Darkline Entertainment Presents 'Broadcast'

[joeloud]

In the alphabetical list, yours was the first really good one to come up. Great work.

 

[Darkline]

....As always, you rock.

I could say the same of you Mark. You're one of the film-makers on here I respect the most and one of the nicest guys to boot. I'm so glad you liked it and I knew the end would push some people away. Thanks so much guy! Just pleased you took the time to comment and I hope to join you in a fest soon for some idle banter on the thread. Thanks for the support.

- the indoor lighting could be improved. After watching what Timur can do, it kind of makes me think a bit more about what's possible.

Thanks for the honest commentary Raptor, I think everyone on these boards could learn something from Timur, ourselves included. Glad you enjoyed the flick.

Like that you don't show us any devistation in the long shot of him parking. Leaving that for a later discovery = good thing.

You have no idea how hard it was to find a rooftop opening shot that gave nothing away. There are buildings inches to the edge of the frame.

I can see how you intended for an audience to get that his broadcast is somehow causing the destruction

Jack, Im honoured that you took the time for such a comprehensive review. I'm a big fan of your work (although I know im super hard on you too) and I cant thank you enough for your detailed review and thoughts. It means a lot.

There is one thing which may have led you down the wrong track to point out these logic gaps - maybe my previous explanation confused matters - to me his broadcast is not causing the destruction; I love how you came up with the idea, but that is not my story here (tho I do like it and in some ways am very happy for you to draw that interpretation)

I never intended to explain what caused the destruction, only to hint at it. For me the story was always about one man coping with the realisation that he is alone, broadcasting for help, but getting something very different in return for his SOS.

I have obviously tried unsuccessfully to explain what I think is going on here so I'll try to give some insight into what I think is happening. However, I think ultimately this explanation is not going to give you the satisfaction you're looking for either :huh:

Partly this film was meant to take the audience on a ride which at first gave the impression 'he touches that button to speak, they all dissapear'. I wanted him to be talking rubbish basically, and when he speaks the world vanishes. Who wants to listen to him talk crap?

But the following beat is the destruction, so then the vibe changes slightly to 'ahh, something really bad has happened here'. But as an audience member we're still unsure how these two worlds we are shown are linked.

On his approach to the rooftop we're now in a state of 'ahh ok, he is in the destroyed world' and has been from the outset. His broadcast is one for help, looking for other survivors. Perhaps what we saw before were just his memories of the safe world.

Now his broadcast in this devastated world has attracted something, something which hangs up on him, something which invades the studio. This something could well be the reason for the destruction. I try to hint to this by echoing the CC and also we only ever see it's aftermath. I wanted to stay away from the cause and show the effect, so people mid activity fleeing - putting the washing out, drinking in the cafe, on the swings in the park. The same goes for the phone call, as soon as he picks it up the thing has gone and we only see an echo if it's existence.

These shots of devastation never entered our protagonists inner world. He keeps his studio clean, immaculate, a safe haven from the reminder of what has really happened. When this thing comes after him, he now becomes part of that aftermath we saw earlier. A cylce of shots mid activity. Record scratching, car door open, on air light lit. He has now joined the devastated world (echoed by the CC) and in doing so we still never find out what caused it, but again do see the aftermath of it. I think that completes his character arc. (Something has destroyed the world, he broadcasts for help, but ironically attracts the thing that caused the devastation in the first pace. Now he is missing and all that is left of his exitstence is exactly the same as what is left of everyone else's existence - mid activity broken.)

Finally, the twist if you like is the revelation that the woman now hears the scratching over the airwaves - she was hearing this broadcast all along. It was not just his memory of how the world was. The horrible events have not yet occured here, and the scratching of his abruptly ended radio show catches her attention and she turns it up. Now it scratches over the reprise of these shots again. Hopfully now with a more sinister tone as we know what is about to become of them moments later. The end of their world is about to begin.

You could aruge - why didn't she respond earlier when he said 'is there anyone left out there'. I think people dont always listen to the radio intently and are comfortable with chatter; and would only react when it started making 'odd' sounds. Also I just took that desicion to not show her reaction to this and save it for the end of his show.

I also agree that there are things I could have done to make this clearer, but going down that discussion we're fighting different battles. I did not want people walking away with a clear idea of what happened, I wanted them to walk away with possibilites and nothing which concretely said 'this is what went down'. I think Chris said it best when he said it played more like a poem which leaves you with thoughts and layers. That was really my hope and I know it isnt everyone's bag, but I wanted to flex some different muscles than I had previously.

