Networked filmmaking idea

[commanderspike]

You know how networked computers can share processing power to complete a job, right?

I have an idea.

A HD-SLR mash up of footage, with a narrative. But the footage is all from different people, constructing different parts of the story.

Continuity is worked around by the narrative not requiring it. So no matter what country or what walk of life you're from, the footage is relevant to the overall idea.

Just need to come up with an idea to support it now!!

[Cassius]

I've seen this tried many times; almost every time it fails. Most of those are because the person who ends up being the coordinator is not up to the task, especially with keeping people interested. Coming up with something that works with this format is also difficult, it would pretty much have to be self-aware (aware of the different teams doing it). The momentum typically falls apart around the time the script is close to finalized, when people start to disagree with details.

That said, skeptical as I may be, I'm up for it.

[commanderspike]

There are some excellent cinematographers around, and I was thinking of doing a mash up of footage from online - but it would surely be more satisfying to follow a brief and make it all custom.

I think a narrative short film with a script might be beyond the constraints of this technique, but in bringing about a network of footage created for one editor to put together, this may have some interesting uses when it comes to making a mood piece or music video.

[Rakesh Jacob]

How about just some cool visual artsy stuff with no real narrative. Just something based around a theme or concept and completely open to interpretation.
Everyone submits a 10-20sec continuous clip, straight out of the camera no edits or processing, to Vimeo and makes it downloadable.
Then whoever wants to, downloads the bits and creates their little piece of art, lets say about 60-120 sec long... see what happens.
Set up a poll for whose is best and the winner has braging rights and is the King of HDSLRs for the week!
Just a thought :)

Edit: You can pick the first theme, winners pick subsequent themes, after all they are king!

[squig]

How about this for an idea everybody submits a short tale of their city, just an edited scene of some part of daily life in their city, it could be a narrative piece or just some Mike Kobal style city life stuff. If 20 people submit a 5min short we've got a feature. Each scene could start with something like "Sydney 9:15am" and so on.... maybe 24 hours around the world.

[Rakesh Jacob]

How about this for an idea everybody submits a short tale of their city, just an edited scene of some part of daily life in their city, it could be a narrative piece or just some Mike Kobal style city life stuff. If 20 people submit a 5min short we've got a feature. Each scene could start with something like "Sydney 9:15am" and so on.... maybe 24 hours around the world.

Dude badass idea!!!!
I got Houston.

[squig]

I think it would make a really interesting feature with a good mix of narrative and scenic stuff from around the world.

Co-ordination shouldn't be too much of an issue but maybe somebody needs to judge the quality of the work and whether or not it is worthy to put in the film. And I'm not talking technical quality but whether or not the footage is interesting enough alongside the other submissions unless you want to just accept anything.

[Cassius]

I don't know if even five minutes would be needed. If we wanted a really artsy perspective it could be showing unity of people being people in all sorts of places, or something in that direction. I really do think somewhat short and simple is needed to start. As with my earlier post, these things tend to fall apart, so it's good to start slow.

I got Houston.

I guess I should get my call in for the Northwestern corner of California in now... I'm sure there are a lot of other people competing to take that one...

[Ben_B]

I guess I should get my call in for the Northwestern corner of California in now... I'm sure there are a lot of other people competing to take that one...

You can have it I'm taking Santa Cruz/northern monterey bay :D

[commanderspike]

How about just some cool visual artsy stuff with no real narrative. Just something based around a theme or concept and completely open to interpretation.
Everyone submits a 10-20sec continuous clip, straight out of the camera no edits or processing, to Vimeo and makes it downloadable.
Then whoever wants to, downloads the bits and creates their little piece of art, lets say about 60-120 sec long... see what happens.
Set up a poll for whose is best and the winner has braging rights and is the King of HDSLRs for the week!
Just a thought :)

Edit: You can pick the first theme, winners pick subsequent themes, after all they are king!

I like this idea a lot. Making multiple versions of the same project takes the power struggle out of the direction, and means that no single person has the ultimate control of what gets made. And the best one wins. Seems a perfect way of doing it!! Everybody gets heard as an individual, but everybody's footage is used so it's a true collaboration.

I think the idea and concept now just need developing... I like the world across the clock kinda thing, but that's just one idea. Keep em coming!

[bwwd]

wrong section,and besides it will fail,its not worth to even try,unless you have $$ to provide.

[commanderspike]

wrong section,and besides it will fail,its not worth to even try,unless you have $$ to provide.

Mods pls delete this post I don't see how it's anything but a flame.

bwwd Public Profile.

Friends:

"bwwd has not made any friends yet"

Says it all... maybe people weren't offering any $$$? :)

[commanderspike]

I think it would make a really interesting feature with a good mix of narrative and scenic stuff from around the world.

Of course, we're capable of doing some amazing stuff there but I reckon it needs to be pulled together with some kind of narrative or point, otherwise it'll look like a world travel guide.

Quite like how Philip Bloom does the Dublin's People kinda portraits when he goes to a city. Sofia's People, San Francisco's people, and so on... maybe DVXusers can do something like that but on a world wide scale or is that too close to world travel guide stuff?

What about something more adventurous like a story told in a sci-fi location hopping way?

Or... let's do something easier. A mood piece showing different ways of life in a first person perspective. Download & share all the footage. Then a prize for the best edit. That way we can all just go off and do our own thing, then see what we can make of it afterwards in the editing suite.

[TrueIndigo]

This is an interesting colaboration idea.

I can't remember which website I saw it on years ago (anyone else remember?) where "generic actors" wore roughly the same clothes and were deliberately not shot in close-up to try and preserve some sort of continuity for a collaborative feature -- sounded quite alternative!


Another idea: shoot just background material and make it available for individual interpretation using greenshcreen actors...Actually, that's probably a rubbish idea, sorry!

[bwwd]

Mods pls delete this post I don't see how it's anything but a flame.

bwwd Public Profile.

Friends:

"bwwd has not made any friends yet"

Says it all... maybe people weren't offering any $$$? :)
wow... im not gonna continue this absurd ,yes i was born yesterday i dont have friends:embarasse
I just wrote that its in wrong section,didnt flame you but i was on many forums and seen similar projects ,ive seen them fail dozens of times.
You think its something new but its not that easy to direct all people and do seomething non random with equal quality from everyone.It might sound like a good idea but its not.
Anyway ill come back here to this thread after 6 months from now on and you will see that i was right.
I live quite close to you,its better to elaborate in real life than stack up footage from random people with huge differences in quality of their work.
You can try , sure , you can be first who pulled this off from beginning to the end.

[Rakesh Jacob]

i was on many forums and seen similar projects ,ive seen them fail dozens of times.


There is no fail with this. :) This is a forum of words where people exchange ideas, even if nothing "materializes" with this thread, we still exchanged the ideas, kept the thoughts flowing and a few of us have come that much closer to refining it and actually doing it.
It's really not that big a deal as to end up in "fail"... In this situation there is only try or don't try. I personally am inspired to move forward with something egalatarian, creative and collaborative, so personally I have allready benefited from the process... YAY ME!!!!:D

[Dmitry Yun]

I really like the way "Paris je t'aime" was made, and now they have "NY I love you" which is similar. I'd definitely buy a DVD showing off some of the talent of this forums contributors in a short look on life around the world. Ideas of everyday lives and culture differences juxtaposed and put together as one forum collaboration would be amazing. This could even become a DVXUser Fest and say ten winners have their pieces stitched together into one full feature. I would definitely buy it, especially if it had the 'making of' as I'd love to see the processes of overcoming hurdles others take and learn from the masters :)

[grifter09]

This is interesting. I was planning to do a short on Galway and life in this city.
I was going to take the approach of shooting shots on the street between 8 and 9 pm and then again, on the same street between 2 & 3 am.
i think the contrast would be pretty extreme, probably particularly in this drinking culture of ours here. But then again, where in the world on a main street would there not be such a contrast.

I think it would be pretty easy to achieve actually. we set a vimeo group/channel and everyone submits their piece.
The videos that gain the most likes make the cut.

[trifilmer]

I have an idea for it. How everyone uses a theme, like...sports fans, could be any sport, just a look at how fans from around the world are alike and different. My .02

[alloneword]

The simplest ideas are most likely to work.

What about a synchronized self-portrait and toast.

Every participant takes a 30" shot of the same simple action at the exact same instant in time (GMT).

I suggest we all pour ourselves our favorite drink and drink it - on camera.

Everyone uploads their 30" clip to a vimeo group, downloads others they like and make a 30" montage.

A Film-Maker's planetary toast to film-making and each other. Do with it what you will.

The differences between clips will highlight similarities and differences (cultural and personal).

[commanderspike]

I am all for keeping it simple too. Anything too complicated and too collaborative would be difficult to pull off first time around.

I actually think the simplest ideas are often the best.

I like what's been suggested so far too.

[squig]

Of course, we're capable of doing some amazing stuff there but I reckon it needs to be pulled together with some kind of narrative or point, otherwise it'll look like a world travel guide.

Quite like how Philip Bloom does the Dublin's People kinda portraits when he goes to a city. Sofia's People, San Francisco's people, and so on... maybe DVXusers can do something like that but on a world wide scale or is that too close to world travel guide stuff?

Or... let's do something easier. A mood piece showing different ways of life in a first person perspective. Download & share all the footage. Then a prize for the best edit. That way we can all just go off and do our own thing, then see what we can make of it afterwards in the editing suite.

Yeah the bloom type stuff would be ok but also mixed up with some more narrative stuff like a couple in a kitchen having a conversation or people on a train having some discussion etc... just snippets of life from different locations around the world whether it be doco or narrative. It could just fade to black between each film with the city and time of day title displayed. The easiest way to assemble it would be with random times of day.

