S i m i l o
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briceman said:
I'm agree with you, Briceman.
briceman said:
Maybe for you this question won't have relivance (I start to understand why you don't like this short film), but for the main character girl this is very important: she is asking herself if her boyfriend can remember her... this is her drama.
abraham
Well-known member
I remember reading there was a longer version of this movie? Macgregor, you'll have to correct me if I'm wrong. But man, I would LOVE to see more. And I think that would stifle some of these comments.
And hey, Angry Actress! just because there isn't much interaction doesn't mean you didn't nail what is there. Man, that gaze to the camera you give outside on the road...
(gimmeyourG35)
And hey, Angry Actress! just because there isn't much interaction doesn't mean you didn't nail what is there. Man, that gaze to the camera you give outside on the road...
(gimmeyourG35)
Shaun Patrick
Well-known member
zacharias said:
Honestly, I think the plot and point of your film is pretty clear. Where the film fails, in my opinion, is on a visual storytelling level. Yes, the images are beautiful (amongst the best I've seen from a DVX) but they overshadow the emotional resonance of the story. Personally, I find it hard to empathize with characters in a film that looks like a slick NIKE commercial. I just think it's impossible. The images and the story should work in concert with eachother and I find it hard to care for a character when the look of the film is so slick-- I just feel the visuals do little justice to a story you were attempting to ground in realistic emotions.
I also think this thread over the last dozen posts gives an interesting look at the spectrum of constructive criticism on this board. Hudson did a good job of summing up what he liked and did not like about the film by giving concrete examples. The concrete examples are something the filmmakers can respond to--hopefully a civil/productive discussion follows. But Briceman (and I've seen you do this several times on the other films) you gave a one to two sentence response: (paraphrasing) SIMILO is substance over style. Feedback like that fuels arguments and not discussions. It fuels attacks and is not productive.
Part of good constructive criticism is playing devil's advocate. You want to put the filmmaker in a position where they're responding to your critique and in turn defending their decisions. Finally, though, part of giving good constructive criticism is defending your critique. Anyway, just my two cents.
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xl70e3
Skywalker
No need to overreact, Zach and Magda.
There will always be people who will not like your work as much as the rest. That's just how it is and you either learn to accept critics or forget about doing any sort of work to be viewed by public.
I've said it before and I'll repeat it: visually this film is the best of the fest, the acting is solid and basically all the aspects of the production are top-notch. However, it's just not my cup of tea. Like many said it's very similar in the feel and pacing to Solaris and I happen not to be a fan of that one. That's it, sue me, I'm guilty...
About not getting the theme... Believe me, it strikes maybe even too close to home for me. Since none of my rl friends read visit these forums, I'm not afraid to say this. I've loved once. It was a long while ago, it never really worked out and I've met lots of girls since, but there is hardly a day that I don't think about it. Not so much about that one girl, but about all the feelings, all the good and not so good moments I've gone through, all the stuff that I haven't been able to experience since. No matter how it hurt in the end, it probably made me feel alive more than anything else.
So this is not about not getting the message of your film or not appreciating all the effort put into it. Just a matter of taste and you know how subjective that is.
There will always be people who will not like your work as much as the rest. That's just how it is and you either learn to accept critics or forget about doing any sort of work to be viewed by public.
I've said it before and I'll repeat it: visually this film is the best of the fest, the acting is solid and basically all the aspects of the production are top-notch. However, it's just not my cup of tea. Like many said it's very similar in the feel and pacing to Solaris and I happen not to be a fan of that one. That's it, sue me, I'm guilty...
About not getting the theme... Believe me, it strikes maybe even too close to home for me. Since none of my rl friends read visit these forums, I'm not afraid to say this. I've loved once. It was a long while ago, it never really worked out and I've met lots of girls since, but there is hardly a day that I don't think about it. Not so much about that one girl, but about all the feelings, all the good and not so good moments I've gone through, all the stuff that I haven't been able to experience since. No matter how it hurt in the end, it probably made me feel alive more than anything else.
So this is not about not getting the message of your film or not appreciating all the effort put into it. Just a matter of taste and you know how subjective that is.
For me, this film is heads and tails above the rest. It definitely holds its power.
The words are simple, but there is a world of meaning behind them. Hiro's film was pretty much "on the nose",
and almost no subtext. I guess it's a matter of styles, in a way.
And even though I'm sure it's some jokester posting as the actress (and funny if it is ), but in the 1% chance it's her - you were fantastic. It takes way more chops to convey all you did without dialogue, then spout cheezy one liners with cutaways. And the narration was not even in the ballpark of monotone. Not even in the same parking lot of the ballpark.
Like I said - Jean Sebourg...'nuff said. BTW - I've watched your film 7 times. It's peachy.
I hope to see a high rez clip. That's what makes DVX user so unique. Same film, two different takes
Cheers.
The words are simple, but there is a world of meaning behind them. Hiro's film was pretty much "on the nose",
and almost no subtext. I guess it's a matter of styles, in a way.
And even though I'm sure it's some jokester posting as the actress (and funny if it is ), but in the 1% chance it's her - you were fantastic. It takes way more chops to convey all you did without dialogue, then spout cheezy one liners with cutaways. And the narration was not even in the ballpark of monotone. Not even in the same parking lot of the ballpark.
