"undercover" - NJ Film School

[Chris Messineo]

http://www.njfilmschool.com/images/undercover.jpg

[Chris Messineo]

http://www.vimeo.com/20665897

[Chris Messineo]

Production Updates

2/21/2011: I teach a filmmaking class and I challenged the class to create a short film for FictionFest. Last night we had auditions and cast our film. We shoot on Saturday, February 26th. We will be using the Panasonic AF100 and Nikon Lenses.

2/26/2011: The film shoot started on time, but we ran a bit late and ended our shoot on 2/27/2011.

2/27/2011: Rough cut sent to composer.

3/4/2011: Final cut locked and sent to composer.

3/4/2011: BTS video posted.

3/5/2011: Score completed.

3/6/2011: Color Correction and Color Grading completed.

[ZazaCast]

Nice! Looking forward to it Chris...

[Chris_Keaton]

Cool!

[Matt Harris]

cool, i'm psyched to see your panny af100 in action!

[Chris Messineo]

cool, i'm psyched to see your panny af100 in action!
Me too. We've done some test footage (which was awesome), but this will be our first film with it.

[Matt Harris]

what nikon lenses will you be putting to the test?

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Good luck, Chris. Nice to see you back.

[Chris Messineo]

what nikon lenses will you be putting to the test?

Nikon 24mm Lens f/2.8
Nikon 35mm Lens f/2.0
Nikon 50mm Lens f/1.4
Nikon 85mm Lens f/1.8

[Noel Evans]

This is great Chris - regardless of any results, this will be a really worthwhile experience for the "crew".

[Matt Harris]

nice lenses chris! good luck, have a blast.

[Chris Messineo]

The shoot is tonight. We've got our shot list and storyboard ready - it's going to be fun. The only thing I don't know yet is what to do for the required BTS video.

[4100xpb]

Good luck Chris, hope it's going well.

[Chris Messineo]

I just got home from the shoot. The cast and crew did a great job! I'll start the edit after I get some sleep.

[Matt Harris]

post some stills asap, congrats on the shoot.

[mark menditto]

Awesome shoot, Chris! Thanks! Good luck to all the other artists for their submissions.

[Chris Messineo]

Our bts video has been posted (post #2). It's not very exciting (it was late), but at least you can meet the cast and crew.

[Mr Blue]

lol at the beeps on the bts. Reminds me of the skit on Jimmy Kimmel.

[mark menditto]

Our bts video has been posted (post #2). It's not very exciting (it was late), but at least you can meet the cast and crew.

Hilarious, Chris! But, wait. Where are you?!

[Chris_Keaton]

Why did your BTS seem perverted? :)

Best Line "I got to BEEP Mike's BEEP."

[Chris Messineo]

Hilarious, Chris! But, wait. Where are you?!

Every time I see myself on camera, I'm reminded how important it is for me to stay behind the camera. :)

[Charli]

Sooooo funny your BTS. I love the "bleeps" and the mosiac of your uncover actor. Fun stuff. Good luck, Chris!

[Chris Messineo]

Thanks a lot.

Students from my film and acting classes made the short and this is the first time they are sharing one of their class projects with "the world" - so I'm excited for them.

[ashpatel]

It was a great time being on the set. I learned many new concepts and techniques. And the cast and crew I had the chance to work with were amazing. My first time working with the AF100 camera. What a smooth camera!

[Hitaish]

Every time I see myself on camera, I'm reminded how important it is for me to stay behind the camera. :)

Haha! You are too modest. :cool:

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Hey Chris! Cool! Looking forward to it.

What are your thoughts on using the AF100? Have you posted that already?

[Chris Messineo]

What are your thoughts on using the AF100? Have you posted that already?
I haven't and that is a great question.

I started with the DVX, moved to the HVX, then onto the GH1, and honestly the AF100 feels like the camera I have been dreaming of for all these years.

