looking forward to it doood 
Alex DePew - "Memories"
- Thread starter Alex DePew
- Start date
Lingothree
Well-known member
Hey Alex -
Judging by your short, you've grown by leaps and bounds since herofest. I really liked this. It's all very tasteful - the cinematography, acting, writing, editing. That makes it stand out in this festival, I think.
Would have been cool to see a real baby in the sink rather than a doll. But that may have gotten you in a bit of trouble, no?
Who is that breathing at the end?
Judging by your short, you've grown by leaps and bounds since herofest. I really liked this. It's all very tasteful - the cinematography, acting, writing, editing. That makes it stand out in this festival, I think.
Would have been cool to see a real baby in the sink rather than a doll. But that may have gotten you in a bit of trouble, no?
Who is that breathing at the end?
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Brandon Rice’s comprehensive and completely subjective film review
Brandon Rice’s comprehensive and completely subjective film review
Memories
Script
Good script. I liked the twist at the end, and the dialogue was good throughout.
Acting
Wow, your lead was excellent, I believed her, and felt for her. She also had a good look, pretty, but not model pretty, I don’t know how to explain it, but it worked for the film.
Cinematography
Really simple, yet really effective, everything looked nice, nothing stood out bad in this area.
Editing
Solid, everything worked for me here.
Score
Very good, totally fit the film.
Overall Impressions
Another one I could see being a sleeper hit of this fest. Really good storyline, good acting, good cinematically. The obviously fake baby at the end threw me off a little, but I got over it. Nice work on this one, really nice work!
Brandon Rice’s comprehensive and completely subjective film review
Memories
Script
Good script. I liked the twist at the end, and the dialogue was good throughout.
Acting
Wow, your lead was excellent, I believed her, and felt for her. She also had a good look, pretty, but not model pretty, I don’t know how to explain it, but it worked for the film.
Cinematography
Really simple, yet really effective, everything looked nice, nothing stood out bad in this area.
Editing
Solid, everything worked for me here.
Score
Very good, totally fit the film.
Overall Impressions
Another one I could see being a sleeper hit of this fest. Really good storyline, good acting, good cinematically. The obviously fake baby at the end threw me off a little, but I got over it. Nice work on this one, really nice work!
FlintMI
Well-known member
Everything on this shoot was great, lighting, acting, direction, camera angles. The fake baby at the end was a shame, but what can you do?!!?
Alex, a major major improvement over Hero Fest. Amazing work. Really proud of you and also your decision to move forward with your filmmaking career! Behind ya all the way!
Alex, a major major improvement over Hero Fest. Amazing work. Really proud of you and also your decision to move forward with your filmmaking career! Behind ya all the way!
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Matt Sconce's Review of Memories
SPOLIERS POSSIBLE!
Script
The script rocked!! The only concern I have is what the heck was that about some girl in the attic. I feel that that plot element never went anywhere.
Acting
Your actress could be Rachel Weiss's Sister (from enemy at the gates). She did a GREAT JOB! I loved her acting. Believable and absolutely amazing.
Editing
The editing was excellent, and I did not see anything I thought was out of place.
Score
Worked well for the film.
Overall Impressions
DUDE! This amazed me! Definitely one of the best of the fest for sure! I think you have gone light years in comparison to your entry in Hero Fest. As film makers, we always are trying to get better. We are always trying to make it to that next level. You have jumped several levels with this entry! Congrats!
SPOLIERS POSSIBLE!
Script
The script rocked!! The only concern I have is what the heck was that about some girl in the attic. I feel that that plot element never went anywhere.
Acting
Your actress could be Rachel Weiss's Sister (from enemy at the gates). She did a GREAT JOB! I loved her acting. Believable and absolutely amazing.
Editing
The editing was excellent, and I did not see anything I thought was out of place.
Score
Worked well for the film.
Overall Impressions
DUDE! This amazed me! Definitely one of the best of the fest for sure! I think you have gone light years in comparison to your entry in Hero Fest. As film makers, we always are trying to get better. We are always trying to make it to that next level. You have jumped several levels with this entry! Congrats!
Alex DePew
Señor Schmarty Pants
Thanks so much guys. I really appreciate the kind words. I had to seriously cut this down to make six minutes. There were a few scenes with Charlotte in them (the character from the diary) that I had to cut which would have had her character as well as the parallel between Charlotte and Shelly make more sense. It will definitely be in the longer version.