Like I said - Jean Sebourg...'nuff said. BTW - I've watched your film 7 times. It's peachy.
I hope to see a high rez clip. That's what makes DVX user so unique. Same film, two different takes
Cheers.
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seejay1031
Well-known member
John_Hudson said:
Of course you are aloud your own opinion, yadda yadda yadda, as am I.
But dude- step back a second and watch the film again. These actors STOMPED 95% of the actors in the other films. True- they didn't speak. That means nothing. Do you think that love scenes are easy for actors? And she most certainly did show deep emotion (crying, although not over the top) in the scene with her injured Similo. The fact that you don't know that, shows that you didn't rewatch the film critically before posting but rather relied on your memory of the film.
From my perspective this film has cemented its place as the top film of the contest and is now facing the inevitable backlash that popularity always brings. People are saying crazy things like the film has "no substance". Whatever.
Bravo to the actors and the film as a whole. And to anyone who thinks the actress can't call out John for his critique of her art, merely because he has the most posts is crazy. He was dead wrong about her performance. If I lived in Spain I would be begging her to be in my next film as I'm sure most of us would.
Filmjunkie677
Master of Horror
seejay1031 said:
Take a chill pill, jeeeeez.
John has his opinion and you have yours. No need to get all worked up about it. Relax.
It ain't the end of the world, DUDE.
Shaun Patrick said:
Shaun Patrick,
sorry if I don't understand you very well. Please correct me if I'm wrong. But I think you said something like that "discussions without reasons fuels attacks and is not productive".
This is why I am agree with you.
I only speak in this threat if I know that my words can stimulate asks and doubts.
But I feel less interesting to me if people want to argue. Because there are less things to talk about.
xl70e3: do understand that if you didnt like Soderberg´s Solaris, you will not like this shortfilm either. Many people didnt like that movie beacuse it was too slow for a sci fi love story. So what.
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gumonstro
Well-known member
an angry actress said:Kisses to all from the blonde girl!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry macgregor and zacharias, but SHE is the most interesting thing in this thread until now!
Congratulations, GREAT performance! I can imagine how the SIMILO guys were pleased when they chose you and noticed you worked for the thing. To set a beautiful light is hard and require talent, but is possible. To find an actress that fits perfectly for a role in a low budget (if any) film is a matter of being lucky.
And I loved the fact you don´t cry or make tragic expressions along the film. That is so cool. Scarlett Johansson captivated me on the "The Man Who Wasn´t There" not doing these things too.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
an angry actress said:
This is a reply to the actress (Whose IP Address resides with Macgregor)
If you can't take any honest criticism then you are not good enough for film's lady. If you think using words like 'gorgeously and monotone' (I know they must seem big to you) is my way of giving an impression that I know anything about film then you probably aren't cut out for much of anything.
Next time, I can just say 'This film was cool!' (Is that better ?).
The film impressed me enough to stop and really think about what it was I felt and wanted to say about it. I am sorry you cannot take anything other than glowing praise which is typical of most actresses anyway.
Kisses right back at ya. Hey, you're cute. You look nice on camera but I need more than quick cut-aways and montage imagery to get involved.
And unfortunately zacharias, you probably won't talk me into changing my thoughts on the film although it is somewhat enlightening (oops, more than 2 sylables Magda) to hear your goals and approach to the story and subject matter. And that is what is wonderful about art, wouldn't you say ?
ANd thank you Shaun Patrick. That is all I was attempting to do. This film moved me enough to really feel it out. I tried to give you some substance in my critique other than 'OMG ! Rock on !'.
Now what is all this freaking out about post counts and join dates ? Come on. Don't be predictable. None of this is personal until you make it so.
Macgregor has the best take yet "Take it easy everyone". It's not like this is American Idol.
gumonstro
Well-known member
And about slow meaning bad... c´mon, everybody knows the answer is: it depends!
Sometimes the slowness of a film can kill it, sometimes it´s the reason that makes it so good. Some months ago I watched an asian movie called "Empty Houses". Almost NOTHING relevant happens -- and it´s sooooo slow -- but for me it was an awesome movie. It´s not a matter of how long the action takes to happen. It´s a matter of rythm. IMO SIMILO has it.
Sometimes the slowness of a film can kill it, sometimes it´s the reason that makes it so good. Some months ago I watched an asian movie called "Empty Houses". Almost NOTHING relevant happens -- and it´s sooooo slow -- but for me it was an awesome movie. It´s not a matter of how long the action takes to happen. It´s a matter of rythm. IMO SIMILO has it.
Shaun Patrick
Well-known member
zacharias said:
Basically I mean feedback like, "It was awful" or "Nothing much there" does little to initiate a productive discussion. It puts people on the defensive and usually leads to personal attacks. It just brings down the overall discussion.
Shaun Patrick
Well-known member
gumonstro said:
say what...
Matt Sconce
Veteran
an angry actress said:Hello, I am Magda, the actress of Similo.
You opinion is respectable and has also made me think about it and realize that maybe i am not good enough to work in films.
For the next festival i will leave the stage and i will watch the shortfilms. Then i will comment them and I will use words such as gorgeously and monotone in order to give the impression that I know about cinema.
Kisses to all from the blonde girl!
I thought you were awesome! This was one of my favorite entries and I gave the acting a 10! Keep being in front of the camera! It is definitely where you belong!
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