Our film was part of a class project and we had 6 hours to shoot the whole thing. The AF100 gave us the speed and flexibility to get all the shots we wanted (in low light) while recording high quality audio and without any headaches in post.

We spent one previous class where I taught my students how to use the camera and after that they were able to shoot without having to do any tricks. It just worked. It was truly fun.

I wish there was an easier way to cycle through ISO settings (but that is a small complaint). The camera is awesome.

Now I just hope everyone likes the film we made with it. :)

[4100xpb]

In already? Keener:P

[Chris Messineo]

We had to finish early, because we were on the class schedule. If it were up to me, I'm sure it would have been last minute. :)

[ashpatel]

Haha. Love that BTS. Chris, you should have been in it. You could have been in the darkness and just your voice would have come through.

[Chris Messineo]

I don't like my voice either.

[Noel Evans]

Well played Chris. I really liked the approach here, lay out a linear story off time. It came across theatrical but not in a bad way. Nothing stood out which I think is the goal. Students used their resources well - good job.

[Chris_Keaton]

Another film in reverse script gets made. Who wrote this one, I didn't see that in the credits. Looked good and we figured out the twist just before you revealed it just like it should be. Nice job.

[Chris Messineo]

Well played Chris. I really liked the approach here, lay out a linear story off time. It came across theatrical but not in a bad way. Nothing stood out which I think is the goal. Students used their resources well - good job.
Thanks a lot for the review. I'm glad you liked it.

Shooting a film with students (both cast and crew) is fun and challenging. Not only is there a time deadline since it's part of class, but each moment is also a teaching opportunity.

The students all took it very seriously and I'm really proud of what they accomplished.

[Chris Messineo]

Another film in reverse script gets made. Who wrote this one, I didn't see that in the credits. Looked good and we figured out the twist just before you revealed it just like it should be. Nice job.
Chris, Thanks for checking it out and for your kind words. I wrote the script and tried to come up with something that we could shoot in one night and would let the students have some fun with the new camera (the Panasonic AF100) .

[Hawk Teflon]

I enjoyed this! I like the "backwards story" of it. Something I'm not sure I could pull off, so more power to those who can. I could definitely learn better lighting from your crew.

[Chris Messineo]

I enjoyed this! I like the "backwards story" of it. Something I'm not sure I could pull off, so more power to those who can. I could definitely learn better lighting from your crew.

Thanks so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's fun to play with time when telling a story - especially in a short - you should definitely try it some time. As for the lighting, we knew we were going to be shooting with the AF100 so we were eager to see what we could do creatively with some low-light environments.

[randin]

Yep, I was mainly going to compliment you on the successful look of the film in low light. Great use of just the two locations, both simple and simply lit, focusing the viewer on the characters well.

[Charli]

At first I thought you were going all "Memento" on us, which you did, but not exactly. I wasn't easily captivated at first. By the time we got to where the two actors were interacting is when I got into the story. The possibility of that happening with two undercovers wasn't as plausible for me. I still have to believe it.

Still, overall, the film was definitely on the higher end than the lower end.

[Chris Messineo]

Yep, I was mainly going to compliment you on the successful look of the film in low light. Great use of just the two locations, both simple and simply lit, focusing the viewer on the characters well.

Thanks a lot. We shot the car scene first and it was trickier than we anticipated. Luckily the shoot in the room went smoothly and we were able to pick up some time there.

I'm really happy you liked the look of it. The students worked really hard on it.

[Chris Messineo]

At first I thought you were going all "Memento" on us, which you did, but not exactly. I wasn't easily captivated at first. By the time we got to where the two actors were interacting is when I got into the story. The possibility of that happening with two undercovers wasn't as plausible for me. I still have to believe it.

Still, overall, the film was definitely on the higher end than the lower end.

I love "Memento". I wish this story was as cool as that, but I fear I was too focused on giving the class some cool lighting and camera challenges that would work with the timeframe and locations we had and maybe the story didn't get all the attention it deserved.

