GOOD|SAM - a minimalist film by hunter richards and anthony pierce

This was by far my favorite of the fest so far, the story was great and I am glad to see how well the direction turned out wiht the young'n. Thumbs up from me!
 
Thanks for the feedback. We had a really good time making this happen. And yes, the sound was make-shift (my audio dept was not in the picture for this one). Thanks for not bashing me on audio!

-Hunter
 
Hunter.

The story was the highlight of this film for me, and story wise, one of the highlights of the fest.

"A minimalist Production" really fits this little film very well :)

Sound issues have been pointed out, so no need to dwell on that. Lighting in the pawn shop, etc... some technical things.

I enjoyed the boy. And, actually thought the highlight, acting wise, was the guy who bought the necklace.

I thought it was an excellent touch having him wake up in this pink room, etc... and it really helps give the film a nice circle of completeness with the reveal of the mailbox at the end.

Very nice work. Technical things aside, this is still one of my favorites of the fest, just for the simple fact that I enjoyed the story so much.

I also enjoyed the style overall, and dug the music as well.

Thanks, very much. I'll have to find some other stuff by you now, as this is the first thing I have seen of yours, but I know others have spoken highly of your past works.

Later,
Jason
 
The composition was excellent. The story flowed fairly well and the payoff was big. I saw it coming just before it happened, but it still worked really well.

I won't nitpick on what others have already mentioned.

The framing was perfect!
 
I've only seen 10 films so far but yours is way up there. I really enjoyed the film. Ending, guy in pawn shop, etc... same as what others have mentioned already - good stuff.

I liked the how the shots were moving from home, front yard, recycle machines, subway, walking, etc... Kept me moving with the story. Smooth transitions, I never felt interrupted even though you were covering lots of ground. Overall excellent work.

You are the same guy with the hpx relay test right? No desire to use it on this fest? I think it looked clean and cinematic without it but I was just wondering.
 
Wow, Thanks for the kind words guys. We (Tony and I) are just thankful we finished. This film actually put our friendship on the rocks (I have heard that happens sometimes while filmmaking). It was really a good learning experience for all of us. Also, Geno Romo (The Pawn Guy who bought the Necklace) will be thrilled that someone pointed out his fine acting. I really think he did a great job.

About the letus. Yes, I beta tested the prototype for 2/3" cameras (and I would of like to use one for this film) but it just didnt work out. (I am actually kinda glad it didn't though) We used a wide-angle Eng lens, it just made working really fast and simple.

Thanks again for the constructive comments, we really appreciate it.
 
Definitely enjoyed yours the most hunter. I thought it was well done and incredibley well shot. The story was so intriguing, it kept me watching and had a really fulfilling ending. Impressive. I didn't like the sound too much or the acting in the pawn shop, but other than that...great work.

-Kegan
 
GOOD|SAM -- REVIEWISH WITH SOME "AWWW OMG!" IN IT!

Sniff sniffle. Top 5. Hunter and team comes out of nowhere with an endearing, touching short and I have no bones about it. No SERIOUS bones anyway. Really good all around job and a special + for keeping the story real; something I can't do.

The only REAL thing that MIGHT have set me off here was pacing. It took a bit of time to get to the punch but you delivered on a lot of things necessary for the journey. I can't tell you to restructure the actual script, it's not about that. I want to ask if you were to shorten, tighten, remove certain portions of the cut as it is would it hurt anything? If not, then cutting slash trimming would be great.

Here's why it WORKED for me, though: It's not about a character arc in this one. It's about character spirit and the journey of the spirit into places that threaten to remove that purity, possibly turning it evil or "dark". The spirit survives and reaches it's goal despite dangers, opposition. This is EXACTLY why this works on every single level and I envy the production for great execution.

I want to ask: Are you finished with the color grading? Did Final Cut wash it out on export?

I am so not about to get into sound, acting, etc. It's unnecessary to comment on these things given the parameters aka what you have to work with. Aside from bettering sound next go around, it's all just the typical uphill path of improvement. With what you HAD, team, you did an excellent job. High Marks!!!

My girlfriend watched. She remarked: Awwww that was such a good one!

Thanks!
 
Here's why it WORKED for me, though: It's not about a character arc in this one. It's about character spirit and the journey of the spirit into places that threaten to remove that purity, possibly turning it evil or "dark". The spirit survives and reaches it's goal despite dangers, opposition.
Click to expand...

That's a really good observation, Kholi.

Later,
Jason
 
Some technical issues, but overall I really liked it. Very simple idea and simply executed. Dolly shot at the end was nice, but wasn't really with the visual style of the rest of the movie since it's not really motivated. The yard and the door to the house are both perfectly in frame before the move, I think it would've helped if you panned left a bit more, so the dolly would've been a necessary move to keep him in frame, then the mailbox seems more like a happy accident.

However, that's a minor complaint. Overall I thought you did a GREAT job here.
 
Thanks for the comments kholi. I am open to making cuts and adjustments on the film, the feedback really helps. I really like your comment about the story also, you really put it into words.

About the grading (or lack of): I calibrated my camera and exposed all of the shots to match the best I could. I only CCed a few shots. I know exactly what your talking about "the washed out look", I am thinking the same! It didnt look like that before I compressed it to h264 and the dvd I made doesnt look like that. I wonder if there is a fix for that?

Thanks again.
 
Just a production note, every dolly shot was executed with a diy skater dolly and portable picnic table. I admit, while we were shooting in the rain, I was thinking more about my camera and rented gear getting wet vs framing. We had one chance to get that shot, partly because of rain and mostly because we lost our only prop set (in the air)! Its just one of those things where you gotta use what ya got.

Thanks for the comment Gohanto.
 
ahh, in Compressor, turn on "frame controls" and set everything to "best". this will make things take much longer but the image will be much closer to the original.
 
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