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Overall i loved the film but had two issues with it both of which were mentioned before.

1) I also did not like the "excorkism" line, certainly not a big deal but its those little things that make all the difference
2) I did not understand why a little girl would make a story about a drug deal, then I read your post explaining the matching outfit of the father. I went back and now it all makes sense, but I would have tried to make that connection easier to make for the viewer.
 
thetvirus513 said:
Overall i loved the film but had two issues with it both of which were mentioned before.

1) I also did not like the "excorkism" line, certainly not a big deal but its those little things that make all the difference
2) I did not understand why a little girl would make a story about a drug deal, then I read your post explaining the matching outfit of the father. I went back and now it all makes sense, but I would have tried to make that connection easier to make for the viewer.
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I see that some people didn't like the exorkism bit, but was it still effective as another WTF moment? I hope so.

I didn't exactly intend for the reason "why" the girl would come up with such a story to come across, it was merely alluded to. It's a deeper layer that is not really necessary to know, and I felt it wasn't good to try and explain every layer of the story, except the obvious surface story. The question does however, bring up an important message that I had in mind, and I try to include some type of message in every film I make. The message here is this: I think we often underestimate the depth of a child's understanding, and therefor we might be too casual sometimes with the things we show them. They're like sponges that absorb everything, even when it seems like they are not paying attention, and it's especially crucial, IMO, when drugs are involved, even if they're prescription drugs, to explain it to them properly. I don't know what "properly" means, and I wouldn't tell anyone how to raise their kid, (I don't have any so what do I know?) but most of the "bad" habits I've seen kids display seem to stem directly from their parents. I include my own bad habits as well. -End Tim's preachy soapbox minute.

Thanks for the comments and glad you loved it!
 
Am slowly making my way through these. I thought this was a very very nice take on an original episode. I think it's very impressive that you used the episode as a springboard for your own story. Will watch again and try to come up with stuff to criticize. But overall I felt like you nailed the theme, and all of the pieces worked pretty well together.

I liked the preacher guy especially. I think the camera likes him a lot.
 
Wow, great movie! I wish it could've been longer because it was fun to watch. The things I liked best were the music, the set with its minature version, and I thought the actors had some great lines. Something for improvement might be to have a few less unanswered questions, because it seemed like there was more to it than just a twist in reality (which is why I wish it could've been longer). Overall, though, really good!
 
had to come back in :D and say i luv the part after they "get rid" of the ghost and they are all relieved. the reactions and him saying "that'll be 100 bucks" (i think) was really good.
 
Mark Harris said:
Am slowly making my way through these. I thought this was a very very nice take on an original episode. I think it's very impressive that you used the episode as a springboard for your own story. Will watch again and try to come up with stuff to criticize. But overall I felt like you nailed the theme, and all of the pieces worked pretty well together.

I liked the preacher guy especially. I think the camera likes him a lot.
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Thanks Mark. I'm a big fan of your work. Glad you liked it. I plead total innocence. It wasn't until I gave the movie to the composer that I found out about that episode. Doh! Still haven't seen it. Does anyone know what it's called? I guess this is a different take on the same concept. I should've figured!
I was so lucky to find those actors here in little-old Vermont. I'm sure you will see them return in future projects. :dankk2:


as355 said:
Wow, great movie! I wish it could've been longer because it was fun to watch. The things I liked best were the music, the set with its minature version, and I thought the actors had some great lines. Something for improvement might be to have a few less unanswered questions, because it seemed like there was more to it than just a twist in reality (which is why I wish it could've been longer). Overall, though, really good!
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Any longer and I would've died! :zombie_smiley: It was a lot of work. Thanks though. That means a lot, because I always try to leave the viewer wanting more with a short.

jambredz said:
had to come back in :D and say i luv the part after they "get rid" of the ghost and they are all relieved. the reactions and him saying "that'll be 100 bucks" (i think) was really good.
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Thanks for coming back. That's one of my favorite parts too. It might only play subliminally, but that moment is the first time where there's no undertone ambiance, with the intention of making it eerily quiet before the big reveal. :Drogar-Evil(DBG): Also, I snuck in the camera model # into the script. What a geek!
 