Anyway, thanks for the review and I'm glad we made it into your "top half". :)

[Matt Harris]

i loved this short. chris, this was wildly successful. Nicely shot, good actors, simple story with a clever payoff. i love the backwards style, and the piano cues as the time registers on screen. I do think the earlier scene with the guy tied to the chair went on a few seconds too long, but once it gets to the 2 actors it gets really good. you accomplished a lot, with very little.

[Chris Messineo]

i loved this short. chris, this was wildly successful. Nicely shot, good actors, simple story with a clever payoff. i love the backwards style, and the piano cues as the time registers on screen. I do think the earlier scene with the guy tied to the chair went on a few seconds too long, but once it gets to the 2 actors it gets really good. you accomplished a lot, with very little.

Thank you so much for the great review!

[EditPhish]

My criticisms: Some of the acting was a little unnatural and at times, the music didn't mesh for me. Some of the shots could have been a little more interesting, especially during the dialog between the two characters.

My compliments: Love the opening shot. The wack to the nose was awesome... very believable. I liked the lighting and the overall concept... and the twist was interested and unexpected. I didn't predict it at all. Overall a good film! As a fan of "Memento" I like the backwards story-telling.

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Wow! I really liked this Chris!

Bold choice to go the Memento route, but I think you did it well. I honestly didn't see the last twist coming.

Very cinematic and good acting.

[Chris Messineo]

My criticisms: Some of the acting was a little unnatural and at times, the music didn't mesh for me. Some of the shots could have been a little more interesting, especially during the dialog between the two characters.

My compliments: Love the opening shot. The wack to the nose was awesome... very believable. I liked the lighting and the overall concept... and the twist was interested and unexpected. I didn't predict it at all. Overall a good film! As a fan of "Memento" I like the backwards story-telling.

Thanks for the thorough review. We would have liked to try a few more things with the shots and to give our actors a few more takes, but time was not always on our side.

I'm happy you liked the opening shot and the hit to the face. We rehearsed that a lot and on that particular take it looked so good on the set, for a moment I thought he actually whacked him. :)

As I said earlier, I'm a huge "Memento" fan and it's cool that you liked the backwards storytelling and the twist surprised you. Thanks again!

[Chris Messineo]

Wow! I really liked this Chris!

Bold choice to go the Memento route, but I think you did it well. I honestly didn't see the last twist coming.

Very cinematic and good acting.

Thanks a lot - that means a lot to me coming from you.

I'm glad we were able to surprise you and that you liked the look and the actors. We didn't have as much time as we wanted (does anyone ever?) and the actors usually only got to do 2 or 3 takes, but I'm really proud of what my students accomplished.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Tried downloading it but it wouldn't play. Can't get it to stream either. Anyone else having issues or is related to my crappy hotel wi-fi?

EDIT:

Streaming finally worked!

Nice job. I think the sound design could have been deeper but I liked the coverage of the shots. Great opening scene!
The edit cuts closer and closer as the guy walked in front were a bit too much. One or two would have done the job.

Wasn't a big fan of the music but I loved the story. Nice twist. Good dialogue audio as well.
Really liked your use of time, very smooth edit and pacing.

Nice job!

[Chris Messineo]

Streaming finally worked!

Nice job. I think the sound design could have been deeper but I liked the coverage of the shots. Great opening scene!
The edit cuts closer and closer as the guy walked in front were a bit too much. One or two would have done the job.

Wasn't a big fan of the music but I loved the story. Nice twist. Good dialogue audio as well.
Really liked your use of time, very smooth edit and pacing.

Nice job!

I'm really glad you got it to work. I could definitely learn a thing or two from you with sound design (yours was awesome).

That's cool that you loved the story. Thanks for the awesome review.

