Matt Sconce- Stricken

msconce said:
...I need two cameras so I can film these things happening at the same time so the actors can do the whole take...
Click to expand...
Not at all, its very rare for a film to use more than one camera. Tony Scott being a notable exception. But generally only one camera is used so that each set up can be lit perfectly.

All you need to do is ground them in the moment by reminding them of the given circumstances and where you are in the story. Secondly, especially at this level where you won't be working with stars, have the other actor read the scene with them off camera. You are working with DV so you can afford to run 2 or 3 minute scene all the way through.

Big stars often go to their trailer for the other actors closeup, but some notoriously generous heavyweights like Tom Hanks insist on being there to support their fellow actor by reading off camera for the other actors closeup.

In November the DVX shot feature that won the cinematography award at Sundance in 05, the DP had a variety of DVXes but she would never cover closeups or any other single shots like mediums with two cams, the reason being that old thing about not being able to light two closeups the same at once.

Instead she would do a her over the shoulder shot and closeup at the same time or sometimes a master and closeup. Still saved time in setups without sacrificing control over the lights.

msconce said:
Hmm, I did not think of A History of Violence. I can see it a little though.
Click to expand...
Not that it is so, so much visually like it, just they both feel like apple pie -- americana small town that's all

msconce said:
About the hummer...I did not win it. :-( I spun a wheel and won a trip to disneyland with my wife and I though, including air fare, so that is cool. The Hummer sure would have been nice though.
Click to expand...
Ah bummer ... about the hummer (sorry couldn't resist the rhyme) seriously though sux you didn't win that woudla been awesome.
 
Jack Daniel Stanley said:
Not at all, its very rare for a film to use more than one camera. Tony Scott being a notable exception. But generally only one camera is used so that each set up can be lit perfectly.

All you need to do is ground them in the moment by reminding them of the given circumstances and where you are in the story. Secondly, especially at this level where you won't be working with stars, have the other actor read the scene with them off camera. You are working with DV so you can afford to run 2 or 3 minute scene all the way through.

Big stars often go to their trailer for the other actors closeup, but some notoriously generous heavyweights like Tom Hanks insist on being there to support their fellow actor by reading off camera for the other actors closeup.

In November the DVX shot feature that won the cinematography award at Sundance in 05, the DP had a variety of DVXes but she would never cover closeups or any other single shots like mediums with two cams, the reason being that old thing about not being able to light two closeups the same at once.

Instead she would do a her over the shoulder shot and closeup at the same time or sometimes a master and closeup. Still saved time in setups without sacrificing control over the lights.


Not that it is so, so much visually like it, just they both feel like apple pie -- americana small town that's all


Ah bummer ... about the hummer (sorry couldn't resist the rhyme) seriously though sux you didn't win that woudla been awesome.
Click to expand...


Ah, I see Jack, thanks for the tips! I am hoping someone wants to back a feature with this story. It was developed more today and is incredibly freaky and intricate.
 
Just seeing if anyone has seen this for the first time after all this time has passed?

Also, I have an Update! I had a brainstorming session with the concept creator of the story and I have begun working on the feature script!
 
jeremytuttle said:
I just watched it and thought it was pretty good. I admit I feal like this has been done before (of course what hasn't) but it still kept me interested.

I thought the sets were a little bare and plain, especially the doctors office. If you meant it to be barren and plain, I don't think it works with who the doctor is (I think him a wise and warm character... not plain and sterile). I loved Sarah's bed frame... it worked very nice.

There is some good framing here. I really liked the slightly desaturated look and I think some of the gels helped the mood, but there is one part where the co-worker/friend brings home Sarah and they walk into a room that looks like it is full of red light but the next shot is not red (did I miss something). I love the shot of them inside the classic car with the rain, very nice. The shot with Sarah and her hooded reflection is also great.

I know it may have needed an extra scene at a pharmacy, but I don't think too many doctors give out drugs on the spot. I could assume because he is her friend and he is probably a small time doctor that maybe he has some on supply.

