Matt Sconce
Veteran
John_Hudson said:
Hey! My ninja master had a super headband! Super Ninjas Unite! LOL! :furious3:
On a serious note, this is also my favorite of the competition.
BONE HAND by Jack Daniel Stanley
- Thread starter Jack Daniel Stanley
- Start date
Hey! My ninja master had a super headband! Super Ninjas Unite! LOL! :furious3:
On a serious note, this is also my favorite of the competition.
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
John_Hudson said:
Yeah, well you think Titanic is like the greatest movie ever, so I'll take your "theory of acting" with a grain of salt.
I liked the kid's performance, what the hell do you want from me?
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Don't take it personal mang; it's just an opinion
Anyway's Beaatch
I said:
Anyway's Beaatch
I said:
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
John_Hudson said:
I'm just ****ing with you. Don't want to thread-jack, so...
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
It's cool. Sides' in the end, I'm alway's right anyway.
:laugh:
:laugh:
Larry Rutledge
Fest Master
(Note: I have not read most of the responses yet, until I had a chance to write mine...didn't want to be unfairly influenced )
I really enjoyed this film, it was amazing how much story you got in such a short period of time. It never felt like it drug and every piece of "storytelling" seemed to be long enough for me to catch all of it. Their is so much story told that I remember at one point thinking surely this is going over 6 minutes, but when I looked down and saw the bar at under 3 minutes at the halfway mark I was really impressed.
The special effects were top notch, you did a great job integrating them into the film. They fit in as a part of the story and not simply slapped on to impress. I liked the "death" coming into his hands, the smoke looked very fluid and realistic and seemed like it was really there and not just drawn on with the computer.
The framing of the shots was superb...I love the opening shot of the guy biking down the alley...looks really cool. And the coloring all seemed to fit well and help tell the story. The alley way had a bit of a blue-tint to it, made everything a little moody and sinister. Later in the apartment the colors are more rich and full, giving a sense of real life.
The sound was really good, I liked that I could hear all the dialog and it didn't sound like it came from Uncle Billy's camcorder on-board mic. It was full and rich sounding. The ambient noise (rain, etc) and the sound fx were all really clear and well mixed to not overpower the film.
I didn't personally care for the portions of the score that were rock sounding. It fits the story ok, but I'm just not personally a big fan of that type of score.
The story was complete and had a great hook at the end for BoneHand 2
The acting, overall, was pretty good...but not outstanding. I think everyone did a good job, but the only one that left me feeling like I wasn't watching an actor was BoneHand. The others never fully became their character and I never forgot that they were someone else that existed outside of the world you created.
Overall a great job, I'm glad you were able to complete it in time to enter. That is a lot of work to have completed and then be shut out. Thanks for sharing this film, I really enjoyed it.
Peace,
Larry
I really enjoyed this film, it was amazing how much story you got in such a short period of time. It never felt like it drug and every piece of "storytelling" seemed to be long enough for me to catch all of it. Their is so much story told that I remember at one point thinking surely this is going over 6 minutes, but when I looked down and saw the bar at under 3 minutes at the halfway mark I was really impressed.
The special effects were top notch, you did a great job integrating them into the film. They fit in as a part of the story and not simply slapped on to impress. I liked the "death" coming into his hands, the smoke looked very fluid and realistic and seemed like it was really there and not just drawn on with the computer.
The framing of the shots was superb...I love the opening shot of the guy biking down the alley...looks really cool. And the coloring all seemed to fit well and help tell the story. The alley way had a bit of a blue-tint to it, made everything a little moody and sinister. Later in the apartment the colors are more rich and full, giving a sense of real life.
The sound was really good, I liked that I could hear all the dialog and it didn't sound like it came from Uncle Billy's camcorder on-board mic. It was full and rich sounding. The ambient noise (rain, etc) and the sound fx were all really clear and well mixed to not overpower the film.
I didn't personally care for the portions of the score that were rock sounding. It fits the story ok, but I'm just not personally a big fan of that type of score.
The story was complete and had a great hook at the end for BoneHand 2
The acting, overall, was pretty good...but not outstanding. I think everyone did a good job, but the only one that left me feeling like I wasn't watching an actor was BoneHand. The others never fully became their character and I never forgot that they were someone else that existed outside of the world you created.
Overall a great job, I'm glad you were able to complete it in time to enter. That is a lot of work to have completed and then be shut out. Thanks for sharing this film, I really enjoyed it.
Peace,
Larry
Matt Sconce
Veteran
I would love to find out how you did the smoke effects from the deaths and all. I enjoyed them a lot and wish i could do effects like that in the future....BTS coming?
Hey guys ... I'm kind of surprised.
