Dimago
- Thread starter Bungess
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Curugon
Well-known member
Finally! Dammit I've been waiting for this thread for a while.
Absolutely excellent work, this one set the bar for me early on. I love how it's more of a ghost story than anything, wildly atmospheric and creepy. The little cabin, surrounding area, and ominous sky set the mood perfectly.
The music box was great (the music itself made the film for me), and the lead actor had a VERY emotive face. His gestures and expressions made me care about him very much.
Those shot where we see the woman, first in the field and later walking towards the window, totally creeped me out. This was the only film that scared me from a psychological standing, not from jump scares or gore. My fav horror movies are the slow, methodical ones - Shining, Exorcist, Ringu - and this definitely had the same vibe.
Bravo man, I want to see a feature from you. Only complaint I have is that I wish you shot widescreen, the story called for it!
Absolutely excellent work, this one set the bar for me early on. I love how it's more of a ghost story than anything, wildly atmospheric and creepy. The little cabin, surrounding area, and ominous sky set the mood perfectly.
The music box was great (the music itself made the film for me), and the lead actor had a VERY emotive face. His gestures and expressions made me care about him very much.
Those shot where we see the woman, first in the field and later walking towards the window, totally creeped me out. This was the only film that scared me from a psychological standing, not from jump scares or gore. My fav horror movies are the slow, methodical ones - Shining, Exorcist, Ringu - and this definitely had the same vibe.
Bravo man, I want to see a feature from you. Only complaint I have is that I wish you shot widescreen, the story called for it!
taubkin
Veteran
Wow, man this thread will be great, because I didn't feel all that by watching this.
I do commend Bungess for the cool stuff he (or she) posted. I love how the last final sequence is directed and edited, that must have come from someone who knows what he(or she)'s doing, because it was just perfect.
BUT, I have to say, I don't like the beggining of it too much. I know it's more of an emotional character introduction, and I truly dig this stuff, but honestly, I though the 5 minute timeframe was too short for this sort of approach. We see the man doing a lot of stuff that should carry a lot of hidden meaning in the beggining of the film, but it only gets boring because I have no previous grounds to relate to the character (or even like him) beforehand. So I feel that instead of trying to create ambience the character could be better introduced, so when he is dancing with the music box, we as an audience are there with him.
The cinematography was solid, in a student film way, and the ending is directed to perfection, but overall the enjoyment of the film was really down, for the most part.
I do commend Bungess for the cool stuff he (or she) posted. I love how the last final sequence is directed and edited, that must have come from someone who knows what he(or she)'s doing, because it was just perfect.
BUT, I have to say, I don't like the beggining of it too much. I know it's more of an emotional character introduction, and I truly dig this stuff, but honestly, I though the 5 minute timeframe was too short for this sort of approach. We see the man doing a lot of stuff that should carry a lot of hidden meaning in the beggining of the film, but it only gets boring because I have no previous grounds to relate to the character (or even like him) beforehand. So I feel that instead of trying to create ambience the character could be better introduced, so when he is dancing with the music box, we as an audience are there with him.
The cinematography was solid, in a student film way, and the ending is directed to perfection, but overall the enjoyment of the film was really down, for the most part.
Beat Takeshi
Two-Hip Shakur
I loved that this was about love and the way he set up the beginning. You get so involved with the charactor you forget that its a zombie thing til the end. Very subtle but effective. The transition from the music box music to the piano was a little rough but I still liked it.
Great Job!
Great Job!
Sean Michael
Well-known member
Wow, this film creeped me out. I immediately got involved with the lead character. The setting and casting were spot on. It built tension to the climax, with some disturbing moments along the way (the image of Marisha walking toward the house comes to mind!). Dimago evoked genuine horror, and I appreciate that you accomplished it without resorting to gore. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Wow, we're very flattered by the remarks. "We" are Eric and Scott Jenson, a couple of brothers who last spring graduated from a small Liberal Arts college in Minnesota (the student film comment, therefore, is kind of funny to us... we were hoping you wouldn't catch us on that... and we always kind of wondered how our stuff matches up to that of those attending film schools...). As far as the audio... man, yeah it does peak. For some reason we didin't catch that. We should be able to get that fixed for the final version of the 20 minute movie that this piece is just a part of.
