-|- HOSTILE DESTINATION -|- a Film by MAH

Gord.T said:
Along the same lines as Blain. I guess, for me, I know/feel when something is good when I don't immediatley find anything wrong with it. This was one of those.
What did catch my attention was the little audio nuances in a positive way. For some reason I loved the audio also.

It did seem short though. I guess that's the idea with these things.)
You keep impressing me with every new venture you undertake Mike.
What can I say?

-Gord.
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Thanks, Gord. High praise. Glad you enjoyed it so much. I worked my ass off on the sound design. More than any other film for sure, by far.

I would love your feedback on the visual effects. Doug did a great job in a very short time. PM me your thoughts if you have the time.

Thanks.

Mike
 
Hi Michael

This is definitely one of the films I was most anticipating. I think I'll be echoing many of the comments already made here. Visually, this was fantastic. You really gave this a distinct style, and it works perfectly for it.

I agree and disagree with the comments that there is more than six minutes in here. While it is definitely a small part of a big story (one that could go oh so many interesting ways), I think the pacing of this could have been tuned up a bit to give us more of this immediate story. Personally, I would have liked to see the beginning tightened up giving more room for playing things out at the end, as that's where I feel the interest lies.

Great job setting up the betrayal (that was soooo last fest). I felt it coming but it still kicked me. And finally, great set design. You took your setting and just nailed it down with your design. It really made this stand out. Great job MAH, thanks for putting this in.
 
Thanks, guys.

Yah, first time using my new T2i. It's a nice little camera.

I had well over a minute left but wanted to leave it as is. I liked the slow build and wanted people to get a little used to the world I created before throwing the cowboy in there. I usually try and fill every second of the six minute limit but felt it just wasn't needed. The script was one of the shortest I've used for a DVXFest.

Glad you guys enjoyed it.

MAH
 
Mike!
This is easily the best short you have ever created and IMHO one of the very best of this fest.
I keep watching Hostile Destination over and over, it truly is like a scene from an actual movie.
Your attention to detail is flawless, from the costumes to the sets to the sound design.

You made a gritty scifi post apoc western and the pairing of the cowboy hat with the gas mask makes for a hell of an iconic hero. It's so simple, but so perfect. I was kicking myself for not thinking of that. I love the establishing shots, very realistic AE work there. Those shots sell your "world" very well, I certainly would not want to live there. I love the peace beacon concept and the fact that this guy was transported from the past, this would make an amazing feature length. There's so much backstory to expand upon.

His skills with the gun got nothin' on your skills with the T2i. Sounds like you are loving that camera, you really utilized the low light capabilities well, specifically the way you lit everything minimalist and realistically. I love the bulb fixture as it rim lights the cowboy at the end, and the soft globe you have showing the map at the beginning. Really tastefully done. The elevator shot is perfect.

One of my favorite moments is when the cowboy kills the sentient and then uses his rifle to move the sentient's head. the sound design that you hear is cool, it's like a gasket winding up, it just works. Actually that whole scene is bananas: when the lights go out, the light in his gas mask flips on and he fires, it's an excercise in great tension building.

Lastly the score: EPIC. Great job justin on that, it's gorgeous.

Awesome Mike, I can't wait to see what you do next.

One last thing: I have decided that, in my mind, the Cowboy lives at the end!
 
Defcon said:
Mike!
This is easily the best short you have ever created and IMHO one of the very best of this fest.
I keep watching Hostile Destination over and over, it truly is like a scene from an actual movie.
Your attention to detail is flawless, from the costumes to the sets to the sound design.

You made a gritty scifi post apoc western and the pairing of the cowboy hat with the gas mask makes for a hell of an iconic hero. It's so simple, but so perfect. I was kicking myself for not thinking of that. I love the establishing shots, very realistic AE work there. Those shots sell your "world" very well, I certainly would not want to live there. I love the peace beacon concept and the fact that this guy was transported from the past, this would make an amazing feature length. There's so much backstory to expand upon.

His skills with the gun got nothin' on your skills with the T2i. Sounds like you are loving that camera, you really utilized the low light capabilities well, specifically the way you lit everything minimalist and realistically. I love the bulb fixture as it rim lights the cowboy at the end, and the soft globe you have showing the map at the beginning. Really tastefully done. The elevator shot is perfect.

One of my favorite moments is when the cowboy kills the sentient and then uses his rifle to move the sentient's head. the sound design that you hear is cool, it's like a gasket winding up, it just works. Actually that whole scene is bananas: when the lights go out, the light in his gas mask flips on and he fires, it's an excercise in great tension building.

Lastly the score: EPIC. Great job justin on that, it's gorgeous.

Awesome Mike, I can't wait to see what you do next.

One last thing: I have decided that, in my mind, the Cowboy lives at the end!
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I can't say how much I appreciate this review.
You hit on so many things I was going for that it's almost like you wrote it. :eek:

Thanks for giving Doug and Justin their props as well. They were both awesome and very easy to work with. The visual effects really set the tone and Justin's score was subtle yet powerful at the appropriate moments.

