trailer for my new film

Michael Summers

Michael Summers

Well-known member
This trailer was shot with a dvx100 in 30p for the outside shots and a vx2100 for the indoor shots. I HATE the vx2100 but we had to due to the fact of low lighting. the dvx just didnt cut it that low. but the outside shots are beautiful. i'm a big Gallo fan and wanted to make something gallo-esque. Lost shots and depressing music were a must ;)

i have not color corrected anything yet.

tell me what you think.

http://astrosecretfilms.com/beautifulhorses copy.mov
 
Re: trailer for my new film

I didn't get a chance to see it w/ sound, so disregard what I say if I'm really "missing" it. The footage seemed really shakey, was that the intent? Also, the scene where the main character walks by the ticket stub tearer, you can see a really bright light coming from behind and it casts a pretty big shadow making it look "purposely lit". Like I said, I didn't see it w/ sound so I'll watch it later when I have my speakers hooked up again. Good work though! Tim.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

no, wasnt purposely lit.. thats the vx2100 for you...the light was coming from the bright worklights in the theater just behind him but yeah it shot it all handheld on purpose. i also bumped up the jerkiness in the high angle shot in post.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

A few things...

First of all, this wasn't actually a "trailer", was it? It was the start of the film, right? Cause if it was a trailer, it really didn't offer a whole lot of insight to what the film is about, but from what I gathered, it just looks like the start of the film, so its all good.

Um, the shots from the car...overexposed. I mean a lot of people have the same problem, so it's nothing new to anyone. The compositions of the shots were fine, but since there wasn't alot to do, you may want to think about reshooting them after reading some posts on these boards about how to avoid overexposure. Did you have zebra turned on when you shot?

Also, the lighting in the theater I thought was way too intense. Granted, most movie theaters have a lot of viewable light, but never is someone's skin ghastly white from having a spotlight directed toward them. You should try to figure out ways to diffuse the light. And it seems like you're using work lights. Believe me, we've all been there. There are endless amounts of tricks to diffusing the light from those halogen worklights. All you have to do is search and/or ask.

Other than that, I think you're on a pretty good track, and you're workin with the DVX100, so that always sets up a good base.

Also, may I ask why you shot in 30p, rather than 24p? It's just a different choice from the usual video clips posted on the boards.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

no, its the opening of the film. but my bud tinsley said to put it as a trailer. all the shots havn't been corrected yet. i will be applying a Warm filter anynway. i shot with zebra on and carefully exposed them. it was rianing that day the sky was super grey... but we wern't working with worklights, that's all the theater had to light it up so we could see. if we hadnt turned them on, everything wouldve been dark. they were positioned in a certain place on the walls and we didn't light manually. out of our control. i guess it wasn't a gerat idea to overexpose the outdoor scenes because im going to color correct to Reversal Stock footage i shot at the same time, so the exposure will only bump up. i might reshoot some of those shots.

haha we had to shoot in 30p because my film teacher is burning it all to a 29.97 idvd disk for the festival and we had to mix shots with a vx2100 at 60i so we thought it was best.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

Hi michael_summers

This is when it get's tought for me; I want ot gove an honest critique but I hate being negative.  But, I also don't feel anyone learns 'jack' unless there is honesty and support.  This is my .02 and humble opinion.

1.  Some severe over exposure issues.   Use your zebras, set your IRIS to underexpose by -2 or -3.  It's so hot it almost looks like an effect out a Sci-Fi film.

2. The camera has tremors.  Gotta Lock it down.   It's bouncing and moving and swinging all over the place.  It's rampant in the car and its earthquake time with the overhead.

3.  Practice and learn composition.  You have shots that are literally chopping the dudes head off.  Sometimes, placing the camera in places other than the tripod can help.  It seems the Tripod was never even adjusted one way or the other. Get an apple box, a ladder, something (a beanbag!).  There is one shot where he pays for the show and both guys are missing thier skulls practically.

4. Lighting.  Gotta try bouncing it sometimes to reduce the hard-light shadows.  Also need to pay attention to where you are standing.  When the dude walks into the actual seating of the theatre, is that your shadow on his pants?

Not sure I understand your reasoning for not using the DVX100 as it would of held up fine under those lighting conditions and also curious on the 30p decision.  IS this a trailer or just playing around? (No big deal)

Keep shooting and it gets easier and better everytime you do it.  I say this with total humility and I prop you for shooting.  

Not sure what NLE you are using but next time tell your teacher your gonna shoot 24p and render it out at 29.97! :D
 
Re: trailer for my new film

1. ok, overexposed. we have pickup reshooting scheduled thursday.

2. i like the look. sorry.

3. eh?

4. we didn't light at all. i dont have the cash for lights and niether does my school. all of it is indoor lighting.

i havn't edited the film yet. This is what came out in about 30 minutes after we got home from shooting today.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

Hey Michael,

Not a comment but more of a question...

I'm not sure I follow the shaky camera movement. What is the meaning of the use? I think I'm missing some meaning from the trailer. (or is it obvious and I'm just dumb? :-[ )

Thanks
 
Re: trailer for my new film

Totally understand of you dig it (it's your film man) so don't be sorry.