[Mr Blue]

I really liked this one. When it opened like "Memento" my antennas went up, as a big fan of the film that is a thin ice territory if you were to mangle it. But on the contrary you handled it very well. I loved the lighting, very noirish. The composition, sound, story and cutting were all very good, absolutely no complaints there. The only remarks I have would be for the actors, for the most part they were good, there were just a couple of shots where I think they could be better, but as a whole I think they were fine.

When that stick hit the guy in the face I actually had an outburst, that looked very convincing. Did you tie a string to it? I hope you did, then I can say I helped inspire you when you win (just being a little facetious here). Tell your students they did very good job, this is definitely something that will go good on their reel after they graduate and look for a job.

[Chris Messineo]

I really liked this one. When it opened like "Memento" my antennas went up, as a big fan of the film that is a thin ice territory if you were to mangle it. But on the contrary you handled it very well. I loved the lighting, very noirish. The composition, sound, story and cutting were all very good, absolutely no complaints there. The only remarks I have would be for the actors, for the most part they were good, there were just a couple of shots where I think they could be better, but as a whole I think they were fine.

When that stick hit the guy in the face I actually had an outburst, that looked very convincing. Did you tie a string to it? I hope you did, then I can say I helped inspire you when you win (just being a little facetious here). Tell your students they did very good job, this is definitely something that will go good on their reel after they graduate and look for a job.

Thanks so much for your wonderful review. "Memento" was definitely an inspiration for telling our story like this and I'm really pleased you liked it.

The hit to the face was a lot of fun. We didn't use a string (that would have made me to nervous). We had an obstacle (out of frame) that the stick hit - this kept the stick from striking our actor, but also let it get to within a few inches of his face. It also made his reaction feel very real, as that stick really was flying at his nose. :)

[lyonfilms]

Nice short. Not a lot to say other than I enjoyed it. I thought the edit was nice and tight with great points to cut on. Some fun shots. Bravo.

[Chris Messineo]

Nice short. Not a lot to say other than I enjoyed it. I thought the edit was nice and tight with great points to cut on. Some fun shots. Bravo.

Thanks so much. I'm a big fan of your film and your review means a lot to me. I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

[ZazaCast]

Great job and a really well done film folks! I'd give the kudos to you Chris, but this was all done by the students...and they rocked it. :shocked:

Memento is one of my all-time favorite films...it actually hurt my brain the first few times I watched it trying to get a grip on it. You guys did a great job...right down to the reverse credit roll. The acting was believable and genuine. Editing, sound design and score was right there too. A very enjoyable film for me.

The only thing I wondered about was why was Decker kind of out of breath when he hit Taylor in the face with the broom stick? It felt like he had just been running to me.

That's all I got for you. Loved the film, congratulations to the entire cast & crew on a job well done. I have a feeling this will do good and I look forward the next NJ Film School production!

[Chris Messineo]

Great job and a really well done film folks! I'd give the kudos to you Chris, but this was all done by the students...and they rocked it. :shocked:

Memento is one of my all-time favorite films...it actually hurt my brain the first few times I watched it trying to get a grip on it. You guys did a great job...right down to the reverse credit roll. The acting was believable and genuine. Editing, sound design and score was right there too. A very enjoyable film for me.

The only thing I wondered about was why was Decker kind of out of breath when he hit Taylor in the face with the broom stick? It felt like he had just been running to me.

That's all I got for you. Loved the film, congratulations to the entire cast & crew on a job well done. I have a feeling this will do good and I look forward the next NJ Film School production!

Thank you so much for the awesome review! It means a lot to me and my students.

[Blaine]

Very good job, Chris. I wasn't surprised by where this went but I enjoyed watching how it got there. I like the fact that you used a non-standard timeline, even if it had been done before, I don't remember it being used quite that way at DVXfest.

I though everything was carried out well on this project. My ONLY gripe might have been the fact that the lead didn't fit my perception of a drug dealer. (Maybe he was a dealer in the 'burbs. :))

[Charli]

You wouldn't have a photo of all the film students involved in the production? I saw the video, thought it be nice to see a shot of all of 'em.

