God...Another WWII film?...

Brett

Brett

Well-known member
Hey everyone, I posted almost 7 months ago I was shooting a WWII short called Against All Odds the Squadron. Well we just wrapped it up and it ended up being almost 30 minutes long.. This was my first film shot on my new DVX100B at the time, So im really thinking I did the camera a great deal of injustice of what it really can do... Ive learned alot since shooting with this great camera and wishing I had done things differently also.. but If anyones interested here it is. Its divided into 3 parts which are about 8 minutes in length. I would love some input and comments, if you can bare to watch it all.

PART 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3y9gxJITGM&feature=channel_page

PART 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzVFG6SDcHk&feature=channel

PART 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72wtIOjpiQM
 
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Hey Brett. I'm always down for a WW2 vid.

I've watched the first 2 parts, will watch the third when uploaded.

Here's 2 cents so far:

I know you're, as you say, better now with the dvx than when you started this and maybe you can think of doing some shots better, but I didn't notice anything of concern in that area that took me away from what was happening.

I liked the CC for the most part. No complaints really. However it could maybe be improved slightly, especially the combat scenes. Saving Private Ryan had a nice look. Time permitting I'd experiment with some of that.

The first part felt about right for pacing, to me, for what I have seen from part 2.
Part 2 is rockin' pretty good actually. I'm really looking forward to part 3.

A couple things I noticed while watching the first 2 parts:

1/ I didn't really see the enemy in part 2, or at least from the return fire it sounds like I should be seeing more than there was. Minor though. It could happen so that's not a biggee. Just a thought.

2/ The sound/music direction is not working for me. It definitely has that foreign feel to it but it's not the direction I would prefer. With the action that is taking place, the music is countering that, trying to pull me back when I want to go. I think it is detracting rather than adding. If that's what your going for, as I have not seen part 3 yet, that's fine. I can understand your intent anyways. Personally, at this point, I'd revisit the composing end.

Oh, and some of the acting was spotty in the first part but got better in the second.
But I'm sure you knew that anyways.

The gun SFX rock pretty good and the explosion FX and how the cam/editing picks up when the action does ect. Actors and uniforms look right. Although one helmet looked a bit too clean in a couple shots(:)). Location works. The bad member of the squad is working.

That's it for now. I'll watch for the last upload.
 
Thanks Raptor. yeah to be honest most of that look was an in camera look. the only thing I took down on it was the saturation. its hard to get a look that I want in post.. Ive tried numerous of times. Im still learning on my camera trying to get better, and as far as acting goes ha it's pretty horrible I know, I really hate acting in any of my films I just like to shoot, I was the guy who gets his leg blown off and I just cringe everytime I see it. I hate it. My friend wrote the movie and I just shot and edited it, he chose to not show the enemy, for whatever reason, I didnt think it made too much sense. I believe he felt like it was understood.. but I believe it hurt it in the long run. Overall the movie isnt really too story driven at all, we really just wanted to make an action movie with emotion.
thank you for your comments and suggestions they are very much appreciated. I just posted the 3rd one up. let me know.
 
I'm going to watch that in a sec then I'm off for the night. Just wanted to mention I thought the leg-blown off deal was done really well so don't beat yourself up over that at all.

I was thinking about the sat level myself like in those combat scenes I think it is usually brought down if not all the way down, colorized then add some secondary colors back in.
Depends on ones technique/approach I guess. Still learning myself. But yeah, I liked what you were going for.

I have a CC tutorial from a website that was run by a guy that did a few major films but the site was taken down (?). Luckily I ripped the tutes beforehand so I still have them. AE, actually, but it applies to any NLE. I'll dig those out for you in a couple weeks (reformatting) and shoot out a link. I think you'll find it interesting.

I wouldn't use horrible to describe the acting unless you were casting for a major film and paying big bucks. A good part of it was quite believable if you consider that most people who fought in WW2 where around 17-20 yrs old. They were pretty tuff though I have to say.

Anyways I'll watch the last bit and give a shout later. :)
 
Watched the 3rd part. Just a quick comment before I head out. The final combat scenes rocked pretty good. The bayonet-in-the-chest scene rocked badass. Yeee-ouch.

Just a matter of honing your craft I think. The action scenes were all there and rockin, but I think maybe a dedicated director would have helped or will help in your next one. I've found that directing is the kind of craft that most of us take for granted when we see a good film. "You can't really see it until you know it's there" kind of thing.
J.R.Hudson has some great insight into directing that I have found very helpfull in understanding it...
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=133076

I still think a different score could really accent what you have. I don't think this score served any usefull purpose at all. In fact it worked against the film for me. My 2 cents.

I'm going to watch it all again tomorrow. Overall I think it rocks.
 
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I really enjoyed this as well. Part 1, the acting was a little shotty, but it definitely did pick up. At first, I thought that alot of the actors looked to be a little too young, but then I realized that they are probably the same age as most of the guys that fought. After that, I really enjoyed it.

I really liked the way it was shot and the costumes/weaponry was all spot on. Fantastic production values. I also laughed out loud at the Alabama girls joke.

I haven't watched Part 3 yet, but I am going to tonight.

Great job!
 
Thanks Raptor and Taylor Im glad that you enjoyed it. as long as were doing something right Ill keep on makin em.
 
Hey nice job man. I'd second Raptor's suggestion at checking out the directing forums. I saw a few places where the camera placement/cuts felt strange, breaking a few cinematography rules (180 degree rule, etc). The fx were pretty sweet though. Where'd you guys get the WW2 equipment? I've got a WW2 idea also, but always thought getting the equipment would be too difficult.
 
Longfellow said:
Hey nice job man. I'd second Raptor's suggestion at checking out the directing forums. I saw a few places where the camera placement/cuts felt strange, breaking a few cinematography rules (180 degree rule, etc). The fx were pretty sweet though. Where'd you guys get the WW2 equipment? I've got a WW2 idea also, but always thought getting the equipment would be too difficult.
Click to expand...

well actually we have collected the outfits and equipment over the course of a few years, we really just collected bits and pieces at first. I dont know if they still sell them but we got about 80% of the outfits from www.cheaperthandirt.com. back then the helmets were about 20 bucks a piece. Im not sure if they raised prices or not but that was one of the most expensive items that we bought. (not too bad.) as far as the guns which most of them we built from metal and woodwork (one of the thompsons, BAR, M1 Carbine, mg42)
 
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