Short film, two music videos, and a documentary

B

Burnt_Scroll

Member
My film company just released a short film, two music videos, and one documentary on our website: burntscroll.com. All of them were shot with the DVX100.

Please check at least some of them out and tell me what you think. I'd like honest answers please. I'm trying to become both a better DP and a storyteller.

Carl
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Just to let you know; you're not being ignored. I'll check all of them out when i have the time!
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

I'd seen the first music video before, and thought it was real good. The 2nd music video didn't really appeal to me, but that's just me. The documentary was ok, I know you're mostly at the mercy of the events you filmed. It didn't really grab my attention real well.

However, your short film was awesome! The footage and composition were very well done. The editing for the most part was also well done, very smooth. My only suggestion would be to make a few less cuts during a couple of those scenes, or hold them longer. I could tell you went through the trouble of getting a variety of angles and shots, and it's probably hard in post to not want to use all the good ones, but sometimes cutting too many times between a lot of different angles can be distracting. The lighting, colors, look and feel were all nicely done. The music was great (BTW what did you use to do the music?). The only other suggestion I can make is to use a real bell sound. It took me a while (not until watching for the 2nd time) to realize what the dong dong dong was and it seemed strange when they all just stood up and left (without hearing the standard ring class dismissed bell).

Overall great job, I was very impressed! You definitely have a future in this :)
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Thank you, Sir Allen! Your comments are extremely helpful. I know that I'm doing drama right now and not in-your-face action. To answer your question, I used Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 with my collection of free soundfonts I've been gathering over the years, as well as a gift from the Lord in musical abilities.

It's unfortunate I'm not getting more response from this; not to complain but it's a bummer. I worked about three months on this project.

Thanks again!
Carl
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

I will response too as soon as my dsl is back up. I will watch all your work and tell you my 2-cent worth of comments.
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Carl

DSL is still not up but I did download the “Why We Gotta Live This Way?” music video. I don’t think I was 10 sec into watching your movie and something really got my attention. The guy in the church praying. No matter how you like to show the young people how “cool” God can be today… We do not wear hats in the church. We do not wear hats when we pray. Music video or not music video, real or not real, as a storyteller you have to be aware of fundamental issues. And this is a big one to me and for a lot of others maybe too. Just imagine the same scene of the guy kneeling taking his hat off, arms out and praying. The same is for the scene under the cross. It would have been 10 times stronger and you would show the world that the boys really know what is going on. Now it looks like a bunch of boys trying to understand the cool God but don’t have a clue about respect for him.

You are saying it’s a bummer for not more people to respond. I know. It’s frustrating. But I hope you are aware of that you are asking for one of the most difficult issue here. If you make a movie about God or religion in general it is a very touchy subject. Look around you in the past and in the moment there is a guy out there making another movie about Jesus and the people rip him apart before the film is even done. It was always like that; it will be always like that. Look at your post……….. it not people not looking at it.
More later………. Running out of time

Gregi
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Alright, alright, I watched the 2 music videos and here is my take.

Actually before I begin, I have to say, rap is just not my favorite music. There is the occasional artist or song I do like (Eminem), but for the most part, give me guitars, loud and hard.

The 'guitar' oriented song actually wasn't to bad. Kind of whitebread or folksy, but it's all good.

I thought they were okay. I would have liked to have seen quicker cuts. I think in the realm of the music video, that is needed. Unless you have something really beautiful to show the audience (I'm talking imagery here), you gotta keep the cuts quick and fast.

I'm not an expert, but it appears the DVX100 was not used to it's full potential; seemed as if it was used to it's minimal potential. I didn't notice any lighting used and I would have liked to have seen more hand held or dolly or steadicamshots. There seemed to be alot of stationary shots, that held for too long.

I thought the 'story' elements were good. I think with more planning and technique, they could have been better.

I don't personally mind the religious overtones; well, they are more than overtones, aren't they? We all have our own beliefs. I personally want to see the Mel Gibson Jesus vehicle.

Anyway, you mention you are trying to become a better DP and Storyteller. I think you have the storytelling part down, I just think with more technique and planning, these videos could have been better. They seemed kind of VHSish. IS that a word? Now it is.

This is just my opinion. You guys will find out, if you ask for an opinion, it will be given, and opinions can vary. I don't think anyone here wants it sugarcoated. When I start submitting work for critique, I would hope everyone is brutally honest. Good or bad.

Keep working, I think with more study and technique (in production and in post) you will nail it. This might sound weird, but try mimicry of videos and/or scenes you have seen and liked. Why mimicry? Because you will learn the art and tricks that lead to polished work.
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Be sure and check out the short "Unheard Cries of Mercy". It's his best work on there, and very well done making full use of the DVX100.
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

I just finished the UNHEARD CRIES movie. And I have to agree with SirAllen. It is your best work yet. Very well put together and a hundred steps abave the music videos. Nice music, editing, cuts, etc.

It was good. Maybe add some ESTABLISHING SHOTS to some of the scenes? Seriously, quite the contrast from the music videos to this. Get some serious talent and it would have been very good.
 
Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Re: Short film, two music videos, and a documentar

Thanks so much guys!

Like I said, I hope that I didn't come off as complaining.

I realize that making Christian films is going to be extremely challenging because, like you said, there are certain issues that I have to watch out for. Most of the ideas for the rap video were of the rappers themselves, and in their culture wearing hats is not disrespectful to the Lord because the Bible says that God looks at our hearts more than our bodies when we pray. In most ways, I agree with them. But I see that many would be offended by that.

Thanks for bringing that to light! Do know that I sincerely appreciate your comments!!!

Carl
 
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