a ralph oshiro film--"LEVEL 4" spyfest 06.07

[David Jimerson]

This is easily the most cinematic of the ones I've watched so far. Production values look great. Editing is paced well; camera work is some of the best I've seen in these fests.

But it's only a chunk of a larger movie, so there's not too much else to go on here. Can't really gague acting, writing, etc., without seeing the whole thing in context. I'd definitely want to see the rest, but I'm not sure I can vote for this one as is . . .

 

[Michael_Petro]

You sure know how to make stuff look good on film..... I wished you could have finished it also..

 

[chris f]

Standard Disclaimer: I've watched half of the films so far and have yet to see a bad film. Congratulations to every film maker, everyone did a great job. All my comments and criticisms are meant to be constructive and helpful and in no way am I trying to take anything away from what you accomplished.

Good: Wow, production value was through the roof. Everything was spot on, acting (although the script didn't call for anything hard) the cinematography was amazing (lighting, colors, camera movements) the locations were great.

Not as Good: Obviously since it's a prologue it doesn't give us much as far as story and it's very short. You made your sony look better than our beloved panasonics .

Sidenote: I'm sure I'll find this out when I read through your thread, but can we be expecting more than the prologue?

 

[Ralph Oshiro]

REPLIES TO VIEWER FEEDBACK:

. . . gotta love that almost uprobe shot you had there of the chick going up the [escalator].

That was my favorite too! But the Metro cops that made me play it back for them weren't exactly thrilled with it.

Keep aiming high, you did that and it shows in your work.

Thanks! That's part of the reason it's unfinished.

Ralphy, Ralphy, Ralphy . . . I was wondering what you were going to pull with all of that run-and-gunning that you do.

I actually kind of like the challenge . . . "LEVEL4" was 100% unpermitted.

What I am going to say is HER FEET WERE REALLY DIRTY.

What can I say? I'm into that sort of thing . . .

Tell me, was there some sort of filter on the hitwoman's (sorry to dub her that) shots? It looks like an orange-tinted "dusk" filter.

Yup. It's an amber grad added in post. All-electronic, white-balancing cameras, like the Sony DSR450, have no CC filters in their internal filter wheel—only NDs. And they can white balance really weird sometimes—this is the second time I've had this problem (on "RUNWAY," I just changed another problematic scene to black and white). I was never satisfied with how the camera white balanced on the "shooter's" location, and I could never quite correct it in post. I resorted to the filter to "dress it up."

. . . can you hit someone from a distance in 1 shot from an assault rifle?

Sure you can. The actual distance was about 225 feet.

It’s possible, we never really see how far apart they are, but yeah it’s possible to hit a moving target from a good distance without a scope. Though the shooter would have to have some crazy skills.

The footage of the "shooter" was only a screen test. The shooter is not in the correct costume, and the prop rifle is wrong. I have a new prop AR15 rifle, and it has a bitchin' prop scope on it.

This flick looked very promising, and it’s sucks that it’s not complete because I would really like to see the full version.

Thanks! I'm still deciding whether to complete this project or not. Everything except some Metro footage would be reshot regardless.

But it's only a chunk of a larger movie . . .

Exactly right. Thank you for the high compliments, David!

I'd definitely want to see the rest, but I'm not sure I can vote for this one as is . . .

No voting is necessary for "LEVEL4"—it's an incomplete entry.

You sure know how to make stuff look good on film . . . I wished you could have finished it also . . .

Thanks, Michael! Jury's still out on whether I'm going to finish this one. Yours and others' positive posts here have been hugely encouraging, and are making me think that maybe I should.

Sidenote: I'm sure I'll find this out when I read through your thread, but can we be expecting more than the prologue?

That's what I'm trying to decide now.

 

[jamesh]

Shame you didn't finnish as this looks like hot sh*t

 

[Ralph Oshiro]

Shame you didn't finish as this looks like hot sh*t

Thanks! Another reason it's incomplete is that there are a number of highly SEXUAL scenes that were originally scripted, which proved to be IMPOSSIBLE to cast for. If and when I can cast those parts, yes, it will be pretty goddamned "hot!"