[Chris Messineo]

Very good job, Chris. I wasn't surprised by where this went but I enjoyed watching how it got there. I like the fact that you used a non-standard timeline, even if it had been done before, I don't remember it being used quite that way at DVXfest.

I though everything was carried out well on this project. My ONLY gripe might have been the fact that the lead didn't fit my perception of a drug dealer. (Maybe he was a dealer in the 'burbs. :))

Thanks for the great review - It's nice to hear that people dig the reverse storytelling - I was a little worried about that.

As for the "drug dealer" - here in New Jersey they come in all shapes and sizes. :)

[Chris Messineo]

You wouldn't have a photo of all the film students involved in the production? I saw the video, thought it be nice to see a shot of all of 'em.

It would be nice. Unfortunately, I'm terrible at documenting all the BTS stuff - I don't have anything. :(

One of the students though (Mark) is a great photographer and took some awesome BTS shots. I'll see if I can't get him to post a couple.

[4100xpb]

Nice wipes. I loved the ‘sorry, sorry’ at the beginning, it appealed to the Canadian in me. Nice, simple twist at the end, worked well. This one didn't strike me as extraordinary, but came across as a competent, well shot little short.

[Chris Messineo]

Nice wipes. I loved the ‘sorry, sorry’ at the beginning, it appealed to the Canadian in me. Nice, simple twist at the end, worked well. This one didn't strike me as extraordinary, but came across as a competent, well shot little short.

Thanks for the cool review.

Honestly, I don't think there is anything particularly extraordinary about our film either. But, if it's a nice tight "well shot little short" - then I'm really happy about that. :)

[mark menditto]

Hi folks. Here are a some initial BTS shots, posted from my PhotoShelter NJFS-Undercover-DVXuser gallery:
http://mendittophoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/NJFS-Undercover-DVXuser/G0000ag47_hoYAM0

[Chris Messineo]

Hi folks. Here are a some initial BTS shots, posted from my PhotoShelter NJFS-Undercover-DVXuser gallery:
http://mendittophoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/NJFS-Undercover-DVXuser/G0000ag47_hoYAM0

Mark, those are great - thanks for posting them.

For those who are curious, you can see how we did pole to the face without actually breaking his nose. :)

[Susanne G.]

To make the whole film a complete flashback was a very clever and intelligent idea. The film was convincing, but I had a hart time to enjoy the mood. Was the score a homage to Erik Satie?

Susanne

[Anthony Todaro]

A dash of Reservoir Dogs with a pinch of Memento made for an entertaining quickie. Loved the coverage and lighting. Young talent but they showed good control. I didn’t notice the sound so it wasn’t a problem. I would have loved to see a large exterior wide, to open this up a bit. The only other bummer for me would be not seeing a credit for the writer. The music was creepy in a GOOD György Ligeti kind of way. It help keep the dark vibe. Nice work from the team.

[Chris Messineo]

To make the whole film a complete flashback was a very clever and intelligent idea. The film was convincing, but I had a hart time to enjoy the mood. Was the score a homage to Erik Satie?

Thanks - I'm glad you dug the flashbacks.

Regarding the score, I was inspired by Schubert's "Der Leirmann" and asked the composer to come up with something that had that same vibe (without the vocals).

Here is a sample of the original in case anyone is curious:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pze4NxCOjg0

[Chris Messineo]

A dash of Reservoir Dogs with a pinch of Memento made for an entertaining quickie. Loved the coverage and lighting. Young talent but they showed good control. I didn’t notice the sound so it wasn’t a problem. I would have loved to see a large exterior wide, to open this up a bit. The only other bummer for me would be not seeing a credit for the writer. The music was creepy in a GOOD György Ligeti kind of way. It help keep the dark vibe. Nice work from the team.

Thanks for the awesome review!

