"Sleeper" by Matt Sconce and Mark Aro

[Kholi]

Hope you guys have a chance to finish and clean up the effects.

 

[Matt Sconce]

Hope you guys have a chance to finish and clean up the effects.

Definitely. We are going to have seamless effects that will blow people away. But we have discovered seemless effects take light years to render. :crybaby: It should be done in 3-4 months.

 

[cinealma]

Wow. This one's going to be fantastic when done. The best part about watching this is guessing, "ok, what's going to be composited in there?!"

I assume in the finished version we'll find out who these people/creatures/entities all are, no?

 

[Larry Rutledge]

Definitely. We are going to have seamless effects that will blow people away. But we have discovered seemless effects take light years to render. :crybaby: It should be done in 3-4 months.

Have you networked the neighborhood into a massive render farm yet? :grin:

 

[Matt Sconce]

Have you networked the neighborhood into a massive render farm yet? :grin:

Not yet. No one's computers are fast enough, and the only ones that are are MAC!

 

[Matt Sconce]

Wow. This one's going to be fantastic when done. The best part about watching this is guessing, "ok, what's going to be composited in there?!"

I assume in the finished version we'll find out who these people/creatures/entities all are, no?

Actually...it will be a bit more understood, but not much more. The story is based of a novel I wrote and so will be used to pitch the concept to Sony Pictures hopefully.

 

[Mark T. Aro]

Actually...it will be a bit more understood, but not much more. The story is based of a novel I wrote and so will be used to pitch the concept to Sony Pictures hopefully.

To add to Matt's comments... this short will eventually be part of a mock-ultra long-trailer that we will use to pitch the feature and in THAT version, we will explore the origin and the world a little bit more. Once we have something to look at for the trailer, we will share a little here. We currently have two of our actresses training for the trailer. It will take 4-6 months for them to be ready and we will be doing some really cool VFX for this one. Your will see a little bit along these lines in the end of Sleeper when it is done.

I need to sleeep now!:zombie_smiley:

 

[Mark Harris]

Hope you guys have a chance to finish and clean up the effects.

What are you talking about? My favorite part is where the four guys with ropes pull her onto the big blue bed!

 

[spidey]

Well even with the unfinished effects, the story wasn't there.... it was sci-fi when it should have been spy.

same thing happened with you did hero-fest ninjas aren't really a Hero but more of martial arts/ kung fu. if you want to get down to it ninjas are assassins.

The first seen really took me out it. why in Greenscreen?

Later note: put tracking marks on your screen. it makes it much easier to do digital moves.

I dunno what you were going for.

 

[Matt Harris]

Wait i think they made a new genre: sci-fi spy! i think it was spy-ish. all you need is a silver briefcase and its instantly spy! Anyways it looks cool so far guys, no need to critique yet because i know you have alot of work to do. Oh and by the way, i loved son of bond, lots of fun.

 

[Mark T. Aro]

Well even with the unfinished effects, the story wasn't there.... it was sci-fi when it should have been spy.

same thing happened with you did hero-fest ninjas aren't really a Hero but more of martial arts/ kung fu. if you want to get down to it ninjas are assassins.

The first seen really took me out it. why in Greenscreen?

Later note: put tracking marks on your screen. it makes it much easier to do digital moves.

I dunno what you were going for.

First off trying to explain it is probably a waste, cause it sounds like it doesn't matter what we say... you either like it and think it is fun or you don't. Sounds like you don't. no worries. Personally I like to see stuff as it is being built, but not everyone does. I am a freak... I embrace my freakishness!!!

On the tracking note, I am using PFHOE PRO to track, it tracked just fine, but I had other issues unrelated to the camera track and there just wasn't enough time to fix them.. so I didn't and ended up with a wiggly scene... once again... WIP... we thought it would be fun to see all the behind the scenes stuff. Unfortunately we submitted an unfinished work with a lot of unclear elements. The spy factor is there just fine, but once again, unfinished. I guess the risk that we took when we submitted a very rough short is that some people just wouldn't be able to separate the fact that it is unfinished. Truth be told, you probably wouldn't have liked it even if it was finished. No worries. I am sure your's didn't suffer from the same crap that ours did.

