"The Quetzalcoatlus Effect" -- By James Duffy
- Thread starter Duff
- Start date
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Exactly how I felt. I laughed and that is what matters. I would work on framing and camera movement and then tackle the next short!
Very punny. loved the dialog (although it wasn't quite delivered very naturally), but given the time constraints & obstacles, good job, well written. And the bearded, 60 year old version is in great shape.....maybe he was abusing the space-time continuum and found the razor-less fountain of youth.
Le Blanc
New member
I really dug this.
I think part of the reason people are mentioning the acting seeming unnatural is that there seems to a bit of a lull before each response. This can be tightened up by editing down those quiet seconds, but also, by reminding each actor to start speaking just before the other actor has finished saying their last word, so that, in general, the dialogue is contiguous.
I think part of the reason people are mentioning the acting seeming unnatural is that there seems to a bit of a lull before each response. This can be tightened up by editing down those quiet seconds, but also, by reminding each actor to start speaking just before the other actor has finished saying their last word, so that, in general, the dialogue is contiguous.
Susanne G.
Well-known member
Very funny story - yes, I admit I laughed. I also like the Belfast t-shirt and the "Pinocchio" in the livingroom furniture. When the boy jumped out of the window in the garden, what was this person at the end of the house? It seems somebody in a white bunny costume!?
All above, I enjoyed your film.
Susanne
All above, I enjoyed your film.
Susanne
Michael Anthony Horrigan
More Cowbell Pictures
LOL! This was funny! I love the guy in the green shirt, I believe we saw him in the last Fest as well.
This was pretty entertaining and I really enjoyed the storyline. Great dialogue as well. :thumbup:
Cheers,
Mike
This was pretty entertaining and I really enjoyed the storyline. Great dialogue as well. :thumbup:
Cheers,
Mike
Very funny - I loved the script and how you worked in so much of the ridiculous time travel lingo and theories out there haha. Also, I'm from VA too near Chantilly so I feel your pain about the adverse weather... it was sweltering hot when we were filming too (until it started storming).
Duff
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for the responses. Glad I could be of entertainment value 
Megapost time:
I found a thread on their forum of someone asking if they could use some of the webography in a video (the webography being the songs they've released for free on the website, under no particular license). The band said it's more or less OK to use those songs so long as you get their permission beforehand and give them full credit. So I fired off an email and sent them a private message on the forum, and they told me it was fine. They're really cool guys.
Haha, that would be me. I missed out on LoveFest, but I did submit "Shalloween" for All Hallows Fest. And yes, I played the irrational asshole in that film, too. I guess that's just how I typecast myself.
We applied a generous amount of grey-hair-stuff to both my head and my beard, but what looked realistic to the eye ended up barely being visible on camera. Originally Wise-Beard-Man-James was supposed to be 42, but the amount of grey visible to the eye looked too much for a 40-year-old, so we bumped my age up a few decades. Go figure you can't even see it in the final cut, making the age seem like a horrible over-estimate.
Thanks for the tip. I try to have us say our lines separately because I've had problems with the off-axis actor ruining the ends of the other person's lines. I hate editing, though, so I'm inclined to declare a movie finished rather than put in another hour or two tightening up dialogue. I'm sure someone who doesn't mind the tedium that is post-production could do a much better job with the footage, but unfortunately I haven't found that person yet!
Haha, I'm so glad someone noticed that. A year and a half ago I won a video contest for Robot Chicken with a short about time travel (which is coincidentally one of my favorite themes). Here's the entry: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=dTI3ri-kof0
I thought it would be hilarious if every time the spacetime continuum gets F'ed up in any of my films, the snowman makes an appearance, even if it's only in the background of a single shot. And yes, there is a high probability that he'll be making further appearances.
I'd propose we work together on a project sometime, but I'm moving to Korea for a year to teach English. I liked your entry, and there don't seem to be many filmmakers in our area on this forum. Oh well, bad timing I guess.
Anyway, keep the comments coming. I just got back in town, and I'm just now getting around to viewing all the entries. I'm trying to leave thorough constructive criticism for every film, so it might take me a few days to get around to all of them. This kind of feedback is much appreciated.
