THE DEVIL'S TOY - a Sprocketboy production

Overall very nice, polished film (grade aside). I liked a lot of the camera moves, locations, composition, etc. The story was a fun concept and a few of the effects were really well done. I didn't care for the FX blood retreating into the box nor did I care for the Nazi symbol that flashed briefly in the devil's circle. I liked the "real" gore like at the end with the stuff being pulled back into the box.

I liked the casting and actually felt comfortable with the actors (both adults and kids). The only person I felt was somewhat out of place was the young Nazi guy. He just seemed too young. An older creepy man or woman might have worked better for me.

I agree with a comment I just read that the film was too "clean". I don't just mean the obvious like the uniforms. That type of costume and makeup are tough to organize and pull of so I feel for you - but having more real world GRIT, both for the WWII stuff and, frankly, even the kids would have been better.

Also, this is really minor, but I would have liked the opening shot to give a sense sooner of where the heck the kids where. I felt no tension for the first 3-4 cuts because I didn't know they were in Grandpa's room. I thought they were rooting around in the boy's closet at a sleepover. I would have put the wide shot first or at least second.

Tons of good in there dude and you are getting a high score from me.
 
Marlon Ladd said:
The only thing I would say is that the action and fx with the gunshots could have been better. I think some quick cuts, shake the camera in post and maybe better sound fx will pull it off. All in all, a really enjoyable film with lots of potential. Hey, where'd you get those Nazi flags btw?
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Thanks a bunch. I'm revisiting the shootout scene again and heeding some of your advice. As for the nazi flags- I actually had a hard time finding those flags. Not on Ebay. No military reenactment store sells them. They are scarce to say the least. Then I stumble upon an unusual website that strictly deals with anything Nazi operating out of Rapid City, SD.

I abided by the oath of a true indie filmmaker; "Do whatever it takes to make your film!" I ordered the flags through them and now I'm probably on the US government's sh-t list. I'm sure they are screening my calls.

Marlon, during the gun battle did the sound effects sound too low, or lack bass? They sound great coming out of my Tapco monitors. My 3D effects guy commented on the sound effects too. Thanks again for your comments. They are truly helpful.

lyonfilms said:
...I didn't care for the FX blood retreating into the box nor did I care for the Nazi symbol that flashed briefly in the devil's circle.
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I have a feeling I'm going to take the Swastika symbol out. Its redundant.

...this is really minor, but I would have liked the opening shot to give a sense sooner of where the heck the kids where. I felt no tension for the first 3-4 cuts because I didn't know they were in Grandpa's room. I thought they were rooting around in the boy's closet at a sleepover. I would have put the wide shot first or at least second.
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The DP also had the same comment and after watching it multiple times, I couldn't agree more. My intention was to start in the middle of the action that will lead us into the story, but it appears to be doing more bad than good.

Tons of good in there dude and you are getting a high score from me.
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Lots of good advice here. Thanks very much for commenting and watching the film.
 
An awful lot of potential here. You had a good story to work with.

I enjoyed the story. What's a jack-in-the-box but a killer clown, anyway? :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

I think this story miss out because of the details. Finding the box so readily accessible in his closet? The soldiers were too "clean." That's one of my biggest complaints in a story featuring war images. It should be dirty.

I thought you had some interesting locations. And the kid performed better than I expected them to.

This shows that you have what it takes to be a filmmaker, you just need to go back and pay more attention to the details. "The devil's in the details."
 
Blaine said:
...This shows that you have what it takes to be a filmmaker, you just need to go back and pay more attention to the details. "The devil's in the details."
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I agree with wholeheartedly with you.

I'm a detail oriented type, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, "I bit off more than I can chew." It pains me to hear it repeated over and over again. I knew things were going south when I was too deep into production, but my instinct is to continue on. This production was a monumental task and really wore me out. My capacity as a Director was limited by the size of the production and the time limits. 90% shot in two days.

Next time, if I'm willing to enter again, it will be a more manageable script with a simplified production schedule.
 
Sprocketboy said:
Next time, if I'm willing to enter again, it will be a more manageable script with a simplified production schedule.
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There is absolutely NO REASON not to enter again. You have shown that you can tell an interesting story. Take what you learn from this and grow. I look forward to watching you grow through these festivals.
 
Sprocketboy said:
Next time, if I'm willing to enter again, it will be a more manageable script with a simplified production schedule.
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Damned if you do...damned if you don't. Once the bar is raised, it's tough to lower it.

This was a really well done film, but then again, I liked "Look At Me" too. You're a talented filmmaker...and I for one will be looking forward to your next production!

I owe you a review & will get to it shortly... standby....
 
wow, a lot of work went into this and it shows. havent read any previous reviews so forgive me repeating anything...

loved the flashback scenes of the grandfather trying to get rid of the box - the beach , putting it on fire, etc. these to me were my fav's. it looked great, looked of the right time, and had drama.

the rest is strong too but lacked drama. i think the soldiers would've looked much better with that same old fashioned look flashback. did love the lights look when the soldiers enter the room where the box is.

thought the kids acted good. the room where they were looked too fake though. i think this is really good though! just that its so close to great!
 
