"PLACEBO" - Piatt Films

As a cine-noob I feel like I can speak as an outsider and say, WOW, soooo good. I love this genre of film and you definitely kept me on the edge of my seat... I will never use a Rosenthal product again. The visuals, dialogue, and score all worked in unison together to kick ass, and it was a very entertaining film. I'd love to see more of your work.
 
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Just checked out your flick. Very awesome entry one of my 2 favorite in the fest. Glad i got to see it. hope you make it further into the fest.
 
Top notch editing, effects, cinematography, design, and acting. (and of course Music) I echo the raves of other comments, and will try to give some helpful criticism.

In my book, you told a complete story, and I got it, but it was a big pill to swallow, to use a little pun. :)

SPOILERS:::

It was either too much for 6 minutes or it was hard to believe this situation had transpired this way. Maybe more of the latter. The drug element was vague, because we had no idea what its intentions were. Psychotopic compound? Does that mean it makes people crazy? :)
Then there's the scared girl in the corner that is apparently unaffected by the drug, yet he keeps her safe? She doesn't seem to be important to the story.
When the guy comes after him and no amount of bullets even slow him down, it has a zombie feel to it, but he's really the good guy.
Then he says something about not leaving because "where would I go?" I think if i was in that situation, unless the doors are blocked by tanks, I'm gettin' the f out of dodge, you know? Unless he's crazy. :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

I hope you don't feel like I'm bashing. I'm a big fan of your work and there's a LOT to be VERY proud of here. Still one of the top entries. I eagerly await the longer version.
Your a real pro!

-tim
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for dropping by!

Tim - Thanks for the thoughts! We actually started with a 5-page script and ended up expanding it to about 12-pages before we shot to answer some of the questions you raise. So, when we had to cut it down to 6 for the competition I figured it would leave some questions unanswered! :smile: For this we just tried to keep the very essential elements in there to tell a complete story as well as we could in the time allowed. That is why I really appreciate your thoughts on what could make this better...I hate to submit a piece and say, "Oh, it is part of a longer film we're working on so if it sucks..." If I didn't want this to be judged and evaluated as a standalone piece I would not have submitted it.

Thanks!!!

Daniel
 
I'm not sure how I missed this one on day 1. Oh well, it gave me something good to watch on day 2.

I like what you did here. It was a good follow-up to "The Small Multiple." I didn't like it quite as much but it was still very good. I thought you handled the action scenes well and made them look real. The story was a tad forced to get to the place you got to in the ending but I'm sure that was probably a result of the time constraint. It was a lot of story to tell in 6 minutes but I think you did a fine job doing it.

I've got to say that Justin's VO sounded just like Michael Moriarty to me.

I loved the opening title card as well as the end credits.

Good job on this one.
 
Great job. Loved the edit style, acting and score. It just felt like too much story for 6 minutes to me...and I'm not sure I fully understand it. The Small Multiple is still one of my favorites & I'll always be a fan of your films!

Congrats to everyone involved...great gun shot sounds!
 
Hey guys,

Blaine - Thanks for the kind words and feedback! I'll have to let Justin know that he sounds like Moriarty! :smile: And you are right...it is a LOT of story to fit into 6-minutes! Personally I thought The Small Multiple had a more complex storyline but it is hard for me to evaluate it being so close to the projects.

Zaza - I appreciate your input and thanks for watching! Glad you liked The Small Multiple. If you had to take a guess at the storyline what would your best guess be? I'm curious to hear what you picked up on and what seemed confusing/unclear.

Ciao!

Daniel
 
Wow! Just... wow! I loved the cinematography and directing- especially with that cutout he looks through at about 3:29. I actually jumped when was attacked! I also loved the titles and end credits- nice design work.
 
Daniel,

I liked this one. Nice setup and execution throughout. I can tell a lot of thought, time and planning went into this one. It's well edited coupled with some excellent cinematography and production design. From a tech perspective, there's not much for to critique on. It was well produced.

Story-wise, I dig it. It has an interesting set up with good beats therein. My favorite section is when that other guy attacks them and he's shooting/stabbing/etc. It's very visceral, very raw and I feel it's the most intense moment of the film.

Also... you have a distinct style in regards to storytelling. I did not remember that you made the Small Multiple but literally within two minutes of watching your film, I said "this is probably the same guy who made Small Multiple". It's good to have style, that's key for directors these days. You've gotta have a signature and you most certainly do.

One of my favorites so far! Thanks for sharing.
 
Thank you so much for the very generous comments guys! I would like to say that I make my films without regard to what others think...but that would be a big fat lie! :laugh: I truly appreciate honest feedback whether critique or compliment (although compliments are always nice).