1. On the exposure for the EXT shots of dude in car; get some foam core (super cheap at any art store) and bounce the daylight onto him. THis will allow you to step down with the IRIS by bringing in more light and reducing some of that heat.

Prior to RECORDING

Line up the shot and then press Auto Iris one time. Then shut it off (turn to Manual). Check your Zebras and always EXPOSE FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS.

I don't mean this the way it sounds but, You really like that look? (Tremor camera?)
 
Re: trailer for my new film

Just my opinion but there doesn't seem to be any feeling to this piece. If you wanted it a little down, in the sence of the mood you could try making it darker and not so over exposed. If your going to go back and do re-shoots at the theater you should try using the house lights and not the work lights. Most theaters have just the regular house lights on when you get into the theater. The work lights are mainly just for that, work. I think, key word right there, that it should be darker in the theater. People would except it being dark in there because a theater is suppose to be dark. Also if you don't have any money for lights and your school doesn't have any, be creative with what you can find or get for really cheap. But hey, if your really happy with this then keep on goin. That's all that should really matter.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

Take the advise of others and keep doing what you love doing. We are all here to help one another. With that said, I HATE YOUR ACTING! just kidding my friend.. :)
 
Re: trailer for my new film

I, too, don’t want to be negative – the fact you’re making the effort to shoot something puts you ahead of most people – but I think you have some serious problems with this effort.

Shaky-cam is hip these days, but it doesn’t work for me in many of your shots. The opening over-the-shoulder shot has a jump in it about 2/3 of the way through that looks like someone elbowed you in the backseat. The shot is up too long anyway – I’d cut it before the whack. Even shaky camera work has to have a “flow” to it, a reason for being, and there just isn’t any in this scene. It is especially out of place as you go to a tripod shot when he is inside the theater going to buy a ticket. Mixing styles really is annoying.

Same shot – the actor’s hands and the book are grossly overexposed. When you cut to the properly exposed close-up of the book it’s jarring.

I know we’re talking cameras here, but I question the editing of the close-up of the book. It’s just there – not long enough to see what it is. Maybe opening with this shot, then establishing where we are could work better. As it is, there is no reason for it to be there except to take up screen time.

The overexposure outside the car didn’t bother me as much as some others, but it WAS too much when he comes back for his coat. The editing here bothered me again. Cutting to the credit was fine, but then cutting back to the same shot was weird and jarring. And in the next shot where he’s walking he doesn’t have the coat. Unless I’m missing something, this is a major continuity problem.

The three shots where he buys the ticket are a bit odd. The walkup is okay (I’d cut to it a little quicker and lose the kid outside looking at the camera), But, as has been pointed out, the glare behind the actor in the second shot is distracting. Worse yet is the cut to an almost identical shot as he takes the ticket. And in this shot, both actors’ heads are cut off. I can live with a Warner Brother’s haircut, but not a decapitation! The cut between these two shots lifts you out of your seat – they are just too similar.

When he walks into the auditorium, the screen direction bothered me a bit. He walks off to the left at the ticket counter, then walks in from the right entering the auditorium. Not a big deal, but distracting.

The auditorium does seem overlit. It’s not overexposed, but just doesn’t play as the interior of a theater. I think the DVX would have worked great inside. It really needs to be underexposed anyway. Don’t be afraid to go dark when the scene calls for it.

You can tilt with a tripod. When the actor walks down to his seat, we only see his legs for most of the shot. Why not show us his face and tilt down when he sits? You’re opting for a shaky, edgy camera for the first few shots and now we’re stuck with a locked down tripod for the next two minutes? Then the last shot is back to shakyville.

Some nice compositions and the general flow of shots worked pretty well. Hope my observations didn’t tick you off, but I think if you keep getting the same criticism from different sources you need to review your approach.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

I generaly Agree with John on this one and his critiques. One thing to keep in mind about the shakey camera is there is a place for it. While you like the look of it and I can understand its what you might like be sure to listen to others who are not looking at it from the same perspective as you.

One thing I have learned as a Director/DP/Editor is that when working on a project you get certain preconcieved notions in your head about how you want something to look/timing/etc.. But when you show it to others you may find yourself up against some suggestions that clash with your original ideas.

The thing I always try to keep in mind is what my audience sees, not so much what I see. I come up with concepts and looks and I may be 110% happy with them, but if there is something that is repeatedly commented on I will go back and take a long hard look at it, and try to find the best compromise/solution that will still fit with my original concept and make my audience happy.

There are certainly times that having hand held/shakey frame can fit and really enhance the mood of a shot, if you have a lot of action it can be good to keep the audience from feeling to detached, or if there is a lot of tension in a scene it can enhance the unease of the audience when done right.

At any rate here are some critiques, I dont like to pull punches so i will be totaly honest about my opinion on it, But remember they are just that, opinions and mine alone. So take them with a grain of salt and try to use them to better your technique or throw them out! :)

In general the footage you have shown is fairly mellow and doesnt really have an established mood, and when watching it I keep seeing the shakey camera and it pulls me away from whats happening and I start wondering why is the camera shaking.

