IT WAS JIM - a Film by the Happy Haoles

T

The_Happy_Haole

Active member
1236352716.jpg

TITLE: IT WAS JIM

STORY CONCEIVED: December 2008
WRITTEN: January-February 2009
CASTING: 03.02.09
PRE-PRODUCTION: 03.03.09
RE-WRITTEN: 03.05.09
SIGNED UP FOR DVXuser: 03.05.09
PRE-PRODUCTION (PART II): 03.06.09
PRODUCTION: 03.07.09.
POST-PRODUCTION: 03.08.09
UPLOAD TO DVXuser: 03.09.09 (10:59am PST)




1236667003.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks Hawaiiirish.

Yea, we had fun making it over the weekend and just barely got it in on time.

Hey Hawaiiirish, are you in Hawaii? We shot this up Pupukea. Wet, muddy, fun.
 
Yes. I live on the east shore of Oahu. Actually, I was up on the North Shore this past weekend; it was really wet up there. Pupukea, huh? I heard there is a pretty good hike up there. Probably need to check it out sometime.
 
Glad you liked it.

It's not quite finished. We really didn't give ourselves enough time...

Shot it Saturday...
Edited it Sunday & right up until the deadline....

I'm extremely satisfied with what we were able to submit. However, if we would've just given ourselves a few more hours...... But that's one of the many pitfalls of doing it last minute. We had fun regardless.

Look for the directors cut, coming soon.
 
I really enjoyed the unique perspective you shot this from, although I wish the edit was a little tighter.

Still, I liked the story and I thought your two characters were very likable.

Best of luck in the fest.
 
Chris Messineo said:
I really enjoyed the unique perspective you shot this from, although I wish the edit was a little tighter.

Still, I liked the story and I thought your two characters were very likable.

Best of luck in the fest.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Chris.

We only gave ourselves 44 hours from the time we set up our gear to the time we uploaded (@ 10:59am PST....literally!). We really needed (at least) a few more hours in post. However, our editor Zac did an amazing job in a very short amount of time. We were editing right up to the wire and didn't give ourselves any time to exercise proper compression (we rushed a generic "iPhone" preset, instead of a 'proper' output with Compressor). Again, one of the many pitfalls of doing it last minute.

Thanks for the comments

Aloha
 
Very interesting concept, showing most of it from that POV.

Technically you've got some issues, but you made it in two days. How much could I expect?

Was your sound from on camera? It definitely sounded like it, especially when he was carrying the camera.

I'd be interested to see the improved director's cut.
 
jasonthewho said:
Very interesting concept, showing most of it from that POV.

Technically you've got some issues, but you made it in two days. How much could I expect?

Was your sound from on camera? It definitely sounded like it, especially when he was carrying the camera.

I'd be interested to see the improved director's cut.
Click to expand...

This is where I stand with the film as well. For the amount of time and the fact that there's still going to be work done to it (I think I read that somewhere), this is a solid piece.

I loved that you went for a nice long, focused take right from the get go to establish the situation. Very tactfully done! The style of the image stays consistent, but the stuttering of the image when the camera should probably be lying very still draws too much attention to itself. I know that in a truck that's on, it would be vibrating, but that's where some of the compromises begin. The realism would be substituted for a static shot, allowing the focus to remain on the actors. I'm sure you've thought of this, but I just thought I'd toss it out there again as a portion of my review.

With the cuts between a still environment to the truck moving, I recommend tinkering with L cuts to smooth the transition from shot to shot out. When the wind whipping by from the car's movement breaks in exactly on the cut, it's disrupting. And since there's nothing happening in the scene that would make such an abrupt cut necessary, I would definitely play with that a little. It should help smooth out the edit and make the viewing experience a little more fluid.

I also wasn't sure about the split-screen/cookie-cutter tool used when he picks the camera up. I think a simple fade to black or even a dissolve as you'd already used would have kept a consistency of effect.

I'm sure it's been mentioned already, but when we switch back to color (which was done in a fairly tasteful manner) I found extreme inconsistencies in the color levels in the s/rs set up. Both shots looked composited. If it's not composited, something needs to be done about the foreground levels on the long haired man and background on the other.

The acting was surprisingly good! The two men, despite knowing anything about each other, seemed very sincere and earnest about the situation. A few lines just didn't have the development to feel necessary, but the guys carried it well.

I would love to see this film more finalized, though. Great concept! :beer:
 
this like another films opens to iTunes and wants me to accept! I all ready have iTunes. Not watching I guess
 
I like the POV parts! Didn't like the greenscreen part, it was greenscreened right? their closeup at the end... over all, nice story!
 
vnguyen972 said:
I like the POV parts! Didn't like the greenscreen part, it was greenscreened right? their closeup at the end... over all, nice story!
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Unfortunately, and not to sound like a broken record, time was not on our side....neither in production (Saturday) or in post (Sunday into Monday morning).

We shot our story in linear-ly (is this even a word?). When we got to the area which our last scene was to take place (a 45 min hike from where you could park) we were side swiped by a storm front. It was late in the afternoon and we were losing light. The original intention was to shoot it on location and take full advantage of the fantastic view (have our actors nicely backlit by the sunset etc...). The weather had other plans for us. Since we did all of this COMPLETELY LAST MINUTE, we had to roll with the punches.... So, in a desperate attempt to salvage the project, our DP (Zac) shot a few plates and a wide take or two. Then, back at the director's house (Chris), we tried, again desperately, to TRY to match the lighting. It didn't work.....but it almost did. Also, we ran out of time in trying to get the composite correct. We definitely NEEDED another hour or two (or more) to match, CC & grade, the composite.

So, it was either composite the shots OR shoot it a week later and miss out on this fest......we just went for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top