Looks great Jack. Very polished.
Midnight
- Thread starter jack the fool
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lawriejaffa
Veteran
While shallow depth of field is uber uber amazing (and is what cinematographers love to explore) its important to still remember that a wide depth of field is also a film look.
Admittedly not really in fantasy films so much. Regardless this looks impressive, my only prob is that the trailer could be much more exciting really.
Theres no denying tho, this looks like a polished quality piece of work, it does have a xena element to it, but it also has film elements to it. Neither is bad, its gonna 'rock'
Admittedly not really in fantasy films so much. Regardless this looks impressive, my only prob is that the trailer could be much more exciting really.
Theres no denying tho, this looks like a polished quality piece of work, it does have a xena element to it, but it also has film elements to it. Neither is bad, its gonna 'rock'
Endless_Static_Sea
Active member
man, I can't get over the set design and the make-up, AMAZING. As far as the look of the film, you can definately tell that is was shot with the HVX stock lense, but it looks great nonetheless. sound = great, acting = great. special effects = great. nice work. Can't wait to see the HD trailer
Adam_Levins
Active member
Wow. I need to look at my HVX again and give it some respect! I just loved the look you have acheved and understand the amount of work that has gone into making the HVX look this good.
I think folks sometimes forget how much extra work has to go into a project shot on these smaller cameras, and in a way it really teaches the people involved about the need for good lighting, framing and productions value... which you obviously have a good grasp on.
Very Impressed, keep up the good work
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I think folks sometimes forget how much extra work has to go into a project shot on these smaller cameras, and in a way it really teaches the people involved about the need for good lighting, framing and productions value... which you obviously have a good grasp on.
Very Impressed, keep up the good work
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Jarrod King
New member
Loki isn't crazy. I don't want to be a downer either, as a lot of the footage is really amazing. But the wide DOF just makes the scene I've attached a screenshot of seem comical. You lose immersion in the movie and immediately feel the foolishness of this scene. You realize these are adults walking around playing dress up- the LAST thing you want to happen. It doesn't help that the guy on the right looks like he's about to crack up a little further into the scene. Fantasy is a huge task to ask of the HVX's small chips. I wonder what frame rate this scene was shot at as well?
dougspice
Veteran
Looks very polished, sounds great. Your effects, set extensions, and all that are fantastic.
As for the look and feel, to me it seems like a made-for-TV movie or similar. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a nice looking piece. It's just not going to fool anyone into thinking this is high-end cinema. Fair enough, though - I don't know what your budget was but I have to believe you did a lot with it.
However, I'm hoping this is just a temp trailer. The trailer is a failure in my opinion. I was hooked by the opening shots and the overall world you've created, and then alternatingly lost/bored by everything else. I got no clear picture of the story and felt it often went on for long stretches without saying anything. Cut a new version; I'm sure you can do better!
Good work altogether. Impressive stuff, I'm not trying to bring you guys down on your accomplishment.
As for the look and feel, to me it seems like a made-for-TV movie or similar. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a nice looking piece. It's just not going to fool anyone into thinking this is high-end cinema. Fair enough, though - I don't know what your budget was but I have to believe you did a lot with it.
However, I'm hoping this is just a temp trailer. The trailer is a failure in my opinion. I was hooked by the opening shots and the overall world you've created, and then alternatingly lost/bored by everything else. I got no clear picture of the story and felt it often went on for long stretches without saying anything. Cut a new version; I'm sure you can do better!
Good work altogether. Impressive stuff, I'm not trying to bring you guys down on your accomplishment.
Adam_Levins
Active member
Comon' Jarrod,
Obviously money was an issue with project, so they did what they could with the tools they had at hand! (and a damb fine job as you really do get sucked into the world they create)
What is the alternative? sit at home on you ass and watch other people doing the work you want to do?
I think all work is a contribution, especially such fine work visually!
Adam
Obviously money was an issue with project, so they did what they could with the tools they had at hand! (and a damb fine job as you really do get sucked into the world they create)
What is the alternative? sit at home on you ass and watch other people doing the work you want to do?
I think all work is a contribution, especially such fine work visually!
Adam
Loki
Veteran
Adam_Levins said:
You apparently get sucked into it, Jarrod (and myself) seemingly did not.
This board is so full of false praise it is insane. Sure we are all here to "help" each other.. but critical analysis of work helps too. And it is few and far between here.
"Well what do you expect with the budget! it looks amazing!" (Paraphrasing) - Statements along these lines are a cop out. You can do amazing things with little.
My previous msg said I didn't think fantasy could be done justice on ultra low budgets. And I stand by that. What is the alternative you ask?
