Control - PabloAbad

[pabloabad]

Here's one of the many jokes my actors performed to avoid me from completing the movie.

http://homepage.mac.com/pabloabad/joke.jpg

Well, it was fun
Keep on, guys, there are some amazing jobs here.
Pablo

[pabloabad]

Hi, there, any critic to my film?
Nor even a bad critic? :)
Please, I'd love to hear your opinions
Pablo

[pabloabad]

It's here:
http://64.38.14.46/scifest/pabloabad-pabloabad-control.wmv

[Kaz]

Your story idea is one of my favorites of the fest.

Love the use of the Star Wars probe droid model to make two seperate devices! Resourceful. Though I would have at least altered it a bit.

Oh, and I liked the voice of G.O.D. and the older actor.

Sorry, I'm just going off of what I remember. Soooo many films were watched....

[angrynerdrock07]

Loved all of your C.G. I was quite impressed with all of that. Great acting in it as well. I guess I didn't get the whole Macwhooper thing. I understand that they are used to implant the chip, but everytime it came up I felt like it was meant as a joke. Could you fill me in on this?

[Brandon Rice]

Interesting flick! Thought some of the CG was very good! Also liked the twist at the end. I did not see it coming. Good concept. Some of the audio was mixed poorly, but I have no other critiques. Cool film!

[pabloabad]

Loved all of your C.G. I was quite impressed with all of that. Great acting in it as well. I guess I didn't get the whole Macwhooper thing. I understand that they are used to implant the chip, but everytime it came up I felt like it was meant as a joke. Could you fill me in on this?

No, it was not a joke. Macwhopper means the globalization, Macdonalds and Bueger King together. The Global Organization controls everything. and they use something everybody consumes to put the controlling chips in their bodies.

Relly, the history is kinda compressed, I guess it would be better explained in a 20 minutes short. Maybe we do it later.

I didn't model the props, except the earth. I did the animation and lighting. I found all the items at

http://www.theforce.net/scifi3d/

Pablo

[angrynerdrock07]

Thanks for the clarification.

[macgregor]

I liked the indoor lighting. Not contrasted as many films do.

[Matthew B. Moore]

The CG really holds up. What did you think of the whole "keying" experience? Did you use FCP keying or AfterEffects?

[pabloabad]

The keying is done in Shake, with CFC Keylight, and yes, it took some nights of veery little sleeping.
The chroma was a green fabric in a friend's garage.
Fortunately, I have a good machine that can do several tasks at the same time. :)
Pablo

[Norm Sanders]

Hey Pablo, sorry it's taken a while to respond. I know for me, I'm just going through them alphabetically, for the most part, as they were downloaded to my folder. So, I JUST finished watching yours, and was impressed.

My personal opinion, is that since this had such high production value for the FX, and everything else was actually pretty high quality (lighting, framing, camera, story, etc.) would be to keep this on more of a serious note, and leave the MacWhopper out of the equation. It'd be great if this were all comedy, but I didn't see it as that.

NICE twist at the end with the farmer being G.O.D. Very cool.

The amount of FX and work that went into this was simply astounding. Really good work.

[pabloabad]

Thanks Envision, I really appreciate your comments.

You're right, it's normal to watch the films alphabetically, I did this way, too. I think next time I'll change my nickname to something like aaaron :)

It's interesting that the MacWhopper thing is seen as a joke since it isn't. Here, in Spain, there's a debate about how the fast food is replacing our traditional Mediterranean food. It's part of a vision of "where are we going", a world where everybody eats the same, watches the same news, the enterprises get fusioned in one...

Pablo

[GenJerDan]

So far, you and Kaz are vying for the top spot in my favorites list.

I'll have to back in and watch everything with a "critical" eye, once I get through them all. I'm just "watching movies" for now, so it's just a matter of good/bad like/dislike on a gut level with no analysis.

(And I totally got the MacWhopper thing.)

