EIGHTEEN SECONDS by Jack, Zac and Mac

I love how alot of peoplea re saying "the tone reminds me of Similo".... Uhhhh it was shot and directed by the same guys...... lol
 
True. But some folks will branch out for different looks/stories with each project ... others have a very definite style. I doubt Zak/Mac want to be type cast of only being able to deliver one particular look/style, but even if they were, it's not a bad one to be labeled to. It works extremely well, and is always absolutely amazing.
 
welkl the boy doesnt share his reel with us. i wanna see what else he makes, but i cant find anyhtign on him. I saw the one with the apple which was cool, i saw Similo, this and the hot naked girl one when he first got his G35. i know hes a working DP, and i am dying to see his work.

Mac, mail me a reel mang. lol
 
Envision said:
...
That said, someone did ask if this was NC (non-compete) ... it would appear to be that way because there's no where in the film that identifies either character as Eric/Erik or Erica/Erika. I was looking at the office to see a name plate or something with the name, or listen for even a whisper, but nothing. If it weren't for that, this would be in my tied section for the winning vote.
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Then you must have also read that it is competition and his name is Erik.
Why, what did you think his name was?
Clearly this was shot for this contest as many photos and other things proove beyond a shadow of a doubt.
There's no dialogue. So no one says Erik, of course.
 
I just PM'd you back Jack. There IS dialogue.

And the reply back that it was Erik with a 'K', came across as a joke to me, since it is never spoken, stated anywhere in the film, etc.
 
Wow guys. I thought this one was beautiful. I loved the concept. The idea that two complete strangers shared such a powerful connection was just amazing. It really hit home with me in the regard that I think (and maybe just plain wish) that things like this can happen. That there are people out there that know you without even knowing who you are.

Excellent camera work by the way, great look and movements. I'm not a big fan of jump cuts but for the most part it worked. I do admit (and I can't believe I'm even saying this) is that the masturbation scenes could have been done.... oh I don't know just different. I love that their connection went that far and I thought it was a great addition but I think maybe just the framing on the girl could have left a little more to the imagination. I admit I did see the car hit coming maybe the shot could have stayed a little less on Jack before the hit, not sure, but it did work and thought it was brilliant that they both died when poor jack got hit... and what a it.

The actress did well and I loved her looks, she is a vision to look at. Jack you did great too, you had a lot of great little subtleties that made me care for your character.

It's movies like this that first slap me down and say I'm not nearly as good but then make we want to get back up and strive to do better. This felt and looked like a real movie. Good job...

Now everyone this should be a lesson to stay out of the street... and don't play with guns... or knives... or scissors... or water.
 
This film rocked.

I liked pretty much everything about it. Jack, you've got a great look.

The only thing I would've changed is Jack's face after the wreck.

Tim.
 
Envision said:
I just PM'd you back Jack. There IS dialogue.

And the reply back that it was Erik with a 'K', came across as a joke to me, since it is never spoken, stated anywhere in the film, etc.
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I'm just pissed at you for being the same age as me and being able to pull off that tight ribbed sweater in your movie, ya bastid.
 
msconce said:
That was a very interesting story line. Absolutely original and very well done. Congrats to all of you. I was engaged the entire time.
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OK im ready to chim in with my honest review of it

Cinematography - nothing to say here looks good

Sound - can't say there is, none really so ( I hope for a movie dialouge one day from you Mac.)

Editing - Pretty much a series of images you don't to realaly link becuase you could cut to anythign back and foward too. Just a series of images that could be told in any order and got the same imapce. I mean i got the story but butthere is no story in a way...

story - Ok it's similo all the way through 2 people find eacvh other and lose each other because one is hit by a car. As I told Jack in pervious contest all his movie have a returning theme Shed ODD Squad, and Bonehand and Rekindled The first three are more obvious ( A man who sacarfices for his friend or little girl to save them from some doom. rekindled goes back to the sacrifice theme. with 18 seconds it basically simlio with no VO this time around As John said its a montage you could put music on under it and it could the next video for any band (ie nickelback, dashboard confessional, incubus, etc.) so the story is similo set in new york...