I know I threw a few things in at the last minute that make the openning too jumpy, and they are just a few things but they make a lot of difference in terms of crossing that line of edgey vs. disorienting ...
But I'm surprised to hear people say that they liked ODD Squad better.
To me this film has so many more levels and is exeucted better and has fewer false notes and more varierty of pacing - though I think I did go overboard and hope I can tweak to fix even though the cut has been locked to the music etc.
I really think (thought?) this was my best film yet. I would rank them as follows
1) Bone Hand (only pulling ahead of Shed for technical reasons and scope of story)
2) Shed (the most honest/real of the three ... also the simplest)
3) ODD Squad (lots of fun with the most moments that just miss the mark in terms of performance and execution - and the least emotional impact of the three)
Shed was my first time out and my only film and I thought maybe it was good and I was pretty proud of it. ODD Squad I was a little dissapointed in. But this one I was really proud of and thought was the best of the bunch.
*sigh*
I know I threw a few things in at the last minute that make the openning too jumpy, and they are just a few things but they make a lot of difference in terms of crossing that line of edgey vs. disorienting ...
But I'm surprised to hear people say that they liked ODD Squad better.
To me this film has so many more levels and is exeucted better and has fewer false notes and more varierty of pacing - though I think I did go overboard and hope I can tweak to fix even though the cut has been locked to the music etc.
I really think (thought?) this was my best film yet. I would rank them as follows
1) Bone Hand (only pulling ahead of Shed for technical reasons and scope of story)
2) Shed (the most honest/real of the three ... also the simplest)
3) ODD Squad (lots of fun with the most moments that just miss the mark in terms of performance and execution - and the least emotional impact of the three)
Shed was my first time out and my only film and I thought maybe it was good and I was pretty proud of it. ODD Squad I was a little dissapointed in. But this one I was really proud of and thought was the best of the bunch.
*sigh*
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Jack Daniel Stanley said:Hey guys ... I'm kind of surprised.
I know I threw a few things in at the last minute that make the openning too jumpy, and they are just a few things but they make a lot of difference in terms of crossing that line of edgey vs. disorienting ...
But I'm surprised to hear people say that they liked ODD Squad better.
To me this film has so many more levels and is exeucted better and has fewer false notes and more varierty of pacing - though I think I did go overboard and hope I can tweak to fix even though the cut has been locked to the music etc.
I really think (thought?) this was my best film yet. I would rank them as follows
1) Bone Hand (only pulling ahead of Shed for technical reasons and scope of story)
2) Shed (the most honest/real of the three ... also the simplest)
3) ODD Squad (lots of fun with the most moments that just miss the mark in terms of performance and execution - and the least emotional impact of the three)
Shed was my first time out and my only film and I thought maybe it was good and I was pretty proud of it. ODD Squad I was a little dissapointed in. But this one I was really proud of and thought was the best of the bunch.
*sigh*
I absolutely think Bone Hand was the best of the bunch. I also agree with your ranking. I thought Shed was better than Odd Squad, but that this new one trumped them all. It was much more epic, and I loved the story and lighting. I also thought the effects were top notch. If I was going to put money down to purchase one, I would buy Bone Hand. If I were to invest in one for a feature....It would be Bone Hand. I wish i had made it...hehe.
rogar-BigGrin(DBG) I remember back when i watched the Shed, and saw the BTS, I decided I had to have a DVX. I saved for a year after seeing it and finally got the DVX100b. I kind of understand how you must have felt when you entered the Shed in Zombiefest, as Nine to Five Ninja, is our first attempt at narrative film. I will be interested to see your review. :thumbsup:
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Don't fret Jack !
Sometimes the audience know's better than the artist (being removed emotionally, ya know?).
I hope you do not mistake any criticism as nothing but your peers really caring about the work you created. It is the best of the bunch, but when I see you raising bar's, you expect that bar to keep going.
In the professional world, there are very few great filmmaker's working with most of them never able to raise that bar into greatness no matter how good a filmmaker they are.
I really look forward to your next piece; as I think it may be a slam dunk. I also want to emphasize that this kicked major arse; major tail.
The in-depth deconstruction from me comes from liking it that much. Make sense ?
-
You are a true inspiration to me. I am humble at your drive and being a filmmaker and not yappin about it.
Sometimes the audience know's better than the artist (being removed emotionally, ya know?).
I hope you do not mistake any criticism as nothing but your peers really caring about the work you created. It is the best of the bunch, but when I see you raising bar's, you expect that bar to keep going.
In the professional world, there are very few great filmmaker's working with most of them never able to raise that bar into greatness no matter how good a filmmaker they are.
I really look forward to your next piece; as I think it may be a slam dunk. I also want to emphasize that this kicked major arse; major tail.
