The Token

[Matthew B]

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Whilst raiding a Polish cottage, a German soldier is forced to chose between loyalty to his country and the memory of a childhood friendship.


Very excited to announce that Justin R. Durban will be composing for this short.

AND

Ryan Frias will be doing the post sound.


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[Matthew B]

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From Day 2 - Quick grade only.

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[JaceBrownlow]

Sounds like we are on the same subject matter :)

[Matthew B]

May have secured an athentic WW2 troop transporter truck. Really like it when I can actually find the thing I saw in my head when I was writing.

[Luis_]

Very good. Would love to watch this.

[Noel Evans]

Storyboards almost finished on this one. Matt and I nutted most of it out Sunday. Looking good. From the Cinematography aspect, the desire is transport you back to a time of beautiful sunny days when life felt more simple. Sound odd for a piece set during WWII?

[Luis_]

Sound odd for a piece set during WWII?

Odd maybe, more like it was I think. No smart phones, no google, no facebook :-)

[Craighoit]

What an amazing title. Can hardly wait to see it.

[Chris Messineo]

It sounds like you've assembled an impressive team for this short - I can't wait to see it!

[Matthew B]

Very productive day today. Noel and I went to all the locations and did some previz work (albeit with an unintended 2 hour detour along the way). Very happy with the locations.

[Noel Evans]

Some of the previs grabs. These arent lit - they are just previs.

Modeled by Matt. None of these represent final look etc. But you will see these locations again with some similar shots angles etc. Last one I split two separate grabs in photoshop so we could see the two characters that will be in shot. These are really roughly graded for a quicklook.

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[Matthew B]

Another productive day.

With the locations fresh in our head, Noel and I went through the script and worked out the majority of the shots. Getting really excited about shooting this.

Also held auditions for two of the main characters in the short, which went well.

I've locked in the shoot dates as the weekend of the 14th and 15th. A busy week and a bit of pre-pro left.

[Chris Messineo]

Those location pre-viz grabs are beautiful. I'm really looking forward to this one!

[Matthew B]

Yesterdays shoot was postponed due to bad weather, but we shot today and it went really well. Got all the shots we needed, we were a bit rushed towards the end of the day so we had to push. As we were starting to lose light we needed to get two last shots of the truck on a quiet dirt road, so the actor, the soundie, Noel and myself jumped into the car and sped off to the next location. We managed to get the last couple of shots a few minutes before the light dissappeared, which was lucky. All in all the cast and crew did a great job and the shots look incredible.
Now just one more shoot should see us wrap this thing.

Should have some grabs up within the next few days.

[Chris Messineo]

It sounds like it all went great.

I love shooting outside, but that damn sun keeps moving doesn't it. :)

I'm looking forward to the grabs.

[JaceBrownlow]

wonderful looking stills, great color choice. Are you using a Red?

[Noel Evans]

It sounds like it all went great.

I love shooting outside, but that damn sun keeps moving doesn't it. :)

I'm looking forward to the grabs.

Only a few Ext's. yesterday, however all EXT next week.

Just running through the shot log - everything looking solid.

As we knew Saturday was postponed last Wednesday - I took some time to run over Sunday's script, just brushing up the SB's a little. I then changed a good chunk of the main scene from yesterday, discussed it with Matt - and re did the shots lists etc for that component.

Having Saturday postponed turned out to be a good thing. Now onto next Saturday where the weather is forecast to be on our side. Without saying too much it will be one hell of a dolly of a day.


wonderful looking stills, great color choice. Are you using a Red?

Jace these are only from our previs session but were with our A cam. We're shooting on a C300.

[Noel Evans]

Few quick grade grabs from shoot yesterday.

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[PaPa]

Few quick grade grabs from shoot yesterday.

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Looking really great guys. Question, what did you use for the rim light around the soldier inside the barn? How did you get that light so high up and what did you use? Do you have any BTS stills?

[Chris Messineo]

Those stills are amazing! I love them.

[Ryan P. Kelly]

Wow...Looks fantastic!

[Noel Evans]

Cheers :)

Shoot day 2 and we will have the sunshine we need for our EXT.

[totitefilms]

The grabs look nice.

