MOVIE TRAILER - BROKEN ($8000 Action Short - 100 Vfx Shots) DVX100a

Ok, I might get a lot of flack for this... First let me say, this was a wonderfully shot film! Wonderful colors, and excellent flow from an editing standpoint... Now to the not so good stuff... The story was very weak... I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it... But, IMHO, the story was very unoriginal, and shallow... The payoff wasn't enough... But, again, excellent effects, and visuals! The writing just needed some work... The casting was excellent as well... Not trying to bash anything... I thoroughly enjoyed the film, strictly on the visuals... But, a great story and script would have put it over the top! Just my 2 cents... Peace!
 
briceman said:
Ok, I might get a lot of flack for this... First let me say, this was a wonderfully shot film! Wonderful colors, and excellent flow from an editing standpoint... Now to the not so good stuff... The story was very weak... I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it... But, IMHO, the story was very unoriginal, and shallow... The payoff wasn't enough... But, again, excellent effects, and visuals! The writing just needed some work... The casting was excellent as well... Not trying to bash anything... I thoroughly enjoyed the film, strictly on the visuals... But, a great story and script would have put it over the top! Just my 2 cents... Peace!
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Briceman, much of the same was said of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I never saw this in the theatres and in some respects regret it and am happy i didn't. On DVD it was a visual masterpiece. But the story and even the acting was bad. And when I say bad I'm being nice (I don't know what all the hype is over Paltrow. Jolie, now that is something I can understand!).

Would you agree it's pretty much the same here? I haven't ordered broken yet (too many problems with paypal in the past so I'm waiting to see if it will come out through Amazon like Radius did) but am considering it.

I want to support the brothers and all their hard work and am very interested in the bonus features (workshops). From the online trailer it looks like great camera work and that they really made the dvx shine. I was blown away when I first say that trailer. It is pretty exciting.
 
I'll first say that this film is quite an achievement and a must own for anyone serious about getting film look and cool color correction with the DVX.

Looked great. Loved the Matrix chord clusters. The action scene was awesome.
Loved the Robert Rodriguez knife throw and bullet POV.

Its also commendable that not only did these guys make a cool looking flick that they really poured their heart and souls into, but then they knew WTF to do with it after they made it. From the slick website, to getting press on it, to all of us salivating for it and buying it. A+ A+ A+ We can all learn from this one.

Unfortunately, however, I couldn't agree more with briceman:
briceman said:
Ok, I might get a lot of flack for this... First let me say, this was a wonderfully shot film! Wonderful colors, and excellent flow from an editing standpoint... Now to the not so good stuff... The story was very weak... I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it... But, IMHO, the story was very unoriginal, and shallow... The payoff wasn't enough... But, again, excellent effects, and visuals! The writing just needed some work... The casting was excellent as well... Not trying to bash anything... I thoroughly enjoyed the film, strictly on the visuals... But, a great story and script would have put it over the top! Just my 2 cents... Peace!
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There's a well known short and a major motion picture that have the same twist. (won't name them so not to spoil if you want to know PM me), so I called it on like the 5th line of dialogue "We're all here to Kill you". Unlike those two films, however, this one didn't make sense after the twist reveal in terms of why the main character would be invloved with the specific sort of characters that antagonized her. (being vague as to not spoil). Was she an ex-navy seal, black ops agent, assasin for hire, was her dad, was that the sort of comic books her brother read? she just looked like a regular sort of girl, and they are few and far between that think much about thugs with guns, laser sites, automatic weapons, throwing knives, etc.

Let me now say that when it comes to acting I am a tough date. I have a ten year career in the theatre, and teach acting fot theatre and film at the university level and coach camera acting privately. I don't mentio this to lend credibilty to my opinion, but to note that it may be unduely harsh when compared to some others. In a simmilar fashion, I'm sure Alex would have a thing or two to say about my color correction or compositing should my work ever be lucky enough to come under his criticism.