Acting - good acting but simple set ups all you have to do is tell the person now "look sad" instead of "say this piece of dialouge with all the emotion you got". I do have to say Amy put here self out there, talk about an actress that wanr ro work, becuase that is a hard thing to get an actress to do is something so well that is a time for her self man, she might has well have been nude becuase she left her self that exposed to the world. Jack well you cant see his parts but you know whats going on.

OVERALL - a strong piece but its nothing new or daring besides an actress puttting herself out there. The Story you need to find is something that is total opposite of what you ever done.

Also i get the ending you meet and fall in love but come on its hard to swallow, I wish it were that easy. but i get what it means every thing just dont think its a strong ending. strong emotionally to anyone but to me its a little to simple and a way out of the movie.

Now do I await something new from Mac, instead of Similo 3.

Now that wasnt too bad was it?

btw is still waking up so it might be a little strange.
 
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oh and ya.. the actress has a drop dead, absolutely amazing Smile. :) I think that's the sinking point for me in this film. Just one those in the fest I've watched twice now. Again, Aaron, wonderful job on the score, and Jack.. Superb acting! you are truly a talent. of course mac and zach... wonderful visuals. I never once reached for the fast forward button which I've done ALOT of in this fest so far.

one of my favs.

/j
 
I thought this one was really good in overall. Great acting from Amy and Jack, cinematography and lighting looked absolutely amazing!, editing... And most of all, it delivered in its true dramatic ending! My favourite so far. :thumbup:

I also thought the music was very well dosed, and very fitting! Great stuff, Aaron!
 
Cute girl in the initial bathroom mirror scene, nice composition.

Ah. Finally. Good music in a short. Especially for the aiport/girl running scene.

Ok man. There's some really amazing shots so far, I'm only into the second minute here. That subway shot of her reading a book? Very cool.

I still really like the music. Don't like the masturbation scene. The fact that she's sticking her hand down her panties, you can almost see her genitals, that's distracting, makes me think about nudity and less about what she's doing. Maybe a close up shot of her face would have been more useful.

Good grief man! This camera work is amazing! Getting in and out of the cabs! This looks like film! Fabulous slow-mo scene colors.

She's a really great actress, I feel a lot of empathy when she stands at the light.

Oh shiiiiiiiiiiit. What a fabulous death scene. Greatly done. Very predictable, kind of like Meet Joe Black. But greatly executed death scene nonetheless.

Ah. Great ending music. Actually, great music period. Reminds me of the end music in Heat.

Some really professional camera work here. Fabulous. This looks so much like film. The DOF is pure eye candy.
 
I love the contrast of sounds and visuals from shot to shot. And as always I love your camera work.


btw, have to ask, G35? :beer:
 
abraham said:
beautiful beautiful pictures. and i agree with barry (i think it was?) who noted the simplicity of the performances. wonderfully simple and real-- and i think the camera/cutting accompanies it quite well too, a couple of sweet little jump cuts to keep us.
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yes, yes. echo.
 
this is like.. my my indie dream come true. the stylish look, the composition, the emotion is everything I always want to try in my films. Zak and Mac can pull it off very boldly -- people film all the time in NY - but not quite the kinds of location these guys picked- admirable.
 
absolutely amazing, i felt almost like i was watching a short film by Iñárritu.
the concept works well and doesn't come off as unoriginal even though it's been done a couple of times (but with twins). This is really my fav so far. just beautiful.
 
Nothing to add to the positive comments on this wonderful entry, although I must say Aaron Marshall, imo, you have made this entry shine brighter with your amazing lush ethereal score. :thumbsup:
 
spidey said:
OK im ready to chim in with my honest review of it

Cinematography - nothing to say here looks good

Sound - can't say there is, none really so ( I hope for a movie dialouge one day from you Mac.)

