SHORT: Silly Things (A film noir with a sci fi twist)

Rdwomack2

Active member

Verok. A corrupt planet on the edge of oblivion. With blood in the streets and crime running amok, two Queensmen have been dispatched to eliminate a black market informant known as "Ernie". Their investigation takes them into the darkest levels of society and challenges their moral principles. When an old acquaintance resurfaces the mission is compromised and the success hangs by a thread.

Director's Commentary:
Noir is not an easy thing to do, nor is science fiction. When you combine the two together you have a very tricky movie on your hands. I learned a lot about costuming and location scouting from this film, but I think all of our extra work paid off. I planned for everything possible in my pre production which really saved me a few headaches when production time came around. On the acting side I really hit the goldmine. The actors I found for this film were superb and dedicated, not to mention fun to work with. Rhett Cutrell did the lighting and camera work which helped me focus on the story telling aspect. His work is fantastic and screams noir with every shot. Color correction was done by Deidre Casey and we learned that leaving a small element of color, in this case purple, allows the film to pop just a little bit more. Editing was pretty straight forward but of all my films I believe this has the biggest variety of effects. As perusal with my movies and style of filmmaking I put a lot of emphasis on story. I tried to cram as many elements of a noir as I could into the ten minutes but still maintain a good pace mixed with a science fiction atmosphere. Needless to say I think I accomplished this and of all my works thus far I am happiest with Silly Things. I worked with the best crew and cast to date and I had great fun.

Written, Directed, and Produced by R.D. Womack II
Music By Austin Lawrence
Justin Logston, Nick Pepito, Christina Longman, James Pyrich, Girwan S. Thapa
 
have you watched sin city first ? :-p

Maybe VO could have had a little more compression, now it's a little thin...

The "hit" sound arround 00:56 is less qualitatif... it came frome the internet ? :-p Hits and smashes exist out of different layers. And also little EQ and maybe some reverb to make it less dry
In general the sound effects (around 00:56) are a little to "flat, to dry"

The sound of the eyes is good...But that other sound is more annoying... If it's he moving...be continuous and add it all the time when he moves

The background in the bar added comes also from a soundlibrary or the internet ? it's very strange...suddenly people are quiet and only look, but still we can hear people talking...
I think just a general room tone, maybe small rumble sound, the sound of his steps, creaking floor maybe....

Another strange thing: how did he know that Sandra was Urny ? (or Eurny) ?

The scene outside, after the bar scene.. there's a motorbike passing by... but it's cutted suddenly... That's why it's always better to redo it one more time for sound when a motorbike are car passes very loud
and adding ambiance sounds....

Is the VO recorded in a bedroom ?

The acting I find a little "less" in a way. I think for that one guy (the one without the tie) he speaks to much in "question" way I think. I think he could be more "angry, shouting"... He's to kind...


The phrase what the "many eye guy" is shouting when they're outside is not quite understandeble...watch out for that. It's not because you know the phrase, other people do...
This is something very tricky....

In general it's not bad...But it's also not "whaaaaaaaaw"
 
have you watched sin city first ? :-p

Maybe VO could have had a little more compression, now it's a little thin...

The "hit" sound arround 00:56 is less qualitatif... it came frome the internet ? :-p Hits and smashes exist out of different layers. And also little EQ and maybe some reverb to make it less dry
In general the sound effects (around 00:56) are a little to "flat, to dry"

The sound of the eyes is good...But that other sound is more annoying... If it's he moving...be continuous and add it all the time when he moves

The background in the bar added comes also from a soundlibrary or the internet ? it's very strange...suddenly people are quiet and only look, but still we can hear people talking...
I think just a general room tone, maybe small rumble sound, the sound of his steps, creaking floor maybe....

Another strange thing: how did he know that Sandra was Urny ? (or Eurny) ?

The scene outside, after the bar scene.. there's a motorbike passing by... but it's cutted suddenly... That's why it's always better to redo it one more time for sound when a motorbike are car passes very loud
and adding ambiance sounds....

Is the VO recorded in a bedroom ?

The acting I find a little "less" in a way. I think for that one guy (the one without the tie) he speaks to much in "question" way I think. I think he could be more "angry, shouting"... He's to kind...


The phrase what the "many eye guy" is shouting when they're outside is not quite understandeble...watch out for that. It's not because you know the phrase, other people do...
This is something very tricky....

In general it's not bad...But it's also not "whaaaaaaaaw"

Honestly I disagree with a lot of what you are saying. It would be a terrible idea to compress the voice over. That would make it super thin and sound like its coming from a tin can.

The hit at :56 I'll give you. Its a sound effect from Hollywood edge and its the only thing I can afford right now, same for the gun shots.

IDK what you mean "sound of the eyes"

Background noise in the bar was from the same sound library but I dropped it out so it wouldn't interfere with the moment of tension. That's directing my audiences' focus with sounds and I wouldn't want to change it. Nor do I want a creaky floor in a room with tile.

Watch the film again, he spends a minute explaining how he knew sandra was ernie. Not to mention their action shows it.

There is no motor bike. I would have re shot if there was. Check your speakers.

Acting is "less" Don't know what that means but the actors were fine. They did everything I told 'em to do and Justin especially has gotten quite a lot of attention from this role.

Sorry man but like I said I totally disagree with a lot you are saying, especially sound wise. I love sound design and I know how important it it. I think with the scapes we built and the music it brings the perfect mood to the film.
 
ok, I misunderstood then, about Sandra - Ernie.

But listen starting from 03:20 untill.... 03:30.... I hear cutting in sound....

You can hear a car passing...dissapearing..and continuing passing again...
 
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