My Feature Film Opening

two things.

1.it was intriguing overall. I want to see more.

2.that intro to the opening garage felt a little too long. I know that's so typical of me to criticize - you probably had your reason.

overall i love your credit sequences. it felt right. and your choice of shots of the bits and pieces of the garage and the car. nice.
 
i relaly really liked it. Everything looked really great together and the editing was fine.

there are only two things i would have changed. the framing of the key going into the ignition seemed a little off as well as the shot of the subject sitting in his car ( would have liked it slightly closer and see a bit more of his face ( close the angle slightly)
 
what did you use for the opening title? AE? also what did you use or how did you get the aspect ratio?

oops forgot to say good job.
 
novelt said:
what did you use for the opening title? AE? also what did you use or how did you get the aspect ratio?

oops forgot to say good job.
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he used clip.
 
novelt said:
what did you use for the opening title? AE? also what did you use or how did you get the aspect ratio?

oops forgot to say good job.
Click to expand...


Hi everyone, and thanks for taking time to watch my opening sequence. The opening title was done in Final Cut Pro, and the aspect ratio was the standard Widescreen filter in FCP. I'm interested to hear more of what everyone else has to say.

Thanks again,

-Kris
 
all technical things aside, this really wasnt a very good opening at all... it tells us nothing about the story, the characters, or anything else for that matter... unless your whole movie is about a guy that drives his truck in the suburbs... in which case, you hit the nail on the head.

one thing i continually notice about clips posted on these forums is that there are A LOT of people out there who would make great DPs, but not writers or directors. dont deny your fate, guys!
 
Looked good to my eyes it peaked my curiosity which is what you want in something like this. Nice job.
 
iwantamustache said:
all technical things aside, this really wasnt a very good opening at all... it tells us nothing about the story, the characters, or anything else for that matter... unless your whole movie is about a guy that drives his truck in the suburbs... in which case, you hit the nail on the head.

one thing i continually notice about clips posted on these forums is that there are A LOT of people out there who would make great DPs, but not writers or directors. dont deny your fate, guys!
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I think you denied yours, that's why you sound so unpleasant. Spread peace, man. We are all filmmakers here, no need to put us down and be so quick to judge.

Sincerely,

-Kris
 
ktdmoviemaker said:
I think you denied yours, that's why you sound so unpleasant. Spread peace, man. We are all filmmakers here, no need to put us down.

Sincerely,

-Kris
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hey, i wasnt putting anyone down. criticism comes in several varieties, and i tried to make mine the constructive kind. if i wasnt successful, then i apologize. i mean, its not helpful if all you hear is compliments... i just didnt think your opening was effective in the slightest. if you are going to put all of your time, energy, and money into a feature, then i suggest you dont get upset with the criticisms... its all for the best, man.
 
I love constructive criticism, but your words did feel harsh. To explain my purpose for the opening, it was not to set up the story, but to increase your curiosity. I don't want you to know about the story yet, or do not care about the fact that someone might assume the Character is going to wander around suburbia for 90 mins. However, if I feed your curiosity, no matter what the material, the person will pay attention. Just my P.O.V. I guess.

Thanks,

-Kris
 
ktdmoviemaker said:
I love constructive criticism, but your words did feel harsh. To explain my purpose for the opening, it was not to set up the story, but to increase your curiosity. I don't want you to know about the story yet, or do not care about the fact that someone might assume the Character is going to wander around suburbia for 90 mins. However, if I feed your curiosity, no matter what the material, the person will pay attention. Just my P.O.V. I guess.

Thanks,

-Kris
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well, i see what youre trying to do, i understand completely, but just mentally picture your movie starting with the next scene instead of this one... would anything be lost? would people feel like they were missing out on anything?

its all a matter of opinion, i guess. i feel like if you are going to take the time to put it in your movie, then it better be there for a reason... either to set up the mood/atmosphere, establish character(s) or setting, set up the story, etc...
 
It is there for a reason... You just don't know what it is yet. I appreciate your explanations, though.

Thanks,

-Kris
 
Thanks for your input, but all the elements of the film are there for a reason. I'll keep everyone posted on the film's progress.

Thanks again,

-Kris
 
iwantamustache...

maybe you didn't see the opening to Rush Hour 2. for the credits all you see are the streets of hong kong and a girl walking a hallway with a package. she drops it off...it's not until the final credit "directed by" does the bomb go off. so does that mean the entire movie is about a girl delivering packages. also since you don't see chris tucker nor jackie chan that must mean they are not in it.

the opening for star wars is a text crawl so that means we'll be reading for the next 2 hours.

the opening to romeo must die is a car driving on the freeway and it's occupants with guns. is that what romeo must die was about? no.

there's an opening sequence whether with credits or not that is usually just a teaser and sometimes doesn't involve the main characters. Act I is the first 30 mintues where you are introduced to the main character(s) and somewhere between the first 25 to 30 minutes you get the main plot. to expect the main story in the opening sequence/teaser...if that were the case then there are several movies where you would've been left without that information.
 
Well, as much as i agree with being nice, i kinda see what mr moustache is getting at. This opening sequence looks VERY roughly edited. most of the shots could be done quicker, and the editing should be more interesting. because no offence, but there is just no reason for me to pay attention to it at this point. sure, it might have some deep meaning you might know of (maybe that deep, well acted sigh of contemplation was an indication that the cahracter is depressed or going through psychological stress), but it still doesnt really do it for me.

the garage shot needs to be re shot with a steadier hand, and a higher/wider angle. also, try and make the shot level next time. i know thats hard, but it just seems like a kid driving down a street holding a video camera. also severely shorten the length of this clip.

the shots of the garage door and the key and reverse light seem out of place. its the kind of editign style that would be in the middle of some action montage but its stuck right there at the beginning of the movie... slow down the pace. alot can be done with the great sound effects that you have and simple shots. i would like to see some sprinklers and dogs running aorund since it seems this neighbourhood is the centre of this movie (or else your portraying the wrong message).

the last shot of the car driving away seems very staged... nobody drives like that and if they do they should be ticketed. heh just kidding. but if this guy is stressing out like it seems he may be, he should be slamming the thing into gear and chirping his tires on the way onto the road, where it abruptly stops RIGHT infront/beside of the camera lens, then in a haste, shifts gears and chirps forward, leaving a small cloud of smoke, and cut.


just my suggestions tho.
 
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