The best comments and the one I have recieved from three people now is that I have made serious improvements over my last movie. These are great comments that really help me to strive to make every short as good as I possibly can make it. I want everything I do to be excellent . I know I'm not there yet. But every film is a tremendous learning experience and I try to see what went wrong and correct it and see what went right and remember it for next time.
As a side note, if you saw the movie and have criticisms I am happy to hear them. Tear it apart. I am a man, I can take it! This forum should be primarily to help each other out. And if there are problems that you see and point them out that is the biggest help you can give.
Thanks for the comments. I will definitely watch everyone's films and vote and I will comment on as many of the films as I can over the next few days.
The best comments and the one I have recieved from three people now is that I have made serious improvements over my last movie. These are great comments that really help me to strive to make every short as good as I possibly can make it. I want everything I do to be excellent . I know I'm not there yet. But every film is a tremendous learning experience and I try to see what went wrong and correct it and see what went right and remember it for next time.
As a side note, if you saw the movie and have criticisms I am happy to hear them. Tear it apart. I am a man, I can take it! This forum should be primarily to help each other out. And if there are problems that you see and point them out that is the biggest help you can give.
Thanks for the comments. I will definitely watch everyone's films and vote and I will comment on as many of the films as I can over the next few days.
Alex DePew
Señor Schmarty Pants
Lingothree said:
Yup I couldn't find anyone willing to lend me their baby. And I think it was some girl Conrad Johnson is dating or something. He said she was way hot and had a cool voice so he used her.
Alex I think you will find that you will be a sleeper hit. Not very Promoted..... But well loved.
Alex DePew
Señor Schmarty Pants
TimurCivan said:Alex I think you will find that you will be a sleeper hit. Not very Promoted..... But well loved.
Thanks man. I really appreciate that. You and Mark made one hell of a movie. My top pick so far. I will give you your props in your thread tomorrow. I gots to go to sleep, I was hustling all day long and then I shot some footage for a short doc I'm putting together. Long day, but it was awesome.
Beat Takeshi
Two-Hip Shakur
Hey Alex, your improvments are 10 fold on this one. The actress did a really good job I thought but the audio on the guy seemed like a different mic and threw off her stuff. You did a great job this time.
Review | POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT! I watch the movies first time around strictly for enjoyment, second and third for review.
Hey Alex. Just got a chance to check out MEMORIES and I'm impressed. If it hasn't been said yet, you tripled your talent all-of-a-sudden. Crazy, man!
Script - I think you have a solid thing going on with the script. Nothing out of the ordinary for the horror genre, but it doesn't need to be; that's why Horror is such a success in the motion-picture world. I can tell that you wrote for much more than six minutes. I'm not sure how you would condense this, either. Maybe the subject matter just wasn't six minute material? There are always ways to do it, but I won't say that you could have without reviewing the actual script. I like the character development you get into in this amount of time. I can already see that there's trouble between them by the simple universal language of "silence at the dinner table". That's a very good thing to showcase in a short, and you get it done rather well, here.
Direction - You've leapt clean over your shadow, man. Changed it up like whoa. Your dinner-table dolly shot was NICE. Very smooth, very well paced, ended at the right moment. And your framing was better than your last entry to a fest. A little straight forward at times, but nothing completely unpleasant. Congratulations on improving!!!!
Acting - So far, from what I've seen (alphabeticaly order here), your actors are displaying some of the best work. Your guy got frustrated, gave the right facial expressions and your girl took it like a trouble woman would. They play well together. I didn't like her crying scene, it was a little too forced but otherwise she did well. GOod job, dude.
Cine/Lighting - I actually couldn't wait to get to this part. Man, what did you do? You really amped it up here. There's a real distinct look to your short, and it's very close to breaking away from the DVX look to me. I'd love to know how you got great lighting in the bathroom scene. It was dark, then the lights flicked on and it wasn't too dark at all. The lighting was just there waiting to happen. Is this all natural with bounce? Or did you rig it up to the lightswitch eletrical outlet so that they'd turn on when she flipped them on? I liked it dude, I really liked your lighting. You've stepped up here as well.