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Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
It was also done for "On The Lot" last year. Kind of cool, all the girls (Barbies) were very similar acting of course.
I think a Ken doll and a Gi-Joe were thrown in as well. :)

Your version is your own though.

Mike
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Glad to hear you say that. I did use some barbie arms and scalps though...

bts-dollparts.JPG
 
This is SO MUCH BETTER than your TimeFest entry. I really enjoyed the story and thought the acting was very well done. It looked like you had some technical problems with video noise but it was easy for me to overlook due to the other elements of your short.

This is definitely one of the better entries in this fest.
 
Blaine said:
This is SO MUCH BETTER than your TimeFest entry. I really enjoyed the story and thought the acting was very well done. It looked like you had some technical problems with video noise but it was easy for me to overlook due to the other elements of your short.

This is definitely one of the better entries in this fest.
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Yay! So glad to hear you say that. What was the biggest difference this time? I took two solid months to write Anti De Presence, instead of two solid days for Enchanted Notes of a Time Traveling Piano.


I would say, that BY FAR, the writing is the most important element of a movie. I've never made a movie with (what I consider) a good script, and it has always showed. I was determined this time to have a good script, and I bugged every friend and family member for ideas and critiques. After the 6th or 7th draft they were pretty tired of it and stopped responding, luckily, Alex Whitmer gave me a critique that really switched on my light bulb. It was truly a script written by committee.

As for this noise in the video. I shot it on the dvx, but I've always felt it's been pretty noisy. Perhaps I got a lemon, or the settings I use produce a lot of noise, or my DIY adapter screen causes it... not sure. I'm going to play with it. I used to have the dvx100a, and I thought it had less noise than the "b" I have now, but isn't it supposed to be the other way around? I'd love to upgrade sometime.... to FILM....mmmmm. Forget this video crap and adapter-shmapters. Gimme some juicy celluloid... yeahhhh. :tongue::tongue::tongue::-Happy(DBG):
 
Really interesting project to work on. I think the quality of posts on this thread speak volumes about the filmmaker. Everyone's thoughts have peeled back many of the layers of this fantastic short and provoked genuine discussion about concept and theme without having to delve too far into technical missteps.

There were times I just had to trust that Tim knew what he was doing (like when I had to commit to speaking the line, "Give me a crystal ball and a candle." I mean...come on...Really?!) How do you approach that as an actor when all you can think about is how ridiculous it must sound or how convenient it all seems? How do you allow yourself to make that moment truthful? Tim got me to let go of my ego, trust that the moment would have a payoff, and commit to it.

If our goal as artists is to be storytellers; to take an audience on a journey that's leaves them in a different place than where they started, to affect, to provoke thought...then I think Tim has knocked this one out of the park.

Well done.
 
Mr. Davidson said:
Really interesting project to work on. I think the quality of posts on this thread speak volumes about the filmmaker. Everyone's thoughts have peeled back many of the layers of this fantastic short and provoked genuine discussion about concept and theme without having to delve too far into technical missteps.

There were times I just had to trust that Tim knew what he was doing (like when I had to commit to speaking the line, "Give me a crystal ball and a candle." I mean...come on...Really?!) How do you approach that as an actor when all you can think about is how ridiculous it must sound or how convenient it all seems? How do you allow yourself to make that moment truthful? Tim got me to let go of my ego, trust that the moment would have a payoff, and commit to it.

If our goal as artists is to be storytellers; to take an audience on a journey that's leaves them in a different place than where they started, to affect, to provoke thought...then I think Tim has knocked this one out of the park.

Well done.
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Wow! How's that for flattery. :2vrolijk_08: Thanks Mr. Davidson... aka Daniel the Jehova's Witness Preacher man. It was a pleasure working with you, and you'll definitely be in my next movie. :thumbup: .... and I'll find a hot chick for you to kiss. :kiss:

***SPOILERS BELOW******

Talk about commitment and trust- In this take (outtake), I directed them to "see how far they could go to be like dolls". I think the results speak for itself.

​
 
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This is one of my favourites (er have I reviewed this already!?) No no... anyway!

I was struck with the dark humour, and genuine sense of unease and macabre! Its an incredibly effective mix which is pulled off very well. I have watched this film several times, finding it enjoyable.

