"Visionary"
- Thread starter dsto
- Start date
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
SWEET! You're finished. Bummer about your pigs being sick though. Must have been very difficult. :grin:
lawriejaffa
Veteran
Why amazingly enough my dreams consist of flashing beautiful blonde women (actually I prefer brunettes/black haired ladies) - beaaaautiful long hair all the way down their backs (none on their heads... juuust down their backs!)
Right I'll stop that cannibalising of your synopsis! This is intriguing (and i mean that - not in the faux compliment of 'interesting...') yep with the extra dots... This is a kind of suspense story that I look forward to - im keen to see what you make of these locations too - a very modernist style of bts shots there and im wondering if that has translated in into your principle cinematography!
Right I'll stop that cannibalising of your synopsis! This is intriguing (and i mean that - not in the faux compliment of 'interesting...') yep with the extra dots... This is a kind of suspense story that I look forward to - im keen to see what you make of these locations too - a very modernist style of bts shots there and im wondering if that has translated in into your principle cinematography!
dsto
Well-known member
Well, the blonde has turned into a brunette (easy fellas, she's my daughter and she is much, much too young and precious!)
I am finding myself wondering how others deal with what I am going through at the moment. I am relatively new at filmmaking. This is my first “real” short film. I am having trouble being satisfied with how things are turning out as compared to what I have envisioned. I understand you will rarely find the intent and result coalescing perfectly. But how often are directors or writers really, truly unsatisfied? I tried to plan this out as detailed as I could. I certainly learned a lot of lessons, with many more to come in the post production phase. To what extent are others disappointed and how do you handle it? Do you guys just know that is what comes with the territory? I thought I was prepared for whatever shortcoming there was between the film in my head and the film in the can, but I guess not as prepared as I thought.
Don’t get me wrong, I have not given up, but I am becoming a bit frustrated. I guess it does not help I really do not know what I am doing! This is part of the learning process as much as learning how to use a particular NLE, but there is no manual for this.
So, tell me, what is your experience in this area? How do you handle coming to grips with the your film not turning out as you pictured?
I hope this is actually intriguing! It was in my head!
I am finding myself wondering how others deal with what I am going through at the moment. I am relatively new at filmmaking. This is my first “real” short film. I am having trouble being satisfied with how things are turning out as compared to what I have envisioned. I understand you will rarely find the intent and result coalescing perfectly. But how often are directors or writers really, truly unsatisfied? I tried to plan this out as detailed as I could. I certainly learned a lot of lessons, with many more to come in the post production phase. To what extent are others disappointed and how do you handle it? Do you guys just know that is what comes with the territory? I thought I was prepared for whatever shortcoming there was between the film in my head and the film in the can, but I guess not as prepared as I thought.
Don’t get me wrong, I have not given up, but I am becoming a bit frustrated. I guess it does not help I really do not know what I am doing! This is part of the learning process as much as learning how to use a particular NLE, but there is no manual for this.
So, tell me, what is your experience in this area? How do you handle coming to grips with the your film not turning out as you pictured?
I hope this is actually intriguing! It was in my head!
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
There is always a bit of a breakdown between what you see in your head and the reality of the actual shot. Locations, costumes, actors interpretations and even the blocking will change according to the situation. Your ability to now see in a 3-space where you can move around the set and the actors, gives you a different perspectives especially when it comes to angles and even cool blocking.
That may help to accentuate those carefully planned shots, but by no means negate them. Your planned shots are the shots you need for the dramatic PUNCH. The cool shots that you never thought of are the ones that add STYLE to the movie.
Just remember that filmmaking is an organic process and scenes tend to grow and take on a life of their own. Most times this is a good thing and you have to allow it room to breathe and stretch.... but within the space of the movie. If what you're seeing is not working, simply because it's not working, then take some time to breathe and let the scene speack to you. Walk around the set, have the actors run lines and let yourself see what the scene is REALLY about.
That will will considerably.
That may help to accentuate those carefully planned shots, but by no means negate them. Your planned shots are the shots you need for the dramatic PUNCH. The cool shots that you never thought of are the ones that add STYLE to the movie.
Just remember that filmmaking is an organic process and scenes tend to grow and take on a life of their own. Most times this is a good thing and you have to allow it room to breathe and stretch.... but within the space of the movie. If what you're seeing is not working, simply because it's not working, then take some time to breathe and let the scene speack to you. Walk around the set, have the actors run lines and let yourself see what the scene is REALLY about.
That will will considerably.
dsto
Well-known member
It's been a few busy days and I have not been back to the thread since I threw that question out there. Thanks for the response Puck.
I have been editing a bit along with all the normal life stuff. I am getting to like what we shot more and more. It is not exactly as I pictured. But with the other elements being edited in, I am enjoying what we have done so far. I want to be happy with it, but lets face it, we don't make movies for only ourselves. We make them for others to enjoy as well. I am by no means thinking we have created a masterpiece, or even a winner in this contest, but I do think people will enjoy it. And I continue to learn, which is way cool.
I have been editing a bit along with all the normal life stuff. I am getting to like what we shot more and more. It is not exactly as I pictured. But with the other elements being edited in, I am enjoying what we have done so far. I want to be happy with it, but lets face it, we don't make movies for only ourselves. We make them for others to enjoy as well. I am by no means thinking we have created a masterpiece, or even a winner in this contest, but I do think people will enjoy it. And I continue to learn, which is way cool.