[pabloabad]

So far, you and Kaz are vying for the top spot in my favorites list.


Thank you so much, but I guess you haven´t seen SIMILO yet.
At least for me, it's a clear winner.
Pablo

[EditPhish]

Hola Pablo,

I have to say, I was initially impressed with your ambitious attempt at FX, but the fact you used models from Star Wars kinda bugged me... it just takes away from your original idea. Because your story was so heavy on FX and is really reliant on them, I personally think it's important they are original and perfect -- but there was a fakeness (and familiararity) to them that took me out of YOUR story.

I didn't think there was enough use of music... and with the music that was there it seems like it was an afterthought... that you didn't pay enough attention to developing a good score.

I also thought the MacWhopper thing was a joke, which is why the story seemed to fall a little flat for me. I found it a little boring because I think I expected there to be more humor (assuming the MacWhopper idea was a comedic element). It also felt unfinished.

I do applaud your efforts at a good attempt, and know it must have taken a lot of time to animate and composite... I'll look forward to seeing more of your films in the future!

Thanks for sharing!

[Blaine]

It's interesting that the MacWhopper thing is seen as a joke since it isn't. Here, in Spain, there's a debate about how the fast food is replacing our traditional Mediterranean food, more healthy. It's part of a vision of "where are we going", a world where everybody eats the same, watches the same news, the enterprises get fusioned in one...
I agree with Envision on this (MacWhopper). It just goes to show you the cultural differences. I'm sure this how the United States is viewed abroad, by our exports. I watched this the other day and wanted to comment but just wasn't sure what I was going to say.

I think your effects are top notch. Some of the best in the fest. For me, this has a definite "foreign film" feel. The language aside (great subtitles btw), you can definitely tell it isn't coming from an American perspective. Don't take that as a negative because that is not how it is intended. I'm sorry that I don't really have any contructive criticism but I'm not sure I'd have changed anything (except maybe the MacWhopper for US consumption (pun intended) http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/smilies/beer.gif). We are so desensitized to our cultural/commercial society that as a whole we don't see the images of McDonalds and Coca Cola in such an ominous light as the rest of the world.

Good job. It was interesting. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

[pabloabad]

We are so desensitized to our cultural/commercial society that as a whole we don't see the images of McDonalds and Coca Cola in such an ominous light as the rest of the world.http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

Please, don't think we see the MacDonalds and Coca-Cola that way. In fact, I am a great consumer of Coca-Cola. It was more towards globalization, like Disney buying Pixar, or the Banks fusioning everywhere.

Anyway, you're right, I should have chosen a more universal example so it could be understood anywhere.

Thanks for the feedback
Pablo

[pabloabad]

Because your story was so heavy on FX and is really reliant on them, I personally think it's important they are original and perfect -- but there was a fakeness (and familiararity) to them that took me out of YOUR story.

EditPhish, I don't really consider the story reliant on FX, we worked hard on the script, maybe a little with our "non-american" perspective.

As I said before, it should take a longer movie to get everything clear and to avoid using the long text in the opening sequence, I really don't like to explain things, they should come from the images.

Anyway, thanks for your comments.
I appreciate the critics and I take them as they are, I have a lot to learn

Pablo

[pabloabad]

The future is not that far...

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9901/14/chipman.idg/

Pablo

[Larry Rutledge]

Quick Disclaimer: I am avoiding reading other comments before rating each of the films, so I may repeat comments others have said to death.

Of the 15 films I have watched so far, this is in my top 3...and I expect it will likely stay up there. Excellent job on the FX, great story...I totally didn't expect the twist at the end - great job!

My only real complaint is that with how high the production value was and how serious the story was, the "MacWhopper" felt a little odd to me. If you want it to be a comedy, then go full comedy...but since it ran more serious, I would like to have seen a different "delivery mechanism".