So I really enjoyed the filmmaking, and the ride, but not the destination.

All I can say is thanks so much for watching, commenting, and maybe I'll get you next time round eh?

All the best Jack.

 

[Darkline]

In the alphabetical list, yours was the first really good one to come up. Great work.

but that's only B! Were we first on the list alphabetically? LOL

but seriously, thanks very much. Everyone is happy we're getting so many people watching our short!

 

[Gord.T]

The way I saw the story was the guy knew it was a lost cause given the aftermath, but was carrying on biz as usual, somewhat like being in denial, hoping there was something more out there. Then the realization, he really is the last one, and he's giving up. The flashbacks are memories of what was.
That was my take on it.

In fact, his behaviour, the way I saw it, is a common stage in the grief process. That's the way I saw it. That's how it worked for me anyways.
:thumbup:

 

[Mike Manning]

Hey man,
Thanks for posting in my thread... cuz if you hadn't i might not have gotten around to rating and commenting on "Broadcast" before voting ended.

This is the only film in the fest I've given a 10 to. (granted I haven't watched/rated them all yet...got like 10 left)

I went through and read everyone's comments and gripes with the end..and I read your explanation and replies...so i think I'm caught up on what was intended and what was missed. But for me, none of that mattered. When I watched it, I had an interpretation of it that made sense to me and I enjoyed it. There's an intentional ambiguity to the ending of this film (unlike the unintentional ambiguity of the ending of my film) that really helps sell the short for me. All these other explanations/interpretations don't really do much for how I felt about it when I initially watched it... and I thought it was really really good. You should be very proud of the film you've created and I'm fairly certain it will place in the top 3. Congrats!

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Commented in this thread earlier.... Liked this one a lot!

Just wanted to mention... at the 1:55 mark there are clearly 2 people walking into the frame (top right). It's the devastation shot of the swing set. I'm not pointing this out to be a pain or to bash the film. It's easily one of the best shot films in the Fest. I just figured that with all the effects work you put into this it should be an easy fix to crop them out for future festivals.

Not sure if you missed it.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[gabrielflorit]

I've never seen anything with such high production value as this. This is first place. I'm just blown away.

 

[jojopop]

Neil, Jojopop. Thanks very much for the compliments. I'd be interested to hear if watching it again gave you a different feel knowing what I splurged out earlier.

Hey man, finally was able to sit down and watch it again... and in light of what you originally explained I think there elements of that you can certainly pick up on. However, I think even with that knowledge, I left the film with the same feeling of emptiness and dread as I had on first viewing (which is excellent).

First time through I wasn't completely confounded, but rather content at what this film just challenged me with. Again, there are those visceral emotions of despair that rise up (still awesome), but at the same time you're presented with pieces of a visual puzzle whose answer will ultimately be subjective to the viewer. An idea of which you're well aware.

So, bottom line, if you're willing to be engaged, I think this film works phenomenally well. Intriguing? Yes. Dense? Maybe. Is there enough information? Absolutely, if you're willing to play the game. But isn't that what makes film so much fun?

Thanks for being awesome.

 

[Darkline]

The way I saw the story was the guy knew it was a lost cause given the aftermath...
:thumbup:

Hey Raptor, thanks for chiming in again. I think your interpretation is also spot on. Its a fine line between defending your works ambiguous nature and also coming off like you're just glossing over its flaws with a 'anythng can happen' stance.

Its very possible to think nothing came from him and he was totally alone. A man looking for companionship in a wold with none.

It's funny you say that, the final scene where he stares into camera I told the actor it was meant to be read in two possible ways. 1) he has finally seen something in the the booth 2) a glare directly into camera as you realise your place in this, you're on your own.

So I asked for a blank expression, one which left some room to be filled by the viewer and didn't nail either ending conclusively. For me that was very important.

We actually re-shot that sequence because it didn't have the feeling I wanted after the first night's shoot. We went back and poor Gareth - I made him handhold the Red for about 20 mins trying to get that one shot right, over and over.

The actor James though was great, everytime we missed focus (we were doing it by hand on a 50mm i think) he just did it again and again. Did I say James was great previously? Well he was.

This is the only film in the fest I've given a 10 to....All these other explanations/interpretations don't really do much for how I felt about it when I initially watched it... Congrats!

