Easy Access Productions

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Check out my website at http://www.easyaccessproductions.com/. I know it may be unconventional to post movies that were not shot with the dvx, but I wanted to post them here to show everyone. I come here a lot for technical info and tips on just about every aspect on filmmaking, so I thought I'd get some feedback from the guys' writing I read on this website every day.

But anways, check out "Breakdown" on my site, if anything. I had to compress the **** out of it, so it doesn't look so great.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

..you should post non DVX stuff in the cafe.

..anyway i watched your film. i enjoyed it. great job. are you by any chance in the twin cities?
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Actually I'm about half-way between Cleveland and Columbus, in other words a small town no one's ever heard of in the middle of Ohio.

Thanks for watching it, btw.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Come on people! I want more criticism. I know some of you have watched it, but only one has replied. Is it just too bad to criticize, or is it so mediocre that it's not worth criticizing about? I just want some input from some people so I can become better at what I do. Thanks.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

I could only watch about 3 minutes of it, then I fast forwarded to the end. The story is very boring, which is an unpardonable offense. I can forgive the sloppy editing and lighting, but I can't forgive the fact that the story was so boring I wanted to turn it off after the first scene.

I won't comment on the look of the film because you said upfront it was compressed.

Spend some time learning how to structure and tell a story, then direct. Doesn't matter how proficient you get, without a story to tell, who will want to watch your films to the end?
 
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[quote author=Bruce link=board=Offtopic;num=1098031342;start=0#2 date=10/04/04 at 12:58:56]Actually I'm about half-way between Cleveland and Columbus, in other words a small town no one's ever heard of in the middle of Ohio.

Thanks for watching it, btw.[/quote]

I have a feeling I've heard of it.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Okay, I didn't finish it, but here are three thoughts:

1. Condense.

2. Unless this is set in Boston (and maybe not even then), bad language is not a substitute for tight, well-written dialogue, especially in a short, when every line counts.

3. Darren Aronofsky has already made Requiem for a Dream. If you're going to make another movie with the same message (addictions will destroy you) using the same device (drugs), at least don't use his music. ;)

Ryan
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Thanks for all the comments. I realize the story is extremely weak, but I didn't think the editing was that sloppy (I know the lighting was, though). I thought some of the cuts were actually good, but, to each his own. The swearing is unforgivable, and my mistake. I wrote too much swearing into the screenplay and the cast added a lot more on their own (when we got into it, we just thought, lets let the F's fly). I thought it was obvious that my film is somewhat of a homage to Requiem, but I guess some missted it :P My next project is much bigger, much better, and has an actual good story to it. Not too much swearing involved in it, too. I was never really happy with Breakdown at all. I didn't like my screenplay, but I had written it, and out of convenience, I shot it. It is really only my second hands on project (after a year of wanting to be a filmmaker), everything else has just been improvised crap that doesn't really count. I'm just trying to teach myself how to write and direct before I take on something extremely complicated, so it can at least turn out good. That's basically what this film was, just something for me to teach myself how to work the trade. Other than that, I know all the problems with it, and trust me I'm working on them and working everything out to the best of my ability.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

I'm totally in the same situation, so don't think I'm judging. I'm about to shoot another short pretty much just for the purpose of seeing if I can get it to look the way I want—the story isn't that great; just something I wrote so that I could practice the technical stuff.

Much sympathy and encouragement coming your way, because I'm right where you're at.

Ryan
 
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It's perfectly okay if you were judging :) Anyways, I'm happy to know that at least someone understands.

Keep working... you will get better!

I have to ask, is the editing really that sloppy? The editing I thought was one of the best parts of the film. I thought I cut it pretty well.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Great work getting the job done! As far as criticism, I found the story to be not credible/believable. I, ummm, have been in college, shall we say, and I never saw people act like that after only doing small amounts hash and acid. People get way goofier on beer and liquor. Thanks for sharing and have fun on your next project!
 
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Bruce, you handled all that criticism with such grace, I think there are many who could learn from that alone.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Wow, been a month since I checked this. Totally forgot about this board!

Just wanna say thanks for the compliment Disjecta! I really appreciate it. I try to take everything as constructive criticism, and I know that whatever I'm told will help me.

And glassblowerscat, thanks for understanding. At least someone does!
 
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Bruce- just keeping doing what you love doing. Criticism only makes a person stronger. PEACE!
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Hi Bruce and welcome to DVXUSER baby! Feel free to register and hang round. You put this is the right area (Cafe is for non DVX footage as well as mindless babble from all of us). Disjecta is right on; you handled some honest critiiques with great posie and humility even though Ass Monkey (That would be greg the mystery poster) had nothing productive to say.

Im not stressing the compression issue as I know it looks different on the tele' (suddenly Im in the UK).

I didnt think this was too bad. Obviously on an 'entry level'. But not bad all things considered. I actually felt the editing was the brighest spot here. The talent was not completely horrible but obviusly not professionals. The choice of compositions were good i thought as was the use of available light.

The important thing here is that you wrote and directed an actual short film with a story. The message is a good one. I never went to college (sans some night courses) but I have seen people act pretty stupid after beer, pot, acid, hash whatever.

I didnt see Reqiuem so I didnt catch the music from it (surely not talking about the doors and floyd are we?).

I say keep shooting. It s gonna get better. Nice effort.

Nice use of Floyd BTW. The Doors was f*cking great. Damn I love them.

If the Marshall of the Cooth Club (that would be greg the mystery poster) rode it out beyond 3 minutes he would have seen some pretty humorous (albeit scarily real) tripping moments.
 
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If your going to give a critique and it might be construed as negative try and have some tact. At least offer some insight that might help.

Damn, you would swear some people were raised in a barn.
 
Re: Easy Access Productions

Thanks to all of you that just replied!

His comments were extremely negative, and I have to admit they did hurt (I rarely get constructive criticism that doesn't have any positive points to it -- like something that could help me to fix my problems!). But, in the end, it did help me to put what I did in perspective.

John, the music was selected very carefully. I listen to that kind of music every day (70's music, baby!).

Anyways, right now I'm going to shoot a feature which is going to be something great. At least I am banking on it. I feel my screenplay is pretty solid, and my casting this time is working out for the best -- predominantly theater majors that are really excited about the film. I just wanted to tell you that I will probably be selling my film on my website, or through a store on Amazon. I was hoping some of you may be interested in buying it when it hits the market!

I didn't take "Breakdown" with too much seriousness. With this project, I'm making sure every aspect of the production is to my liking and specifications. I want it to fall into my vision, where I didn't have too much of one with "Breakdown" (I just sort of winged it, you know? I had a hankering to shoot something, but didn't really have any good ideas on the table that I could shoot with out major problems) I'm not going to be so careless as with my previous films. I want it to be the best of my ability (which, if you purchase the DVD in the future, you may find to not be all that amazing -- but at least I'll be improving!) I knew that when I was done with "Breakdown"'s screenplay that I wasn't going to do anything with it except maybe show it here and there on the web and show it to some friends and family. I just wanted to get some practice for my first real project.

John, you're gonna hurt me when you read this, because I'm going to be shooting it on the XL2! I know you have a special love for the DVX, but please understand, I'm just one of those guys that has a thing for Canon. I can't help it!!!
 
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