Megapost time:
I found a thread on their forum of someone asking if they could use some of the webography in a video (the webography being the songs they've released for free on the website, under no particular license). The band said it's more or less OK to use those songs so long as you get their permission beforehand and give them full credit. So I fired off an email and sent them a private message on the forum, and they told me it was fine. They're really cool guys.
Haha, that would be me. I missed out on LoveFest, but I did submit "Shalloween" for All Hallows Fest. And yes, I played the irrational asshole in that film, too. I guess that's just how I typecast myself.
We applied a generous amount of grey-hair-stuff to both my head and my beard, but what looked realistic to the eye ended up barely being visible on camera. Originally Wise-Beard-Man-James was supposed to be 42, but the amount of grey visible to the eye looked too much for a 40-year-old, so we bumped my age up a few decades. Go figure you can't even see it in the final cut, making the age seem like a horrible over-estimate.
Thanks for the tip. I try to have us say our lines separately because I've had problems with the off-axis actor ruining the ends of the other person's lines. I hate editing, though, so I'm inclined to declare a movie finished rather than put in another hour or two tightening up dialogue. I'm sure someone who doesn't mind the tedium that is post-production could do a much better job with the footage, but unfortunately I haven't found that person yet!
Haha, I'm so glad someone noticed that. A year and a half ago I won a video contest for Robot Chicken with a short about time travel (which is coincidentally one of my favorite themes). Here's the entry: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=dTI3ri-kof0
I thought it would be hilarious if every time the spacetime continuum gets F'ed up in any of my films, the snowman makes an appearance, even if it's only in the background of a single shot. And yes, there is a high probability that he'll be making further appearances.
I'd propose we work together on a project sometime, but I'm moving to Korea for a year to teach English. I liked your entry, and there don't seem to be many filmmakers in our area on this forum. Oh well, bad timing I guess.
Anyway, keep the comments coming. I just got back in town, and I'm just now getting around to viewing all the entries. I'm trying to leave thorough constructive criticism for every film, so it might take me a few days to get around to all of them. This kind of feedback is much appreciated.
Michael Anthony Horrigan
More Cowbell Pictures
That's the one! You come off as a naturally funny guy every time!
Keep up the good work!
Mike
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
Wow, you actually destroyed the Earth in your film.
I thought the writing was clever and crisp. Some great lines:
"Man, James, your time machine sucks"
"Whatever happens, it was totally worth it"
"I was supposed to what?"
I could probably pick at the sound and cinematography and whatnot, but the honest to god truth is I just got caught up and had fun.
I think if I was going to make suggestions for improvement I would say - don't be offended - get some actors. I assume these guys were you and a friend?
I think getting actors and then just keep honing your scripts. There is so much good material, just don't get lazy and keep cutting, improving, etc.
I think as far as shooting and VFX etc, that stuff is almost irrelevant to something like this. It would be like applying those critiques to Monty Python's flying circus. The efx now help us keep our sense of humor about it all.
But I think good solid comedians or actors to work with would be a key ingredient to making this rise out of "This is something fun we did" to genuine comedy. But your writing was what made it cook.
I thought the writing was clever and crisp. Some great lines:
"Man, James, your time machine sucks"
"Whatever happens, it was totally worth it"
"I was supposed to what?"
I could probably pick at the sound and cinematography and whatnot, but the honest to god truth is I just got caught up and had fun.
I think if I was going to make suggestions for improvement I would say - don't be offended - get some actors. I assume these guys were you and a friend?
I think getting actors and then just keep honing your scripts. There is so much good material, just don't get lazy and keep cutting, improving, etc.
I think as far as shooting and VFX etc, that stuff is almost irrelevant to something like this. It would be like applying those critiques to Monty Python's flying circus. The efx now help us keep our sense of humor about it all.
But I think good solid comedians or actors to work with would be a key ingredient to making this rise out of "This is something fun we did" to genuine comedy. But your writing was what made it cook.
alex whitmer
Veteran
This was funny. The dry 'Dragnet' delivery really fit the whole. Nice job.
alex
alex
Justin Kuhn
Veteran
Right here. Holla!
Shawn Philip Nelson
Veteran
Oh hey, its your film!
I really enjoyed this man, tons of laughs. Reminded me of a modern Bill & Ted! Btw, who was the kid in the back yard? Due to the framing I thought for sure he/she was going to be significant!
I really enjoyed this man, tons of laughs. Reminded me of a modern Bill & Ted! Btw, who was the kid in the back yard? Due to the framing I thought for sure he/she was going to be significant!