Hey Mike, thanks a million, and Im glad you didnt read too much of my spoiler commentary before watching it. I've been wondering if I did the right thing by making such an open piece. But it's comments like these that make me glad I gave it a shot. So thank you. You know how much I enjoyed your film too (and Tim helped me out understanding the end on your thread, so its all good ;-))

Commented in this thread earlier.... Liked this one a lot!

Just wanted to mention... at the 1:55 mark there are clearly 2 people walking into the frame (top right).

LOL, erm... ok erm.. those two figures are meant to be read two ways....

jk Thanks for pointing this out, I'll go and have a look. cheers mike :dankk2:

I've never seen anything with such high production value as this. This is first place. I'm just blown away.

Big smile from me - what can I say to that?

'Forgotten' has some wonderful moments and for your fisrt film it's head and shoulder above my first piece. Hopefully everyone learns and ups their game next time round. Although I seem resolute in my 'you can interpret this how you like' structure, I am also learning a lot from people's reaction.

Thanks a lot for watching Gabriel.

I think even with that knowledge, I left the film with the same feeling of emptiness and dread as I had on first viewing ... you're presented with pieces of a visual puzzle whose answer will ultimately be subjective to the viewer.
.

Hey Jojopop, if only I had the brains to put it that clearly at the start, instead of rambling on for 12 pages. Thanks for watching again and I'm really chuffed (northern expression) that you still found it ambiguous but somehow satisfying.:beer:


Thanks everyone! All comments appreciated.

 

[hoz]

wow!!!!! i don't have a clue as to how you pulled off any of your shots, i will read this thread after tonight when i have more time. hopefully you discussed some of things you did to get what you did..

first, love the look!! this so looks like 28 days later, only i think this is looks even better because you marry the "healthy" shot with the disaster shot right after.... best shot was the rotting food in the kitchen, sick!! says everything.

i think the acting was very good too and the music was spot on.

story- really strong ... up until the end, i did read the post above where you describe your intent on what you wished for, well, IMO you got that from me, you got a big sense of ambiguity. i just don't know what happened at the end. i know you wanted us to guess and ponder and think about the countless possibilities, but in this sort of scenario, i'm okay with you telling me a lot more. there are so many disaster movies, and in essence i understand why you might not want to be pegged to one variety of horror, but still, since there are so many "flavors" available i think you gotta pick one and run with it.

i think you sort of do anyway, like, i'd like to know how the woman could've heard the screetch of the record and be long gone at the same time. maybe this is not what was meant but this is how i saw it. i would also like to know what the hell was in the studio with him... was it good, probably not, but if it was something malevolent, what was it?

if left to my own devices, i'd have guessed that he is the one who dies in that room and he cannot fathom that he did, so he plays on, as a lost spirit, all alone, all the while the world revolves round and round without him...

man, so much work and so much talent is shown here... i read some of Jack's thread where he and his crew point out how to make a shot more interesting, and it was really cool too, because then i got to watch your short and you have done the same things... loved the way you framed the cafeteria/break room... the chairs glistened and gleamed, almost triumphantly like an orchestra...awesome work to almost every detail imaginable. i will pay so much more attention to this in my future work, i feel i must have missed a million things in my movies...

 

[Horncastle]

An incredible piece of work - really I have only good things to say about it. Photography, sound, acting, editing were all top level. I am one of those who liked the story and didn't feel a lack of ending. For me he was trapped in a parallel universe, hence the switching between peopled and empty shots was not going back and forth in time but between universes. But at the same time, little scraps of events slip from one universe into the other, so you get the radio crackle, the spilt milk etc.
I loved it!!
Jason

Edit:
I've just been reading through the thread and see that your idea is that he is broadcasting to the past. If you don't mind, I think I'll stick with my interpretation though . For me, the point at which the two universes split apart would have been at the moment of disaster/destruction - which happened in his universe but not in the other (according to the idea of an infinite number of parallel universes which split at the moment of every event happening/not happening). This would also mean that he could still also exist in the peopled universe and, this being one of an infinite number of peopled universes, he could conceivably be transmitting the same things as he is in his alternative empty universe. The more I think about it the more there is to think about, and the more I realize this is such a great example of how a film left open to interpretation can really work. In my opinion, It's such a good thing that you didn't give us a clear, fixed ending.