Again, probably pointless, but the green room in the open was necessary, again UNCLEAR to you guys, but the next few shots that we cut out set up a lot. Like so many others in this fest, we bit off a big chunk and to tell you the truth, it just doesn't work as a six minute short, but the longer version should flow a little better.

On the spy note... my understanding was that espionage, assassins, sleeper agents... all spy related. I figured if they really wanted an all James Bond fest, well... they would've had a BONDFEST... eh!

Later note... we threw in Son of Bond for fun, because we enjoy this. Maybe that doesn't qualify either. He was the illegitimate son of James bond... but I dunno, maybe the fact that he wasn't a spy... he doesn't have catlike reflexes... and he really just wanted to be an orthodontist negates that one too... oh crap... Matt... I told you HE should have worn that shirt that said....

I'M A SPY.... NO REALLY...
AND THIS IS A SPY MOVIE... NO REALLY!!!

Dude! Lighten up! This is supposed to be fun... If you aren't having fun then you need to pick another field! BTW cool looking banner... if you made that it looks like you may have been having fun!

Matt did herofest... not me, but in Matt's defense... Nine to Five ninja guy saved that fat scottish guy from evil ninjas. He was the fat guys... wait for it... HERO!

 

[Mark T. Aro]

Wait i think they made a new genre: sci-fi spy! i think it was spy-ish. all you need is a silver briefcase and its instantly spy! Anyways it looks cool so far guys, no need to critique yet because i know you have alot of work to do. Oh and by the way, i loved son of bond, lots of fun.

Well that is what we thought... silver breifcase... stealing stuff out of the vault (microchip, money... they will be inserted later of courserogar-Evil(DBG)

Ah heck... I guess we can't please everyone! Eh! I still had FUN!

 

[Danielleus]

So this totally caught me off guard. If it had been done as a doc-ish thing, I would have bought it. I thought the production value was great, it was looking quite good, and I was totally into until the girl came in (sorry, nothing about the acting, mainly about where in the film it fell apart for me).
Not sure if it was suppossed to be funny.
I'm sure it's just in the process of being finished but really, as an entry, it should been done as a polished making of doc rather then submitted as is.

My two cents.

With that said, let me know when the finished product comes out cause I wanna see it. Can't wait. Good luck finishing.

 

[JOE BLO]

I look forward to seeing this with all of the effects. I like seeing the BTS stuff. It looks like you guys have a lot of great production values. Let me know ehn this is complete.

I thought Son of Bond was funny. Good actor. Congrats.

 

[Mike@AF]

I really look forward to seeing this again when it's completed. You'll be posting it here I hope?

 

[Zenon]

Cool! The ending was pretty creepy and suprising, and some really good camera work. The steadycam shots created alot of fast pace which keeps the entertainment value up.
You got alot of work cut out for you with all that green though

The disc shot (which to me is the money shot) was nicely done. Though it's spoilt a little by the jerkiness of the animation as with the begining scene tracking (I know it's not finished but I'll go nuts if I don't mention it!) We got a simular disc throw scene in SS but it's no way near as good in comparison :crybaby:

Looking forward to the finished thing...and the pitch trailer

 

[Mark Johnson]

You guys deserve extra extra extra credit in my book for putting this version together. First of all, most of the filmmakers here can learn an enormous amount from this version, which shows the setup of your VFX shots. At some point almost everybody shooting will find themselves in a situation where a keying or tracking shot can help out the production.

To say this was the most ambitious project in the fest is an understatement. I hope there are always members touched with the insanity of biting off chunks this big (reminds me of how Ted and I took on the monster scope of Threading The Needle

A couple of comments/questions:

1) Opening scene with what looks like a jib move down and dolly into the tv: I'm assuming the background is CG keyed in (given the masking artifact on the pillow)? The television is rock solid but so well illuminated I'm wondering if you tracked the screen and replaced it? Can you share a frame of the original shot with us so we can see the elements of this effect shot?

2) Lovely inclusion of title on the wall as your lead actresses walks down the hallway. I didn't catch that the first time.

