Wow. Cinematography, editing, effects, lighting, and makeup were all beautifully done. The music sounded great and really went with the film. My only complaint was that the audio was so clean for the kitchen scene. Something about it just didnt sound right. I really liked the story and how you chose to reveal the ending. Congratulations and best of luck at the festivals.
"AWAKE" dvx user premiere, first 1.5min
- Thread starter scharky
- Start date
Rasquachemedia
Well-known member
My comments on Awake:
The imagery of this film is amazing, top notch. Some, if not the best work I've seen with the dvx so far. This film really exploits your talents in terms of cinematography and editing.
The compositions were great and the color and tone you selected was beautiful.
With that, the effects took it to another level. Great work, please detail how you did them on your dvd.
I really enjoyed the pace of the film (I've seen it 5 times already).
It took me a little to get the story, but I think that was more me than your film.
The style kinda reminded of the Jacket and John even kinda looks like Brody.
As for the acting, I like John. I thought he did a great job. The shot of him in the kitchen, though, I didn't find too convincing. It felt pressed, like he was trying too hard or something.
I have to agree that the other actors (his wife and his brother) were not up to par. Neither of them were believable and when the wife confronts him in the kitchen, it looks too fake.
However, I liked her performance on the phone (the closeups to her mouth). They were short and cut well.
I didn't find the brother convincing in any of his shots.
Where the acting really faltered on their part was at the end when they are talking in front of the store/door.
It looked like they were faking it and the brother than looks away, then that two look at John. When the brother looks away it almost looks like he looking for direction from you. When they both look at John, It appears like they are faking it, its not genuine.
Personally I didn't like the porcelain cat in the dream sequence. The location (fields) was great as was the way you ended that sequence.
Going back to the beginning. The title sequence was suspenseful. I really liked it. I am just concerned that it may be hard to read on a TV. You might be doing that intentionally, and if you are that's great. But if you want those beginning credits to be legible than I think the red might be too dull and needs to be more bright (that's how it looked on my computer monitor).
The teapot sound and cut to the house was very Hitchcock. I think he did that with a train whistle once, didn't he? In any case, good work. I really liked that part.
My favorite part I think might be the digital clock from the from the title sequence and its transition into the first shot.
They you panned from the clock to John was awesome.
Audio: I'm pretty novice when it comes to sound, so I don't know about the comments being made about the sound being too clean and the need to dirty it up.
It all sounds good to me. I just needed to adjust the bass on my speakers to get a better sound, my bass was all cranked up and had to bring it down.
I really liked the music as well. Very intense!
So what is the film trying to say?
Well, let see. When I first saw it I thought John had a real relationship with his wife and brother and ended up abandoning them or isolating himself from them. This is where we are at the end. He no longer has a relationship with them and is now homeless.
Than I read someone else's take on it. He was always homeless and only imagined having a wife and brother. So everything was a dream until he awoke from the bench.
I guess him being homeless does make makes more sense. But he looks too clean to be homeless. His clothes and even his bag are too nice for someone who is destitute and has been for quite a while.
In either case I guess the real story is one of solitude and emptiness. The human need to connect, if only vicariously.
As a homeless person I like the way you counterposed the real from the fantasy. The digital clock, house, wife, and brother represented stability and connection for someone without shelter, a rigid sense of time, and alone.
Am I stretching? The scenes where everything is so accelerated, except for John. Is this meant to represent how we live in such a fast paced world, surrounded by strangers we have no connection to. But in the midst of all this, John represents the individuality of it all. He is alone and wants to connect. He picks up that ticket/flyer and tries to reach out. Realizing its not going to happen he creates a new space (in fact he is constantly moving between spaces) where he is in the kitchen with his wife who grabs his hand.
Stefan, thnx for sharing your film.
The imagery of this film is amazing, top notch. Some, if not the best work I've seen with the dvx so far. This film really exploits your talents in terms of cinematography and editing.
The compositions were great and the color and tone you selected was beautiful.
