Scene from my short film - Thoughts please on image quality

I NEED this lens! Image quality is good, maybe you could have shot at a higher ISO and brought the brightness down as needed?
 
analog_addict said:
I NEED this lens! Image quality is good, maybe you could have shot at a higher ISO and brought the brightness down as needed?
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Yes, I get what you are saying but since I didn't know the camera's capabilities at the higher ISO at the time I didn't want to risk it (noise) given the circumstance. Noted for the future. Thank you for checking it out and commenting.
 
Johnf said:
It works. Nice! I like the nats of the crackling fire.
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Thanks Johnf. It's really great being on this forum and getting feedback good or bad. You don't stop learning and having all you experienced guys taking the time and commenting is a real blessing. Thank you.
 
This was a super nice refreshing piece to watch. Not just a collection of random test shots.. but a seriously well crafted piece. Nicely subtle performances and I loved the look.... It was soft but I liked that and I completely echo the comments about not falling into the stereotypes... Totally appreciated something like this done with tact and sympathy, empathy, and understanding. I think you'd really have a super nice longform piece here and that's all we can hope for...


It reminds me also of what Michael Caine was talking about in his acting book... and that's the point that drunk people don't act drunk. They struggle to maintain their poise and that's how it's done, and that's what plays. Here, you have a sincere line of communication and it worked.. and delivers some feelings and understanding and as filmmakers that's our goal for sure. Kudos and a job very well done!
 
Justyn said:
This was a super nice refreshing piece to watch. Not just a collection of random test shots.. but a seriously well crafted piece. Nicely subtle performances and I loved the look.... It was soft but I liked that and I completely echo the comments about not falling into the stereotypes... Totally appreciated something like this done with tact and sympathy, empathy, and understanding. I think you'd really have a super nice longform piece here and that's all we can hope for...


It reminds me also of what Michael Caine was talking about in his acting book... and that's the point that drunk people don't act drunk. They struggle to maintain their poise and that's how it's done, and that's what plays. Here, you have a sincere line of communication and it worked.. and delivers some feelings and understanding and as filmmakers that's our goal for sure. Kudos and a job very well done!
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I really didn't expect to get feedback on my writing and directing skills, thank you very much for conveying your thoughts, it's very encouraging and appreciated. It was the image that I was very concerned about. I guess this is the lesson here for me. Just do the work and stop pixel peeping so much. Our goal is to get the technical and the creative to meld, you just can't help it.

Eddie Pagliaro who plays Mitch is a fine actor and a joy to work with. Marc Siciliani who plays Fred (missing tooth) is also a fine actor and very fun to work with. They are talented and bring a lot to the table and I am very lucky to have them. They are in the LA area so if anyone needs great actors to work with let me know and I'll put you in touch. Thanks again Justyn.
 
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You are very welcome and this is a lesson that I'm trying to learn myself... It's always about the story and the performances and the mood and message. It's communication and there's countless films out there that have horrible noise and grain and poor overall aethetics, but the story and the hardcore elements are what really count. Not a single person will notice that its' not shot on a Red or that it's only 1080p or any of that... I'm coming to terms with this myself as I get ready to shoot my feature. It'll be a combination of AF100s and Gh2s... unless the earth quakes and something cooler and more affordable comes out. Even as I've seen lately, the hacked Gh2 is no slouch at all...

Kudos and relish that your instincts about performance and dialogue were spot on... I also might hit you up for those acting names but I am going to be producing my feature in FL and the UK.... Keep up the good work.
 
But remember, this a camera forum. And those who capture the images, whether its you or your DP, are allowed to use the tools, know the tools and rate the tools. This isn't the stage. It is not just about the story. Image is always first in this realm, otherwise you have radio.
 
I beg to differ Jim.... In terms of a film... nothing will kill you more than bad audio. Bad imagery didn't stop Clerks from killing it and the same for The Celebration. People are getting deals from Iphone videos and flip camera movies. It's always about the story and/or it's a giant pissing match where the tools dictate the credibility of the work. You see it all the time with still people who first mention the camera that they use instead of the inspiration and the mood...


So when people want to pixel peep all they want, it's WRITERS and DIRECTORS who are breaking the conventions and doing intereresting films that are doing things.. and it's not because someone shot on the newest and greatest camera. The reason the DSLR stuff took off was truly in part because of the ability to emulate film, so I'll give you that, but without the ideas that go into it all you end up with is style over content and that's only good on reality shows and MTV.
 
You miss my point. I never pitted visuals against audio. Without imagery you don't have the visual mediums of film and television. Film started out silent. Even today there are films without dialogue that stand out. Say, Koyaanisqatsi or Winged Migration. No dialogue or obvious protagonists but stiil, a narrative can be culled from what you are seeing. Its not about the latest or greatest camera. But its got to be about at least one camera or, as I said before, all you have is radio.

Again, its perfectly legitimate to espouse the merits of equipment. Someone has to. There are many elements which come together to get a film made. Even a one-man band filmmaker needs to be sure he's acheiving optimum exposure. But on a show with a dedicated camera department, the DP and his crew can absolutely be "pixel peepers". Its part of their job.
 
Nice job, all around. The bokeh balls distracted me until I figured out they were moving from the heat of the fire. The bearded actor's beard looked like a prop and his hair was not greasy and natty enough, but the other actor looked fine. Very good audio, but the dialogue sounded too healthy for a couple of dudes down on their luck. I'd like more a rasp in the voice and some snot snorted and a few gravelly coughs to add character. A few mispronounced words and expletives would also add flavor to the pot. A cutaway from the opposite side with the actors in silhouette or a distant shot would add interest next time.
 
accelv said:
Nice job, all around. The bokeh balls distracted me until I figured out they were moving from the heat of the fire. The bearded actor's beard looked like a prop and his hair was not greasy and natty enough, but the other actor looked fine. Very good audio, but the dialogue sounded too healthy for a couple of dudes down on their luck. I'd like more a rasp in the voice and some snot snorted and a few gravelly coughs to add character. A few mispronounced words and expletives would also add flavor to the pot. A cutaway from the opposite side with the actors in silhouette or a distant shot would add interest next time.
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Thank you for taking the time to check it out and for your comments. See "Dark City" which I happened to catch on Netflix last week. You'll see homeless people living in the train tunnels in NY that shows a wide variety of people. Although I appreciate your comments I'm sure you understand that we all a have our own perception as creative people. What you told me is what you would have done. I'm quite happy with not following the stereo type and after seeing Dark City I'd say I'm pretty close to the mark. Thanks again.
 
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