Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short  WON!!!

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Ranger thanks again for the input. Remember the acting is whatever the director signs off on. Yes the writing could of been tighter. But it was hard to make really good points for the U.S.A. in this situation. That is why I was asking for dialoge that you thought was appropriate.
And yes I was trying for a sterotype angry American.
As far as the ending goes I was trying to show that the insurgent was just as bad with the beheading.
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

That's cool Elvis. It's your film and I respect your creation. As a newby on this board, I debated for a long time to throw my .02 cents in. Since I don't have a DVX (yet), it's easier for me to sit on the sideline and monday morning quarterback.

Regardless of my minor nitpicking, it definitely was a thought-provoking subject.

Congrats on the success of the film!
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Ranger, I appreciate you and everyone else that offer costrutive opinions. Go get that DVX and start shooting. By the way if you think leaving feedback is scary. Wait tell you post some of your work. :o
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

well i liked it. i did pick up on the futility of the reasoning that the charachters had.. in that they had all these grand claims which they said were in the name of God which really amounted to nothing more than self worship. they both seemed pretty much extremists to me. i didnt care to even look into the politics at hand in the film. the heart of the story really transcends what ethnicity, or nationality the characters were, so i chose to somewhat ignore that aspect of it. all said and done it was very well done. good job man!
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Thanks Loser. I'm glad to see a regular chime in!
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

I wish more members would post!
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

You've got . . . five pages of feedback . . .
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Hi Elvis,
 Well, I was going to avoid posting on this subject, but after reading your request for more feedback, your back and forth with Ranger and how well you (and others) handled his comments, I thought it might be safe to throw my 2 cents in. (hope I'm not wrong!) :)

Truth is, I'm envious that you got this out before me. My short, The Message Universal, is based on this subject matter and is intended to be a 9/11 tribute film. Should have a trailer up in the next two weeks. (but enough self promotion ;) ) Now that I see your film, I wish I would have called it "in the name of God". Much better title for my subject (damn you! :P)

That being said, the way the film comes across to me was that the film makers either had a bias against US policy and culture or just didn't have enough time to clarify what they were going for in the writing. After reading your stated intent behind the film, I believe it's the latter. I mean wow, 8 days? Geez...! Kudos to you for putting this together in that amount of time. Hard to clarify this subject matter in general let alone in 8 days.

For the production critiques:
Editing and sound overall pretty good. Agree that there are too many gunshots going on. It just becomes numbing after the first minute or so and you don't even notice it anymore. Saw some spots in the editing where you could have trimmed out blank spots in the acting. And of course, the argument between the two actors could have been cut down too. But overall pretty good.

Not trying to sound insulting, but I'm wondering about the best cinematography win because I really don't see anything special going on. It's pretty static to me and devoid of drama in the compositions or lighting (a time factor, I'm sure). But then again, I don't know what the other films you were up against looked like either so this very well could have been the best cinematography entered into the competition.  (again, 8 days, geez!)

The acting by the iraqi is top notch. I believe everything he says. The CIA guy... well, lets just say I hope the best actor award went to the Iraqi guy, lol. The CIA guy just comes across as a walking stereotype. If that was the intent, then bravo.  But I didn't get any range of truth out the actor. Just one note of anger even when the dialogue called for more subtlety.

As to the film message and content:
I don't think ITNOG conveys what your stated intent is. To me, it comes across as an anti Bush anti military or anti america film (and it's your right to do so, it's just not what your stated intent is so that's what I'm basing my criticism and the following comments on).

I'm only doing this because in your request to Ranger, you seemed to really want to know what you could have done to correct what he and I agree we see here.  So here's what I would have had the CIA character point out to the Iraqi to balance the argument because I agree it is clearly in the favor of the Iraqi's point of view:

With regards to America taking God out of everything we stand for (pledge of allegiance, etc):

CIA guy should have said our society believes that Religion and God is a personal thing and every individual has the right to worship or not as they see fit. We may take the word God out of what we believe in but we only do so not to insult individual members of our society who have the right to believe differently. The moral principles that guide us still come from God and are still there in our laws. And that's what's most important.

Iraqi says "Our children can't even pray in school":

Our children can't pray in schools because our people are not forced into believing one religion from our leaders and if we allowed for our government run schools to enforce prayer, it would take away from the individual right to worship or not as we see fit. We let the parents decide what form of prayer (or not) is best for their children. Not our leaders.

In other spots I would have thrown in: "We separate religion from government because history has taught us that many a dictator has used the name of God to justify their immoral, selfish, self serving actions against the masses."

Or to make it really hit home against the Iraqi: "we separate religion from government so no Bin Ladens or Khomeni's can come to power using God as a veiled excuse and justification for their personal desires to control the masses."

Obviously not dialogued exactly using those words because it would be too clunky to be acted and delivered cleanly.

There's more I could point out, but I think you get the idea (and I don't want this to turn into a political discussion). The real problem with the script is just about everything the CIA guy has to say is unintelligent gung-ho stereotypical dialogue (as Ranger pointed out, the acting pushes it even further in that direction making it come across as an intended slam against americans. Especially when the CIA character uses the gun in the Iraqi's ear as a result of losing the argument). While what the Iraqi says sounds heartfelt and almost justified because the american didn't point out the answers I stated above. As a result, even the cutting off of the CIA guys head comes across as justified.

Mind you, just about everything the Iraqi states as hypocrisy of western culture are true statements.  But the point is, it's true of things we used to do. It's in our past, not our present (i.e.. women not being allowed to vote, Christians crusading and killing to convert people to their beliefs<how many centuries ago was that again?>, white people having blacks as slaves, etc.). Western society (as a whole) has evolved beyond that way of thinking and that's what the CIA guy should have pointed out. Especially when the Iraqi says "they haven't changed since the beginning of time". The answer should have been "In the beginning of time, the entire human race was barbaric and immoral. Why should we seek to stay that way?". But then again, that point would have made the film become lopsided in the american philosophy point of view.

Oh well... The world sucks, what can you do? lol....
Truth is there's no easy solution to delivering what your stated intent for the film is.  You definitely chose a difficult subject and intent to convey in such a short period of time and I don't know that I would have done much better given that amount of time to do so. But congrats on the win and please take the comments as constructive as they were intended to be so.

PS: to all, let's NOT turn this into a political discussion. This is the DVX user site not a political forum. Had Elvis's stated intent for the film been to criticize American policy and/or culture, then I wouldn't have posted anything about it because he's entitled to his opinion and has the right to make a film stating his opinion. At most I would have posted what I said about the production alone. (smooch)  :-*
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

not to start a big debate here.. cause things are the way they are now, but concerning the children prying in schools and such,  i just want to get it off my chest because i hear it said and used so much.. that realistically and truthfully there was never  a "seperation of church and state" set up in the constitution.

The first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America does not mention a Separation between Church Church and state. what it says is this ...

    "Congress ,shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of  the press; or of the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

  So according to our Constitution our government is not supposed to be able to establish a national government religion, they did this because where they came from (England) had one national religion and you had to be it.. roman catholic.  they just didnt want anything like that to happen again. but they didnt intend to make religion taboo from any governmental item, as if anyone in politics is not allowed to believe in anything, or act according to their beliefs.  or for it to be at all used and completely misconstrued and twisted like it is today. and whats sad is that most people dont realize that the whole "seperation of church and state" never really  existed, and is a completely obvious perversion of the actuall constitution used by people to get christianity out of thier lives.. the  idea of it being in there started when some guy(whos name i cant remember fo the life of me) decided to include in his patriotic speech that the constitution said that the church and state should be kept seperate.. and since that sounded good to the uneducated people listening, it spread like wild fire as if it were some sort of factuall, and infallable institution that had always existed. when in fact he pretty much just made it up cause he wanted to read it like that.. which as you can tell from what it actually states in the 1st amendment listed above.. is really just a very skewed personal interpretation of something meant for a discretely different purpose.  so fine, whatever.. i say that if the nation is not under God, then take it off the money.. and dont make the kids pray if they dont want to.. its  not doing any good for anyone. sides the government should not establish a religion. but, that does not mean that any part of the government cannot have anything to do with a religion..as long as its not mandated. .. and then you wont have to deal with God if you dont want to. (ahemmm..till you die.. but anyway..).

but they force Christians to hide their faith in public, punishing some children for even silent prayers at lunch. I agree that people should not have to pray or say God or whatnot if they dont want to, but stopping someone who does want to is where the problem comes in. They are not supposed to make laws that stop you from freely exercising your religion(as long as you are not breaking any laws), but the no christians are so determined to stop people from the free exercise of the christian religion they don't even want schools to have a moment of silence for fear a student might decide to pray on their own. and the whole movement to stop the free excercise of the christian faith is based on a completely nonexistant idea of there being a "seperation of church and state" written into the constitution... and its not.

which is dumb cause if i was some other religion, they wouldnt stop you from doing whatever your thing is quietly by yourself in a school. the whole twisting it thing really almost entirely just aimed at christianity.  which is too bad...but agin.. oh well.. it is the way it is.. not that the truth changes anything.
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

