Bucketman - - - - DahopaFilms

[Dahopafilms]

Well, I was actually sorta kinda saying I thought your script was among the best, because it did indeed make me laugh. But more in general, I thought it was interesting that the best of the not so good scripts was a parody. That's all.

Oh, and I really shouldn't have said your script was written for you. That was truly over-stating it. I meant I guess the story itself was already there. You did write some damn funny stuff. Funny is funny, and you can't argue with it if it makes you laugh, and that is good writing. Maybe parody is not the most challening writing. But you did it well. And screenwriting was an actual category in the voting for these films. I just felt over all that most of the films were bad scripts with very strong elements otherwise (acting, cinematography, etc.).

I guess nine years of Uni didn't prepare you for constructive criticism though. ;-)

I guess I kinda went off because I couldn't find the "constructive" in the "criticism". Especially of the other films. In essence, "all the rest of the scripts are crap but yours' is the least crappy" is, firstly, damning with faint praise and, secondly, (IMHO) neither constructive nor particularly helpful as criticism.

And notwithstanding your clarification, I was wrong about Poland winning its first round match today, so I'm probably wrong about this too.

Just my view, in any event.

That was really quite fun. A wonderful take-off on SIMILO. I especially liked the voice over narration.

Thanks Chris. Glad you got a smile from it.

Buketman ruled. The most entertaining of the lot IMO

-

I remember at first glance thinking 'This looks waay too familiar.' and not realizing it was a parody and going 'What's he thinking?' and then of course the hilarity ensued!

Too funny !

I loved the boat in the background, the bad greenscreen, the expressons on Bucketmans face, the 'Running real fast' and the flying was brilliant ....

Awesome!!

Thanks again, John.

And .. er ... there was no greenscreen. You do know that Bucketman gives off this weird alternating transparent then motley opaque aura, don't you? Maybe you're just picking up on that ...:laugh:

man this film was ballsy.

Way to play to the limited crowd. HILARIOUS.

Thanks Hybrid!

Just so you know, I was also going for the unlimited crowd, too. Tyranny of the masses, lowest common denominator :beer: and all that.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

I still love Bucketman.

 

[Dahopafilms]

I still love Bucketman.

Er ... JP, thanks for the comment, but [in Janeane Garofalo's voice] "It's OK to love Bucketman. But it's not OK to love Bucketman."

If you know what I mean ...

 

[jpbankesmercer]

Er ... JP, thanks for the comment, but [in Janeane Garofalo's voice] "It's OK to love Bucketman. But it's not OK to love Bucketman."

If you know what I mean ...

Don't keep all that bucket love to youself. :love4:

 

[sean90291]

I couldn't find the "constructive" in the "criticism". Especially of the other films. In essence, "all the rest of the scripts are crap but yours' is the least crappy" is, firstly, damning with faint praise and, secondly, (IMHO) neither constructive nor particularly helpful as criticism.

Well, yes, that's what I was saying. But not so bluntly, because I'm not deliberately trying to offend anyone. We're all sensitive artists. I'm just trying to give an audience member's opinion. And that is I didn't like any of the scripts in Herofest very much. Some had huge potential, but none pulled it right off in the script department for me. In the Sci-Fi fest I felt there were some really really strong scripts. Similo was a great script. I do, REALLY, think you wrote some great comedic lines and funny ideas into Bucketman. But I can't change my opinion that the stories in Herofest didn't live up to the quality of the other filmmaking attributes (cinematography, acting, etc). Sorry if I chose your thread to bring this point up because I thought your script was good, even though it was a parody that used an existing "story." I also thought Cache and Anonymous were great films with almost great scripts...but in the end suffered for lack of a clear, strong, consistently written script. I mean, I guess it depends on what we all want to achieve in the DVXuser festivals: a great film that can sell your talents and survive in the world (which Bucketman probably can) or just make films for each other on DVXuser. Audiences are ruthless. Even more ruthless than the studio execs who hand out money to artists like us. I guess the "constructive" part of my criticism is I would love to see these talented filmmakers be more rigorous about their stories and scripts.