I had issues with some of the acting. Watching the villain was hard. Actually effected my breathing as he paused between everyline or in the middle of lines for excrutiating periods wherein I found myself holding my breathe and on occasion shouting "say you line goddamnit". Pauses can be great, but his rythm and delivery were almost identical on every line. Also, while I love the lighting, he was often in shadow and an actor repeatedly pausing for dramatic effect in shadow leaves us with a void.

I also thought some of the acting was better in rehearsal than in the final version. In the final version it seemed pushed and "rehearsed" which is why many film directors only mark the scenes, not having the actors playing fully until the camera is rolling, so that its immediate and fresh and honest. One of the worst things that can happen is that they know exactly how you want them to do it "how to say it" and then have weeks to practice the same performance over and over in their mirror, in their car, etc. There are a lot of things for actors and directors to do pre-production, and blocking and exploring can be included, but locking down performances, or anything that feels final is great for theatre but bad for film IMHO.

Having said that, I'm glad I bought my copy. I've already fine tuned some of my post process for a short I'm working on. Its definately worthy of our support for its content, technical acheivements, and DV educational material.

Its hard for me to hit submit on this one since my review is not glowing, but I'm being honest and do sincerly wish Alex and his team great continued success with it.

:beer:
 
Rasquachemedia said:
Briceman, much of the same was said of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I never saw this in the theatres and in some respects regret it and am happy i didn't. On DVD it was a visual masterpiece. But the story and even the acting was bad. And when I say bad I'm being nice (I don't know what all the hype is over Paltrow. Jolie, now that is something I can understand!).

Would you agree it's pretty much the same here? I haven't ordered broken yet (too many problems with paypal in the past so I'm waiting to see if it will come out through Amazon like Radius did) but am considering it.

I want to support the brothers and all their hard work and am very interested in the bonus features (workshops). From the online trailer it looks like great camera work and that they really made the dvx shine. I was blown away when I first say that trailer. It is pretty exciting.
Click to expand...

Order it. Its definately worth getting even without the motivation to support, which I share and understand.

In addition to the short wich is fun and very watchable and amazing to look at, there are tons aof extra features (I think three hours) that cover pre-production, to production, to post. Some of it is fairly fundanmental, but chances are you will learn something in one or all of those areas.

Also, unlike special features for Hollywood films which have oddles of money, these special features speak directly to us. I think the VFX supervisor even kept saying "you" should try this or that or look into this or that. So this film will help you get film look -- and just better look -- using eqipment you probaly already own or at least have access to.
 
I just watched the entire DVD.

Let me say congrats to the entire team. I think they've accomplished something that hasn't been done before in the way they've executed their project. What other indie film has done this? (Effects, location, marketing, educational DVD, etc)

With that said, I agree that I had a few problems with the story. I wish the audience was given more answers. I was hoping she was a paranormal or something, which led to the antagonist's motivations, and her ultimate fate. But maybe you actually DID provide answers. Were we meant to come to that conclusion without you spelling it out for us? Will the feature film fill in the blanks? Hmmm.

I thought the acting was ok, and you did mention on the DVD that you sought to use novice actors with mostly theater experience so that explains why some of the performances aren't what we're used to. Despite this, I still think they did a decent job. I'd like to start a Marquez fan club unless there already is one. :)

This DVD REALLY shines when it comes to the special features. It took me two days to get through it all and it NEVER dragged. I barely watch all the features and listen to all the commentary on hollywood movies. Everyone had such a positive energy and attitude and was willing to share information. It felt much like my conversations on this forum actually. Lots to learn.

Keep up the good work and I wish you success in your future projects. This was quite an accomplishment.
 
--------------------------SPOILER ALERT-------
please do not read if you want to see this short. This was quoted so i didnt delete but will have no problem doing so if needed. Sorry about that :embarasse



i finished watching everything on the DVD. Great info there that will inspire many I think. Kudos for breaking things down because it seems that everyone hides their techniques in fear of creating competition. I agree with the acting comments but I disagree with the needing more answers. It leaves it to the imagination to fill in what is not said, it doesnt have to be literal and everyone will have there own interpretation. What I took away from this was that she was always in the mental ward and that was just a moment in her psychosis that we had a glimpse of, the deep details were actually not needed. I liked how it left us to wonder why her boyfriend would kill everyone and then go to kill her. He could have just waited till they killed her and then ambushed them all as they came out of the location. You could think of it as a study on David Mamet. Get in late and get out early.
 
