Flashing Lights

This was a great little film. GREAT idea for 6 min and incorporating the prop, instead of having it on a table or in the credits or something.

I agree with Noel about the battery thing. We get it from the other shot. Kill the ECU.

If I had a criticism, it would be with the acting. They were both good, but I feel like they did not really have enough relaxed real relationship between them. Maybe a lot more relearsal and improv so their conversation could flow a lot better. They felt like actors not entire sure about what they were doing, rather than real people.

Again, I think that is just time to work with them and get them comfortable.

But great little short. I really enjoyed it.
 
Hey Arrik! Great film. Very funny and well told.

I loved your images. The lighting is wonderful. The crappy-ass shot and sound from the little camera is perfect. I loved seeing and hearing that.

Got kinda of tired that this guy can't balance a camera. And if he is having so much trouble, why in the world put in on top of something like an opened eyeglass case! (but I am just being picky!)

I didn't feel that you needed to cut to the close-up on the flashing battery. It was well covered in the first shot. I thought that you could have done without that. It was hysterical that after all of that, the battery died!

You have some great images, nice edits and a nicely done story.

I enjoyed watching it!

Congrats to you!

-Ted
 
Yo, thanks for all the comments fellas. Really appreciate it. Glad people are liking it. Wow, no go on the ECU huh?

Honestly, I wasnt trying to hit you guys over the head with that one. I know you guys are smart! :) The way I arranged the shots allowed me to roll credits being that the screen cut to all black. I also liked the lcd-turning-off-image-stretch effect combined with the camera turning off sound. I felt it made an appropriate closing shot. Had I cut this ECU out, I wouldnt have been able to do the above because the shot before that included the camera body in frame.

However, having heard your suggestions, what I could do is cut the ECU, and use the previous shot but zoom in until the camera body is not in the screen and the camera's lcd fills the entire frame. That way, I can still show the camera shutting down effect and the entire frame will still be left all black, allowing me to roll credits and continue the sexin sounds! I will make those changes on my post-lovefest version. Thanks for the insight all. This is a solid suggestion. :thumbsup:
 
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Arrik said:
Gohanto, I hear you. Unfortunately for some, our script wasnt exactly LOL. When my writer originally approached me with the script, he said alot of the humor would lie in the acting and way we shot it more so than the script just being LMAO. It would be "a cute, simple, romantic comedy" I believe he stated. That said, we understand this may not be everyone's cup of tea. We thought, maybe for some older audiences or those with long-standing relationships, that they could relate to "spicing things up" as this scenario is not totally outlandish for everyday couples looking to keep things fresh. So the real catch is not whether or not the husband gets to sleep with his wife (because that shouldnt be an issue - well, talk to some married people about that one) but more does he get to film it, which is totally different. That said, we wanted it to be relatable so we steered clear of slapstick or over the top, redonkulous humor. The downside, obviously, is that not everyone will relate. I'm glad you can appreciate any technical aspects that you did. I'm almost up to "The Common Man" on my list. I'm anxious to see this and wish you good luck.
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Thanks for not slapping me in the face for just not being a personal fan of the humor. As a college student, I'm pretty much the opposite of the "older audiences" you were aimed for, but as I said there were certainly parts I enjoyed.

And I'm excited to know what you think of my film, so far only one person has left feedback on it.
 
Hey, were not so old! Well, maybe my writer is.... haha, he reads these posts.

I promise I'll get around to posting feedback on your thread. 3 day weekend so I'll have the time. Dont worry. I'm sure the reviews will come pouring in for everyone the next 2-3 days.
 
FLASHING LIGHTS -- Thoughtsishness

Got a chance to check this'n out just now. I like a lot of the technical stuff and REALLY liked the opening sequence. The elevator is a really great moment in the short for me. I'm not a fan of the actual content, although I'm sure that there's a definitely an audience for it.

I'm not sure if it was the goal or the obstacles. I did feel like it ran really long for the subject and payoff. Really good use of the Fest Prop! Everyone's usually just plugging it in as a set piece so it's cool to see it as another character.

Again, really nice technically. Just wasn't really into the material.
 
Hey Arrik. Very well shot. Looked very professional. Loved the shot of the buttons in the elevators. Good job by the actors...loved her face when she was daydreaming. I did feel like the part where the camera kept falling did run a little long but it was a really good film overall.
 
Hey,

Just caught it. Loved it. Thought there could have been a bit more in the story but the visuals/compositions were fantastic and it looked really nice. Enjoyed the acting and everything else in it. Just wished there was a bit more to the story.

Good work. Can't wait to see more.
 
Kholi, Champ, and Daniel, thanks for your kind words and critiques. Glad you guys liked it. I appreciate you guys stopping by to comment.

Thought you guys might find this funny, my date on v-day brought her camera. Shes seen the film. So I thought i'd bust out the "you know, that camera has a movie function on it....." line. IT WORKED, if by worked you mean she laughed in my face. :(
 
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Hi Arrik,

The opening sequence is really great in the elevator. It has to be one of the top openings to any film in the fest. I felt like some of the humor played a little safe in the bedroom given the subject matter. All and all a fine entry. Congrats on getting the a film in the fest, I know it was down to the wire.