I'm new around here...

Great work from scribe to slate.

The story, look, feel, content, performances and audio were great. I can see and appreciate the detail that went into this. The music made me think it might have been a lost Herrmann score.

Can't wait to check out all the other films. Had to start with the one that had "Devil" in the title.
 
ZazaCast said:
Damned if you do...damned if you don't. Once the bar is raised, it's tough to lower it.
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So true. I'm much better with small moments on a shoestring budget.

Whenever I try to get grandiose with lint in my pockets the compromises become overwhelming. I'm well aware of this obstacle for quite some time, but I always think I can nip it in the butt. The opportunities were there and went for the bait.
 
Sprocketboy said:
So true. I'm much better with small moments on a shoestring budget.

Whenever I try to get grandiose with lint in my pockets the compromises become overwhelming. I'm well aware of this obstacle for quite some time, but I always think I can nip it in the butt. The opportunities were there and went for the bait.
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There's not a lot wrong with this movie. Nothing that some editing time won't fix.

Work on the grading, especially during the war flashbacks. Get to work on the sound. I would love to hear some wicked battle noises way off in the distance, tweak the rest audio, add some nighttime sounds. Then polish up the SFX and fine tune the edit.

I would DEFINITELY do that and enter this into other festivals.
This just needs more polish. It's damn good.

MAH
 
hoz said:
...loved the flashback scenes of the grandfather trying to get rid of the box - the beach , putting it on fire, etc. these to me were my fav's. it looked great, looked of the right time, and had drama...
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Thanks. That was the easiest part of the film to produce and I had fun.

Anthony Todaro said:
I'm new around here...

Great work from scribe to slate.

The story, look, feel, content, performances and audio were great. I can see and appreciate the detail that went into this. The music made me think it might have been a lost Herrmann score.

Can't wait to check out all the other films. Had to start with the one that had "Devil" in the title.
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Your comment is much appreciated. The score is actually an original created by Francesco De Leonardis.

Rodney V. Smith said:
my computer crashed in the middle of your review.

and it was a looooooong one.

gonna have to go redo it. arghhh!
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Oh man. I know how much work goes into your reviews. It sounds like your computer is crashing a lot lately. I hope its not the new Macbook.
 
Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
There's not a lot wrong with this movie. Nothing that some editing time won't fix...

...I would DEFINITELY do that and enter this into other festivals.
This just needs more polish. It's damn good.
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Thanks for the support Michael.

Most if not all of your suggestions are things I plan on doing in the course of the next few days. This Thursday I'm sitting with the DP to get the grading ironed out.

By the end of the first week of October, I had to lock the picture for the music to be completed. I'm sure that this is what forced me to enter prematurely. The picture is not locked. I guess that's what happens to movies with potential in Hollywood. They are forced to meet a deadline and the end result is what it is.

I do plan on entering in other festivals. If I didn't, it would be a disservice to many of the people who worked on it for long hours.

At some point, can I pm you to view a more completed version of this film from a private site?
 
As promised... I haven't read through the whole post, so I'm sure I'll be repeating something.

Love your "SproketBoy" animated logo!

Wow, beautiful images. At first I thought the boys were digging for porn in Grampa's closet (I NEVER did that). Didn't seem like something this important to the story would have been so easily found by the kids. In the barn, for some reason, it looks a little 'videoish'? Too clean & sharp...something?

Flashbacks could maybe use a different treatment to look older. Love the shot down the hallway as they walk in...are those Christmas lights? Score is creeping me out! It's great. Dead bodies & flys...OH Yeah! Nice....

Good job on the gun play. Something that jumped out at me is that the bad guy's head explodes onto the camera lens...but there's nothing but space behind that guy. It pulled me out of it for a second.

Excellent job on all the VFX's throughout. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Like the kid says, "I got skills." Well, YOU got skills too! This is easily one of my favorites of the fest. You put an incredible amount of work into this film and it shows. Congratulations to the cast, crew and everyone involved in this production!
 
ZazaCast said:
Good job on the gun play. Something that jumped out at me is that the bad guy's head explodes onto the camera lens...but there's nothing but space behind that guy. It pulled me out of it for a second.

Excellent job on all the VFX's throughout. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
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You are the 5th person to mention that this effect is jarring. When I hear something that often - it gets cut out. Keaton wins! I'll keep it as a simple spray of blood with a cherry on top. :cheesy:

Much of your other observances are mentioned by other reviewers. The kids in the barn is an easy fix. Its something I didn't have time to deal with before the deadline.

I may have to kill the score in certain sections, so I'm able to edit with a little more freedom during those moments. Right now its limiting me.

Thanks for taking the time to watch and offering valuable input.
 
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