Geoff - I really love your work! In fact, about a day before submitting "Placebo" I went back and watched "Project 47: Chaos" and thought to myself, "Why am I even submitting this film if I can't pull off something like that?" I submitted anyway obviously but I really respect the quality of storytelling you present! Interesting storylines, characters and most of all they are entertaining to watch! So, thanks for commenting on our film...maybe I can get some more input from you when we get a longer version cut... :beer:

Ciao.
 
Holy crap, Daniel! I'm sure there are some folks who'll rate their own films a '10', if nothing else because it's a competition, expecting others to do the same, etc. I've not done that ... and in fact, I've not rated ANY film a 10....

Until now.

I've got a folder that I dump everything into after watching it, and another reserved for films I want to show others, watch again myself, etc. It goes without saying yours goes into the latter.

Your editing, my friend, is AMAZING (great direction as well, obviously)! INCREDIBLE camera work as well, color grading, writing, acting, etc. Um, let's see ... anything I didn't like about this film???
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Nope.


And to think, you've liked MY stuff, dude?? I'm flattered, to say the least.

When you can, I'd love nothing more than to have you PM me a link to a HD quality file of that, as well as a longer cut if you have one (I only ask that because it looks like I saw screen grabs that I can't recall if they were in this DVXuser cut or not).
 
James - Thanks for checking it out bro! I'm glad you like it and of course your vote is always appreciated (gosh, I feel like a sleazy politician saying that)! :beer:

Norm - Man...I'm at a loss for words. Don't really know what to say to such nonsense! :grin: Your approval means a lot! I would LOVE to get your feedback on the longer version...I think pacing and story development will be paramount in that and I think having your outside perspective would be very beneficial!

Thanks guys!

Daniel
 
PLACEBO IS AMAZING! Killer job Daniel and to all that worked on it! I can't wait to see the longer version of this. Just amazing. I'm a sci-fi/action girl so I totally dug it, but PLACEBO is fantastic in every way shape and form. Great directing, lighting, DP,great acting, great story, too many GREATS!!! I WANT MORE!!!!
 
Daniel, DEAL! I only ask that I can get my hands on HD files for it, THE SMALL MULTIPLE, and anything else you've done. I'm a huge fan now, what can I say?

BTW, I neglected to mention it before, but Herman DID do an outstanding job on the score (as he always does, the dude is nothing short of amazing) ... so much so that it was such a PART of the film, that I didn't even notice it ... which is perfect as opposed to standing out or getting in the way. Also, I remember being incredibly impressed with your set design, and specifically the attention to detail in your art direction/props, etc. Lastly, the title works is nothing short of pro & fun to look at. Again, I would have to really reach to try & critique any negatives on this ... I'm sure I could if I looked, but I just don't care to even try. Loved it.
 
Holy Hell....I don't even know what else to tell you. I'm not a techno-dork like all the other guys on here. (you guys know who you are!)..but I liked what I saw! Excellent work!
 
Daniel, I just sat and watched your movie with my 10 month old. At first I thought it would be too violent for him, so I paused it... and he turned and gave ma a look... so I played it. totally enraptured. He refused to let me turn it off. Seems like he's inherited my good taste.

Placebo is one of the movies that I've burned on to DVD so I can watch while babysitting and it is one HELL of a ride. Kept me riveted to the screen just to see what else you were going to pull off. The sheer brutality of the attack still sticks with me since it wasn't so much action as it was so real... You've imbued this film with such a sense of reality that it's unreal. Top notch job on the editing, the shooting... the pure cinema of this piece.

Which is why I hate to ask this question of such an awesome ****ing production. Where is the loss? I know this is a holdover from Twilightfest and you've made it for Lossfest, but I just want to be absolutely clear in my mind where the loss is in this movie.

I'm going to have to go watch it again.
 
After watching this film again, actually about 3 times. I have to say that it is really a great film on so many levels. One of the best of the fest for sure.
 
puckthemad said:
I hate to ask this question of such an awesome poo pooing production. Where is the loss? I know this is a holdover from Twilightfest and you've made it for Lossfest, but I just want to be absolutely clear in my mind where the loss is in this movie.
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I wondered about that too, and for that VERY reason, I nominate this film to be DISQUALIFIED!!!! I mean seriously, Puck, do we really want this thing around for competition?? :nads: I think not. :banned:

HA! On a serious note, I didn't know this was a hold over from TwilightFest ... so was mine (script anyway).


Anyway, I DID ask myself that same question, but only briefly. In here, you could interpret any number of smaller things that may have been lost (freedom as they're prisoners for their own safety in that room, etc.) ... but the thing that really sunk in for me as to what he lost was his mind. He lost his sanity, and realized it only too late.
 
Okay I guess it was loss of sanity, self, humanity... quite a bit going on here.. it's like an onion: so many layers and when cooked right, very flavorful. One of my favs. And my son's absolute fav, pity he can't vote though.
 
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