With that, the effects took it to another level. Great work, please detail how you did them on your dvd.
I really enjoyed the pace of the film (I've seen it 5 times already).
It took me a little to get the story, but I think that was more me than your film.
The style kinda reminded of the Jacket and John even kinda looks like Brody.
As for the acting, I like John. I thought he did a great job. The shot of him in the kitchen, though, I didn't find too convincing. It felt pressed, like he was trying too hard or something.
I have to agree that the other actors (his wife and his brother) were not up to par. Neither of them were believable and when the wife confronts him in the kitchen, it looks too fake.
However, I liked her performance on the phone (the closeups to her mouth). They were short and cut well.
I didn't find the brother convincing in any of his shots.
Where the acting really faltered on their part was at the end when they are talking in front of the store/door.
It looked like they were faking it and the brother than looks away, then that two look at John. When the brother looks away it almost looks like he looking for direction from you. When they both look at John, It appears like they are faking it, its not genuine.
Personally I didn't like the porcelain cat in the dream sequence. The location (fields) was great as was the way you ended that sequence.
Going back to the beginning. The title sequence was suspenseful. I really liked it. I am just concerned that it may be hard to read on a TV. You might be doing that intentionally, and if you are that's great. But if you want those beginning credits to be legible than I think the red might be too dull and needs to be more bright (that's how it looked on my computer monitor).
The teapot sound and cut to the house was very Hitchcock. I think he did that with a train whistle once, didn't he? In any case, good work. I really liked that part.
My favorite part I think might be the digital clock from the from the title sequence and its transition into the first shot.
They you panned from the clock to John was awesome.
Audio: I'm pretty novice when it comes to sound, so I don't know about the comments being made about the sound being too clean and the need to dirty it up.
It all sounds good to me. I just needed to adjust the bass on my speakers to get a better sound, my bass was all cranked up and had to bring it down.
I really liked the music as well. Very intense!
So what is the film trying to say?
Well, let see. When I first saw it I thought John had a real relationship with his wife and brother and ended up abandoning them or isolating himself from them. This is where we are at the end. He no longer has a relationship with them and is now homeless.
Than I read someone else's take on it. He was always homeless and only imagined having a wife and brother. So everything was a dream until he awoke from the bench.
I guess him being homeless does make makes more sense. But he looks too clean to be homeless. His clothes and even his bag are too nice for someone who is destitute and has been for quite a while.
In either case I guess the real story is one of solitude and emptiness. The human need to connect, if only vicariously.
As a homeless person I like the way you counterposed the real from the fantasy. The digital clock, house, wife, and brother represented stability and connection for someone without shelter, a rigid sense of time, and alone.
Am I stretching? The scenes where everything is so accelerated, except for John. Is this meant to represent how we live in such a fast paced world, surrounded by strangers we have no connection to. But in the midst of all this, John represents the individuality of it all. He is alone and wants to connect. He picks up that ticket/flyer and tries to reach out. Realizing its not going to happen he creates a new space (in fact he is constantly moving between spaces) where he is in the kitchen with his wife who grabs his hand.
Stefan, thnx for sharing your film.
deepthought21
Member
just watch the full film. very impressive, espcially since it was shot on digital. it was very professional. i loved the cinematography, the effects, and the music. a critique however, the adr was very noticable. besides that, it was great! nicely done, thanks.
dustino
Well-known member
First quick impressions - longer response coming (it's past my bedtime already). Haven't read most of the other posts so sorry if I repeat.
Positives:
Great color/visual tone and overall captivating imagery. Great cinematography - solid compositions throughout - a handful of stunner shots. Love the camera moving "through" the fanblade in opening scene. Soundtrack worked beautifully with the imagery. Enjoyed some "repeated" compositions - tight shot on actor's face in opening bedroom scene and same tight shot in hospital bed later. Effects and overall production value very impressive.