We really appreciate your comments. We appreciate that taubkin had constructive criticism... you gave us some things to think about for future projects. And Curugon, I'm blown away by your film, so possitive comments (and constructive criticism) coming from you guys/gals is really great.
We really appreciate your comments. We appreciate that taubkin had constructive criticism... you gave us some things to think about for future projects. And Curugon, I'm blown away by your film, so possitive comments (and constructive criticism) coming from you guys/gals is really great.
John C Lyons
Veteran
the beginning was subtly eerie and kept me wondering the whole time. Actually subtle and mysteriously eerie could describe this entire piece (that's not a bad thing). good lighting, music, and camerawork throughout. Nice location. I liked it alot, subtly.
Curugon
Well-known member
My pleasure Bungess - I hope we get to see more of your work soon. As I said previously, this was a very nice change of pace - it compliments the intelligence of the viewer and lets them figure it out for themselves. Granted, there's not a lot to the story, but it left me satisfied.
That said, for a Director's Cut I'd love to see more things "happen," or secrets slowly revealed about this man and his relationship. No dialogue, just more gradual revelations.
Keep shooting!
That said, for a Director's Cut I'd love to see more things "happen," or secrets slowly revealed about this man and his relationship. No dialogue, just more gradual revelations.
Keep shooting!
CallaghanFilms
Veteran
Dimago achieves cinema-like aesthetics very well.
I too saw more "ghost story" than zombie fare (not to say, in any way, that it doesn't qualify).
I would only like to add that I feel you may have held back creatively...possibly taking the "safe road" artistically.
Whatever the case, I do look forward to seeing your future projects.
I too saw more "ghost story" than zombie fare (not to say, in any way, that it doesn't qualify).
I would only like to add that I feel you may have held back creatively...possibly taking the "safe road" artistically.
Whatever the case, I do look forward to seeing your future projects.
disjecta
Lucky Duck
This film also has made it into my favorites list. I felt immediate empathy for the lead actor and the cinematography, location, lighting, editing was all excellent.
The introduction of the zombie/ghost element was very well done also.
I am giving this quiet and beautiful film top marks.
My only gripe is the aspect in which it was shot....I would have preferred it to be widescreen but that's just a personal preference and does not take away from the artistry of the piece.
Please pass along my compliments to your actor too, he did a great job.
The introduction of the zombie/ghost element was very well done also.
I am giving this quiet and beautiful film top marks.
My only gripe is the aspect in which it was shot....I would have preferred it to be widescreen but that's just a personal preference and does not take away from the artistry of the piece.
Please pass along my compliments to your actor too, he did a great job.
Norm Sanders
Script Wrangler
I thought this film was an absolute joke, and only rated it a 2.
No kidding ... I bet members want to stone me for near blasphemy! There are few films I ranked with a 9 (never did end up giving a 10), and this was one of them!
GREAT production value & acting! VERY believable. Good sound/music, etc. Really wish it was in 16x9, and believe it HAS to be for the DVD, based on Jarred's comments in other threads, so I'll look forward to the revised version hopefully on the DVD.
One of the things I enjoyed about this the most was the emotional aspect of it. A father missing his daughter, going through memories he had with her. The slight tension that was in the air the whole time because we KNEW somewhere there had to be a zombie in this, but didn't know where it would fit in this beautifully shot film ... then the subtle pan past the window & back to reveal her standing in the field was textbook greatness.
This film is totally set apart from all the rest. Not necessarily better than all the others, but is very unique & enjoyable.
No kidding ... I bet members want to stone me for near blasphemy! There are few films I ranked with a 9 (never did end up giving a 10), and this was one of them!
GREAT production value & acting! VERY believable. Good sound/music, etc. Really wish it was in 16x9, and believe it HAS to be for the DVD, based on Jarred's comments in other threads, so I'll look forward to the revised version hopefully on the DVD.
