"Tiny Dancer" - a film by Jon Coy

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Jon nice camera work. Some of the best steadicam shots in the fest. I really enjoyed following the dancer around. She was living a routine day, until she discovered her key was missing. Many of the shots are quite good and memorable, such as entering the ballet practice room, the wide shot of the auditorium, the 'symmetrical' composition of two staircase going up either side of the frame as she runs up one of them...

I liked quite a lot, but the dreaded close up of the key falling is missing. I did see it fall, but I assume it was something you caught on camera and didn't notice until you had to use the take. Also, an tool equally as important as the camera... sound. You need better sound. I like what was going on between the two actors, but I couldn't appreciate it with the bad sound. Otherwise, keep up the good work and challenge yourself to go further.

Thanks for the good feedback, Sprocket.

First off, I must say, that the close up of the key falling is NOT missing, we choreographed the scene to get the key to fall out as she reaches for her headband and is distracted by the boy. I didn't want to draw attention away from their interaction, but needed to see/hear the key falling. So we did it that way instead. And the only reason I went to a close-up of her hand grabbing the key from the counter was to emphasize he importance of the item. I suppose a slow dolly into the key as she's going for it would have been stronger, but we didn't have the ability to get a dolly into that room. Another compromise, but I was just assuming that people would understand that since close ups are used for few things which includes displaying something of importance, we would be okay. A lot of people have let me know personally that they thought it was a good move on my part to not focus on the key falling, but rather, emphasize the situation. But many are still irked by it. It's a compromise for sure.

I really wish we had a dedicated sound guy on this. The sound would have been much better had I not had to treat it to a few noise reductions. If you could hear the rough cut, you'd be horrified, haha. I think that the sound is fine until the scenes outside of the elevator. We didn't have the ability to turn the elevator off and it gave us some terrible room tone. And you know, I set out on this project with the intent to capture great sound, and since I had to do the jobs myself, it just didn't pan out.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

I'm going to post a very very late "BTS" photo since we never did it. I thought it would be a neat concept for people to show (if they don't have BTS shots) what they were working with. Might explain my sound problems, too, haha.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

There's our gear, haha. Took me a long time to get all of that, sadly.

The only other piece we used was a UV filter for the horizontal flare at the end. (yes, it was done optically)

 

[Tim Joy]

Yay dvx100. You made it shine. I loved how you shot this. The wide shots when she runs all over and the one with the chairs worked especially well for me. It had a big movie screen feel to it.

I just want to chime in and say no, I didn't see or hear the card drop, and yes, there was a creepy vibe around the elevator. I think I was waiting for something bigger to happen. Nothing big happened, and it played pretty much on a smooth line of relaxed voyerism.

Now for my critiques. The acting when she's in the theatre was over the top and felt unnatural. It was good when they were together. Their chemistry was good, but I think you suffered a bit without some kind of eyelight. If you only have one light, make it count and light up the eyes. Look at Mo/Pho and see how much eye acting there is. A ton, and it adds so much emotional depth.

Good job. I liked the locations and the whole look of it. Long live the DVX.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Yay dvx100. You made it shine. I loved how you shot this. The wide shots when she runs all over and the one with the chairs worked especially well for me. It had a big movie screen feel to it.

I just want to chime in and say no, I didn't see or hear the card drop, and yes, there was a creepy vibe around the elevator. I think I was waiting for something bigger to happen. Nothing big happened, and it played pretty much on a smooth line of relaxed voyerism.

Now for my critiques. The acting when she's in the theatre was over the top and felt unnatural. It was good when they were together. Their chemistry was good, but I think you suffered a bit without some kind of eyelight. If you only have one light, make it count and light up the eyes. Look at Mo/Pho and see how much eye acting there is. A ton, and it adds so much emotional depth.

Good job. I liked the locations and the whole look of it. Long live the DVX.

Thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated.

What felt unnatural to you about the auditorium? I hope it wasn't the swipe at the cup at the end (because that was unintentional and she thought she spilled coffee all over herself, haha).

We actually didn't use the light indoors at all. We didn't really have the luxury at the time to do so, unfortunately. I would have loved more light on the faces.

Personally, I thought there was PLENTY of eye acting in Tiny Dancer. I'm not one to toot my own horn (quite the opposite; I'm paranoid about my own work) but I thought Caroline and Nate made a lot of excellent eye work. The problem is that I didn't go close on the face nearly as many times as mo/pho, but that was intentional. I was trying to reach a Truffaut/Godardian aesthetic with longer takes and scenes framed in profile. S/RS didn't seem to feel right here. I wanted more body language than anything for some of this. I felt that we had enough close up/intimacy in the elevator.

Besides, mo/pho is about two characters with a history. These two have just met. I'm not knocking on your critique, don't worry. You gave me the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I'm just sort of defending my stance on the matter and I still stand by it.

