SHORT: Southeast of Reason (SeOR)

[Ratko]

Before I start, here's a big hello from Croatia

I'm a longtime lurker on these forums, especially on the 'User films' section. Your films are amazing and they've made my day many times over. Now, let's talk a bit about 'Southeast of Reason' (or, from now on, SeOR).

Where to begin? I know.

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BACKGROUND (plus some other misc info)

SeOR - in it's current form - is a short film, although it was originally envisioned and made as sort of a 'proof of concept' (or an never-intended-to-be-aired pilot) for a potential television series.
It was filmed during the course of one weekend in late 2009. (not including pick-ups and ADR sessions).
Platypuses are borrowed from ABC's absolutely wonderful documentary 'Platypus: World's Strangest Animal', so if you like those little creatures from down under as much as I like 'em, be sure to check the doc.
Currently I won't dive into tech details. It was a fairly low-tach affair and many things which would've been easily done with more resources needed to be improvised... duct-tape is your friend, as it seems I'll gladly answer any questions regarding any segment of our production.

Tip of the day: rehearsals are the most awesome luxury one can have. Once we started principal photography, actors were already mostly tuned to their characters - that's what allowed us to finish filming in one weekend. This was crucial as all of us had other jobs queued and we wouldn't be able to meet up for any major reshoots in quite some time (except for ADR nad some minor pick-ups)

SeOR was written and filmed in Croatia and on croatian language, but I feel it has the potential to appeal to a wider audience - that's why I translated and adapted it to english via subtitles. I'd like to hear your thoughts and comments. Please enjoy our little film.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT:

'Southeast Of Reason' is a story about Andrea, a 16 year old girl who grew up in front of television as her mother, Vesna, seemingly didn't care for her. One day Vesna decides to leave Zagreb (and possibly Croatia) leaving Andrea on the backs of her half-brother, Damir, and his pregnant girlfriend, Marianna.

INFO:

TITLE: 'Southeast Of Reason' (originally 'Jugoistocno od razuma')
RUNTIME: 15 min
LANGUAGE: Croatian (presented with english subtitles)
GENRE: Comedy/drama (dramedy)

WATCH IT HERE


directed & edited by RATIMIR RAKULJIC & MONIKA DRAHOTUSKI
cast DORIS TEUR, IVICA GUNJACA & DINKA VUKOVIC
director of photography FILIP STARESINIC music by OZREN K. GLASER
make-up & wardrobe by NIKA BAN written by RATIMIR RAKULJIC
2010.
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[Ratko]

TRAILER (via YouTube /w english subtitles):

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.

I AGREE

TEASER (via YouTube /w english subtitles):

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.

I AGREE

​

Some random frame grabs from the final cut of SeOR (downsized from the original HD source):

1) Zagreb, Croatia's capital; This is where our story takes place

2) Ivica Gunjaca and Dinka Vukovic looking at an ultrasound image

3) An example of the results of careful lighting on (very) limited resources

4) Screenplay called for a nighttime scene (as I was the writer, I'm the one to blame for that)... oh, and one of the directors wanted some light rain (that would also be me); suffice to say, the D.P. was absolutely thrilled

5) Just a random shot I particularly like

6) I like the fact how it's immediately apparent that this was shot on a beautiful autumn day; We went for deeper focus here just to capture the splendid yellowish texture and all the leaves-falling-during-the-shoot awesomeness

7) Doris Teur with Ivica; One of my favorite shots in SeOR

8) Nice shot of Doris writing the diary; Again, much attention was given to lighting

9) Doris watching the TV which is the source of bluish, cool light - the lamp on her left is yellowish, warm light source; I like the contrast

10) Shot of a TV... no, make that the TV... no, that ain't right - all transistor television a.k.a. everybody's favorite prop, the thingy is adorable (in a working condition, if I may add)
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[Ratko]

To complete this thread, here's a selection of behind the scenes photos from our second day of shooting (taken by a talented photographer, Marta Klaric).

BEHIND THE SCENES:

1) Boom mic in position

2) Ivica in character

3) Doris and Ivica rehearsing a scene

4) Co-director and make-up artist in reflection; D.P. on the right

5) Co-director (me ) carefully observing the shoot

6) D.P. conversing with directors; boom operator on the right (in the foreground)

7) Co-director... well... co-directing; the most rewarding part of the process, working with actors

8) ***WARNING: lame Kubrick reference is following*** D.P. and co-director workin' in harmony... or how I stopped worrying and learned to trust the D.P.

9) Our boom operator ready to go postal... and our make-up artist using her newly found (forced) talents of bouncing the sunlight

10) Wonderful photo of our lead actress

11) ...and one of our lead actor

12) A BTS shot from the interior scene to complete the selection

13) Tired... but still ticking
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So, that's it. I hope you enjoyed SeOR... and/or this thread (even if you haven't seen the short).

 

[Zblock]

Thanks for your hard work. I'll check this out tonight.

 

[Ratko]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to your comments.

Enjoy.

 

[Ratko]

UPDATE:

2nd post: trailer, teaser + some random screen grabs from the final cut of SeOR
3rd post: behind the scenes photos from out 2nd day of shooting
...and a reminder: you may watch the entire short here

This thread is now - more or less - complete. Some comments would be great and all, but I won't complain

Enjoy.