"MODEL / PHOTOGRAPHER" - an ELOQUENT GRAFFITI prelude – a film by SABI

Not for nothing, but can you write at least one thing where John T. Woods gets laid? Holmes can't catch a break with the ladeeeez.

Proper review later :)
 
Holy **** this was awesome. The camerawork and directing and the acting (Mary-Elise and John) goes without saying, but man! The editing! Superb. Really great stuff Jamie. This has my vote.
 
Zak... Wow. Like others have mentioned - I've been there. To see it on screen is just surreal.

Spoilers

The kiss was just amazing. Seems like it easily could've been an overdramatic moment, but it was just perfect. And the drive home. Damn it if we haven't all been there.

I was honestly so captivated by the stories I didnt notice the camera at all. I couldn't even begin to tell you where the focus was soft or if it really even was. Maybe this isnt a great film for camera geeks, but its an amazing one for people. Yep, I just said camera geeks arent people. Get over it and get back to worry about your resolution charts guys.

Can't wait to see EG now. MoPho stood well as a short but knowing there's more is just great. I hope you dont change a thing with how you are doing this.

Ha - just read Kevin's post - yes fantastic work Jamie as I didnt notice a single edit. Just seemed like real life. To me it doesnt get alot better than that.
 
Great great stuff! Great control and use of the D90, I was afraid there would be a lot of Jello.

Looking forward to what comes after!
 
All I can say is "wow." I kept waiting to see what the "loss" was, thinking it was going to be something predictable and melodramatic. Instead, it was surprising and subtle--yet, it was the kind of loss everyone can relate to. This film was really beautiful. Loved the actors, the setting, the music. This is something I would watch over and over.
 
Zak-

This was an extremely affecting film. Not only did it look gorgeous and intimate, but I felt such a bond to the characters and their situation. I think most of us on here can understand, to great detail, the predicament of their situation.

the music was minimal and it felt correct for the film. The actors were fantastic! The last shot of John was just so heart breaking.

THIS is my favorite of the fest so far. :beer: Tremendous work, everyone.
 
After all this praise. you guys probably gonna hate me for that, but it´s not my cup of tea.

And yeah, I´m way over 21.

Things permanent jump in and out of focus, while my eyes try to adjust.
That, in combination with shaky handheld distracts me from the story.
Wich is a bad thing, cause the story is good and it´s good told.

I know that lot´s a folks admire that camera style - I don´t.
But to each his own - even if I get flak for that - that´s what I think and thats why I told it.

Frank

Kickin ass starts now :D
 
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its fine frank. i can take the criticism. :) it's so valuable to hear why this film didn't resonate with some people. from my point of view, i've adopted the handheld style because i'm injecting a human element into the camera work. i want the camera op to have the freedom to look where he naturally would. personally, i probably get as equally distracted by the artificiality of overly precise and controlled compositions as you do by my more verite approach. so i understand where you're coming from even if it's a direct mirror to my own point of view.

looking forward to watching your film as soon as i get the chance.
 
Good Lord, I'm afraid you not gonna see too much overly precise and controlled compositions in my entry - even if I wish I had some of those. :D

As I said - to each his own - would be boring if we all had the same style :beer: Frank
 
Yep well I enjoyed this film - some have mentioned the style of cinematography (moving camera - focus adjusts) its just one form of visual language (prevelant in modern filmmaking) and it seems a little mute to criticise that.

It would be like one who prefers black and white - bemoaning the fact its in colour...

That aside - I too enjoyed this 'haunting' piece, that very effectively conveyed the misery lol we've probably all encountered at one time with a past lady. We've all been there - i definately have (in a disturbingly similar scenario to that...) so take it from the horses mouth - Zak did more than produce a short - he made a little documentary on the human condition too ;)

Well done mate ;)
 
Postmaster said:
I know that lot´s a folks admire that camera style - I don´t.
But to each his own - even if I get flak for that - that´s what I think and thats why I told it.

Frank

Kickin ass starts now :D
Click to expand...

Aesthetically, I really don't mind handheld work, especially when done a lot. There are certain films that end up feeling tired and restless because of it, but this isn't one of those films to me.

Personally, I only like to use it sparingly, but I really appreciate films that can make great use of it without coming off as ostentatiously presenting a film in a certain manner for "indie" points.
 
I really liked this film Zak, the mix of handheld, neon lights, off-axis framing and focus (with dancing bokeh from the city) complemented the tone for me. Its amazing how much the actors said even though they really didn't say anything.

Its not for sure yet, but It looks like your going to win the DSLR Movie Mode Master of the Year Award. ; ) Cant wait to see the full length film.
 
Greetings Mr. Forsman.

I really quite enjoyed your lighting. Regardless of whether it was natural or not, because lets face it 90% of an audience doesn't care about or know that fact... it was really beautifully composed. You were really able to find the find frames for what was going on.

I know you're planning on turning this into a feature, and i'm not really sure where it goes after this or if you're planning on keeping the same sort of somber quietness to it but I think it works well as a stand alone piece that doesn't really need any type of continuation. I'm sure you have a grand plan but I think it's powerful enough as very real yet stylized snippet of two people that i almost question whether more would take away from that. ya know? I suppose that's ultimately me just saying the short is great on it's own and doesn't need more... but if you know where to take it then go at it.

It's a slow burn that doesn't really feel slow, which i like. I didn't really buy the actress as a model though, something about the way she was posing on the roof just felt a bit off. Likewise the timidness lack of direction beyond the lost-in-translation-whisper from the photographer seemed a bit off to me. Though as I type this I can't really imagine a satisfying way to adjust that, so maybe it's not too big of a deal. Regardless, I like what it says about a photographers relationship with their subjects intended or not. I also enjoy HOW it says it.

Very subtle. Very well done my friend.
 
Hi- Shawn Nelson's wife here. :)

I absolutely adored this film and even cried at the end- which I rarely do in even the saddest movies.

The acting was fabulous- there was nothing about this film I didn't like.

Great job!!!

-Chantelle
 
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