Taco time, Letus35 FE and Canon XH A1 Film School footage

Tyonek

Tyonek

New member
A couple of days after i got my Letus i made a movie for possibly my reel for film school. It was shot in about an hour using only one key light and not alot of help, and i used the small lcd Screen on my camera for focusing so please excuse the softness of it and the noise in the picture from the low light settings. But please, comments are more than welcome and advice is greatly appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzV31zWEKnI

thats the link to the movie

Greg
 
Fun film. I liked it, but it had some flaws.

Problems:

- Takes a long time to go anywhere. Would work better with sound. I understand the time constraints, but for future films. We just watch them order, fill up drinks, and we just hear music. Got a bit boring, especially with nothing visually pleasing (aside from the girl) or a convo to listen to.

- She scarfs it down like there's no tomorrow. I suppose this could be a preference, but IMO it's unrealistic and over the top. I would toned it down a bit. Obviously still very messy, but not "grab 5 tacos and try and stuff them in your mouth".

-The ending was a bit abrupt and confusing. I only saw it once, but if I remember, I didn't see the reaction of the guy. Also, it looked more like they we're dinning and dashing more than anything (so why didn't he eat his meal?). My assumption is that he ran off with her because he finds it hot or something? If that's the case, should have had as CU of his face with a huge smile, and maybe even afterwards he grabs his quesidilla and stuffs it in his mouth, and they laugh, etc... Or he smiles and they stare, and then they jump over the table and make out.


Aside from that, it was cool. Wish more was done with the idea though.
 
i like it, but frankly, it could have been told in about 30 seconds, and at the end, it couldve used a CU of the guy's face going from disturbed, to a smile, then back to athe girl who then smiles. charming, though
 
I agree that the ending doesn't make much sense. At least I did not understand it.

It also felt that it could have been shortened to be a a quick 30 seconds.

I enjoyed the shot selection and the look and feel of it. Keep it up.
 
Hans Moleman said:
i like it, but frankly, it could have been told in about 30 seconds, and at the end, it couldve used a CU of the guy's face going from disturbed, to a smile, then back to athe girl who then smiles. charming, though
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Beaten to the 30 second comment. At least I'm not the only one who thinks so.
 
yea, if i use it on my reel i will cut it down a little better, that was the first thing i thought of. thanks for the advice, its noce when people are honest.
 
I'll echo what everyone else said....
Also - as long as you're cutting it down - at 1:46 your actor looks directly into the camera.... it's quick but its there. Kind of threw me for a second...

Other than that - I'll second bball's comment - nice shot selection.
But yes, could be shorter, and I'm with Jon in thinking that her eating could have been toned down - its so over the top right now that I don't believe it....if she would have toned it down it would have seemed more sincere and would have come off as funnier and/or more disturbing.

But - that is a matter of preference I suppose.

Nice work overall.
Keep it up.
 
Yeah, this should be no longer than 30 seconds. 1 minute if you are really, really funny.

I disagree about the shot selections though. Not sure what people are talking about in here, but from what I'm seeing, the shot selections are pretty random and they fail to say anything.

They do not tell us anything about this couple.

Right now, these are pretty generic shots of a guy and girl presumably on a date. But for this gag to really play, you need to choose the shots to set up what the guy's expectation is. That's the comedy in this - reversed expectations. He expects one thing from a hot girl, and gets another. You kind of steam-roller over it.

Also, get rid of ALL shots actually showing her scarfing, or cut them very quickly. They are over the top, but they are also ugly. Again, the joke is in HIS REACTIONS. It's not funny to see a pretty girl with taco all over her face. It's funny to see a guy get freaked out about it.

Get rid of the adapter. It's useless in something like this, until you get the basics of comedy and story-telling down.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
I'll echo what everyone else said....
Also - as long as you're cutting it down - at 1:46 your actor looks directly into the camera.... it's quick but its there. Kind of threw me for a second...
Click to expand...

She does the same thing at about 1:14...and then it gets way too gross for way too long.

A couple of close ups between them at the end would have established a passionate connection, built some tension, and then they could have bolted.
 
Wow, Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. When i do the final cut ill post it and we will see if i made any improvement, hearing your words of wisdom actually makes me want to revise it, just dump it all and go for a re shoot. You guys inspire me to do it again and this time pay attention to what i am doing and what my actors are doing. Thank you very much

Greg:dankk2:
 
Something else to consider is your intended audience.
I bet most teens and young adults would find this humorous or 'cute'.

Also, I dont think the scene of the girl is "over the top" its just too long and used too much. (remember your intended audience)

For what you were working with and being new with the adapter, you did a fine job.

If you do decide on a re-shoot, keep the adapter, it worked on a couple of the scenes.
 
OK, a woman's opinion now:

1- liked it, liked the music, and some of the shots worked for me (following them at butt level when they walk away from the soda machine)

My suggestions:

1. Framing was a bit off here and there. At the soda machine, the master shot is off, the heads are cut but there is nothing else of interest to keep my attention... Shooting a bit from the top down may have worked better for you.

2. too much time at the soda machine. No need to see the whole thing.

3. they sit at table, ext. reverse shot over her shoulder, she should be blurry he should be in focus but is not, same for the other way around (I know, you did not have a monitor). So more care should be taken to keep the character you want the audience to pay attention to in focus. That's the whole idea with the 35 mm adapter, right?

4. she starts eating. I loved his reaction... A close up shot of him may have been good to have, seems mostly we see his reaction several times but from the same ext. reverse shot. So close up of her shoud have been matched by close ups of his reaction.

5. I agree she takes too long to eat and seems a little too messy, but the later did not bother me.

6. for the end to make really sense for me, I think she should have taken the straw in her mouth and sucked the whole drink up in one shot and then licked her lips. At that point he grabs her hand and runs out the door: WHY? Because any girl who can stuff her mouth like that and suck her drink which such enthousiasm must be GREAT in bed so at that point that's all that matters to him :).

At least that's how I understood the ending...

You can simply reedit it a bit and cut down a hair on length... It is a nice video and I would keep the 35 mm adapter but maybe use it better next time (hey you got to learn). I do not agree with the toning it down. i think it is funny because it is completely over the top and he remains so proper the whole time.

PS: I am thinking about buying the Letus extreme, how do you like it so far?
 
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Tyonek said:
Wow, Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. When i do the final cut ill post it and we will see if i made any improvement, hearing your words of wisdom actually makes me want to revise it, just dump it all and go for a re shoot. You guys inspire me to do it again and this time pay attention to what i am doing and what my actors are doing. Thank you very much

Greg:dankk2:
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If only all new members had an attitude like you. :thumbsup:

Go re-shoot it. Think of shots, think of acting, think of pacing, think of toning it down to keep it more realistic and funny. When editing, think "do I really need this shot?" and don't be afraid to not use half of your movie just to make it flow better. Willing to cut out shots that you worked long and hard on is something all new film makers must learn to do. Also think of your intention and you're audience.

Can't wait to see the next one.
 
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