angrynerdrock07
Well-known member
Very nice. Love those before and afters. I'm sure it has been asked before, but was this DVX or HVX?
"We Are Not Alone" - Reyo-San Pictures
- Thread starter Kaz
- Start date
MojoTrancer
Well-known member
The shot with him looking out at the pods in the ocean was my favorite. Very War of the Worlds which is a good thing. In fact, this would almost fit perfectly into that story, except replace the aliens dying of disease to the metal allergy they have in this film.
As I was picking films at random from the list to view - this one stood out in my mind. Very nicely crafted. Revealing the significance of the dimes near the end was a satisfying payoff. Not in your face, not over the top, relatively seamless and invisible FX - well done. I predict "Alone" will be a winner.
Norm Sanders
Script Wrangler
Loved the before & after stills ... thanks for sharing. Wish Macgregor would show his as well, as I think it's beneficial for people to see what can be accomplished with sweetening the footage in post, etc.
The amount of time you put into this is stunning, and the results show. Great job, again.
The amount of time you put into this is stunning, and the results show. Great job, again.
Shawn Murphy
Well-known member
Kaz said:
I didn't have time to read through all the posts, but I have to say that this is the first film I've watched where I thought, "now this one is competition for Similo", both have their unique strengths, but I personally feel that this was much more dramatic and "sci-fi", and the FX looked great!! Nice attention to detail throughout!
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Kaz
Well-known member
Bryan said:
For shots with static foregrounds (like the neighborhood street shot) it was as simple as bringing an uncompressed still from my NLE into photoshop, then you layer in your sky of choice and erase the areas covering the foreground objects. Erase the still, bring it back into your NLE, put it on top of your video, CC and then add a touch of noise to match what the camera makes.
For the character profile shot, same procedure, but I had to add a mask to him and layer him on top of the clouds.
ChrisLyon
Well-known member
I really enjoyed this. I watched this before watching similo. I still ranked this one high. I am pulling between the two. I am a huge WOTW fan so that helps. And I love firefly, so that out of focus thing almost made me wet my pants in excitement that you had that in there.
The one thing I wish you had at the end was a larger army. I kept imagining after listening to the story again (without watching) that during the speach that there was a larger group of people, several hundred being armed and instructed (as you have for your smaller number of people) and when he says "Paybacks a *****" there is a longer shot just before and while he says it that pans up from a large crowd of people marching on the city towards the machines (the people walking away from the camera) and as soon as the line ends, it cuts to black. That's how into this I was. I tried to think "If i had thougth of this, how would i have done it" I played it over and over again.
The one thing I wish you had at the end was a larger army. I kept imagining after listening to the story again (without watching) that during the speach that there was a larger group of people, several hundred being armed and instructed (as you have for your smaller number of people) and when he says "Paybacks a *****" there is a longer shot just before and while he says it that pans up from a large crowd of people marching on the city towards the machines (the people walking away from the camera) and as soon as the line ends, it cuts to black. That's how into this I was. I tried to think "If i had thougth of this, how would i have done it" I played it over and over again.
profnoxin
Well-known member
I dig you guys style man. One of my favorite films from the standpoint of photography. I truly enjoyed the look of the daytime exterior scenes. Taking myself out of talking (because we are all biased to some extent, for good or for bad) in my top five for camera work so far.
Kaz
Well-known member
I posted earlier that the ending was a big compromise. I didn't mention the amount of people, but that was another problem. I had 5 people cancel on me the day of the shoot. And the ending was supposed to be a lot more like you suggested, but we could not pull it together in time (it was the last shoot before the deadline). PLUS...Katrina thinned out the ranks for us. Less people working here.
Thanks to everyone else for the props. Much appreciated!
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Wow. I mean, everyone's saying wow, so you may be tired of it by now, but wow.
I gotta say, my favorite pieces of the film were just the atmosphere-building landscape shots. The genuine destruction combined with the shots of the alien machines rising out of the ground, or the walkers on the water, made the whole thing really magic. Magic in a tense, tragic, scary way, but still magic.
I think I'll need to watch it again before I think of what could be done better. Or maybe a third time. I'm too impressed right now to be critical.
