GOOD|SAM - a minimalist film by hunter richards and anthony pierce

Hunter and Anthony,

WOW. I still have chills down my spine. WHAT AN ENDING!!!! I didn't understand it until you guys MEANT for me to. I love it! WOW! I JUST LOVE THIS!

Wonderful story. Well performed. Great shots. Smooth editing...

Your film has it all.

Sincere, warm and caring. And simple. I enjoyed this so much.

I cannot wait to see it again!

My only criticism was that some of the scenes could have used a bit more light. Only a couple. Minor complaint.

Great job! Well done!

Congrats, guys!!!

-Ted
 
I feel the same way Ted does.

Got me.

If I was in a better state to take it all in, I would've been in tears.

Wonderful work.

Reminds me of alot of the IFC stuff I used to watch.

You know it's video, and yet it captures you like a motion picture.
 
I enjoyed this piece a lot. I thought it was a good story, good picture, and good music especially the second half. Real good work here. The only thing that I thought you could have improved on is pacing. I felt like the second half was better paced then the first, it picked up and really carried me through. I would consider thinking about speeding up the pacing of the first part, just a smidge.

I really dug the scene where he dropped off the cans into the machine. What city do they do that?

Good work here, heck of an ending, I really enjoyed it.
 
Thanks for your constructive critiques.
The can scene was filmed at fred meyer grocery store. The "extras" were real people returning cans, we asked them if we could include them in the shot and they said "sure!"

but then the strangest thing happened! (and I didnt see it through the viewfinder sadly)

A random "extra man" walked over and gave sam a few extra cans. I really wish I knew what was happening. I think that could have added a nice little piece to the story.

All photography was done in Portland Oregon, a few scenes (and the pawn shop) took place in Keizer, outside of salem.
 
This is my favorite film. The story is outstanding and the kid's performance is very good. The ending is spectacular.

K-U-D-O-S !
 
observations

observations

Feedback from two viewers -

A really good concept.
Was not shot the greatest.
"I knew right away when the girl holding the baby and then when I saw the older kids that it was definitely a foster home.

Take it or leave it.
 
MDC films, thanks for your honesty. I'm sorry you didn't like the photography. I shot in the "handheld" style for most of it. Can you talk more about what "not shot the greatest" means. A few more details would help me for future reference.

Oh yeah, and your the first person ever to get it at that point. You must be pretty sharp! (Not joking at all)
 
I wasn't as sharp as some others... I needed that last frame. But, boy, that last frame created such wonderful depth to the story.

I loved how the information that was delivered in the end was so sudden and so contrasting compared to the pace in the rest of the movie. One of my top picks.
 
Thanks for that. This is the kind of story that might be best when viewed twice.

Speaking of watching it twice, did anyone notice something funny about the calender?

Also, I am still waiting for someone to point out the second (hidden) camera element!
 
i haven't worked with kids much, but from what i've heard it's difficult - hard to keep them focused, hard to get natural acting, etc.

the acting was awesome. very well done. that speaks, obviously, to the actor - has to be mature and want to do this, but more importantly to you. you can get a kid actor that is good, but it takes an excellent director to make a kid great. it seems like you have to be director, friend and father/mother to get all that you can, so i'm guessing you did all of that! wow!

well done. feel good all the way - you nailed it.

i have to say, i really liked the guy in the pawn shop. did he work there, or was that an actor?
 
Yep, the lovefest...I put that just for you Luis...

Working with kids is hard! "Sam" had too much sugar on day 2 and was smirking a little too much during serious scenes (thats why they are cut so fast at times) He did a really good job though and has almost zero acting experience to my knowledge.

About the guy at the pawn shop, he is an actor, his name is Geno Romo. I thought he did great there also!

Thanks for the comment.
 
Hey, man... you can tell he's got the chops. I didn't know if he was an actor or not when I watched it, but he definitely has the chops... and even more to his credit its quite apparent in a 15 second scene.

Later,
Jason
 
Hunter. I enjoyed this film. Opening music was pretty good. I liked the scope of the film. The world seemed so large since the kid was so small and the city seemed at his disposal in fulfilling his quest. The actor did well. This was a pretty heart warming story. Nice job.
 
Hunter I just saw your poster and I'm completely blown away. Just amazing.

You could maybe add %10 or so more opacity to the 'good' if you were to have it blown up poster size (which you definitely should) but it 's near perfect (my glass is half empty, isn't it?).

Looking forward to checking the flick out.
 
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