 

[vnguyen972]

Nice steadicam work, very smooth shots moving with the lead... her acting is great but the male lead is just okay, not so great with his lines... and I'm not really a big fan of movies without any score but again, that's just my own little preference.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

It was either no score (my first instinct anyway), or music that didn't fit the piece. I chose the former in order to focus more on the environment. The music detracted from the film and forced the viewer to feel a certain way. The more I think about it, the more this film resembles neo-realist sentiments of Europe.

Thanks for the feedback, vnguyen972. I appreciate you taking the time.

 

[hoz]

There's our gear, haha. Took me a long time to get all of that, sadly.

The only other piece we used was a UV filter for the horizontal flare at the end. (yes, it was done optically)

Be proud you got it at all! And most of all.... You really did a great job using it!!!
loved the steady cam shots, and the framing was excellent. Really like your eye for things. Yeah, the sound is off but your actress is really cute. She almost didn't have to say anything at all. We got a good glimpse at her life. real cool.

simple story and well told, congrats!

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Be proud you got it at all! And most of all.... You really did a great job using it!!!
loved the steady cam shots, and the framing was excellent. Really like your eye for things. Yeah, the sound is off but your actress is really cute. She almost didn't have to say anything at all. We got a good glimpse at her life. real cool.

simple story and well told, congrats!

Thanks, hoz! Definitely encouraging words.

 

[Brian Parker]

Lawsuit Boy...Nice. There's a lot to love here, and if you give me a moment, I'd like to pontificate about it. Great camerawork, really. I loved your initial shot. I liked how you utilized the vast architecture to not only enhance the isolation theme but to bring out the shots as well with lines, curves, and repetitions. The last shot of her going down the hallway was great, especially the way the light from the wall sconces bled together enhancing the dreamy look. Your composition throughout was spot on. Really appropriate color grading too.

The performances were played perfectly. Your actress did a great job of taking us along with her throught the first part of the film where there was no dialogue and then they both did a great job of effectively recreating the endearing akwardness of two shy people meeting. Performances were natural and true.

This is a quiet, well made film that told a sweet simple story without pretense. You have a knack for creating a genuine feel that people can connect to and appreciate...those moments of relateable life.

OK, so I'm going to stop sounding like a snobby cinema review journal and just say awesome movie man! One of my favs!

 

[warau]

And remember, it's also a study of isolation and isolationism on the college campus. Isolationism is actually a pretty big problem in America as well as the rest of the world. It always intrigues me and I was hoping for more responses about that aspect.

It seems most everything else has been brought out so I thought I would comment on this. You would have emphasized the isolation more if she had more people AROUND her during her day and during her search for the key. Outside of ballet class, she didn't seem to be near anyone to have an opportunity to interact with them, thus we don't really feel her isolation, just a quiet time to be on campus. Walking through a crowded hall with no one paying attention to her, etc would have pointed out her isolation. I see the difference in our two films in this way, yours is isolation IN THE MIDST OF people, mine is isolation FROM people. But I could be wrong, just a thought, interesting theme.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

It seems most everything else has been brought out so I thought I would comment on this. You would have emphasized the isolation more if she had more people AROUND her during her day and during her search for the key. Outside of ballet class, she didn't seem to be near anyone to have an opportunity to interact with them, thus we don't really feel her isolation, just a quiet time to be on campus. Walking through a crowded hall with no one paying attention to her, etc would have pointed out her isolation. I see the difference in our two films in this way, yours is isolation IN THE MIDST OF people, mine is isolation FROM people. But I could be wrong, just a thought, interesting theme.

Technically, the term "isolationism" refers to a person's purposeful seclusion from interaction, not just being isolated by an opposing force.

I see what you mean, and that's what I wanted to achieve with the dancers in the studio. She didn't belong to either group and wasn't talking to anyone as they left. And for the exterior stuff (as well as the shots in the campus center when we hear voices but see nobody), it was a hyperrealist way of demonstrating her loneliness. So the campus center shots and the dance studio are the moments in which we find people interacting in one way or another without including her.

I'm a big fan of hyperrealism, so it only seemed right.

I understand what you're saying though, but honestly, I can't tell you how many films I have seen a shot like that. It feels very tired to me and I wanted a different perspective; something a little more fresh.

Thanks for the comments, warau! Definitely appreciate someone thinking of the other angle.

 

[Geoff_R]

Nice work on that opening shot...

You've got great execution throughout; very direct sense of framing and motivation, solid cutting and pacing, very well directed.

Storywise, I was interested and enjoyed watching your main character. And the meeting between her and the guy was fun and light hearted! I felt it ended a little too awkward... maybe it's because I wanted more from them... (so perhaps thats a good thing!) I like the simplicity of their meeting... just two people perhaps in the very beginning of a ultimately life long relationship, 'who knows'.

I love the shots a 5:39, 5:43... them walking down the hallway... very awesome with the glow from the lights at the top of the frame! My favorite moments.

From a production pov, I did notice the mediocre location sound... but it didn't distract from the story. Your characters were interesting and engaging enough to overcome it, but that's the one tech thing I'd say could be improved.