Many of your takes get very boring very quick because its one long static shot where nothing really happens. The shots in the car establish that your subject is waiting for something, listening to the radio and reading a book to kill time. This can all be done in about 1/4 the time you take to do it as these are simple actions. As well a shot from outside the car to establish the location would help to.

The shot of the subject comming back because they forgot something seems very extranious, I didnt really need to know about that and it doesnt further the story any as far as I can tell. Admitedly there is story before this section that may attach some importance to the item forgoten but in the context of the preview it has to real impact.

When we start getting to the interior shots you seem to be lighting from eye level almost strait on. This creates a really flat image and washes out your subjects face, not to mention the hideous shadows cast on the wall. If you can try to get your lights elevated more and dont just light him from the front so there is some sense of depth. If you cant get your lights any higher you might try pointing them up and away from the subject to bounce the light back, this can have the added effect of softening the light to help get rid of the hard shadows as well as spreading some ambient light through the scene to help it blend a bit.

The shot from the balcony looking down while you may still wish to stick with the slightly shakey look is really painful to watch simply because the amount of shake is tremendous. It could be because you are zomming in to frame the subject which makes the trembling of the hand all that more obvious.

Your strait on shot of the subject in his seat opening the bag of candy again is way to long, and there is an obvious set up of two lights on either side of the camera shooting almost strait on at him leaving sharp shadows on the seats next to him. You might consider moving one light behind him and off to the side to provide some back light which will help seperate him from the sea of seats as well as adding some depth and again get that front light up higher. You could also swtich to some shots which are close ups of him opening his candy showing the hands working to break up the shots.

I hope you take all of this as suggestions to improve your work and not as simple thrashing of what youve done. I like john beleive that negative critisim that is constructive is one of the best learning tools there is. You can have people tell you something is great over and over but you will never learn from that. You might want to spend some time researching tutorials on the internet regarding standard lighting set ups as well timing for cutting.

Good luck and I hope to see more!

-Shawn Sagady
EXFilms/Digital Asylum LTD.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

Have you seen Brown Bunny yet? I read a review, and apparently the camera work is shaky as hell, so if you are using Brown Bunny as inspiration then you are on track.

Speaking of Gallo you ever see "Trouble Everyday". It's an obscure french "art horror" starring Gallo that has one of the more disgusting endings in cinema history.

By the way, I'm just assuming you mean "Vincent Gallo".

Take all the points about overexposure into consideration, I did like how you used the door slams to cut to titling, and you did get a good amount of coverage, which is a good habit to have. Knock us out with the entire show when it's ready.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

hey michael... to me you work shows promise with exception to cutting off heads. The amount of hardcore people who took notice and commented here is, in my opinion, an omen of some sort. I think if you addapt and infuse the feedback given here you will be well on your way to getting rave reviews
 
Re: trailer for my new film

that's so obscure it' verges on crazy, I like it on a personal level... try again. I just know it's gonna get better with every project. There's a spark in your work that coupled with time and critique should blossom into some real interesting material. keep it up :)
 
Re: trailer for my new film

3 cents worth, shaky in 30p looks like bad video.
Taking advice is what this forum is for, so I would listen to what everyone has said with excitment to improve your work.
 
Re: trailer for my new film

Well I watched it, read all the post here. I agree with most but the one thing I didn't see posted here is that anyone got what the film is about.
I going to take a shot here and say, bringing your own food in to the theater.

Hunter
 
Re: trailer for my new film

[quote author=Stabb Films link=board=Clips;num=1101518727;start=0#13 date=11/26/04 at 22:54:02]Have you seen Brown Bunny yet?  I read a review, and apparently the camera work is shaky as hell, so if you are using Brown Bunny as inspiration then you are on track.

Speaking of Gallo you ever see "Trouble Everyday".  It's an obscure french "art horror" starring Gallo that has one of the more disgusting endings in cinema history.

By the way, I'm just assuming you mean "Vincent Gallo".

Take all the points about overexposure into consideration, I did like how you used the door slams to cut to titling, and you did get a good amount of coverage, which is a good habit to have.  Knock us out with the entire show when it's ready.  [/quote]

yeah i saw the brownbunny here at an exclusive engagment. for this project we had to emulate some type of film, whether it be noir, heist etc. and i asked my teacher if i could replicate some of Gallo's techniques, and he said that could also be a catagory. Yeah, i saw trouble every day... f-ed up! the brown bunny wasn't as good as his first, but still a beautiful film...
 
Re: trailer for my new film

[quote author=BLUESPIDER link=board=Clips;num=1101518727;start=0#10 date=11/26/04 at 22:09:32]Take the advise of others and keep doing what you love doing. We are all here to help one another. With that said, I HATE YOUR ACTING! just kidding my friend.. :)[/quote]

haha! sorry... i'm not really in the film! i wrote it and i'm directing it. We're going to reshoot the overexposed scenes thursday + the ending.
 
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