I noticed that the last shot of the guy typing into the keyboard (not G.O.D., but the "leader" of the two guys) isn't 100% matched up - meaning the fingers don't always hit the keys and the keysounds don't always match up to fingers. But it is a minor complaint and considering how great all the FX look I wasn't too concerned about it.

Fantastic job!

Larry

[pabloabad]

Thanks, Larry

You're absolutely right, I should have chosen another way for the chips to get into the body, something more universal. As you can read above, I didn't write it as a joke, but I fully understand your point of view.

And the chief typing too quickly... is my fault, I guess I should've directed him better. I learned it when doing the compositing and the audio, the night before the deadline...

Pablo

[Z B Brox]

This is really odd. My girlfriend recently decided to write a story (and this one *was* a comedy) where an unsuspecting man finds out that the government has been secretly keeping track of people and compiling information on them by charting them as they enter MacDonalds. Because EVERYONE has been to MacDonalds. And she was going to write the story about the one man in America who's never been to a MacDonalds and the feds subsequently don't have a file one.

So I had a hard time not thinking about that while I watched this. ;)

The effets work is really nice. I admit I didn't notice the droid was form Star Wars, which is a real knock to my geek cred. I like the story, and it had a nice twist that actually made sense. I wasn't over-thrilled with the acting, but it's always a little hard to tell exactly how deliveries are working across language lines. Overall I really enjoyed it.

[pabloabad]

First of all, thank you for the feedback, Z B Brox

Yeah, it's kind of odd. I swear I have nothing to do with your girlfriend :)

I took already-made-models from STARWARS because I'm doing a parody about it and there was literally no time for modelling all the stages and props I needed in this movie. But everybody can see the author's names in the credits. Well, the first plane with the solar system is completely mine :)

Pablo

[iSTy]

Rather amusing beginning, considering I don’t’ eat BigMacs etc,

As soon as I saw the guy throw his hamburger into the hole I assumed he must be the one in control. Could not hear the comment at the end and the credits at the end were far too long.

[pabloabad]

Thank you for taking the time to write what you don't like, iSTy, but I guess you forgot to put your constructive critic. I invite you to do it :) . I'm open to learn from critics, if they have this intention.

But think for a moment you've passed two or three week working hard in a project sleeping three hours a day, good or not, that depends on the viewer, and you receive the exact words you wrote to my work. How would you feel?

I know this is about learning from others' experience, and learning from others' advices, and I definitely know I have a lot to learn. Since I know that, I don't feel I'm able to give advice to most of film-makers in this forum. So I give congratulations to my favourites works and don't say anything to others. It's my way. I don't want anyone to think of me: "What an a....ole. His movie sucks and he tries to give me advices..."

I can take critics, you can read all my posts, but please, look with other eyes, think of the work of the filmmakers and try to be a little more diplomatic.

Thanks for the feedback :)
Pablo

[CallaghanFilms]

Contol...

The special effects in this film were quite
phenomenal. Control is, without question,
in the top 3 as far as Sci-Fest visual fx go.
Bravo for that in itself.

I especially liked the virtual keypad & the
probe droid with the holographic message.

I also felt the production design was quite
high.

Although I enjoyed the story, I found myself
wishing that the MacWhopper didn't play such
a key role in it. I understand (from your post)
that you had your own symbolism written in
to that, but that is a fact that would be lost
on a viewing audience at large IMHO.

Overall, nicely done.
I really dig your style, and hope to see much more
of it in the future.

Cheers:beer:pabloabad

[iSTy]

Erm, I'm unsure as to the offence you have taken. I really did think that the credits at the end were far too long over a minute, i believe.

I recollect someone else pointing out that the fingers didn't match the 'keyboard'. (Which I didn't point out, although noticed)

I really don't eat hamburgers. I pointed out what I thought when I saw the guy throw the hamburger in the hole, yet someone else said they liked the twist, they obviously didn't see it how I did.

