"Chateau Orlock"...........by Kirk Attard

K

Kirk Attard

Member
This is my first fest entry.
Uploaded on Wednesday - awaiting approval.

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We shot the film on three seperate days. Had to cancel a couple of times due to a very rainy week.

This is the cast and crew.
From left to right Kevin(grip), Pierre (location manager), Antoine as M.Drekavic. Adam Brimmer as D.Orlock and lighting technician, production advisor and artwork. And myself.
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I tried to come up with a different style for the Hallows fest - a Classical noir style. Had some issues with the lighting but managed to produce a nice feel in the end. I did not want to write something too complex for my first fest so I settled in for three locations and two actors.

Adam Brimmer as D.Orlock
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Antoine Butigieg as M.Drekavic

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The film tells a story about the last moments of a man in charge of a failing winemaking company.
 
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I'm thinking that the wine was really blood and his blood was the next "wine" on the list....
The bottle had his name on it and it was soon to be filled with his blood.

Or I'm way off base. :)

This was pretty good but the pacing really needed work. I don't think we needed 1:30 of him sitting around at his desk while the day passes by.

I did like the look of the movie though.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi Kyser.

You go the story just right. The tall office scene was to put emphasis that consulting with Drekavic was indeed a last resort. Maybe it was a bit too much after all.
 
Kirk Attard said:
Hi Kyser.

You go the story just right. The tall office scene was to put emphasis that consulting with Drekavic was indeed a last resort. Maybe it was a bit too much after all.
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Awesome! I love it when I pay attention. :)

Yah, it was a tad long. Maybe adding a quick scene with him discussing his situation with someone else. That might have helped.

Live and learn.

Nice work though!

Cheers,

Mike
 
Thanks Mike.
I tried to put the element that one really needs to pay attention to get what's going on.

Really liked your film too. Like the stlye. Prop work and preparation made it look really pro. And the story is one of the most original.

Am trying to upgrade to an HVX or EX1 for the next or following fest.

Kirk
 
Loved the poster. Liked the movie.

The music really worked well. I liked the look of the characters.

The office scene was way too long and also was an unconvincing office. The head office of a winery would be bigger, or have a bigger desk or at least have some "wine stuff" displayed.

Found the unsteady small table in the last scene distracting. I was wondering whether it was going to play a role. But it didn't.

Loved the color effect when the wine was poured. Really nice.

If Kyser hadn't referred to the story, I never would have got it.

Liked the look of it. Thanks.
 
The black & white silent film approach helped the mood of this piece. Interesting choice.

I admit I didn't really follow it too well however.
 
I used an XL1s. Shot in frame mode.
I have to admit that doing a silent movie is harder than i thought. You must really put the images right to send the exact message you want to.

As for the wine i masked it frame by frame. Was quite a lengthy process but am happy with the result.
 
REVIEW:
Another black and white film. Awesome. Welp, I think the story suffered a bit. Silent films are a ***** to do right, and Murnau and a select other few were the only ones to really pull it off without title cards. At any rate, I think this film had a lot going for it. I look forward to more films from you.

FILMMAKER-TO-FILMMAKER:
If you're going to shoot a classic silent movie, then the score is the only thing you're going to have in the soundtrack. With the foley elements added, then when the guys are speaking, it makes me wonder "is there something wrong with my speakers?" I like the imagery, the story idea, etc., technically shot well. Just need better execution in the story planning and in the cutting room. But a fine attempt at something "different". Good job.
 
Thanks John, I always like reding your reviews. Very constructive and to the point as always.

Silent films are indeed more difficult than i expected. Thanks and I really liked your stlye too.
 
I think you telegraphed the "surprise" ending right from the beginning, but maybe that was your intent. It had great gothic atmosphere, it felt like Nosferatu from frame one, so the vampire reveal was not really a surprise. I agree the opening locked off camera shot went on way too long. You could have used the old cross dissolve of a clock to show the passing of time, a melting candle, shadow timelapse, or something similar.
Look forward to your next film.
 
Way to take on a challenging project. I was able to follow the story, but I was left wondering why he needed to call Drekavic in the first place. The montage in the beginning maybe could have been replaced by the ol' sweeping clock hand or a similar device--since it seemed like you were going for that retro feel anyway. Speaking of retro, I would have liked Drekavic to be played up as a little more creepy. Also the scene where he picked up the vampire's card seemed a little forced. I can't say I hand out my business card to just anyone I literally bump into. But then, I'm not a vampire on the hunt for blood (last I checked) so there you go I guess. Again, gotta commend you for putting additional restrictions on yourself. Good work!
 
This film did nothing for me.

I just couldn't get into it; whether it be the audio or cinematography, the minute and 45 second montage of the same thing over and over or the anti-climatic ending.

Nothing in this piece was stimulating cinematically.
 
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