"Stopgap" - An IENCE Production

The selective focus lens you're seeing is called a Lensbaby 3G. They make a PL mount version as well.. but we just used a Nikon mounted version. It does a similar thing as a tilt-shift focus lens would but is a lot more cost effective for our purposes. We used it with a 5+ and 10+ macro adapter to get some unique shots. There's only one shot of it in the final cut, but it's definitely a cool little tool to use for specialty shots.

You'll see more of this in some of my future pieces I'm working on right now.
 
Yes. It's not meant to film an entire short, it's more for specialty shots in regards to video. It also works great for very unique photographs.

UPDATE: We're working on compressing our files down right now and optimizing the overall quality for 50 MB.
 
Robbie Comeau said:
Wow, not that expensive.

So If I got the Letus, I can just attach this on with the required mount.

Robbie
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You could. I like my lensbaby for photography (I have one we didn't use on the shoot), but I wouldn't recommend it really for video. It's nice, but the uses are ridiculously limited. In our short, it's pretty much functioning as a macro lens but with less attractive bokeh. We didn't have a nice macro so we tried the lensbaby. If you envisioned a use for it I'd get one, but if you're looking for lenses to have for video, I'd start with cheaper primes (like a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4) first. Like Joseph said, it's like a tilt-shift lens, but instead of altering the focal plane, it converts it literally to a focal point. So, you end up with 1 point in focus that you can move around. It's very cool but very constricting as well.

JC (the director of Stopgap)
 
Oh Compression! It's such an art! I set a personal goal of getting the final file size as close to 50MB as possible. About to upload.
 
UPDATE: Jarrard and I have both seen the final compression of the file for submission and approved it. Uploading as I type this. Then going to bed.
 
Robbie that looks like a tilt or swing lens. They change the focal plane. Very interesting effect.

edit: never mind. I posted too soon. There was another page.
 
Before the viewing gets going, I wanted to recognize our incredible composer, Eric Boren, a fellow Tar Heel, who composed and performed Stopgap's score. It's just what I was hoping for, and I hope you all enjoy it. Joseph, can we add him to the crew list/credits up top?

To all the participating filmmakers, I cannot wait to see your movies (I'll do my best to get through all of them with my college schedule), and I'll try to provide as much feedback as possible. I welcome any and all feedback, criticism, praise, love, and hate regarding Stopgap. I've already learned so much from making this film, and the biggest reward for me will be receiving the valued opinions of fellow forum members on our work.

Thanks,

JC
 
Looking forward to seeing how you use that swing tilt lens. I've thought about using one, but didn't know if it'd be too much to deal with for video, except for very particular shots - which sounds like the way you used it. Anyway looking forward to see what creative uses you put it to. Then maybe I will get one :)
 
Zim said:
Not bad. I didn't see that ending coming. I think you did a good job.
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Thanks for the comments. A fun fact about Stopgap is that we wrote, filmed, and ingested all of the footage in a matter of a week in early August. This was in part because half of our crew and cast were heading off to college the following week! I'm glad you liked it. Keep the comments coming!
 
I think this is an very good film. The young actors, and especially your lead, did a great job.

The chase scene was done nicely. That last black screen maybe went on too long, but the rest had a nice, frantic pace.

The one scene i think didn't really do anything to move the film was the big house. Nothing was really accomplished there. I would have rather that time be spent on the horse - especially since it's white and carries some nice metaphor with it - and really add some nice movement to this. The lighting in the house was troubled as well, with washouts and black holes. If this is headed for other fests, I'd chop that whole scene and keep this in the pasture, the horse, the red barn - all delicious eye candy.

Casting was nice. Mom and Daughter had a very similar appearance - maybe they really are related? Didn't see actor credits (tsk tsk).


One odd thing was that the head shot was a reverse of where we last saw them before the 'dream sequence', but I sure liked it as a payoff to the story.

A good film. Lot to be proud of. f you do a final edit, give your cast credits.

I'm reluctant to watch 'teen' films as they almost always rely on lots of guns, lots of action, and little story. This one was a refreshing take on gun/action, and had plenty of story.

Really enjoyed it.
 
alex whitmer said:
I think this is an very good film. The young actors, and especially your lead, did a great job.

The chase scene was done nicely. That last black screen maybe went on too long, but the rest had a nice, frantic pace.

The one scene i think didn't really do anything to move the film was the big house. Nothing was really accomplished there. I would have rather that time be spent on the horse - especially since it's white and carries some nice metaphor with it - and really add some nice movement to this. The lighting in the house was troubled as well, with washouts and black holes. If this is headed for other fests, I'd chop that whole scene and keep this in the pasture, the horse, the red barn - all delicious eye candy.

Casting was nice. Mom and Daughter had a very similar appearance - maybe they really are related? Didn't see actor credits (tsk tsk).


One odd thing was that the head shot was a reverse of where we last saw them before the 'dream sequence', but I sure liked it as a payoff to the story.

A good film. Lot to be proud of. f you do a final edit, give your cast credits.

I'm reluctant to watch 'teen' films as they almost always rely on lots of guns, lots of action, and little story. This one was a refreshing take on gun/action, and had plenty of story.

Really enjoyed it.
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Hey Alex,
Thanks so much for the AWESOME feedback. I really appreciate it, and thanks for watching the movie.

Our actors were completely awesome. Unfortunately due to running up against the time deadline I couldn't come up with a way to fit in actors credits that didn't interrupt the flow near the beginning, and I lacked time at the end for full credits. However, we will be posting the "Official" credits in this thread at the beginning soon, and all subsequent cuts of the movie that don't require the six minute deadline will include full credits for our awesome actors. You can see the actors names and pictures from the set at the beginning of this thread. Mom and daughter were not related actually, but we got lucky with a nice looking "family."

I agree on the last black slug- I was trying to separate the running from the conversation to follow, but more black does not successfully accomplish this.

Interesting suggestion about the house. It's not my favorite either, and due to time we had to remove some elements from that scene that leave it less-than-complete. I just might see what a cut without it looks like if this movie goes anywhere else. And lighting was definitely weak (/nonexistent).

Thanks again!

JC
 
Hopefully there is some spare footage of the horse scene (?). Maybe if you keep some of the house scene, get right to the phone - he's in a panic.

Also, no clue as to where the house occupants might be, but the shot of the dog was kinda fun.

Think metaphor - the kids about to die. Red barn, white horse, lonliness, last chance to say goodbyes - all cool stuff.

You handled the end brilliantly.

Anyways, I think there is plenty here with a touch-up or two to run it through some fests.

It's one of my faves so far.

aw
 
I'm with Jarrard on the house scene. We didn't light it at all! Or use gels. Or use anything for that matter!

The horse, well the horse was certainly majestic. Riding it bare back was quite a challenge for Billy who had no prior horse-riding experience! I'll be sure that JC or I post some BTS pictures of this really soon. It was quite funny to watch!

The cuts to black were added later in the editing process. The transitions were difficult indeed to accomplish.

Mom and daughter were not related... but Amy (the actress who played Peyton's sister) was a joy to work with. She's quite an accomplished actress and definitely knew her stuff. Plus she knew a little bit about filmmaking at the same time!
 
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