3) Nice entry pad with biometric thumbprint reader under the Fresno City Hall sign! Did you shoot at City Hall for real?

4) Just a comment - When she walks through the door I think you could set up your green key to save yourself some work by extending it all the way to the doorway and stretching it. As you know, pulling a key for blonde hair against a white wall is a ***** and I hate seeing you spend time hand masking any more than you would have to.

5) Very nice shot as she moves between the computer/equipment racks. Is this all practical or did you add digital elements here as foreground/background?

6) Superb killer security access keyboard/monitors! Where'd you get those?

7) Pool cue in lower left foreground at 1:27 is one of my favorite discoveries! Spill the deets on what that was used for!

8) If I can make a suggestion, I find that its really worth taking the time to stretch your fabric when used to pull a floor key because you don't have to f*ck with dealing with the shadows caused by the folds. Where your actress wears black heels and you have her crossing those dark folds it will add compositing work you could avoid by simply pinning down the fabric or using a painted board/cardboard sheet.

9) My God, your actress is a doppleganger for the OlsenTwins on thos CU shots! With a little makeup and lighting she could play one of those neurotic twins! Hmmm. perhaps you could pen a spoof of some sort and all get famous on youtube -- maybe a MaryKate in rehab story!

10) Great sound / score in parking garage. The high "crane" shot in the alley is killer. Were you on a fire escape and is the pull-back digital or practical?

11) Just really fine lighting in the alley at the fence. Tell us a little about the lighting setup there ok?

12) Your VFX list mentions adding raindrops to bodies. Are you kidding me? First I question the value of taking the time for true particle effects as your scenes work really well with the wetdown and soundFX. But if you really are serious please tell us how you intend to accomplish that.

13) Love the pink bra.

14) Nice twist at end. However, I'm not sure I agree with her playing the scared chick so much out front if she's really this badass creature inside. I understand it adds to the drama of the twist but I wonder if it would have played better to have her a little less "wimpy" when originally confronted.

15) When you do the cable pull at the end I'm curious why your actress is wearing Uggs boots. Are you intending to replace them in the final shot?

All in all its a friggin' blast!!!!!!!! Next time you shoot something like this feel free to call me. I've got a lot of experience shooting blue/green/red keys and I think I could help you with your setups to avoid some compositing headaches.

Great work guys. Don't wait to finish to start posting shots. We'd love to see each effect as you complete it.

Mark

 

[Dustin R. Rogan]

9) My God, your actress is a doppleganger for the OlsenTwins on thos CU shots! With a little makeup and lighting she could play one of those neurotic twins! Hmmm. perhaps you could pen a spoof of some sort and all get famous on youtube -- maybe a MaryKate in rehab story!

Mark

holy crap...nice mix of the 2 to make her...thats crazy...

that aside, I would like to see the finished product before I say anything. I started watching this flick not knowing it wasn't finish, then after the first couple of obvious things I asked Gary if it wasn't and of course it wasn't. Look forward to it! But Good for what you got so far!!!:thumbup:

 

[chris f]

Standard Disclaimer: I've yet to see a bad film so far in this fest. Congratulations to every film maker, everyone did a great job. All my comments and criticisms are meant to be constructive and helpful and in no way am I trying to take anything away from what you accomplished.

Good: Looked very cool. Really liked the flowing camera work. Locations were good, liked the rain (how'd you guys do that?). CGI looks like it will be top notch once it's all finished.

Not as Good: Didn't quite understand the story. Did the girl win or did the guy win? Did the girl die or did the evil spirit or whatever get slain, thus saving the girl's life?

Sidenote: Now I understand why rendering took so long. Can't wait to see the finished film. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the unfinished greenscreen and CGI.

 

[Matt Sconce]

Did the girl win or did the guy win? Did the girl die or did the evil spirit or whatever get slain, thus saving the girl's life?

In the final version, you will see his sword come down as the creature jumps toward the camera, implying they locked in battle. It leaves the imagination open to what may happen and also becomes one of the moments to use in the trailer we are making to pitch to Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Glad you took the time to review! Thanks!

