"Into the Dark" - 5 Minute Short for the Film Racing Grand Prix

[Chris Messineo]

The Film Racing Grand Prix is a timed movie contest.

Our team was assigned the theme "The Future" and the prop "A Flashlight"

Here is a link to the finished film (shot in a day): "Into the Dark"

For those who are curious, this was shot with an HVX and a Fig Rig. Lighting was with two KinoFlo's and a couple of clamp lights.

I'd love to hear what you think of it (good or bad).

 

[Chris Messineo]

I thought I would add our production schedule, since people might be curious because it was a timed contest.

The Film Racing Grand Prix is a 100 hour event starting Thursday night at 8:00.

Thursday Night - This was set aside for coming up with a story idea. Unfortunately, nothing came to me and I went to bed at 2:00 very worried.

Friday Morning - Finally got an idea.

Friday Afternoon - Wrote the script.

Friday Night - Cast came over to discuss the story, tweak it, rehearse, and block.

Saturday - Shooting All Day

Sunday - Editing All Day

Sunday Night - The finished edit is sent to Herman Witkam in the Netherlands so he can write and mix the score.

Monday - Slide the score into place, minimal color grading and correction, and then export. Mailed off at 4:15 (15 minutes before the post office closed).

Not a lot of sleep during the week-end, but everyone had a great time.

 

[Robbie Comeau]

So you fixed that picture finally eh?

Chris,

Can you share the specs in-terms of lighting, crew, and camera settings?

Nice short,

r

 

[Charlie Anderson]

I thought the concept was interesting but the writing could have used a lot of work. The 3rd character that comes in has a creepy tone to him until he pulls out the gun and then it just goes downhill for me. I really didn't believe the actors at all, they seemed to switch from a film actor to a theatre actor multiple times, as there were parts that were good like in the opening, but after that i just didn't buy it.

the lighting was really distracting. It seemed if there was just a random light sitting on the floor shining up at Sarah, giving a horror feeling to a drama story. I kept thinking to myself "why's that light coming from the side when the fire's right in front of her and it's barely illuminating her?" I take it the only 3 light sources are the fire, the moonlight, and the flashlight so I was trying to see how the scene would be lit with that in mind...and I just wasn't getting it. I think the best lit scene was the opening and the part where the guy knocks on the door and is let in. Using a flickerbox or even some tinfoil to get some random reflections on the characters face to simulate the fire would have really sold it. Also noticed that the light goes out (or someone steps in front of it) when the crazy guy asks for some water for his kids...

The audio kept cutting in an out from good audio to bad audio, almost as if the boom wasn't close enough in a lot of the shots and the audio was boosted to compensate. I hate to be a stickler but audio is just as important (if not more important) than a good picture.

Not bad, pretty intiuitive for a 100hour project, I've done a few 48 hour film projects myself so I know what it's like. I've done some crappy 48 hour films but I can never use the line "oh well I only had 48 hours to do this" because I've seen some amazing work done. Take a look at, I think the best 48 hour film todate, "White ***** Down" (http://www.48.tv and register to watch, it won't take long)

But hey! Filmmaking is all about learning right? hope this helps and let me know if you ever want help for future projects, I'm in Baltimore and not far from Jersey.

 

[Chris Messineo]

Can you share the specs in-terms of lighting, crew, and camera settings?

The lighting came primarily from two kino-flo 200's. One was gelled for firelight, the other was providing a little ambient light/background light. For two shots, there were some clamp lights, but this was pretty minimal. Also, we kept the fire going throughout the day and that provided some light as well.

The crew was three, 1 on Camera, 1 on Sound, and 1 Gopher/Grip helping out wherever needed.

I don't remember the camera settings off the top of my head, but I will check and get back to you.

I thought the concept was interesting but the writing could have used a lot of work. The 3rd character that comes in has a creepy tone to him until he pulls out the gun and then it just goes downhill for me. I really didn't believe the actors at all, they seemed to switch from a film actor to a theatre actor multiple times, as there were parts that were good like in the opening, but after that i just didn't buy it.

