The Last Son of Celeste *Online Debut*

Wow, some moments are the stroke of a genious. Really one of the best moments there i ever saw in a short. Not averything was brilliant, but some things especially the sound and music were great. Oh and the first shot was the best "first shot" i ever saw on the internet!

For the rest: Shawneous basically said everthing there is to say for me.

great piece!
 
Did you use a 35mm adapter?

Also please provide any production info you can on the A1 settings, color correction, etc. Thanks and great work!
 
Of course you used an adapter. I meant which one, and how did you manage that given that there are several hand-held shots?
 
You are one very talented young man! This a remarkable achievement considering your age and your involvement in so many aspects of the production. Bravo!

I'll only offer a few constructive comments, many of which have been offered by others here before:

I felt the lead actress was, well, weak, to put it bluntly. Her acting was tentative and lacked believability. I realize that you didn't have access to every actor you could dream of, but I felt her performance was an issue (I hope she doesn't read this - I'd hate to hurt her feelings!).

The male lead, except in a few shots, was really quite excellent. Many of his scenes and line readings were very full and believable. Like others have said, hang on to that guy!

Music, cinematography, editing, use of matte paintings and effects - all really excellent. Many beautifully composed shots. Nicely paced editing with a very sensitive rhythmic feel and very artful use of evocative B-roll shots.

Probably the biggest single weakness to me was the script. It's key weakness IMHO is a lack clarity. I'm going to surmise that you have a clear idea in your mind's eye what the "point", if you will, of the story is, but I fear it stayed too much in that screen on the inside of your forehead, and not in the eyes of us viewers. I've written scripts with this problem too.

I think the story mainly needs to be more clearly drawn. The dreamy quality that pervades the film is very pleasant, but I think a little more "nuts and bolts" storytelling and character development would help a great deal. It would also provide contrast to the dreaminess of the rest, which could actaully enhance the dreamy quality when it happens. Contrasting energies might be your best friend there, along with...again...clarity of story.

If we had a clear understanding of what was happening with (and to) the characters in your fictional world (and why) I think this film could rise from the "beautiful and promising, but flawed" category into the "little gem" category.

I hope you take my comments as constructively as they're intended. You show so much talent at your young age (what...22? Just out of college? Yikes...), that you absolutely *must* continue your filmmaking efforts undaunted. Please!

I'll look forward to slapping down my $10 at a big movie theatre when your first feature comes out : )

Keep up the great work!
 
IBEJohnson said:
Are you kidding me? This is ridiculous. They should give out IQ tests as a qualifier for a membership to this site. Then we could rid ourselves of comments such as these.

How much more clear does he have to make it? Junipero cam out BEFORE The Fountain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not after, or at the same time, but BEFORE.

Main Entry: 1be·fore
Pronunciation: bi-'for, bE-
Function: adverb or adjective
Etymology: Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English beforan, from be- + foran before, from fore
1 : in advance : [SIZE=-1]AHEAD[/SIZE] <marching on before>
2 : at an earlier time : [SIZE=-1]PREVIOUSLY[/SIZE] <the night before> <knew her from before>


You're right, you are entitled to your opinion, which made your original statements, although objectionable, acceptable nonetheless. But what you fail to comprehend is that once the air was cleared and the facts came out, opinion no longer plays a part. You can walk around telling the world that it's your opinion that the sun revolves around the Earth, but most people are just going to call you an idiot.

And about your original comments... I'm not sure if you're one of these people who wanders from site to site just to stir $h!t up or if you have a genuine interest in being an active member of DVXUser.com, but your style lacks class. Don't serve up backhanded compliments around here. We're not idiots, we can see right through it. It's disrespectful. This site is about help and support, and yes, sometimes criticism. If you have criticism, then deliver it with tact. If you have a question about someone's work, ask them, don't just make blind accusations.

OK, bro?
Click to expand...

you need to chill out homeboy. i am a regular viewer on this site and a proud member. i apologize for the way my remarks came off, and after re-reading them i realize that i gave the wrong impression. My words weren't meant to be hurtful or insulting but unfortunately, they came off that way.

again. im sorry, i'll take the bullet for that one.

to marlontorres. I especially apologize to you, being the creator of this piece of art. i intended to ask if you were "influenced by the fountain" or were paying "homage" to it, and again my words were not justly chosen. as i said before, i thoroughly enjoyed the film and would go as far as to say that it was one of my favorite indie films i have seen in quite some time. best of luck to you on future projects.

i did not intend to attack. i have been attacked about an "homage" i made to Boogie Nights in one of my earlier films, which is why i feel like a complete moron for even raising the topic. I've been there and i had no place to pose a remark like that without fair and even reasoning. Again, i apologize.

Sorry about the way things started. Not cool. My fault. I hope we can start over and be internet buds, cuz i would LOVE to talk to you about some techniqyes you used on The Last Son and on Junipero.

Oh. and Solaris is pretty good. interesting film.

thanks
 
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