[Noel Evans]

Cheers :)

Shoot day 2 and we will have the sunshine we need for our EXT.

Sunshine that lasted about an hour and was gone by the time our call time came round. We worked with what we had.

[Egg Born Son]

We've had nothing but sunshine in the west since I shelved my project (due in part to persistent rainy weekends, damn!), every ray a stab in the gut! If I drive around with the heater on it feels exactly like summer. Only the cold cold nights give away that it's the middle of winter. The stills are looking fantastic. Looking forward to seeing this.

[Matthew B]

That's a wrap!.. Despite some less than ideal conditions we have all the shots we need. Now let the edit begin.
Really thankfull for our rockstar cast and crew who went above and beyond and braved the freezing cold.

[Noel Evans]

From Day 2 - Quick grade only.

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[Alan H. Chang]

:D Definitely looking forward to this piece.

[Dauthi]

What lenses did you guys use?

[Noel Evans]

What lenses did you guys use?

I shall reveal that down the track.

[Noel Evans]

Just wanted to add this here about the journey thus far.

Matt really did an excellent job producing this piece. Thorough from detail to detail. And when I say producing I mean as the "PRODUCER / Executive Producer / Line Producer" and however you want to define those roles he did it all from end to end.

Let me give you some background. Both Matt and I were doing warfest entries. I was going to do cinematography on Matt's as well. It soon dawned on me Matt had the basis IMO of a much stronger story and I could see to get the cinematography component right would take time and planning. Due to work commitments I didnt have enough for time both and having got some feedback on my own script from a number of sources - I decided to ditch it.

Now this may seem far fetched to some however I'll tell the story anyway. Matt showed me the original script he wrote some time ago and between that time and when I read it a second time - somewhere, sometime that I cant recall I had visualised every moment albeit from my own perspective but I was able to recount the shots over the phone to Matt when he was talking about it to the point I firmly believed I had seen it before. It was extremely vivid.

Matt and I reworked his script right up until the day before shoot when I rewrote half of what was one of the longest scenes. The basis of the story however remains true to Matt's original. We held a casting session. Matt drove hundreds of KM's doing recce. Matt then drove me hundreds of KM's for a second recce. We did a complete previs (some grabs included here). Matt went out and found a crew. Matt and I held a rehearsal. Kids are a challenge as everyone knows. Matt sourced everything from props to costume to etc etc. Matt and I went over every shot blow by blow, every piece of action, every component as to what was to be shown and how was discussed and planned for every second (pretty typical), this had turned into a partnership which grew from strength to strength, which continues on now as we edit and from screenplay to direction it's somehow worked extremely well.

Regardless of the outcome from here, Im personally extremely proud of this piece, to be a part of this partnership and what it has become.

Further, we were extremely lucky to get some hard working thoughtful crew that stuck at it from start to finish. Heres a perfect example of that. On shoot day 2 - final 2 shots - both exteriors - cutting very fine on losing light. To the point we canned our planned dolly shot on the second. Get to the second shot and our Key grip and best boy had the dolly set and ready to go without our knowledge. We got the shot we wanted and it looks fantastic - thanks to the hard work and dedication of those two guys. One of them is a recent graduate, and its a note to people in a similar circumstance, don't just do whats expected go the extra mile and you'll be noticed.

[Matthew B]

Completely agree with everything Noel said.
This for me was the most fun I have had through an entire project and I think that is mainly because it was such a collaborative effort. It really helped having someone as experienced as Noel to guide me through. I am also very greatfull for the incredible effort the cast and crew put in

[Ryan P. Kelly]

Can't help but looking at these grabs on a daily basis....can't wait for this one guys!!

[Noel Evans]

Cheers Ryan. Hope you enjoy it.

We have a locked edit!

[Ki-Ki]

They are some magnificent screenshot's, congratulations.

[Lbab]

WOW! this movie looks crazy awesome! I looks like a real movie in the theaters!

[Noel Evans]

Cheers guys.

We have locked edit.
Cut sent to Justin for score.
Cut sent to Ryan Frias for sound edit. (Matt has to drive a long way Sunday to pick up some truck foley we need to send as well).
Grade almost complete (Would be if I could settle on the final - as theres time Im tweaking).

