George Villalba presents " NO MIDDLE GROUND"

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all the criticism and compliments, both are always welcome. We need criticism to grow as artists and compliments to realize we're on the right path. THanks.

No Corey Feldman in the movie, that would be nice!

We did everything in less than 2 months so of course there are gaps in the story, is not perfect. Actors we're all busy working on other projects so they didn't have enough time to practice with my script. But personally I think they all did an awesome job, very pro.

I'm reading every post and I think we all have different opinions or points of view about the short. I'm happy with the results and hopefully everyone had a great time watching my movie.

Some post talk about the CC and color temperature. Every scene has a different look. THe file that everyone downloaded look pretty washout, very bright and that's my bad since I'm not really good at compressing and all that jazz.

Right now we're working on the new CC which is actually the same but less bright, more shadows, just the way we shoot it.

If anyone has more questions about NMG's cinematography please email my DP Andy Velasco and he will answer your Q's, andyvelasco@gmail.com.

thanks for your support!
gv.
 
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Lots of great praise for No Middle Ground, and all of it deserved. I was quite shocked by the final product. Completely blown away.

Cinematography, acting, special effects, make-up, sound---every production element was at the highest level. It seems like the weakest part of this film was my writing!

George collaberated with me extensively on this script, shaping each element of action and dialog with care. There were many changes and revisions, and additional writing talent was brought in. The high production values in No Middle Ground reflect that kind attention to detail that George demands.

Nice work George!

John LaBonney
 
Herman Witkam said:
Hey - Very nice film guys, but why does Leo's cool score seem to be only in mono? :huh:
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Hi Herman...mono???I don´t hear that...actually the only thing is that it´s low in the mixing:)...I´m trying to edit the score for the listening pupose but actually I´m having problem in my system now!!!
 
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johnlabonney said:
Lots of great praise for No Middle Ground, and all of it deserved. I was quite shocked by the final product. Completely blown away.

Cinematography, acting, special effects, make-up, sound---every production element was at the highest level. It seems like the weakest part of this film was my writing!

George collaberated with me extensively on this script, shaping each element of action and dialog with care. There were many changes and revisions, and additional writing talent was brought in. The high production values in No Middle Ground reflect that kind attention to detail that George demands.

Nice work George!

John LaBonney
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John!!! my friend and writing partner! I'm happy you like the movie, I'm really sorry for been so picky when we were writing it but this is why I was so concerned about details and stuff. THis is your success as well, great job!

Loved "Spy for fun and profit" I thought it was really original and funny, loved the writing.

Hope we work together on future dvxuser projects.

regards
g.
 
Awesome! This is the first 'Fest' I've been here for and this is hands down my favourite. Well done guys.
 
Hi George,

you've heard this before but this was exceptionally well made. Very well crafted in every respect, from the directing down to the production and sound design. You show a real maturity in your craft. I expect many people will certainly be hard pushed to find any fault with this technically. Your action scene proves that good directing/editing can overcome any budget concerns. It all looked like a glossy hollywood production.

I feel I'm probably covering ground which has already been said.

As for the story, this is where I have my only concern, maybe its a personal thing but I found it to be a little bit predicatable and with somewhat generic characters. However, you did have a complete story told fully within the 6 minutes allowed with no flab. That alone is an achievement for a short film. The story was well told, just for me the story didnt have the hook that some other premises have had. (im nit picking by the way here :))

Certainlly in my top 5. The most well rounded short in the fest.
 
leogardini said:
Hi Herman...mono???I don´t heard that...actually the only thing is that it´s low in the mixing:)...I´m trying to edit the score for the listening pupose but actually I´m having problem in my system now!!!
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Leo > It seems almost fully mono (I tried the mono button for comparison, and it's almost the same). Stormdrum normally has a huge stereo image, but it's reduced to all center now, while only the sound FX of the bullets seem to be in stereo.
 