One of the things I enjoyed about this the most was the emotional aspect of it. A father missing his daughter, going through memories he had with her. The slight tension that was in the air the whole time because we KNEW somewhere there had to be a zombie in this, but didn't know where it would fit in this beautifully shot film ... then the subtle pan past the window & back to reveal her standing in the field was textbook greatness.
This film is totally set apart from all the rest. Not necessarily better than all the others, but is very unique & enjoyable.
Ought2bCommitted
Veteran
I loved the visual style of this one and definitely appreciated actual acting.
Great location and use of it. Music felt nice and didn't overpower.
Overall, an excellent effort.
Great job!
Robert
Great location and use of it. Music felt nice and didn't overpower.
Overall, an excellent effort.
Great job!
Robert
Thanks so much. This is the first project we've released for public viewing and criticism. It's really encouraging to hear these remarks. We're excited to show the 15-20 minute short that Dimago is really an excerpt from. It will surprise you all in the direction it goes. The question is, will it be as good as we hope it will be?!? Maybe those that are interested will be able to view that when we get it finished (we're very close to done).
Anyway, thanks for the kind comments.
About the Title- Imago is latin for "the shade or ghost of the dead" (among other meanings). We thought that made sense for our movie, but Imago wasn't quite cutting it for us, so we added the D.
Anyway, thanks for the kind comments.
About the Title- Imago is latin for "the shade or ghost of the dead" (among other meanings). We thought that made sense for our movie, but Imago wasn't quite cutting it for us, so we added the D.
aw grasshopper
Well-known member
This was one of the first films I watched. I was stunned at how beautifully shot it was and how clear it was for being submitted in MPEG-4 format. I heard through the grapevine that you did some tricks to pull this off - transferring to TIFF and then processing through another program? Is this true? Everything about it was perfect for me. I hope to see more of your work in the future.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper
janzie
Active member
that was one of my first "zombie"movies as well...and stayed in the top 5 till the end.
the cinematography, the setting and the story seemed very "mature" and it really set the bar for the rest of the movies for me, BUT...
...i´m not quite sure, if it would have kept my attention all the way to the (IMO great,great) first shot where we see her in the BG, had´nt i known it was the zombie festival.
from the very beginning it felt like "the village" for me (and that´s how i described it to my friends,before showing it to them) and as in village i was able to enjoy the cinematography,while waiting for something to happen (it didn´t in m. nights movie and you had a zombie, so i´d rather rewatch yours than his
)
i can´t wait for the long version, but there i hope for a strong story (not just f.e. flashbacks that maybe he killed her and then she returns...)
and it definately desserves 16:9
congrats on a very cool movie
the cinematography, the setting and the story seemed very "mature" and it really set the bar for the rest of the movies for me, BUT...
...i´m not quite sure, if it would have kept my attention all the way to the (IMO great,great) first shot where we see her in the BG, had´nt i known it was the zombie festival.
from the very beginning it felt like "the village" for me (and that´s how i described it to my friends,before showing it to them) and as in village i was able to enjoy the cinematography,while waiting for something to happen (it didn´t in m. nights movie and you had a zombie, so i´d rather rewatch yours than his
)i can´t wait for the long version, but there i hope for a strong story (not just f.e. flashbacks that maybe he killed her and then she returns...)
and it definately desserves 16:9
congrats on a very cool movie
We shot this movie in 24p, without advanced pulldown. We use Final Cut Studio so we compressed in mp4 using Apple's Compressor. I just played around with a few settings in compressor and what you see is what I got. I think I could get it to look even better if I knew a little more about what I'm doing in Compressor. It's a pretty nice program. So no, we didn't do anything fancy like transfer to TIFF.
As for the story of the longer version, it's not simply flashbacks, but I don't want to give anything away. Like I said, it'll go in a direction nobody can expect having seen only Dimago. If we can make it work, it should be good!
As for the story of the longer version, it's not simply flashbacks, but I don't want to give anything away. Like I said, it'll go in a direction nobody can expect having seen only Dimago. If we can make it work, it should be good!