Not strengths:
Acting - less so with main protagonist. Minimal dialogue puts huge emphasis on every word - actors were sometimes unable to deliver necessary gravitas.
Editing in RARE instances - a few shots lingered a bit long for my liking, but A) I'm really tired and B) I sometimes have the attention span of a knat.
Neutral:
Narrative - need another viewing.
Overall, I'm hugely impressed with this and think others (whose opinions REALLY matter) will too. I definitely felt like I was inhabiting a mood, place, moment, or experience. Hard for me to put words to... But "inhabiting" rather than viewing - to me that's one of the greatest things art can acheive - sucking you into its world rather than just presenting something to you. Huge props!
Positives:
Great color/visual tone and overall captivating imagery. Great cinematography - solid compositions throughout - a handful of stunner shots. Love the camera moving "through" the fanblade in opening scene. Soundtrack worked beautifully with the imagery. Enjoyed some "repeated" compositions - tight shot on actor's face in opening bedroom scene and same tight shot in hospital bed later. Effects and overall production value very impressive.
Not strengths:
Acting - less so with main protagonist. Minimal dialogue puts huge emphasis on every word - actors were sometimes unable to deliver necessary gravitas.
Editing in RARE instances - a few shots lingered a bit long for my liking, but A) I'm really tired and B) I sometimes have the attention span of a knat.
Neutral:
Narrative - need another viewing.
Overall, I'm hugely impressed with this and think others (whose opinions REALLY matter) will too. I definitely felt like I was inhabiting a mood, place, moment, or experience. Hard for me to put words to... But "inhabiting" rather than viewing - to me that's one of the greatest things art can acheive - sucking you into its world rather than just presenting something to you. Huge props!
scharky
Veteran
Wow, I really have to say that I didn't expect all of this. I really appreciate all of your responses, and I feel with a couple of good tweaks, from your help, I can make this film all that much stronger. I am having Casey (the music guy) come by this next week to help me clean up the sound effects. As for the acting, not much I can do 
but I am pretty happy over all with their performances. John definatly was a great assest to the film, and if you only knew what I had him doing, you would think he is one of the greatest actors in the world. For example, the very first shot (the field scene) was shot on a cold November afternoon. The way that I did most of the dream sequences is through a stop motion technique, which meant that as some of you mentioned he had to move really slowly, in his bear feat, in the cold wind and freezing ground. By the end, he was shaking, not only from the cold, but from having to bend down really slowly to touch the cat. I felt bad for him and shot the whole scene 3 hours worth, in my bear feet as well.
I am really impressed as well with all of your interpretations of the film. All of you are really spot on with your interpretations, and you even caught some of the symoblisms that I placed throughout the movie. As for the absolute literal interpretation as to what this film is about, we that is up to you. I wanted to make it open to interpretation, I like films that make you think about what you just saw, and open discussion between others. With that said, I am not a writer, and this is my first real directing job. I am happy behind the camera and in the editing room, so i appreciate those that also expressed concern over the narrative of the film. It tells me that there are things that could have been expressed better. (to me, the film makes perfect sense) but that is becasue I wrote it, and have watched it 3 billion times in the last 10 months But It is nice to know the weaker parts in the plot for futer reference, so I thank you all for what you have said. Oh and by the way, Dustino, every opinion really does matter to me. the more opinions, the clearer the picture is painted for me, so I appreciate yours just as much as everyone elses. Thanks again, and as always, more opinions are always welcome. By the way, I am at 41 PM's so there are still 9 more available. If demand is high enough, I may extend it a little bit, but like I said, this is a pre release version ( you guys are the absolute first to view this film) so you are my guinee pigs.
