The Watchman a Michael Anthony Horrigan Film

Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
LOL! :grin:

Thanks. :laugh:
BTW, The shot of the hammer is sped up to about 300% until the drop of blood finally falls. Then I slowed it down to around 40% for just that part.

I can't imagine watching all these entries while chatting online.

Cheers,

Mike
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LOVE that insight on the hammer shot!!!!! !!!!!! !!! Great ramping.

Also LOVE the IM chat transcript Ben. Fabulous! I love you guys!
 
THIS was an excellent film! I found myself drawn in and totally involved (7:40 to 7:42 - write film review). Great job all around...I can't find any negatives.
 
Great main character. I like your take on the time concept. I was hoping for more suspense in the house. I like the reveals at the end--neighborhood watch, leaves door unlocked. Great story, I was drawn in from the beginning.
 
Well Michael, you remain one of the most solid and original storytellers in the DVXUser fests. For all of the trouble you had in production, this was extremely well put together, and I'm really glad you got it in on time.

You have a really, really good eye for/skill in composition, something I was working on in my own entry.

But your shot choices, like when he's in the house and you choose to keep it off kilter and LOCKED. Love that. I love good use of a static camera. When there is interesting stuff going on in the frame, you really don't need to move the camera around. It's still kind of a sad crutch almost all of TV and movies uses now, moving the camera for the sake of moving it.

Anyway, I feel like you have a grasp on so many elements. As I said, composition, but also building tension, something simple like using the binocular POV so that our field of vision is limited in that part. And that is an OLD film device for building tension and suspense.

Also good use of the guy's hand. I know we know who is going into the house, but that little hand twitch just seemed like a really nice short-hand detail for us.

You should definitely look for some peeps to work with.

Is there more of this? A longer version to come?
 
Responses in bold below...

Mark Harris said:
Well Michael, you remain one of the most solid and original storytellers in the DVXUser fests.
That's quite the compliment. I think you may hold that crown though.

For all of the trouble you had in production, this was extremely well put together, and I'm really glad you got it in on time.
Thanks! It was extremely tough. The support I received from you and the others really helped push me along. Thanks for that.

You have a really, really good eye for/skill in composition, something I was working on in my own entry.
You nailed it in your entry. Flawless really.

But your shot choices, like when he's in the house and you choose to keep it off kilter and LOCKED. Love that. I love good use of a static camera. When there is interesting stuff going on in the frame, you really don't need to move the camera around. It's still kind of a sad crutch almost all of TV and movies uses now, moving the camera for the sake of moving it.
I really tried to learn from past mistakes and try new things. I still have a lot to learn.

Anyway, I feel like you have a grasp on so many elements. As I said, composition, but also building tension, something simple like using the binocular POV so that our field of vision is limited in that part. And that is an OLD film device for building tension and suspense.
Very old, I agree. I could have went overboard with it considering the subject manner but I didn't want to be accused of doing a Rear Window remake. :D

Also good use of the guy's hand. I know we know who is going into the house, but that little hand twitch just seemed like a really nice short-hand detail for us.
Thanks!

You should definitely look for some peeps to work with.
I know! It is really hard out here though. They all move off to Toronto. I bet I'm the only guy from Ottawa here, yet there are plenty from the Toronto area. :(

Is there more of this? A longer version to come?
Yes. About a minute and a half of extra footage, mainly from one scene I had to cut. I also want to add one scene that looks deeper into his psychosis. I just want to wait until I hear back from everyone.
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Thanks again, Mark!

Good luck with your awesome entry.

Mike
 
Oh man, what's not to like about this film? Great job!

Seems I heard whispers of this back when I was writing the DVX article. (?)

I guess if I had to nit-pik it would be the actress' second costume was not very flattering. Her first fit her to a tee. I got that she could kick some serious butt if provoked. Sorta had that Laura croft thing going on. Feminine, and deadly.

