The Common Man
- Thread starter Gohanto
- Start date
kurtmo
Eats with 2 Fists
This was a fun movie. I liked the echoes back from no-talkies. I thought the old film effects and the skippy frame rates were nice. Fun running scenes. I like to see people run in films. I thought you did well telling a story without talking. I thought the first person finger wiggle by the clothing story guy was fun.
Overall, very nice job!
Overall, very nice job!
Robert Eldon
Well-known member
The Common Man
I like the concept of the black and white silent film. The costumes and some of the settings just didn’t have the B/W silent film vibe? Good story telling though, with no dialog.
My favorite shot is when he is running after the garbage truck. Well done. I also like the long alley shot.
I thought the music helped with the idea with the emphasis on the action and mood.
I like the concept of the black and white silent film. The costumes and some of the settings just didn’t have the B/W silent film vibe? Good story telling though, with no dialog.
My favorite shot is when he is running after the garbage truck. Well done. I also like the long alley shot.
I thought the music helped with the idea with the emphasis on the action and mood.
Gohanto
Veteran
Thanks for checking it out. Can I ask what was it about the costumes or settings that didn't have a silent film vibe for you? The goal of this wasn't period, but is that what your referring to since most silent films came from the 20s?
Robert Eldon
Well-known member
Yes, because it was black and white and silent, I was predisposed to it being more period and because of the title 'The Common Man', I was even thinking Chaplin or Keaton. Some of the shots even presented that way, the street with the lamps, the alley ways, etc. But then, I remember one shot, when the homeless guy? had on these nice white sneakers, and of course a number of contemporary day scenes.
So it was my expectation and not necessarily what your intentions were.
Ted Arabian
Member with Ladder
Wow, Gohanto! WELL DONE!!!!
You told a complete story with no dialogue! I am so impressed. And actually, I don't think that you even needed that card that stated "a short time later."
I loved your direction and camera work. My favorite was that curved dolly when he discovered his pants were missing. Really nice.
You film has a wonderful message and all with not a single bit of dialogue. I am truly amazed.
My biggest criticism would be the make-up. As a homeless man, I would expect more than dirt smeared on his face. He just didn't have the "life on the streets" look to him. But I really don't care. The story was more rewarding and definitely worth the watch!
Music was perfect for this. Loved the B&W as well.
Oh! I loved the sound of the garbage truck throughout the realization period. That was great! Very effective.
Congrats to you and your crew!!!
Best,
Ted
You told a complete story with no dialogue! I am so impressed. And actually, I don't think that you even needed that card that stated "a short time later."
I loved your direction and camera work. My favorite was that curved dolly when he discovered his pants were missing. Really nice.
You film has a wonderful message and all with not a single bit of dialogue. I am truly amazed.
My biggest criticism would be the make-up. As a homeless man, I would expect more than dirt smeared on his face. He just didn't have the "life on the streets" look to him. But I really don't care. The story was more rewarding and definitely worth the watch!
Music was perfect for this. Loved the B&W as well.
Oh! I loved the sound of the garbage truck throughout the realization period. That was great! Very effective.
Congrats to you and your crew!!!
Best,
Ted
I had a pair of pants in my life that were like the ones in the film, except this pair sucked money in and they were worn by a girl named Julie.
good job going for a silent film. Telling a story using just pictures is not easy, but it's the essence of filmmaking. My one criticism is that the lead seemed a little miscast for the role, I don't know if anyone would think he was a homeless guy. i know with no budget films it is hard to cast. He did a pretty good job though showing the emotion in his face in a Chaplin esq way. Congrats on getting a film in the fest and I look forward to seeing more from you.
good job going for a silent film. Telling a story using just pictures is not easy, but it's the essence of filmmaking. My one criticism is that the lead seemed a little miscast for the role, I don't know if anyone would think he was a homeless guy. i know with no budget films it is hard to cast. He did a pretty good job though showing the emotion in his face in a Chaplin esq way. Congrats on getting a film in the fest and I look forward to seeing more from you.
mentatDUKE
Veteran
This was a funny one. Pretty brave of you not to use any dialog. A fun comedy. Liked the ending.
