LYRICAL TRANSITIONS: The First Time

[Zak Forsman]

this is assured and confident filmmaking, man! i really admired the unique choices you made. unconventional AND it works!!! congrats!

 

[DJ Lewis]

Lee, it should be illegal for filmmakers to put out great work like this, without a posted schedule for the rest of the series. Can't wait to see the rest!

And lets not forget to mention that you got it done, regardless of everything else that was going on. I'm confident we're going to see and hear a lot more from you...

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Haven't heard from you in a while.

I hope that everything is going alright with you and your family considering the problems you mentioned earlier in this thread.

Best wishes.

Mike

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Hey, guys. I just got back on here and I'm downloading the rest of the films to watch right now as I speak.

Mike, thanks for your concern. My fam. is doing well. I just now got back from Killeen, TX. I went down there to support a friend trying to help promote some artists, including myself. I couldn't get online and when I downloaded some films the first time all of the films didn't play all the way through, so I'm downloading again right now.

Okay, now I'm gonna' get to your reviews.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Marlon, this was a real nice surprise and you kept the secret well! It reminded me it would be nice in future fests to see more things off strict narrative.

I liked the rap(?), spoken word(?) too. It reminded me of The Streets. I dunno if it's strictly poetry, or some strain of hiphop or what, but I love that it's a little flat and not concerned with musicality and just telling the story.

And I agree with Jack, the intercut story elements worked well with the music. Nice work!

it seems like your audio sync is off every now and then in the story portions.

Thanks, Mark. It's actually spoken word. I've always been a fan of it, but felt it never reached an audience, because of the way it was performed. So, I decided to try something different.



With the audio sync., I'll check it out again. Thanks. Will hopefully get to your film tonight.

What can I say? Simply the most inventive, original piece in the festival. Top three material that's technically leaps and bounds ahead of most everything else.

The narrative elements dropped into prose reminds me of beat poetry set to film. Just amazing. Acting is top notch and it looks great.

e

Wow, thanks e. I appreciate that. I tried to do something different and like I was saying to Jack’s response, it’s not always easy to step out on a limb. I really liked the story and how it turned out, but you never know how people will respond. Thanks for watching and I agree that the acting was top notch. Without their skillz projecting the story it wouldn’t have been the same.

BTW – this is part 4 and I will have the others ready in the next couple of days. Originally this was supposed to be part II, “The First Time,” but this one came together great and I had the music for it and it was the most compelling with the most drama.

Hey Marlon. Good job on this. I like the fact that you used a very unique storytelling device in this. I didn't realize your wrote all the rhymes. That's pretty impressive. I guess I assumed all the actors were doing their own material since the point of views seemed so distinct, especially the females.

Just one question. Was she cheatin' on the brotha or what?

I would have to say that this was my ONLY gripe as well. Is she telling the truth?

But considering that this is just Part 1... I think we're going to find out.

Loved it man, simply awesome!

LOL. Y’all are killin’ me. These are the kind of stories I like to write. The ones that illicit questions.

Well, what do you think? Was she cheating?? That’s part of what I wanted to do was to paint a layer of gray. You see it from his perspective and then you see it from hers. He had a compelling argument that she was cheating, but whose argument is the MOST compelling? What’s important is that he thought she was cheating, so then the question becomes will he ever believe her and even if he does believe her some damage has already been done.

I guess that didn’t answer the question, huh? LOL. I wanna’ know what y’all think though. Did she?

Very original. The idea was executed really well and there were some great shots in there. All together, great job!

Thanks, Matthew. Means a lot that you like it. I see you’re in Austin. That’s the new film capitol here in the USA isn’t it?

VERY new to DVXuser, but "Transitions," is one of the best projects I have ever seen . . . film or spoken word. Excellent story telling. Keep it up. - W Bro

Thanks, W. That’s such a compliment, because there are truly some kick a$$ films not only in this competition, but just all over the site in general. Thanks for watching.

This was very different and very interesting.

It reminded me of when I used to go to Poetry Slams in NYC.

I loved your actors' voices. I thought the shots of them at the mic were great. The shot of them in "real life" weren't quite as compelling.