Editing - Pretty much a series of images you don't to realaly link becuase you could cut to anythign back and foward too. Just a series of images that could be told in any order and got the same imapce. I mean i got the story but butthere is no story in a way...

story - Ok it's similo all the way through 2 people find eacvh other and lose each other because one is hit by a car. As I told Jack in pervious contest all his movie have a returning theme Shed ODD Squad, and Bonehand and Rekindled The first three are more obvious ( A man who sacarfices for his friend or little girl to save them from some doom. rekindled goes back to the sacrifice theme. with 18 seconds it basically simlio with no VO this time around As John said its a montage you could put music on under it and it could the next video for any band (ie nickelback, dashboard confessional, incubus, etc.) so the story is similo set in new york...

Acting - good acting but simple set ups all you have to do is tell the person now "look sad" instead of "say this piece of dialouge with all the emotion you got". I do have to say Amy put here self out there, talk about an actress that wanr ro work, becuase that is a hard thing to get an actress to do is something so well that is a time for her self man, she might has well have been nude becuase she left her self that exposed to the world. Jack well you cant see his parts but you know whats going on.

OVERALL - a strong piece but its nothing new or daring besides an actress puttting herself out there. The Story you need to find is something that is total opposite of what you ever done.

Also i get the ending you meet and fall in love but come on its hard to swallow, I wish it were that easy. but i get what it means every thing just dont think its a strong ending. strong emotionally to anyone but to me its a little to simple and a way out of the movie.

Now do I await something new from Mac, instead of Similo 3.

Now that wasnt too bad was it?

btw is still waking up so it might be a little strange.
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Wow, I pretty much agree with everything spidey says on this. Who would've thunk it?

I thought it was pretty decent and I told Jack it certainly was better than he'd led me to believe it would be. But there came a point where I was getting really bored of the images seeming to go no where, and I asked: "Is this almost over?" and then I looked at the time scrubber and the film as at 2:20. I just think the short was way too long for having basically no story, no compelling dramatic action, none of the things that this fest was supposed to be about.

Watching it a second time, I also think the story is pretty hokey. I liked Jack's other idea of looking up at the stars MUCH better.

But mainly, this is basically the same movie we've seen before, except clearly with much less planning. And frankly that's a little cynical in my opinion. I mean, Macgregor had to know that all he had to do is show up and everyone would be fighting to see who could suck his dick first. So I just wish you guys had put a lot more effort into it and raised the bar, instead of doing the same thing again and knowing that the rubes would worship you anyhow.

Jack should have directed this and Mac just shot it.

I thought the performances were the strongest thing in the piece, though I would have preferred to see some actual scenes.
 
i don't know what to say. this might be the best dvx/hvx short i've seen Ever. I don't think there's any competition for you in this festival. I don't know if i missed anything between this and similo but i would really love to see you guys make a story that involves actors acting with each other, talking to each other, conflict between people.

here's my constructive criticism:

somebody mentioned earlier that this is like a music video and it is. really beautiful images. but they tell a story with a beginning middle and end. unfortunately, not much of a beginning or middle. it lacks a through line. its really just a series of snapshots with an ending. i never get a chance to predict. until he kneels down in the street and then i predicted correctly so that doesn't work. and that's how you grab an audience: make em predict what will happen next and then prove them wrong. it also lacks choices, motivation, conflict. we never get to see these characters make any big decisions. its clear that they're big characters with a lot going on inside but we really just scratch the surface. you don't learn about a character by whether or not she jogs. you learn by whether or not he jumps into the river to save the drowning woman.

I love it. i can't say enough good things about it. i'm gonna show everyone i know. i think it might be difficult, however, to get an R rating with a scene like that. i guess the code is a little less strict in spain? kidding. Keep it up! You guys get my DVXUser "Most Likely To Be Famous" award.
 
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