The in-depth deconstruction from me comes from liking it that much. Make sense ?
-
You are a true inspiration to me. I am humble at your drive and being a filmmaker and not yappin about it.
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
yeah, I'm with Hudson on this one, Jack. I really am sitting here, working on the post for my next short, and telling myself: Make it as good as Jack's.
Plus, I am planning a couple of dramatic shorts for later in the year, and the same thought is buzzing in my head constantly: I gotta get them as good as THAT GUY.
Plus, I am planning a couple of dramatic shorts for later in the year, and the same thought is buzzing in my head constantly: I gotta get them as good as THAT GUY.
Jack:
Thanks for taking the criticism the right way, and I hope there are no hurt feelings. And I appreciate you responding to it. Your a good man for that.
So since I don't know how to do those fancy broken quotes, here are my responses to your questions (numbered how they were in your post):
3. The white face. Don't get me wrong, I do understand why this hero had a white face with his undead(?) state. It's just on the last one it was blue faces, now white, which made me wonder if in the next it would be green or something. Maybe just seeing it back to back didn't do it for me (in 2 subsequent JDS flicks).
But I do consider it appropriate for this character.
4. I'll have to agree with you on the beginning. I guess to get specific maybe it focused more on the criminal and the victim and only gave us a glimpse of the hero, so maybe it just wasn't enough in my opinion. Like Hudson, I enjoy a slower pace, where we can really get to see who we're dealing with and understand the situation. So maybe the intro was too rushed for me. I guess this is why in our film we purposefully slowed the pace down. But to each his own, and obviously John found yours the better piece in his opinion.
So again, I'll take back what I said about the intro not fitting.
And I DO take your rebuttal as a spirited debate: bring it on brother! Seriously, I enjoy this type of discussion more than any other part of this forum. CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Just one filmmaker helping another out and vise versa.
So keep up the good work, and so will we!
Thanks again for all your good responses.
Thanks for taking the criticism the right way, and I hope there are no hurt feelings. And I appreciate you responding to it. Your a good man for that.
So since I don't know how to do those fancy broken quotes, here are my responses to your questions (numbered how they were in your post):
3. The white face. Don't get me wrong, I do understand why this hero had a white face with his undead(?) state. It's just on the last one it was blue faces, now white, which made me wonder if in the next it would be green or something. Maybe just seeing it back to back didn't do it for me (in 2 subsequent JDS flicks).
But I do consider it appropriate for this character.
4. I'll have to agree with you on the beginning. I guess to get specific maybe it focused more on the criminal and the victim and only gave us a glimpse of the hero, so maybe it just wasn't enough in my opinion. Like Hudson, I enjoy a slower pace, where we can really get to see who we're dealing with and understand the situation. So maybe the intro was too rushed for me. I guess this is why in our film we purposefully slowed the pace down. But to each his own, and obviously John found yours the better piece in his opinion.
So again, I'll take back what I said about the intro not fitting.
And I DO take your rebuttal as a spirited debate: bring it on brother! Seriously, I enjoy this type of discussion more than any other part of this forum. CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Just one filmmaker helping another out and vise versa.
So keep up the good work, and so will we!
Thanks again for all your good responses.
capitalP
Veteran
Just saw this Jack! I must say the cinematography is awesome... the action sequences was nice, the only problems I have were with the actors... not the Bone Hand, but the two guys in the alleyway.. and though she is only a little girl, I hate to say, her acting kind of took me out the story, specially the spitting the blood scene, I actually laugh when i saw that, that scene was suppose to be emotional, but it made me laugh...
And I thought the story was ok... But the look of the film is incredible, cool FX.. though I haven't seen Shed, I must say ODD Squad IMO is the best I've seen from you(Story, acting, FX, cinematagraphy) ODD Squad had it all, not to take anything away from this film, the look of it was Awesome, it kind of lacked in other things, nontheless you're a great film maker... Keep up the good work..
Now I have to go see the rest of the stuff to cast my vote..
Anybody know when is the deadline to vote?
And I thought the story was ok... But the look of the film is incredible, cool FX.. though I haven't seen Shed, I must say ODD Squad IMO is the best I've seen from you(Story, acting, FX, cinematagraphy) ODD Squad had it all, not to take anything away from this film, the look of it was Awesome, it kind of lacked in other things, nontheless you're a great film maker... Keep up the good work..
Now I have to go see the rest of the stuff to cast my vote..
Anybody know when is the deadline to vote?
Don't get me wrong guys its not about the constructive criticicism.
I don't think my movie is perfect and don't resent others pointing out its imperfections, whether or not Cinemark thinks that bonehand should have whiteface or not (disagree) or as others have commented, that the pace of the editing is pushed to far in some places (agree).