One last creative thought would be to have some music at the end... nothing big, something simple and fitting. It's funny, I didn't realize till the end that there is no music in the piece I think music that stood out, that was too strong would overshadow the rest of the piece, but a simple piano tone, something in a 'clint eastwood' manner would probably be great for it. Just a thought.

Really enjoyed this one. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Geoff_R]

Technically, the term "isolationism" refers to a person's purposeful seclusion from interaction, not just being isolated by an opposing force.

I see what you mean, and that's what I wanted to achieve with the dancers in the studio. She didn't belong to either group and wasn't talking to anyone as they left. And for the exterior stuff (as well as the shots in the campus center when we hear voices but see nobody), it was a hyperrealist way of demonstrating her loneliness. So the campus center shots and the dance studio are the moments in which we find people interacting in one way or another without including her.

I'm a big fan of hyperrealism, so it only seemed right...

Interesting and I like the way you did approach it here... This makes me want to watch it again... even from her peeking out her window at the world in the beginning, I see more now of what you were going for.. and the text from her friend relating a long distance to NY, 'she is far from her friends'.

Lots of minor details throughout! They all add up in the end.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Thanks for the great words, Geoff! Don't worry, I've seen The Things We Carry, but since I've already reviewed every film in the festival besides yours and Mark's, they're up next!

You know, we actually did try to put some music in at the end because it seemed like it would be a good complement to the scene, but nothing fit. Because the rest of the film lacked a score (which of course was intentional) it seemed abrupt and out of place to put music. Could be that we just didn't have the right kind. A friend in Texas was doing the score for me, but even though he sent me fantastic tracks, I still felt better with no music. It's certainly a compromise, but I'm hoping that it will allow people to not feel "dictated" as someone else has already said to me.

Really excellent feedback, though. Thank you so much!

P.S. It's also very nice to hear that you didn't notice there was no music until the end. That means that I did my job right! *celebrates*

 

[Blaine]

This piece left me cold, and I'm sure much of that came from your color palette. I wanted to find some reason to care about watching your lead but it was difficult. The antiseptic hospital feel of the "blue lighting" made this feel like a living autopsy of an empty life. When she did have occasion to speak she really didn't have anything interesting to say.

I would have liked to see something more happen here. This fest has had it's share of non-story stories and this kind of gets lumped in with them. The acting was serviceable, neither good nor bad.

I thought technically, your framing and shots were fine.

Overall, I guess my complaint was that I found nothing in it to connect to and care about so I just let it happen in front of me and moved on.

I'm sure others will find things they like in it, which is good...that is your audience. Sorry I couldn't be more upbeat about it but you're not going to please everyone anyway.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Sorry it couldn't be a little more serviceable to ya, Blaine. Thanks for checking it out anyway.

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Also Blaine, for my own benefit in the future, what sort of things were you looking for to pull you in and care about the character? Was it just that you couldn't relate to her isolation on a big college campus, or did it just make you not care? I know you said you couldn't relate, but how is it that there's no story unfolding, or really, what made it feel like that to you? Was it just too sparse?

These are legitimate questions that should give me some insight for future works. Trying to gain a different perspective so I know what to look for. If you could respond I'd really appreciate it. I know you already gave me a lengthy review though.

 

[Geoff_R]

Maybe I can jump in on this on regarding Blaine's feelings...

I think perhaps one of those reasons is that we're not experiencing any real private moments with her less an ego/face. She's always moving around, getting ready, walking to class, etc... there's never that break where we see those protective walls removed and experience her in a naked, emotional manner... not meaning her crying, feeling sorry for herself, but 'that personal, by herself, human moment' of longing for a connection...

The closest thing we maybe have is her peering out the window, yet she is somewhat smiling there...

just an idea... but the ballet scene... if we could hear other girls in a group laughing, having a good time, talking about where they are from... then cutting to some close ups of those girls... then cutting back to her watching them.. and we got the sense, 'she wants to be with them, one of them', etc.. that gives us that emotional, private connection to her. Just a thought!

 

[Lawsuit_Boy]

I understand, Geoff. Makes sense. It just makes me feel that the shot of her staring out the window in a melancholic and frozen manner, watching the world outside of her, is being overlooked.

I understand, as well, the complaint about the dance studio. But I felt that doing anything like that (the sort of s/rs situation) would have been overlong and capricious. Might be a matter of taste, because we've had a lot of compliments about keeping that scene minimal and just letting the observation of the two separate groups with her in between said enough.

Actually though, in the window shot, she's pretty far from smiling. She nearly freezes in the moment as her eyes lock. It's actually meant to be a moment of severity as juxtaposed to the generally energetic nature of the character.

I feel really bad that these things are being overlooked. I guess I just assumed that following her for a long, continuous shot, plus close ups of her (at the window) who stops for a moment to see that she is not a part of that outside world would connect people to her. Plus, her friends are elsewhere. It's as if she's been abandoned. As I said before, a lot of people that have seen the film really connected with her loneliness and felt great when she finally found the prospect of a companion. I guess Blaine's right in that it just isn't everyone's cup of tea. I can respect that.