Looking good to upload approx 14/15 August.

[ryanjf]

Post sound update: First pass of dialogue editorial is complete! Excellent dialogue recording and very easy to edit. Will be doing some Foley and FX throughout the week.

[Matt Harris]

Bananas. great shots Matt and Noel, love the background story Noel, love that you guys got Durban and Frias. This is shaping up to be a sure fire DVXuser hit.

[Russell Moore]

Great poster. Check. Interesting logline. Check. Ridiculously awesome grabs. Check.
Really looking forward to seeing this.

[taylormade]

Wow, some really impressive stuff here. Great looking grabs. Sets, costumes, just a terrific overall look and feel. This should really be something.

[Postmaster]

Those grabs are jaw dropping Noel.
The lighting is top notch IMHO.
Really looking forward to this.

Frank

[Noel Evans]

Cheers lads. Just had a few hour sess with Mr Durban. Score - excellent. I'd buy it on itunes if I came across it randomly. A quality partner for sure.

[Chris Messineo]

Cheers lads. Just had a few hour sess with Mr Durban. Score - excellent. I'd buy it on itunes if I came across it randomly. A quality partner for sure.

I love his scores and can't wait to hear this.

Honestly, I know it can be hard to judge from the threads some times, but this film looks/sounds amazing!

[Matthew B]

Thanks for the kind words. I know this is going to be a reflection of the hard work everyone of the cast and crew put in.

Can't wait to watch all the entries though.

[ryanjf]

Final mix complete! Really happy about this one!

[Noel Evans]

Cheers Ryan. Thanks for busting a gut the last few days. Said before, though one more time - sincerely appreciate everything you did.

[Edgen]

Good luck fellas! :)

[Ryan P. Kelly]

as expected this was really gorgeous guys. Well done!!

[JaceBrownlow]

VERY well made, costumes, look, camerawork, acting, story everything was cinematic. Was the only real entry that actually felt like a hollywood production.
At points I felt it dragged a tad like when he sits down and takes a swing, looks at the token, could happened a little faster. But the visuals were just so lush and deep, it guess it forces you to appreciate the production design even more. Very much in my top 5!

[Chris_Keaton]

I have to say, just another outstanding short!

[Gulroc]

The cinematography was beautiful. The acting was perfect by both child and adult actors. I loved the concept and execution. Shorts like this give me something to aspire to, thanks for the entry.

[Tequilawoo]

Very very nice to look at. Good performances all around. A very memorable entry.

[zucked]

I'll say pretty confidently that this is my favorite film this fest. The main actor looked just right and played the part very well. The production design was fantastic, and you really did pull off the period piece feel which is such a challenge. Cinematography for the parts in 1940 was just incredible. The story worked very well for a 6 minute film, and I loved the feel inside the truck as it arrives and departs from the house -- that great truck rumble.
I wasn't crazy about the cinematography for the children's scenes in 1928 -- I know you were trying to create a visual change from the stuff shot in 1940, but it just didn't seem as cinematic to me, and sort of washed out.
Final note -- I was so impressed by the acting of the young version of the main character as he cutely waits under the tree holding the dreidel in his hands.
Excellent job on all levels for this film!

[Jason Daub]

This was a great film. You tackled so many challenging scenes and what always impresses me are people who find good child actors and are able to direct them well. The editing was also tight and paced well. Visually it was exactly what it needed to be. My only two minor issues are related to the elderly man. I felt his shacking hands felt a little forced and I think it was to make it seem plausible he would miss with a rifle at such close range, but I could have done with a more subtle movement. The second thing was the choreography of the gun struggle could have been a bit more frantic, it felt too slow and deliberate. Again these are just small things that I noticed. Overall bravo on a great production!

[Chris Messineo]

Wow! The production values here are off the charts! The look of this film is amazing. The cinematography, lighting, and staging is perfect. I felt like I was watching a feature length film from Hollywood. Your craft is phenomenal. The attention to detail is spectacular. The only thing that threw me for a moment was the kid's spinning the dreidel on an apple box. :)

Still, this was stellar - definitely, another one of my favorites in this Fest!