 

[mochouinard]

Im sorry, but Similo is better But it really funny

 

[mochouinard]

Really funny heheh

 

[Dahopafilms]

Well, yes, that's what I was saying. But not so bluntly, because I'm not deliberately trying to offend anyone. We're all sensitive artists. I'm just trying to give an audience member's opinion. And that is I didn't like any of the scripts in Herofest very much. Some had huge potential, but none pulled it right off in the script department for me. In the Sci-Fi fest I felt there were some really really strong scripts. Similo was a great script. I do, REALLY, think you wrote some great comedic lines and funny ideas into Bucketman. But I can't change my opinion that the stories in Herofest didn't live up to the quality of the other filmmaking attributes (cinematography, acting, etc). Sorry if I chose your thread to bring this point up because I thought your script was good, even though it was a parody that used an existing "story." I also thought Cache and Anonymous were great films with almost great scripts...but in the end suffered for lack of a clear, strong, consistently written script. I mean, I guess it depends on what we all want to achieve in the DVXuser festivals: a great film that can sell your talents and survive in the world (which Bucketman probably can) or just make films for each other on DVXuser. Audiences are ruthless. Even more ruthless than the studio execs who hand out money to artists like us. I guess the "constructive" part of my criticism is I would love to see these talented filmmakers be more rigorous about their stories and scripts.

Hey Sean. That's a lot clearer for me now. I can and do respect that, but I do think many of the other stories were just plain good.

Im sorry, but Similo is better But it really funny

Thanks a lot. I think you and I are in total agreement. If someone said they thought Bucketman was better than Similo on any level (other than comedy), I'd say they'd been smoking the drapes.

And Similo had its funny moments. Of course, those were in the posts in their jumbo thread during the festival, but ...

As an in-j0oke, this flick was pretty funny. I thought the technical cheesiness was a nice touch. Yet, outside of those who've seen SIMILO is it effective and funny ?

I don't know. In my opinion, it is too specific to parodying SIMILO to reach beyond those laughs. I could be wrong, so I guess if you enter it into a few fests you'll find out.

Really interesting thought. If you check out some of the earlier postings (even some not posted by my relatives) you'll see suggestions that people who hadn't seen Similo still enjoyed it. And it was something I consciously put my mind to when writing it - "Can it stand on its own?" "Let's make a story that doesn't need to be just an 'in' joke." "Is there any chance of getting Joy into a really great, low-cut red dress ..."

And I have no plans to enter Bucketman into any other festivals - why go for second best after dvxuser? Nope, Bucketman was great fun, all of those involved were awesome, but that was then. Time to move on to other, more serious projects. Like Contraband II.

Good luck with your flick, and I dig your sense of humour (guess those nine years of schoolin' weren't wasted )

I just knew I was going to regret that. And did I mention that eight of the nine years were spent in the same class?

Don't keep all that bucket love to youself.

And that's just really, really wrong.


Thanks very much to all of you for taking the time to comment.

And now I think it's time to go and drink with my surgically-enhanced dog at my feet. He's wearing a lampshade (after yesterday's operation). And he's damn proud of it.:beer:

 

[MattinSTL]

Ever notice how when a dog has that lampshade on it hurts your ears when he barks?

I used to be the master at making sh*t sandwiches, but I've stopped serving them because everybody that I respect already knows what they taste like. I'm sure the DVXuser community will continue to grow and produce better stories and continuously improve production...

This flick is about fun and it brought it.

 

[conradcliff]

Funny stuff, loved the VO!

 

[mrpunch]

I guess I'm still not sure what to think of in terms of the festival voting goes, with this one. Yes, it made me laugh more than a few times. But, are you looking for input on the other aspects of the short, like cinematography, acting, etc.? Again, as a skit on SNL or such - this is dead on! And I agree that it would be funny to people who never saw Similo, as well. But I think that much of the reaction on this thread comes from those who saw Similo, and appreciate the humor even more.