I also agree with the fighting needing to be "realer". A little more of a hand held look here could have helped and maybe some quicker cuts. I feel like the girl should have come out of the bathroom and a second later the father comes plowing out slamming into the wall and quickly giving chase. I'm sure when you get this made as a feature you'll have more time and resources to make that a great segment.

I thought the acting was pretty good. I was impressed by the little girl that played the young Sarah and I thought Sarah's friend also played a very natural caring friend. As far as the lead, I think she did good but I think in the feature it would help to have some scenes that developed her character some more and showed a nice side of her to help the audience care more for her and make it that more powerful when sweet Sarah becomes killer Sarah.

Of course this is all just opinion (a long one at that) and really I'm no one to say anything sense your stuff looks a lot better then anything I've ever done. Good luck in getting it made into a feature.
Click to expand...

Wow, thank you for your great feedback. I am finding out that when I watch the movie now, it is hard for me to not see all the things I wish I could change, but I guess it is alwasy like that for film makers? There is a reason I did not have the father come out of the bathroom into the hall, and it is pretty funny. The "Bedroom" The girls go into is really the Bathroom we shot the Bathroom scene in. The Bedroom was in a completely different location. If I had the door at the end of the hall open at all, you would then see it was not the bathroom but my grandma's bedroom, with two 1000k lights in it. :)

I just figured the bedroom not being red would be okay because the audience can tell some time has passed, and lights have been turned on. (Sarah is now in a nightgown, so Jenny has gotten her ready for bed)

I agree that the lead needs more development. In the feature she is a person struggling to overcome the inner demons of her past. One side of her is waging war against the other and you care about the innocent side of her as much as you hate the evil side. Should be fun!

I think handheld shots would have helped the fight scene too!

Thanks again!
 
Quoted from (Notlikely)-"SO far from what I've seen (Just about all, I got another few tonight) I really like
Stricken____________________This guy is a PRO quality tech
Crawlspace_________________For it's use of an already creepy space
Waiting kindred____________For scaring the SH_T Out OF ME!!!! It does still need some work! But I can't stop watching it!!! Graphics Master

Kudos GUYS!!!!"


Woohoo! I am so glad you liked the movie!!!!!! When I read this I felt all happy and bubbly and wanted to do backflips. I had been keeping up with your posts and wondered what movies you would like! Thanks for making my day!
 
Last edited:
Well my camera is up for sale again in the market place, as the buyer did not pay. It is cheaper, as I need to sell it quickly, so if you want it let me know.
 
Very short comment:
This movie was pretty good :)
I liked the story, the acting, the sound and the images, so I guess you'll end up in my top 10. I'll try to do a review of this short later this month.
 
Stricken is in my top 5!

I really enjoyed the film.

Too bad you aren't eligible for the prizes, you would've taken something home.
 
Awesome stuff Matt! BTW: your film was up there in my ballot... but I didn't list in my top 5 since it wasn't competing, but it's up there dude!
 
Brandon Rice said:
Awesome stuff Matt! BTW: your film was up there in my ballot... but I didn't list in my top 5 since it wasn't competing, but it's up there dude!
Click to expand...
Thanks dude! I hope the cast likes it!
 
Hey Matt. I'm trying your noise removal technique but can't find the remove noise effect in After Effects. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
 
mentatDUKE said:
Hey Matt. I'm trying your noise removal technique but can't find the remove noise effect in After Effects. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm at the office right now and I dont have -obviously- AE here, but as I remember it, it's in the Noise/Grain category, the effect is called REMOVE GRAIN
 
Hmmm.... My Noise/Grain category doesn't have it. It just has effects to ADD grain. Odd. Any ideas? Still love "Stricken" btw. :)
 
Hey Matt, this has been a real pleasure!!!

I really enjoyed your film and wish you the BEST of luck with this. It has so much potential!!!

You've got a great eye and handle on that camera!

Keep it up and congratulations!

Ted
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top