Science Fiction Feature Film (AF100 & GH2)

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dtzfilms

Well-known member
AF100ers, lend me your ears.

This my new feature sizzle reel.
I'll be updating this post with all my progress and questions.
I'll be requiring input and assistance as I go through this perilous journey,
and need I say, your support.
Thanks very much.


slight edit changes!


Latest version. 3 minutes.
 
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A good start, but I think it's way too long given the footage you have. It repeats several shots at points. Chop that sucker down to 30 seconds, or a minute at the longest, and you'll have a much stronger trailer (which is what it really is).

Two other suggestions - there's some very jarring cuts from the stock footage to footage you've shot. I'd try to limit the stock footage to the barest of minimums, if at all. Lastly, the quality of the footage in the apartment is... poor. Looks like really bad video shot in an average looking apartment. My humble suggestion is to either re-shoot it in a vastly cooler place with way better lighting, or to simply cut it.

I get that you had no cash and that you're trying to raise money, but cutting is free! It's clear you passion, and I wish you the best of luck.
 
jdv said:
A good start, but I think it's way too long given the footage you have. It repeats several shots at points. Chop that sucker down to 30 seconds, or a minute at the longest, and you'll have a much stronger trailer (which is what it really is).

Two other suggestions - there's some very jarring cuts from the stock footage to footage you've shot. I'd try to limit the stock footage to the barest of minimums, if at all. Lastly, the quality of the footage in the apartment is... poor. Looks like really bad video shot in an average looking apartment. My humble suggestion is to either re-shoot it in a vastly cooler place with way better lighting, or to simply cut it.

I get that you had no cash and that you're trying to raise money, but cutting is free! It's clear you passion, and I wish you the best of luck.
Click to expand...
I agree with everything you say John. Thanks a lot. I shot what I could, my vision is apparent. I'm currently trying to muster up support for the campaign, press releases etc. If I have time to cut it I will. I know it's long. I wanted it to be 2 minutes, but I edited to the music.
 
jdv said:
A good start, but I think it's way too long given the footage you have. It repeats several shots at points. Chop that sucker down to 30 seconds, or a minute at the longest, and you'll have a much stronger trailer (which is what it really is).

Two other suggestions - there's some very jarring cuts from the stock footage to footage you've shot. I'd try to limit the stock footage to the barest of minimums, if at all. Lastly, the quality of the footage in the apartment is... poor. Looks like really bad video shot in an average looking apartment. My humble suggestion is to either re-shoot it in a vastly cooler place with way better lighting, or to simply cut it.

I get that you had no cash and that you're trying to raise money, but cutting is free! It's clear you passion, and I wish you the best of luck.
Click to expand...

I'm taking your advice and cutting a shorter version. I just spoke to my go to composer and he'll cut me a break. I had to cut to this free music that I found on the internet, LOL. Can you tell me which scene you see jarriing cuts? I'm a self-taught editor, man. Sorry, I can only do what I can. I'll also limit my use of that apartment scene. I'm going to try cut it down to 1 minute or 90 seconds max. Thanks John. I really appreciate it. This is what I came here for. Thank you.
 
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I cut it all down from 4:55 to 3:07. My intro is 1:13 so the trailer itself is under two minutes. Sent it to the composer. We'll see what gives.
 
dtzfilms said:
I'm taking your advice and cutting a shorter version. I just spoke to my go to composer and he'll cut me a break. I had to cut to this free music that I found on the internet, LOL. Can you tell me which scene you see jarriing cuts? I'm a self-taught editor, man. Sorry, I can only do what I can. I'll also limit my use of that apartment scene. I'm going to try cut it down to 1 minute or 90 seconds max. Thanks John. I really appreciate it. This is what I came here for. Thank you.
Click to expand...

They aren't jarring because of the nature of the cutting per se (ie - jump cuts), rather they are jarring because of the disparity in quality of the footage.

You cut from an excellent, but obvious stock footage shot of London in broad daylight, to a shot of two people standing together that looks... not great. Strangely, you go back to that two shot a few more times.

But you've got some usable stuff in there, just be brutal in your cutting. Far as music goes, there are several excellent free stock sources out there if your composer gets crazy with pricing....
 
okay, I think I know which one you're talking about. The aerial footage of parliament to suit with binoculars.
I'll see what I can do with that. I cut it all down, man. My composer is on my team, so he's being good. We plan to
stick it through, raise the funds and carry on working together. Thanks John. You rock!
 
dtzfilms said:
okay, I think I know which one you're talking about. The aerial footage of parliament to suit with binoculars.
I'll see what I can do with that. I cut it all down, man. My composer is on my team, so he's being good. We plan to
stick it through, raise the funds and carry on working together. Thanks John. You rock!
Click to expand...

Yup, that's the one. Glad to be of whatever help. If you're ever in Michigan, let me know - first pint's on me!
 
And the second one is on me! LOL! Michigan, here I come! Yep, I think I've fixed that shot. I'd always found that odd myself.
 
My composer composed something but I hate it. John, what did you think of the previous track?
How about how I used it, cutting rhythmically?
 
Well obviously it's pretty generic. Not horrible or anything, but certainly not great. The cutting if fine, but I'd be trying for a piece of music that builds to a crescendo (esp as it's an action piece).

This is arguably the best popular piece of music right now for trailers that want to build to a thunderous end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQXVzg2PiZw

All that said, great music - esp for a kickstarter account - might be asking a bit too much. Still, I think you could find something with a bit more punch. Here's a link to one of the bigger free music sites with some tunes that might be better suited. Also, I'd experiment with speeding up/slowing down whatever music you have if it make the video better :
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?genre=Soundtrack

Hope that helps -
 
incompetech, yeah I get a lot of my music from that. But you nailed it again, it didn't build. I wasn't happy about the lack of a build at the end. I didn't think the music dealt with the head shake and the camera stomp adequately.
 
Thanks Ulisses. I used to know how to do that in fcp7.
Not quite sure with X.
Are all the skin tones disagreeing with you or one particular shot?
 
If this was made to garner interest and support for your project, I think you did a good job, especially if it was done as a one-man operation. OK, too many shots of the Houses Of Parliament's clock tower etc etc, but there's enough there to let any potential investor/collaborator decide if he/she wants to help out.
 
Thank you, David. I agree. Spot on, mate.
I've cut it down to three minutes and removed a lot of the parliament shots.
I also had the composer jazz up the ending a bit.
Some people still like the long version so I made that trailer number two.

 
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