The Watchman a Michael Anthony Horrigan Film

Great work Michael. Amazing photography, and your lead actor was just about perfect. He didn't push the neurotic angle too hard, which was nice. The score was subtle and added a nice level to the mood. I liked the framing of the hallway scene. Cramped and all off to one side lending a feeling of being off-balance. Nice touch. All around a great film. :)
 
Mike Insane said:
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.
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At the beginning of their meet and greet the mic was a bit of a distance away from her. I kind of liked the sound so I didn't try to boost it.

Nice catch! As they got close to one another it was pretty even. Glad you still thought it was good audio.

Cheers!
 
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Duff said:
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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Thanks! To be grouped among the best in this fest is quite the compliment. I had a real tough time making this one, glad you thought it was worth the effort. Next time I'm going to get a crew if it kills me though!

:dankk2:
 
AmyO said:
Great work Michael. Amazing photography, and your lead actor was just about perfect. He didn't push the neurotic angle too hard, which was nice. The score was subtle and added a nice level to the mood. I liked the framing of the hallway scene. Cramped and all off to one side lending a feeling of being off-balance. Nice touch. All around a great film. :)
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Thanks!
I tried to focus on my framing this time around. I usually rush it since I'm also setting up the lighting, mic, etc...
This time around I took my time with it. Except for a couple of scenes that we had to rush due to time constraints. I usually have a lot of moments in my films where I go... "man, I really should have shot that differently."

This is the first one that I am personally satisfied with. For the most part anyway. :D

I'm happy that someone mentioned the score again! I used Justin's music at key moments and it really seemed to fit the mood. He's an amazing talent.
I believe some of the actors are now watching this thread so they'll be happy to read the nice compliment as well.

Cheers!

Mike
 
Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
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
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Mike, are you kidding?!! That's nuts! LOL. The things indie filmmakers have to endure. I can't believe you shot that dialogue scene so fast. It turned out really good and convincing. I think that scene really set up everything with the movie. Even though it was a short dialogue scene, you got from the conversation that there was a tension that already existed between the two of them. Excellent work. The shots from the deleted scenes look good too. When are you gonna' put that in??

Anyway, yours is no question one of the top ones. You done good.
 
leenewton said:
Mike, are you kidding?!! That's nuts! LOL. The things indie filmmakers have to endure. I can't believe you shot that dialogue scene so fast. It turned out really good and convincing. I think that scene really set up everything with the movie. Even though it was a short dialogue scene, you got from the conversation that there was a tension that already existed between the two of them. Excellent work. The shots from the deleted scenes look good too. When are you gonna' put that in??

Anyway, yours is no question one of the top ones. You done good.
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Thanks! Yah, shooting that scene was especially hectic. I think we got about three takes done.

I should have the Director's Cut finished before the end of the Festival for sure.

:thumbsup:
 
Absolutely chilling... I finished watching it and immediately started it again. I wish you had included the side view of the compulsive killer waiting for the husband to take the dog out instead of just his torso and arm. I missed him the first time seeing it because of the lack of humaness in the coat and lack of motion. Some slight focus issues in the hallway, but that kind of added to the effect of us wondering where he was.

As a 'time' compulsive, I found him a bit too clean in his appearance. But this was inconsistant. His hair was very nice and he had a neatly groomed beard, yet he did not tuck in his shirt. Many OCD individuals I have known have other parts of their lives that they neglect. I would have liked to see some of that in your main character.

I really liked this film. It is one of the best in the fest. A hearty well done!
 
Hey Michael, I agree w/ the others that this is top of the fest. I feel like it's a step up as well for you which is the goal. To get better each time. This was one of the few that I watched more then 2 times. I think the actors did a great job and there was some cool suspense here.

Nice :thumbsup:
 
Gary Sconce said:
Absolutely chilling... I finished watching it and immediately started it again. I wish you had included the side view of the compulsive killer waiting for the husband to take the dog out instead of just his torso and arm. I missed him the first time seeing it because of the lack of humaness in the coat and lack of motion. Some slight focus issues in the hallway, but that kind of added to the effect of us wondering where he was.

As a 'time' compulsive, I found him a bit too clean in his appearance. But this was inconsistant. His hair was very nice and he had a neatly groomed beard, yet he did not tuck in his shirt. Many OCD individuals I have known have other parts of their lives that they neglect. I would have liked to see some of that in your main character.