Editing - I've noticed that I never have much to say about editing unless it's really bad. I can say that I didn't like the intro, even though I knew what you were going for. Otherwise I dunno what to say about it. It wasn't bad.
Sound - Overall the shortcoming of ... the short? Music was a bit redundant but tolerable, the sound mixing was a little hollow and choppy as well. Though whatever Mic you used wasn't too bad. I didn't hear a lot of ambience going on, just the empty room sound. Sound should be tightened on a re-cut if at all possible.
Special Effects - Dead baby in the sink. It's something to be said about being bold enough to even put a fake baby in a sink of cloudy white bloody water. I can't harp on that too much. The blood looked like blood to me, the knife in the stomach could be painful. The sink turning on wasn't as effective because I didn't see it turn on from the right angle. But otherwise what you had going on was okay.
Scariest Moments - Darkness in the bathroom. I was thinking she'd turn on the light and she'd get straight hoodwinked or something.
Overall consensus - You've outdone your previous work. I'd like to know what Buddhist Film Temple you went to so I can fly out there and spend a week learning how to get off my ass, get out of the apartment, and get on with doing instead of wanting to do. You really have improved, Alex. TO you and your team, great work! Thanks for exhbiting and do let those interested (myself included) when the longer cut is available.
Hey Alex. Just got a chance to check out MEMORIES and I'm impressed. If it hasn't been said yet, you tripled your talent all-of-a-sudden. Crazy, man!
Script - I think you have a solid thing going on with the script. Nothing out of the ordinary for the horror genre, but it doesn't need to be; that's why Horror is such a success in the motion-picture world. I can tell that you wrote for much more than six minutes. I'm not sure how you would condense this, either. Maybe the subject matter just wasn't six minute material? There are always ways to do it, but I won't say that you could have without reviewing the actual script. I like the character development you get into in this amount of time. I can already see that there's trouble between them by the simple universal language of "silence at the dinner table". That's a very good thing to showcase in a short, and you get it done rather well, here.
Direction - You've leapt clean over your shadow, man. Changed it up like whoa. Your dinner-table dolly shot was NICE. Very smooth, very well paced, ended at the right moment. And your framing was better than your last entry to a fest. A little straight forward at times, but nothing completely unpleasant. Congratulations on improving!!!!
Acting - So far, from what I've seen (alphabeticaly order here), your actors are displaying some of the best work. Your guy got frustrated, gave the right facial expressions and your girl took it like a trouble woman would. They play well together. I didn't like her crying scene, it was a little too forced but otherwise she did well. GOod job, dude.
Cine/Lighting - I actually couldn't wait to get to this part. Man, what did you do? You really amped it up here. There's a real distinct look to your short, and it's very close to breaking away from the DVX look to me. I'd love to know how you got great lighting in the bathroom scene. It was dark, then the lights flicked on and it wasn't too dark at all. The lighting was just there waiting to happen. Is this all natural with bounce? Or did you rig it up to the lightswitch eletrical outlet so that they'd turn on when she flipped them on? I liked it dude, I really liked your lighting. You've stepped up here as well.
Editing - I've noticed that I never have much to say about editing unless it's really bad. I can say that I didn't like the intro, even though I knew what you were going for. Otherwise I dunno what to say about it. It wasn't bad.
Sound - Overall the shortcoming of ... the short? Music was a bit redundant but tolerable, the sound mixing was a little hollow and choppy as well. Though whatever Mic you used wasn't too bad. I didn't hear a lot of ambience going on, just the empty room sound. Sound should be tightened on a re-cut if at all possible.
Special Effects - Dead baby in the sink. It's something to be said about being bold enough to even put a fake baby in a sink of cloudy white bloody water. I can't harp on that too much. The blood looked like blood to me, the knife in the stomach could be painful. The sink turning on wasn't as effective because I didn't see it turn on from the right angle. But otherwise what you had going on was okay.
Scariest Moments - Darkness in the bathroom. I was thinking she'd turn on the light and she'd get straight hoodwinked or something.
Overall consensus - You've outdone your previous work. I'd like to know what Buddhist Film Temple you went to so I can fly out there and spend a week learning how to get off my ass, get out of the apartment, and get on with doing instead of wanting to do. You really have improved, Alex. TO you and your team, great work! Thanks for exhbiting and do let those interested (myself included) when the longer cut is available.
