Broken Circle

[jpbankesmercer]

Norm, Msconce will get back to you both, just gotta nip out and get some shopping in, fresh air! :huh:

 

[Owen]

Do you think it would make the piece less believable if it had a score?

Now that I've slept on it, I've decided that the Wormwood's constant noises ARE the score. It may not be the type of instrumental score we're used to, but they are present throughout and I think that they serve the same purpose a score is meant to serve, and THAT'S cool.

 

[235 Studios]

Well exicuted-

Well exicuted-

DISCLAIMER- I have purposely not read this thread to not sway my thoughts on the film.


That was some bloody briliant camera work, editing, and directing. I enjoyed it- a mix of C.S. Lewis / Rope by Alfred Hitchock / & Reservoir Dogs. After just watching the film one time through If I had to guess where the edits were it would be that they were when the lights flash on and off. Another good place to hid them would be when a head is infront of the camera lens. To know exactly where they are I would have to watch it more closely. If I am wrong, and there are no edits, and it was done in one take- I am even that much more impressed with everything.

You did a good job at choreographing the lines and the camera movement. I'm sure this was not an easy task. Also, the lighting felt appropriate for the film, and it worked- especially as you did not have many options as far as light placement. I assume that you did not have the "set" custom built for the short- so I would have to guess that the practicals are what light the majority of the scene.

Also, nice touch on the VFX- they were subtle, but effective. I like how the blood & horns grow with each successive pass of the camera. Enough to notice that something is happening, but not over the top IMO.

The score, or lack there of, worked for this film. While I'm sure that one could have been created for it, I did not feel like it was missing, or that it needed it.

Overall- this is a well done piece. I think the only major critiques I have are the low light levels when the lights are low / off. I personally would have wanted to see a little more in the actors face- to provide them with more opportunity to see their expressions / reactions. Also- in terms of story, I felt like I was watching an event unfold, but from a distance - emotionally removed. I didn't feel connected to it, or invested in it. Other then this is a freaky event, why do I care about any of the people I am watching? But as I have mentioned elsewhere this might just be due to the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the whole horror genre.

Nice work- this one is a keeper, and will be saved in my library!

As a side note- the guy in the glasses reminds me of that guy in Ghostbusters- the nerdy one with the similar galsses. (no offense to the actor.) I kept wanting him to call his friends as break out the backpack and shoot the guy with ecto-plasm.

 

[ExtremeSleuth]

just got done watching the film. AWESOME JOB, very Rope like. the camera work was phenomenal, the acting was great, the sound was awesome. i honestly couldn't say enough about the film. I wish you the best of luck, and great job on the film

I give it :thumbup: :thumbup:. :beer:

 

[Dario Nieva]

Great work guys! I loved this film a lot, it was very intense and a unique idea. The sound was good and the acting was very good.

I applaud your attempt at the infamous "One-take" shot, but for me it was ruined.

I am not sure if you noticed this or not, or if it was because of the legal troubles that you had that you couldn't shoot it again but, On one of the revolutions I saw what I beleive to be the make-up person's make-up tray. I read that you only took two takes, but I think you should have taken a third (assuming you had the opportunity) because this kinda ruined the realism for me from that point on because I was kinda wondering what i'd see on the next revolution.

Overall a great film, I really enjoyed it but I would like to see it attempted again, when you go for the "one-take" shot, you have to do it perfect or it kind of voids the notion.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

JP, I had to read back a few pages to see in fact that this was just ONE take.

THAT in and of itself for me make this nearly amazing. More so than the story, I was captivated by the technical aspect of it saying to myself 'where's the cut ... they've got to cut in here somewhere ... there's no WAY this is just one take ... is it?'

It's funny Norm, I always think of your work as one of the more technically supirior around the board, not to put down the amazing talent around here, just singling you out. It crossed my mind more than once what’s Norm going to think of this film, not because of your beliefs but because I admire you striving for technical perfection. I on the other hand due to lack of resources am trying to aim for creative/ direction competency. So I’m pleased you liked what I attempted to pull of. It is one shot and that was always my goal. Originally I wanted to do a proper Casino style block-buster single take but realistically having to produce and direct knew one area would suffer. So I kept it simple and tried to throw in a few interesting think-outside-the-box ideas. So to impress yourself and others, well I’m chuffed.

