ElizaNewton - Short Sci-Fi Film

T

tommygdawg

Well-known member
Howdy all,


I started this project almost a year ago, and I've just finished it. Shot entirely on the AF100, this film follows a young woman who is granted superhuman abilities and, when she realizes her powers are not strong enough to save the ones she loves, she must decide whether the good of others outweighs her own life.

Some of you may find this interesting because there is a lot of effects and green screen work that was shot all on the AF100. It's nearly thirty minutes long, and I realize that's a lot to ask of people, but if you all get a chance, any feedback would be great :)

 
I watched it through, a great achievement seeing as you did pretty much everything, a little rough around the edges but again you was doing everything and produced a fairly good concept for a TV show. A little script advice and collaboration would help you out on the next. Quote a bold undertaking.

Watchable!
 
Thanks so much! I agree completely. I hate doing things like this as a solo undertaking and the project suffers for it, but it's terribly difficult for people to commit the amount of time required to do things like this (which I understand completely), especially on low-to-no budget, assuming you can even find the right people. I don't do all the jobs because I'm narcissistic lol, just works out that way. Thank you again for the nice words and for taking a half hour to watch it, I really appreciate it :)
 
tommygdawg said:
Thanks so much! I agree completely. I hate doing things like this as a solo undertaking and the project suffers for it, but it's terribly difficult for people to commit the amount of time required to do things like this (which I understand completely), especially on low-to-no budget, assuming you can even find the right people. I don't do all the jobs because I'm narcissistic lol, just works out that way. Thank you again for the nice words and for taking a half hour to watch it, I really appreciate it :)
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You're welcome, it really is quite brilliant considering it is one man putting this all together, looked pretty great in places on the iPad

For you're next project see if you can get a Director involved and a fairly well versed AD and Gaffer, think smaller too. You took on loads with a Sci-Fi film but nothing that couldn't of been achieved within a 20 min time frame. Also, i really think the interview could begin after the incident in the city, or at least id be interested what that looked like, could be the first big event that triggers everything off.

Also look for moments in dialogue scenes when someone comes closer or moves further away, it could be a glance, or leaning across a table to speak quieter or sitting up straighter, these "story beats" make natural motivated cuts in dialogue. Also think about when the camera could be lower and when it could be higher, both resemble the feeling of being in a theatre (in the stalls or grand circle) but most directors use it as cues to what is going on, the stakes and status. Check out The Dark Knight Rises, when cat women meets bruce wayne, pay attention to when the camera is up and when it is down and work out why, you'll realise its to do with Bruce Waynes suspicion of her when the camera is low looking up at him and will see when cat women makes herself known, the camera shifts from level to below to raise her status in the scene.

In a long winded way i am really saying, think about the camera as a person, what would it be interested in at the scene and would this character like this person standing and looking them in the face or would they rather have that person out of eye sight listening in. For e.g. when your lead speaks of her love for the man who she couldn't help, she might feel ashamed that she didn't help others like he said and when she's hearing these words maybe the camera could be in a different place.

Check this scene from Seven, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snxgxpVyt6Y

See how the camera moves in when they connect or at least open up and moves away to a wide when they bicker, see how it holds on people for reaction and sometimes covers the character that isn't speaking just for the reaction from the other but most of all check out the last two wide master shots, perfectly level, at a distance on a longish lens, the characters have shared opinions and are now on the same level, a mutual respect exists and they are framed as equals.

Hope this blabbering helps ;0)
 
Thanks again! I shot this back in April of last year, so a lot of this is stuff I've thought about over the past 10 or so months as I've been working on the project, and I've even learned a lot in other projects I've had since this was shot. I'd actually prefer to be a director by trade and be able to hire a cinematographer, AD, gaffer, etc. I agree with thinking smaller, I bit off more than I can chew with this one :P I definitely agree that the camera should be thought of as a person. That scene from Seven is great, I love Morgan Freeman. The cinematography is also wonderful in that scene and I see exactly what you're talking about. Good thoughts!

Thank you for the blabbering :) It has been helpful AND constructive!
 
Nevertheless, I enjoyed what you accomplished thoroughly. The story captivated me, and your starring actress did a tremendous job.

When "Eliza" ended and after the ending credits I watched another that kept me till the end. "What Might Have Been".

You are a darned good storyteller. Don't quit!
 
Bruce Foreman said:
Nevertheless, I enjoyed what you accomplished thoroughly. The story captivated me, and your starring actress did a tremendous job.

When "Eliza" ended and after the ending credits I watched another that kept me till the end. "What Might Have Been".

You are a darned good storyteller. Don't quit!
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Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! And thank you for taking the time to watch not one, but two of my films :)
 
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