How about a fantasy film smaller in scope that doesn't require a ridiculous amount of CG work or green screen sets. It can be done, and I think it can be done more effectively on a smaller scale. It all comes down to the script. A good story doesn't need to be about magic CG dragons... or CG compositions... blocking a location out right can make it seem other worldly... you get the point..
This project has a lot going for it, and lot against it. I hope they succeed in what they are trying to accomplish.
end rant-
Sorry, don't want to high-jack the thread any longer. I've made my thoughts known, back to our regularly scheduled posting habits.
Adam_Levins
Active member
killfilm said:
It would be nice if we could just appreciate this piece for what it is.
The biggest plus I see with productions like this and indeed sites like this is the fact that it's training the "big-time " filmmakers of the future.
Content will always be king, and this is good place to learn the craft,
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dougspice
Veteran
I have to agree with Loki here. This is a fine looking piece. It's not the most amazing thing ever produced. Constructive criticism is a good thing. That's the first thing they taught us in school. Some people can't take criticism. Those people don't get far. I don't get the impression that the poster is someone who can't acknowledge faults. Once you get to the level they are clearly operating at, you NEED that sort of criticism to get any farther.
Loki's also right that it's all about picking your shots. The shot with the two priests walking right to left in the hallway looks great. The shots in the village look sort of silly. However, I also have a sincere appreciation for working beyond your apparent limits. Sometimes you'll fall on your face doing this. But sometimes you'll do great things.
Loki's also right that it's all about picking your shots. The shot with the two priests walking right to left in the hallway looks great. The shots in the village look sort of silly. However, I also have a sincere appreciation for working beyond your apparent limits. Sometimes you'll fall on your face doing this. But sometimes you'll do great things.
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In regards to the footage, I can definitely agree with a made-for-TV movie. But that's better than a made for the internet movie and it probably won't hurt to have something like this to show to future investors.
Still waiting for the HD trailer. =D
In regards to the footage, I can definitely agree with a made-for-TV movie. But that's better than a made for the internet movie and it probably won't hurt to have something like this to show to future investors.
Still waiting for the HD trailer. =D
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Jarrod King
New member
I thought this scene was particularly impressive. This doesn't even look like the same movie as the village and "catacombs"(?) scenes.
I'm going to agree here. I want to ask--Jarrod King said:I thought this scene was particularly impressive. This doesn't even look like the same movie as the village and "catacombs"(?) scenes.
What happened between here and the other shots? Is it me? .. or... dare I say it--
Does this shot look a lot more crisp. Like the HVX's detail was spiked. Or the darned thing's resolution suddenly spiked?
It looks extremely clean. Maybe it's the forced depth perspective? There's a lot of material in the farground that might contribue to the very cinematic feel of this shot and a few others.
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I think you guys are subconsiously detailing exactly when shallow DOF shots are appropriate and when they aren't. That shot is very wide, rich in detail from the foreground to the background, and the subjects are off in the distance. As is the case with most sweeping landscape shots, the DOF should be maximized. Thus, the "everything in focus" look can apply here and the lush colors and nice use of contrast keep it looking filmic. Compare that to any of the shots with characters prominent in the frame, and the lack of selective focus makes it feel much more "video" like because we're not used to seeing those kinds of scenes tack sharp from near to far on the big screen. Unfortunately, that's how small CCD video cameras capture things. Being able to selectively choose the focal point of the image in that case not only makes the image appear more cinematic from an aesthetic point of view, but it allows the filmmakers to have more control of how their story is absorbed. I think that in a film like this where a big, cinematic feel appears to be their goal (the amount of work put into it is quite obvious), the use of a 35 adapter would've suited them very nicely. That being said, as I mentioned earlier, I still think that even without it this is a fine looking piece. But I think that is the biggest reason for the lack of unity in the two scenes you have pointed out.
DarkMatter
Veteran
Very cool, how long is the film slated to run? And when can we buy it?
braw
Well-known member
Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted here, but wanted to chime in and let you all know I'm part of the makeup and visual effects department on this feature. The trailer is rough as it was rushed for convention promotion. The vast majority of the film is still in the post production phase and we are still shooting it. The shots in the trailer were pumped out to get something out there. The best makeup and digital is yet to be completed.
This whole thing is all stock HVX with two locations and a "soundstage".
Cheers!
This whole thing is all stock HVX with two locations and a "soundstage".
Cheers!
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braw
Well-known member
Kholi said:
This is a location shoot where the camera had enough light to shine. The "soundstage" footage is pretty dimly lit and I think th HVX has some difficulty in that situation. That baby loves the light. The DP involved is absolutely amazing doing the best he possibly can with what he has.
And I also agree, this particular shot is one of my favorites in all I've seen, which hasn't been much. I'm in the lab most of the time making Orcs and other various nastiness. I'm excited to get on the digital side more often as the kid heading it up is quite talented.