Jim
 
This was a cool film that showed us a very real situation that has actually happened. . .er, um. . .to at least some of us. It was just classic how the battery went dead. Something like that always goes wrong, especially when you think you just gave your best performance. Very good and funny film.
 
I echo the love for the elevator shots in this. I like that this story was for a niche audience. It seemed targeted squarely at people who have been in a situation like this. This is a nice change of pace from some of the other films with more broad storytelling. You chose to tell a slice of life story, so that's commendable. Maybe the banter could have been snappier between the couple in order to sell the fact that they're an actual couple.

This was enjoyable.
 
I think I've had this exact conversation a couple of times! Great opening. Loved the lighting in the bedroom. Was this filmed at your house? Great location. Are these two actually a couple? They seemed to really have good chemistry. I really liked the intercutting with the camera, seemed real.

The low battery at the end was a nice touch and the perfect ending.
Great job man.
 
bosindy said:
The opening sequence is really great in the elevator. It has to be one of the top openings to any film in the fest.
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Hey Jim,

Definitely, happy with the way this intro turned out. This was the last scene we shot. My actors were done at this point. It was 5am. I told them "get in the elevator, spit your lines out and I will just keep the cam on record catching different angles." No lights, no adapter, 1 take. We got it done in about 2 minutes then the battery died (last battery with juice too). Kinda ironic considering my script. Anyways, I was so worried that I rushed that shot and that i didnt get enough footage to put it together in post. Goes to show, sometimes on-the-fly works out well.

This was a cool film that showed us a very real situation that has actually happened. . .er, um. . .to at least some of us. It was just classic how the battery went dead. Something like that always goes wrong, especially when you think you just gave your best performance. Very good and funny film.
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Lee,

Its funny what couples will do to keep things fresh. My writer swears this is not autobiographical in any way (i dunno). I really wanted to slow the credits down a bit and really let the characters sex it up audibly, with more dirty talk to show that the husband and wife are really going all out to "give their best performance" but I didnt want to be DQ'd for having credits longer than 15 seconds. However, I noticed some shorts got away with stretching that rule a bit, but better safe than sorry I guess.

I like that this story was for a niche audience. It seemed targeted squarely at people who have been in a situation like this. This is a nice change of pace from some of the other films with more broad storytelling. You chose to tell a slice of life story, so that's commendable. Maybe the banter could have been snappier between the couple in order to sell the fact that they're an actual couple.
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mentatDUKE,

We love that people are relating to this. We didnt wanna do anything sappy. We felt that was neither our strong suit or something we were interested in doing. However, i've learned its important to recognize who we are targetting and how broad or narrow that audience is. After all, it is the community that determines your fate, as opposed to a few judges. I didnt really consider this when we produced this. Not sure about Keith (writer). I think we just did what we wanted. I will definitely consider this when working on the next fest.

I think I've had this exact conversation a couple of times! Great opening. Loved the lighting in the bedroom. Was this filmed at your house? Great location. Are these two actually a couple? They seemed to really have good chemistry. I really liked the intercutting with the camera, seemed real.
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Sup Slim,

The location is a co-op owned by a friend of mine in Forest Hills. Just purchased a year ago and recently finished with much renovation and newly furnished. I wish I lived there. I wish we had planned other shots of the place. The whole thing is beautiful. Basically, dont think that if you and your boy's come down to hang w/ me in Queens that you will be living lavishly. My apartment is far less appealing........... but with way more beer/liquor.

I was pleased with our actor's chemistry, especially considering we only had 1 reading prior to production. We really cut things close with this short. Mark Harris brings up valid points on this on his earlier post and we look to spend more time with our actors on the next fest, by not joining the party too late.

We appreciate all your feedback. Sorry for my late response. Just been busy with things and didnt wanna give a bull reply. I havent even finished watching/reviewing all the shorts yet! Thanks for stopping in, all.
 
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Just caught the flick and loved it. I dig it when these small films deal with sexual taboos (or at least sexuality in an honest, if not slightly embarrassing way). Even though this particular subject seems to be less of a taboo with each passing day....

There is something about it being a small film, low budget, etc... that just makes it all a little bit more look over-your-shoulder-seat-squirmingly good. Something that helps the film immeasurably and solidifies the fact that it wouldn't work any other way.

I think the lighting could have been a bit more dynamic, but it helped the film in the ways mentioned above.

And as mentioned, great chemistry with the actors.

Good job!
 
Cool music and opening shot in the reflection of the elevator buttons.

Vocals not to clean and crisp … off access ? need some EQ? dunno. Only mention because not up to image quality.

Love the close in the air sequence.

Dig the low-fi camera effect.

“I’m bored!” lol :D

Nice sequence with the lights on the imagined porn set.

Haha, I knew (in a good way)something was gonna happen with the camera at the end.

Solid and entertaining :thumbsup:
 
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