Gohanto
Veteran
Thanks for the watching it. Originally i didn't have the "a short time later" title card, however what I realized when showing it to people is because the following shot is a crane down on him waking up, most people assume that it was all a dream. That section was the only part without any storyboarding (just wandered around the city looking for shots) so it suffers a bit from mis-communicating what happened.
I'm a bit surprised you thought we should've had more make-up. Most of the comments I got from others were that we had used too much (which was my goal since I wanted this over-the-top). Interesting to hear that.
The idea of the garbage truck throughout the scene was one of my favorites in making this so thanks for mentioning it. I originally thought about doing a color-pass for certain colors but thought it's a little cliche at this point, so I tried doing the acoustic equivalent of only hearing important sounds and I liked it.
Thanks for watching.
Ted Arabian
Member with Ladder
It was my pleasure to watch it. I applaud your effort at making a silent film... something that I've yet to even think about!
As for the make-up comment, I just felt that it wasn't realistic. That there should have been more variety of tones to his make-up instead of the basic smear that you have going on.
The title card bit certainly didn't bother me. I was just so impressed that so much was told without ANY cards. It would have been neat to continue that.
And I am glad that you didn't colorize any part of the film. I think that you would have diminished your film. It looked great as is.
Looking forward to more of your work!
-Ted
As for the make-up comment, I just felt that it wasn't realistic. That there should have been more variety of tones to his make-up instead of the basic smear that you have going on.
The title card bit certainly didn't bother me. I was just so impressed that so much was told without ANY cards. It would have been neat to continue that.
And I am glad that you didn't colorize any part of the film. I think that you would have diminished your film. It looked great as is.
Looking forward to more of your work!
-Ted
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Nicely done - I've tried making a silent film in the past, and failed miserably...
It's not an easy task - but you kept this one energetic and dynamic while keeping that 'old time' feel.
I would have liked to see it get to the pants a little quicker at the start - once they made their appearance you had me hooked. But up to that point I was kind of wavering and feeling like "okay, let's see where this goes."
But from that point on I really enjoyed it.
Nice camera work - nice transitions with the iris closing.
I would have really liked to have seen a wide shot in the transition from him being poor to him being rich - the first shot you cut to (low angle on him getting out of the car) was a bit too obscured for me, and you held on it for a while. I think it would have had some great impace to cut to a really wide shot with the full car in frame...but that may just be me.
Also, you did such a good job of communicating everything in this story with no music and/or titles that I have to say I was a little dissapointed to see the 'money isn't everything' sign. It seemed rather arbitrary and convenience, given the level that the rest of the film is at. I didn't mind teh 'short time later' title card - but the sign that he sees felt too forced for me. But again, it's only because the rest of the piece moved so smoothly.
Nice work overall.
I really enjoyed it.
It's not an easy task - but you kept this one energetic and dynamic while keeping that 'old time' feel.
I would have liked to see it get to the pants a little quicker at the start - once they made their appearance you had me hooked. But up to that point I was kind of wavering and feeling like "okay, let's see where this goes."
But from that point on I really enjoyed it.
Nice camera work - nice transitions with the iris closing.
I would have really liked to have seen a wide shot in the transition from him being poor to him being rich - the first shot you cut to (low angle on him getting out of the car) was a bit too obscured for me, and you held on it for a while. I think it would have had some great impace to cut to a really wide shot with the full car in frame...but that may just be me.
Also, you did such a good job of communicating everything in this story with no music and/or titles that I have to say I was a little dissapointed to see the 'money isn't everything' sign. It seemed rather arbitrary and convenience, given the level that the rest of the film is at. I didn't mind teh 'short time later' title card - but the sign that he sees felt too forced for me. But again, it's only because the rest of the piece moved so smoothly.
Nice work overall.
I really enjoyed it.
Brian Parker
Well-known member
Really good film. You did a great job of replicating that old timey film feel without it being too heavy handed or cheesy. You did a really good job telling the story and I actually felt for the main character.
There were some interesting shots here and the majority of them worked very well. I missed one or two plot points until a second viewing but that might be me. Good job.
There were some interesting shots here and the majority of them worked very well. I missed one or two plot points until a second viewing but that might be me. Good job.