 

[vidled]

Who needs HD when you can simply shoot in RO?

Awesome job Ralph for what you had; tension is there, and visually stunning!

 

[gabrielflorit]

wow. this looks phenomenal. best looking short by far, by a long distance.

 

[bosindy]

I like the way you shoot Ralph, I am looking forward to seeing it when you can make the film you want. You are definitely off to a strong start.

Jim

 

[doncamillo]

Hey Ralph,

Thanx for having the guts to share it, finished or not. I just saw the film and I'm once again 'licking my fingers', no not just because of Alejandra on the escalator ;-) but because of the camera-work, the locations and the overall quality-feel it had. Completed or not, it looked great. Yes it was a little thin story-wise but even then it left me wanting more when it was finished, which is a good thing

I sure hope you get to finish your entry next time!

 

[Ralph Oshiro]

 

[Norm Sanders]

FANTASTIC images you just posted, Ralph! Will post on the film itself soon ...

 

[Ted Arabian]

Damn Ralph! You have got such a great eye and skills at the camera, man! I love your work!!! Damn!

The sound is great, I love the score (who did the music?), the steadicam work is incredible, the locations rock and are visually wonderful, the shots are flat-out gorgeous! You are amazing behind the camera!

And that series of shots of Alejandra are beautiful!

You are one of my idols!!!

Great style!

Congrats on a great entry!

-Ted

 

[Edgen]

Ralph! Once again visually stunning film! I love the fact you went guerilla style and got some of those shots. I dig the action sequences leading up to the 'kill' and I'm looking forward to the finished film.

The command center footage was wonderful and the few lines she gave were great.

cheers and good luck!
/j

 

[AmyO]

Nice beginning. I can see why you want to wait to get everything up to par. I think it will be worth it. Keep us posted on the progress. I hope to see it appear in the user films section.

 

[Danielleus]

Hey,

So I'm gonna mix my review and actually mention what I didn't like about the film as well.
Production value was really very high. Loved it. Subway stuff and the outdoor stuff was, indeed as others have mentioned, strikingly well done.
Agree with Edgen in that the command center was fantastic and I was so very excited about the rest of it.
And I recognize that it is a prologue, or a chunk of what's to come.
I think it could've used a sniper-rifle (I'm just not sure if sniping with the automatic there works. At least, in my mind, it looks incredibly strange).
Probably could have benefited from some tighter filming, especially of the girl running across the parking structure. She seemed to struggle a bit with all of the gear. And I just don't buy the speed that she's going. Tighter might have made her look faster.
But I think you got the panic/anxiety/tension down well.
And again, production value was top notch.
Can't wait to see the final.

 

[Geoff_R]

Ralph, as usual...the visuals are stunning! Lots of great shots! You've got a great eye for cinematography; everything is well comped'. Production values are high and consistent; I really like the look/feel of that command center.

It was an exciting intro and I can't wait to see more of this project.

 

[Hootzie]

Hot production quality! There is a lot of reat film making there. Would have liked to see her feel more comfortable with that gear though but I can't wait to see the final story come together. Great job!

 

[Mike Insane]

Ralph, I loved everything in the film other than the wardrobe of your shooter. Shorts and a big knife doesn't seem tactical for someone in a city chasing a mark. Beyond that... I love the shots of the Hollywood and Highland train center... I work in the building above that. I think everything with the "controller lady was spactacular. Great job on all the visuals.

http://www.dvxfest.com/spyfest/loader.php?id=27648

 

[Ralph Oshiro]

The Steadicam work is incredible . . .

Thanks Ted, everyone, for all the very kinds words. But I just quickly wanted to point out . . .
THERE WAS NO STEADICAM FOOTAGE IN "LEVEL4." "LEVEL4" was mostly shot all HANDHELD! One dolly shot, and a few sticks shots.