[Chris Messineo]

I just realized I forgot to mention the score here. It is excellent and really added a whole new level to the film.

[Russell Moore]

No let down here...this was as good as I was hoping. Damn, it looks great and I really liked the difference visually between the two settings.
The acting was excellent all the way around. Good story (a bit predictable perhaps) but that's ok, it delivered as is.

This film just looked so professional and the shots are great and I really loved the camera movement. I just really felt like I was watching a hollywood produced film.

This really motivates me to start creating my own films!


edited after a second viewing.

Can't believe I didn't mention the score...Durban strikes again, beautiful.

[taylormade]

Lovely to look at. The blacks seemed a little washed out, but it was probably the compression of the file.

Predictible? Maybe if he had met his old friend in the house. Predictible once the kid crawled out from under the table, but where else were you going to go?

The kids were great. Tough to find and direct child actors and you did it in spades.

Costumes and props were great. Too bad the truck was American and way too shiny, but kudos for finding it in the first place.

I have to say I didn't care for the lead actor. He seemed just too one-dimesional to me. A perpetual snarl and little else. Plus, despite the excellent uniform, his hat didn't fit and it endied up making him look a little silly - like a make-believe soldier.

Minor complaints. This was so good I had to find something to gripe about. 10+ for production values.

[Russell Moore]

I didn't really mean predictable as a slight, I just felt like I had a good idea where it was going. But it was no less compelling to me :)

[taylormade]

I wasn't refering to your comment, Russell. :) Just the overall predictibility of the story in general. It worked but may not have been quite as compelling for me as it was for you.

[Noel Evans]

Just wanted to drop in and thank everyone for their comments so far. Everythings being taken in. Matt will be by at some point - he's a few hours North at the moment. Again, thank you for watching and giving us your thoughts.

[StMad]

Noel and Matt...enjoyed your short very much. Camera moves, grade, framing, lighting and props/locations all high quality. Same with the sound design - seems like there was a lot of care put there. The confrontation scene, from the Pulp Fiction moment on, I thought was beautifully executed.

There were some acting choices which were a little big/obvious for me. The old man shaking, adult Wilhelm's pouty look in his first shot. The kids weren't bad. This must the hardest part of making a no/low budget short...getting actors that lift it to the heights of the story/vision/technical execution

I thought the rifle got a little too close to Wilhelm...obviously the aim was to build suspense - it just didn't seem natural (I'd be keeping my distance! ::). (Perhaps the rifle click was all that was necessary, out of shot? And Wilhem's eye reaction?) And when he was having his drink, the trees swaying behind him (outside through the cracks) distracted me - I though this was the coming threat. The shot where the boy says "I found you", he's standing a metre away pointing...feels a little unnatural. On young Wilhelm's line "I wish I had one", it felt like a cu or 2 might have helped sell the moment...given its significance.

There was too much score for my taste, or maybe it just didn't work for me in places (a little overbearing or sentimental). In other places I thought it worked well.

I'm judging this after having just watched Breaking Bad, and I feel like I've done a lot of nit picking. I think this was a admirable effort and my overall feeling is definately positive.

[Ryan P. Kelly]

Noel and Matt,

I knew from the frame grabs you guys were going to have the best looking film and you didnt dissapoint! really nice looking film.
The fade from boy to soldier was fantastic and my favorite piece of the film.

I completely expected Harrison Ford to jump from that truck as it drove off screen!! that thing was awesome!

Couple of Gripes:

The rifle during the close up was rock steady and when you cut to the 2 shot he was really shaking.
Also your DVX tracking was shaking/moving. When everything feels so natural a small vfx booboo is really noticeable
the glove noices felt a bit heavy handed also.

That aside...I really see this as the top film in the bunch.
Thanks!

[krestofre]

Very well done. As has been noted before the production values were hands down the best of the fest. The grading of the film was also very appropriate and story motivated as opposed to being a "cool look."

The camera moves were noticable to a filmmaker, but to anyone else they would have just pulled them further into the story ... that was supposed to be a compliment ... not sure it reads that way, but it is praise.

The story fell a little flat for me, but this is just personal preference and not a criticism of you as filmmakers.

