Jared Meyer
Veteran
This is part of what I was trying to get at in my comments but Kholi says it much better than I was able to.
CARRY-ON - A Caffesse/Wildman Film
- Thread starter Luis Caffesse
- Start date
This is part of what I was trying to get at in my comments but Kholi says it much better than I was able to.
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
I watched this with my girlfriend last night... and I guess that's my third time through on this one... so far this is definitely in my top 5... I'm figuring out where it is in there before I vote, but it's a solid winner that's for sure. The more I watch it the more I like it... I understand the feelings about the woman moving from tender to harsh. You could probably argue that either way... while it does break the previous flow, it makes sense to me because it's better then the absolute blind-side twist... I think we need to see that she is capable of impulsive, irrational reactions to life.
Maybe that information could have come across differently, but I'm glad that it wasn't omitted... it's better to take the risk.
One of my favorite elements is the transition from her crying... to the casual acceptance when the husband asks her about the movie. That is what I call a pay-off. Thank you for rewarding my emotional investment.
Maybe that information could have come across differently, but I'm glad that it wasn't omitted... it's better to take the risk.
One of my favorite elements is the transition from her crying... to the casual acceptance when the husband asks her about the movie. That is what I call a pay-off. Thank you for rewarding my emotional investment.
KenV
Active member
*Spoilers Yes, so Turn away from this post*
So far I like this the best of the 14/16thish or so films I've seen on here including the ones I scored. At first I thought what 30ish+ year old acts like this then I remember some of my family member's situations and, YES it does fit! The ending, oh man, . . ., I'll leave it at that. And your sound was spot on.
Nice,
KenV
So far I like this the best of the 14/16thish or so films I've seen on here including the ones I scored. At first I thought what 30ish+ year old acts like this then I remember some of my family member's situations and, YES it does fit! The ending, oh man, . . ., I'll leave it at that. And your sound was spot on.
Nice,
KenV
Last edited:
philip bloom
Veteran
Brilliant Luis. Really, really impressed.
Brian Parker
Well-known member
Great great film...definately in my top 5. I loved a lot of your choices with this one. The change in the CC from the bookstore, to the street, to her car, to her house were great. The story really did pull me in and I was able to stop watching it with such a technical eye which is something I can't often do. The scene in the bookstore had me cringing, but in a good way because I was like "keep it down, someone will hear!" Also loved the last shot of her and the timing of her line and delivery. Actors were great. Great work Luis. Looking forward to seeing more.
Geoff_R
Veteran
Nice work, Luis. I really didn't see that ending coming at all. I was so into their characters, their argument, I didn't once try to study this film. I was comfortable just sitting back and enjoying it. The performances you got from your actors were great, very solid all around (good casting choices). The only scene I had a little problem with was the car scene; I think it's the shot and also the transition into that scene. Not sure why, but it felt a little awkward to me. Nice cinematography as well, especially outside on the street/sidewalk.
Kegan
Spam Assassin Mod
I thought the cinematography was excellent, but the dialogue during the arguments a bit redundant. I agree with the transition with the car scene - a little too abrupt for my taste. The ending was good and I didn't see it coming either, but there was something a little bit off about it. I couldn't tell - maybe the chemistry between them?
Anyway, great short Luis!
-Kegan
Anyway, great short Luis!
-Kegan
Shawn Philip Nelson
Veteran
Great movie! Wow, excellent, excellent acting and direction. Good naturalistic cinematography. The story had a good payoff, though i think you made one big mistake: I would have switched the lead male actors. My wife and I would have believed it a lot more. So she's desperate to have an affair with an older, balding, out of shape guy away from her younger, in-shape husband? Doesn't work for me, the opposite would have.
Beat Takeshi
Two-Hip Shakur
All this cheating going on in this fest. Is this what people think about when they think of love?
Dudes, you rocked it. The actors did such a great freaking job on this I totally was absorbed in the film. The lighting was so natural looking, was the book store lit at all? I have to say it again, the acting was the best I have seen so far and the dialog was very natural and didn't feel like line after line. The cutting between them felt like it was at the right moments too. I did feel the glitch at the car scene and another at the first night scene. I thought it was day time and then all of a sudden its night time with nothing to show time has passed. But still... KUDOS!!!