We're laughing at things like the green screen'd car and you're saying that it wasn't. Was it green screen'd? I mean, your replies are funny - but I like finding out what people actually experienced making their shorts - why they did one thing vs. the other.

I liked the VO, but is there an effect on it? Because I had to rewatch so many segments trying to figure out what she said. That was problematic for me.

The actress was OK, and I can't imagine sitting next to a Bucket, but she just appeared to be going through the motions of each segment. If it had started with a strong mood such as Similo, the reveal of the Bucketman would have struck me even more.

As the script goes, there were good lines throughout, the red dress line , etc. Maybe it just got to be too long of a joke for me.

 

[Dahopafilms]

Funny stuff, loved the VO!

Thanks Conrad. And you were great in Sonicman.

Ever thought of wearing a bucket for your next role?

You have insulted me, and now you must die!

Yes, of course. All good things in time ...

 

[Dahopafilms]

I guess I'm still not sure what to think of in terms of the festival voting goes, with this one. Yes, it made me laugh more than a few times. But, are you looking for input on the other aspects of the short, like cinematography, acting, etc.? Again, as a skit on SNL or such - this is dead on! And I agree that it would be funny to people who never saw Similo, as well. But I think that much of the reaction on this thread comes from those who saw Similo, and appreciate the humor even more.

We're laughing at things like the green screen'd car and you're saying that it wasn't. Was it green screen'd? I mean, your replies are funny - but I like finding out what people actually experienced making their shorts - why they did one thing vs. the other.

I liked the VO, but is there an effect on it? Because I had to rewatch so many segments trying to figure out what she said. That was problematic for me.

The actress was OK, and I can't imagine sitting next to a Bucket, but she just appeared to be going through the motions of each segment. If it had started with a strong mood such as Similo, the reveal of the Bucketman would have struck me even more.

As the script goes, there were good lines throughout, the red dress line , etc. Maybe it just got to be too long of a joke for me.

You raise some very interesting points. The voting does not provide for a "best overall" category. The best overall is determined by the sum of all the various categories. So what happens when a film delivers and entertains, but is lacking (whether by design or otherwise) in any number of categories? Well, I suppose it doesn't win.

And I am completely OK with that. I am in this for the experience and the entry.

My approach to all of this is to learn by doing. This is my third festival entry. My first without my trusty DP who got me into these things in the first place. My first with a new camera, and pretty much doing everything myself - with not insignificant help from friends, of course. But the stuff I did personally was the concept, writing, production, direction, lighting, camera op, music selection and editing. Vertical learning curve.

But, for example, I simply don't have the horsepower (talent?) that a Jack Daniel Stanley, or Justin Snodgrass or an Aaron Marshall (that young punk!) or many of the other filmmakers here have. So, as in any production, I tailor my project to fit my resources. I want to deliver something that people really enjoy - I'm doing it for myself but also for the audience. So I know I can write a little and know my limitations on shooting and FX and editing and (GASP!) sound - so I try to deliver something with that in mind.

As for the green screen? Seriously? Of course it was greenscreened. You can see the freaking glow on Kristine's medium shots. And Land Rover makes a good product, but there is no way you can drive one across Hong Kong harbour. What did I learn? A thousand things, most of which involve the lighting. I needed to backlight Kristine more. I needed to adjust for the tint of the rear windows against the greenscreen. I needed some matte spray on the bucket to cut the reflection. It's all there - the flaws and all. But I also knew I couldn't deliver a "perfect" greenscreen shot, so I intentionally played up many of the shortcomings in post.

But what I really think is personally great is that the majority of the comments on this thread haven't gone into all that. People seem to have enjoyed Bucketman, laughed a little or a lot and either (kindly) overlooked the flaws or couldn't see them through their tears. And I'm fine with that on any level.

As for the sound (specifically, the VO), let me say that we did the best we could in the circumstances. But even more impressive, indicative of the goodwill of the people on these boards one incredible person has stepped up and volunteered to help fix the sound. He's volunteering his own precious time and skills to make this a little better as a final product. Mind-blowingly awesome.

