BACKFIRE - By Matthew R. Harris (Defcon)

Thank you John for watching and taking the time for constructive criticism. A few replies:

"I also found some of the color differences a little bit jarring, especially in the shots that cut between the characters right before the misfire."

I used the same white balance for both shots (the backfire scene), but when i aimed the camera in each direction i got different color readings. one was cool because the light is streaming from the window, while the other was warm due to the overhead tungsten light. I felt it was better to leave
the light as it naturally appeared, and i felt it added to the 2 different characters. Do you feel it would have been a better scene if i adjusted the light o be even?

but I didn't like the second one, especially as a final shot to the film. I think it was an okay idea, but it just didn't work for me.

Gotcha, i feel you. We added it to the end to so the dog had the last word, and he was basically saying "ok, that's over, same **** different day, back to eating the bone".

I appreciate your feedback and partially agree, thank you very much for watching John.
 
Yeah, ya know, we weren't sure whether to tell people it was the same guy or not because that might detract from the film. But I think it's now important for people to know that Drew (aka THE FALCONE) played both parts and he really did do a solid job changing his appearance and getting into each role. I would also like to recommend Drew (a new DVXuser member) to any director in the LA area if they need a very talented actor.
 
I like the story. It's simple but effective. The acting is good. Some scenes are washed out but the movie is well done overall. I enjoyed watching it.
 
Defcon said:
Yeah, ya know, we weren't sure whether to tell people it was the same guy or not because that might detract from the film. But I think it's now important for people to know that Drew (aka THE FALCONE) played both parts and he really did do a solid job changing his appearance and getting into each role. I would also like to recommend Drew (a new DVXuser member) to any director in the LA area if they need a very talented actor.
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Wow I didn't realize that was the same guy either. You did good job on the makeup. The acting helps also.
 
Hey Matt, please don't hate me, because you KNOW I'm a fan of your work ... but this is probably my least favorite of yours that I've seen. I won't get into technical stuff on this, but overall I felt like this was perhaps more of a quickly thrown together project, than your previous ones.

Story & acting were just okay for me. The lighting/colors were actually kind of cool ... gave that late 70's gritty vibe that seems to be a visual signature of yours, and works well.

Graphically, the opening sequence & editing just looked WAY cool ... I was expecting a lot ... just didn't deliver for me on the performances and story. Sorry. :(
 
Norm, all good, as someone who has seen all me previous shorts, warts and all, i figured you'd think this was the tightest technically. But story wise it was very simple, and my past entries have been filled to the brim 6 minute stories with lots going on. So I can understand where you're coming from.
 
Story: I really liked the story. Not sure why he would give a guy a gun that backfires though? Maybe you could explain that? I'm assuming that he didn't want him hurting anyone.

Acting: Solid acting. The fact that this guy pulled off both roles is awesome. He was very good. The useless dog was also amusing. :)

Technical: Not as great as some of your previous stuff but not terrible. What I really liked was all the camera movement, that was great.

I actually thought this was pretty good overall. Nice job.

MAH
 
the first time i watched this i didn't really get that it's the same guy then i read the posts and watched again and was like wow....there's a dog.... haha no really this was great the acting was awesome and the camera work was well done.. the dog... really.. the dog kindof stole the show. haha by doing nothing.

awesome work.
 
Thanks MAH, I'm glad you liked it somewhat. I definitely chose to leave it ambiguous
as to some of the story details, but from reading reviews, that may not have been a wise decision.

The answer to the jammed is gun is simply this:

At some point the one brother gave the other brother a broken gun
and said "get this fixed, don't use this gun until it's been worked on. it's jammed".

Had i put that scene at the beginning of the movie, maybe my story would make more sense?

I felt it would be telegraphing what would eventually happen, so i left it out.

My previous shorts are filled wall to wall with technical problems,
so I thought BACKFIRE was easily my tightest short yet technically.
 
Defcon said:
Thanks MAH, I'm glad you liked it somewhat. I definitely chose to leave it ambiguous
as to some of the story details, but from reading reviews, that may not have been a wise decision.

The answer to the jammed is gun is simply this:

At some point the one brother gave the other brother a broken gun
and said "get this fixed, don't use this gun until it's been worked on. it's jammed".

Had i put that scene at the beginning of the movie, maybe my story would make more sense?
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Not sure that would have worked. Maybe he tells his brothers GF that it's broken, but she doesn't tell him. Otherwise he wouldn't attempt to use it if his brother had told him.

Nothing wrong with being ambiguous either.

Either way, I enjoyed this one.

Cheers,

mike
 
"Maybe he tells his brothers GF that it's broken, but she doesn't tell him."

That's good! i like it. i wish you were on set. :)
 
Rating - 6

This film was interesting, but I felt the story and writing was quite contrived. The cinematography was well done overall, other than a few shots here and there. I loved how you kept the camera moving! The dog was a great touch :)

Thanks for participating!
 
Defcon said:
Thanks Brandon for watching and reviewing, I think you and I bonded through All Hallows Fest a few years back.
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Yes sir! :)

However, you're still participating in these fests... where as, I'm kind of lame and haven't been doing it :( Every time I watch what you all do, I am sad I couldn't get a film produced for it.
 
what a superb effort. absolutely great in every way. the camera work was the best. if there are individual awards here this is definitely an easy contender for best director award. the dolly shots were integral to building the tension with PERFECT smooth glides and the music set the mood perfectly as well. the acting was superb as well. there are small subtle touches here like the dog and little barely noticeable pans and subtle tracking shots that are just the best i've seen so far from all the films. very authentic and professional work.
 
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