Norm Sanders
Script Wrangler
Kholi, I've still got to watch Alex's film, but I just wanted to say that I keep coming across your reviews ... good, bad, or ugly, you give DETAILED feedback on what you like and don't like.
And they're well balanced, like a good critique should be. Stuff that'll let the filmmaker know what the audience/peer didn't like, but still inspiring enough to want to keep at it vs. just wanting to throw in the towel because they feel like there's no hope.
Just wanted to publicly say how much I appreciate your reviews. Again, just good balance. Great job & thanks for taking the time.
And they're well balanced, like a good critique should be. Stuff that'll let the filmmaker know what the audience/peer didn't like, but still inspiring enough to want to keep at it vs. just wanting to throw in the towel because they feel like there's no hope.
Just wanted to publicly say how much I appreciate your reviews. Again, just good balance. Great job & thanks for taking the time.
Envision said:
That's the first official review of my reviews on the boards. Thanks, Norm. I wasn't looking for praise at all. I just wanted to give feedback to everyone because they all deserved it for doing what I wish I could.
Glad to hear that it's appreciated, though.
Aaron Marshall
Well-known member
I liked the look of the main actress. She had nice facial features. The lead male acted well. Overall the acting was pretty good save a few moments with the female lead. It was very minor but a few moments were slightly off.
I just don't get the film as far as horror goes. It's not scary to me. It's more sad than scary.
The score didn't go well with the film. I'm not sure if Justin couldn't relate to the material, or what. It seemed intrusive.
On the other hand I think this film blows away your Hero entry.
I just don't get the film as far as horror goes. It's not scary to me. It's more sad than scary.
The score didn't go well with the film. I'm not sure if Justin couldn't relate to the material, or what. It seemed intrusive.
On the other hand I think this film blows away your Hero entry.
VersuS
Veteran
Guys!!! GUYS!!! This one deserves A LOT OF ATTENTION coz I see so far not many have picked it up yet....
One of the most original stories....it moves away from the killer stuff...goes into the psychological territory and it does that very well with the diary and some excellent acting!
I loved the cinematography and the lights, the editing really worked for me and it ran smoothly as hell!
However I didnt really understand how we jumped to the last sequence where she enters the kitchen with her hands covered in blood....
Loved the look of blood though...very realistic...
I saw some dvxusers contributed to this one!! Nice!!! I envy your collaborations guys!!!
I have to say something here, I will go into further detail in a few days when I'll post a General Comment for the movies of Horrorfest.
Memories along with many others reminded me of video sequences I ve been seeing the past 10+ years in Adventures ...Phantasmagoria, Gabriel Knight, Black Dahlia....and so on...
Its not a negative thing I guess....but most of them look like sequences that you d find in a game like that...a video segment that transitions the player from one level to the other, or a video sequence that is part of an action that triggered some events....
One of the most original stories....it moves away from the killer stuff...goes into the psychological territory and it does that very well with the diary and some excellent acting!
I loved the cinematography and the lights, the editing really worked for me and it ran smoothly as hell!
However I didnt really understand how we jumped to the last sequence where she enters the kitchen with her hands covered in blood....
Loved the look of blood though...very realistic...
I saw some dvxusers contributed to this one!! Nice!!! I envy your collaborations guys!!!
I have to say something here, I will go into further detail in a few days when I'll post a General Comment for the movies of Horrorfest.
Memories along with many others reminded me of video sequences I ve been seeing the past 10+ years in Adventures ...Phantasmagoria, Gabriel Knight, Black Dahlia....and so on...
Its not a negative thing I guess....but most of them look like sequences that you d find in a game like that...a video segment that transitions the player from one level to the other, or a video sequence that is part of an action that triggered some events....
Blaine
Mr. Hollywood
This one is just so much better than you last one. You should win an award for most improved.
I thought his reaction to her saying the faucets were leaky was a little over the top. It might have made more sense had she told him they turned on by themselves, but just saying they were leaky didn't add up to the reaction he gave...
As other's have said, the doll just pulls me out of the whole story. It's just too obviously not a baby. It would be nice to rework it, perhaps taking a different approach by finding a way to make the doll and asset rather than a liability.
These are fairly small concerns considering how well the story is put together but I think they are things that would push this story to the top.