but I am pretty happy over all with their performances. John definatly was a great assest to the film, and if you only knew what I had him doing, you would think he is one of the greatest actors in the world. For example, the very first shot (the field scene) was shot on a cold November afternoon. The way that I did most of the dream sequences is through a stop motion technique, which meant that as some of you mentioned he had to move really slowly, in his bear feat, in the cold wind and freezing ground. By the end, he was shaking, not only from the cold, but from having to bend down really slowly to touch the cat. I felt bad for him and shot the whole scene 3 hours worth, in my bear feet as well.I am really impressed as well with all of your interpretations of the film. All of you are really spot on with your interpretations, and you even caught some of the symoblisms that I placed throughout the movie. As for the absolute literal interpretation as to what this film is about, we that is up to you. I wanted to make it open to interpretation, I like films that make you think about what you just saw, and open discussion between others. With that said, I am not a writer, and this is my first real directing job. I am happy behind the camera and in the editing room, so i appreciate those that also expressed concern over the narrative of the film. It tells me that there are things that could have been expressed better. (to me, the film makes perfect sense) but that is becasue I wrote it, and have watched it 3 billion times in the last 10 months
But It is nice to know the weaker parts in the plot for futer reference, so I thank you all for what you have said. Oh and by the way, Dustino, every opinion really does matter to me. the more opinions, the clearer the picture is painted for me, so I appreciate yours just as much as everyone elses. Thanks again, and as always, more opinions are always welcome. By the way, I am at 41 PM's so there are still 9 more available. If demand is high enough, I may extend it a little bit, but like I said, this is a pre release version ( you guys are the absolute first to view this film) so you are my guinee pigs. 
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Just finished watching the entire film, and I must say, it was a beautifully shot piece... The stop motion stuff was very good as well! Top notch... The acting was a little weak, but certainly not enough to disqualify the piece... The music was brilliant! It was very transparent, but kept the right emotional feel in the piece... Overall I'd give it an A-... Good luck with it...
-BR
-BR
I watched the film and like many others have commented, the story was weak. I was a bit confused with it. I knew he was dreaming and got he was a homeless, but couldn't just get the connection with the other people. But, like someone has mentioned he sort of imagined he had a family.
The acting was so and so. Not so bad for non-actors.
The sound was too clean really. I didn't notice the first time I watched. I didn't realise it was ADR. But, when I watched the second time, yes I have to agree with the others, it is too clean.
The picture composition was perfect, the opening title was great, the soundtrack was beatiful, it just works well with the movie.
Unlike many I didn't really like the Color Correction. I know it was to give that dream look, but I just didn't really liked it.
I liked the visual effects though. How did you do that scene when he touches the cat? Did you do that with Shake? Did you paint over the image?
There was another weird thing I noticed in the movie. It was sort of blurry. Did you mess with the shutter speed? Cause it looks like it.
Well, that is all I have to say.
Keep making movies, cause we get better with practice, and you are definitely on the right path. You have got all the know how. And don't say you can't write, cause not every movie we write are to be good, right?
The acting was so and so. Not so bad for non-actors.
The sound was too clean really. I didn't notice the first time I watched. I didn't realise it was ADR. But, when I watched the second time, yes I have to agree with the others, it is too clean.
The picture composition was perfect, the opening title was great, the soundtrack was beatiful, it just works well with the movie.
Unlike many I didn't really like the Color Correction. I know it was to give that dream look, but I just didn't really liked it.
I liked the visual effects though. How did you do that scene when he touches the cat? Did you do that with Shake? Did you paint over the image?
There was another weird thing I noticed in the movie. It was sort of blurry. Did you mess with the shutter speed? Cause it looks like it.
Well, that is all I have to say.
Keep making movies, cause we get better with practice, and you are definitely on the right path. You have got all the know how. And don't say you can't write, cause not every movie we write are to be good, right?
Scharky,
It must be gratifying to receive such enthusiastic reviews from your peers.
The emotional impact of your movie was palpable. The scene where the lead was walked by the girl from the house to the car (headed to the hospital) was powerful and the music was just perfect for that slow motion duration. I could feel the emptiness and hollow state of affairs at that moment and it stayed with me through the end.
