*New Trailer* for HEART OF NOW -- help me with feedback -- private link

Zak Forsman

Zak Forsman

Major Contributor
Okay, so last night we debuted a new Trailer for HEART OF NOW at a private screening for WHITE KNUCKLES, but it is still very much a work in progress. I have some things I plan to address before officially releasing it wide and promoting it. But first, I would love to have the community's help in improving it.

http://www.sabipictures.com/heartofnow/previews/new-trailer/ --> password: "amber"

WARNING: This trailer contains an f-bomb and some adult situations. no nudity or explicit sexual material but enough to warrant a "red band" if it were submitted to the MPAA -- in other words... Not Safe For Work.

My main questions are:

1. do the issues surrounding the characters resonate with you? do you find the story compelling? what questions are you left with?

2. how likely are you to take steps to follow this film by bookmarking the web site, or subscribing to the RSS feed or buying a $10 DVD (without having seen the entire film)? definitely, somewhat likely, or not likely?

3. how likely are you to recommend this to a friend, embed in your own blog or share with other people online? definitely, somewhat, or not likely?

4. does the music add additional interest in the picture or less, or are you neutral on it?

5. Do the quotes have a positive or negative impact on your impression of the film?


these are tough questions for a filmmaker to ask and I'm ready for tough responses. please be honest. praise, insults and sincere criticism are welcome. help me make it better. :)
 
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1. I am a little confused on "dustin hoffmans" characters relationship with the girl??
2-3. I am very likely to recommend this to a friend, bookmark the page and I would buy a 10 dollar dvd.
4. I liked the music, especially the last bit, kind of got me pumped up for the film.
5. The quotes, for me, neither added or took away from the trailer.

my thoughts.
 
Zak,

First let me apologize for not making it out to the screening last night, long story, but I wanted to be there...

Secondly, really dug the Heart of Now trailer... a LOT! Dealing with some very interesting stuff here, and the acting truly stood out to me... liked the end song as well... hope that's encouraging.
 
1. Yes, I'd like to learn more about the characters.
2. Drama's not my favorite genre, although I will watch any film if well done. In this particular case, I would be reluctant to buy it unless there was added incentive, ie. your commentary, and behind the scenes info. It would be great to "pick your brain" so to speak regarding No (low) Budget filmmaking. Tips and tricks, that sorta thing.
3. Again, if there was Special Features that I found beneficial, I would certainly recommend it.
4. Music was good.
5. I'm normally skeptical about "rave reviews" but in this case I recognized a few of the reviewers. Helps more than hurts.

Overall impression; tasteful and understated. Reminds me of a 70s film. Modern style with old school substance. :beer:
 
Zak,

I really admire how you're going about this and can't wait to see the film. Just watching the trailer, it's obvious you and the people you're working with have a great thing going. Hard to imagine coming into this not knowing your previous work, but I'm excited to see it nonetheless.

To answer your questions:

1. The sweetest moment for me was the scene where she's talking to the card player through the television. Would love to know why Amber chooses to crash with that guy.

When she starts to get back with the douchebag father, did he or she initiate it (makes a big difference to me).

Something about the kiss + abortion screenshot over that voice is confusing (could be where it is in the sequence of trailer, maybe there's some different dialog to put underneath?).

The card player's relationship problem - it came and went so fast - didn't benefit the trailer in my mind.

The montage at the end has beautiful images, but it did leave me more confused than I was halfway through the trailer...maybe not in a good way.

2. Likely.

3. I will recommend the finalized trailer to friends, when you let us know that it's done.

4. The music definitely adds for me. Music cue on red light party scene is DAMN GOOD! It's what defines the mood of the ending montage right now.

5. Positive.

KEEP US IN THE LOOP ON HOW EVERYTHING GOES!
 
To make it short: This looks absolutely great!

Acting, cinematography, sound, music and everything else! Very well done! :)

Sorry that I don't have more time now to make a thorough review and answer you questions.
 
1. do the issues surrounding the characters resonate with you? do you find the story compelling? what questions are you left with?

First, let me say that the trailer is very, very strong. I'm already predisposed to your work, though, because I loved "I F**king Hate You," so I might be coming to your trailer with information your "regular" audience won't have.

