Winter, a Fairy Tale

I know the song, and the sentiment. I will watch your film Zak Forsman, because you have taken the time to explain yourself and your choice regarding the title. If I can get it to download and play.
 
Hmm, interesting. It had a strong 80s soap-opera feel to it. Mostly due to the lighting, heavy pro-mist and synth soundtrack. If that's the look you wanted, you did it!

My favorite shots were the glowing snow, I really liked that. Good production design, with the exception of that modern glass thingy right in the middle of all the antiques.
 
Kholi said:
I did remove my post/review in this thread. I think you've made a valid point in that we should watch as an audience and less as a filmmaker.

Thanks for bringing that to light.
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Kholi, I think your review was positive, as well as duly noted.

As "filmmakers," we should never cease giving each other a critical eye. It's a disservice to ourselves and others to sit back and say "Nice job!" every time, and not offer up comments and criticism. As "filmmakers" (and dare I say artists), it's our responsibililty to grow and push ourselves and others, rather than sitting back expecting to have our asses kissed.

Telling someone to "just be an audience" is tantamount to saying "Just shut up and watch it."
 
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The work put into the Art Direction is impressive.

I can tell the actors are trained but seem to be working in more theatrical style. I didn't believe the father.

The glowy white diffusion look never works for me. It looks soap operish, cheasy, and like video and negates the art direction.

The work that went into the art direction was impressive. But the set walls coupled with the filter gave it a Dark Shadows or soap opera feel.

The dialogue seemed forced, there to serve exposition, and too on the nose.

I didn't find it engaging except for a few moments, but certainly not throughout.

The white fairy imagery in the snow is stunning.

The story didn't make any sense to me ... Mom gave him book that he gives to his dad and he takes a khayaking trip and white fairy finds him .... whaaa?
 
hordeprime said:
As "filmmakers," we should never cease giving each other a critical eye. It's a disservice to ourselves and others to sit back and say "Nice job!" every time, and not offer up comments and criticism. As "filmmakers" (and dare I say artists), it's our responsibililty to grow and push ourselves and others, rather than sitting back expecting to have our asses kissed.

Telling someone to "just be an audience" is tantamount to saying "Just shut up and watch it."
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EXACTLY
the fact that people who have written well thought out critiques have been made to feel so uncomfortable that they deleted them is more obscene than the "F" word
 
Winter- A Fairy Tale, Explained.
The story the mother is telling the little boy at the beginning of the film... It's the end of the film. "He looked up into the eyes of the fairy and knew he had found his true love, and they lived happily ever after."
The conversation with his father reiterates how the mother filled his head with nonsense about finding true love when she should have been telling him about hard work and dedication.
The book is the mother's diary. In it she tells of the sadness and loneliness she feels. The father had promised her he would love her and so on, but didn't because he was too busy working. The son gives the book to his father so he'll understand why his son despises him.
The ending is just a fanciful depiction of him searching for something he'll recognize when he sees it.
In the end they become the two flowers. Just like in the stained glass windows.
 
Winter, A Fairy Tale
Oh my gosh! I loved the expectation from the beginning. The images are beautiful. The soft glowing images reminded me a lot of “The Illusionist”. The lighting was very well done.

I thought the acting was good, maybe a little affected. I couldn’t hear the dialog at some times.

I really appreciate the locations and ‘big picture’ feel this has. There were amazing locations in this. I would have liked to see one establishing shot of some vast mountain expanse or valley before the shots of his ‘journey’. I know that’s probably not possible, but it ‘felt’ like there could have been one. My favorite shot is as he approaches the cave with the snow falling. It has an other worldly feel to it.

The story seemed disconnected? It seemed like a much bigger story than was able to be told in 6 minutes and believe me, I know how that works (or doesn’t work as the case may be). There didn’t seem to be motivation for his ‘journey’ and the ending? I got the two flowers and referenced them in the stained glass window from the beginning, but didn't understand the connection?

Overall, I loved the images in this. The promise of the story didn’t satisfy the ending for me. I would love to see a longer version of this! I wanted more. Great job!
 
It was great to see a historical romance. I thought you captured the Victorian era really well. I did not realize the library was a set until I read the thread. Great job! The set dressings and props really sold it. The costumes were also very good.

I liked the story, and the ending really had a magical quality. It reminded me a little of Legend, with the snow and all, and that is meant as a compliment.

My main critique would be the cinematography. The soft focus and flares gave it an 80s video feel. I think a desaturated or sepia tone would have been more appropriate for the time period.

Don't be discouraged by negative comments. They are meant to be food for thought, if nothing else.

Look forward to your next film!
 