The hospital bed scene was another gripping scene. The setup conveyed a dark and gloomy mood. It reminded me of a similar patient scene in the "Million Dollar Baby". You consistently created a feeling of compassion and pulled me into the emotions of the moment where I almost felt like helping the lead attain a better life in some little way.
Your composition, color correction, lighting, special effects, camera work, soundtrack, imagery, editing, post work and titles were in a word, SPLENDIFEROUS! When you author your "behind-the-scenes" and "the making of" DVD, you have absolutely got to include your superb techniques and the "how to" magic. That will be a priceless and memorable contribution to your DVD's purchase value.
With respect to things which could be enhanced, frankly, there is little relative to improve ... other than what's been said by the experienced DVX users in our community. The ADR was in fact too clean, giving the audio a somewhat sterile feel. While there's nothing "wrong" with that approach per se, it didn't fit in with the kind of environment you were projecting in certain scenes -- like the one where he walks in the door door from the bus stop and the girl calls out his name. Also, as was pointed out earlier, it would have been nice to have some ambient sound when he wakes up on the bench -- which was another magnificent scene in terms of composition and color correction.
While I liked all the parts by themselves -- the scenes and sequences -- the sum of the parts, i.e. the story left me wondering about what you might have intended to convey to the audience. The story was a little nebulous for my understanding. Although, based on your notes above, it seems like you desired that effect and keeping it abstract was part of your message.
If you find the time and willingness to tell us about what camera settings you used, how you achieved the fantastic color correction effects with various filters/plug-ins (in FCP HD?), your lighting setup, the special and title effects in this forum, that would spectacular. If not, I would be just as happy buying your DVD and watching them with your commentary.
The movie will be a real treat for the audience in any festival you decide to enter!
It must be gratifying to receive such enthusiastic reviews from your peers.
The emotional impact of your movie was palpable. The scene where the lead was walked by the girl from the house to the car (headed to the hospital) was powerful and the music was just perfect for that slow motion duration. I could feel the emptiness and hollow state of affairs at that moment and it stayed with me through the end.
The hospital bed scene was another gripping scene. The setup conveyed a dark and gloomy mood. It reminded me of a similar patient scene in the "Million Dollar Baby". You consistently created a feeling of compassion and pulled me into the emotions of the moment where I almost felt like helping the lead attain a better life in some little way.
Your composition, color correction, lighting, special effects, camera work, soundtrack, imagery, editing, post work and titles were in a word, SPLENDIFEROUS! When you author your "behind-the-scenes" and "the making of" DVD, you have absolutely got to include your superb techniques and the "how to" magic. That will be a priceless and memorable contribution to your DVD's purchase value.
With respect to things which could be enhanced, frankly, there is little relative to improve ... other than what's been said by the experienced DVX users in our community. The ADR was in fact too clean, giving the audio a somewhat sterile feel. While there's nothing "wrong" with that approach per se, it didn't fit in with the kind of environment you were projecting in certain scenes -- like the one where he walks in the door door from the bus stop and the girl calls out his name. Also, as was pointed out earlier, it would have been nice to have some ambient sound when he wakes up on the bench -- which was another magnificent scene in terms of composition and color correction.
While I liked all the parts by themselves -- the scenes and sequences -- the sum of the parts, i.e. the story left me wondering about what you might have intended to convey to the audience. The story was a little nebulous for my understanding. Although, based on your notes above, it seems like you desired that effect and keeping it abstract was part of your message.
If you find the time and willingness to tell us about what camera settings you used, how you achieved the fantastic color correction effects with various filters/plug-ins (in FCP HD?), your lighting setup, the special and title effects in this forum, that would spectacular. If not, I would be just as happy buying your DVD and watching them with your commentary.
The movie will be a real treat for the audience in any festival you decide to enter!
therealslimfigge
Active member
The trailer for this movie had me giddy yesterday. The full movie was beautiful.
Good work with the milky, dreamy texture. You kept it consistent the whole way through. I'm not a real fan of dreamy movies ("****, our photography sucks, let's bring it into AE and add some starglow and say that we were going for a dreamy look!") but this was obviously not on the fly. We can tell because of the amount of planning required in the stop-motion sequences. Well done.