 

[Blaine]

I really enjoyed this one. You did a great job creating a world that completely sucked me in. I've been a fan of your films for a long time so this is one of the first ones I watched. It set the bar very high and few even approached it. Excellent film. Thank you for sharing. :beer:

 

[Tim Joy]

An incredible piece of work - really I have only good things to say about it. Photography, sound, acting, editing were all top level. I am one of those who liked the story and didn't feel a lack of ending. For me he was trapped in a parallel universe, hence the switching between peopled and empty shots was not going back and forth in time but between universes. But at the same time, little scraps of events slip from one universe into the other, so you get the radio crackle, the spilt milk etc.
I loved it!!
Jason

OH yeah. The spilt milk was one of my favorite shots of the fest. Something about it... I loved it.

This was the only entry that gave me chills at the end, and I'm rooting for Broadcast to be #1. :thumbup: Go Karl!

 

[Rodney V. Smith]

Excellent entry. I found myself watching this one, one more time than I had planned to and its because it was one of my favorites. Excellent production value, great cinematography and an engrossing storyline. This is one of those films that made me losemyself for a bit in the world of the film, so I think you for that.

Good work. Now gimme more!

 

[Marlon Ladd]

I really enjoyed this film as well. I also didn't get the ending, but it didn't matter, because everything was so well shot and acted. Just an overall excellent job. Now, tell me how you made the entire city appear in ruins, please. I was wondering about that kind of thing for my film.

 

[Brian Parker]

Awesome work. One of my favorites, really. Beautifully shot, and well acted. I wasn't absolutely blown away by the story but the presentation and execution was so amazing. The actor and extras did really well too. Really great job

 

[Darkline]

wow!!!!! i don't have a clue as to how you pulled off any of your shots........

Thanks for the huge review Hoz. Much appreciated. There a little splurge on here about how we did most of the destruction images. really pleased you enjoyed it so much. Oh and I'm not telling you what that thing was, that is of course, if it was ever there...

An incredible piece of work - really I have only good things to say about it. Photography, sound, acting, editing were all top level.

The more I think about it the more there is to think about, and the more I realize this is such a great example of how a film left open to interpretation can really work. In my opinion, It's such a good thing that you didn't give us a clear, fixed ending.

Thank you Horncastle, Im glad the ending worked for you and it's great to hear such positive feedback.

I really enjoyed this one. You did a great job creating a world that completely sucked me in. I've been a fan of your films for a long time so this is one of the first ones I watched. It set the bar very high and few even approached it. Excellent film. Thank you for sharing. :beer:

Mr Blaine Thanks a ton, and I can't tell you how much of a relief it is just to be part of this fest again. I always forget how good that felt until recently. But hopefully this time it wont be too long until I have something else to show and hopefully improve upon. I'm glad you liked it and thanks a lot for watching and commenting :beer:

OH yeah. The spilt milk was one of my favorite shots of the fest. Something about it... I loved it.

This was the only entry that gave me chills at the end, and I'm rooting for Broadcast to be #1. :thumbup: Go Karl!

Tim, surely you mean #2 right? lol. All the best to you too, Anti-de-presence is one of my top films of this fest. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of you too.

Excellent entry. I found myself watching this one, one more time than I had planned to and its because it was one of my favorites. Excellent production value, great cinematography and an engrossing storyline. This is one of those films that made me lose myself for a bit in the world of the film, so I think you for that.

Good work. Now gimme more!

More? Can I take a break? I got like 3 hours sleep a night in the run up to the fest. We finished filming on 26th october and we still had the edit to complete and fx to do the day before. Next time more planning! For now, a holiday (i wish)

...Now, tell me how you made the entire city appear in ruins, please. I was wondering about that kind of thing for my film.

Thanks Marlon, basically most of it was photoshop manipulation, with a few 3D models. I have posted an explaination a few pages back, but I might run off a few before/after images if people are interested. Just gimme a few days!

Awesome work. One of my favorites, really. Beautifully shot, and well acted. I wasn't absolutely blown away by the story but the presentation and execution was so amazing. The actor and extras did really well too. Really great job

Champloo, thanks man. Very much appreciated. The actor was great and super easy to work with. I'm all about using actors instead of my mates now from here forward!

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Cool. I look forward to it, because that was great!

 

[Susanne G.]

Congratulations! :thumbsup:

Susanne

 

[pauly_the_hitman]

Well I am happy to say you are tied for my first spot in the fest. Since I couldn't make up my mind on yours or the other I gave them both the same vote and figured it would work out some how on it's own. And it did you are both in the top 7 and it is now up to everyone who didn't vote the first time around. Although watching it again just now I must say it is still a tough call. I really enjoyed this film and the cinematography was great and the acting spot on. Awesome job. Congratulations.
Pauly