Spare Parts...
- Thread starter P!body
- Start date
Karl151k
Well-known member
It was funny. When the robot and the guy are in the car driving through the woods, is it supposed to be like taking a dog to the woods to set him free? Thats the tone I got from it. The fast-motion thing with the robot wasn't really effective. It reminded me of an effect in the remake of House on Haunted Hill. Overall fun though.
MojoTrancer
Well-known member
Funny short, Dude. I was laughing out loud. . I liked the glitch shots where the robot was spazzing out. Good stuff
Jimmy John Worley
Member
I liked the part when the robot was in the shower. Funny sight gag.
EditPhish
Well-known member
P!body,
Okay, it DOES look like you had a lot of fun making it! The story was funny, had me laughing at parts. The ending was a little wacky, and did seem a bit abrupt though... like you ran out of time.
The acting was good... was funny... and I gather it was your intention to have it be a bit cheesie. She was a convincing b!tch, and the robot was good... good choice in who you picked to play him.
The lighting and cinematography didn't stand out as bad to me, or as great to me... kinda in the middle... a little boring at times. I felt like you were hand-holding the camera too much and shots could have been improved with a tripod.
The sound could use a little work... it wasn't real bad, but it was very echoey at times... get your mic as close to the actors as you can to avoid that, and check your levels. Believe me, sound is an area we are always working on too, so I know it's not easy.
Music was cute, but there wasn't a lot of it... it could have added to the story to have more music.
It did make me laugh, and I enjoyed most of the story. I loved the shower scene, loved that he tried hitting on the wife and then the washing machine. I loved seeing him pace back and forth in the kitchen in the background while the wife and husband talked. Was a cute idea!
Thanks for sharing your movie with us, was an entertaining watch, and not everyone accomplished that!
Okay, it DOES look like you had a lot of fun making it! The story was funny, had me laughing at parts. The ending was a little wacky, and did seem a bit abrupt though... like you ran out of time.
The acting was good... was funny... and I gather it was your intention to have it be a bit cheesie. She was a convincing b!tch, and the robot was good... good choice in who you picked to play him.
The lighting and cinematography didn't stand out as bad to me, or as great to me... kinda in the middle... a little boring at times. I felt like you were hand-holding the camera too much and shots could have been improved with a tripod.
The sound could use a little work... it wasn't real bad, but it was very echoey at times... get your mic as close to the actors as you can to avoid that, and check your levels. Believe me, sound is an area we are always working on too, so I know it's not easy.
Music was cute, but there wasn't a lot of it... it could have added to the story to have more music.
It did make me laugh, and I enjoyed most of the story. I loved the shower scene, loved that he tried hitting on the wife and then the washing machine. I loved seeing him pace back and forth in the kitchen in the background while the wife and husband talked. Was a cute idea!
Thanks for sharing your movie with us, was an entertaining watch, and not everyone accomplished that!
P!body
Well-known member
I was wondering how many people thought the ending was abrupt. I have a
longer original cut of the movie - but when I was cutting down to 6 min.,
everything else was so tight as it seemed I had to start by cutting entire scenes.
I thought it left things open ended and worked for keeping it under 6 min, but
after I uploaded it I felt it really lacked something- mainly the ending.
I have another cut, which is essentially the 6 min. edit plus an intro and a
minute long phone conversation ending. It’s better cut in my opinion than
the sci-fi fest version. I’ll try and post it after the judging is over.
The lighting and cinematography was very minimal and relied heavily on a
shooting style that I think attempts to blend “Curb Your Enthusiasm” or
“Arrested Development” and “Battlestar Galactica”. I don’t think it really
worked in the end, but it is what we ran with. I like to think that all the
“camera shake” gives the film more energy- ha. But I don’t know if that is
the case either.
Its funny you mention the sound. For the duration of the shoot, the actor playing
the robot, Reece Roark, was booming. He got about a 30 second crash course,
before we started shooting. But I hear you. I just gave up trying to fix it about
half way through.
Thanks for your comments about the short. I’m certainly glad you found it
entertaining.
-P!body
longer original cut of the movie - but when I was cutting down to 6 min.,
everything else was so tight as it seemed I had to start by cutting entire scenes.
I thought it left things open ended and worked for keeping it under 6 min, but
after I uploaded it I felt it really lacked something- mainly the ending.
I have another cut, which is essentially the 6 min. edit plus an intro and a
minute long phone conversation ending. It’s better cut in my opinion than
the sci-fi fest version. I’ll try and post it after the judging is over.
The lighting and cinematography was very minimal and relied heavily on a
shooting style that I think attempts to blend “Curb Your Enthusiasm” or
“Arrested Development” and “Battlestar Galactica”. I don’t think it really
worked in the end, but it is what we ran with. I like to think that all the
“camera shake” gives the film more energy- ha. But I don’t know if that is
the case either.