This is what I love about sharing my films at DVXUser - brutal honesty.

the lighting was really distracting. It seemed if there was just a random light sitting on the floor shining up at Sarah, giving a horror feeling to a drama story. I kept thinking to myself "why's that light coming from the side when the fire's right in front of her and it's barely illuminating her?" I take it the only 3 light sources are the fire, the moonlight, and the flashlight so I was trying to see how the scene would be lit with that in mind...and I just wasn't getting it. I think the best lit scene was the opening and the part where the guy knocks on the door and is let in. Using a flickerbox or even some tinfoil to get some random reflections on the characters face to simulate the fire would have really sold it. Also noticed that the light goes out (or someone steps in front of it) when the crazy guy asks for some water for his kids...

I agree. I wish we had done more to help simulate the firelight and there is a little too much unmotivated lighting.

The audio kept cutting in an out from good audio to bad audio, almost as if the boom wasn't close enough in a lot of the shots and the audio was boosted to compensate. I hate to be a stickler but audio is just as important (if not more important) than a good picture.

I respect your opinion, but I'm not sure where you are coming from on this. I don't think the audio ever cuts out. In fact it was all surprisingly clean and the levels were great. Maybe I just have bad ears.

Not bad, pretty intiuitive for a 100hour project, I've done a few 48 hour film projects myself so I know what it's like. I've done some crappy 48 hour films but I can never use the line "oh well I only had 48 hours to do this" because I've seen some amazing work done. Take a look at, I think the best 48 hour film todate, "White ***** Down" (http://www.48.tv and register to watch, it won't take long)

Actually, we have done several "timed contests" and I would never use that as an "excuse" for the quality of our film - especially if you are presenting the film as entertainment. I do think though, given a forum like this, it is relevant to mention it.

But hey! Filmmaking is all about learning right? hope this helps and let me know if you ever want help for future projects, I'm in Baltimore and not far from Jersey.

Thanks for the offer to help. I'm not sure we're up to your standards. Maybe someday.

 

[Charlie Anderson]

The crew was three, 1 on Camera, 1 on Sound, and 1 Gopher/Grip helping out wherever needed.

Ah the skeleton crew, I've been there all too well, did one of those 2 weeks ago for a music video.

I respect your opinion, but I'm not sure where you are coming from on this. I don't think the audio ever cuts out. In fact it was all surprisingly clean and the levels were great. Maybe I just have bad ears.

by cutting in and out I mean it sounds as if they're far away and then really close to the mic, I can definitely tell a difference in the audio. Specific example are: Good audio - "something like this, it changes everything", bad audio (scene right before it) - "couldn't you hear me by the door?" It sounds as if the boom is catching the audio that's bouncing off the walls instead of the source, hence the echo sounding audio. I'm just a stickler for audio as I used to be an audio technician for a AV company, so I guess I just pick it up a lot easier (hell I can tell when they did ADR in The Shield by the way the ambient noise changed)

Actually, we have done several "timed contests" and I would never use that as an "excuse" for the quality of our film - especially if you are presenting the film as entertainment. I do think though, given a forum like this, it is relevant to mention it.

absolutely!! It's amazing to see what kind of work can get done in a short amount of time! I wasn't degrading your work because of that, i was saying that I've used that excuse in the past for my own timed contests.

Thanks for the offer to help. I'm not sure we're up to your standards. Maybe someday.

Hehe I didn't know I had standards I'm just willing to learn from other people as some people do things differently than others and I'm just trying to soak up as much as possible and also trying to get as much experience as possible.

 

[Charlie Anderson]

btw i watched some of your other stuff and man do you have a great visual style! I think The Riverbank is your best thus far. You should use the guy who played the detective more often, he's very good. IS that shot with the HVX? If so I need to get your camera settings form you man, that's just awesome looking images!

 

[JimiK]

Hey Chris I watched some of your movies and I have to say you are good my friend.Did you shoot everything with HVX?
Keep up the good work.

 

[Chris Messineo]

Thanks for checking out the website and some of our other films. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

The first five were shot with the DVX and the last seven have been shot with the HVX.

We're definitely still learning all the time and trying to get better.