Editing wise, I wish the whole piece had intercut between the two of them instead of starting with one and then switching to the other. I think it would have given it a lot more energy, conflict, and passion.

Still, this was very cool and I'm looking forward to seeing the other parts.

Thanks, Chris. I appreciate the review. I should be finished with everything in the next couple of days.

As far as the intercutting, I can see your point, but I guess it’s just a perspective thing. I wanted to set it up like each person has their chance to speak their mind and give their point of view (side of their story) and then the audience (much like in a court room or in everyday real life) has a chance to see both sides and try and determine what’s what from the information given.

I think you did a great job on this, but as some like to say, it wasn't my cup of tea.

I'm not really into poetry or experimental films. Yeah, I'm basically a neanderthal, I'll admit I like Bruckheimer movies.

But seriously, your film was very impressive and original. Major props!

Look forward to seeing more work from you.

Thanks, Max! Hey, I love Bruckheimer movies too. Thanks for the compliments. What’s the status with “The Farmer?” Did you ever re-edit anything or submit it anywhere else?

Hey, great short. I liked the look and feel and I enjoyed the way you cut this. I thought the poetical rhythm was well crafted. I thought the lighting was nicely done. Great film!

Thanks, Kurtmo! As far as the lighting – I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from the last fest. To this one. That’s one of the elements in the film I’m really proud of.

this is assured and confident filmmaking, man! i really admired the unique choices you made. unconventional AND it works!!! congrats!

Thank you, Zak. I tried to step outside the box and make somethin’ happen.

Lee, it should be illegal for filmmakers to put out great work like this, without a posted schedule for the rest of the series. Can't wait to see the rest!

And lets not forget to mention that you got it done, regardless of everything else that was going on. I'm confident we're going to see and hear a lot more from you...

Thank you, very, very much, DJ. The rest is coming real soon. I should have it done in the next couple of days, but I’m not sure when I’ll show it now that I’m thinking about it. I don’t want to take away from the fest. In any way. Wonder if I should wait. . .maybe I’ll just post a link in my sig. and if people wanna’ see the others they can.


WHEW! LOL. That's alot of quoting.

 

[Maximus]

Thanks for you interest in The Farmer. It's still on the backburner:embarasse , I gotta finish it one of these days. It's guys like you that inspire me.

 

[Maximus]

I would have to say that this was my ONLY gripe as well. Is she telling the truth?

Oh, the irony. :evil:

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Oh, the irony. :evil:

LOL! Yah... except that this is just one part of a series.

It's more like... "I'm dying to know!"

Bring on the rest! Maybe we'll know more after the other 3 intended parts.
It's alright to expect more when you are told in advance that more is coming. :evil:

Cheers.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Maximus, get that thing finished! LOL.

Okay, I'm getting off of here for a while and going home to try and finish editing, so I'll have something to show, hopefully by tomorrow.

Mike, check your thread.

 

[Blaine]

Marlon!! Really nice job on this. The use of spoken word combined with live action was inspired. I thought you did a great job getting the voices to match so well in the live action. I also thought the sound was excellent on this, the voice so rich and evocative.

Well done.

 

[Anthony Pierce]

Impressive work. I liked the poetry, the style and the look. I watched it twice to find something to critique, but nothing.

Watch my Lovefest Entry! goodSAM here

 

[Danielleus]

Hey, really enjoyed this piece. It thought it was an inventive way to get at what you were going for. Loved that it was from two perspectives and not just one, with a kind of intro. Really enjoyed that. I was worried about how this was gonna work and I thought you did it beautifully. My favorite part was the editing. Loved that some of the spoken word fit in the narrative as well as was simply the performance aspect of it. Also, enjoyed that there were parts of the story woven into more abstract/picturesque shots of things.

My only concern is that from a story point of view I would have liked to see/know that the performance aspect of it wasn't simply people talking into a mic but rather for a purpose. Someone conscience? Maybe competing people in a club or something? Whatever it is I wish it were something more than we saw in this piece. Otherwise, well crafted and I can not wait to see the rest of the "series."

