Gangs and Gangsters

L

lordambrai

Active member
Gangs and Gangsters
Synopsis: An amnesiac hobo is cornered by a gangbanger and his wigga initiate.

Starring:
JOSEPH1.jpg

Joseph Segreto​
FrankieandWilliam.jpg

Frankie Morales and William Murphy​



Directing/Writing/Editing:
Christopher Clairmont

Audio:
Sean Clairmont

Production Assistant:
Irene Serrano

This short was shot/is being shot on an HMC150.

It was conceived two weeks ago and went through four drafts, and written in two days. So far shooting has consisted of 1 day, and our final shoot will be this Sunday March 8. Hopefully it will be finished by Monday.
 
HAH Today sucked! I shot my final scenes in four hours or so after re-writting the begining and ending of this thing twice this morning actually adding a character praying that I could find someone to fill the part and then putting it all together for about 5 hours until I had a 6 minute 9 second video... phew. I just hope it's enjoyable =D

I guess I should update with some BTS info, but I'm too wiped to think about it...
 
sounds like your day was a flick in it of itself, man! congrats on getting it in.
 
Yeah, but it was so much fun to do. It's weird because it's been about 7-8 months since I've produced anything that was narrative and it was such a refresher to do it agan.

I made a few mistakes that I thought I would never do again, and I'd like to fall into the same trap of "time pressure" but that's what production is about isn't it? You're always pressed for time. So I just gotta buckle down, take it, and go with what I got.

It just sucks when most of your crew is inexeperienced in production work and you have to explain everything to them. Like explaining how a shotgun mic works, you have to aim not stick it in front of the people. Or a reflector... you gotta get closer... CLOSER! DO YOU SEE ANY LIGHT IN HIS EYES!? And then there's no one but yourself to actually do the edit and thre's always that one actor that's like "done yet? didn't we shoot this like two days ago? What's the holdup?" Fun...

But yeah, psyched about getting it in (>.>) And hope it's somewhat enjoyable. This post feels long, so I'm going to leave it be...
 
I feel your pain.

lordambrai said:
Yeah, but it was so much fun to do. It's weird because it's been about 7-8 months since I've produced anything that was narrative and it was such a refresher to do it agan.

I made a few mistakes that I thought I would never do again, and I'd like to fall into the same trap of "time pressure" but that's what production is about isn't it? You're always pressed for time. So I just gotta buckle down, take it, and go with what I got.

It just sucks when most of your crew is inexeperienced in production work and you have to explain everything to them. Like explaining how a shotgun mic works, you have to aim not stick it in front of the people. Or a reflector... you gotta get closer... CLOSER! DO YOU SEE ANY LIGHT IN HIS EYES!? And then there's no one but yourself to actually do the edit and thre's always that one actor that's like "done yet? didn't we shoot this like two days ago? What's the holdup?" Fun...

But yeah, psyched about getting it in (>.>) And hope it's somewhat enjoyable. This post feels long, so I'm going to leave it be...
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This was a little amusing really in parts intentional (the Hermes character is enjoyable) and im not sure if others were -as intentional, for example the whole dolphin line (if serious then is a bit amusing) perhaps beacuse our hero is really not very tough looking.

He could make most team leaders of any highschool chess club look tough in comparison, and then having him kick ass saying 'im the dolphin' is just too ironic to bare!

So I don't know how ironic you intended some of the film, or how zany you meant it all to come across. An enjoyable romp though overall!
 
The look of the film was great. I also liked some of the cinematography. This piece definately had its moments. The pacing could be improved on and several different shots of the chase scene with several quick cuts in editing would spice that part up. Keep at it.
 
filthrich said:
Great story. I thought the image was a little too soft for the content. other than that I enjoyed it. good film. Im glad you got it in.
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Correct. I was in the process of messing with a few different color grades, but it was getting down to the wire and I just... I have no idea what I did. But thanks! Hopefully next time I will go with sharp images and harsher contrasts for a more effect feel.
 
Marlon Ladd said:
The look of the film was great. I also liked some of the cinematography. This piece definately had its moments. The pacing could be improved on and several different shots of the chase scene with several quick cuts in editing would spice that part up. Keep at it.
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Yeah, I knew from the getgo the pacing was going to feel a little off. Mostly because I had a last minute shoot and actually changed the script by adding the begining and the end. But that's no excuse for sub par pacing... Yeah, that "chase" scene... I need to do more sequences like that and figure out what works best.
 
lawriejaffa said:
So I don't know how ironic you intended some of the film, or how zany you meant it all to come across. An enjoyable romp though overall!
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It was all meant to be zainy. Not originally, originally it was supposed to be a serious piece on nature vs nurture, but after several drafts and never being satisfied with it, I went for a more "zainy" approach. If you got a chuckle, I have done my job... partially =D

Oh and I'm passing along that chess club crack. You're right though, he's a little tame for the part (sadly that's kinda what I wanted). I actually had him pegged to play another character (Dick), but I lost my main actor, scored another guy and moved roles around... all last minute. MY BOY IS A TOUGH AS NAILS YA SOB! You leave him alone please >.>
 
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I liked the idea behind this story. I wish I could have been more surprised when the gangsters showed up but I was expecting it because of the title. I like the drama between the two thugs... its was funny and props to your actors stepping up and committing to those roles, but there was something about the scene that didn't quite come off authentic.

I think the strongest thing that worked in favor of this story was the ending I love how that wrapped up and came off. Good job.
 
I have a small problem with the amount of pistols being toted in these contest films. this film had the sound right. a lot of other films have terrible sound/loud music as if to cover up a weak plot/acting/writing with extremely loud music. the low-angle shot when they walk into the school had some trembling camera was that intended? otherwise filmed nicely.
 
hehe lordambrai well that aside then you did have some hilarious wee lines in there, and Hermes was good - ;) I'll never think of Dolphins in the same way again!
 
Imaginate said:
I wish I could have been more surprised when the gangsters showed up but I was expecting it because of the title. I like the drama between the two thugs... its was funny and props to your actors stepping up and committing to those roles, but there was something about the scene that didn't quite come off authentic.
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I can never come up with an appropriate title. I normally make the title too obscure for the piece, or it ends up giving up plot points. I have to find something obscure, relevant and relatable at some point. And it was all for fun. Best thing about those two actors (the thugs) were that it was their first time meeting ever, and the just, blew it out of the water.
 
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