It's more about my personal mark and thinking I had taken a big step forward to learn that I was treading water.
I just thought that I had beaten myself (no Bone Hand jokes please) and not just by a little bit. And after two contests of second place I've now come in second place against myself too (with ODD Squad being 1st place).
While these films cost almost nothing in terms of $ (less than 500), they are just too expensive and taxing in many other areas to not move foreward and the possibiilty that I have not done so is pretty discouraging.
It helps to put it in John's perspective that great filmmakers out there making real films seldom make great ones (although part of me says then why bother), but it helps a little.
I don't think my movie is perfect and don't resent others pointing out its imperfections, whether or not Cinemark thinks that bonehand should have whiteface or not (disagree) or as others have commented, that the pace of the editing is pushed to far in some places (agree).
It's more about my personal mark and thinking I had taken a big step forward to learn that I was treading water.
I just thought that I had beaten myself (no Bone Hand jokes please) and not just by a little bit. And after two contests of second place I've now come in second place against myself too (with ODD Squad being 1st place).
While these films cost almost nothing in terms of $ (less than 500), they are just too expensive and taxing in many other areas to not move foreward and the possibiilty that I have not done so is pretty discouraging.
It helps to put it in John's perspective that great filmmakers out there making real films seldom make great ones (although part of me says then why bother), but it helps a little.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Whoa whoa whoa
I firmly believe you have the real chops Jack. I feel that away about very few people on this site (Rich, You, Curugon). This is your 3rd short ever ? (I do not count the America one)
This is not treading water. This is hands down the best. What I meant earlier was that was NO Curugon or KAZ or SIMILO too challenge you in this fest (IMO).
I do not think you have found yourself yet in terms of style and artistry but think that you have the real goods to be a filmmaker. You gotta keep studying though and polishing that rock.
-
I just watched Bonehand again with my 6 year old and he loved it; he was very concerned when Aram's daughter got shot and then asked for more! (I made him watch ODD again; he likes that one)
-
Anyway's
Horrorfest is next. I am afraid.
I firmly believe you have the real chops Jack. I feel that away about very few people on this site (Rich, You, Curugon). This is your 3rd short ever ? (I do not count the America one)
This is not treading water. This is hands down the best. What I meant earlier was that was NO Curugon or KAZ or SIMILO too challenge you in this fest (IMO).
I do not think you have found yourself yet in terms of style and artistry but think that you have the real goods to be a filmmaker. You gotta keep studying though and polishing that rock.
-
I just watched Bonehand again with my 6 year old and he loved it; he was very concerned when Aram's daughter got shot and then asked for more! (I made him watch ODD again; he likes that one)
-
Anyway's
Horrorfest is next. I am afraid.
Kirk Gillock
Rebel with a cause
Jack - I liked this one much better than Odd Squad. This one made me want to see the full length feature version of the story. It was perfect. The only problem I had with it was the acting of one of the thugs who came to the door. Hang on, let me go see what his name is... BRB.
Oh, nevermind. He was good too. lol
Great stuff (once again) Jack. Good luck!
Oh, nevermind. He was good too.
lolGreat stuff (once again) Jack. Good luck!
Last edited:
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
I just watched BH and I freakin' loved it... definitely a more complete story then Odd. I would put this one above Odd easily... got to disagree with the others there. I think the little girl was a better actor then the young man mutant in Odd...
Honestly the reason I've kind of dropped back from the fests is because I want to do something worthwhile... and seeing your level of skill (and the others mentioned by JH) means that until I'm ready to compete I don't have much interest in being a total "also ran".
To be considered a good filmmaker you have to be at least semi-consistently good... nobody has great respect for one-hit wonders... and yeah, the community is friggin' critical... but considering you are consistently hitting them off the far wall if not over it... I sure wouldn't beat yourself up on opinionated details.
I kinda' got choked up at the end of your flick... it hit some buttons for me that these festival shorts rarely even get close to.
So is that still 2:35 or are you secretly wanting to evolve to "banner-boxing"?
Honestly the reason I've kind of dropped back from the fests is because I want to do something worthwhile... and seeing your level of skill (and the others mentioned by JH) means that until I'm ready to compete I don't have much interest in being a total "also ran".
To be considered a good filmmaker you have to be at least semi-consistently good... nobody has great respect for one-hit wonders... and yeah, the community is friggin' critical... but considering you are consistently hitting them off the far wall if not over it... I sure wouldn't beat yourself up on opinionated details.
I kinda' got choked up at the end of your flick... it hit some buttons for me that these festival shorts rarely even get close to.
So is that still 2:35 or are you secretly wanting to evolve to "banner-boxing"?
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Fantastic stuff, Jack! Great idea and brilliant execution. Top notch, sir.:beer: