FEATURE: FIVE POUNDS - debut film

M

Mcpeer3

New member
Hey guys, this is my first feature length film. We made this with almost no budget, no actors, no professionals, and on an HVX-200. I'm only 20 years old, wrote, directed, edited, shot, and play the big guy with the black aviators.

I've planned the film for over a year now and put on 25 pounds of muscle for my role.

I would love some feedback and opinions. I hope to submit this to festivals soon. Enjoy.



Teaser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koVUyOsrqLQ&feature=channel


Sneak Peek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV3vBFP7Kbc&feature=channel
 
Good job on completing a feature.

To be honest, the trailer didn't entice me to watch the film all too much. I think it's because you're trying to play up the thriller aspect of it, except I feel that there are some technical aspects that ruin it for me. I know it was all made by only you and you're new to this, but it was mainly how it was shot (flat) with the really flat/boring lighting that really didn't let me get drawn into the film.

Normally it's a good idea to separate the role of directing and shooting, especially for a first timer. It's difficult to focus on it 100% if you're doing both.

But that's just me. Good job though, seems like a great cast.
 
Thanks for you honest feedback. I really appreciate it. Also, the teaser was released way to early. There was no color correction and I feel the sneak peek gives you a much better idea of what it's like. I'm not new to filmaking, I've been doing this my whole life, but with a real crew and people who knew what they were doing, do you think this could have potential? Worth submitting? Does the fact that I was the only person to film this make it better?
 
Congrats on finishing a movie! I actually think you have some good stuff going on. The graded stuff definitely looked a lot better.

Normally it's a good idea to separate the role of directing and shooting, especially for a first timer. It's difficult to focus on it 100% if you're doing both.
Click to expand...
I would disagree. I'm all for running your own camera, especially if it's something you enjoy. Plus, if you eventually do work with a DP, you'll be able to better communicate with him/her, seeing that you've done it yourself before. As for being able to focus on both jobs, that's the beauty of these solid state cameras. You can light the scene, give the actors direction, shoot it while paying attention to framing and such, then replay to focus on the acting. It's not much different than directors that also act. They have to check playback to see how everything else looks because they were acting at the time.

So yeah, good job! What are you doing next?
 
I didn't find the lighting overly flat (with the exception of the party scenes maybe). Some of the lighting looked pretty atmospheric.

Your bad guy looked suitably bad.

Your nondescript lead looked a little too... nondescript.

The drug story is pretty played out. I'd suggest you fashion a more original story before upping the ante with a professional crew and investing more time and money.

And as far as wearing so many hats... I've run into trouble directing and working camera before. I wasn't able to concentrate enough on the nuances of actor performances. I'm not fond of directing and producing, either. I understand, however, that necessity often plays a part in these decisions.
 
So.... what's the "Ten Pound" film about?
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I AGREE
 
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