And yes, to echo the others, loved your take on the theme. Enjoyed that it wasn't the same old thing. Nice work.

 

[bosindy]

I really like the choice to make such an unconventional film in a he said/she said spoken word form. It reminded me of something Spike Lee might have tried when he was at NYU. This also reminded me a little bit of the song "walking in the Rain" I think it was called. You have some great shots that support the narrative.

your last film, "The Unasumed" was one of my favorites of that fest, and I can't believe this film is from the same film maker - In a good way. Congrats!

 

[Brian Parker]

Great film Lee. Unique. Liked how you set it up with the intro and how everything came together. The spoken word was very well written and kept me locked into the story that was being told through it. I'm wondering if she was cheating as well. There were some nice shots too. This might be a little detail but I also liked how the characters were called any man/any woman. Great job man.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Marlon!! Really nice job on this. The use of spoken word combined with live action was inspired. I thought you did a great job getting the voices to match so well in the live action. I also thought the sound was excellent on this, the voice so rich and evocative.

Well done.

Thanks, Blaine. I appreciate the review. Very glad you liked it. I can't believe all of the great responses.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Impressive work. I liked the poetry, the style and the look. I watched it twice to find something to critique, but nothing.

Watch my Lovefest Entry! goodSAM here

Whoa! You couldn't find anything? That's big. Thanks! I'm slowly but surely getting to everybody's and I'll get to yours soon.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Hey, really enjoyed this piece. It thought it was an inventive way to get at what you were going for. Loved that it was from two perspectives and not just one, with a kind of intro. Really enjoyed that. I was worried about how this was gonna work and I thought you did it beautifully. My favorite part was the editing. Loved that some of the spoken word fit in the narrative as well as was simply the performance aspect of it. Also, enjoyed that there were parts of the story woven into more abstract/picturesque shots of things.

My only concern is that from a story point of view I would have liked to see/know that the performance aspect of it wasn't simply people talking into a mic but rather for a purpose. Someone conscience? Maybe competing people in a club or something? Whatever it is I wish it were something more than we saw in this piece. Otherwise, well crafted and I can not wait to see the rest of the "series."

And yes, to echo the others, loved your take on the theme. Enjoyed that it wasn't the same old thing. Nice work.

Daniellues, excellent review. The reason it wasn't a competition was that I wanted to make it more real and back and forth. If it was truly a competition it would have been perceived as entertainment and I don't think the true feel of the drama would have come through.

Besides that, I didn't have any money to get a crowd anyway. LOL.

Thanks for watching and giving me something to think about.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

I really like the choice to make such an unconventional film in a he said/she said spoken word form. It reminded me of something Spike Lee might have tried when he was at NYU. This also reminded me a little bit of the song "walking in the Rain" I think it was called. You have some great shots that support the narrative.

your last film, "The Unasumed" was one of my favorites of that fest, and I can't believe this film is from the same film maker - In a good way. Congrats!

Hey, Bosindy. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the compliments. I feel like I've grown as a filmmaker even since "The Unassumed." I like all genres and these competitions really give us a chance to really explore different things and allow us to be as creative as we wanna' be. And since this is such a diverse and very experienced audience we're dealing with, we'll know right away (to an extent) if something works or not.

I felt like your film stepped outside the box as well, and hopefully you read my review on that.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

Great film Lee. Unique. Liked how you set it up with the intro and how everything came together. The spoken word was very well written and kept me locked into the story that was being told through it. I'm wondering if she was cheating as well. There were some nice shots too. This might be a little detail but I also liked how the characters were called any man/any woman. Great job man.

Champloo, I read what you said about the small detail and I said to myself, 'he got it.' When I wrote the stories I named all of the characters "Any Man" and "Any Woman," because these are universal situations that most everybody has or will go through at one point in time in their lives. I didn't want people to get caught up in the characters only, but also the story.

Thanks for the review and I appreciate you stopping by my thread.

 

[Marlon Ladd]

FYI - The series is finished! I just have to compress and upload and will do that tomorrow or Wednesday. First I gotta' finish watching the rest of the films!!!