"That's When I Knew I Was Going to Die..." - a Short film by HHL

Stuff I learned:

1. Sound PROBLEM: "Hey I lost my sound somehow!!!" ....guess how... The trial version of CS5 does not include sound for AC3 files (AVCHD)....DUH!!! Took me a minute to sort that out (I also shoot with Canon cameras, and they don't require AC3 ...from memory here guys....anyway...)

2. Adding grain: I ran a whole bunch of tests to get my footy to have that grainy look and still make it through the YouTube compression. Looks cool...pain in the rear to find the right balance, but hey....it is something to know anyway.
 
3. Color correction: Dang! I learned sooooo much about color correction. I'm not saying I'm any good at it, but I am 100 times better at it now than I was 3 weeks ago!!

4. Limits/strengths of my camera: I knew that the HX9 was a very special camera. I never dreamed it was as good as the images that I got from it. Everything I shot was "run and gun" and I never had a chance to really set up the shot. No lighting was used on a single shoot. I honestly thought that it was going to look AWFUL. Color me impressed (pun intended). lol. This thing excels in two areas that are VERY difficult on any camera. 1. Proper exposure (-2 all day...good to go) 2. Focus (because the sensor is so small, and the auto focus is solid)....great in both areas. Run and gun is fine on this cam....as long as you know its limits and what you plan on doing in post. I have a MUCH BETTER grasp on that after shooting this film. (render complete...gotta go)
 
5. Actors: I got the chance to shoot with two great actors (Marj Anderson, Jason Bowers). Although you won't see much of them in this project, you'll see more of them in the future. They have both agreed to shoot on my next project (during this winter...brrrrr..) So cool that they enjoyed this one...and are ready for another! (How do you beat that?)
 
Elton said:
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you are well on your way to completion.
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True. :)
Sadly....it's true, but only for one reason: I cut my loses and just edited a version that completely SLAUGHTERED the story and likely any ability to understand what is going on. Simply put, it's horrible (as far as a short film is concerned)....BUT....it IS DONE. You've got to start somewhere....and as embarrassing as it is, at least it's done. There it is. I entered a DVXFest! Yay! Next time, I'll be better prepared to submit something that I'm "proud of".... The bummer deal is that the story has potential. NOT "scary"....but great for kids and a story that keeps you "on your toes"...anywho. Thanks Elton!
 
These are highly compressed, but they give an idea of some of the shots taken using the HX9. Enjoy!

(Indeed, it looks like I'm going to have to export some full quality screen caps so you can appreciate the quality...sorry...got to go for now....I'll fix it later)

14.jpg1.jpg2.jpg4.jpg5.jpg6.jpg7.jpg9.jpg10.jpg12.jpg13.jpg
 
Matt Harris said:
looks great, nice framing and compositions.
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Thanks so much Matt! I appreciate your support. I am only sorry that I ran out of time to do something more "Epic" with your amazing music. I really enjoy your stuff! I'm also sorry that I didn't get to fix some things that you noticed that needed to be fixed. :( My titles were never addressed, ...and they don't look good. My editing could have been MUCH tighter and with that, including the other scenes would have been ideal. What to do? There are only 24 hrs in a day.....next time, I'll start sooner, and get your input sooner! :)

Thanks again for your support!
 
Matt Harris said:
all good man, as long as you are still entering, i'm excited to see your movie.
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Yep! The sound design guy has had the "final"...(non-final really) version since Sunday...so he is coming right along. DANG!! I love the story here....and it's NOT going to end up being told. Another thing that BURNS me up....is that the "look" that you saw in that first "test" shoot will not be in the final either. I was NOT able to shoot at the proper time of day, so....that nice "haunting" look isn't there. RRrrrrrr....I agree with you though. I'm glad that I entered, and I am already making plans to shoot another short film....(and I'm NOT waiting for the next DVXfest.....I'll shoot that one too, but I'm going to shoot another one while I wait for that one too...

ps...where do the peeps go to hear more of your amazing music? Cheers Buddy!
 
Hey you made it in despite the challenges, so good on you. You still shipped and that's awesome. It's all a learning experience and its good that you're still passionate about it to want to keep doing it. Looking forward to seeing what your final product looks like.
 
SPOILER REVIEW: Don't read further if you haven't seen the short

I need to preface this by saying that I don't think I fully understand the short. With that, my review might be a little biased on that side.

The good: The sound throughout was good (though I raised my volume just as that girl screamed). I like the studying in the library as well, though I think it could have been cut down just a little. The lighting on the characters was good as well.

The not as good: I ... didn't get it. Sorry man. I feel like there was a large part missing. The little girl seemed to be standing in the same spot the dad hit something with a baseball bat.

I feel like I can't really give a full review without knowing more, so I will leave this one at that.
 