STORYTELLER32 Yes we made the CIA a sterotypical character that we have all come across "KIll them all"
Type of guy. And gave the best lines to the Irac character so people would think about whats happeneing in our country. And Loser got it Big time! Thanks for the history lesson by the way. I am not U.S.A. bashing in any way. I just thought of these two characters.And wanted to see how a movie based on this would turn out.
About the gunfire, the farm was just outside a major city in Irac that was making the news with it's constant firefights. I belive the american name for it is Masul ( Spell check) Thanks for the feedback guys! Keep it coming!
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Hey Elvis. Just watched the video. I am extremely impressed and thought you did a great job... and even more when I hear you did it in five days! Here are some random thoughts about the video:

The sound was great, even though the gunfire was a little overdone.

I thought a few parts of the dialogue were cheesy... but with the amount of dialogue you had it was still good.

Some of the editing was a little off... but then again you can't do everything in five days!

I liked the twist at the end when the scene opened up with the American now the captive. I wasn't expecting that part.

Now, the part where I got confused at was the theme of the video. I wasn't quite sure what you were trying to say with the Bible verse. If you were saying that all religions need to get along and anyone who prays to a "god" will all go to a better place some day, then you are using that verse out of context. Acts 10:35 (part of what you quoted) is not talking about some universalist religion where anyone who believes in some "god" will be welcomed in. Read the rest of chapter 10 (before and after) and tell me if you think it is referring to some vague notion of believing in a god will benefit you. Any person, wherever they are from, can be accepted by the one, true God, if you believe in Him. That is what the verse is saying.

However, I like that fact that you brought up imperfections of each religion. Since each religion is ultimately in the hands of imperfect humans, they are likely to have moments when they go away from the true teachings. Radicalists. So you are right, no one is perfect.

You did a great job and seemed to provoke some good discussion. It is far better than I could ever do, so I am very impressed. Keep up the great job!
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Kyle, You and I are on the same page as far as the verse is concerned! That is how iI see it.Everyone will be judged by there heart. And it is not because you are in one country or another that makes you right.
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

I stayed up until 130 to watch this. It was really good. I'm not into current events as much as I should be, but everything was very solid! :)

Just a few questions about behind the scenes...It seems you did wear a lot of hats! What do you like doing more? Also am I right to say that you had 2 sets of brothers working on this? I can't wait until we have a crew like that!

Great job again Elvis. This makes me try even harder for my future "Unleashed" projects. ;) Peace
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Thanks TheAmPro I like hearing from my fellow filmmakers. No brothers just a very small crew. We did have a father and son on the camera.
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

I'll keep it short since many of the replies so far reflect my thoughts. Overall, I liked your short. It wasn't far into the short that I guessed at your message. That was fine since the movement of the story kept me interested. I would suggest a bit tighter editing. Some more and quicker cuts between the two actors during dialog. Also, reducing the pauses in dialog between the two.

Keep up the good work. Will gladly watch your next piece.
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Ok there's not all that much that I can say that hasn't already been said but I will quickly point out what I think.
First of all I would like to say congratulations on the awards and getting a pretty tight production out in the time you had. :)
I have to agree with a few of the comments about the CIA agent I thought his character came across as a bit cheesy, I'm not sure if it was the acting or the script but he could have been better.
The Iraqi came across very well, excellent acting and good lines although as was mentioned earlier the dialouge between them could have been cut done and made a bit sharper.
I also was left a little bit unsure as to what side was been taken but it came to me that there was not ment to be a side taken. I think it would have helped to somehow highlight the to many people die 'in the name of God' theme, it kind of felt like sides where being taken but never clarifying which side.
I really liked the cinematography but once again as was stated earlier by someone it could have done with a bit more variety of shots. Also the editing needed to be a bit choppier.
After all that I will say it again, I thought it was a great effort for the time you had and a very difficult subject to get right without coming across as biased. Good stuff.
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Thanks Tawsy! I'm on the road . sorry for not responding. But yes it was the Irac actor who received Best Actor And yes I agree that the CIA guy was one diminsional. And Thanks again for everyone who has taken the time to leave feeedback, I'm in prproduction right now and I will be incorperating alot of your suggestions everyone!
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

I'm curious, how many people thought I was U.S.A. bashing?
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

I got the feeling this one was one sided and that the ARAB dude held the upperhand; I felt the CIA dude came across as a maniac and didnt represent the US very well (at all really).
 
Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Re: Elvis' "In The Name Of God' 10 min. Short

Well, as was touched on by someone before, I don't see a CIA interrogator getting all defensive about Christianity in the middle of an interrogation.
 
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