fabiorafael-fabiorafael-terra

[FabioRafael]

The movie was shot using a regular dvx100a camera. All CGI were made using 3ds max 7. Edited in Vegas 6.0. Shot locations in Brasíla, Brazil. Sorry for any problem in the subtitles. The whole idea was to imagine a situation where the probe, that really carried a disc with imagens and sounds from our planet, would be found by and advanced civilization and also think about our role in this planet. If anyone what's to know about Voyager there is more information at the NASA site. So, what did you think about the movie?








Please, please, please leave a comment, critique

[FabioRafael]

Forgot to say that the name of the movie "Terra" means Earth in English.

[macgregor]

Without being rude, i think the 3D visual aspect needs more time...

[FabioRafael]

Without being rude, i think the 3D visual aspect needs more time...

Well, I had to make those effects myself and I am not a CGI guy so that's why they are that way. They are there just to help us to picture the idea, not to be the next generation 3d effects. I understood you are not being rude, I just want to make clear that those effects there were made to complete the idea of the movie.

[Filmjunkie677]

It felt like I was watching a videogame or something, I was wondering when I was actually going to see the DVX in action.
Just too much CGI, in my opinion and no story.
The opening shots were cool, but then, once that thing hovers above the ground, which looked completely fake(sorry), and went to the CGI sequences, it just totally lost me.
And having the entire thing as a voiceover AND subtitles definitely took me out of the film.
I don't exactly know what this was supposed to be.
Maybe you can enlighten me.

Anyway, keep making films, practice makes perfect!

[FabioRafael]

It felt like I was watching a videogame or something, I was wondering when I was actually going to see the DVX in action.
Just too much CGI, in my opinion and no story.
The opening shots were cool, but then, once that thing hovers above the ground, which looked completely fake(sorry), and went to the CGI sequences, it just totally lost me.
And having the entire thing as a voiceover AND subtitles definitely took me out of the film.
I don't exactly know what this was supposed to be.
Maybe you can enlighten me.

Anyway, keep making films, practice makes perfect!


I do not know what to say to you, it's not an entertainment movie it's something else. I guess those who know what the probe is to science will get the idea. I hope people do not get upset just because of the subtitles for the entire world watches American movies with subtitles and nobody is complaining. I just had to place that much of CGI, it was part of the story and I could not film a small Voyager to later composition.

[Blaine]

Fabio,
Interesting story. I saw that it was a "message" movie and I think you conveyed your point well. Regarding the subtitles; I have never been a fan but what are you supposed to do? I watched the first time through, pausing to read where it was moving too fast, then watched it again to take the whole thing in. I liked the fact that you took us on the Voyager's journey and aspired to reach higher. Your actress did a good job on her naration, too.

[FabioRafael]

Fabio,
Interesting story. I saw that it was a "message" movie and I think you conveyed your point well. Regarding the subtitles; I have never been a fan but what are you supposed to do? I watched the first time through, pausing to read where it was moving too fast, then watched it again to take the whole thing in. I liked the fact that you took us on the Voyager's journey and aspired to reach higher. Your actress did a good job on her naration, too.


Thanks for your comments Blaine. The actress is actually my mother, she used to present a local show for kids long time ago.

[FabioRafael]

Need more comments please!!!

[mikkowilson]

good stuff fabio.

I agree that the first hovign thing looked poor.
but the CGs from there one wherne't bad. They resembled a NASA animation in a way, and that made it seem real to me, as that's what we ever see of the reality up there.

I liked your story. The subtitles didn't bother me (I'm used to them here in Finland, I think knowing how to read them helps.). It reased some interestign questions about our fate.

Despite the lack of real footage, I liked it the way it is.

- Mikko

[FabioRafael]

good stuff fabio.

I agree that the first hovign thing looked poor.
but the CGs from there one wherne't bad. They resembled a NASA animation in a way, and that made it seem real to me, as that's what we ever see of the reality up there.

I liked your story. The subtitles didn't bother me (I'm used to them here in Finland, I think knowing how to read them helps.). It reased some interestign questions about our fate.

Despite the lack of real footage, I liked it the way it is.

- Mikko

It's good that you liked the movie, it's my first fest so it helps me a lot. I had little time to make that movie, all the CG scenes where done in less then a day, pretty crazy.