Thanks for the sound design nod as well. It was a labour of love. :)

Looks like Blaine agrees with you on the ending. In fact, I do as well. I always pictured him shooting his way out of there. I'll have to pose that question to Russ and see what he thinks.

PS- Doug is making a video breakdown of the effects he created. I'll be posting it here when he's done.

Thanks so much, guys. You made my day, Matt.

MAH
 
Unique story! It took a second viewing but it didn't dawn on me that the hero was from the past. I'm a knuckle head b/c you made it obvious - gun, hat, dialogue, picture. Anyway, you had a very layered intricate sound design, I'm very jealous. The exterior shots were amazing. I was thinking of that scene from Time Cop where the future cowboy steals General Lee's gold but this was sort of a reverse of that. I wish I saw a face to relate a little better. My only gripe is that white door, but set dressing was spot on otherwise. Great work!
 
Wow Michael. Better and better each time. This one was awesome! Great story, awesome visuals, outstanding sets and costumes, and stellar sound. It might sound like I'm gushing but it's obvious that you put a LOT of work into this and it shows.

You built a world with it's own history which isn't easy to do. Great exterior setups. I loved the nuclear winter. The actors did a good job as well. I loved the way the cowboy set the explosive and yanked his fingers back as if he still hasn't come to terms with this crazy technology. Very well done.

I'm sure I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said but great job Michael. Easily one of the best of the fest.
 
Mobie540 said:
Unique story! It took a second viewing but it didn't dawn on me that the hero was from the past. I'm a knuckle head b/c you made it obvious - gun, hat, dialogue, picture. Anyway, you had a very layered intricate sound design, I'm very jealous. The exterior shots were amazing.
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Yah, the opening text mentions he was pulled from the past as well. :)

I'm actually quite happy that you watched it twice. There's a lot going on and many little details as well. I'm curious if anyone caught what year it is? It's in there. :)

Thanks for watching. Kinship is one if my favorite stories in the fest.

MAH
 
Brian Parker said:
Wow Michael. Better and better each time. This one was awesome! Great story, awesome visuals, outstanding sets and costumes, and stellar sound. It might sound like I'm gushing but it's obvious that you put a LOT of work into this and it shows.

You built a world with it's own history which isn't easy to do. Great exterior setups. I loved the nuclear winter. The actors did a good job as well. I loved the way the cowboy set the explosive and yanked his fingers back as if he still hasn't come to terms with this crazy technology. Very well done.

I'm sure I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said but great job Michael. Easily one of the best of the fest.
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You touched on a lot of points that make me extremely happy to hear. Thanks.
Makes the long nights of editing meaningful. I'm thrilled that it was all worthwhile for you. :)

Ian did a great job in that scene you described. Thanks for noticing.
Bob (makeup) also put some real effort into the blood and dirt that was seen in the film.
Like the cowboys hands for instance.

Thanks, Brian.

Glad you made it in this Fest. I'll be dropping by your thread shortly.

MAH
 
Hey Michael- wicked good job.
The fx and production design rocked, and you obviously put a lot of work into that.
Your new camera is working wonders for the cinematic quality. It looked great.
Sound design was very cool. I liked the music too.

My only hang-up with this piece, and it might have been mentioned, is that when all your characters are wearing full face masks, it doesn't allow for much expression and human emotion to come through. I think you lose a connection to the characters when you can't see their eyes and face. Without that, the very large storyline you've constructed loses its impact, IMO.

Nonetheless, quite an admirable achievement from you, which we've all learned to expect.
 
Tim, thanks so much! I missed you this fest. I was hoping for something from you.
I'm glad you liked it. :)

The eyes were tough but I thought they were there when needed, like the kill.
I also added the photo (legit by the way) and used the cowboys body posture to really sell how he was feeling at key moments.

Thanks again, man. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to drop by.

Cheers,

Mike
 
man oh man, I thought I commented on yours already? well I really like the futuristic setting of this film. I was a little confused if at the end they both died, and that they were linked together some how? Ill be watching it again a few more times. ButI i think you did a really good job with the VFX, set design, and your shots were great as well. Good editing, good job man, I enjoyed this film and it keep me pulled in. :)
 
Thanks, Troy. Each character has their own establishing shot. Glad it pulled you in, that's great!
If you watch it again try the download. There have been some streaming issues.

Thanks,

MAH
 
Hey guys, here's a quick and not-very-informative breakdown on how the VFX for Mike's awesome short were achieved. For those who are interested, or bored.

 
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Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
Looks like Blaine agrees with you on the ending. In fact, I do as well. I always pictured him shooting his way out of there. I'll have to pose that question to Russ and see what he thinks.
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As stated by Defcon, Blaine and MAH...I love the idea of Jacob the cowboy fighting his way out at the end. What then? Like Blaine stated it's a whole other movie.

Jacob hunts Doc down with revenge on his mind. Even though Doc betrayed him...can he kill his only real hope of getting back to his family?

Then there are the reprucussions of their actions. How does the government react to the Peace Beacon's destruction?

How do the citizens handle their new found freedom, freedom to commit physical acts of violence, even homicide? Do they remain in their usual patterns like cows or do they revel in it?

Hey...this doesn't sound like another movie...it sounds like a trilogy. :D
 
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