Its funny you mention the sound. For the duration of the shoot, the actor playing
the robot, Reece Roark, was booming. He got about a 30 second crash course,
before we started shooting. But I hear you. I just gave up trying to fix it about
half way through.
Thanks for your comments about the short. I’m certainly glad you found it
entertaining.
-P!body
Norm Sanders
Script Wrangler
Wow, I laughed out loud with this one. Some of the editing/timing in here was perfect, but yeah, the ending just ... ended. Didn't make sense to me. Also think the Robot should have felt more like a robot, but was too "hey man, let's hang & talk" in the car near the end.
I about died laughing when she said "Well then say good bye to these-" and we SMASH cut to him driving the robot down the road to get rid of him. Genius! And she did an outstanding job in SOME of the delivery, specifically that, but she did VERY well in the beginning as well (turning the page with a snap, saying "Yeah, you're done" for him, etc.).
The shaky hand held camera thing at first kind of bugged me, as I wasn't convinced this would call for it, but I quickly forgot about it, which must mean it worked.
Overall, there was nothing impressive or horrible about the sound, camera, lighting, etc ... but the premise was great, and there were some PERFECT comedy moments in there.
I'm laughing to myself now, as I think about the horn-dog bot saying "Do you mind?" as he reaches for her breast ... then later basically wanting to hump anything as he's also hitting on a wash machine.
I about died laughing when she said "Well then say good bye to these-" and we SMASH cut to him driving the robot down the road to get rid of him. Genius! And she did an outstanding job in SOME of the delivery, specifically that, but she did VERY well in the beginning as well (turning the page with a snap, saying "Yeah, you're done" for him, etc.).
The shaky hand held camera thing at first kind of bugged me, as I wasn't convinced this would call for it, but I quickly forgot about it, which must mean it worked.
Overall, there was nothing impressive or horrible about the sound, camera, lighting, etc ... but the premise was great, and there were some PERFECT comedy moments in there.
I'm laughing to myself now, as I think about the horn-dog bot saying "Do you mind?" as he reaches for her breast ... then later basically wanting to hump anything as he's also hitting on a wash machine.
P!body
Well-known member
More robotic you think? I thought about running his voice through a filter on the robot lines in order to hollow them out a bit (presumably more robot sounding), but ran out of time for that. I wonder if that would have helped. But in the car specifically I was hoping the robot seemed mostly human- I was going for the car conversation being Danny’s dream or in his head. The robot at this point is supposed to be like his real life Pinocchio-esque friend. So I guess that worked, but maybe not to the desired effect.
Thanks Envision for sharing your thoughts. I’m glad you had fun with it too.
But on that note of the car scene, I was wondering how it was viewed. I tried to make it seem like a slight “dream sequence” by using the saturated colors in addition to a very light hint on the audio track of me saying, “sleepy, sleep,” [Which in retrospect probably wasn’t the greatest idea]. I guess it was some vague sub liminal attempt to push that this scene is a dream.
Did any of that come across?
Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks.
-P!body
Thanks Envision for sharing your thoughts. I’m glad you had fun with it too.
But on that note of the car scene, I was wondering how it was viewed. I tried to make it seem like a slight “dream sequence” by using the saturated colors in addition to a very light hint on the audio track of me saying, “sleepy, sleep,” [Which in retrospect probably wasn’t the greatest idea]. I guess it was some vague sub liminal attempt to push that this scene is a dream.
Did any of that come across?
Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks.
-P!body
Blaine
Mr. Hollywood
I thought you had an interesting concept. Not sure about the title "Spare Parts" though.
The best thing in this was your lead actor. He had really good timing and delivery.
"Bananas" hilarious
I wasn't wild about the look color-wise. That could have used some work.
The Robot was funny, too. I think I'd like to see the longer version.
The best thing in this was your lead actor. He had really good timing and delivery.
"Bananas" hilarious
I wasn't wild about the look color-wise. That could have used some work.
The Robot was funny, too. I think I'd like to see the longer version.
P!body
Well-known member
I need to look into the color correction, at least double-checking everything against each other. I tried something different I color corrected first after I captured. At this point, I was always color correcting last and not saving enough time for it. So for one night I captured, ran it through compressor, and color corrected. I guess it worked in that I had more than enough time to color correct, but I think maybe I got to anal trying to establish a different look for each scene in the house and different looks of the exterior shots as well.
I’m also glad you liked the lead, Joel Sharpton. Envision had mentioned that the female, Andrea Newby did a great job too, and of course the robot played to bald perfection [maybe that’s too kind] by Reece Roark. I was really glad to get these actors for my short. They all have a large theatre background here at the university, but I think we were able to get them acclimated to film[video] easy enough. A few of the lines may have been delivered more theatrical than I would have liked, but it works because it is a comedy. I can’t wait to work with another talented cast again. I think that really helped in every body having a good time making this film.
