I finally came up with an idea, but time doesn't allow me to do it.I'll probably shoot it though, and upload it to the footage section for comments.
I finally came up with an idea, but time doesn't allow me to do it.
My skills are vast, rendering me capable of too many things.
Thanks TimOriginally Posted by Timbit
Canon 5D Mk2 / Canon HV20
Film submitted! (11:30pm) (now to see tomorrow if vimeo and my computer were able to chat). I'm really happy, cause this is my first film I have ever finished for a contest!
Canon 5D Mk2 / Canon HV20
It got uploaded. Looks like it's being "processed".
We have two so far. Hope we see some more.
Bruce Foreman
I am a reforming videomaking addict
Vimeo made my video look pretty dark. I don't really want to complain, but it did'nt look that way in my NLE. oh well.
Last edited by Shaunp007; 2011 February 28th at 01:04.
Canon 5D Mk2 / Canon HV20
My Thoughts on the two entries:
1. Nick Royer's "The Fever":
Well shot, the lighting was nice. Audio was nice and clear. Nice twist on the story! At first I was getting the spy flick vibe, then I thought it might have been going to buy booze for under-agers. Funny end twist! The cuts were sometimes a little jarring, but not a deal breaker. Acting was pretty good until the payoff. I understand that he was supposed to be happy about it, but the underlying smile made it obvious that he knew that he was delivering silly lines. Also, I would have turned the hose down so that it wasn't such a direct stream outside the window. This is something I notice only because it was only from one angle. A little long for the story told, but I was entertained!
2. Shaun Pontsler's Entry:
Looks fantastic. Some great angles and lighting. The VO was a little hard to hear sometimes, but not bad! I think the VO just need a little more confidence. You set up a great atmosphere. Story kept me interested even though it was something we had seen. I definitely wanted to keep watching everything to see how it all played out. It was a little confusing how the guy had such a big gun, but then wasn't prepared enough to dress properly for the snow. I also don't see why he got out of his car and started walking into the woods. Also, the digital blood hurt more than it helped. Normally, I wouldn't say so much, but there wasn't much wrong with this one, so I though I'd point out the only things that needed working on. A really solid little short!
Two solid entries this time, but my vote goes to Shaun!
The Fever: Was hoping it kept going in one single shot, but either way the ending made me laugh. Sound was good and the shot was nice. I should have caught on by the title ha. Overall, fun little submission.
Shaun P: Thought it looked great, some great shots. You caught some nice desolation feeling in those outside shots. The radio guy didn't really seem serious enough and he kinda stumbled up. I don't get why he was going into the woods either. Very nice first submission though, hope to see more.
My imaginary vote would go to Shaun P.
First I appreciate the detailed comments and help. I agree 100% with both Vishus and Paperkut's comments. About the walking into the woods... Originally my character was leaving a message on his wifes phone (who is most likely dead). He tells her that since Fort Wayne is going to be "disinfected" that he is going to hold up in a cabin that he and his friends built. I had to axe it because of the 5 min time limit and I did'nt want to cut anything else. It would have made it 5'30". Cut on the editing room floor i guess. Also yeah the blood looked sorta weird but I had just come off the scene of the desolate highway which I painted all the cars out and it was late last night and I had to submit it.
Thanks for your comments, I do greatly appreciate them.
Canon 5D Mk2 / Canon HV20
You did what now? That's impressive. I am off to rewatch to see that part again!
I took live footage of a major 4 lane highway, you can tell because the plants in the bottom right corner are shaking in the wind. I did a mix of clone stamping and looping small clips when there were no cars in a certain areas of the highway, in after effects.
Canon 5D Mk2 / Canon HV20
You're welcome.
My comments on the entries:
The Fever
I found the single shot a little boring after a while, and would have liked to see some different angles if the other voice was to be left in seclusion. The audio and lighting were excellent, though like Vishus I would have liked to see a better rain stimulation (maybe next time have someone hold the hose and flip it back and forth quickly so that it's more uniform all the way across. A spray nozzle works best). Cuts were a little rough, but a very well-done entry otherwise!
ShaunP (HV20.com Film Contest #20)
Wow.