I don't feel the same way about the characters being switched. Maybe the younger husband is distant and that fat balding guy treats her right. I have seen it happen with a friend. She totally had a great looking husband that was making really good money and she left him for the biggest balding douchbag who never lets her do anything but she said he at least talks to me. Oh well.
Dudes, you rocked it. The actors did such a great freaking job on this I totally was absorbed in the film. The lighting was so natural looking, was the book store lit at all? I have to say it again, the acting was the best I have seen so far and the dialog was very natural and didn't feel like line after line. The cutting between them felt like it was at the right moments too. I did feel the glitch at the car scene and another at the first night scene. I thought it was day time and then all of a sudden its night time with nothing to show time has passed. But still... KUDOS!!!
I don't feel the same way about the characters being switched. Maybe the younger husband is distant and that fat balding guy treats her right. I have seen it happen with a friend. She totally had a great looking husband that was making really good money and she left him for the biggest balding douchbag who never lets her do anything but she said he at least talks to me. Oh well.
Robert Eldon
Well-known member
I love the images in this movie. Very filmic. I think my favorite shots were in the book store with the books and shelves out of focus in the background. I love the camera movement. It feels very intimate with their conversation.
The acting is very strong. The editing makes the dialog interesting. The body language when they’re arguing and she pulls her jacket closed conveys a lot.
I thought that there was a cut a little too early when she throws the watch. I would have liked to see her emotion after having thrown the watch. What was the significance of the watch anyway? Was it a gift? I didn’t understand what this was about? Is she having an affair? Is the guy and plans in her mind?
Overall, I really like this. The only problem I have is after getting into the characters, and then at the end feeling, so what? I guess I didn’t understand what was going on?
The acting is very strong. The editing makes the dialog interesting. The body language when they’re arguing and she pulls her jacket closed conveys a lot.
I thought that there was a cut a little too early when she throws the watch. I would have liked to see her emotion after having thrown the watch. What was the significance of the watch anyway? Was it a gift? I didn’t understand what this was about? Is she having an affair? Is the guy and plans in her mind?
Overall, I really like this. The only problem I have is after getting into the characters, and then at the end feeling, so what? I guess I didn’t understand what was going on?
Another amazing film! I can't believe the quality of submissions this fest. It's gonna be hard for me to choose a top three.
A very mature, well crafted story. I love how we dropped into the middle of the conversation, and were pulled into a mystery. What's going on? What are they talking about? It reminded me of Woody Allen in many ways. Writing very strong.
At the point near the end when he said he wanted more space, I thought I got it. He was married, she wasn't, and he wanted out of the relationship. Nice surprise when I found out it was probably the exact opposite. My guess is she had just told him at the restaurant that she was married for the first time. He was shocked, she couldn't understand what the big deal was.
I once knew a woman like that, believe it or not. She described herself as a sociopath. Bad memories in many ways, but just one more life experience to draw from.
Great locations. The only shot I didn't like, was of her in the car. It felt awkward, the composition and lighting somehow. I liked how you focused on the husband's wedding ring when she approached him.
Overall, a very good job! :thumbsup:
A very mature, well crafted story. I love how we dropped into the middle of the conversation, and were pulled into a mystery. What's going on? What are they talking about? It reminded me of Woody Allen in many ways. Writing very strong.
At the point near the end when he said he wanted more space, I thought I got it. He was married, she wasn't, and he wanted out of the relationship. Nice surprise when I found out it was probably the exact opposite. My guess is she had just told him at the restaurant that she was married for the first time. He was shocked, she couldn't understand what the big deal was.
I once knew a woman like that, believe it or not. She described herself as a sociopath. Bad memories in many ways, but just one more life experience to draw from.
Great locations. The only shot I didn't like, was of her in the car. It felt awkward, the composition and lighting somehow. I liked how you focused on the husband's wedding ring when she approached him.