ADR shmayDR. Sometimes audio comes out crappy. That's life. You did a great job with the voice overs. There's room for improvement (there always is) but I don't think it damaged the integrity of the film at all.
The acting leaves something to be desired. But you've already acknowledged this. I think I'm going to invest more in actors than I will in equipment on my next film. Did pay them? Or copy credit meal? I've heard that if you pay actors (something like $200 for 2 weeks of acting) they walk away knowing that they are a part of a professional production. Kinda like bribing them? Whatever. I'm getting into stuff that doesn't relate to "Awake".
Finally, I absolutely abhor interpretive movies so it wouldn't be fair for me to judge the story. Although I am not the target audience for this kind of film, I do hope that my technical input is of some use.
What was your timeline for this film like? What will be on the DVD? I'm very interested =]
Good work with the milky, dreamy texture. You kept it consistent the whole way through. I'm not a real fan of dreamy movies ("****, our photography sucks, let's bring it into AE and add some starglow and say that we were going for a dreamy look!") but this was obviously not on the fly. We can tell because of the amount of planning required in the stop-motion sequences. Well done.
ADR shmayDR. Sometimes audio comes out crappy. That's life. You did a great job with the voice overs. There's room for improvement (there always is) but I don't think it damaged the integrity of the film at all.
The acting leaves something to be desired. But you've already acknowledged this. I think I'm going to invest more in actors than I will in equipment on my next film. Did pay them? Or copy credit meal? I've heard that if you pay actors (something like $200 for 2 weeks of acting) they walk away knowing that they are a part of a professional production. Kinda like bribing them? Whatever. I'm getting into stuff that doesn't relate to "Awake".
Finally, I absolutely abhor interpretive movies so it wouldn't be fair for me to judge the story. Although I am not the target audience for this kind of film, I do hope that my technical input is of some use.
What was your timeline for this film like? What will be on the DVD? I'm very interested =]
Hey Scharky,
I enjoyed the film and would love to see you get into the music videos - but I will focus on some things that you may want to look at.
The opening shot as we look down on the main character is great, but when we cut to the C.U. of the side of his face the color and lighting is much different. Not sure if you did this as an artistic choice and to show some sort of a passage of time (Night to Morning) but it felt a little weird to me.
Secondly not sure if its a compression thing, but as the main character is walking back into the gated door (right before we cut to the great est. shot of the house) his feet seem to have some sort of pixelation - was this green screened ? If so it may have something to do with the way you keyed it. The best test is to burn it on to a dvd and watch it on a big screen, could be a compression thing.
Thirdly, you have some shots with logo's in it - I don't know if that will be a legal problem or not for you (depending on what you want to do with the film), but showing NFL (When the girl is reading the newspaper) and Group Health logo's may pose a small problem. I would advise checking it out, it may be nothing but if something small like that stops your chances of having your film go somewhere then its worth investigating.
Once again good work, you should be proud.
Good luck with your future projects.
I enjoyed the film and would love to see you get into the music videos - but I will focus on some things that you may want to look at.
The opening shot as we look down on the main character is great, but when we cut to the C.U. of the side of his face the color and lighting is much different. Not sure if you did this as an artistic choice and to show some sort of a passage of time (Night to Morning) but it felt a little weird to me.
Secondly not sure if its a compression thing, but as the main character is walking back into the gated door (right before we cut to the great est. shot of the house) his feet seem to have some sort of pixelation - was this green screened ? If so it may have something to do with the way you keyed it. The best test is to burn it on to a dvd and watch it on a big screen, could be a compression thing.
Thirdly, you have some shots with logo's in it - I don't know if that will be a legal problem or not for you (depending on what you want to do with the film), but showing NFL (When the girl is reading the newspaper) and Group Health logo's may pose a small problem. I would advise checking it out, it may be nothing but if something small like that stops your chances of having your film go somewhere then its worth investigating.