Maybe a 3-5min time limit for each short? It wouldn't have to be limited to cities it could be shot anywhere there's a snippet of life worth screening. I don't think we'd have to worry about it looking like a world travel guide, most people here are more creative than that. (no offence to travel guide makers)

I think the guys at vimeo would be really interested in this.

It would be great to see something that showcases the work of DSLR filmmakers with the potential to be screened at festivals.

[Cassius]

How about a really simple approach to starting for city based stuff: pick a time, say 4PM-6PM, adjusted for time zones (or not). Then, with the Bloom mention, people shoot anything in that time period in their location; people, animals, landscapes, anything that, in a short image, tells the story of that place at that time from that angle. Beauty shots with a purpose, essentially.

[stip]

I'm afraid it might get boring if there isn't some kind of red line giving audience something to follow along.

So, what's the major advantage of having people in different places of the world all able to shoot some footage? What can be done what couldn't be done else?

I mean, you can tell a story or shoot some beauty shots both in Boston and San Diego, but how could they differ from another other than the one being Boston and the other San Diego?

Second, I think that the differences will be the interesting point. Remember Jim Jarmusch's Night On Earth. 5 Stories all set in cabs in different places on earth with people from different cultural backgrounds, languages, lifestyles ect.

Maybe there is a simple question or action that will be interesting to see peoples answers or behaviours? Maybe the reactions or behaviours will differ, or maybe they will (surprisingly) all be the same?!

[AdrianF]

This was done on a Super8 forum sometime ago, I forget the name..

Okay it was a timelapse project on filmshooting.com, 29 people all shoot timelapse on a reel of Super 8 on the same day around the globe. Worked well I think
http://www.filmshooting.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=106

[commanderspike]

Second, I think that the differences will be the interesting point. Remember Jim Jarmusch's Night On Earth. 5 Stories all set in cabs in different places on earth with people from different cultural backgrounds, languages, lifestyles ect.

Like that idea. I think we do need a 'red line' to guide the audience along and draw them into the idea, rather than shooting different locations and putting them together without a reason or concept behind it.

[stip]

I see we got Sydney, Houston, Manchester, Berlin, Haute Savoie and California represented ...different cities, countries, continents...

What's a simple action we all do but differs depending on maybe culture or climate or language or lifestyle?
For example, we all have to eat...what is a typical breakfast at your place? Or if one would say all films are shot at lunchtime, are there popular places and typical food people at your place go to / eat?
Well, maybe not that in particular but something like that?

[misterperry]

I'm in! Reporting from the east coast...

Will provide city footage of Lancaster Pa...aka amish country, however...there are no amish in the city.

Just shot some a few weeks ago that would be perfect.

Let me know where to send it.


What's a simple action we all do but differs depending on maybe culture or climate or language or lifestyle?
For example, we all have to eat...what is a typical breakfast at your place? Or if one would say all films are shot at lunchtime, are there popular places and typical food people at your place go to / eat?
Well, maybe not that in particular but something like that?

What about the art culture of that city?

[Cassius]

That Super8 video gets the basic idea, but it could be done better. It does need a focus, yes, but I didn't mean just meaningless shots; the could be built around a certain theme, with people if possible, maybe people talking, to indicate something about similarities and differences across the world to get artsy about it. And doing something without a specific script or strong storyline is easy, a good place to start... if that could be put together, then something more structured can come out of it. But if too much is thrown in to start with it gets more likely to fall apart.

[Nitsuj]

Shouldn't this be in the Cafe ala DVX forum or the User Films forum? I thought this was the screening room. Dunno just wondering. I think the idea would be okay as a short but a feature with no story to drive it will probably be trouble. I could see it being on Vimeo but I can't really see this being a feature.

[squig]

it's hard to say where it should be as it's DSLR specific.

Baraka and the qatsi films are features so I don't see why this couldn't be. If it turns into an interesting feature length film then great. If it's just a showcase of DSLR films on new vimeo channel that's great too.

Personally I think the theme should be just the DSLR shooters view of their patch of the global village however they choose to show it, if it's somebody having breakfast then great but I don't think I'd find 20 breakfasts in a row all that interesting, mine certainly never is.

[stip]

breakfast thing was just an example. I really don't think it would work without a red line, something that connects all footage though being thousands of miles away from each other.

I guess we all agree it has to be something simple, but there really should be something...

[squig]

yeah I was using your example just to make the point that if it's a thin red line it could be a little too predictable.

[Kellar42]

I got Panama City, Panama.

And I like the concept but am not too bright on ideas for what it should be or how to put it together. But it's rather early in the morning for me...

[commanderspike]

Yeah we need a storyline or a concept.

It doesn't have to be scripted, can be totally improvised but it needs to be hung on some kind of interesting frame.

Quick idea to get us started. Music video, about 3 mins long. How about a rope laid on the ground in many different locations all over the world. A person in each location stumbles upon this strange kinda rope on the ground. When they pick it up, we cut back to a different country with another person also gazing at the rope which seems to go infinitely into the distance. As the guy in the other country picks it up, it moves slightly in all the other locations, as if it's connected as one, wrapped around the world. I have no idea what happens next :) But we have to give the different locations a reason to exist.

Or if we really wanted to push the boat out. International news story breaks on TVs around the world saying that the sun is dying. It's the last day on earth. Everyone reacts differently, in different countries. They do what they think they should do on the last day alive and it reveals their values, or with some people to counterbalance that, it reveals their weaknesses. And some just go a bit mental :)

[ChipG]

When I first read this post I thought it was the most stupid idea ever, what a "logistic nightmare", save yourself a sh*t load of time and buy stock footage from the cities you choose, you can assemble it yourself sitting in front of your computer selecting the shots you want, then I thought how in the hell can a story be worked into this that isn't a bunch of senseless B-roll with a person talking?

Now that I have thought about it :) I think a movie could be pulled off with one or two characters that are only shown from behind, maybe with a black sweat jacket with a hood on it (common brand the others can buy at wal mart in each city), similar build and height. Sounds like a possible horror movie could be done with the hooded killer killing / stalking in each city at night, (or at sunset in every city might be cool), the people who get killed can be anyone so that doesn't matter what they will look like, maybe use it as flash back scenes from him laying in a psychologist chair where you do see his face, or in a police interrogation room, dunno, just throwing this out as I type, I'm sure you could round up some writers here that could work out a situation that would tie it all together and actually be a lot of fun, this could be something really good and creative.

Have all the shooters use a 5D, 7D or GH1, with Zoom H4N & wireless lavs to keep it simple and fast, run through shopping malls, jump in and out of cabs, hmmm, maybe 2-3 shooters / cameras per town.


I'm going to brainstorm on this but in the mean time what are your thoughts?

Maybe call the horror movie "Logistic Nightmares"

[ChipG]

Maybe have the killer be a drifter / hitch hiker so there is a reason he is in all the cities. Everyone will get a shot of him getting into a strangers car leaving the city when they are done shooting to tie it all in. Hmmm

[commanderspike]

Yeah, quite like that but he'd have to be an anonymous shadowy figure as he'd be played by different people.

[stip]

I like the idea with the rope! It's a physical thing connecting everybody but just lying around until someone actually starts pulling it and from then on everything starts moving. A nice metaphor for global networks or something...
I'm not sure though how to shoot that, rope must be the same everywhere? Maybe just some wire or wool string...like a red wool string :)

The hitch hiker idea is also a nice approach, probably harder to manage. It doesn't really have to be a killer does it?

Still I think it should be kept simple and maybe also rather short for a first try to see if it works anyway

[Nitsuj]

it's hard to say where it should be as it's DSLR specific.

Baraka and the qatsi films are features so I don't see why this couldn't be. If it turns into an interesting feature length film then great. If it's just a showcase of DSLR films on new vimeo channel that's great too.

Personally I think the theme should be just the DSLR shooters view of their patch of the global village however they choose to show it, if it's somebody having breakfast then great but I don't think I'd find 20 breakfasts in a row all that interesting, mine certainly never is.

Yeah but Baraka was done by one man, Ron Fricke, who had a 70mm and a vision. What made that work was a theme of humanity and nature. Qatsi also has a message and visualized by Godfrey Reggio.

Technically you could do a film without a Director but without the vision and leadership of a central person it will be just a story recorded and not a picture with intention and purpose. You also have to consider that the camera isn't the basis for the visualization like so many believe. The look is derived of the trinity (director, production designer, and director of photography). Sure one man can be all three but you still need that one figure or the trinity to create a good film.

And another note to keep in mind is the films mentioned (Baraka and Qatsi trilogy) took years to make. I do believe one of the main reasons collaborative ideas like this has failed in the past is because of the time involved and lack of visualization of a central figure.

Now I could see this work as a short because like I said shorts are much more forgiving in the eyes of the viewers. And just maybe the underlying message could be something like the environment. For example everybody plants a tree. It has a message. However I still think without the key figure it won't work as a feature film unless somebody takes on the long task of doing so.

[stip]

I don't think the main point would be that it's all shot with DSLRs anyway or did I miss something?

[Rakesh Jacob]

Maybe have the killer be a drifter / hitch hiker so there is a reason he is in all the cities. Everyone will get a shot of him getting into a strangers car leaving the city when they are done shooting to tie it all in. Hmmm

The killer could be KILLERS and dress similarly; I like the black hoodie, common and ominous!
They are part of some sort of cult or death pact, they are global and have an online forum in common LOL

[stip]

they are global and have an online forum in common LOL

YEAH!

Another idea:

Do you know the game where you pass around a blank paper, one starts by writing some sentences of a story and then folding it so that the next guy only can see the last words like "then he leaves the trainstation to head to the arranged meeting point". Next guy will add the next paragraph and so on.
In the end you read the story as a whole and BAAM! There you go: absolute crap!!

Ok, I just made up my mind on that...

[Nitsuj]

I don't think the main point would be that it's all shot with DSLRs anyway or did I miss something?

Well if that is the case then that was why I asked if this was in the correct forum? But either way I wasn't pointing out the camera but more of the need of a central figure or the trinity to make it all work.

