Thoughts on TimeFest

Chris Messineo

Chris Messineo

Veteran
I've watched and voted on all of the films in this fest (an all the previous fests).

While there are many wonderful and amazing films in this fest, overall it felt like a bit of a step back to me. There were a few too many films that were in desperate need of a compelling and original story.

A few other common (non-technical) issues I noticed:

- Cast actors age appropriately
- Women can be more than victims
- Conflict is good - remember, conflict = drama
- Tighten the edit - you don't have to use all 6 minutes
- Tell a clear and coherent story - don't confuse your audience
- Enough with the torture, hit-men, gangsters, and serial killers

Overall, the technical expertise and craftsmanship is really amazing, I just hope there is the same attention to detail and focus on story in the next fest.
 
Chris Messineo said:
While there are many wonderful and amazing films in this fest, overall it felt like a bit of a step back to me. There were a few too many films that were in desperate need of a compelling and original story.
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I still have a lot of films to view so I can't really offer my own conclusion about the full picture. However, this is disappointing if its the shared opinion of viewers. From what I have seen I've been encouraged by the variety and quality of the entries. But maybe I've seen most of the good ones and have a skewed opinion.
 
As someone who has made films for the last few DVX festivals I think this is one of the best yet. Some very strong competition IMHO.
I've watched them and commented on all of them.

Some of the best entries in any fest as far as I'm concerned. A lot of people are honing their talent and it shows. I've seen some real growth this fest.

Yes, the TIME theme did make for some similar entries but I can easily overlook that.

Just my 2 cents.

Mike
 
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Zim said:
Where is the link to vote?
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The link that you use to look at the movie list in order to download them is the one that you use to vote. You'll see 10 washed out stars beside each one.
Rate them from 1 to 10. You can do so now.

HERE
Same link you use to view the films.
 
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Chris Messineo said:
I've watched and voted on all of the films in this fest (an all the previous fests).

While there are many wonderful and amazing films in this fest, overall it felt like a bit of a step back to me. There were a few too many films that were in desperate need of a compelling and original story.

A few other common (non-technical) issues I noticed:

- Cast actors age appropriately
- Women can be more than victims
- Conflict is good - remember, conflict = drama
- Tighten the edit - you don't have to use all 6 minutes
- Tell a clear and coherent story - don't confuse your audience
- Enough with the torture, hit-men, gangsters, and serial killers

Overall, the technical expertise and craftsmanship is really amazing, I just hope there is the same attention to detail and focus on story in the next fest.
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= True.

- Cliché is that situation or device you feel that you've seen before. Unless you suffer from amnesia, you'll know that feeling immediatlely when it starts to nag at you.

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Well it's a filmmakers' fest. If you don't like what you see in the fest, nothing's stopping you from making your own film to submit. Or writing scripts for others to make.
 
Mark Harris said:
Well it's a filmmakers' fest. If you don't like what you see in the fest, nothing's stopping you from making your own film to submit. Or writing scripts for others to make.
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Mark, I liked a lot of what I saw in the fest (your film in particular actually).

However, is there something wrong though with mentioning some of the areas where I felt many of the films faltered?

I'm not trying to discourage anyone. Nor am I trying to suggest that I am somehow better. I'm just trying to share an honest critique after watching all of the films.
 
Chris Messineo said:
Mark, I liked a lot of what I saw in the fest (your film in particular actually).

However, is there something wrong though with mentioning some of the areas where I felt many of the films faltered?

I'm not trying to discourage anyone. Nor am I trying to suggest that I am somehow better. I'm just trying to share an honest critique after watching all of the films.
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I know you asked Mark but I happen to agree with him so I'll chime in.

There's nothing wrong with it at all. It just seems like par for the course each Fest to see a thread like this get posted. During Hallows Fest it was mentioned quite often.

I would just like to see some of the people who think that the majority of the fest entries are lacking to get in here and make a movie. Or as Mark stated... supply some scripts! I think you did mention the movie poets site.

It's really the only way that things will improve based on your opinion.

Still, as far as I'm concerned... probably the best Fest yet.

EDIT: Don't forget, many entries were made from first timers. You can't expect them to be perfect. What would be most valuable is if you went into every thread (especially the first timers) and offered an honest critique. That would be helpful.

Cheers!


Mike
 
Chris Messineo said:
- Cast actors age appropriately
- Women can be more than victims
- Conflict is good - remember, conflict = drama
- Tighten the edit - you don't have to use all 6 minutes
- Tell a clear and coherent story - don't confuse your audience
- Enough with the torture, hit-men, gangsters, and serial killers
Click to expand...

Amen to all that. I'm getting fed up with all the time travelling happening - yes this is TimeFest, but surely you can do something else besides a Time Machine film?

I'm also done with torture and serial killers. While it can be fun, it's so cliche. And women being more than victims - yes to that! Good grief, let's kill babies for a change. Or something.

Of course - not having entered anything, it's all too easy for me to sit back and criticize. I'll dish it out now and wait for flak when I submit my entry next fest.
 
I'm new to this site & the fests, but I have to say I've really enjoyed the whole experience so far. I've come here to learn and share any information I have that might help another. This is probably one of the THE best groups I've ever come across...everyone is so helpful, supportive and inspiring. I know there are a lot of really talented filmakers here, I've been watching their films....but I think there are quite a few less experienced filmmakers too...looking for advice, watching and learning the craft.

I understand Chris's point as he seems to be an accomplished, experienced filmmaker...and I would hate to think that my entering a film was partially responsible for bring him down...I guess that's why there's a 'stop' button on most video players.
 
I can actually see everyone's points here. Sure, there are a few entries that need a lot of work, but that is the beauty of these fests: you can get help and better your skills. There are also some really kick-ass films this time around. I think there are going to be issues no matter what. And as far as the time machine, did you expect no one to do that storyline? With a theme of TIME I am sure that is the first thing we all thought of. Some of us just kept thinking, some of us didn't, and that's okay.

So far I have been happy with what I've seen (although that is not much). I was hoping to actually enter my own film next time in addition to writting some again (that was a good expirience this time around). I did try to do my own but it didn't work out, I am not sure if I will next time or not because my skills are in writting and acting not doing the whole deal and I worry that it won't turn out well...especially after seeing some of the entries this time.
 
Nick you should definitely enter next time.

You'll never development your skills unless you make something.
 
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