We wanted the film to have a softer look. Sort of dreamy, I don't know, Fairy Tale? I realized after I had submitted the version you have seen how heavy handed I had been with the glow. Subsequent re-edits have decrease and fine tuned the effect for a much more appealing look.
I would have liked the opportunity to have had some "epic" shots, however, we were trying to get as much information in as possible.
I thought the study scene was the way to give the back story and set up what was to come. Maybe I missed the mark.
I'm glad those of you who enjoyed the work did. If it didn't, well at least it was free.
 
shawneous said:
Hmm, interesting. It had a strong 80s soap-opera feel to it. Mostly due to the lighting, heavy pro-mist and synth soundtrack. If that's the look you wanted, you did it!

My favorite shots were the glowing snow, I really liked that. Good production design, with the exception of that modern glass thingy right in the middle of all the antiques.
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The Modern glass thingy is actually the oldest piece on the entire set. It's a Galileo thermometer. The really old kind invented by the old Italian guy. Right next to it however, a real 1970's Wham-O Magic Window.
 
Wild Imagination Films said:
The Modern glass thingy is actually the oldest piece on the entire set. It's a Galileo thermometer. The really old kind invented by the old Italian guy. Right next to it however, a real 1970's Wham-O Magic Window.
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I have no doubt that the design is old, but the piece itself looked fresh from Wal-Mart. Are you saying the actual glass is an antique?
 
Wild Imagination Films said:
The Modern glass thingy is actually the oldest piece on the entire set. It's a Galileo thermometer. The really old kind invented by the old Italian guy. Right next to it however, a real 1970's Wham-O Magic Window.
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Yes, but the one you have isn't actually from that era right? It's a modern day remake. I have one exactly like it.

First thing I noticed. :thumbsup:
 
Yup. But I don't think the design has changed. My brief research on the net didn't turn up anything looking any different than the one we have.
Can you see the Hellraiser box on the far side of the table? I can't tell, but I know it's there.
 
I still don't understand why he didn't pick up the camera (assuming thats what was in the bag) when it fell as he was climbing, judging by the trees around him it looks like he was only about 5-10 feet up the rocks. Thats determination right there, a man that won't be slowed down by anything! :D
 
But have you been climbing on Bull Creek, in the rain, in Doc Martins? It's treacherous. To have gone back would have been too risky. Plus, it's not like he was going to need it in a couple of minutes anyway.
(Actually, the bag contained my paramedic text book.)
We were going to do the scene next to the Pennybacker Bridge on 360 at the river, but it was too cold and we didn't have a lot of time to shoot. The kayak stuff took a little more time than I had thought. Had we, the bag would have fallen a really long way.
To be honest, there was talk of flying up to Utah and going to one of the snowboarding resorts and shooting him going over the ridge in the snow, but then there would have been all manner of "Where did all the snow go?" questions. Trying to get people together when everyone has jobs is also quite a logistical nightmare. So... maybe one day we'll revisit Winter and make a longer film. I'd like to.
 
Wild Imagination Films said:
Winter- A Fairy Tale, Explained.
The story the mother is telling the little boy at the beginning of the film... It's the end of the film. "He looked up into the eyes of the fairy and knew he had found his true love, and they lived happily ever after."
The conversation with his father reiterates how the mother filled his head with nonsense about finding true love when she should have been telling him about hard work and dedication.
The book is the mother's diary. In it she tells of the sadness and loneliness she feels. The father had promised her he would love her and so on, but didn't because he was too busy working. The son gives the book to his father so he'll understand why his son despises him.
The ending is just a fanciful depiction of him searching for something he'll recognize when he sees it.
In the end they become the two flowers. Just like in the stained glass windows.
Click to expand...

thank you for the explanation because honestly i didn't get it when i watched the film.
 
I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to watch Winter. I have just finished talking with my brother about this project. He had no previous knowledge of the story going in and his initial response was, I'm a little confused by all of this. He than very carefully explained what was missing, and after I explained everything to him, he said...If you had to tell me this, then the story is confusing. People only see what you show them and know only what they see on the screen.
Look to our next film to correct all of the shortcomings this film had.
-Will
 
Hey Will, I have revisited your film as I promised and found some of the initial confusion I had cleared up.

It's funny, the opening dialogue over the credits was lost on me as we entered the parlor scene. And everything that is in that opening dialogue is what this film is about. I am sorry that I forgot it too soon.

On reason for this may be the nature of these 6 minute shorts. There is just so little time to tell your story.

This is just a thought/suggestion... what would happen if, while the son was out exploring in the winter time IF SECTIONS OF THE OPENING DIALOGUE WERE REPEATED?

I know that I hate beating an audience over the head, but in this case it may work. If anything, the beginning and end would come together and the message may have been a little clearer. Just a thought.

Again, a wonderful film made by you and your crew. Wonderful attention to detail and some incredible images.

Best to you and congrats on this film!

-Ted
 
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