I gave my opinion, I'm sorry you have taken offence to it. I accept criticism, as I do give it.

Isn't what this forum is for? to give opinions?

My opinion on your film is better than some of the other posts I have given.

Pabloabad says:
"It's my way."

iTSy says:
it's not 'my way'. I am me, and you are you. Again I am sorry I can't offer you any other criticism than what I already have.

[pabloabad]

You know, I sometimes eat hamburgers. :)

[pabloabad]

I gave my opinion, I'm sorry you have taken offence to it. I accept criticism, as I do give it.

OK, iSTY, sorry for over-reacting a little. I appreciate the explanation :)


Rather amusing beginning, considering I don’t’ eat BigMacs etc,


Now, a question for everybody. Do you really feel the MacWhopper thing as an attack to american food? IT WASN'T.

We thought of something that everybody consumes in the whole world. Could you tell me other food eaten by more people in the world? That's it.

As the name says, MAC / WHOPPER speaks about globalization, enterprises fusioning everywhere, monopoly. We wanted to do a banner in the city with PepsiCoke in the Blade Runner style, but we had no time for it.

Anyway, I will respond to any further question about it.
Pablo

[iSTy]

I'm glad we've cleared that up, as I really don't like to offend. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[pabloabad]

Ah, I forgot the credits.
When I edited the movie I found it was under 5 minutes, so I thought I could take advantage of it and show the names of all the people to whom I owe this project.
It's my little feedback to their work and I'm sure every filmmaker would have taken the same advantage.
I don't regret it at all
Pablo

[pabloabad]

I'm glad we've cleared that up, as I really don't like to offend. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

I'm happy too, I din't want to make you feel bad :)

[iSTy]

As long as you don't feel bad, then I don't feel bad. :)

[Captain KickAss]

Now, a question for everybody. Do you really feel the MacWhopper thing as an attack to american food? IT WASN'T.


Pablo, personally I did not find the MacWhopper thing at all distracting. Innitially, I thought it was just a small bit of injected humor, and dismissed it as such. But when it came back up later on the film, your reference to globalization really dawned on me. All kinds of Marshal McCluhan and shit.

It really reminded me of the Stalone film "Demolition Man," where Taco Bell was the only restaurant left in the world.

While I could see how it could potentially be distracting, I think it fits into the overall style and intelligence of the piece.

I must say though, that it did take me a little while to get into this film. Perhaps it was just my American inability to read subtitles, but it just didn't hook me off the bat. However, once I got into it, I really enjoyed it.

I was very impressed by your cinematic style, and your use of CG was incredible. The twist at the end caught me by surprise, and the story as a whole was compelling and interesting.

Great job!

[pabloabad]

Thank you for your comments, Captain KickAss.

For a moment, we thought of shooting an english version, but our spanish accent would be so hilarious for you that we ruled it out immediately. :)

Pablo

[pabloabad]

You know... the filmmaker's life is not always easy...
How can you do a movie when your actors are not serious at all?

http://homepage.mac.com/pabloabad/joke2.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/pabloabad/joke3.jpg

[gabriel]

just watched your movie. It's GREAT.

really good. for me it is the winner. really solid and it has something to say. it is simple and it works! The only negative thing is that the theme is a bit cliché but it is hard to find something new nowadays...

congratulations to a great short!

make more of these :-)

[pabloabad]

Thank you so much for your comments, Gabriel.
You have made me happy for the rest of the day :)

I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Pablo

[kimko]

wow i was engrossed in this one great sfx the story was good, i really like the idea of the macwhopper dig (even though you didn't mean it) USA blast because in my opinon that's what's happening we grow our beef in other countries pay a minimum to polute their land and the ozone too i might add. anyways this is an excellant short, i like the getting back to nature thing. this short has meaning!oh and i loved the hair styles kool details Pablo. good acting i'm glad you made the choice in your own language not catering to the lazy american. this is my favorite now(sorry Krestfre)good work