[ChipG]

I like the idea with the rope! It's a physical thing connecting everybody but just lying around until someone actually starts pulling it and from then on everything starts moving. A nice metaphor for global networks or something...
I'm not sure though how to shoot that, rope must be the same everywhere? Maybe just some wire or wool string...like a red wool string :)

The hitch hiker idea is also a nice approach, probably harder to manage. It doesn't really have to be a killer does it?

Still I think it should be kept simple and maybe also rather short for a first try to see if it works anyway

Have one end of the string being pulled by a guy in one city and the other end of the sting has a $20 bill on it with people chasing it through different city's.

The hitch hicker doesn't have to be a serial killer, could be another genre but for a low budget big impact movie it might be best for marketing it.

[ChipG]

Yeah, quite like that but he'd have to be an anonymous shadowy figure as he'd be played by different people.

Correct, he'd have a black sweat jacket on with a hoodie (a common one that anyone can buy at any wal-mart in any town for $10) or any simple outfit that can be duplicated easy and cheap, you'd never see his face, mostly shot from behind & POV so lots of mystery who the killer / person is. Cast people with similar height / weight in each city.

[ChipG]

Commander, are you now talking about a 3 min video or a 90 min feature?

[AdrianF]

Do you know the game where you pass around a blank paper, one starts by writing some sentences of a story and then folding it so that the next guy only can see the last words like "then he leaves the trainstation to head to the arranged meeting point". Next guy will add the next paragraph and so on.
In the end you read the story as a whole and BAAM! There you go: absolute crap!!


A film version of word association could be pretty experimental, or just plain mental!
So say for example you have 20 people in, each has to script and shoot their own 3-5 minute scene ( say in 48 hours ) and then pass on the script for that scene only to the next person. Nobody knows what the next scene will be or where it will go. The only thing that would be common knowledge among everybody would be the synopsis and technical requirements. Nobody would know what had happened 2 scenes previously for example, unless something was revealed in the previous script.

It's probably a recipe for disaster, but who knows?

[squig]

If you're going with the deathcult/murderer theme I have a short that I'm shooting soon, it's a crime scene investigation of a massacre. I recently did a theatre performance of this scene with an actor at film School and it really disturbed the audience including myself. The problem I have with it at the moment is that it's just a scene that needs more development but it would tie in perfectly with the theme you've suggested.

[stip]

The killer could be KILLERS and dress similarly; I like the black hoodie, common and ominous!

yeah, like the idea of a black hooded army too, like in eminem's video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOLMVQa0KD8

they're all so damn determined! :)

[commanderspike]

This is my favourite hooded army video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9NvJfwF9bI

Sick and violent like a Clockwork Orange but without the finesse. The just go for it.

Don't want to get too far down the path of one idea without hearing lots of others but I think something like this could work - an out break of anti social gangs in pockets of our cities, around the world, like a virus.

[Nitsuj]

This is my favourite hooded army video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9NvJfwF9bI

Sick and violent like a Clockwork Orange but without the finesse. The just go for it.

Don't want to get too far down the path of one idea without hearing lots of others but I think something like this could work - an out break of anti social gangs in pockets of our cities, around the world, like a virus.

All I gotta say about that video is 2nd Amendment. :happy:

[stip]

This is my favorite black hooded army

[stip]

I'd like to know how many people actually would participate, is it possible to make a poll?

Cause I think everyone who won't like the final idea / concept might just jump off...

I definately think it's a great opportunity to have this board, discussing such a project, and I'd really love to take advantage of the fact we are spread all over the planet.

OK, back to content, reading through the comments again I think everybody agreed on keeping it simple. I also think that's the way to go in order to make it work considering everyone actually going out and doing it; if it does work, maybe there'll be some bigger project to think about. Also mentioned before, if we all upload the unedited footage to vimeo, everyone can decide to make it a 20 minute short or 3 minute musicvideo or whatever. Then we could vote the best (and maybe improve it further)

Some idea independent from former suggestions, if there is a main person appearing in everyone's footage, doing whatever, what if he/she (or them) wore a black hooded sweat (can't help myself, just like it) with the name of the city printed on it's back? That way audience would always know where the action takes place at that moment rather than blending in some typo. Also it would connect the different footages somehow. EDIT: doesn't work with any serious storyline of course

[squig]

Black hoodies....Johnny you won't need to outlay any cash for wardrobe.

My idea for a scene doesn't show any perpetrators just the aftermath of their rampage.

Once this core group has agreed on an outline we can take it to the rest of the DSLR forum members, I don't think getting 20 or so people involved would be a problem.

If everybody was to submit a script we might be able to piece it together into something coherent.

[Rakesh Jacob]

This is my favourite hooded army video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9NvJfwF9bI

Sick and violent like a Clockwork Orange but without the finesse. The just go for it.

WOW THAT WAS BADASS! I've seen simillar ideas like a "Cops" show but from the criminals POV but THAT F---ING ROCKED! Brilliant execution.

Black hoodies....Johnny you won't need to outlay any cash for wardrobe.

LOL no I suppose not, but the hoddie wasn't my idea, I was extrapolating...

[Rakesh Jacob]

HA! I changed my avatar just to spite you Squig :nads:

[ZazaCast]

HA! I changed my avatar just to spite you Squig :nads:

You looked better in the hoodie! :happy:

[Rakesh Jacob]

You looked better in the hoodie! :happy:

I know... :(
That's a middle finger btw, looks like I'm about to eat a vienna suasage

[ChipG]

I was thinking the skyline of the city or famous land marks in the city should be in the background, if not no one will know what city they are in and you might as well shoot it all in the same town.

[ChipG]

You need to come up with several concepts / several stories and vote on the best one with a poll.

[Rakesh Jacob]

I was thinking the skyline of the city or famous land marks in the city should be in the background, if not no one will know what city they are in and you might as well shoot it all in the same town.

I don't think it's about the city as much as the users who happen to be in different cities. Also recognizable land marks aren't a real representation of a city's vibe. How many people relate to land marks in their own citys, that would be way too touristy anyway... just my opinion

[ChipG]

Ahh, I was suggesting that for production value. So what's the point then?

[killacam]

Or if we really wanted to push the boat out. International news story breaks on TVs around the world saying that the sun is dying. It's the last day on earth. Everyone reacts differently, in different countries. They do what they think they should do on the last day alive and it reveals their values, or with some people to counterbalance that, it reveals their weaknesses. And some just go a bit mental :)

I actually like that as a starting point- maybe not the sun dying but some international news event that would tie everything in together. It could be the last hour on earth in different locations but it could just be a vague impending threat that people may or may not take seriously. It would give it a reason for being international or set in different locations. Most of the stories may not even revolve around it but could just allude to it, either through a televised newscast in the background, someone reading a newspaper with it as the headline, or etc. The threat could be something that people may be able to dismiss then, such as war breaking out, the threat of an internationally coordinated terrorist attack, or it could be set in 2012.

The people in black hoodies could then be mysterious figures who could belong to some group- an underground army, terrorists or 2012 cultists depending on what the international event is. They wouldn't have to be major characters either but should at least be strongly visible in the background somewhere to tie everything into the main story. Other common elements could be mysterious graffiti in the background such as a symbol or phrase in each of the shorts (such as in 12 monkeys or "Who watches the watchmen"). Also maybe an advertisement for some shadowy corporation or agency somewhere (billboard, poster, radio ad).
edit: oh yeah, an easy way to associate the people in the black hoodies with the underground organization would be to have the hoodies have the same symbol as the graffiti on them. people could do this themselves by printing out the graphic on an iron-on sheet and ironing it onto their $10 walmart hoodie.

A common setting could possibly be public transportation (subways, buses, taxis, trolleys) or somewhere else the public gathers (park, square, sports arena). I thought public transportation would be good since most are pretty unique to their cities. Also it would be a target for a terrorist or war attack. It wouldn't have to be the main setting but just one of the locations. These settings would also take advantage of the low-key/incognito nature of DSLRs.

The stories themselves wouldn't have to be "disaster" oriented- they could be more relationship-driven or whatever the individual director wanted. The main characters wouldn't necessarily even have to be aware of the impending event. But it would be in the background to give everything a sense of foreboding or poignancy.

I think another thing that could tie the stories together so that they seem set in the same fictional world is using the same made up brand names (for cereal, drinks, cigarettes etc). A lot of movies/tv shows do this, with Yoyodyne (from Pynchon's "Crying of Lot 49") and Tarantino has brands that appear in all of his different movies (Red Apple cigarettes, G.O. Juice, Big Kahuna Burger) and J.J. Abrams did this with "Slusho!"(Alias, Cloverfield, Star Trek). Anyway, this wouldn't just be to do it for the sake of doing it but to have the stories set in a self-contained world and have yet another common string throughout.

Anyway that's about all I have for now ha. I actually got into this by thinking about movies that were made up of different vignettes like Jarmusch's "Night on Earth" or "Love Actually" although obviously this theme would be pretty different. So what do you guys think?

[squig]

HA! I changed my avatar just to spite you Squig :nads:

ahh man go back to the old one, you looked like a bad mutha fooker. now you look friendly.

[squig]

killa I dig it, especially the graf symbol.

landmarks are a bit hollywood disaster movie for my liking, just flashing up place and time on black should do it. My idea for a scene is all in a dark room anyway.

lets get down to it boppers. I think it has feature worthy potential.

[commanderspike]

I actually like that as a starting point- maybe not the sun dying but some international news event that would tie everything in together. It could be the last hour on earth in different locations but it could just be a vague impending threat that people may or may not take seriously. It would give it a reason for being international or set in different locations. Most of the stories may not even revolve around it but could just allude to it, either through a televised newscast in the background, someone reading a newspaper with it as the headline, or etc. The threat could be something that people may be able to dismiss then, such as war breaking out, the threat of an internationally coordinated terrorist attack, or it could be set in 2012.