Hi Guys

Well great minds think alike don't they .

Your short takes place today , mine the 40's . The torture scenes are vastly similar but very different , again 40's Hollywood style and the new Hollywood .

Very enjoyable and my son just watched it ..loved it it .

I would like to see this on my LCD and not thru QT

The acting was great from all the actors . very believable I think.

I think you guys did a great job here with this short .

If you go DVD please keep informed as I wouldn't mind a copy .
Good luck in the fest !!
Ian
 
Awesome! This one really stands out for me, definitely one of my favorite films from the fest. I didn't realize you didn't use an adapter until I read your first post. I was almost certain that certain shots were done with an adapter.

Your story was good and kept me interested but I think the whole 'reveal' wasn't as strong as it could have been. I don't think it's the way the story was told but more so in the way it was edited. I knew the two were working together far too soon which made that whole reversal less impacting.

Anyway, awesome job on the film. I'm really looking forward to more of your work in the future.
 
Holy crap! What a film! OMG, do you know how to make an awesome looking film! I just loved the cimatography of this. The camera work was perfect. The editing on pace. The action intense! Wow.

The story was pretty neat. It was very unnerving when I started thinking just how far that guy went to "play along." Pretty cool.

Make-up and sound were outstanding!

That was incredible.

Whew!!!

-Ted
 
i just crap't my pants. How in gods name did you light such a beautiful piece? The grading is beyond my comprehension, but i must know how you lit this masterpiece. Are there any BTS stills?
 
Dizzam. This is probably the best film to come out of these fests besides Texas Fortune. I totally loved everything about this. You did a great job establishing your time changes with the color changes. I totally knew what was what. The drug lord did a great job I thought. The hits were looking real, the make up and blood rocked. I saw the ending also but was so entranced by the production value I really didn't give a sh!t. Damn that was freaking sweeeeeet!!!
The lighting in this was freaking pro to the hoe also.
 
Theodore J Arabian said:
Holy crap! What a film! OMG, do you know how to make an awesome looking film! I just loved the cimatography of this. The camera work was perfect. The editing on pace. The action intense! Wow.

The story was pretty neat. It was very unnerving when I started thinking just how far that guy went to "play along." Pretty cool.

Make-up and sound were outstanding!

That was incredible.

Whew!!!

-Ted
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Thanks my friend, I'm happy you liked the movie.

gv.
 
Aram Bauman said:
Dizzam. This is probably the best film to come out of these fests besides Texas Fortune. I totally loved everything about this. You did a great job establishing your time changes with the color changes. I totally knew what was what. The drug lord did a great job I thought. The hits were looking real, the make up and blood rocked. I saw the ending also but was so entranced by the production value I really didn't give a sh!t. Damn that was freaking sweeeeeet!!!
The lighting in this was freaking pro to the hoe also.
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Thanks you for the feedback! I loved your movie, loved the opening scene, the main character and the ending. One of my top 3.

thanks
gv.
 
Ted stole my line(damn you ted) holy crap what a film.. this is the most impressive movie I have scene. I was blown away... writing directing editing camera work... awesome just awesome.. I seriously want a hi rez version of this..

From beginning to end I was hooked... I cant say enough about this film...
 
EXCELLENT shots, music was great, and the sound design/SFX was good, though I thought a couple of hits could have been improved). Really cool CC choices, and a great story. Acting was quite good, and I especially loved the bodyguard, though he had a smaller role (i.e. with regards to dialogue), he looked VERY Hollywood. A thought dawned on me (haven't read back through the posts), but where was the use of 'Robin', other than in the credits?

The dedication that these two would have together in this master plan seemed a TAD over the top, in that they're willing to take gun fire from each other, allow his fingers to be broken, beat him across the face with a 2x4, etc. I mean, holy cow! :)
 
I love the way this looks. Especially at all the kitchen stuff, and at 2:15. Good acting, good story, good movie.
 
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