All your camera shots were right on the money. I was expecting a CU of the Watchman hiding up the hall, and was so pleased you went for the long shot.

It was all the more menacing.

The watchman did a great job. Had his compulsive disorder well in hand.

You certainly know how to match pace with genre.

Alex
 
Responses in bold below...

alex whitmer said:
Oh man, what's not to like about this film? Great job!
Thanks!

Seems I heard whispers of this back when I was writing the DVX article. (?)
Yes. When you asked me to write an article for it back in May this was the idea I was taking about. I came up with it while walking my dog one night. :)

I guess if I had to nit-pik it would be the actress' second costume was not very flattering. Her first fit her to a tee. I got that she could kick some serious butt if provoked. Sorta had that Laura croft thing going on. Feminine, and deadly.
Thanks. I went for realism and asked her to bring two outfits that she wears to bed. The daytime outfit was chosen by me, I asked for something dressy and sleek, but dark. She gave me a few options.

All your camera shots were right on the money. I was expecting a CU of the Watchman hiding up the hall, and was so pleased you went for the long shot.
It was all the more menacing.
Glad you liked the choice!

The watchman did a great job. Had his compulsive disorder well in hand.
Ian is an excellent actor.

 You certainly know how to match pace with genre.
Thanks for that comment especially.

Alex
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Cheers!

Mike
 
This was creepy! I thought it was a well done short film and a creepy and very intelligent evil genius in your actor. I think all of them did great and I enjoyed the film a lot.
 
For those who might be interested...
The cast was convinced that the world was against us on this shoot, aside from the weather and computer problems. Here's a great example!

We set up a shoot for the daytime garbage day confrontation between Ian and Jenn. The weather had forced us to reschedule countless times.
Finally the weather was cooperating! Lucky for us since this would be Jenn's last available day to shoot before the fest deadline.

We talk on the phone, the weather is good, we give it the green light.

Just before they show up I hear this obnoxiously loud noise coming from outside, it sounds like a giant vacuum cleaner!
I look out the window and see a truck with large hoses running from it and leading into the house next door. They are getting their air ducts cleaned.

The cast shows up and they are shaking their heads as they approach the door. They know as well as I do that this is just par for the course.

We discuss things and just figure... "Hell, this can't take that long!??"

After close to an hour I head outside to see if this will ever end. The driver informs me that after this house he's doing two more.
The one on the other side of my house and the one next to that. I kid you not!! I was defeated. :(

I walk back into the house to deliver the bad news. I was against ADR'ing this scene! It never comes out right for me and I lose the live dynamic.

We're close to calling it and giving up as far as a Fest entry goes when Jenn says... "Let me talk to him."

After a few moments she's back in the house and says... "Let's go! We have at most half an hour!"

Turned out that it takes them close to half an hour before they are done setting up for the next house and the real noise begins all over again.
Closer to 20 minutes actually.

We ran out and shot the entire confrontation scene over the garbage can during that time. 20 minutes at most.
All the while trying our best to keep things (and noises) around us out of the scene.

Mike
 
Well... now that you mention ADR i only noticed in one line from the watchman (when he get caught). The rest was perfect.
 
mik said:
Well... now that you mention ADR i only noticed in one line from the watchman (when he get caught). The rest was perfect.
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Do you mean her first line? Maybe it got shifted out of synch on the timeline. I'll have to check it.

We recorded ADR for that scene but I never used it. The same intensity just wasn't there.

Mike
 
Here are some grabs from a scene that's in the Director's Cut.
I had to cut this scene due to time.

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Mike
 
great story, great feel to the film. Really well done. The only constructive critism is that for the confrontation scene, the mics seemed a little bit far away. Believe me that this is a nit-picky thing! It was still good audio... so it may be a personal preference. Man I loved this film! Good job.
 
Nothing bad to say about this film. Really solid work, all around. Seriously chilling characterization. This is definitely among the best entries I've seen so far.
 
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