Once again good work, you should be proud.
Good luck with your future projects.
scharky
Veteran
My goodness mortimer, you have a really good eye. I didn't even think of those things, the logos and such. I know the NFL one, but where is the group health logo?
As far as the pixelation, it could be due to compression, I'll have to check it out, but yes, it was greenscreened, so that may be the other reason. Thanks again all for your comments. I really am learning a lot from all of you. And I have decided to go a little more in depth with the DVD as far as going behind the effects. Most of the effects are really simple, and can be done by anybody, so i didn't really think it neccesary to go in and go through them. I really didn't think of this film as an effects film, as 90% of the effects were done optically, and the green screening that I did do, was not so much for effect, but out of personal saftey for the actors. As I said before, we were shooting in the middle of winter, and I just didn't want to have john standing around in pajamas and bear feet in downtown Seattle. I'm assuming he didn't want to either. So I made all the shots, measured camera height, focal lenth, direction of sun, and then brought all that back to the studio, and greenscreened him in. I wasn't sure if it would work at first, but it turned out better than I thought.
As far as the pixelation, it could be due to compression, I'll have to check it out, but yes, it was greenscreened, so that may be the other reason. Thanks again all for your comments. I really am learning a lot from all of you. And I have decided to go a little more in depth with the DVD as far as going behind the effects. Most of the effects are really simple, and can be done by anybody, so i didn't really think it neccesary to go in and go through them. I really didn't think of this film as an effects film, as 90% of the effects were done optically, and the green screening that I did do, was not so much for effect, but out of personal saftey for the actors. As I said before, we were shooting in the middle of winter, and I just didn't want to have john standing around in pajamas and bear feet in downtown Seattle. I'm assuming he didn't want to either. So I made all the shots, measured camera height, focal lenth, direction of sun, and then brought all that back to the studio, and greenscreened him in. I wasn't sure if it would work at first, but it turned out better than I thought.
STORYTELLER32
Well-known member
Just watched the 1.5 minute teaser. And this REALLY was a teaser because the first 48 seconds was credits (very COOL credits, but still credits). From what I saw, simply stunning visuals & sound design. This looks to be the strongest DVX film I've ever seen (visually). Sincerely hope I get to watch the narrative of this amazing looking film. Kudos to you and all you've accomplished here. It's really an amazing achievement.
Kirk Gillock
Rebel with a cause
scharky - I think it's obvious by the amount of responses (and size of the posts) that people are really excited about your finished project. Every frame shows true passion for filmmaking. The film looks incredible. Congratulations.
scharky
Veteran
Well, let me first just say, that I will go into detail on how I did those things that you asked. But as just an overview, the part where he touches the cat was actually painted on John during the shoot, frame by frame. WE have a behind the scenes camera that we shot timelaps so you will get a better idea in the DVD. I then exported the last set of frames, closup on his face, as tiff files, and painted over them in photoshop.
The other scene with the camera zooming away from john was done actually very slowly moving the camera away, following a 100 ft string that I layed on the ground. I then used 2D3's image stabalizing to stabalize the footage and then sped it up about 1000%. Hope this helps.
The other scene with the camera zooming away from john was done actually very slowly moving the camera away, following a 100 ft string that I layed on the ground. I then used 2D3's image stabalizing to stabalize the footage and then sped it up about 1000%. Hope this helps.
STORYTELLER32
Well-known member
Thanks for the link to the full film, Scharky. This was really a tremendous undertaking on the part of yourself and everyone who was involved so you guys should all take a much deserved bow. The technicals of this flik are simply inspiring. An awful lot of care, time and effort went into this and it really shows. Don't be surprised if it takes home several awards from film festivals for cinematography, special effects and score, among many, many others. (Speaking of score, how do I get in touch with the guy who did your music? He's amazing.)
