S i m i l o

[EditPhish]

Macgregor,

Honestly? I don't think you need to be defensive. Some people will like your film, and some will not. I'm not saying your short is "Academy Awad Winning" -- but think about the Oscars... most years LOTS of people don't agree with the films that win. Critically acclaimed doesn't always mean money at the box office, or that the general public gets it. Personally, I think the best movies our there are the ones that find the balance between being critically acclaimed and telling a story the general public can relate to.

I *loved* your movie, and could watch it over and over. I don't compare the films here to each other... they all have their own merits and downfalls and were each graded individually. I can also find flaws in your movie (like the translation/pronoun issue we discussed much earlier in this thread), so it isn't perfect. That issue, while seemingly not a big one, does detract from the story as it takes you out of the personal aspect of it when she's switching the pronouns all around. No, it's not a do-or-die error you made, but an error none-the-less.

You already KNOW your film is top-notch, and rehashing to us that you know it's better or in the top films here isn't really being very humble. I'm sure your film scored high across the board for most people who voted honestly, but that certainly doesn't mean everyone's going to like it. Someone might say you did great with cinematography, lighting, sound, music, screenplay and acting... but they might also say they didn't enjoy it. You can appreciate a screenplay and recognize it's good without LIKING the film as a whole. Same for any other individual grading point. That is just the nature of human opinion and there's not much you can do about.

I know you said you're not trying to be offensive to the other filmmakers here, but lets not get into a comparison. If you have constructive criticisms about other films, you should ABSOLUTELY POST THEM in the threads ABOUT THE FILMS. I'm sure I'm not alone to say that I'd love tips from you about things like lighting and cinematography. I think it's MUCH more in the spirit of the fest for that to happen than for you to say you know your film is one of the top films here in your own thread.

Just my opinion... and remember, I LIKE you movie a lot.

ps. If you're going to be an a creative industry, and you're going to put creative works out there for others to view, absorb and judge, you need to get used to criticism. It's the nature of the beast.

 

[Norm Sanders]

But it is strange that it is the more discussed film here and now eveyone seems not to like it....

It's just now that some people are finally coming out & giving their critical feedback vs. praise, and apparently you're not used to it? You certainly appear to not like it.

I wont say our project is the best at all. And i will certainly admit those critics IF this were a Cannes festival and we were running against Schindler List, the Godfather and the last Eastwood´s film. But that is not the case.

Um, wow. Those were quite the films to say yours doesn't measure up to ... but since this is a short, and those are features, it was kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison anyway.

So have in mind please (and i dont want to offend the other participants here) the competence, and think that from all the other shortfilms it is hard to find any competence ... I find Simillo not the best shortfilm ever but certainly it is in the top list in this contest.

And you don't mean to offend anyone there?

Some people complain about the score. Would you have prefer to use the typical sad midi piano that almost everyone is using?

Okay, now this one is hard not to take personal ... especially with as hard as our composer worked, and others that I know participated in this festival. MagGregor, if you're going to bash, then name the names, don't just throw all the other films/scores into the "Sub-SIMILO" category.

Some people complain about the actors do not talk. I say, better to be quiet than start speaking and break all the acting. .... And look again to 99% of other shortfilms.

I know, you don't mean to offend anyone, right? And besides, are you kidding me? Delivering lines convincingly is even more difficult than just looking a certain way on camera. So PLEASE show some respect for those who didn't take the VO route, and had talent that put it out there with actually delivering lines ... some of which did a very fine job, which you refuse to acknowledge (have you even commented in everyone else's threads yet? When you say 99%, that means only 1 other short did not "break all the acting."

Recheck your figures, or get out & comment on all the other filmmakers who've taken the time to comment on yours.

This is my turn to defend my film and i am using the right to do it. Please do not take it personal.

I've yet to really voice up anything about this film (other than my initial praise at the beginning of the fest), but I feel like I could open up on the film maker at this point. Defending is one thing. For example, you can defend your creative decisions on why you chose to do something, but why lash back at people that choose to do something other than worship you?

I'm seeing a God-Complex, is what I'm seeing. Perhaps in Europe they do appreciate people that think they are the best, with no equal (as you do here in this particular fest) ... but, for me at least, nothing can rub me as raw as arrogance. Humility can go a LONG way in both your professional career and personal life.

 

[Brandon Rice]

Thanks Norm. I agree with everything you said. A little humility does go a long way. Defend your creative choices all you want, but don't EXPECT everyone to adore your film.

 

[Kholi]

You guys are being silly.

You know what? I would be defensive as hell if my film got praise at the beginning, then suddenly the same people who praised it begin to bash it. It seems like, and it just SEEMS like, that this movie has gotten so much praise that people want to drag it through the mud now.