There are a few moments that absolutely grab me in the trailer and let me know what kind of film and what kind of characters these are. I think there are moments that distract me a bit, too, however. I'm really dissecting here. But a trailer is a hyper-concentrated experience, so... I guess I'm left with the impression that this is NOT a high-concept film. That is, after the first few "beats" of the trailer, one could almost expect the reveal that, oh, I dunno, she's a serial killer, or aliens are about to land on Earth. But I believe, by the end of the trailer, that it's actually an independent relationship drama. And you do that well. I would maybe be inclined to strip it down more. Because there are key beats that say "this will be about life and how our hearts get ripped out" and that's what I need. Basically I think the trailer can be cut down to these essentials, so I'm not "looking for" the kind of film it's going to be in the other beats. Which leads me to your query "What questions am I left with?" and that would be: "Did I read the trailer the right way? Is it indeed a relationship drama rather than a thriller? Because I got the slight inkling that it might be a thriller, believe it or not, and I'm betting this isn't what you guys are delivering.

2. how likely are you to take steps to follow this film by bookmarking the web site, or subscribing to the RSS feed or buying a $10 DVD (without having seen the entire film)? definitely, somewhat likely, or not likely?

LIKELY I'll buy the DVD, because $10 is the right price for an indie film (finally!). And I saw your short, which told me you guys have a lot of talent, and I want to see what you do. The trailer itself would make me want to buy the DVD because I'm a fan of indie filmmaking and a filmmaker. I'm wondering whether "normal audience members" (non-filmmakers) would ever buy a DVD based ona trailer that is not a genre film (horror or sci-fi). I don't do RSS feeds. I can't keep up.

3. how likely are you to recommend this to a friend, embed in your own blog or share with other people online? definitely, somewhat, or not likely?

Likely, but only because I know your other work. Other than supporting a promising indie-filmmaker, I'd need more information to have any other reason to embed this (e.g., why would others be interested--the story alone won't drive me to embed, but other details about production might).
4. does the music add additional interest in the picture or less, or are you neutral on it?

Hell yeah. The music is awesome.

5. Do the quotes have a positive or negative impact on your impression of the film?

Absolutely positive. I'm presuming that they've all seen a cut of the film. And those are great sources (better than many sources big Hollywood movies rely on to push their crap). So seeing those names give you the thumbs up on this film totally legitimizes the trailer and I don't feel I'm being sold swampland.
 
I'm a newbie here but I enjoy your work so heres my 2cents!

1. do the issues surrounding the characters resonate with you? do you find the story compelling? what questions are you left with?

The only question I'm left with was "WHEN/HOW can I see it." The characters look truly dynamic and are full of life!

2. how likely are you to take steps to follow this film by bookmarking the web site, or subscribing to the RSS feed or buying a $10 DVD (without having seen the entire film)? definitely, somewhat likely, or not likely?

I have been and continue to visit your website weekly so no RSS feed for me! I would DEFINATELY dish out 10 dollars for this dvd just from seeing the trailer.

3. how likely are you to recommend this to a friend, embed in your own blog or share with other people online? definitely, somewhat, or not likely?

I've already showed it to some of my friends, who aren't filmmakers. I show them the trailer, then I say "Did that look independent?" They said no "It looks like a real movie." (I always get a laugh out of that one... what makes a movie fake?)

4. does the music add additional interest in the picture or less, or are you neutral on it?

It really adds to the style, I really like your style so it's a bonus.

5. Do the quotes have a positive or negative impact on your impression of the film?

The quotes have a neutral impact on me but it does make your film look more "big budget."
 
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guys, thanks so much for these great comments. I'm about to get on a plane for London but when I return I'm going to work on the revision to this trailer. Thanks for being a part of its development.
 
Responses in bold below...

Zak Forsman said:
My main questions are:

1. do the issues surrounding the characters resonate with you? do you find the story compelling? what questions are you left with?

I like what I see but have plenty of questions. That's a good thing! Even still, I thought the trailer might have been a tad long.

2. how likely are you to take steps to follow this film by bookmarking the web site, or subscribing to the RSS feed or buying a $10 DVD (without having seen the entire film)? definitely, somewhat likely, or not likely?

A $10 DVD, no problem.

3. how likely are you to recommend this to a friend, embed in your own blog or share with other people online? definitely, somewhat, or not likely?

I will definitely pass this on to others.

4. does the music add additional interest in the picture or less, or are you neutral on it?

I thought it was good, a little heavy towards the end, but good.

5. Do the quotes have a positive or negative impact on your impression of the film?

Good!
Click to expand...
 
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