Jack Daniel Stanley & Mark Johnson's REKINDLED

Jack, Mark, I woke up this morning with the intention of revisiting all of the films in the fest before I commit to my final numbers in the voting. I didn't plan on going back to each of the threads to offer additional critique but I had to stop viewing and comment on your film again.

I am just blown away at the amount of passion and intelligence you pack into a 6 minute short!

Watching your short film makes me feel like I just saw a feature length film. You have an amazing ability; You've created a story that was so complex and yet only six minutes long!!! The amazing thing is (and I am trying to find the right way to say this) my mind fills in the scenes that you could not possibly fit into this short.

I see the relationship between the "man" and Jin form and take place. Not because it is detailed in the film but because your story conveys it so completely.

I see the pain that this man has gone through with the torture of keeping this relationship alive.

I see the many deaths that this man has caused.

I see the madness in this mans mind.

This is not all detailed in the film, but it is there in subtext and your story-telling.

It is just an amazing accomplishment.

And, if I may continue...

The cinematography that you and Mark achieved is stunning. The lighting, the rich images, the soft touches... it's breath-taking!

I just cannot say enough about this film. It is a masterpiece on so many levels.

The record player is such a wonderful "string" that ties so many elements together. The appearance of it in the love-making scene is just a small touch that people probably don't immediate recognize or connect to. But it is there.

Starting and ending this film with a flame is such a nice theme. It acts as a bonding agent that wraps this film into a complete story.

Absolutely amazing story-telling.

Rekindled should be studied by filmmakers. Not just because it is a wonderful film and a fine example of filmmaking but because it is an incredible example of story-telling!

Congratulations again on raising the bar!

Ted
 
I'm sorry to be writing more here again, but I closed without sharing something that I really wanted to say...

First, the actors are amazing here. The subtleties of their performances are spectacular. As an actor myself, I know how difficult it is to "act" especially during the times without dialogue. It requires an inner chemical inside of you to convey the emotions and inner dialogue that these two bring to the film. This "chemical" is not found in everyone. But those who have, know how to use it and use it take after take in a room filled with lights, camera, cords and lots of people.

I stand on my chair and applaud these two actors! What a great job!

And I wanted to make an additional comment on Jack's direction and story... When they kiss and that record player swings into action... just wonderful. So simple. So gentle. So much story in that one little action.

And lastly, I LOVE THIS FILM!!!

Ted
 
Hey Jack,

I actually watched your film a few days ago; just haven't gotten around to commenting.

While I made it a point not to read any other people's reviews for other shorts, I was following your thread, and broke my rule here.

I can't say anything that hasn't been said already in the last 30 pages or so. While the story was not my personal cup of tea, I certainly can't argue with the style and execution of it.

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then this is the best compliment I think anyone can give:

I aspire to be half as skilled as you are. And I think even that's stretching it. I'd be happy with a quarter.

Thanks,
 
This one had a nice picture. The story was its weak point. I dont understand why the guy was smiling at the end.
Very good effort.

amongst my favorites. Perhaps next time a less complex story for a 6 minute short. that way you wont get so bogged down trying to emphasise things. It seeemd like the whole film was just a vehicle to emphasise his monologue at the end. this needs to be longer form. 6 minutes doesnt do it justice. Perosnally i can't stand when a charahcter does that "explsin the whole story" monologue. that reads "lazy" writer.

Bravo on the visuals. 8 of 10!
 
It's very interesting how people react to Rekindle's story/script. Some loved it and found it very interesting without anything missing, others found it was the weakest link of the movie, confusing or boring etc.

It is trully something to spend hours discussing in a coffee place coz I think it stands for the different characters we all are.

I never thought the story was not interesting. I like monologues and big dialogues with lots of blah blah blah, especially when found in extremely good looking movies, with beautiful cast who can deliver their lines. I would go out and buy the book if there was one, I think the story is original on its own...the only thing I can relate this to is Hellraiser II when the blood on the matress made ...(oh f@@@ cant remember her name) her come back to life and then she devoured men to regain her flesh. And you see this is not even remotely close to Rekindled, thus my verdict is ORIGINAL story. Some people got confused that she was his latest kill and didnt get the fact that she was his first and his muse. This shows how much people have been somewhat 'brainwashed' by all those silly movies HOllywood offers with a no-script under their title. PEople expect the obvious and the typical and the stereotyped story so if they come across something that goes beyond that or takes it and breaks into pieces , they miss it.

All in all my point is that the story/script, is not bad technically, the lines are well written, the story is very clever and believe me if it was made into a feature, things wouldnt unfold so easily and fast. But in terms of taste amongst us, yeah I can definitely understand why people find something more simple like Lakeside (which is a great film, watch my review) having a very nice story and in the same time they have trouble grasping the inner works of Jack's Rekindled story.

Enough from me, I have exams tomorrow.
 
silvergirl said:
Perhaps next time a less complex story for a 6 minute short.
Click to expand...

Oh, well then you've GOT to get over & see our short ... some folks are complaining it's TOO simple, lol. The nerve of them.

I don't think Jack's story is too complex ... I'm just amazed at the depth of story he CAN pack into 6 minutes. It's like the others previous to this ... all really amazing stories, not just pretty fluff to look at.
 
silvergirl said:
This one had a nice picture. The story was its weak point. I dont understand why the guy was smiling at the end.
Click to expand...
I am not the writer here and probably should not comment, but I took the guy smiling as a symbol of his happiness to have now been joined with his love. She drew the blood from him. She connected and committed their eternal existence together.

If he had died at the hands of anyone else, he would not be smiling.

But he, for the first time (upon her insistence), revealed many secrets to her. He opened up to her completely for the first time. He was weak in his love for her and his now total honesty with her, that when she took his life by her own hands, he felt joined with her.

That's what I took away from it.

Just thought that I would share.

Ted
 
I'm in the middle of moving to California so I've only had a chance to watch this one so far. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cinematography was excellent. The story was unsettling and creepy in the best of ways. And the set design was top notch. In fact I would say that was the strongest part of it.

The acting was a bit off in spots. I figured the girlfriend was supposed to be ghostly and eerie, but she just came of as stiff and uncomfortable. And the man's death smile was a bit weird.

But I think as a whole it's an outstanding entry. Excellent work guys!
 
Thanks for the comments and compliments guys. I've posted a "how-it-was-done" site with the VFX I created for REKINDLED here:



Hope it is of interest to those of you interested in VFX for next-to-no-budget films!
 
Wow!!!! An amazing post Mark! LOVED THE BTS!!! The best by far!

Absolutely incredible.

Jeez... making my ladders look like preschool work! :grin:
 
WOW.

That's so freaking rad. Mark Johnson's BTS/tutorials are always crazy good. I can't wait to get this DVD.
 
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