And it's a common occurence. Go look at the ratings on IMDB.com. They're so retarded, it's pitiful. Shawshank Redemption should be no lower than a nine on the scale.. yeah.. it's not a nine. And this is an AMERICAN film all the way through.

You guys need to lay off of his work. I might be adding fuel to the flame, but I'd be the same way.

Even John Hudson said.. "I thought it was the best, then after reading the praise, I had to go back and analyze.". Come on, he had to go back and find what was wrong with it-- things that weren't really questionable in a short film.

Whatever, though. He followed up and said "Macgregor would be my DP".

Really, in my opinion, he stomped nearly every other film in this CONTEST... and it is a CONTEST... believe it or not.

I don't think he expected everyone to adore his film, I don't think he's mad that everyone doesn't like his film... but suddenly those who praise are going back to slice? That's just odd.

I smell a winner.

 

[EditPhish]

Kholi... you smell a winner, but that's a maybe. While it rated VERY high in my own voting, it didn't get the top spot.

And there WERE some question at the beginning of this thread, which I agree don't belong here -- but it goes to whether it may actually end up being disqualified... and I think they were valid questions to ask. I'm not pointing fingers, and like I said, I agree it doesn't belong here to be rehashed, but don't just jump to "I smell a winner".

 

[Brandon Rice]

Really, in my opinion, he stomped nearly every other film in this CONTEST...

Thanks for voicing your opinion. Maybe not all share it. For instance I showed a friend of mine this film last night, and he was astounded by the look, but at the end he was like.... well... it looked good... but it was just plain boring... that's his opinion, and mine as well... I can't take the gorgeous look and not recognize it, but I also can't take the IMO slow, and boring storyline out of the equation either. Anyway, it's only MY OPINION. And, we all have them... I respect your's as well

 

[Filmjunkie677]

I'm with Brice, Envision is 100% right. Good job, Envision.

I'm gonna quote Macgregor here:

"So have in mind please (and i dont want to offend the other participants here) the competence, and think that from all the other shortfilms it is hard to find any competence ... I find Simillo not the best shortfilm ever but certainly it is in the top list in this contest."


Well, it sounds to me like you did offend every other participant in the contest and you are pretty high on yourself and on your film. Come on, man.

 

[Brandon Rice]

Arrogance with a capital A.

 

[EditPhish]

I see the lack of humility as well... like I said in my reply above, not at all humble.

JTyner wanted me to post for him (he's at work)...

...and I quote him:

"If you don't like the heat, you better get out of an industry full of ovens."

en espanol: "Si usted no le gusta el calor, no debe estar en una industria llenado de hornos."

 

[KOVAROVA]

this thread is now ridiculous.

and briceman if you think it is slow, boring and the director arrogant then why do you need to keep chiming in on this thread. you seem to be fueling a fire here. what is your motivation? you have stated your opinion clearly several times... so what is the point going on and on and on?

This has turned out to be so unconstructive. If I was a mod I would have locked it up a several pages ago.

 

[Kholi]

It'd be funny if--

People voted on account of the director's lack of humility, rather than the piece itself. The guy can be as arrogant as he wants to be, but don't class his work with his personality. If the director of your favorite movie spit on your forehead, would it be your favorite movie still?

Anyway... You guys are entitled to your opinion cards.

It's been said time and time again: it's all subjective.

I really would like to know who's voting for what, though. =D I think that'll be the most interesting thread.

 

[Brandon Rice]

this thread is now ridiculous.

and briceman if you think it is slow, boring and the director arrogant then why do you need to keep chiming in on this thread. you seem to be fueling a fire here. what is your motivation? you have stated your opinion clearly several times... so what is the point going on and on and on?

This has turned out to be so unconstructive. If I was a mod I would have locked it up a several pages ago.

Sorry... I will stop, and I disagree that this has become unconstructive...I think it's good for people to voice their disagreements... how will things ever be solved?

 

[CallaghanFilms]

Similo, for me, has the best-in-fest cinematography. That would be difficult to argue. However, it is far from the top of my list overall because of the two key components that are missing...acting and (especially) storyline.

This fest IMO is much like the occasional Academy Award Ceremony in which there is not a runaway film (you know the ones...where each of the main categories are won by a separate film.) Granted, I do have a pony in this race, but I am not pulling for my own film to win overall. Personally I feel that the best in show is CPU.

To read from my notes:
"Beautifully shot, but not cinematic. Similo had a "commercial" feel to it. Don't get me wrong, a commercial directed by Ridley Scott (had he stayed on that career path)...but a commercial none the less."

I agree with John in that MacGregor is one hell of a DP.
It is the writing/directing that needs fine tuning IMHO.

I do look forward to seeing more of your stunning cinematography.