Overall, a very good job! :thumbsup:
Great work. Great performances. I know that with limited budgets and limited time, scenes can get rushed. But your actors really rose to the occasion and ultimately showed the strength of their range. Your direction was really controlled too. An excellent entry. I agree with others: the bar seems raised in this festival, and it's surprising because I would have thought the subject matter would have stumped a lot of folks. On the contrary, I think entries like this one are showing tremendous skill and talent.
Danielleus
Well-known member
Hey,
Just caught the piece and I was well impressed. The acting is outstanding. I felt like the f bomb was a little much but that's me. But I love the look, the editing, the acting is outstanding, the ending is good. I just really enjoyed this piece. I really thought the script was fantastic. I like a good talkie with people who can handle it and I thought you handled them well and it felt.....good. Nice work. Enjoyed it immensely.
Just caught the piece and I was well impressed. The acting is outstanding. I felt like the f bomb was a little much but that's me. But I love the look, the editing, the acting is outstanding, the ending is good. I just really enjoyed this piece. I really thought the script was fantastic. I like a good talkie with people who can handle it and I thought you handled them well and it felt.....good. Nice work. Enjoyed it immensely.
Texture
Well-known member
This was really well constructed. The rhythm and timing of the editing and performances were great. Good to great acting from the talent and well composed shots. Well written with a nice wrap up.
Only thing I didn't like was the piano music when she's in her car... Just seemed too simple for the intense emotion she's feeling at that moment. I did think it was cool how you changed the EQ of the music as she enters the house. Did the music work for the scene? Yes, but I think something better could have been done. I think I would have maybe even chosen something that sounded like a corny old power-pop love song from the seventies, playing from her car radio, just for dramatic irony... EQ/mix out for the house entrance and ride up for the final titles and it could have been a cool theme. Of course, in a pinch, this would be fairly impossible to produce or find on a short turnaround so I think you did the best that could be done.
Overall this film is another formidable competitor in the fest. You guys should be proud of this one.
You'll note this is an edit: Yea, after walking around a bit and thinking about this... If original music weren't a necessity for the fest and money were no object I would love hearing Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" at that moment and then reprised in the titles. I think I would have taken a cue from that composition if creating something original for this...
Only thing I didn't like was the piano music when she's in her car... Just seemed too simple for the intense emotion she's feeling at that moment. I did think it was cool how you changed the EQ of the music as she enters the house. Did the music work for the scene? Yes, but I think something better could have been done. I think I would have maybe even chosen something that sounded like a corny old power-pop love song from the seventies, playing from her car radio, just for dramatic irony... EQ/mix out for the house entrance and ride up for the final titles and it could have been a cool theme. Of course, in a pinch, this would be fairly impossible to produce or find on a short turnaround so I think you did the best that could be done.
Overall this film is another formidable competitor in the fest. You guys should be proud of this one.
You'll note this is an edit: Yea, after walking around a bit and thinking about this... If original music weren't a necessity for the fest and money were no object I would love hearing Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" at that moment and then reprised in the titles. I think I would have taken a cue from that composition if creating something original for this...
Last edited:
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Thanks to every single one of you who've taken the time to watch and comment on the film. This is seriously invaluable.
Please, keep the critiques coming - we're definitely paying attention, and we're learning quite a bit.
The idea was to try to create a bit more of a seperation between them and the environment in that opening scene - make it feel a little more aritificial. So, for good or for bad, I'm glad it came across that way. We shot that opening scene with an 85mm, and for the most part went progressively wider as the short went on - with the bulk of it shot with a 50mm.
I could see that - but things are often a lot more complicated than that. Most people I know who have had affairs are rarely doing it for strictly physical reasons. That said, we didn't really go out of our way to cast the men for certain 'types' one way or the other. I can see your point, I guess we just didn't want it to seem quite so simple in the end. Then again, maybe a 6 minute short isn't the place to try to hint at complexities of life.
By the way, Shawneous, I heard from Scott today (who played the male lead) - he told me that yours was one of his favorite comments.
Well, we'd like to think this film is about more than cheating.
