Feature Film

Driven by the trailer - feels like somewhat of a derivative of Agtha Christy "And then there were none". Except for 14 vs. 10 people.

Wow SAG actors really smash it, I think paying for tallen is worth it. ! - Awesome.
 
They really were worth it. Especially because we only had a week to cast. After seeing the difference between SAG actors and non SAG, I'll always cast through the union.

First of all, they're all working which means they have IMDB pages and contacts (hopefully that will help us sell this thing). Second, they're professional so they show up on time knowing their lines (which means we get more out of each day), and third, they make stronger choices as actors and make adjustments more easily than the average non union actor.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are fabulous non-union actors ... but on average, if you're in a hurry, my feeling is that SAG is the way to go.

Incidentally, if you're doing something that's less than 45 minutes, SAG actors are allowed to work for free. You have to fill out a few forms, but that's the deal.

I like free ... big fan.
 
I love it!

I love this trailer but the earlier poster was right. You've hit your limit with your money/resources. A professional cutter could really make this feel like the next Blair Witch/Saw and I believe, add thousands, maybe millions of dollars to your sale.

Anyway, the most powerful part of the trailer for me was when we see the room. Something about a white room with these people in orange jackets really made me feel like, 'whoa, this is different' (you know, since you're so used to grimy "Saw-like" rooms). Also, it goes against the horror grain (where everything is dark) which I really REALLY liked. So my suggestion would be to milk that moment more. Play out the first part just like you have it, then have one of those eerie long high piano keys and slowly fade in and blur into the room (as if it's her point of view - seeing the room for the first time). The hard cut (imho) robs some of that suspense.

Anyway, good luck.
 
Gosh, thank you for your interest, your input, and your creative advice. We're just a couple of humble and aspiring filmmakers that have reached our expense limit. If at all possible we will sell this film and with that money make a trailer like the one you suggested. We would be thrilled just to make our money back and get the opportunity to make more films.

Knock on wood, cross our fingers, hold our breath, and wish at 11:11.

If any of you have any advice on how to sell this film, we would really appreciate it.

Thanks
 
go straight to video you could try look up maverickentertainment , and if you sell it dont forget my free copy please for the hint :) heres there link bellow , also did you do any color correction and if so what did you do and use what program waht tecniuqe and what program did you edit with ??????????????????????????????

http://www.maverickentertainment.cc/filmmakers.php

peace n luv

Mark Dog
 
We used Final Cut Pro and did a little color correction just by bringing up the highlights and darkening the blacks.

If we sell it to Maverick I'll send you two copies.
 
Yes, this absolutely needs a full-on trailer. It seems to have lost resolution somewhere in the compression process. I love these kinds of ideas though, I'd love to read the script if you could post it, see what the dialogue and progressions are like.
 
Well it is compressed for the web. Maybe there's a better compression type that the one I'm using. What do you use?
 
themusic said:
Well it is compressed for the web. Maybe there's a better compression type that the one I'm using. What do you use?
Click to expand...

Quicktime h.264 retains sharpness very well. You want it to look as sharp as the trailers on apple.com ...
 
That's what I used. I used h264 @ 800kbs. If I remember correctly, Apple has a variety of ads: large medium small and HD.
 
This movie looks great. I can't wait to see it.

How many days of shooting?

How do you hire SAG actors? Do you have to live in NY or LA? I really like the concept.

Besides the DVX what other gear did you use on the camera? 35mm adapters, matteboxes, etc?

I think the trailer is really great and if I had millions I would get it out there.

BTW, great sound in the trailer!
 
Thank you. We used the DVX with no adapters. BUT we did tend to be on at least 4x zoom so that the DOF was more shallow.

I don't know about hiring SAG actors when not in LA or NYC but I'm sure it can be done. We did it by posting on www.breakdownservices.com which costs a little ... but saves you an enormous amount of time.

We're trying to get it out there. If anyone wants a copy, we do have a completed DVD with commentary, out takes, deleted scenes, the trailer, and auditions. I could probably get it to people for around $9 (It's expensive to print and buy when in such low quantities PLUS shipping will cost something).
 
i was a trailer editor for a good while, until i got bored with it. anyway... personally, I don't think you need a trailer at this stage. i know every indie filmmaker wants to emulate big budget productions by having a trailer of their own, but the reality is you're looking for distribution, not ticket sales. what you need is called a 'sizzle reel' -- this would still have the slickness of a trailer while incorporating some interview bites with key creative people (actors, director, producer) and a little behind the scenes footage. these are very common in the motion picture industry, it's just that the public rarely sees them. so in short, my recommendation is to modify your strategy; you're not selling the story to an audience yet, you're trying to sell the film outright to a distributer. proceed accordingly...

and if i may pimp my own company, when you gather the funds, we have a team of professional editors and motion graphics artists that can deliver a slick, polished piece that will deliver on the content ideal for your endeavor.
 
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Ditto Zak on that. A 'sizzle reel' or 'pitch piece' can put names with the faces of the filmmakers and explain things that a trailer can't in its shorter format.

Trailers can be all that are left for some features after months of focus groups, suit notes and bland groupthink. Have fun with a longer-form sizzle reel and answer some of the questions investors would have after only seeing the trailer. You will tire of answering the same trailer questions over-and-over-and-over.

Beyond that - looks great and nicely done! Best wishes withthe project. Keep up the great work.
 
that is truly inspiring. shoot a feature in 8 days!

What were the hours like everyday? How many hours of footage did you guys manage to shoot?

Looks great and can't wait to see it!
 
If you want a copy, send me a PM and we'll work it out.

In terms of shooting schedule, we shot around 14 hours per day, including rehearsals ... working out shots and so on. I think one day was around 20 hours. After shooting every day, there was massive work in terms of logistics ... what would we shoot the next day, what were peoples call times and so on.

It was really hard work ... but we all loved it too.

In total we shot 28 hours per camera.
 
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