"Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

ponder8n

ponder8n

Active member
I just completed a new piece for a short film contest. We had 8 days to complete the project. We were given the topic last week (which appears at the end of the film). I would love to hear your thoughts on the piece:

http://toppup.com/losingit

Settings: Standard F5, Shutter Speed 1/120, Edited in FCP (color corrected, diffused and levels adjusted).

Thanks,
Russell
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Damn, i thought i would understand what was going on yet i still didn't understand.

I dont really like the shaky camera work. Sometimes it seems to be cool, but for some reason I didn't like it in that one. The actors did decent jobs. But still I have no idea what was going on except for a kid trying to take all his dads money or something. Help us out here!
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

hello its been awhile since i've posted something. I just want to say that i DO like the shaky camera work in this piece. It makes the moment more intensed. I think that's the effect Russel was trying to get. I love the title in the beginning, very professionally done. Correct me if i'm wrong Russel but i think the movie was about somethings in life are not worth sacrificing your family over. The kid was just trying to show his father the light. Anyways, i also wanted to say that BRAD from greyskull is a talented kid. He should also look into acting! Nicely done BRAD! I like the movie!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

I agree with Sketta to a point; I am not sure really what went down here. I felt like I came into the conversation too late and have no clue what everyone is laughing about.

The hnad held 'cinema verite' seemed somewhat overdone in the first part of this but was definatlet toned down towards the end; then again, it did help create that 'confused state' of tension. So it works for me even though I prefer some locked down shots from time to time.

The talent was borderline okay; not bad, wait, not horrible; but not good either which is better than most.

The coloring is very nice and the shots work well in terms of composition. The score was nice; very accomodating. Not bad at all and it was worth watching.

On a liner note; I loved that you putting the flick on a black background as I hate those white backgrounds when watching a movie and the name MEDIA POND is great.

Im trying to figure it out and what I came up with is a son who is forcing his point across. He never takes the cash but just pretends to have his father 'see the light'? Im strecthing here Im sure.

Not sure who the other two dudes were but I liked the lighting. Perahps one estabishing shot of those dudes (where they are, who they area) might have helped?

I look forward to more work from the MEDIA POND.
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Is a filmmaker who moves the camera around like that more talented or less talented than one who doesn't?
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Coltrain...how would one be more talented or less talented...it could go either way...???!?!?!?!?!?!???!??!?!? Seriously
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

[quote author=Kyle Sherman link=board=Clips;num=1087059956;start=0#6 date=06/12/04 at 17:48:14]Coltrain...how would one be more talented or less talented...it could go either way...???!?!?!?!?!?!???!??!?!? Seriously[/quote]
It's a simple question.
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Hum. I don't really know what to think. I didn't quite get it at the end. I thought that the music in the background went well with the piece. I also really like the cuts between scenes. I guess I am easily pleased! The camera movement definitely intensified what was going on, but it did feel a little over shaky at the beginning.

So while I didn't quite understand it, all that in 8 days is impressive to me! Great job.
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Bravo! Well done. The shaky camera from 2/3 to the end worked. Could have been that way from the start.

I understood the scene, and it kept my attention because of the suspense.

For an 8 day project, this was very good.
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

I thought it was ok, I understood that the money transfer was a hoax, just a setup to bring his dad to his sences. Shaky camera . . . maybe a tad overdone but a good effort for 8 days . . . thats for sure!
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

I also thought it was good. I didn't have a problem understanding what was going on, but can see how it may not be as upfront and clear as possible. The camera was a tad confusing, I think that the shaky camera would work better if the camera itself were heavier, or if you used some kind of shoulder mount to give the camera weight. As it is, the camera work has a very light and floaty feel to it that tells the viewer that it is a smaller camera. I liked the suspense, I thought the "son" was pretty talented, but the "dad" had a few lines that could have used some more polishing. Overall it was a good work, nice lighting, nice compostion, there are just a few things that could be worked out, good job.
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Forget what everyone else is saying. The camera movement was EXCELLENT! It adds tension to the scene and without it, the scene would have been boring. Think of what this woulda have looked like with shots on a tripod! It would look like total crap and it would be boring. The style of filming that you took for this short film is EXACTLY what they do in the professional TV series "24". I am sure, that is probably where you got your inspiration. Anyway, keep doing your awesome shorts! I hope you win something.
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Thanks for everyone's comments. I appreciate all feedback, good and bad. That's how I learn what works and what doesn't work.

I agree, the story lacks some detail and continuity. I wrote it in 45 minutes so that we could move quickly onto pre-production. (You should have seen draft 1!) Hindsight tells me to spend more time polishing the feel of the story, as well as the storyline. I actually had the shoot and first edit done in two days.

As for the camera movement, it was probably extreme in some shots. I wanted to build a shoulder mount using Home Depot parts, but never got around to it. So, it came across more shakey than expected. But, I like how it creates incredible intensity. I did have a Glidecam, but decided not to use it.

I had watched the whole second season of 24 prior to the start of this festival. My goal was really to experiment in this genre of filmmaking. Music, story, camera-work--all inspired by 24.

Thanks again for everyone's comments.
Russell
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

the excessive camera shake gets to the point of being too self-conscience.. like as if the camera man is constantly thinking of new ways to shake the camera just for the heck of shaking it. It's trying to be stylish yet.. most of the entire living room scenes looks like it was just shot conviniently ( dare I say thoughtlessly? ) handheld at camera man's eyelevel.  Maybe it's just me, but I've never liked those movies where they protray the hacker's attack as something they can see moving on the screen ( perhaps a swarm of bees moving around on a diagram of their computer system )
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

[quote author=ponder8n link=board=Clips;num=1087059956;start=0#13 date=06/13/04 at 06:28:44]

I had watched the whole second season of 24 prior to the start of this festival.  My goal was really to experiment in this genre of filmmaking.  Music, story, camera-work--all inspired by 24.

[/quote]
But 24 isn't a film and when you compare 24 to a great film it gets dominated; So you must have made a TV show.
 
Re: "Losing It" (a DVX-100A short)

Is someone tryin' to pick a fight?

Yeah, we get it. You don't like it. Point made.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top