The acting was convincing, and the production value impressive. The cinematography worked well to convey the mood and strangeness of the piece.

Sorry if thats a bit bland - i think like others, having the voice of the girl at the end of the film be a little clear (with her passing remarks) would be good - and charles manso's cameo at the end scared me too!
 
This was very well done and the ending took me by surprise, but fit very well. The style and tone grabbed my interest (reminded me of early Tim Burton slightly). The shadows on the wall were absolutely brilliant.

The biggest thing I wasn't really a fan of was the digital look. Just from the fantasy style of the room and the rest of the tone, it really felt like something that should've been shot on film. Rarely does it bother me shooting on digital, but here I noticed it more for some reason. Not that it wasn't well-lit, just had that digital feel.

The acting wasn't distracting for me and the characters were interesting, but I did feel that it could be improved upon.

Overall, very good effort and definitely shows a lot of promise for unique future films.
 
This was FUN FUN FUN FUN! Halfway through I was so into it I grabbed for my beer in deee-light. The drug dealer is one of the best actors in this fest, solid. Great charisma. The other guy did very well too. The music was spot on, location was perfect. At times your edits threw me off, there were some moments where I think you were trying to match actions and they didn't quite match. Also the light wasn't consistent on some of the shots, some of them were darker than others.

Overall great job man. This is in my top ten.
 
lawriejaffa said:
This is one of my favourites (er have I reviewed this already!?) No no... anyway!

I was struck with the dark humour, and genuine sense of unease and macabre! Its an incredibly effective mix which is pulled off very well. I have watched this film several times, finding it enjoyable.

The acting was convincing, and the production value impressive. The cinematography worked well to convey the mood and strangeness of the piece.

Sorry if thats a bit bland - i think like others, having the voice of the girl at the end of the film be a little clear (with her passing remarks) would be good - and charles manso's cameo at the end scared me too!
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Thanks! I'll have you all know, Charles Manson is one of the nicest guys you would ever meet.

Gohanto said:
This was very well done and the ending took me by surprise, but fit very well. The style and tone grabbed my interest (reminded me of early Tim Burton slightly). The shadows on the wall were absolutely brilliant.

The biggest thing I wasn't really a fan of was the digital look. Just from the fantasy style of the room and the rest of the tone, it really felt like something that should've been shot on film. Rarely does it bother me shooting on digital, but here I noticed it more for some reason. Not that it wasn't well-lit, just had that digital feel.

The acting wasn't distracting for me and the characters were interesting, but I did feel that it could be improved upon.

Overall, very good effort and definitely shows a lot of promise for unique future films.
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I AGREE. Maybe I can shoot on film next time....??? :cheesy: I'd have to get my shooting ratio down.. and get some investors... and a DP that knows what they're doing... and .... oh my. It might have to wait.

Thanks for the review.


gabrielflorit said:
This was FUN FUN FUN FUN! Halfway through I was so into it I grabbed for my beer in deee-light. The drug dealer is one of the best actors in this fest, solid. Great charisma. The other guy did very well too. The music was spot on, location was perfect. At times your edits threw me off, there were some moments where I think you were trying to match actions and they didn't quite match. Also the light wasn't consistent on some of the shots, some of them were darker than others.

Overall great job man. This is in my top ten.
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Glad you liked it. It IS better with beer :beer:
Hear that Mr. Davidson? ...one of the best actors in the fest... Yee -yeah. Funny thing is, I found him through a family member, and he was living in town, not 5 minutes away from me, for like a YEAR, and I didn't know. He has since moved farther away, but not too far...
hey Gabriel, you're in Boston now eh? I think things will be much better now that you're out of Palin-Paradise, and it's only 4 hours to VT when you need a scenic location. BTW- Those lighting shifts you're seeing are nothing more than my color correction anti-skillz. I need big-time help in that area. Thanks for the comments y'all!
 
yeehawnow...you get the slow clap man...awesome short...really. It grabbed immediately and just when it seemed to be going a little far (get me a crystal bal and a candle), the payoff came and I was blown away. Awesome work.

Your actors did an excellent job. they had great delivery and chemistry. The shots, the lighting, all of it. This is definately on of my favs this fest. I'm definately going to keep watching to see what you do next. Great film man!
 
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