So onto the review:
I went out of my way to not read reviews of this before watching the film so I could give you an honest uninfluenced critique. As film makers I think we tend to notice, nitpick and analyze things that the public at large would likely gloss over. I did my best to try and watch it on that level and overall, I was engrossed in your narrative. But there were three things which took me out of your narrative. The first was the ADR (on the sister in particular). It was really noticeable as ADR and didn't fit the environment she was in. Some further sound design in that area would easily (or not so easily, lol...) fix it. The second thing was the acting. Since there's such a sparing amount of dialogue in your film, the lines which are said are given greater attention by the audience so they really need to be delivered truthfully. Overall the performances were sub-par (ie. when your main character panics in the hospital bed and tries to escape, his physical reactions felt rehearsed and pre-determined, not reactionary). The female actor's performance stood out as especially lacking but I think that's because she had the most dialogue. Lastly, the pacing was a problem for me. It was only a 10 minute film but felt much longer (especially towards the end when your main character was in the alley).
The story itself was a bit of a let down given it was coupled with such a tremendous visual treatment. I just read your intent was to get people to think and try and figure out what this was about, and on that level, I think you succeeded. But to be honest, I don't understand what you were trying to convey other than (in the end) we get that your main character's relationship to these people is just a fantasy of his.
What I didn't understand was why he was hallucinating in such a manner as the relationship between the hallucination(s) didn't clearly correspond to the story's outcome. I didn't understand the time lapse treatment as it related to his wishful fantasy of having people in his life who would care about him. Why did he enter that gated entry in the beginning? I got that he felt trapped in that plastic box, but why did the touching of a cat affect him in such a way? In the end, while these things were pretty impressive to look at, to me it didn't really serve the story and just leaves me trying to understand what you were trying to say with those particular hallucinations. That being said, fill me in you talented bastard! The suspense is killing me! lol...
Seriously, overall a tremendous accomplishment and you should be very, very proud of this film. I hope my comments are taken well as they're meant to be constructive.
Look forward to seeing more work from you-
So onto the review:
I went out of my way to not read reviews of this before watching the film so I could give you an honest uninfluenced critique. As film makers I think we tend to notice, nitpick and analyze things that the public at large would likely gloss over. I did my best to try and watch it on that level and overall, I was engrossed in your narrative. But there were three things which took me out of your narrative. The first was the ADR (on the sister in particular). It was really noticeable as ADR and didn't fit the environment she was in. Some further sound design in that area would easily (or not so easily, lol...) fix it. The second thing was the acting. Since there's such a sparing amount of dialogue in your film, the lines which are said are given greater attention by the audience so they really need to be delivered truthfully. Overall the performances were sub-par (ie. when your main character panics in the hospital bed and tries to escape, his physical reactions felt rehearsed and pre-determined, not reactionary). The female actor's performance stood out as especially lacking but I think that's because she had the most dialogue. Lastly, the pacing was a problem for me. It was only a 10 minute film but felt much longer (especially towards the end when your main character was in the alley).
The story itself was a bit of a let down given it was coupled with such a tremendous visual treatment. I just read your intent was to get people to think and try and figure out what this was about, and on that level, I think you succeeded. But to be honest, I don't understand what you were trying to convey other than (in the end) we get that your main character's relationship to these people is just a fantasy of his.
What I didn't understand was why he was hallucinating in such a manner as the relationship between the hallucination(s) didn't clearly correspond to the story's outcome. I didn't understand the time lapse treatment as it related to his wishful fantasy of having people in his life who would care about him. Why did he enter that gated entry in the beginning? I got that he felt trapped in that plastic box, but why did the touching of a cat affect him in such a way? In the end, while these things were pretty impressive to look at, to me it didn't really serve the story and just leaves me trying to understand what you were trying to say with those particular hallucinations. That being said, fill me in you talented bastard! The suspense is killing me! lol...
Seriously, overall a tremendous accomplishment and you should be very, very proud of this film. I hope my comments are taken well as they're meant to be constructive.
Look forward to seeing more work from you-