I gotta say, my favorite pieces of the film were just the atmosphere-building landscape shots. The genuine destruction combined with the shots of the alien machines rising out of the ground, or the walkers on the water, made the whole thing really magic. Magic in a tense, tragic, scary way, but still magic.
I think I'll need to watch it again before I think of what could be done better. Or maybe a third time. I'm too impressed right now to be critical.
EditPhish
Well-known member
Kaz,
You've gotten tons of replies already, but I had to comment on your film. I've watched it several times already, and like all the others I've watched I took a lot of notes and wanted to share them with you.
Your short is top-notch and without a doubt, one of the best in this fest. I'll give you my tiny nitpicks first, and then tell you all the things I liked.
One thing I would consider looking at is the very last line the lead character says in the movie... it's a great line, but could use a bit more punch somehow... with sound. It rang just a tad hollow to me.
The only other nitpick was the walkers out in the ocean looked a little too much like War of the Worlds to me. But not so much that it took me away from YOUR story.
Other than that, everything else is superb... absolutely superb. Very professional in every area... cinematography, lighting, sound, editing... all fantastic. And it's "starred" as one of my favorites. Your attention to details, the music and sound... there was nothing I could even think about scoring you low on.
I loved how you played with shadows to create tension and fear.
That shot when the invasion first begins, where his wife holds her belly, brought home the human element very early on, and immediately made you feel for the characters. It was excellent foreshadowing, especially when you tie it into the shot of the belly again right after she's shot. The use of slow motion right there was brilliant, not cheesy at all (as slow motion can sometimes be)... it was perfect.
The shot you use as your screen grab here... with the sun rays through the clouds... is beautiful.
The fade/edit from the hole in the dead person's jacket to the moon in the clouds was brilliant -- and an excellent entry into flashback. Flashbacks can be so awkward when not executed right, and you did it superbly.
Your special FX were excellent... you didn't go so heavy on them to take away from the emotional story, which really was the heart of your piece... but put enough in to make it truly believeable -- and the quality was top-notch.
Most of all, your story pulled me in. I truly felt for the characters.
You pulled off a very emotional and dramatic scene, which is not easy to do at all -- and I was totally sucked in -- I actually almost cried! (I'm not kidding!).
When the story turns and there is a feeling in the shift of power, I love how the lead character turns and looks right at the camera... powerful!
All these things are a true testiment to the story telling, the directing and the acting (which was amazing... GREAT actors!).
In my mind dude, you are clearly at the top of the list.
Thanks so much for sharing your movie with us, and for challenging everyone here to take it up a notch!
You've gotten tons of replies already, but I had to comment on your film. I've watched it several times already, and like all the others I've watched I took a lot of notes and wanted to share them with you.
Your short is top-notch and without a doubt, one of the best in this fest. I'll give you my tiny nitpicks first, and then tell you all the things I liked.
One thing I would consider looking at is the very last line the lead character says in the movie... it's a great line, but could use a bit more punch somehow... with sound. It rang just a tad hollow to me.
The only other nitpick was the walkers out in the ocean looked a little too much like War of the Worlds to me. But not so much that it took me away from YOUR story.
Other than that, everything else is superb... absolutely superb. Very professional in every area... cinematography, lighting, sound, editing... all fantastic. And it's "starred" as one of my favorites. Your attention to details, the music and sound... there was nothing I could even think about scoring you low on.
I loved how you played with shadows to create tension and fear.
That shot when the invasion first begins, where his wife holds her belly, brought home the human element very early on, and immediately made you feel for the characters. It was excellent foreshadowing, especially when you tie it into the shot of the belly again right after she's shot. The use of slow motion right there was brilliant, not cheesy at all (as slow motion can sometimes be)... it was perfect.
The shot you use as your screen grab here... with the sun rays through the clouds... is beautiful.
The fade/edit from the hole in the dead person's jacket to the moon in the clouds was brilliant -- and an excellent entry into flashback. Flashbacks can be so awkward when not executed right, and you did it superbly.
Your special FX were excellent... you didn't go so heavy on them to take away from the emotional story, which really was the heart of your piece... but put enough in to make it truly believeable -- and the quality was top-notch.
Most of all, your story pulled me in. I truly felt for the characters.
You pulled off a very emotional and dramatic scene, which is not easy to do at all -- and I was totally sucked in -- I actually almost cried! (I'm not kidding!).