As for the actress (and I assume you mean Kristine rather than Joy) she did everything I asked her to. She delivered exactly the tone and expression that I wanted. "Going through the motions" for some of the scenes was exactly what I wanted. Her character had a lot going on in the backstory and for what it was, she gave me everything I wanted and I wouldn't change her performance a nit.

As for the length, it appears that you haven't changed your mind from your first posting on this thread. I'd love it if you said that you thought Bucketman was perfect (or better yet, you wanted more) but I also appreciate that as in any project, some of the audience may find it too long.

So thanks very much for your comments and let this excruciatingly long reply be a lesson to anyone else posting on this thread wanting sincere commentary.

(But truly, thanks for taking the interest and time to comment)

 

[mrpunch]

As for the sound (specifically, the VO), let me say that we did the best we could in the circumstances. But even more impressive, indicative of the goodwill of the people on these boards one incredible person has stepped up and volunteered to help fix the sound. He's volunteering his own precious time and skills to make this a little better as a final product. Mind-blowingly awesome.

As for the length, it appears that you haven't changed your mind from your first posting on this thread. I'd love it if you said that you thought Bucketman was perfect (or better yet, you wanted more) but I also appreciate that as in any project, some of the audience may find it too long.

Awesome! We will look forward to a cut with a cleaner VO. That's the beauty of this site, man. As for the length, sometimes "less is more", so see, I DO WANT TO SEE MORE! I would have taken the entire time allowed for this as well, but if you're playing with other cuts, give the MrP cut a try, and see what a little less might produce when you work with the new VO? That would be a great experiment. There's some old quote that Johnny Carson and some other old-timers used to say about a joke - referring to it three times or something, but I don't remember it. (probably because I'm getting too old as well)

And skills? Parody is a tough thing to pull off - and as witnessed by the responses - you did that. That is definitely a skill! Technical skills, we are all learning. My greenscreen comment was more along the lines of if you were trying to make it look that way on purpose, as in to further the parody. No doubt you'll be greenscreening to the likes of everyone after having done it now!

 

[WilderWorks]

Wonderfully funny imagery. Some nice turns of phrase. A good time with a good spirit. And it inhereted its weakeness (in story) from its source material, so I can't call you out on that!

 

[Charli]

The bucket, the bucket, he's my hero. I'm sitting alone in my living room, laughing.
I'm going to share this file with my son.

Charli

 

[Dahopafilms]

Wonderfully funny imagery. Some nice turns of phrase. A good time with a good spirit. And it inhereted its weakeness (in story) from its source material, so I can't call you out on that!

I think this may be my favourite comment - good time with a good spirit. Thanks for that.

Given my obvious goal here, was there something specific about the story (in Bucketman, not Similo) that struck you as lacking? To help me for next time?

All suggestions gratefully entertained.

The bucket, the bucket, he's my hero. I'm sitting alone in my living room, laughing.
I'm going to share this file with my son.

Thanks very much Charli.

I'm wondering how you're going to explain the spatula/hand mixer scene to your son, though. One of those times I'd love to be a fly on the wall.:huh:

 

[Alliq]

This film was far and away one of my favorites, even though I hadn't seen the film being parodied! I think it speaks to people who have seen any movie that is utterly pretentious. Writing, acting, all of it works for me. Excellent job!

 

[Charli]

LOL - my son is in college, I look younger than I am. I think he got the humor
just fine. He laughed so hard!

Charli

 

[Dahopafilms]

This film was far and away one of my favorites, even though I hadn't seen the film being parodied! I think it speaks to people who have seen any movie that is utterly pretentious. Writing, acting, all of it works for me. Excellent job!

Hey Mom, please stop posting. OK?

But seriously, thank you for your comment. And I didn't find Similo pretentious at all - just really good. Now, maybe some of the comments on the Similo thread were pretentious, but ...:huh:

LOL - my son is in college, I look younger than I am. I think he got the humor
just fine. He laughed so hard!

Charli

Wow. That's amazing. An eight-year-old in college. That truly is an incredible achievement!:thumbup:

Thanks again for the comments.