[Norm Sanders]

I'm not sure if you were really trying to convey a message or not, but it came off as Art House to me. Art House films, in my opinion, typically try to push a message to one degree or another; this one being that we're damaging the earth, and really don't even belong here. I won't even go into what I'd say to someone if they really said that to me in person.

The opening shots were cool ... great location, as it had this red Mars feel to it. But then the CG entered frame & I began to lose interest from there. However, it did manage to end on a solid note, production wise, as we were back into a story again, seeing this from the alien's POV vs. just hearing a narrative during the whole process of what happened.

Subtitles didn't bother me ... it was just the whole narration, and lack of cinematography in much of it.

[FabioRafael]

Thanks for your comments envision. I guess you are right when you say that the movie could be considered an Art House style. Next time I hope I will have more time and then I will create better CG scenes.

[D_and_G]

Fabio, I congratulate you.

I like it when someone pushes the boundaries and tries to go deeper and tackle bigger ideas. Your film was among only a handful that tackled a deeper philosophical arena. It was somewhat surpising considering the breadth of sci-fi, and you're to be commended for the distinction.

Now as to the particulars - the CGI was both hit and miss. I'm sure you will get much better. However, it did carry your ideas, so it's efficacy was there. I liked your voice over. Also, The pace of your graphics and compositions complimented the graceful vibe you were going for.

All that being said, I honestly feel that structurally and visually you could have been more powerful. I would have liked to see you juxtapose your narration with visuals. For example when you were talking about humanity, as the Volyager floats through space, you could have stock footage of war or natural disasters. Similarly, you could film a scene that adds a human element, intercut with the CGI that personalizes the philosophical questions to the audience. However, maybe you made a conscious decision to go all CGI, so take that for what you will.

Personally, I knew all about Voyager, so some of the information was repetitive, but that's a judgement call on your part.

All in all, I'm glad you submitted and I enjoyed your film.

Keep up your philosophical enquiries, and I hope to see more thought provoking pieces. :beer:

Cheers.

[DannyDarko]

I like the message of the movie. It certianly took a while to get to it, but the actress did a good job of her part.

[EditPhish]

Terra,

I hope you can take my constructive criticisms well, and only mean them in the spirit of learning.

My first criticism is that there really wasn't enough actual video footage in your piece, and what was there was basically one static shot of the woman scientist/newscaster. It went well with the piece, but also didn't show off much in the way of your own skills for cinematography, lighting, editing, ect. Any old camera on a tripod would have worked to accomplish it. That's not a bad thing, but I couldn't help think about it in light of this fest.

Your simple FX didn't bother me at all. Like someone else said, they reminded me of the NASA simulations you see on TV when they are explaning a mission in a press conference. My problem with it was that it was SO much of the film... too much... and took your short over the edge into being more animation than live-action movie.

I also would have liked to see you execute some of the narration by showing us the story instead of explaining it through animation. I did understand the point you were trying to get across, but that point was easy to lose because the journey was a bit boring. I really don't mean this to sound so harsh, but there's no other way to say it... I kinda felt like I was watching a high-school film-strip.

I do applaud your efforts and think your message was important... and I think your mother did a good job in her role. I just think there were more interesting ways to get the ultimate point across.

Thanks for sharing your film with us!

[Jeremy Ordan]

OK, haven't read anyone elses comments here is my review:

Terra – Well I will say I really liked your story the way it was told, progressed and move along. I wasn’t crazy about the effects, but with that exception the story worked well for me. It is hard to comment on the acting since it was sort of interview style, but I thought it came across just fine. I thought it was a good concept and good job on your entry.

[FabioRafael]

Thank you all! I agree I should have used more images in the movie, maybe some stock footage as D and G said before, at least I could have tried it and then see if would keep what I had in mind. I was also thinking that I should have shot a longer scene just before the aliens open the box, showing more their intentions. I guess when I have the chance I will make some modifications in this movie in order to improve it. Again, thanks for your comments for they help me a lot.

[Jimmy John Worley]

Cool film guy. I think the concept is neat- definite resonance. I think handling it differently would have been interesting. I was expecting it to break into a narrative story after 30 seconds or so of voiceover, but it never happened. So I guess it felt as if it kept dragging on with out any payoff.

But really interesting message about the human race and the probe. I still really enjoyed it.

