]

Thanks Rod and Robert! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

Yes, the youngest was in my Time Fest film "Four".

[ghennek]

... isn't Damian Sanchez brilliant? I love his work. Top marks. :)


The music had a good theme with the film.



Nice music once again from Senor Damian Sanchez. Glad I warmed him up for ya! :grin:



The music fits the movie very well.



The music was right on and fit perfectly. Great job to your composer! I really liked it!



Thank you so much for all. I really appreciate your comments.

I enjoyed scoring this film and I'm glad you're enjoying it now.

[Girgej]

Hey .. Great / Sweet / Cute little adventure... which reminds me of the great adventures we had when we were kids... wow what a world ... only thing .. it was slow at times (although it was supposed to be racing agains time) ... maybe a little bit of nervous movements from the main actors (like ... shaking of the legs) ... might have helped .. but that's only my idea... great effort ... anyway keep it up ...

[DarkElastic]

Hi Amy, I loved it.

I really felt for your main character, and the memories of parens and their rules (I am now 28)... This may also be because I have two sisters, who have always tried to make my life hard. I was amazed the mother didn't come in to tell him to put his glass on a coaster! That is how real it felt.
All actors did a wonderful job, especially the kids. You made a really simple idea work so well. You might have been able to shave seconds off it, but any more and you would lose the impact you have, and that impact makes the ending very satifying.

Well done, really good short.

[AmyO]

Thanks for your comments, guys. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

To be honest, this film is not too far off from real life events, so I'm not surprised if it is bringing back memories for some (or flashbacks, as the case may be!).

[DarkElastic]

More like nightmares... supressed memories I never wanted to resurface!!! :-)

[AmyO]

Didn't realize I made a horror flick! Sorry if it re-traumatized you ;-)

[Brian Parker]

Ah, simpler days of worksheets and homework. Really enjoyed your film Amy. You took a simple concept and told a really good story with it. You have a very natural organic style of filmmaking that always feels like you got just the right shot. Plus you have a talent for directing children which I assume isn't the easiest. Nice coloring and shot composition and perfect sound. Great Job!

[AmyO]

Thanks Brian. I'm glad you liked it. Ryan Frias gets the credit for whipping my sound into shape. I'm afraid I neglected that during filming and it needed extra TLC which Ryan did expertly.

[Norm Sanders]

Amy, this was the highest I've rated one of your films, I believe, and is tied so far with some of the highest I've rated any so far in the fest. Very simple, cute story, but well told & shot.

You continue to amaze me in your talent/ability to work so well with little kids, and it's only improving with each one. Loved the performances by the kids in here, especially the youngest. Very strong outing. Well done. :)

[Tim Joy]

Very cute film. Not fair, though, because you cheat by using kids. :) :) :)

He's a little bit like a young Napoleon Dynamite and delivers a nice centered performance.

I do think the middle part is a little off somehow. It's kind of a pseudo-montage, I guess, but it doesn't quite take me on that roller-coaster ride. Maybe partly due to the music spotting, (the music itself is great) and the editing, I feel it plays a little flat, or perhaps because after the wipe transitions it seems like you're going to a similar shot often? I don't know...

Very nice performances and another good story to add to your collection. Congrats!

[AmyO]

Norm: Wow, thanks. High complements indeed. I'm flattered and glad you enjoyed it!

Tim: Never thought of Kevin as being Napoleon Dynamite, but now that I think about it, you should see him dance :) Thanks for your comments.

[~jai~]

Great film! I loved the quest and thought the story was told very well and Damien's score really made the film complete for me! I really liked how things kept disappearing and reappearing as another one disappears. Might have liked a little more suspense/danger on the whole, entering Mom's office. The kids really seemed to have fun and there were some priceless looks on the face of Cheyenne, Kevin, and Susanna! Great Job!

Thanks for sharing!