At least, it was intended to be.
This has to be one of my favorite comments so far.
We really wanted a 'natural' look in the bookstore - so you have no idea how happy I am that you asked if it was lit at all. We have three four bank flos set up in front of them (going over the table of books) and two 650watts as backlights for the actors. Not a whole lot of firepower there, but it was most definitely lit. I've got some BTS shots of the setup somewhere around here and as soon as I can dig them up I'll post them so you can see it.
Well, I'm glad to see there is some debate on that idea - but I do really feel the need to point out here that Scott is far from fat.
You know that was our original intent - but in post when we were trying it out it just didn't feel right. Maybe I just didn't have the audio chops to pull it offl, or maybe we never found the right song - but it just wasn't working. So in a certain respect I'm glad that was what you wanted to hear there...because that was what we wanted to be able to do. (unfortunately I never heard back from Richard Carpenter...yeah, that was a long shot).
The music that we have in there now was written and performed by our very own Drew Ott. It was meant to be a temp piece but unfortunately Drew and I weren't able to get together to get the final piece recorded in time for the deadline.
Please, keep the critiques coming - we're definitely paying attention, and we're learning quite a bit.
The idea was to try to create a bit more of a seperation between them and the environment in that opening scene - make it feel a little more aritificial. So, for good or for bad, I'm glad it came across that way. We shot that opening scene with an 85mm, and for the most part went progressively wider as the short went on - with the bulk of it shot with a 50mm.
I could see that - but things are often a lot more complicated than that. Most people I know who have had affairs are rarely doing it for strictly physical reasons. That said, we didn't really go out of our way to cast the men for certain 'types' one way or the other. I can see your point, I guess we just didn't want it to seem quite so simple in the end. Then again, maybe a 6 minute short isn't the place to try to hint at complexities of life.
By the way, Shawneous, I heard from Scott today (who played the male lead) - he told me that yours was one of his favorite comments.
Well, we'd like to think this film is about more than cheating.
At least, it was intended to be.
This has to be one of my favorite comments so far.
We really wanted a 'natural' look in the bookstore - so you have no idea how happy I am that you asked if it was lit at all. We have three four bank flos set up in front of them (going over the table of books) and two 650watts as backlights for the actors. Not a whole lot of firepower there, but it was most definitely lit. I've got some BTS shots of the setup somewhere around here and as soon as I can dig them up I'll post them so you can see it.
Well, I'm glad to see there is some debate on that idea - but I do really feel the need to point out here that Scott is far from fat.
You know that was our original intent - but in post when we were trying it out it just didn't feel right. Maybe I just didn't have the audio chops to pull it offl, or maybe we never found the right song - but it just wasn't working. So in a certain respect I'm glad that was what you wanted to hear there...because that was what we wanted to be able to do. (unfortunately I never heard back from Richard Carpenter...yeah, that was a long shot).
The music that we have in there now was written and performed by our very own Drew Ott. It was meant to be a temp piece but unfortunately Drew and I weren't able to get together to get the final piece recorded in time for the deadline.
Jason Ramsey
Admin
I once heard that women typically cheat when they have an emotional void and males (of course) to fulfill a sexual void, so I think your choice (at least in terms of physicality) was highly effective, and probably more representative of a situation that people can identify with, rather than what may be the perception based on what is on the screens all the time.
Not to mention the fact that something like 80% of people have admitted to cheating on their spouse. 80%. Depressing, but obviously relevant subject matter when thinking of the theme of Love, and quite maturely approached in my humble opinion.
Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Later,
Jason
Luis Caffesse
Admin
That's evolutionary psychology for you.
The topic has always fascinated me - studied it endlessly in college.
Well, I guess not endlessly...I did graduate at some point.
:thumbsup:
Jason Ramsey
Admin
spend a lot of time with neglected wives did you? :evil:
later,
Jason
later,
Jason
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Hahahahaha
No.
Well, except for my wife.
Ironically - she's been rather neglected during LoveFest.
No.
Well, except for my wife.
Ironically - she's been rather neglected during LoveFest.