You guys deserve extra extra extra credit in my book for putting this version together. First of all, most of the filmmakers here can learn an enormous amount from this version, which shows the setup of your VFX shots. At some point almost everybody shooting will find themselves in a situation where a keying or tracking shot can help out the production.

To say this was the most ambitious project in the fest is an understatement. I hope there are always members touched with the insanity of biting off chunks this big (reminds me of how Ted and I took on the monster scope of Threading The Needle

Thanks! That means a lot coming from you! I hope people hee see what we are trying to do and take the time to read the entire thread saying that this is an unfinished project and is submitted anyway to include people in the creative process.

A couple of comments/questions:

1) Opening scene with what looks like a jib move down and dolly into the tv: I'm assuming the background is CG keyed in (given the masking artifact on the pillow)? The television is rock solid but so well illuminated I'm wondering if you tracked the screen and replaced it? Can you share a frame of the original shot with us so we can see the elements of this effect shot?

The only non CG element in that shot is shane and the bed. Mark created the television and the screen was a seperate render layered over the original render. I am sure he can go into more detail. :beer:

3) Nice entry pad with biometric thumbprint reader under the Fresno City Hall sign! Did you shoot at City Hall for real?

Yep! They gave us the run of the place and we used it including the top secret computer room which was through that thumb scanning door.

5) Very nice shot as she moves between the computer/equipment racks. Is this all practical or did you add digital elements here as foreground/background?

Thanks. That shot is practical without CG elements.

6) Superb killer security access keyboard/monitors! Where'd you get those?

City Hall Baby! They treated us very nicely. Fresno is really supportive to film makers.

7) Pool cue in lower left foreground at 1:27 is one of my favorite discoveries! Spill the deets on what that was used for!

Mark was using it to help Paige's eyes track the CG stand that will fold up and out of the ground. That becomes the platform she sets the briefcase down on.

10) Great sound / score in parking garage. The high "crane" shot in the alley is killer. Were you on a fire escape and is the pull-back digital or practical?

We were on top of a parking garage and this is entirely practical. We used a Kessler crane to do it and my heart stopped everytime we leaned the camera out over that drop.:crybaby:

11) Just really fine lighting in the alley at the fence. Tell us a little about the lighting setup there ok?

Shane (the lead male actor was co DP on this project and saved the day many times with lighting techniques. We put a light behind the wall she comes out from pointed at her and the back wall. (small home depot halogen). We had two lights above head level coming from stage left pointed down at her from a distance. We had a light up on the wall 10-15 up behind me (The camera operator). That light was pointed down at her as well. We also had a 1000 watt britek soft box close to her to throw light on her face.

12) Your VFX list mentions adding raindrops to bodies. Are you kidding me? First I question the value of taking the time for true particle effects as your scenes work really well with the wetdown and soundFX. But if you really are serious please tell us how you intend to accomplish that.

I will definitely let Mark cover this one as he is the guru.

14) Nice twist at end. However, I'm not sure I agree with her playing the scared chick so much out front if she's really this badass creature inside. I understand it adds to the drama of the twist but I wonder if it would have played better to have her a little less "wimpy" when originally confronted.

In the story this is derived from, the creature "Dimlock" inside the girl knows that the guy confronting it is a killer of Dimlocks. It will play the I'm afraid card until it knows for sure he actually knows it's there. Once it is sure he knows...then it no longer acts innocent but instead becomes a tapped animal that must fight back.

15) When you do the cable pull at the end I'm curious why your actress is wearing Uggs boots. Are you intending to replace them in the final shot?

When we saw that we said Ugg....okay that was a lame joke.... We totally missed it. We were shooting that shot aroun 4 in the morning and we were exhausted. We will be taking them out and replacing them. A heavy effect will be happening there so it will help sell the effect.

All in all its a friggin' blast!!!!!!!! Next time you shoot something like this feel free to call me. I've got a lot of experience shooting blue/green/red keys and I think I could help you with your setups to avoid some compositing headaches.

Great work guys. Don't wait to finish to start posting shots. We'd love to see each effect as you complete it.

Mark

Thanks Mark! We would love to work with you in the future!