Great work!

[ZazaCast]

This film was just beautiful to look at…but that was a given with Noel shooting! Locations were excellent. That truck and the costumes…great stuff. Sure to be one of the best of the fest.

That said, I feel it fell short on the story. I couldn’t believe the Nazi Wilhelm character…and how, in that tiny cabin, could you miss a grown man with a rifle and little boy under the table? Were they hiding in the cup or under the spoon on the table?:huh: As an officer, I would assume he’s searched a cabin before and killed many in cold blood...yes? I was expecting more of an ‘Inglorious Bastards’ feel when he just stares down at the chair…but no. We never get to see the rest of the cabin. Nothing felt natural to me. The interaction with the old man was just awkward.

I was also distracted by the tree movement behind the door that was to his back as he sat in the chair (this little scene was too long)…and the score from the start took me out of the film (‘Disney cute’ in the beginning…way overly dramatic in the rest). Maybe I’m just getting tired of hearing the same ‘phoned-in’, sampled instrument arrangements. Something more ethnic and of the period would have done wonders.

Then… the apple box in the end….D’OUGH!

I know this sounds rough, but you guys are all professionals and I’d be doing you a disservice if I wasn’t totally truthful.
Still can’t stop looking at the beautiful cinematography!

[MattinSTL]

This film was just beautiful to look at…but that was a given with Noel shooting! Locations were excellent. That truck and the costumes…great stuff. Sure to be one of the best of the fest.

That said, I feel it fell short on the story. I couldn’t believe the Nazi Wilhelm character…and how, in that tiny cabin, could you miss a grown man with a rifle and little boy under the table? Were they hiding in the cup or under the spoon on the table?:huh: As an officer, I would assume he’s searched a cabin before and killed many in cold blood...yes? I was expecting more of an ‘Inglorious Bastards’ feel when he just stares down at the chair…but no. We never get to see the rest of the cabin. Nothing felt natural to me. The interaction with the old man was just awkward.

I was also distracted by the tree movement behind the door that was to his back as he sat in the chair (this little scene was too long)…and the score from the start took me out of the film (‘Disney cute’ in the beginning…way overly dramatic in the rest). Maybe I’m just getting tired of hearing the same ‘phoned-in’, sampled instrument arrangements. Something more ethnic and of the period would have done wonders.

Then… the apple box in the end….D’OUGH!

I know this sounds rough, but you guys are all professionals and I’d be doing you a disservice if I wasn’t totally truthful.
Still can’t stop looking at the beautiful cinematography!

I have to agree with most of this. I'd planned to read nothing of the thread before commenting, but at the same time... I was sure I'd be saying some of the exact same things others said.

To be fair... you're probably getting a little harsher criticism because 1) this is a film-making community... and 2) your entry looks SO good... and is SO close to "greatness".

There were only 3 technical things that I noticed (and a 4th if I'm being picky)... in this order; the apple box... the black-out cloth in the otherwise perfectly dressed set; and as zaza stated, the movement behind the door. The movement didn't bother me much aside from making me wonder if that's the soldiers or other people. (The picky "4th" thing... is the truck swerves around the cam/tripod... rather then staying in the worn center of the road.)

I also felt the fate of the boy and grandfather was a little vague. Clearly I see the boy breathing (heaving?)... and still hugging on to somebody... but that can go a couple ways. Add a gunshot sound and maybe they're dying together... or maybe he just shot the grandfather... and the dreidel left on the floor as the german soldier is riding away with a stern coldness in his face? That kept me wondering.

I'd have rather seen the two of them hiding under the table cloth... with the dreidel revealed as left in front of them... and-or some other sign that THIS farm house... was one that our soldier knew (as a reveal)... maybe instead of the final vignette of the two of them at the apple box... have the the truck drive away from the house and have the shot dissolve to a vignette of these two kids playing with the dreidel on that very front porch. (tripod dissolve shot "ghosting" the kids in... or use the truck drive-by as a wipe to the past).

Would the story have less impact if it was revealed that our soldier knew who the old man was (even if the old man didn't recognize him... and therefor we could assume the child may be the son of his friend?)