Any other comments? Please don't be shy.
I’m also glad you liked the lead, Joel Sharpton. Envision had mentioned that the female, Andrea Newby did a great job too, and of course the robot played to bald perfection [maybe that’s too kind] by Reece Roark. I was really glad to get these actors for my short. They all have a large theatre background here at the university, but I think we were able to get them acclimated to film[video] easy enough. A few of the lines may have been delivered more theatrical than I would have liked, but it works because it is a comedy. I can’t wait to work with another talented cast again. I think that really helped in every body having a good time making this film.
Any other comments? Please don't be shy.
Captain KickAss
Carbonite Member
I really liked this one, up until the last minute or so. The ending was definitely too abrupt for my tastes. There was no resolution or even hint at a resoultion. Now I do have a fairly well developed imagination, and in my mind, I have managed to fabricate a few different endings for the film. I won't share them all with you, but I will say that my personal favorite imaginary ending involves the husband and the robot (in a wig and floral sun dress) lounging on a beach in Mexico sipping margaritas.
Otherwise though, I really liked the combination of subtlety and absurdity that you brought to this film. I thought the acting was solid, and the script was pretty darn good too. Occasionally things looked a bit soft, and the pacing was a bit slow in spots, but in terms of story and performance, very enjoyable.
Otherwise though, I really liked the combination of subtlety and absurdity that you brought to this film. I thought the acting was solid, and the script was pretty darn good too. Occasionally things looked a bit soft, and the pacing was a bit slow in spots, but in terms of story and performance, very enjoyable.
P!body
Well-known member
That non-ending was probably the biggest flaw of the 6 min. edit. The imagery of Danny and the robot on the beach, sipping margaritas, is one that had crossed my mind.
[except it was without a wig or floral dress for the robot, and it took place at a swimming pool at a cheap motel] But I like how your mind works. Twisted.
I've probably got a dozen or so different endings I thought up for it, but I ended up [for time ad ease] shooting a version envolving Danny talking to an answering machine. It works well in the longer edit.
Thanks for letting me know what you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts on different endings. There are just so many options for different off-beat conclusions. Thanks again.
[except it was without a wig or floral dress for the robot, and it took place at a swimming pool at a cheap motel] But I like how your mind works. Twisted.
I've probably got a dozen or so different endings I thought up for it, but I ended up [for time ad ease] shooting a version envolving Danny talking to an answering machine. It works well in the longer edit.
Thanks for letting me know what you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts on different endings. There are just so many options for different off-beat conclusions. Thanks again.
Captain KickAss
Carbonite Member
How about a shot from behind of the robot walking down the road into the sunset. Slowly you could zoom out to reveal him holding hands with the washing machine.
Or better yet, you could end with a wedding between the robot and a washing machine.
Or even still, the robot lying in bed, smoking a cigarette, turning over and asking the washing machine..."was it good for you,"
OOH! Or even more twisted, the same scene, but starting with the washing machine in bed, cigarette hanging from its lid, the panning or zooming out to reveal the wife, hair messed up, cigarette in hand. She would turn to the washer and say "Wow. That was some spin cycle."
Or something to that effect.
Man...what is my obsession with inaminate objects having sex?
Or better yet, you could end with a wedding between the robot and a washing machine.
Or even still, the robot lying in bed, smoking a cigarette, turning over and asking the washing machine..."was it good for you,"
OOH! Or even more twisted, the same scene, but starting with the washing machine in bed, cigarette hanging from its lid, the panning or zooming out to reveal the wife, hair messed up, cigarette in hand. She would turn to the washer and say "Wow. That was some spin cycle."
Or something to that effect.
Man...what is my obsession with inaminate objects having sex?
P!body
Well-known member
It's the wedding between the robot and the washing machine. Matilda and Danny are there and after a shot of the happy couple, Matilda makes the comment, "I can't believe she wore white to the wedding."
I still really like Danny and the robot on the beach drinking Margaritas. You know, on the run from Johnny Law, somewhere deep in Mexico/ on the beach in a place where two individuals like themselves can be and coexist peacefully with the inhabitants. No one raises an eyebrow of suspicion to the man and his robot. They are so understanding down there.
Anyway, I don't know why you have such a strange fascination, but it seems that inanimate objects have the same sex drive as humans, maybe even more so. Funny stuff.
Thanks again for your comments.
I still really like Danny and the robot on the beach drinking Margaritas. You know, on the run from Johnny Law, somewhere deep in Mexico/ on the beach in a place where two individuals like themselves can be and coexist peacefully with the inhabitants. No one raises an eyebrow of suspicion to the man and his robot. They are so understanding down there.
Anyway, I don't know why you have such a strange fascination, but it seems that inanimate objects have the same sex drive as humans, maybe even more so. Funny stuff.
Thanks again for your comments.