I thought his reaction to her saying the faucets were leaky was a little over the top. It might have made more sense had she told him they turned on by themselves, but just saying they were leaky didn't add up to the reaction he gave...
As other's have said, the doll just pulls me out of the whole story. It's just too obviously not a baby. It would be nice to rework it, perhaps taking a different approach by finding a way to make the doll and asset rather than a liability.
These are fairly small concerns considering how well the story is put together but I think they are things that would push this story to the top.
TheatreGuy
Veteran
Hello Alex, I have to say that I was rivited to your film! It has such a big film feel to it. I felt like I was watching a Hollywood blockbuster.
Your cinematography is just beautiful and the shots are well framed.
I loved the implentation of the running water. Never thought about a faucet being terrifying, but you made it so.
I thought that your actors were top notch!!! Huge kudos to them.
The scenes flowed very smoothly from one to another.
The story was nicely established, however the ending was confusing to me. I gather that a 6 minute deadline was approaching and the ending had to be reached. But I was unclear why she stabbed herself.
Was ishe living out the troubled existence of the previous owners?
Was she living out the troubled past of her own?
I will watch this again and see if maybe I just missed it.
But all in all, I was into your film!
The music and the sound was quite good. (Did I notice his mic drop out at one table scene?)
Oh, I am sure that it has not passed your attention, but the opening titles are difficult to read. This, I am sure is due to the small and compressed state that we have to submit these films and the speed at which the pages turned due to the time limit.
But the opening effect was worth it, regardless!!!
Great job!
I look forward to more of your work!
Ted
Your cinematography is just beautiful and the shots are well framed.
I loved the implentation of the running water. Never thought about a faucet being terrifying, but you made it so.
I thought that your actors were top notch!!! Huge kudos to them.
The scenes flowed very smoothly from one to another.
The story was nicely established, however the ending was confusing to me. I gather that a 6 minute deadline was approaching and the ending had to be reached. But I was unclear why she stabbed herself.
Was ishe living out the troubled existence of the previous owners?
Was she living out the troubled past of her own?
I will watch this again and see if maybe I just missed it.
But all in all, I was into your film!
The music and the sound was quite good. (Did I notice his mic drop out at one table scene?)
Oh, I am sure that it has not passed your attention, but the opening titles are difficult to read. This, I am sure is due to the small and compressed state that we have to submit these films and the speed at which the pages turned due to the time limit.
But the opening effect was worth it, regardless!!!
Great job!
I look forward to more of your work!
Ted
Paul Coleman
Veteran
Lead actress is world class. :thumbup: :thumbup:
jpbankesmercer
Director Mod
Acting: Lead-girl was great. Lines for male lead seemed a tiny bit forced but he was still solid.
Script: A solid story for once just a tad light on the ending, wanted more backstory for her.
Direction: Smooth, some really interesting ideas.
Music: Super (nice score man), audio on voice needed to be faded just a little bit more in and out – just being ultra picky sorry.
Editing: Really smooth.
Lighting: Lovely. Solid warm glows that worked. You got skills!:thumbup:
Loved: Animated book titles, table track, hand writing in book, I liked the V.O. thought it worked here, faucet coming on, the script ending. The end shot (nice man!)
Hated: Not much, the blood on hands irked me because of it’s thickness and the baby seemed a bit big for that sink – but it did work. The titles at the end OF COURSE were rushed but at least you got them in.
Overall: A solid story well acted, I thought she was going to go a bit more crazy and I think you gave good validation with the last sequence. It built nicely. Well done a tight great short.
Script: A solid story for once just a tad light on the ending, wanted more backstory for her.
Direction: Smooth, some really interesting ideas.
Music: Super (nice score man), audio on voice needed to be faded just a little bit more in and out – just being ultra picky sorry.
Editing: Really smooth.
Lighting: Lovely. Solid warm glows that worked. You got skills!:thumbup:
Loved: Animated book titles, table track, hand writing in book, I liked the V.O. thought it worked here, faucet coming on, the script ending. The end shot (nice man!)
Hated: Not much, the blood on hands irked me because of it’s thickness and the baby seemed a bit big for that sink
– but it did work. The titles at the end OF COURSE were rushed but at least you got them in.Overall: A solid story well acted, I thought she was going to go a bit more crazy and I think you gave good validation with the last sequence. It built nicely. Well done a tight great short.