I hope you take the criticisms of your film well... I loved it.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Now this is war! Great production value all around. Nicely done.

I too was distracted by the movement behind the door. Maybe add sounds of soldiers searching or something. The story was pretty clear to me and I felt that they both lived in the end. Am I wrong? If anyone is dead it's the boy. It looks clear that the old man is holding him while rocking back and forth. I don't think the boy could pull that off considering the position.

I wanted German speaking Germans with English subtitles! That would have brought this to a whole new level for me.
And although it was shot beautifully, I felt it was lacking in the coverage department and that some shots lingered a little too long.

Great film though! Very worthy of WarFest. Congrats!

Justin, kudos on the scrore! Well done.

[Noel Evans]

Theres a couple of critiques in the las few that left me smiling (in a good way), as the critique showed a level of care / thought, that made me believe those critiques actually cared for the story. Its nice to listen to people thoughts when they put so much into them. Thank you.

[lawriejaffa]

This film showcases some beautiful and very professional visuals - both with the cinematography and the colour grading. For that and the films excellent production values - I give it a big thumbs up!

Where the film struggled I think - was in how it attempted to create a sense of suspense - and a heartfelt sense of conflict (with our German Officers soul) over how he is behaving (to the types of people he may have once played with as a child.) This nostalgic childhood kind of reminisent is not an unfamiliar theme in war films - its a classic trope, but for it to work it has to have such a ball grabbing level of intensity - of feeling - that we really feel our nuts getting crushed seeing what this officer might or might not do. Not just that - but more importantly - we should feel that conflict play out much louder (in his heart) than with what evidence we are provided in the flashbacks.

That is - the flashbacks are cute BUT do they build up the kind of high noon stand off (that makes our officers battle of indoctrination vs soul) something deep and memorable?) Or is it just pretty and slightly forgettable.

I think unfortunately it falls to the later - because we do not have the opportunity to really feel that intensity. Everything else - gorgeous, shiny as a belt buckle, but it lacks fire imo.

Someone who is probably the indisputed master of setups/flashbacks is Sergio Leonne - and like yours these flashbacks are interwoven piece meal through the mainform narrative to a climactic conclusion.

Spoilers
Once Upon a Time in the West
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kD54-q1uFM

Duck you Suckers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGif2d0VZCA&playnext=1&list=PL0657FBD12CD721A7&feature=results_main

Of course those films are a product of the style of their time, and its not to say that the film requires as melodramatic an impact but... something of that sort would have struck the spirit with a more positive remembrance for your character and film.

[Noel Evans]

Once Upon a Time in the West
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kD54-q1uFM


That was......gorgeous on every level.

[lawriejaffa]

That was......gorgeous on every level.
Yep he was the master at it haha! Can I just ask Noel - was The Token shot then on the C300?

[Matthew B]

Wow guys. What a huge amount of feedback. I'm glad that people enjoyed it and went into so much detail with their critiques. This tells me that people thought this was at a high standard so they really wanted to find things that could be improved. Also that people cared enough to take the time to make such a detailed critique. Thankyou DVXuser. I can definitely appreciate and in some cases agree with peoples criticisms and comments. There are even a couple of things mentioned that I originally thought about doing, but ended up second guessing myself. Which just goes to show, trust your instincts. For me I am incredibly proud of this short and always finish watching it with a smile on my face. I have already learnt so much more this time around that I can honestly say I love this short for all it's strengths and weaknesses.

Onwards and upwards.

[AJ Brooks]

Production value award right here. :)

My notes have been said all before. The faux shakiness of the rifle was a big one for me.

Comes in high on my list. Good work.

[EJBinSD]

Rifle bugged me too, but...

Very nice work, just a beautiful looking film. I liked the juxtoposition between childhood and the cabin scene as well as how it was cut in.

Excellant work.

[Hawk Teflon]

Spoiler-y review:

What I liked: Beautiful piece. Truly. Very very well done. The shots were superb, the audio (especially small things like the glove tightening on the trigger) was wonderful, the locations were fantastic, the music was perfect and so on... This was a great, great piece. I really thought this was going to go a different direction, but it didn't. I liked where it went. I haven't read through the threads yet (I didn't want to read any spoilers), but I'd love to see some BTS photos / videos if you have any.