(wanted to hear something new), and wish there could have been more of a finish to the end (seeing what was happening perhaps) ...:

I know that now, just tried to put myself in the shoes of a mythical demon, they are mythical right? Still working on my script chops. Although I must say, I did want to leave it open-ended to let the viewer consider the possibilities.

When dealing with supernatural forces that I take seriously, it adds a sincere creep/scare factor for me. Then add the cool & fun camera work & the one take ... well, that just amazed me.

Thanks for making this film, seriously. :thumbsup:

Thanks mate it means a lot to me. :beer:

J.P.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

this was an amazing movie for me. I liked the no cut method, the make-up, the actors, the room, everything. Rock on!

Thanks for that, I'm getting round to your film honest, I've heard great things. So it's a real compliment. Glad you liked it! :beer:

 

[Mark Harris]

I liked the one take because the story kept moving, in my eyes. But what was soo brilliant about this short, was first off, it was a subject matter that could be done in 6 min. Single place. Single event. Did not detract from the drama of that event for me. I've read some people complaining about story and endings and such, but I feel about short movies, the way I feel about short stories. I think forms can be more varied.

Anyway, you took this simple idea, and let it play on the viewer. And the actors carried the whole thing. That's what's so powerful to me. Timur was right, when they start to feel something under the table, that CREEPED ME OUT.

This is similar to my thoughts on The Seeing. You demonstrated a confidence in your storytelling I don't think I have yet. You used real horror techniques to build expectations and ENGAGE the viewer's imagination, rather than a lot of effects/make-up/etc/. This is the most powerful kind of filmmaking to me.

I guess I could quibble about lights and stuff, but really, I was pulled in enough to forget that stuff.

If there was ANYTHING that pulled me out of it, it was the possessed guy's horns and how they kepy growing - or whatever that was. And the reason it distracted me was I was sitting there as a filmmaker wondering how the HELL you were doin it. I imagined a make-up person running in whenever the camera was off him. But I don't imagine the average viewer would think like that.

The thing about the one shot to me is, YOU TRIED IT. Perfect or not, this is a festival I see as a chance to push yourself. I did that by showing the community here something besides my comedy series. You guys did it with this thing. So I can imagine there was a TON learned by pushing yourselves. And that's why the DVX fests are great in my eyes.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

Now that I've slept on it, I've decided that the Wormwood's constant noises ARE the score. It may not be the type of instrumental score we're used to, but they are present throughout and I think that they serve the same purpose a score is meant to serve, and THAT'S cool.

So you not doing the score now???

 

[ezexpress]

I am not sure if you noticed this or not, or if it was because of the legal troubles that you had that you couldn't shoot it again but, On one of the revolutions I saw what I beleive to be the make-up person's make-up tray. I read that you only took two takes, but I think you should have taken a third (assuming you had the opportunity) because this kinda ruined the realism for me from that point on because I was kinda wondering what i'd see on the next revolution.

To tell you the truth I didn't notice this until my second viewing. I do however happen to agree... I do not know what the circumstances were, but I would not have been able to let that go.

So far this is my favorite film entered, and I really enjoyed the premise. The under the table line is priceless... really gave me chills!

 

[jpbankesmercer]

To tell you the truth I didn't notice this until my second viewing. I do however happen to agree... I do not know what the circumstances were, but I would not have been able to let that go.

Guys you got me, hehehe, no-one noticed for a while. Its a real shame. Want to take it out with AE (if anyone is offering some help ) I'm rubbish with it. We didn't notice on the night and we were cut short and couldn't go for another take, next-door came screaming round saying we had woken the kids. So I'm gutted. But I WILL fix it and only you DVXuser guys will ever know so....Shhhooosshhh :thumbup:

So far this is my favorite film entered, and I really enjoyed the premise. The under the table line is priceless... really gave me chills!

Thanks dude, that line still shakes ME up too :crybaby:

 

[jpbankesmercer]

That was some bloody briliant camera work, editing, and directing. I enjoyed it- a mix of C.S. Lewis / Rope by Alfred Hitchock / & Reservoir Dogs. After just watching the film one time through If I had to guess where the edits were it would be that they were when the lights flash on and off. Another good place to hid them would be when a head is infront of the camera lens. To know exactly where they are I would have to watch it more closely. If I am wrong, and there are no edits, and it was done in one take- I am even that much more impressed with everything.