The people in black hoodies could then be mysterious figures who could belong to some group- an underground army, terrorists or 2012 cultists depending on what the international event is. They wouldn't have to be major characters either but should at least be strongly visible in the background somewhere to tie everything into the main story. Other common elements could be mysterious graffiti in the background such as a symbol or phrase in each of the shorts (such as in 12 monkeys or "Who watches the watchmen"). Also maybe an advertisement for some shadowy corporation or agency somewhere (billboard, poster, radio ad).
edit: oh yeah, an easy way to associate the people in the black hoodies with the underground organization would be to have the hoodies have the same symbol as the graffiti on them. people could do this themselves by printing out the graphic on an iron-on sheet and ironing it onto their $10 walmart hoodie.

A common setting could possibly be public transportation (subways, buses, taxis, trolleys) or somewhere else the public gathers (park, square, sports arena). I thought public transportation would be good since most are pretty unique to their cities. Also it would be a target for a terrorist or war attack. It wouldn't have to be the main setting but just one of the locations. These settings would also take advantage of the low-key/incognito nature of DSLRs.

The stories themselves wouldn't have to be "disaster" oriented- they could be more relationship-driven or whatever the individual director wanted. The main characters wouldn't necessarily even have to be aware of the impending event. But it would be in the background to give everything a sense of foreboding or poignancy.

I think another thing that could tie the stories together so that they seem set in the same fictional world is using the same made up brand names (for cereal, drinks, cigarettes etc). A lot of movies/tv shows do this, with Yoyodyne (from Pynchon's "Crying of Lot 49") and Tarantino has brands that appear in all of his different movies (Red Apple cigarettes, G.O. Juice, Big Kahuna Burger) and J.J. Abrams did this with "Slusho!"(Alias, Cloverfield, Star Trek). Anyway, this wouldn't just be to do it for the sake of doing it but to have the stories set in a self-contained world and have yet another common string throughout.

Anyway that's about all I have for now ha. I actually got into this by thinking about movies that were made up of different vignettes like Jarmusch's "Night on Earth" or "Love Actually" although obviously this theme would be pretty different. So what do you guys think?

+1

And I like the shadowy hooded figures too. They're generic enough to be ubiquitous and swarming around our streets in the background. Seemingly the only thing the different cultures and locations have in common at first. We'd weave them into the story line gently. They're not spooks or shadowy corporate figures. They're violent, destructive anti-social beings and they give tension to what would otherwise be a bit of an anti-climactic 'end of the world' scenario, because we won't have special effects and explosions, instead it'd be realistic. Society long gone wrong in the chaos that is unfolding. It'd be a pretty pure piece of film making I think.

I also like the idea of some characters not even being aware of the impending disaster.

I think the disaster itself has to be believable, and the shadowy gangs a byproduct of the last days of earth - they're the ones who were morally bankrupt enough in the first place to want to spend their last days attacking, raping, stealing and looting empty shops whilst the rest of the population spend their final hours more poignantly in a lover's arms or with family, or blissfully unaware in some remote outback countryside location - like an old couple, spending the final days of their long lives expecting to die naturally of old age anyway, on a beautiful rugged wind swept island.

What could the world-ending disaster be? A inevitable dead-lock in a nuclear war, whereby the only way to end the war would be a Hiroshima style event. However, the city would be Tehran, the country Iran - who have their own nuclear weapons, and whom would unleash them on the west in retaliation, and the situation would be ongoing until pretty much all the major cities are wiped out one by one like some kinda corruption in a software routine which cannot be controlled. I.e. the system of world organisation turns in on itself and obliterates everything due to it's complexity, and lack of control from any one person powerful enough to change it. We could call the movie White Heat.

Or we could start reign it all back in and do something like a mood-peice, music video, or proof of concept. That would be more achievable in a short space of time, I think.

[squig]

I wouldn't be part of anything that points the finger at Iran. Most of the western "news" about Iran is just bs propaganda. Iran hasn't started a war with anybody for hundreds of years, the same can't be said about western countries.

A worm that shuts down all technology could work, sending us back to the stone age, no explosions necessary.

[Rakesh Jacob]

Ahh, I was suggesting that for production value. So what's the point then?
Yeah it would add production value, but I would rather see the true nature of a city rather than it's poster boy icons. Parisians don't all hang out at the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, people in St. Louis don't hang out at the arch... etc.
I'm not trying to knock your idea, I would just rather see the under belly than the things I'm allready familliar with. I could be wrong, might work better the way you suggested :)

ahh man go back to the old one, you looked like a bad mutha fooker. now you look friendly.

Well consider yourself spited!....? I can change my icon back:evil:

[stip]

Society long gone wrong in the chaos that is unfolding. It'd be a pretty pure piece of film making I think.

I also like the idea of some characters not even being aware of the impending disaster.

I think the disaster itself has to be believable, and the shadowy gangs a byproduct of the last days of earth


The event and story could take place in a not even that utopic future. Gasp between poor and rich is growing constantly around the globe, so the setting might be a near future where developments have led to a global 2 class society, the super rich minority controlling banks and politics and the majority of poor haveing to fight with supply shortfalls and violence and crime spreading in the urban cities.

The event could be a simultaneous, global riot, organized through networks and internet by activists and organizations throughout the planet, set for a specific day and time in order ro tear down the system.

Eventually, not everybody would participate according to plan and rather do their own thing during this chaotic time-span.



I just don't see ANY way to shoot something like that :)

[Nitsuj]

I wouldn't be part of anything that points the finger at Iran. Most of the western "news" about Iran is just bs propaganda. Iran hasn't started a war with anybody for hundreds of years, the same can't be said about western countries.

A worm that shuts down all technology could work, sending us back to the stone age, no explosions necessary.

You couldn't possibly know that. If you lived there your opinion would be much different. Anyway I will step out of this convo before it turns into a political discussion. I suspect it will unravel and prove again that there needs to be a central figure as I said. Good luck on your try.

[Rakesh Jacob]

I think singling out any one group, nation, ethnicity is NOT a good idea given the global scale of this forum and the people who want to participate. And most artist tend to be offended by negative stereotypes anyway no matter who it's about (I would guess at least half of us consider ourselves artists in some form).
It's about a like minded, possibly misguided, group of individuals who have come togther through a common principle despite their geographical and ethnic divergance.

[Rakesh Jacob]

I actually like that as a starting point- maybe not the sun dying but some international news event that would tie everything in together. It could be the last hour on earth in different locations but it could just be a vague impending threat that people may or may not take seriously. It would give it a reason for being international or set in different locations. Most of the stories may not even revolve around it but could just allude to it, either through a televised newscast in the background, someone reading a newspaper with it as the headline, or etc. The threat could be something that people may be able to dismiss then, such as war breaking out, the threat of an internationally coordinated terrorist attack, or it could be set in 2012.

The people in black hoodies could then be mysterious figures who could belong to some group- an underground army, terrorists or 2012 cultists depending on what the international event is. They wouldn't have to be major characters either but should at least be strongly visible in the background somewhere to tie everything into the main story. Other common elements could be mysterious graffiti in the background such as a symbol or phrase in each of the shorts (such as in 12 monkeys or "Who watches the watchmen"). Also maybe an advertisement for some shadowy corporation or agency somewhere (billboard, poster, radio ad).
edit: oh yeah, an easy way to associate the people in the black hoodies with the underground organization would be to have the hoodies have the same symbol as the graffiti on them. people could do this themselves by printing out the graphic on an iron-on sheet and ironing it onto their $10 walmart hoodie.

A common setting could possibly be public transportation (subways, buses, taxis, trolleys) or somewhere else the public gathers (park, square, sports arena). I thought public transportation would be good since most are pretty unique to their cities. Also it would be a target for a terrorist or war attack. It wouldn't have to be the main setting but just one of the locations. These settings would also take advantage of the low-key/incognito nature of DSLRs.

The stories themselves wouldn't have to be "disaster" oriented- they could be more relationship-driven or whatever the individual director wanted. The main characters wouldn't necessarily even have to be aware of the impending event. But it would be in the background to give everything a sense of foreboding or poignancy.

I think another thing that could tie the stories together so that they seem set in the same fictional world is using the same made up brand names (for cereal, drinks, cigarettes etc). A lot of movies/tv shows do this, with Yoyodyne (from Pynchon's "Crying of Lot 49") and Tarantino has brands that appear in all of his different movies (Red Apple cigarettes, G.O. Juice, Big Kahuna Burger) and J.J. Abrams did this with "Slusho!"(Alias, Cloverfield, Star Trek). Anyway, this wouldn't just be to do it for the sake of doing it but to have the stories set in a self-contained world and have yet another common string throughout.

Anyway that's about all I have for now ha. I actually got into this by thinking about movies that were made up of different vignettes like Jarmusch's "Night on Earth" or "Love Actually" although obviously this theme would be pretty different. So what do you guys think?

Very nice insight, love the way you think :)

[commanderspike]

I wouldn't be part of anything that points the finger at Iran. Most of the western "news" about Iran is just bs propaganda. Iran hasn't started a war with anybody for hundreds of years, the same can't be said about western countries.

A worm that shuts down all technology could work, sending us back to the stone age, no explosions necessary.

Clarification: the disaster idea singles out only the Iranian Government's nuclear programme (not the country or the people) because it's topical and believable as a potential disaster. I am not interested in a negative stereo type of Iran either. Do we have any Iranian film makers willing to give the networking idea a go? That would add so much to the film if we went that route with the international news event, but I wouldn't want anyone to get into trouble with the Iranian authorities. Has anyone seen Persepolis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis_(film))? Great animation.

Let's dump the Iran mentions. But I still think a believable end of the world triggering disaster is necessary to service that idea, and global warming has been done to death :)

The networking filmmaking idea has shown great promise so far, I am really happy with it. I agree with you all. Let's not let talk of political views derail the project. Or indeed for that matter, internal politics and personal animosity. I am sick of that kind of thing on here.