Daryl Glenn
Member
One thing I find myself doing when working on anything creative is to picture it as a three dimensional model with my eyes open. I can actually move objects and people where I want them in my minds eye. I know this sounds weird but when you move a lot you began to picture a room set the way you want it while it is empty and set things the way you want them so you do not find yourself moving heavy things around a lot. The same can be done with your films picture everything where you want it and move it, hear it see it in your minds eye. picture yourself in the theater watching it and how you would want to see it. You also have to find peace with certain things so not to nit pick it to death. "Think of your film like a sweater that has a lint ball on it . Get the lint ball off but stop before you unravel the whole sweater. Even a old sweater can be full of more character and comfort than perfect brand new sweater." Can not wait to see it lil Bro It will be fine I know it.
Bro. Stephen
Active member
It's a Cosby Sweater!!!! YEAH!!!
dsto
Well-known member
We are getting close to having a complete film. Some editing tweaks and sound work. I have one special effect shot I am worrying over and trying to figure out. I am really worrying about compression. I have done a few test exports and I think that in the end this is going to be my biggest challenge! It really did not look as good as it could. I have more reading to do. What is life without challenges?!....uh..easy?
Hmmm What are you editing on? I did a 480p output of my rough included all components (around 5:40), with place holder for credits and came at 35mb and was good quality. Im going for a 720P output for the upload.
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
I use Vegas 7.0e and have the best luck with these settings, might be worth a try:
Render as- MainConcept AVC/AAC (mp4)
Project tab - BEST
Video tab - custom frame size (720 x 480), allow source to adjust frame size, Profile:main, 29.970 (NTSC), field order:none(progressive), variable bit rate, 2-pass, maximum(bps): 2,000,000, Average(bps): 986,000
Audio tab - include audio, sample rate:44,100, Bit rate: 96,000
This usually gets me a good looking 6:10 movie that comes in at about 48mb and displays at 784 x 432.
Might be worth a try? Hope this helps....
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
I want you to promise me never ever to use your cross fade/dip to black for a long, long time.
There is a lot of running in this film. We see him run into the scene and we see him run out of it. All of that time spent running could really have been told with one or two shots. There was so much more story development and actual story telling that could have been done with this time. More character development... just something more than running. We get that he sees the future and he's trying to prevent things from happening, but what is more interesting is not what he does, but who he IS and WHY he is driven to do it. An exploration of that would have been more interesting but instead we just see him running and running and checking his watch.
I need to go take a lie down now. All this running has me worn out.
You had an interesting concept here and some interesting shots. Some were really quite well designed. Your editor did you a disservice in never doing any hard cuts. Everything was a fade and an unmotivated fade. Even the sound faded out so there was no real transition from shot to shot. You need to carry the sound over from one scene to the next, do a proper cross fade, and then it's not so jarring. The best edits are the ones we never even have to think about. They're so natural there's rhythm to them.
Decent job and I'm glad you submitted. Focus on story and what makes it really unique and you'll have a much better film, either with this one or the next fest.
There is a lot of running in this film. We see him run into the scene and we see him run out of it. All of that time spent running could really have been told with one or two shots. There was so much more story development and actual story telling that could have been done with this time. More character development... just something more than running. We get that he sees the future and he's trying to prevent things from happening, but what is more interesting is not what he does, but who he IS and WHY he is driven to do it. An exploration of that would have been more interesting but instead we just see him running and running and checking his watch.
I need to go take a lie down now. All this running has me worn out.
You had an interesting concept here and some interesting shots. Some were really quite well designed. Your editor did you a disservice in never doing any hard cuts. Everything was a fade and an unmotivated fade. Even the sound faded out so there was no real transition from shot to shot. You need to carry the sound over from one scene to the next, do a proper cross fade, and then it's not so jarring. The best edits are the ones we never even have to think about. They're so natural there's rhythm to them.
Decent job and I'm glad you submitted. Focus on story and what makes it really unique and you'll have a much better film, either with this one or the next fest.
dsto
Well-known member
Thanks all for the time to comment. I just returned from Cornerstone Music Festival, so I have missed a bit since viewing started.
Your reviews and observations are on the money. The story is sparse. I think I over thought the not over thinking....?
I feel pretty good about our first attempt and I am taking your suggestions to heart.
Thank you so much for taking the timie to watch and give me your thoughts!
Please! Keep Them Coming!
I've watched a few and need to watch alot more!
Your reviews and observations are on the money. The story is sparse. I think I over thought the not over thinking....?
I feel pretty good about our first attempt and I am taking your suggestions to heart.
Thank you so much for taking the timie to watch and give me your thoughts!
Please! Keep Them Coming!
I've watched a few and need to watch alot more!
Michael Anthony Horrigan
More Cowbell Pictures
You did have some really cool shots/moments here and there but I felt like you just kept repeating things over and over again a little too much.
Had you added a little more story I think you could really have something.
Keep at it and learn a bit from this one. Hope to see you in the next Fest.
MAH
Had you added a little more story I think you could really have something.
Keep at it and learn a bit from this one. Hope to see you in the next Fest.
MAH