PUSH - Directed by Matt Sconce

Which I do too... and as long as you're "normal" enough, a lot of people SHOULD like it... but, here's the thing... you have to make a film that has a good story... not something that just looks cool... I keep harping on this, because I feel it's so important, and a lot of young guys seem to forget this...

I've seen so many young filmmakers creating shorts around cool scenes, or cool shots, and not on a great, engaging, intriguing story... which is what you have to have first! I think a scene can spawn that story, but you cannot just create something built around that....

Story is key... and if you make a film with a story that grips and moves YOU usually people will be on board... also, be sure to make it understandable... the audience doesn't have the insight you do... it's a balance of holding their hand, and letting them fill in the blanks.
I agree that story is key. It also has to be told clearly enough that it doesn't leave 90% of the audience wondering what happened. Unless that's what was intended. :D

I like to put it all out there but I also like to leave little bits for the audience to find. Especially on second or third viewings. The key is to make something interesting enough for them to want to watch it again. :D

A few examples... The Watchman's list contained some information showing just how adamant he is about what and when he does certain things but I only showed it briefly. Including the portion that shows a set time for watching the neighbours. It's there, but you have to look at the list closely.

Also, a few people asked about how he came up with the six minute window of time. The flashback at the end shows him spying on the spouse walking the dog, he is keeping track of the times and duration. The Director's Cut will show this in much greater detail.

Now getting people to like the story enough in the first place to start noticing some of these things is key. I'm still working on my storytelling.

BTW, I took Brandon's young filmmakers as a comment directed at their experience, not age. I could be wrong. I'm probably old enough to be his Father but I've only been making movies for 2 years or so. :thumbsup:

Back on topic, I thought Push was quite good and I can easily see it excelling in an ActionFest of sorts, no doubt. It was definitely a great action film.
Maybe some people expected something different for TimeFest. I won't speak for others though.

Cheers,

Mike
 
I agree that story is key. It also has to be told clearly enough that it doesn't leave 90% of the audience wondering what happened. Unless that's what was intended. :D

I like to put it all out there but I also like to leave little bits for the audience to find. Especially on second or third viewings. The key is to make something interesting enough for them to want to watch it again. :D

A few examples... The Watchman's list contained some information showing just how adamant he is about what and when he does certain things but I only showed it briefly. Including the portion that shows a set time for watching the neighbours. It's there, but you have to look at the list closely.

Also, a few people asked about how he came up with the six minute window of time. The flashback at the end shows him spying on the spouse walking the dog, he is keeping track of the times and duration. The Director's Cut will show this in much greater detail.

Now getting people to like the story enough in the first place to start noticing some of these things is key. I'm still working on my storytelling.

BTW, I took Brandon's young filmmakers as a comment directed at their experience, not age. I could be wrong. I'm probably old enough to be his Father but I've only been making movies for 2 years or so. :thumbsup:

Back on topic, I thought Push was quite good and I can easily see it excelling in an ActionFest of sorts, no doubt. It was definitely a great action film.
Maybe some people expected something different for TimeFest. I won't speak for others though.

Cheers,

Mike

Yep, I am learning how to pace my story telling, and make sure what is in my head is effectively communicated to the audience. I tried this on Stricken but left a lot of people confused. It seems I left a lot of people confused on Push as well. Drat!:cheesy: I will keep working on it my fellow film makers. More people will read my scripts and more revisions will be made. I want people to get my next movie! Goals for next movie (Direct actors better and write a more engaging, character driven, follow-able story):thumbsup:
 
BTW, I took Brandon's young filmmakers as a comment directed at their experience, not age. I could be wrong. I'm probably old enough to be his Father but I've only been making movies for 2 years or so. :thumbsup:

Yep, and I'd group myself in there as well... I'm nowhere near where I want to be yet.
 
Which I do too... and as long as you're "normal" enough, a lot of people SHOULD like it... but, here's the thing... you have to make a film that has a good story... not something that just looks cool... I keep harping on this, because I feel it's so important, and a lot of young guys seem to forget this...

I've seen so many young filmmakers creating shorts around cool scenes, or cool shots, and not on a great, engaging, intriguing story... which is what you have to have first! I think a scene can spawn that story, but you cannot just create something built around that....