Oppressor_LOB said:
i finished watching everything on the DVD. Great info there that will inspire many I think. Kudos for breaking things down because it seems that everyone hides their techniques in fear of creating competition. I agree with the acting comments but I disagree with the needing more answers. It leaves it to the imagination to fill in what is not said, it doesnt have to be literal and everyone will have there own interpretation. What I took away from this was that she was always in the mental ward and that was just a moment in her psychosis that we had a glimpse of, the deep details were actually not needed. I liked how it left us to wonder why her boyfriend would kill everyone and then go to kill her. He could have just waited till they killed her and then ambushed them all as they came out of the location. You could think of it as a study on David Mamet. Get in late and get out early.
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Yikes!

Spoiler Alert?

MORE SPOILERS FOLLOW DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT ENDING SPOILED MORE THAN IT ALREADY HAS BEEN IN PREVIOUS POST.

Since you let the cat out of the bag, I agree with you on the in / out early thing which is supposed to be film in general -- Mamet doesn't do that on stage.

I don't think they need to spell it out.


But they did, IMO, need to justifyu why THESE PARTICULAR characters were part of her neurosis.

The short I mentioned before with the same twist is "Inside" starring Jeremey Sisto.
(who coincidentally is in post production for a feature called "Broken")
and the feature is "Identity" with John Cusack and Ray Liotta.

In both films all of the principle characters turn out to be the multiple personalities of the main charcter.

In both of these films however, the personalities were ecclectic and seemed germane offshoots of the central character.

I wondered at the end of broken -- why the hell did this seemingly average girl have all of these comic book badass assasins in her brain. In "Inside" there is a midget, an angry tough guy, a scared little girl, a voice of reason, etc. In a multiple personality split the personalities are fractions off a whole. All of her multiples were the same and didn't make sense unless she has some sort of badass backZground.

If the charactes were as varied as "Inside" I don't think we would need much more answered, but since they were so specificly of one type of world and genre and the main character doesn't seem a part of that genre, we are left asking why, IMHO.

I don't think we needed a laborious explanation, but something like one or two lines of dialogue or a flag (visual shorthand like a dark shirt with a suit for a gangster) to hint at why -- she was an elite experimental assasin, but the brainwashing and drugs eventually take their toll with level 67 assasins -- something.

They didn't need to explain the multiple personalities vying for supremecy because it all made sense and "clicked" with the end -- but why, why, why did she have comic book badasses in her brain exclusivley -- no old lady, little girl, etc., vying for said supremecy. That part didn't make sense and there was no info offered whatsoever.

Even if the just art direction had been more matrixy or even resident evil 2ish instead of flat dull apartment lookinbg in the very beginning at her house, we would have had some justification for it.



__________________
 
Thanks everyone for all your kind words about the DVD. We are glad your getting something out of it! BTW, FYI the short was never meant to be a "short film", it was meant to be a calling card for us to show Hollywood what we can do on a small budget and to show a bit of our screenplay BROKEN.

Only after we finished did people start to react to the piece and ask us about it. So we entered it into some festivals and we started getting press request to review it. So many of the story issues you guys discussed in this thread I completely agree with. We never designed it to be a full short, it just turned out like that.

Thanks for all the honest feedback. Oh BTW, will be attending the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival Friday September 9th, at 5:30 PM in the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, Theatre 13. and will be having a Q & A after the screening.

Also, we will be selling the BROKEN: Special Edition DVD at a Festival Discount. Come by and see us. For tickets contact: http://www.lashortsfest.com/tickets.htm

If your in town come on by and say hi! Thanks again for ALL the amazing support of our litle project and again we are glad that you are enjoying the DVD.