[conrad_johnson]

Hi - I think you were overall successful at what you were trying to accomplish here, even though in the end that meant that it's kind of hard to take it all in (and pay attention to it!). I don't mind the simplistic CGI - it kind of reminded me of the science films I saw at Epcot Center (in DisneyWorld) when I was a kid, and having your mother (former children's show host) as narrator strengthened that. Good work.

[FabioRafael]

I am very happy for some people like it. Thanks again.

[Captain KickAss]

CGI Shmeege-I. That's what I have to say. I got what your film was saying, and I liked it. As far as the roughness of some of the CG stuff, so what, this film was not about looking all pretty and dazzling us with your special effects, it was about making you think. And that it did. I really liked your concept for this project, and I thought the feel that you achieved was very appropriate for what you were going for. I could totally imagine myself as a young student on some alien world, watching this in some class on alien cultures.

I also really respect and admire that you were not willing to push your boundaries to make the film that you wanted to make. Nice job.

[FabioRafael]

Thanks Capitain kickass!

[Z B Brox]

Hmm, I have some trouble with films that have a message or an argument sometimes, because I want to debate them rather than just view them on their merits. ;) But trying to keep that aside for the moment, I liked how different the narrative technique here was, and I like that you do attempt to deal with big issues. I agree that it really is more of a CGI movie than a live-action piece, though, and I think you could have done a lot more with it in that regard. Also, while you make it clear what the position of the narrator is, you don't develop her argument at all. She comes off as extremist rather than sympathetic because we don't see or hear enough to support her decision. Which brings me back to my first point again, so I'll stop here. ;)

[Ought2bCommitted]

Hey Fabio,

Nice job on the film.

It wasn't my cup of tea mostly because there really wasn't terribly much happening story wise. Nothing felt plot driven. There were no characters. Too much animation and CG and too little human interaction.

For what it is, I think you did a good job with it. Like I said, it just isn't my kind of movie.

Keep up the good work!

-Robert

[THX-1138]

Fabio,

Loved the non-english short. Reminded me alot of the opening scene in Tarkofsky's Miror.

It seemed to me that your short played to your weeknesses rather thank your strengths.

Story - Strong
CGI/Camera Work - Weak

Your CGI was basic. That's not a problem if you intoduce it as a model to get your point across rather I felt like I was watching a movie of what it really looks like in space so the basic 3d modeling hit me funny. A simple graphic "NASA SIMULATION" at the top would have made the CGI perfect for the movie you made rather than sup par visuals of space.

In my opinion if you would have told your story using more shots of the woman and introducing her earlier. Using more angles. You went to a tighter shot at the end so the video was obviously edited so why not different angles? Why not follow her around the room as she talks. All just suggestions. You still could wait until 3:35 in to make your point about watching the video.

Great acting on her part.

Liked your concept more than most.

Kip Kubin

[FabioRafael]

It was my first fest and my first sci-fi movie and I can tell you all I've learned a lot from all the comments here. This is a very good community where people help each other in order to improve we all. I am learning a lot !!!!

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Hey I enjoyed this and teh CGI was not a barrier for me -- I think becaue the initial cylinder thing, hole, and cube were so representitive, rather than realistic looking that I just saw them as visual aids in the stpry telling -- way better than I could do anyway.

The V.O. and pacing were kind of hypnotic in a cool wat and I love the idea that there might be a secret message or code that someone slipped into the probe.

[FabioRafael]

Hey I enjoyed this and teh CGI was not a barrier for me -- I think becaue the initial cylinder thing, hole, and cube were so representitive, rather than realistic looking that I just saw them as visual aids in the stpry telling -- way better than I could do anyway.

The V.O. and pacing were kind of hypnotic in a cool wat and I love the idea that there might be a secret message or code that someone slipped into the probe.


That would be something interesting if they had placed a hidden massage into the probe, wouldn't it? Thanks jdanstan

[iSTy]

From what I can work out, she was saying that humans should never have existed. But I did get a bit confused.

[badassmofro]

Fabio,

I think it's really sad how few people must have gotten your film. I really thought this was one of the best in the festival, but the voters put it near the bottom. What a joke. Better luck next time.

[FabioRafael]

From what I can work out, she was saying that humans should never have existed. But I did get a bit confused.

That´s true! my mistake when writing the subtitles.