 

[Daniel Skubal]

ROFL This is ridiculous. Macgregor, take criticism. You're not the best filmmaker ever, your film sucks. How does that sound? Yeah no one likes hearing that, but if you're going to bash everyone else's films because you think you're superior to them, I think your film deserves a second look. I'm not saying your film was bad, but if you go around stepping on people's toes completely denying every critical claim that came at you in this thread, you're going to get no where man.

To some degree, there's a lot of politics in these fests, especially since the members are voting; the members you have chosen to bash here. Good move, man. Good move.

Your elitist, holier-than-thou attitude is going to screw you in the end if you keep this up. Just take the criticism people are giving you. Your film looked nice, but going around on the board essentially telling everyone else that their film sucked and yours is better is NOT a good way to make friends.

 

[Kholi]

ROFL This is ridiculous. Macgregor, take criticism. You're not the best filmmaker ever, your film sucks. How does that sound? Yeah no one likes hearing that, but if you're going to bash everyone else's films because you think you're superior to them, I think your film deserves a second look. I'm not saying your film was bad, but if you go around stepping on people's toes completely denying every critical claim that came at you in this thread, you're going to get no where man.

To some degree, there's a lot of politics in these fests, especially since the members are voting; the members you have chosen to bash here. Good move, man. Good move.

Your elitist, holier-than-thou attitude is going to screw you in the end if you keep this up. Just take the criticism people are giving you. Your film looked nice, but going around on the board essentially telling everyone else that their film sucked and yours is better is NOT a good way to make friends.

Case in point. You're basing his film's quality on his personality. Oh wow.

 

[Filmjunkie677]

All style. No substance.

That's your film in a nutshell, macgregor.

And that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it, regardless of his personality.

And Kholi, DJ was just trying to make a point, not bash his film. Reread the post.

 

[J.R. Hudson]

The thread did start out with what seemed like nothing but praise and it seems one honest and thorough critique has opened Pandoras Box.

Macgregor.

It may be the translation but you seem not to be able to take any criticism. Why would you have to defend your film ? No one is attacking you. The arrogance is frowned upon. The tantrums are not welcome.

But it is strange that it is the more discussed film here and now eveyone seems not to like it...

Strange ? What is so strange about it ? Your film is a diamond on the surface but not very deep with the story. Deal with it. Some people are going to fall in love with it and some people are going to be like "Eh'. Technically it is wonderful but it lacks a certain depth of story and entertainment value. Your film is not the best one here to some people. DEAL WITH IT.

But those are my opinions.

So have in mind please (and i dont want to offend the other participants here) the competence, and think that from all the other shortfilms it is hard to find any competence. (I find only ONE other piece equal in quality and moving story). What i mean with this is not an excuse but just to put things in order. I find Simillo not the best shortfilm ever but certainly it is in the top list in this contest.

I think you are confusing Technical Prowness with Excellence. Technically your film is top ranked (I gave the Photography a 10). In fact, only one other film had me more absorbed in the photography (The Odd Squad). But, you're stuck on thinking 'Well my film looks better, so it must be the best.'

Any critisicm I have is based purely on the 'entertainment value' and after the stunning sunset it's pretty boring afterall.

Oh and ....

delaro

i would love to be hated here

Oooooh, you're gonna last a long time here I can tell.

And Kholi ? Don't speak for me please and don't assume what I am doing or have done.

--

The bottom line is: I loved it Macgregor. Not as much as I loved ODD, WE ARE NOT ALONE and CPU, but I still loved it. Can you just say thank you ? What, were you born in a barn ? Were you raised by wolves or something ?

Say "Thaaaaaaannnkkkkkkkk yyyoooooouuuuuuuuuuu"

 

[Brandon Rice]

Thanks for bringing some order to this madness JH.

 

[KOVAROVA]

if you agree or dissagree or agree to dissagree.. fine. thats life. but posts like:

Arrogance with a capital A.

just **** things up.

i would have hoped to visit this thread and learned a bit more about Mac's methods in creating this film. we all could have benefited from this... even if we like his film or not. I would be surprised if Mac would even want to share anymore with us.

lets be constructive here.. all the filmmakers deserve it.

 

[MojoTrancer]

Wow this thread has taken a contentious turn, hasn't it

I agree that Mac is blessed/cursed with an overabundance of confidence. I stand by my opinion that his film is outstanding. But I do agree that it has its faults as well. As all our films do. No one's effort was perfect.

Perhaps we're misreading MacGregors comments because something is getting lost in the translation, but I'm thinking not. He thinks he has the best film in the fest. Which is fine. But this is a community and we need to respect each other's right to disagree. Criticisms will come and we have to take it as best we can and move on. We all have stuff to learn. All of us.

Not sure where I'm going with this except that us lashing at Macgregor and him lashing at us is a waste of time and brings down the spirit of the contest.