NO edits....1 take....1 take...

That coming from you is a massive compliment, I couldn't wish for better. Work with me!!! Norm will never know

You did a good job at choreographing the lines and the camera movement. I'm sure this was not an easy task. Also, the lighting felt appropriate for the film, and it worked- especially as you did not have many options as far as light placement. I assume that you did not have the "set" custom built for the short- so I would have to guess that the practicals are what light the majority of the scene.

1 2k Arri behind the clock for lift, 1 800w behind the door for depth. We tried to get some double wick candles, but I couldn't find them on the day. So Ama (DP) used the candles on the table to lift their faces. Wish I had those double wicks (that a great trade secret by the way)

Also, nice touch on the VFX- they were subtle, but effective. I like how the blood & horns grow with each successive pass of the camera. Enough to notice that something is happening, but not over the top IMO..

Thanks didn't want to go too overboard but wanted something subtle. What am I saying they were horns!!! :zombie_smiley:

The score, or lack there of, worked for this film. While I'm sure that one could have been created for it, I did not feel like it was missing, or that it needed it...

Andi did a heavy FX sound version but we decided in the end to tone it down. Pleased that it worked for you.

Overall- this is a well done piece. I think the only major critiques I have are the low light levels when the lights are low / off. I personally would have wanted to see a little more in the actors face- to provide them with more opportunity to see their expressions / reactions. Also- in terms of story, I felt like I was watching an event unfold, but from a distance - emotionally removed. I didn't feel connected to it, or invested in it. Other then this is a freaky event, why do I care about any of the people I am watching? But as I have mentioned elsewhere this might just be due to the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the whole horror genre....

Damm those double wick's :crybaby:

Nice work- this one is a keeper, and will be saved in my library!

We are in the library!

As a side note- the guy in the glasses reminds me of that guy in Ghostbusters- the nerdy one with the similar galsses. (no offense to the actor.) I kept wanting him to call his friends as break out the backpack and shoot the guy with ecto-plasm.

It was mentioned An English Rick but with more depth IMOP.

Thanks a million for you in-depth review. I'm a big fan of your so it makes it even more personal that you liked our work.

Cheers. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
J.P.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

just got done watching the film. AWESOME JOB, very Rope like. the camera work was phenomenal, the acting was great, the sound was awesome. i honestly couldn't say enough about the film. I wish you the best of luck, and great job on the film

I give it :thumbup: :thumbup:. :beer:

Cheers mate...god "The Rope" I could only wish!! Thanks a million for your kind words.

J.P.

 

[Blaine]

JP, I'm really impressed in what you were able to do without a cut. Pretty amazing. The actors carried this piece.

I also loved the way the horns kept growing on each pass. How'd you do that so quickly?

You made the most of a single (small) location. I'd have liked a little more lighting on the actors faces using the candles to motivate the lighting. I don't know how you'd have accomplished that, given the location and constant circling, though.

This went on a tad too long for me and I've got to say that I'd have broken the circle a damned site sooner if I'd seen someone growing horns in front of me. I was beginning to get restless toward the end but it was still an amazing take.

 

[ExtremeSleuth]

Cheers mate...god "The Rope" I could only wish!! Thanks a million for your kind words.

J.P.

No problem. the horn effect was really cool. i wanna know how that was done! great job again. :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[jpbankesmercer]

No problem. the horn effect was really cool. i wanna know how that was done! great job again. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Clay horns, added in stages. I was pacing in-front of the camera holding it back until Jeanette (THE STAR MAKE-UP ARTIST) was finished, poor soul she was superb on the day, even under sooo much pressure. She is working on a feature at the moment, making demons I think.

I fully intend to use her to the max in the future, she is amazing.

I got a cheeky screenplay for a film that is perfect.

Thanks again.
J.P.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

Trying to get through everyones film. Sorry if I have not watched/ posted yet but I will. Phew! My eyes!

 

[Matt Sconce]

Trying to get through everyones film. Sorry if I have not watched/ posted yet but I will. Phew! My eyes!

No prob, I think I almost spontaneously combusted after watching and commenting on them all. Take your time!

 

[Mark Harris]

Yeah, Joe, look at the quote of mine Matt uses in his signature - Mark Harris. It's no joke.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

No prob, I think I almost spontaneously combusted after watching and commenting on them all. Take your time!

Your next.