But at the same time there is no point censoring ideas. Let's have it all out there, no matter how controversial.

[Rakesh Jacob]

and global warming has been done to death


Literaly a self fullfilling prophecy LOL:D

[commanderspike]

Literaly a self fullfilling prophecy LOL:D

Haha. No pun intended. :happy:

[squig]

The issue I have with singling out Iran is that it's nuclear program is made to be perceived to the western sheepile to be a nuclear weapons program when in fact it's a nuclear power program and as a signatory to the non proliferation treaty Iran is completely free under international law to pursue such a program. Iran has also agreed to additional safeguards and inspections that no other country has had to do to comply with the NPT.

The situation is very tense at the moment and there is a high probability that Iranian nuclear power sites may be attacked leading to the death of many innocent civilians.

I'm all for bashing a particular country but it would have to be supported by well researched factual information rather than misinformation something that would make this project a lot more work.

The whole end of the world thing only really works if the sun dies or we get hit by an asteroid, 2 themes that have been done to death. Nuclear war isn't the end of the world just the start of a nuclear winter lots of new snowboarding terrain. A worm that shuts everything down gives it a sci-fi edge rather than a disaster film vibe.

[commanderspike]

I see, Okay. Fair enough mate. But leaving behind any differences we may have over Iran's nuclear programme (not allowed to do politics here), we are still in search of a original and believable end of the world scenario that's cool and doable.

You're right, the usual suspects have been done many times before.

But if we go with the international news story idea it has to be international news worthy.

People in each country have to face the same threat.

Maybe it's biological, like bird flu. Or fertility related, like in the excellent Children of Men.

I'll be thinking in the background. While we pursue these ideas, I think we should not alienate people who have a totally different idea of what this networked filmmaking idea concept could be about. For me, the end of the world scenario excites me but I'd prefer something simpler to do.

Keep the ideas coming!

[Mattykins]

Iran doesn't have (or doesn't have enough) nukes for a nuclear war.

Korea has nukes, but their ICBMs aren't really inter-continental. In fact most of the time they just plop into the water after launch, or totally miss their targets.

Bird Flu would kill a ton of people, if it were as contagious as swine flu.

The black death coming back would be a reasonable idea and would send the population of the world flying down.

I like this idea.

[killacam]

A worm that shuts down all technology could work, sending us back to the stone age, no explosions necessary.


yeah it could be a virus and the hooded group could be hackers. or it could be an attempt to mess with the Large Hadron Collider and the group could be luddites. or simultaneous assassination attempts or etc. I guess whatever it is, is that they're some sort of anti-social anarchists. the word "terrorist" probably has too much political baggage involved with it.

The event and story could take place in a not even that utopic future. Gasp between poor and rich is growing constantly around the globe, so the setting might be a near future where developments have led to a global 2 class society, the super rich minority controlling banks and politics and the majority of poor haveing to fight with supply shortfalls and violence and crime spreading in the urban cities.

The event could be a simultaneous, global riot, organized through networks and internet by activists and organizations throughout the planet, set for a specific day and time in order ro tear down the system.

Eventually, not everybody would participate according to plan and rather do their own thing during this chaotic time-span.



I just don't see ANY way to shoot something like that :)

yeah that's kind of why I thought the shorts could just allude to the events if they wanted. none of the riots, explosions or anything would have to be shown- it could just be the background for the pieces. that way people could film a love story or family drama if they wanted. they would just have a little edge because of what's going on globally that could be hinted at. other things like a murder mystery or cop chase (a cop chasing one of the hooded figures for example) would be easy to tie in, but not have to actually show anything of what's going on in the bigger picture. all the pieces could just reveal a little part of the whole- to keep the suspense going and it would be easier to film. of course people could film riots or whatever if they could manage that or wanted also. the catastrophe at the end wouldnt have to be shown, it could just be a montage at the very end of all the different characters suddenly looking up and then a fade or flash to white on them.

[ChipG]

I can see how this is going to be a PITA with people bring in their personal beliefs, you need to find people who's priorities are making a film and say adios to those who aren't.

I'd shoot Nun's having sex in a church if it was a scene that added value to the movie.

After all it's just a movie.

[squig]

I'm fine with nun sex, there's very little chance of anybody getting killed.

There's a worm that has been going around that I saw a doco on recently, nobody knows what it's programmed to do but it has infested computers globally and is undetectable. You could shoot it as the technology gradually shuts down, traffic chaos, people stuck in lifts etc etc. I like the idea of using the latest technology to tell a story about the end of technology.

[commanderspike]

"Using latest technology to tell a story about the end of technology."

Like it. +1

Probably quite tricky to film the gradual shut down of whole cities, but you could break it up into traffic chaos (have that every day in Manchester), people stuck in lifts and computers shutting down, like you said.

So it's a technology driven end of the world. The technology that should serve us and the technology that props up our civilisation comes tumbling down. But it wouldn't mean the end of all life on earth - just life as we know it? And would it be sudden enough?

[Cassius]

I think this end of the world thing is going well. But the worm thing is too quiet. Plague would be too ongoing. I would want something that can be traced to a time; knowing they have just so long to go. Maybe all of that could be happening at the same time as something else comes to take us out; could be the big asteroid, someone else living in the galaxy, nuclear weapons going to all sorts of places without mention of where from- allowing it to be an actual global thing... not end of the world, or civilization, but pretty close. The technology portion still works, but it would need to be integrated into other things to make it a seriously heavy disaster with a lot at risk. Any terminal infecting worm would just require an independent network if it really couldn't be stopped, so the disaster wouldn't be permanent.

This is actually giving me another concept... I've been thinking about the potential of a post-apocalyptic type series, probably involving fighting aliens but that's not necessary. Anyway, now that I'm reading this thread I'm thinking about how something like that could benefit from having different places and storylines portrayed by different creative teams in different places.

On the topic of this project, if end of the world is used (which I'm also in favor of) I call crazy cult seeing this as a cleansing before they claim their place as the new world order. If I can find the write actor, at least.

[commanderspike]

Once began doing a film idea involving a kinda cult, who lived underground and numbered themselves, and as they exited into the real world for the first time, their brains were wired so differently that they began to see 'reality' in a completely weird, poo pooed up way. One of the characters imagines he has a kinda metaphysical rope attached to his ankle, leading back to the exit of the nuclear bunker where the underground cult tunnelled out from their ancient hiding place.

The rope represented, to him, a kinda lifeline representing his route through the post-cult life, out in the open. (Imagine viewing it from above, like a red line on a map). And he became so tormented by it, that by the end he imagines the rope tugging at his ankle constantly restricting him going forward or moving around. And it pulls him back to the underground bunker, and then he's killed just before he reaches an also-imaginary giant doorway in a remote field.

Basically, the guy goes mental.

Maybe a mass hysteria finishes off the world, in a day?

[squig]

Tying the worm to a Dec 2012 cult works.

Don't underestimate the implications of a worm. I was an I.T. problem manager for a telecommunications company during Y2K so I have a pretty good understanding of how much we rely on computers.

Most major cities only have about 48hrs food supply. Sewerage systems rely on computers so disease and starvation would be rampant in a matter of days, think Katrina on a global scale. Mass civil unrest would be uncontrollable, guns don't rely on computers. All transportation, communication, water, power and sanitation systems would be shut down. The only way to survive would be to leave the cities for rural areas and live off the land.

[commanderspike]

And we could have an amazing 'world breakdown' sequence, using footage we've made, footage we've got from library material, edited really well together. Stock market chaos, plummeting airplanes, crashing traffic, unintentional bomb detonation, army strategical chaos during war, starvation, floods, white noise on the radio waves... all from this cult created computer virus.... then enter cult members, shadowy hooded figures stage left :)

[Jester2138]

I'd just be really careful to make sure this doesn't turn into yet another disaster movie. I think it'd be best to focus on what makes this OUR movie, why should WE tell the story, what makes US unique? What's OUR perspective? Is it the forum's international nature? Our independent filmmaking talents? In other words, why should WE make this, rather than some big Hollywood studio? What can we do that they can't?

Should it be pseudo-documentary? Taking advantage of the DSLR's inconspicuous* nature to shoot with ordinary people on the streets all over the world? Hollywood couldn't/wouldn't do that.

*Edited because I used "incongruous" first. Obviously that's the wrong word :D

[squig]

What can we do that they can't?



Well I'd like to think we can write decent scripts and not have to carry a film with wiz bang effects.

[commanderspike]

Well I'd like to think we can write decent scripts and not have to carry a film with wiz bang effects.

Indeed. In my view, it'd be the anti-big budget movie. The antidote to too much CGI and not enough talent.

[stip]

Tried to find a short movie I once saw, can't find it...

Story of it is that the world will end in a few hours. A guy coming home, his girlfriend about to leave to meet another guy she'd rather spend the last hours with, he calls friends what they are doing, some ridiculously cool, some crying etc. The guy himself just doesn't really know what to feel or do, then he runs in some girl on the street, some smalltalk, they realize they both don't have plans for the last hours so they decide to spend them together.

What I realized thinking back about it, I believe they constantly communicated that the world would end in a few hours (radio, TV ect)...but if I remember right, they never said why.
It just didn't matter. And the story was so nice, you didn't even want to know why the world would end. Eventually, countdown is going down, radio I think, they both hold hands, look outside the window and you would just see them and everything around going white.



I think it would work without telling the nature of the disaster...some countdown, specific time and date and the fact everything will be over after that. It's just the scenario for the little stories to take place in.

[Jester2138]

Well the key there is writing a decent script :happy:

We just need to make very sure it's not following their formulas. Sorry, but so far from reading the posts it feels like this is heading in the standard disaster movie direction. :undecided

EDIT: stip that sounds like a great story. No idea what the title is? I think all this would work great if we used the forum to collaborate and create lots of little stories all over the world. Paris Je t'aime but about the world ending and how different people deal with it. This has already been mentioned but I just felt like reiterating it :)

[commanderspike]

What I realized thinking back about it, I believe they constantly communicated that the world would end in a few hours (radio, TV ect)...but if I remember right, they never said why. It just didn't matter. And the story was so nice, you didn't even want to know why the world would end. Eventually, countdown is going down, radio I think, they both hold hands, look outside the window and you would just see them and everything around going white.

I think it would work without telling the nature of the disaster...some countdown, specific time and date and the fact everything will be over after that. It's just the scenario for the little stories to take place in.

The visceral break-down of the world would be nice to shoot, if we can hint at the nature of the disaster rather than completely ignore it I'd be happy, because otherwise what you say above is bang on.

It's good to keep the audience guessing and wondering.

[stip]

I'd just be really careful to make sure this doesn't turn into yet another disaster movie. I think it'd be best to focus on what makes this OUR movie, why should WE tell the story, what makes US unique? What's OUR perspective? Is it the forum's international nature? Our independent filmmaking talents? In other words, why should WE make this, rather than some big Hollywood studio? What can we do that they can't?

Should it be pseudo-documentary? Taking advantage of the DSLR's inconspicuous* nature to shoot with ordinary people on the streets all over the world? Hollywood couldn't/wouldn't do that.

*Edited because I used "incongruous" first. Obviously that's the wrong word :D


100% agreed, I also think we should think about what's the advantage of us being all over the world, ready to do some run&gun

[Jester2138]

The visceral break-down of the world would be nice to shoot, if we can hint at the nature of the disaster rather than completely ignore it I'd be happy, because otherwise what you say above is bang on.

It's good to keep the audience guessing and wondering.

Actually I think it'd be best if the audience has absolutely no idea what the nature of the disaster is. We wouldn't be focusing on it anyway, like stip said. It doesn't matter. What matters is our stories. How people use their last bit of time alive, not WHY they're going to die.

Assuming, that is, that the nature of the disaster doesn't have some effect on their stories. Like if its a disease, then obviously the audience will know that. 'Cause people will be dying of it in the stories. But if it's the sun exploding, or something that would cause the world to end instantly or whatever, then I say leave the WHY out, and focus on the characters.

[commanderspike]

Stories from the last day of earth, from around the world. Shot in an abstract and low-fi documentary style way?

That's definitely a forerunner on the ideas list so far.

I am wondering how we should eventually settle on an idea. Maybe we could have a vote, and then we can start developing the actual stories once we've got the concept nailed? Then the fun really starts.

Good work so far everyone.

Once we get the film up the required standard, these is a chance I may be able to get Danny Boyle to view it. And we can hawk it around the festivals, not just in one country - but in all of our countries at once. That's the nature of the beast.

[Jester2138]

I'm pumped. If I participate I think I can put a unique twist on it, seeing as I'm in New Orleans :eek:

[stip]

Jester, found the movie, it's called Forever's Not So Long

http://vimeo.com/3568757

I got some things wrong, they don't directly say what's going to happen but do speak about an epicentre in the news and that it's to late for leaving the state, so it's not the whole world going down...well, in the end it's assumably some kind of huge asteroid so maybe if the impact is great enough...but they don't talk about such things...

Point is, I didn't remember the reason they would die, obviously it wasn't important to me, I remembered that I liked how they interacted during their last hours of life and that I wondered what I would do or how I'd react.

It would be much easier too shoot something and to concentrate on an interesting story if the nature of desaster was not communicated.

Honestly I'd still vote for something quite simple for the beginning :)

[stip]

Stories from the last day of earth, from around the world. Shot in an abstract and low-fi documentary style way?


Everyone could be quite creative and I'm sure results would differ and be very interesting to see!

[stip]

these is a chance i may be able to get danny boyle to view it.

what ?!!!?!!!

[Cassius]

The not saying what the disaster is thing is kind of what I was going for, but that takes it even further. As long as there's a time that the end happens, we can get there however. Everyone can take a look at the topic from their own perspective. The cultists don't even have to be a major part of every one in this form, even if they might be there. The world can be developed for consistency, symbols can tie together for some meaning, maybe relating to a story beyond that, but otherwise it can be as large or small of a focus as the filmmaker deems appropriate. It might not even be heavy for some.

As for deciding... it looks like a decision has already been made for one major project. I'm still up for a small project to start with, but so far I don't see much in the way of competitors. However, any detailed decisions would require more thought. Once the brainstorming settles down another forum to discuss specifics might be in order. I'd be happy to set one up if that seems like a good choice.

Although at this stage I would like to question the 2012 thing. I would think even crazy cults could come up with something better than that.

Don't underestimate the implications of a worm.

Yeah, I guess it's different by region. I haven't visited a big city for a while, but I remember a lot of man-madeness. My area would do fine if the technology failed, but I know most of the population lives differently than us.

[commanderspike]

what ?!!!?!!!

For sure :) By a bizarre coincidence I had a flat mate who worked for the BBC, who via that got to know Boyle's sister and so he recently (a few weeks ago) met Danny for an interview in a room at Bury football ground. So if that connection works, I'm sure he'd love to view the finished piece. He's a great supporter of indie films here in Manchester. After his Oscar, he came back home to be interviewed by the BBC in his local pub pretty much the day after. Great man.

And much as I like it I think the disaster angle is far from settled on, let's keep developing multiple ideas all at once and choose the best.

I am also preferring the simpler side of this project, for it is easer to perfect simplicity as it is to get a complicated masterpiece perfect. And I reckon with such a broad range of skills on here, it better be perfection we have to aim for :)

[Jester2138]

I am also preferring the simpler side of this project, for it is easer to perfect simplicity as it is to get a complicated masterpiece perfect.

100% agreed. Let each filmmaker do their own thing with it, within reason.

[squig]

Stories from the last day of earth, from around the world. Shot in an abstract and low-fi documentary style way?

That's definitely a forerunner on the ideas list so far.

I am wondering how we should eventually settle on an idea. Maybe we could have a vote, and then we can start developing the actual stories once we've got the concept nailed? Then the fun really starts.



The trouble I have with the last day on earth theme is I don't believe it, the sun is good for another few billion years and short of us being hit by an asteroid an audience won't believe it either. As I said those 2 themes have been done to death and scream disaster movie. The best sci-fi is based on fact and the worm is very real.

As for a title we could just use the graf symbol as the title, it worked for prince.

[squig]

Yeah, I guess it's different by region. I haven't visited a big city for a while, but I remember a lot of man-madeness. My area would do fine if the technology failed, but I know most of the population lives differently than us.

I'm living in the city but I have a place in the mountains when the time comes.

I like the mayan calendar tie in because it's something we really don't understand

[stip]

I am also preferring the simpler side of this project

me too

[Mattykins]

For what it's worth, I might be able to get it web distribution as well (pending first round of funding coming through). Just something to keep in mind after the fact.

[Cassius]

As far as simplicity, I'll point out again that this isn't a one-shot deal. Something super simple could be done just to make sure communication and community is working, which is why some of us were talking about just some generic shots showing region.

I like the current discussion for the larger side because it doesn't require any real plot tie-in, in that events don't need to be continuous in each section. It's more like independent shorts that end up being a thing. These could be shown in sequence, or intercut to make it clear that things are happening at the same time. Depends how much footage ends up getting made and what it looks like.

[killacam]

As far as simplicity, I'll point out again that this isn't a one-shot deal. Something super simple could be done just to make sure communication and community is working, which is why some of us were talking about just some generic shots showing region.

I like the current discussion for the larger side because it doesn't require any real plot tie-in, in that events don't need to be continuous in each section. It's more like independent shorts that end up being a thing. These could be shown in sequence, or intercut to make it clear that things are happening at the same time. Depends how much footage ends up getting made and what it looks like.

maybe for a warm-up or to start out simple maybe everyone could just do 'beauty shots' of something specific in each of their cities. something basic like a book or music store, coffee shop, subway, trademark street or park etc. it should be unique enough that it reflects the city a bit (so no chains or generic locations). everyone would have to do the same type of place though, so maybe people can vote on what sounds the most interesting.

a more complex version of that for a later date might be a series of mini-documentaries. I think people have mentioned local sports or music/arts scenes of their cities. for sports, it could show a local sport that is typical of that city, for example baseball in new york, hockey in canada, high school or college ball in the south or midwest, rugby in australia, soccer in europe or south america, cricket in england or south asia... maybe to make it more interesting it would focus more on the fans, like in the stands or tailgating or the super fans who have a lot of memorabilia.

it's funny that I'm throwing out these ideas there though since I haven't even settled on a camera yet ugh. :undecided for the end of the world movie though I'd be willing to do any graphics work in the meantime (posters, logos, tv ids, fake newspapers). maybe even fake educational/infotainment interstitials like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_K6tSOahf0#t=10s) or this (http://metallica.com/index.asp?item=601688) or just fake commercials that run between shorts (maybe political ads that play on whatever the theme is- "so and so politican takes a hard stance on 'blank'"). other people could get in on that too though. I'm hoping to land a camera soon though ha.

[Jester2138]

a more complex version of that for a later date might be a series of mini-documentaries. I think people have mentioned local sports or music/arts scenes of their cities. for sports, it could show a local sport that is typical of that city, for example baseball in new york, hockey in canada, high school or college ball in the south or midwest, rugby in australia, soccer in europe or south america, cricket in england or south asia... maybe to make it more interesting it would focus more on the fans, like in the stands or tailgating or the super fans who have a lot of memorabilia.

You know, this could be interesting. If we have a series of 5 minute documentaries on different sports all over the world... From the big-time to the small time. Sort of a global look at athletic competition. Maybe someone does something with an NFL team, then I could do something with my high school football team (yes, I'm in high school, ha the secrets out), it'd make an interesting contrast. From a huge soccer stadium in Europe to the local competition in a small town - it could be very interesting indeed.

[Jester2138]

I like the mayan calendar tie in because it's something we really don't understand

Isn't there a big-budget Hollywood movie going on right now about that exact same thing? I think it's called "2012" or something like that.

[stip]

Isn't there a big-budget Hollywood movie going on right now about that exact same thing? I think it's called "2012" or something like that.

Yes. 2 hours of effects showing how earth breaks up and stuff :)

[ChipG]

Commander, I think you need to find out how much money people are willing to spend on this before you develope the story, that way you can pick a topic that works for everyones budget. $50? $100? $200+?

[bwwd]

So do You guys decided which framerate You will use ? Hope not 30p,it would have to be converted to match nikon cams and 7D's.

[ChipG]

maybe for a warm-up or to start out simple maybe everyone could just do 'beauty shots' of something specific in each of their cities. something basic like a book or music store, coffee shop, subway, trademark street or park etc. it should be unique enough that it reflects the city a bit (so no chains or generic locations). everyone would have to do the same type of place though, so maybe people can vote on what sounds the most interesting.

Totaly agree, maybe a timelapse sunset shot over their city skyline that can be used later in the movie, maybe everyone should do little 'step' segments like this once a week.

[ChipG]

What also might be interesting is to have all the footage in a community pool where everyone edits their own version then we let the other dvxusers vote on the version they like best.

[Jester2138]

So do You guys decided which framerate You will use ? Hope not 30p,it would have to be converted to match nikon cams and 7D's.

I would assume 24p? The only cam that wouldn't do that is the 5D II, and I'd think users of that are generally used to the idea of converting to 24p anyway :)

[Jester2138]

What also might be interesting is to have all the footage in a community pool where everyone edits their own version then we let the other dvxusers vote on the version they like best.

Something else to consider is music. Any composers out there? :D

[squig]

Isn't there a big-budget Hollywood movie going on right now about that exact same thing? I think it's called "2012" or something like that.

probably and it probably has a weak script

how did we go from death cult to sports? I'm not a sports fan.

[Jester2138]

probably and it probably has a weak script

how did we go from death cult to sports? I'm not a sports fan.

That doesn't change the fact that there IS another movie right now based on the same idea - exactly the same idea.

And I'm not that big a fan of death-cults either. They've been done to death :happy:

[squig]

It doesn't have to be a death cult just a secret society that wants to bring down the corporate/capitalist system.

A have a mate that produces John Carpenteresque analog synth stuff that would be perfect for this, only problem is he is MIA in Berlin.

[grifter09]

i've actually been following this thread from the beginning.
The trouble is i just dont have the time to both read and post usually.
But just to put in my 2 cents worth.
Im on for whatever gets decided.
I love the idea of lots and lots of individual stories from all around the world all following a common theme.
And then edited in the classic (at this stage) jumbled up stories all tying in at the end ,but on a kick ass global scale with 10's or 100's of shorts as opposed to three or four (obviosuly only the best making it into the movie).
Really like the idea of stories of what people from around the world
would do if they only had hours to live.
Also love the idea of what people would do if there was a computer meltdown.
Everything sounds good to me. As soon as im given a brief ill get to work. This could be big if everyone is serious about it.

Without this particualr thread getting to techy. we would need to match cameras, audio and even shooting styles to an extent so it cuts nicely.

[grifter09]

what about ghosts? some rising that was always predicted throughout history in every religion.

Think about the creative possibilities. blue screen suits, backgrounds etc. much fun....

[mhood]

You mean like the ghost of the OP? Ewwwwwwwww! Scary!

[grifter09]

Classic!

[Rakesh Jacob]

You mean like the ghost of the OP? Ewwwwwwwww! Scary!

Sad...
Why can't people just smoke a bong? Tech arguements get heated, that's the nature of geekdom, we need to get more thickskinned and realize if we were in the same room together we'd eventually hug it out.

I am down for pretty much whatever! I've been practicing wearing hoddies and staring conspicuously into the distance at shiny objects...

[mhood]

we need to get more thickskinned and realize if we were in the same room together we'd eventually hug it out.

In one of my favorite episodes of Futurama, God says to Bender: "When you do things right, nobody will know that you did anything at all."

I think we all know that a forum is not a democracy and is usually governed by a high tribunal of some sort who can do anything they please. BUT I don't think members of a forum like being reminded of that. It sort of feels like you're being bullied by the king's men for having unique perspectives.

[ChipG]

Without this particualr thread getting to techy. we would need to match cameras, audio and even shooting styles to an extent so it cuts nicely.

I think commanderspike is on vacation for a while so someone will have to take over until he gets back. Not me, I don't have time but I am interested in following this concept and helping out if I can.

Maybe the stories can be shot Cloverfield style then majic bullet looks applied in post to work through the different cams not matching.

For the most part 5D, 7D & GH1 will all look really close and be easy to match.

[squig]

I think we all know that a forum is not a democracy and is usually governed by a high tribunal of some sort who can do anything they please. BUT I don't think members of a forum like being reminded of that. It sort of feels like you're being bullied by the king's men for having unique perspectives.

Indeed

Sad...
Why can't people just smoke a bong? Tech arguements get heated, that's the nature of geekdom, we need to get more thickskinned and realize if we were in the same room together we'd eventually hug it out.

I think it's a cultural thing, in my experience Australians and poms are generally more thick skinned than the average american, you're just a freak Johnny.


I am down for pretty much whatever! I've been practicing wearing hoddies and staring conspicuously into the distance at shiny objects...

been stealing cars again?

Spike could move the thread over to cinema5D. I'm not sure if the ban is temporary or permanent. I've written to Jason but he hasn't elaborated on "you don't know the half of it". In the meantime we'll just plod along

[Jester2138]

Well if we want to leave Spike in charge, how about we just get together a fairly detailed outline kinda thing, an actual plan of some sort, in his absence? If it's good I don't see any reason why he wouldn't approve it. That way the project doesn't stagnate.

[mhood]

I think it's a cultural thing, in my experience Australians and poms are generally more thick skinned than the average american, you're just a freak Johnny.

Na...he's from Texas. Texas is sort of the 180 degree shutter for Australians...we fit in Oz, ya'll fit in Texas. We're kindred spirits.

[squig]

Ok in summary here's what I'm into so far-

-An underground movement bent on bringing down the corporate/capitalist system

-The group is represented by a graffiti symbol, maybe something binary related and by black hoodied figures. Underground taken literally would be good with scenes in tunnels, sewers etc. We can shoot in low light with our toys.

-A worm is released that over time shuts down all computer systems worldwide to restore order to mother earth.

What needs to be discussed is whether or not the group is violent. I'm thinking a non-violent movement who are attempting to put a stop to the corporate destruction of the planet by attempting to restore the natural order. Violence erupts however due to the breakdown of "civil" society.

I've done quite a bit of research on the warnings from the Hopi Indians, if somebody could get them involved by telling some prophecies in the film that would be really cool.

My understanding is the end of the Mayan calendar represents the end of time not the end of the world. Capitalism relies on time so the movement could be trying to stop time by shutting down all the technology. So in December 2012 the last of the computers shut down.

[Jester2138]

Fight Club, anyone?

[Cassius]

I don't know that we've decided on that. I still say that we get more drama from not being specific; not making it about the events or anything like that, but about how people deal with knowing the end is at hand. We can agree on a backstory in case some people want to integrate it, but if that becomes the focus we end up with a disaster movie like any other. The point here should be the people in the individual stories. Doing it this way also allows more freedom, since less details have to be integrated between productions. The only way this is going to succeed is in a hands off way; the individual production teams have to be given a lot of freedom to come up with the story they want to tell.

I recommend a vote now on specific or not, regardless of if the end of the world story is decided on. This will decide which end of the world style is used. My opinion is clear, and I know a few others agree. Arguments welcome. And I can still set up a forum elsewhere if there's interest.

I'd also like to propose that the first post in this thread be partly ignored, as the DSLR portion is no longer relevent.

[ChipG]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can we have fire in it? It wont cost anyone but a $5 can of lighter fluid...

Strippers / hookers will be in my video, (yes, balck hoodies for them too) anyone at vine is now off limits.

[squig]

I don't know that we've decided on that. I still say that we get more drama from not being specific; not making it about the events or anything like that, but about how people deal with knowing the end is at hand. We can agree on a backstory in case some people want to integrate it, but if that becomes the focus we end up with a disaster movie like any other. The point here should be the people in the individual stories. Doing it this way also allows more freedom, since less details have to be integrated between productions. The only way this is going to succeed is in a hands off way; the individual production teams have to be given a lot of freedom to come up with the story they want to tell.

I recommend a vote now on specific or not, regardless of if the end of the world story is decided on. This will decide which end of the world style is used. My opinion is clear, and I know a few others agree. Arguments welcome. And I can still set up a forum elsewhere if there's interest.

I'd also like to propose that the first post in this thread be partly ignored, as the DSLR portion is no longer relevent.

I don't have a problem with people not using DSLRs but it would be cool to make it just with DSLRs.

I'm all for freedom but I think everyone should submit scripts so we can brainstorm and make all the scripts fit together.

I'm still not buying the whole end of the world thing.

[ChipG]

I don't have a problem with people not using DSLRs but it would be cool to make it just with DSLRs.

I'm all for freedom but I think everyone should submit scripts so we can brainstorm and make all the scripts fit together.

I'm still not buying the whole end of the world thing.

Squig, at this point I'd take whatever you can get and not complain about it. Really...

I'm out and signing off from this thread but I do think you guys should do this.

Chip

[squig]

I don't recall making any complaints.