Duff
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for the feedback.
I agree completely, although I'm not cutting myself (I'm just that vain, haha). I do plan on taking some acting classes eventually, since I'd like to pursue performance in addition to writing/directing. Chaplin is, like, my idol.
I think what would be most beneficial to me at this point would be to work on someone else's short from start to finish, since I have no idea how to go about doing things like recruiting cast and crew -- the production side of things.
If you'd seriously be interested in doing some editing for me, I'd definitely take you up on it.
By the way, since I've been getting a good laugh out of seeing "The Quefjerlserksericiol Effect" all over the board, I'll explain: the Quetzalcoatlus (pronounced ket-zahl-co-AHT-lus) was the largest flying creature ever known to man. If the flap of a butterflies wings is capable of significantly altering the future, this is the result of something a bit more... drastic. Originally in the script my character caused a lot more mayhem, but due to time constraints I had to cut it down to something short and sweet. And in the original script, alternate-universe-James was a wannabe Frenchman, and alternate-reality-Cory was a wannabe... caveman. Yeah... The original 21-page script was A LOT different from the final 9-page script that you all saw.
I could have gone with something more simpler, like "The Butterfly Defect", but frankly I just found the nearly unpronouncable version to be hilarious.
I agree completely, although I'm not cutting myself (I'm just that vain, haha). I do plan on taking some acting classes eventually, since I'd like to pursue performance in addition to writing/directing. Chaplin is, like, my idol.
I think what would be most beneficial to me at this point would be to work on someone else's short from start to finish, since I have no idea how to go about doing things like recruiting cast and crew -- the production side of things.
If you'd seriously be interested in doing some editing for me, I'd definitely take you up on it.
By the way, since I've been getting a good laugh out of seeing "The Quefjerlserksericiol Effect" all over the board, I'll explain: the Quetzalcoatlus (pronounced ket-zahl-co-AHT-lus) was the largest flying creature ever known to man. If the flap of a butterflies wings is capable of significantly altering the future, this is the result of something a bit more... drastic. Originally in the script my character caused a lot more mayhem, but due to time constraints I had to cut it down to something short and sweet. And in the original script, alternate-universe-James was a wannabe Frenchman, and alternate-reality-Cory was a wannabe... caveman. Yeah... The original 21-page script was A LOT different from the final 9-page script that you all saw.
I could have gone with something more simpler, like "The Butterfly Defect", but frankly I just found the nearly unpronouncable version to be hilarious.
Duff
Well-known member
Haha, the unison "whoa..." was a total homage to Bill & Ted.
My explanation for the guy in the back yard (when my character's jumping out the window) was lost amidst my megapost, so I'll post it again:
Haha, I'm so glad someone noticed that. A year and a half ago I won a video contest for Robot Chicken with a short about time travel (which is coincidentally one of my favorite themes). Here's the entry: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=dTI3ri-kof0
I thought it would be hilarious if every time the spacetime continuum gets F'ed up in any of my films, the snowman makes an appearance, even if it's only in the background of a single shot. And yes, there is a high probability that he'll be making further appearances.
Mark Johnson
The Dude Abides
Man, you learn something every day. I smugly thought I knew your title was named after the Aztec serpent god but after reading your post and googling it I now realize that Quetzalcoatlus is the winged dinosaur and Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec god. Frankly, this is the best title of the fest in my book. Talk about high-brow title! Marvelous.
And I absolutely think that with some training you can be a kickass actor with a great sense of comic timing. I like this film even better after a couple viewings.
And I absolutely think that with some training you can be a kickass actor with a great sense of comic timing. I like this film even better after a couple viewings.
Duff
Well-known member
Well, you were half right -- the dinosaur was named after the Aztec god. Err, I suppose you were 6/7ths right. And thanks.
totitefilms
Well-known member
You have an interesting story. The acting is nice. The effect is cool. The footage is very clean. However it looks like you cut off some details to fit into the time frame. I was curious to see who was walking on the second floor but you didn't show the person. The ending is a little bit weird to me. I don't know why the earth exploded. Also, the lead actor didn't look that old after 40 years ;-). Another thing is you should add more camera angles and close up. Anyway, you did a great job putting everything together. I enjoyed watching the movie. Congrats!