Alright so I too did not really understand the story but despite that there are still some things I liked and disliked that I think can be shared.

What I liked - Some of your shots I really enjoyed. The shot of the girl opening the library door from above, though I didn't know what was happening really this shot just felt creepy. I also liked some framing on other shots. The audio was pretty good throughout as well.

What I didn't like as much - Some of your "action" cuts didn't work. The car pulling up then a quick cut to later but nothing has really changed except you can see the mans feet on the other side....I would just take that second shot out entirely and go straight from car pulling up to man getting out. Same thing with the cut when the girl is walking up the library stairs, not enough time has passed so the effect doesnt work as well. The conversation between man and girl, at first the man is on the right then the girl is also on the right, then the man is on the left. Keep your characters on opposite sides of the frame so it feels like they are having a conversation. And of course don't switch what side they are on in the middle, that is crossing the 180 degree line, which takes the viewer out of the story. Lastly, I think the dissolve from the library door to the inside was too long.

Most of my complaints are small technical, it still looked nice and audio was good as well, which is of course a major part. Overall, congrats for putting something together, though I do wish the story was more clear
 
Hawk Teflon said:
SPOILER REVIEW: Don't read further if you haven't seen the short

I need to preface this by saying that I don't think I fully understand the short. With that, my review might be a little biased on that side.

The good: The sound throughout was good (though I raised my volume just as that girl screamed). I like the studying in the library as well, though I think it could have been cut down just a little. The lighting on the characters was good as well.

The not as good: I ... didn't get it. Sorry man. I feel like there was a large part missing. The little girl seemed to be standing in the same spot the dad hit something with a baseball bat.

I feel like I can't really give a full review without knowing more, so I will leave this one at that.
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thetvirus513 said:
Alright so I too did not really understand the story but despite that there are still some things I liked and disliked that I think can be shared.

What I liked - Some of your shots I really enjoyed. The shot of the girl opening the library door from above, though I didn't know what was happening really this shot just felt creepy. I also liked some framing on other shots. The audio was pretty good throughout as well.

What I didn't like as much - Some of your "action" cuts didn't work. The car pulling up then a quick cut to later but nothing has really changed except you can see the mans feet on the other side....I would just take that second shot out entirely and go straight from car pulling up to man getting out. Same thing with the cut when the girl is walking up the library stairs, not enough time has passed so the effect doesnt work as well. The conversation between man and girl, at first the man is on the right then the girl is also on the right, then the man is on the left. Keep your characters on opposite sides of the frame so it feels like they are having a conversation. And of course don't switch what side they are on in the middle, that is crossing the 180 degree line, which takes the viewer out of the story. Lastly, I think the dissolve from the library door to the inside was too long.

Most of my complaints are small technical, it still looked nice and audio was good as well, which is of course a major part. Overall, congrats for putting something together, though I do wish the story was more clear
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I appreciate you guys taking time to give feedback. For taking time to watch the film. Man do I love this place! DVXUser ROCKS!!!!

You are both COMPLETELY correct. The fact of the matter is that I started WAAaaaaayyyyy to late, and so when I finished shooting (still actually have 2 scenes left...very short though)...my film was already 10 min long. :( I KNEW that I wasn't going to be able to finish post production on it...and the sound guy needed the files, so even if I pulled an all nighter (or two or three)...I wasn't going to finish. So on Sunday afternoon, I had to make the call. Enter....(a severly CHOPPED down incoherent story)....or don't enter at all. I decided for the prior. I felt like the experience of entering would be good and would further condition me for future fests here on DVXUser. Boy oh boy am I glad that I did! I learned so much while shooting/post/sound etc.....BUT.....I learned even more about the process and the timing of what to expect when you submit for the Fest.

I'll write another post to explain where this story was heading, OR...maybe I'll complete the full version and post it later. Bottom line, you have both pointed out GREAT thing about the short comings of this incomplete submission. I'm glad I did it....I'm sorry I wasn't able to complete the whole project properly. THANK YOU BOTH....for taking time to give feedback!!! Cheers!
 
Rodney V. Smith said:
Oh come on guys, you're killing me here: no poster?
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I'm so sorry Rodney. :(
I didn't get time...and it wasn't required...so I did all that I could. Maybe I'll do one (just for experience) this week. I know it won't help in the way that you are working on our pub stuff....sorry man. Thanks for all you are doing for us Rodney! Cheers!
 
Rodney V. Smith said:
Hey you made it in despite the challenges, so good on you. You still shipped and that's awesome. It's all a learning experience and its good that you're still passionate about it to want to keep doing it. Looking forward to seeing what your final product looks like.
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Thanks Rodney! Thank you for taking time to check out my stuff. I appreciate your comments greatly!
 
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