Story is key... and if you make a film with a story that grips and moves YOU usually people will be on board... also, be sure to make it understandable... the audience doesn't have the insight you do... it's a balance of holding their hand, and letting them fill in the blanks.

Devil's Advocate plays SILENT CITY card. Ruari Robinson created Silent City, had no story but it looked extremely good. He's now directing one of the largest, most famous anime franchise movie's ever: Akira.

It doesn't have to be a good story, doesn't even have to have a clear story sometimes but most of the time it should be coherent enough for audience members to understand, like you said, Brandon. Although... I said most of the time...

Donny Darko pre-director's cut, anyone? Primer?
 
As always you can shoot me your scripts and I'll do my best to give feedback. I apologize that I was so late in responding on Push, maybe we could have tightened the story so the audience caught the vision you wanted to portray.

It's definitely not easy, and I agree, we can be happy with our work, but should never be satisfied.
 
Dear Matt,

you are a very sweet person with a lot of positive energy. I have to admit - I like you! The most important thing is, never forget to belive in yourself and also you have a fantastic proud dad - my dad is a little bit like yours, but my mother is a nightmare! (I hope she doesn't read this) Sometimes I think the hospital gave my parents the false baby when I was born. I think you must be very happy. Please, make the film what you want to do ( I know that recently you said the same thing to me:) ) and don't take all the things to heavy! :love4:

Susanne
 
Dear Matt,

you are a very sweet person with a lot of positive energy. I have to admit - I like you! The most important thing is, never forget to belive in yourself and also you have a fantastic proud dad - my dad is a little bit like yours, but my mother is a nightmare! (I hope she doesn't read this) Sometimes I think the hospital gave my parents the false baby when I was born. I think you must be very happy. Please, make the film what you want to do ( I know that recently you said the same thing to me:) ) and don't take all the things to heavy! :love4:

Susanne

Thanks Susanne! I feel the same about you and your crew. it was nice to meet you through this festival and I look forward to more from you. Thank you for your kind words.:cheesy:
 
I just found out that my Feature script "Stricken" (based on the short for Horrorfest) I submitted to Action on film is nominated for Best sci-fi fantasy script and for Best adaptation (Presumably from my short which won best sound design last year) Because of this the script was selected to have a section of it filmed with some actors for presentation at the show. i am stoked! I have no idea what actors have done the reading of the script, but it will rock my world to see that happen! That will show at AOF at 1pm on the 31st. PUSH will show at 10 pm on the 30th.

Just to throw it out there. If you are a senior member interested in reading the feature script, let me know and I will email a copy to you. It is already registered with the WGA, cast, and ready to roll. Just need funding. PM me your e-mail and I will send you a PDF of the script to read. Just let me know what you thought after you read it. I really tried to develop the two leads and I am excited to someday shoot this.

Oh, and I went a completely different direction than the short. Added some Celtic goodness.
 
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Here is the Information for the Nominees and schedule for the Action On Film Festival. PUSH shows in the 10pm block on the 30th. It appears that is when the clip from my script Stricken will be shown as well. The awards show is the night of the 31st.
http://www.aoffest.com/2008-nominees-schedule.html

If you watch the video on the main page, you will see me near the beginning talking about stricken. www.aoffest.com

I know I am going to see Justin Durban, Mark Johnson, Brandon Rice, at the Fest. Any others coming?
 
ah man.. I'm gonna be out of town till the 4th now, so I won't get a chance to see it. Not to mention I'm missing 3 or 4 other films of mine in the fest. :(

Good luck with the screening!
/j
 
I'm still trying to line up a client to visit in near by Orange, to make it work. Should hopefully know in the next day or so, and then can plan my flight back from New Mexico to hit there instead of coming straight back to Portland. It's the only way I can excuse the air/hotel costs.

Congrats on all the stuff, Matt, sounds great! BERLIN screens on the 31st as well, so if I can make it I'll certainly catch the block with your work. Not sure when I'll be in on the 30th, if I'm able, but would look forward to the 10pm showing as well, if possible.
 
OMG!!! Matt I just saw this! Please tell me you're doing a feature!

Out of bullets...

...Throw gun...

...Watch as gun is kicked back at you knocking you out.

I loved it!!!

-Nate
 
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