I really liked this film. It is one of the best in the fest. A hearty well done!
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Thanks! Glad you liked it enough to watch it twice!
Thanks for the "one of the best" comment as well. :)

I thought that the hand shot before he came out was enough of a heads up. I actually also like that he is almost off frame.
It was a personal choice. You do have to look for him as he's hiding.

The focus in the hallway was locked. It never changed and that was deliberate.
We may flesh out his quirks in the Director's Cut just a tad.

Glad that you found it all interesting enough to make some well constructed comments!

Cheers!

Mike
 
Slimothy said:
Hey Michael, I agree w/ the others that this is top of the fest. I feel like it's a step up as well for you which is the goal. To get better each time. This was one of the few that I watched more then 2 times. I think the actors did a great job and there was some cool suspense here.

Nice :thumbsup:
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Thanks, man. :thumbsup:

I appreciate it.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Bring it on! :)

I've had quite a few positive reviews this fest (which is very new to me) and I really appreciate all of them.

Now, for those who are willing... I would like to see a little more constructive criticism. Especially from those who have already posted comments.
If you haven't commented yet... please go with your initial gut reaction. You can pick it apart later.

Now, constructive criticism is always welcome. Baseless bashing is not. :D
It will help myself and my cast improve so I'm all for it.

Have at it.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Nice! my wife and I enjoyed this, nice and entertaining.

Technically I enjoyed the hitchcock'esque shooting style, though your opening frame was pretty bad lighting.

Good acting by your actors too! Especially the twitchy guy.
 
shawneous said:
Nice! my wife and I enjoyed this, nice and entertaining.

Technically I enjoyed the hitchcock'esque shooting style, though your opening frame was pretty bad lighting.

Good acting by your actors too! Especially the twitchy guy.
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Thanks, Shawn. Everything was lit with natural lighting and/or household lamps, including the opening scene.
I'm actually quite proud of that considering the camera.
I'm glad that you both enjoyed it.

Cheers!

Mike
 
Yeah, one of my favorites as well. Nice take on the time theme too. Can't believe this was shot on hv20 with no adapter. That little camera shines here.

Your character reminds me of a character I created in a script I posted here a long time ago, and your actor played him wonderfully. Good job.
 
STYLZ said:
Yeah, one of my favorites as well. Nice take on the time theme too. Can't believe this was shot on hv20 with no adapter. That little camera shines here.

Your character reminds me of a character I created in a script I posted here a long time ago, and your actor played him wonderfully. Good job.
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Yup, naked HV20, no adapters, just the wide angle for a few shots. I've shot a few short movies with it now so I'm getting to know how it works.

The theme is always an important part of these festivals for me.

In SpyFest (my first fest) I went with a script that John LaBonney wrote about a bumbling spy.

In Hallows Fest the theme was "DARKNESS". I wrote & shot a short about what happens when the sun is longer shining. Loosely based on a prophecy of sorts, JOEL: 315.

For LoveFest I wrote & shot a dramatic story about a little girl who sees a possible future unfold before her through her Music Box.

This time I wanted to do something different since I knew there would be plenty of futuristic time traveling entries. The idea of having someone watching a house came to me one night as I took my dog for his regular walk. Then I thought... what would this person be like? That's when I was able to tie in his obsession with time. It actually goes much deeper than that but we only had six minutes. :)

BTW, I would love to see your script! PM me.

Thanks again for the compliments!

Cheers,

Mike
 
I watched this a few days back at work, so not the best viewing environment. I really really liked it. Some initial impressions were that the audio was spiking out during the dialogue (might have just been the speakers), that the girl looking in the mirror shot was too long, and that I didn't quite get the ending. I LOVED the shot of her coming down the hallway.

I'm going to give this another view today and then I'll give you some more in-depth commentary.
 
Looking forward to your in-depth comments! Please use headphones for the full effect. Justin's score rocks. Try not to be distracted either.

jasonthewho said:
Some initial impressions were that the audio was spiking out during the dialogue (might have just been the speakers)
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It was probably your speakers. Sounds good to me on decent speakers and you are the first to mention it.

Cheers!

Mike
 
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