I would have liked an even wider shot too - I need to get some more lenses. :)

Regarding the script, I wrote it and edited it, but since this film was a project for my students, I didn't put myself in the credits.

That's cool that you liked the music (I'll definitely tell the composer) and if you look one message up, you can see the inspiration.

[Anthony Todaro]

No prob. You don't need lenses to get on a roof in N.J. and shoot that awesome nightscape! =)
I'm stuck in farmland at the moment and would kill for a decent slice. I have city envy.
Not sure why you wouldn't put your name on the film you wrote and edited?
Every student film I worked on has the writer and editor on it.
I'm just trying to get you your Academy Award man, work with me!

[mark menditto]

One more image from Undercover BTS ...

31607

... and the rest posted http://mendittophoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/NJFS-Undercover-DVXuser/G0000ag47_hoYAM0

[MrFluffy]

I really enjoyed this. Ive seen a few flash back films before but this was very well done and I was not expecting the punchline.
An excellent short.

[Chris Messineo]

I really enjoyed this. Ive seen a few flash back films before but this was very well done and I was not expecting the punchline.
An excellent short.

Thanks a lot - I'm glad you enjoyed it and will pass along your compliments to my students.

[Susanne G.]

Thanks - I'm glad you dug the flashbacks.

Regarding the score, I was inspired by Schubert's "Der Leirmann" and asked the composer to come up with something that had that same vibe (without the vocals).

Here is a sample of the original in case anyone is curious:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pze4NxCOjg0

This is an interesting backround info! I thought to Satie's 'Gnossiennes' what was composed about 60 years later than Schubert's 'Der Leiermann'. Probably Satie's music is more absurd than Schubert's, seeing that he was one generation younger, but composed 'Gnossiennes' still in the same century.

[lawriejaffa]

Enjoyable - conceptual short film - competently produced, paced and acted. Its not perhaps the first scenario in movieland where an undercover cop is about to reveal his badge to get shot - but who cares? Its implemented fairly originally with its past cut back - which reveals the story nicely. (A good example of where writing makes all the difference.)

My only caveat really is with the piano - nothing screams film school/students more than a solitary piano ' DAAANG ' 3 minutes ago - ' DAAAAAAAANG ' 10 seconds ago.

Given the subject matter is hard ass cops under cover - taped mouths and beatings why not make it all a bit sexier (lime my undercover cop beating festish videos) - id consider a re-edit for soundtrack, as this could benefit from an injection of genre, as the arty plink plonk does little for the production.

An enjoyable short!

[Chris Messineo]

Thanks so much for the review.

I'm really happy that you (and others) liked the backward story and the students worked hard on the lighting and composition, so I'm really pleased that you liked that too.

I fear any score questions are really my own fault, based on my suggestions and the ridiculous amount of time I gave the composer to create the score. I do think something "a bit sexier" might be interesting here.

Thanks again.

[Matt Harris]

The backwards story was awesome Chris, i feel like you took that concept and made it your own.
Let's not forget that before the Matrix, Seinfeld had a famous backwards episode. So I'd say (It's a possibility) that Chris Nolan
might have seen that episode and said, "hey great device, i gotta use this in movie form". So backwards storytelling
is an open field as far as i'm concerned, and not "owned" by anyone.

[Chris Messineo]

Thanks Matt, I'm glad you liked it. It makes your head hurt a bit when you try to write a story backwards, but I think it can help make the story feel a little fresher (especially since ours wasn't exactly breaking new ground). Best of luck in the finals with your film.

[Matt Harris]

Thanks for the well wishes. but what I want to know is, (if you explained this earlier i missed it), did you write it normal and then just shoot the movie backwards?

[Chris Messineo]

Thanks for the well wishes. but what I want to know is, (if you explained this earlier i missed it), did you write it normal and then just shoot the movie backwards?
The script is written backwards - the first scene in the script is the last scene chronologically. However, we did shoot it all in chronological order to make it easier on the actors.