What I didn't like as much: Nitpicking here, but the guy holding the gun, shaking and missing wasn't working for me.

This is definitely one of my top picks. Thank you for this piece.

[bluemanrocks]

Beautiful and ambitious film; definitely the closest to feeling like a "real" film rather than constrained to the limitations of a short-fest. And all that on a period-ish piece, really awesome!! I honestly can't put my finger on what or why (and for that, sorry!) but I found it a bit predictable. Not right from the start, but I found myself recognizing the moments just before they happened, which just put a bit of a lid on how awesomely produced and shot this obviously was. A minor complaint;well done!!

[Zach Olson]

Beautiful! Definitely the production value winner! The locations were awesome and the camera work matched, wonderful. Love the crane/jib shot as the boys run off. Minor gripe: Adult Wilhelm's upper body felt really stiff as he walked around. He looked the part and did a great job on everything else. I thought the color grade at the beginning in 1920 Germany was nice but was really blue and over saturated when he is remembering back. This may have been a style choice but it was distracting to me. I felt like there was enough contrast visually and from the story content to not need any more added. Overall wonderful work!

[Matthew B]

Very nice work, just a beautiful looking film. I liked the juxtoposition between childhood and the cabin scene as well as how it was cut in.

Excellant work.

Thanks.


Spoiler-y review:

What I liked: Beautiful piece. Truly. Very very well done. The shots were superb, the audio (especially small things like the glove tightening on the trigger) was wonderful, the locations were fantastic, the music was perfect and so on... This was a great, great piece. I really thought this was going to go a different direction, but it didn't. I liked where it went. I haven't read through the threads yet (I didn't want to read any spoilers), but I'd love to see some BTS photos / videos if you have any.

This is definitely one of my top picks. Thank you for this piece.

Thanks Hawk. We were a little under crewed for the shoots, so unfortunately not much in the way of BTS.


Beautiful and ambitious film; definitely the closest to feeling like a "real" film rather than constrained to the limitations of a short-fest. And all that on a period-ish piece, really awesome!!

Much appreciated.


Beautiful! Definitely the production value winner! The locations were awesome and the camera work matched, wonderful. Love the crane/jib shot as the boys run off.

Thanks Zach.

[Charli]

I LOVED the opening. I too would have preferred subtitles instead of English. I loved the transition from boy to man in uniform. Costumes, spot on. Story-telling through camera work, uber spot on! I do agree it seemed odd the old man came out of no where in such a small home.

I also agree the shakiness of the rifle was trite, but you can cut that out and go straight to the miss-fire.

You gave the character a "moral dilemma." You have layers of story here. LAYERS! This also felt like a mini-movie and did not feel like a short film. I did not think the "music" fit the storyline however. I think you needed softer tones to envelop your main character.

If I could give this a word - QUALITY. I would pay to go see this at a film festival. So fix the things you need and send it out there. GOOD Job!

[Chris Messineo]

Congratulations on winning first place! Not a surprise - this was an amazing production!

[Edgen]

Congrats fellas!

[Ryan P. Kelly]

When you posted those first screen grabs I knew you guys were going to be the ones to beat! Really well done and well desrved! Honored to be in the mix with you guys!

[ChrisHurn]

Congratulations!

[Matthew B]

Thanks guys, I know the cast and crew will be ecstatic to hear this, particularly the young boys as for some of them this was their first short.

[lawriejaffa]

Yeah congrats Matt - great work!

[Charli]

Congrats! I knew you'd be at the top!

[EJBinSD]

Very well done film, congrats.

[Noel Evans]

SO, our young actor Cameron Caulfield on the back of completing his first short with us has a MAJOR opportunity. And I mean major. I'll keep you posted.

[Russell Moore]

Congratz on the win, it was well earned.


SO, our young actor Cameron Caulfield on the back of completing his first short with us has a MAJOR opportunity. And I mean major. I'll keep you posted.

That's great news!

[Alan H. Chang]

Congrats!!

[Imaginate]

congrats on the win. Can your DP share what you shot it with and light fixtures you used?

[Noel Evans]

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[Noel Evans]

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