[killacam]

probably and it probably has a weak script

how did we go from death cult to sports? I'm not a sports fan.

well I was just throwing out an alternate idea (based on something someone had mentioned before) out there in case we were still kind of exploring other options but honestly I would be more excited about the death cult idea.

so anyway is spike really permanently banned? I think a suspension would probably be fairer no? I don't really know what happened and it did seem like maybe he got a little personal in that shane hurlbut thread but I think he has contributed and isn't really the antagonistic or troll type that would deserve a permaban.

also I thought you guys would like to know I have finally ordered an HDSLR (still getting used to the new acronym) ha. I am kind of psyched even though I'm pretty late. I'm not going to say which one (brands not allowed here in this forum after all ha) and anyway after watching so many videos they all kind of look alike to me anyway (sacrilege I know) and the only things I really cared about were 24p (converting would be a PITA imho) and not too much jello. maybe I'll change my mind later about that after having to jump through hoops and workarounds but I'm hoping I'll be ok for now. anyway someone had mentioned not making all the shorts DSLR-exclusively but I think that is something that will make it unique (which couldn't hurt as a selling point also or whatever).

as far as what scenario to choose, I don't really think it makes too much of a difference to me- I just think it should be at least somewhat mysterious what is going on for a good part of the movie- all we really know is that there are black hooded figures involved and they are planning something that might or not be cataclysmic. I mean, the suspense should be a major part of it- it could even work out that they are actually a part of something not-so-nefarious after appearing so ominous throughout and everyone anticipating some sort of doomsday, like hacking everyone's tvs, phones, computers, microwaves, whatever to display something relatively positive like "today you have been set free" (or something in a similar vein but maybe not as cheesy).

by the way does everyone remember this ad?
WhF7dQl4Ico

[stip]

Spike is banned??? ...

Cassius, I'm with you considering a story where the situation/scenario is not specificly explained, just a given frame for "smaller" stories to take place in. I like that approach for everyone having more creative freedom but more than that I just think that a complex background story will lead to A LOT of problems coordinating the whole project.

Killacam, nice idea just to make it look like there was something big, conspiracy like going on with all these black hooded guys in cities all over the world.

Squig, I'm very interested and angry about development of capitalism around the globe, making the rich richer while the poor get poorer.

Just a rough idea: what about everyone shooting with a main charakter (or 2 or whatever), dressed in black hoodies, as he/she moving through the city to reach an internet cafe where they could surf the internet anonimously. During the movie, you could hear extracts from the radio talking about big companies firing their emplyoee though making record transaction volumes and all kind of stuff like that, pointing out some drastic, negative developments capitalism has caused - in English (American, British, Australian accent), French, Spanish, German etc, according to where it takes place at that moment.
In the end, in the internet cafes they could do something completely different than expected, like just playing some online game together being a clan or guild or whatever that's called...
Admittedly that's not a very strong ending though...


Anyway, I'm also in for totally new approaches, but I like the idea of creating an image of some kind of global "gang" :)

[squig]

yeah spike is banned.

I saw the trailer for the 2012 film, it looked liked your average disaster film, all effects and no substance. I could be wrong it was just a trailer.

Good scripts and casting, pooling resources, shooting in locations around the world, it has a lot of potential. I don't expect it to be easy but there's no fun in easy.

[killacam]

well I'm glad to see this is still going although I guess the momentum has died down. I guess with monsterfest going on and maybe because the op got banned things have slowed down. It's too bad though- that would have been amazing if he had been able to screen it for Danny Boyle.

anyway in terms of inspiration, has anyone seen this movie called "Right at Your Door" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_at_Your_Door)? not the greatest but kind of interesting and reminded me a bit of Todd Haynes' "Safe" just a little.

[stip]

I guess the momentum has died down.

guess so too, but I'll definately keep checking this thread and thinking about something simple we could realize.



I'm a bit pissed that Spike got banned, I don't know the reason but it better be a good one.
Not really what I would have expected from this board...

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Well if it's not what you would have expected stip you might ask yourself why it's not something you would have expected and what would have had to happen in order for such a thing to go down.

Such a rumination might lead you to conclude that warnings, infractions, countless talks and very long emails, maybe even another banning had all probably already occurred. If a banning had already occurred and an individual was let back, promises to amend conduct must have been made by said individual. If the individual has now been banned again, then you can guess what became of the promises. We can only give so many chances.

One of the reason we don't post a big neon sign with all the details is out of respect for the banned member's privacy. The above is probably more than I should say, though I'm sharing it because it mostly divulges a typical process we might go through before we give someone a final ban while not divulging all the details and because you seem to need to know.

If you thought about all that then you might not be "a bit pissed" and you'd feel more like we do. Sad and disappointed that we had to ban someone that, while he was obviously doing something that wasn't good for the forum (since he's banned), also contributed a lot. We don't like banning people like that. We do like banning spammers and trolls, we have a little party. But we don't like banning regular members that contribute something. Believe it or not we probably feel worse about it than you do and it's not something we take lightly - ever.

But it's a fact. Yes it sucks for this project. But you can either move on with it here or spike can join DVinfo or DVrebel's and you guys can continue it there.

[mhood]

while he was obviously doing something that wasn't good for the forum (since he's banned), also contributed a lot.

I guess I missed something... It's probably inappropriate to wonder what he did that wasn't good for the forum?

[stip]

Jack, thank you very much for your statement.

I understand you can't tell any background information but it was enough to understand that this ban must have come a longer way and had it's reasons. Still hard to imagine such an issue going on here :(
Probably a lose lose situation for everyone involved

[Jason Ramsey]

I guess I missed something... It's probably inappropriate to wonder what he did that wasn't good for the forum?

well, one part of it... the part that put things over the top is when you get put on a timeout, and start creating multiple accounts, and then spoofing your i.p. in an attempt to hide that, etc, etc, etc.

At a point, we have little choice but to view you as hostile to the site, and unfortunately will have to treat you as such.

Besides, when someone starts going soo out of their way like that, I think it's safe to say that they are too emotionally invested.

later,
Jason

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

...
Probably a lose lose situation for everyone involved
Always.

[killacam]

is anyone watching "v" right now? maybe we could make the black hooded figures aliens heh.

[Cassius]

You guys have a time out system? Anyway, I've been a bit busy so haven't been able to dedicate myself here, but I'm still for what we were discussing, end of the world stuff. I recommend people be thinking about shorts they can do if there's a strong interest in that. Once more is established we can branch out and seek submissions from outside of DVXUser, creating a large enough team to make it work. Creating an outside site would probably be good as well, and once time allows I may be able to do so.

[polfilmblog]

Is this thing for real?

As far as I can discern, it's the end of the world (shown how exactly?), and a hooded "death cult" shows up randomly around the world.

Is there more to this idea, and how is the film being assembled?

Is there a director or producer or a politburo deciding what goes in?

Does anyone have an email list of the contributors and is he/she making some effort to contact them?

There seem to be nuts and bolts issues to work out. Probably a dedicated website (like Zombie Nation) would be appropriate?

[stip]

I don't like the death cult thing

[Cassius]

I'm not crazy about the cult, other, though I wouldn't mind keeping it as an option for individual filmmakers. At the very least it shouldn't be a requirement.

[stip]

I'm not crazy about the cult, other, though I wouldn't mind keeping it as an option for individual filmmakers. At the very least it shouldn't be a requirement.

yea, right

[Jester2138]

I hear a fizzling sound :cry:

[ZazaCast]

This has been tried Many, many times here.... No one can ever agree and then it just goes belly-up.

I would suggest getting a small group together that can agree on a basic concept, hammer it out via
PM's, set a schedule.... and shoot the thing.

Baby steps.... baby steps...

[killacam]

by the way, I just wanted to mention that I wasn't trying to criticize the mods or anything- I think you guys are doing a great job. I actually did take barry's (and I guess kholi's) side in the whole 7d testing thread for what it's worth. I was just trying to get spike a second chance since I hate to see people get banned even if I don't necessarily agree with them on everything.

as far as this thread goes, I guess it's pretty much dead. I thought the logistics of it would have worked as long as it was made up of separate shorts so that you wouldn't have to worry about cutting together, matching looks or having a continuous narrative. as long as they were vaguely related around a theme, I thought it could have worked as snippets or vignettes from different perspectives around the same scenario in different locations. some of the ideas- the hooded 'death cult' (or hackers or terrorists) and graffiti et al- could have just been optional ideas to provide a little continuity. like there could have been a list of around 5-10 elements that people could choose to incorporate maybe 1 or 2 of. the scenario would have to be the same though, and the virus might have been the most promising, who knows.

[Nitsuj]

I hear a fizzling sound :cry:

Yep... just like I said. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[shzr]

late in the thread, but the captioned reminded me of this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

[stip]

late in the thread, but the captioned reminded me of this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM


That's awesome

[visugeek]

Just found this thread. I think something like this would be amazing to be a part of. The Stand by me piece was inspiring.

[Chamber005]

This is an interesting colaboration idea.

I can't remember which website I saw it on years ago (anyone else remember?) where "generic actors" wore roughly the same clothes and were deliberately not shot in close-up to try and preserve some sort of continuity for a collaborative feature -- sounded quite alternative!


Another idea: shoot just background material and make it available for individual interpretation using greenshcreen actors...Actually, that's probably a rubbish idea, sorry!


Yeah there's one up now called Cliffhanger Falls.

www.cliffhangerfalls.com (http://www.cliffhangerfalls.com)

And FYI on this thread, I think the reason you guys are having trouble is because you're starting with location. That's an incredibly challenging place to start a story from.

Someone else mentioned a smaller group getting together and getting the idea done, and I'd agree. If you all have your own equipment, it may be possible (within budget) to fly (or bus) your main actor to these different locations. Or, alternatively, you could have your protagonist start in one part of the world/country and your antagonist start in another and have them meet in the middle. A kind of Kung-Fu/Frankenstein journey-style storytelling. The ultimate road trip.

Bad guy -----> Pursued item or person of interest <------ Good guy