Good Luck is ALL your future projects!!

Rock on!
 
Hello Alex,

Just received my DVD. Thanks a lot for that.

I have watched the film, and it wasn't that bad.
I think the action was a bit slow, but overall it was ok.

I was just experiencing some flickering. Does that have to do with my DVD player or does it have to do with the fact that you shot thin?

On the computer it plays smoothly, as I expected.

But, why is it flickering on my DVD player? Does anyone know? Barry?
 
BROKEN2005 said:
Oh BTW, will be attending the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival Friday September 9th, at 5:30 PM in the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, Theatre 13. and will be having a Q & A after the screening.

Also, we will be selling the BROKEN: Special Edition DVD at a Festival Discount. Come by and see us. For tickets contact: http://www.lashortsfest.com/tickets.htm

If your in town come on by and say hi! Thanks again for ALL the amazing support of our litle project and again we are glad that you are enjoying the DVD.
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http://www.lashortsfest.com/schedule/2005/Full-Frame.htm

It's not listed though.

???
 
BROKEN2005 said:
Sorry! The festival screwed up our listing. We screened yesterday to a full house and it went very well.
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Bah! You should have posted that sooner, to save people like me an hour and a half drive for nothing :(
 
Roger Ebert Reviews Broken???????

Roger Ebert Reviews Broken???????

Hey Guys,

We just got back from the Toronto Film Festival and we met Roger Ebert. He did a review of BROKEN on his site (we are still trying to revive Jorge ; )

--------------

A festival like Toronto attracts hopeful filmmakers eager to pitch projects and find financing. Here, for example, are Alex Ferrari and Jorge Rodriguez, the director and producer of “Broken,” a 19-minute, $8,000 horror film containing, by their count, more than 100 visual effects.

“We’re here to talk about a development deal for a feature based on the short,” Rodriguez tells me, before the screening of “Twelve and Holding.” “Who you talking to?” I ask. “We’d better not say,” Ferrari says.

He gives me a DVD of their short: “We’ve already sold 1,000 copies online. It contains six commentary tracks and like three hours of information on how to shoot low-budget digital films and how to do the special effects. It’s like a training course.” They refer me to their web site, www.whatisbroken.com, and back at the hotel I view the film and visit the site.

The film is effective and professional and the ominous sound track works with the images to create the desired effect. Whether the plot quite rises above the level of “it was only a dream” I am not prepared to say. Whether the short will someday grow into a good film we will know only if the development deal goes through.

But that’s not really the point. The point is that gifted and ambitious young filmmakers can, with very little money, use the new digital technology to make a presentation that gets attention from industry pros. Kerry Conran’s “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” (2004) was floated the same way, with a home-made demo made on his Mac. Whether this is better than the old-fashioned method of submitting a screenplay is a good question; “Broken” is essentially a demonstration of the mastery of horror imagery and techniques. A screenplay has to also have dimensional characters (one, two or three dimensions, depending on its ambition) and a story. In an industry so impenetrable for newcomers, any way you break in is the right way. Then it depends on what you do. Looking forward to “Broken: The Feature.”

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050915/FILMFESTIVALS03/509150301/1023
------------------

We are truly amazed! We were sooooooo excited that we had to share the news. Thanks again for all the support from everyone!! Good Luck with all your projects.
 
Congrats, but I'm still disappointed I missed it - and pissed that I drove an hour and a half to see it in LA after Alex posted the date it'd be there, then didn't bother to notify anyone that the date had been changed. Don't go too Hollywood on us!
 
Bill Porter said:
Congrats, but I'm still disappointed I missed it - and pissed that I drove an hour and a half to see it in LA after Alex posted the date it'd be there, then didn't bother to notify anyone that the date had been changed. Don't go too Hollywood on us!
Click to expand...

Bill,

Thank you so much for the support man! The date was never changed. The only that happen is that the festival didn't print our info in the festival guide. But we were there at the the time I posted. What happen when you got there?

Alex
 
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