When the story turns and there is a feeling in the shift of power, I love how the lead character turns and looks right at the camera... powerful!
All these things are a true testiment to the story telling, the directing and the acting (which was amazing... GREAT actors!).
In my mind dude, you are clearly at the top of the list.
Thanks so much for sharing your movie with us, and for challenging everyone here to take it up a notch!
Kaz
Well-known member
EditPhish, thank you for taking the time to write that and I'm truly glad it moved you the way it did. After being forced out of my home for three months, two weeks of which I didn't know what was left of it, I came back with a strong need to try and make something special. For the most part, it seems I may have succeeded.
To your negatives I must say I came up with an idea just a little while ago to add one last shot after the cut to black. It would definitely be a powerful way to end it but I still need to work out if I can pull it off as it would take some MAJOR FX work.
As to your other nitpick: What's funny is, I think those things are what keeps putting people in mind of WOTW but I actually cribbed it from the "Striders" of Half-Life 2 PC game!
Anyway, thanks again for the kind words.
To your negatives I must say I came up with an idea just a little while ago to add one last shot after the cut to black. It would definitely be a powerful way to end it but I still need to work out if I can pull it off as it would take some MAJOR FX work.
As to your other nitpick: What's funny is, I think those things are what keeps putting people in mind of WOTW but I actually cribbed it from the "Striders" of Half-Life 2 PC game!
Anyway, thanks again for the kind words.
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
I haven't read everyone elses posts so forgive me if this repeats anyone else's feedback but my review:
We Are Not Alone – Good film. From the beginning to end I really enjoyed this and it was one of the first films that really hit me. The music from the beginning grabs you. I like the narration and it actually works rather than coming across as cheesy. The lead actor I thought did a good job and I like the way the story progresses. Your film is also one of the first that I thought the sound really worked. There isn’t that dead air of nothing going on. Good use creating a multi layered track that really works. The 10 year old line was a little cheesy, but with that exception I thought it worked really well. This is one of the few films that kept my interest throughout. Like others have commented I wasn’t crazy about the out of focus on the space craft, but this is a minor critique to an overall great submission. You certainly have the story going for you from start to finish. I enjoyed it and would watch again. Great production value and I really enjoyed this film. Great job.
We Are Not Alone – Good film. From the beginning to end I really enjoyed this and it was one of the first films that really hit me. The music from the beginning grabs you. I like the narration and it actually works rather than coming across as cheesy. The lead actor I thought did a good job and I like the way the story progresses. Your film is also one of the first that I thought the sound really worked. There isn’t that dead air of nothing going on. Good use creating a multi layered track that really works. The 10 year old line was a little cheesy, but with that exception I thought it worked really well. This is one of the few films that kept my interest throughout. Like others have commented I wasn’t crazy about the out of focus on the space craft, but this is a minor critique to an overall great submission. You certainly have the story going for you from start to finish. I enjoyed it and would watch again. Great production value and I really enjoyed this film. Great job.
So I've said I thought this was great in a PM already.
but great stuff - excellent filme -- way to represent New Orleans and the same goes for your cast as well -- to bad I am moving RIGHT THIS SECOND I would have liked to work with you all.
My only critcicsm is pure taste -- not as excited about films where most of the story is carried in voice over as ones where its played out -- but that's a minor taste issue, like I prefer cheeseburgers to hamburgers -- but a well made hamburger can knock your socks off. I've seen another film that uses this story telling style on your website -- think you are getting great results now but might consider a different approach too (and maybe everyother film you've done is sans V.O. for all I know)
Other than that slick as a frog's ass and completly confident filmmaking every step of the way.
but great stuff - excellent filme -- way to represent New Orleans and the same goes for your cast as well -- to bad I am moving RIGHT THIS SECOND I would have liked to work with you all.
My only critcicsm is pure taste -- not as excited about films where most of the story is carried in voice over as ones where its played out -- but that's a minor taste issue, like I prefer cheeseburgers to hamburgers -- but a well made hamburger can knock your socks off. I've seen another film that uses this story telling style on your website -- think you are getting great results now but might consider a different approach too (and maybe everyother film you've done is sans V.O. for all I know)
Other than that slick as a frog's ass and completly confident filmmaking every step of the way.