I was kept entertained all the way to the end, the undertone of desolation was well done. Angles, POV, were all very impressive! Pretty much what Vishus said about the radio announcer and the blood is all that I find at fault. And yes, the gun was kind of large, as I would have preferred a shotgun or smaller rifle.
Great short!
My vote goes to Shaun!
My skills are vast, rendering me capable of too many things.
Easy than the alternative...
-(PHONE)-
"Hello this is the Mayor's office, Mayor speaking"
"Yeah, Hi...can you perhaps do me a favor and shut down Highway 469 for like...10 minutes?"
"(click)"
"Umm...hello...Mayor?"
Canon 5D Mk2 / Canon HV20
While we only had 2 entries both were well worth the time to watch. We have some talent here and while many of the members here are still in school, I can't think of a better outside interest than learning film making. I consider both of these film makers WINNERS for completing an entry and submitting.
Congratulations to Shaun, 3 judges made it unanimous.
SHAUNP
On Shaun's entry I found only one minor thing, a "jump cut" in the car. He had to stop the camera for some reason (happens) and restarted it from the same position. Very minor but noticeable and a bit "jarring" to the viewer if noticed.
If I absolutely have to do that I'll slip a "dissolve" in between the clips, but this can be interpreted by the viewer as a passage of time. A better method is to use "cutaways", in this case a short external view of the car should have worked perfectly.
I'm guilty myself of not shooting enough potential "cutaway" shots, they can literally be lifesavers in a project.
All in all this entry was VERY WELL DONE! A variety of views, excellent visual with the garage door opening and the narration was just right.
THE FEVER
Nick's entry also had excellent acting, built up the suspense until we literally get the bucket of cold water "shocker". Lighting was pretty good but I have to echo the others remarks concerning the simulated rain and the adherence to one single viewpoint which also had multiple "jump cuts".
You need to always find a way to significantly change camera position/angle or insert short "cutaway" views to avoid that. If you have to stop the camera when filming the driver from the passenger side, move to the back seat and have the driver either turn back to face whoever is supposed to be there, or alternatively have the driver turn head to the right and film it (tight if no second party is shown) in profile, then switch back to the first angle. I know this would have been tough with the rain needing to be simulated and I don't want to come across as being unnecessarily critical.
I will always try to come up with suggested solutions when I comment on something that might not have worked as it should.
Having said all that, I found this to be a very entertaining short with a neat twist, acted first low key (to make us wonder what it was about) and then energetically for the ending.
I liked it.
One suggestion for all who don't do it already. When you submit to vimeo, take the time to list the equipment you used in the "description". We are not "equipment snobs" but there will be an intense curiosity on the part of some who drop by to watch the entries concerning what was used.
Next contest will be announced and a thread started in a few minutes.
Bruce Foreman
I am a reforming videomaking addict
Contest #21
A couple weeks ago Mal offered a suggestion (he was willing to run Contest #20 with it) so when Daniel asked me to give him some relief, I had already taken and used Drapeama's idea. Now we'll go for Mal's idea.
Hang on folks...
- Pick any thread from HV20.com and make a movie about it. Can be a ANY genre, can be an animation, slide show, movie.
- User names can (and are encouraged to) be used in the submissions
- Main criteria and judging should be on how well the thread's gist/essence/heart was adapted.
The advantage with this is that, inevitably, members will be mentioned in the film contest entries, and we can use that to drive more members to
the contest forum, and possibly get a bigger participation next time.
That's it.
This is one you could have an awful lot of fun with. Any thread, anywhere on HV20, use of usernames is encouraged so we could see some interesting "portrayals" (wonder how I'll be shown...Gasp!)
Deadline is midnight March 20th in your timezone. So this gives everyone 1 day short of 3 weeks.
Lights!
Sound!
Camera!
ACTION!
I'll start a new thread for #21 and hopefully a mod with the right privilege level will "approve" it.
I am a reforming videomaking addict
Hello both contestant. Both of your films have a boldness to them that I like a lot. Simple with a clear visual style. I was in a lazy mood today so in both cases I fell off the story a little. My point is that you next time could think about the rule: "tell it so that a kid would understand". That's something that I don't give a lalalala about here myself, but...
I just had a chance to watch Nick's "The Fever". Kinda kept me wondering the whole time what he was gonna buy or what store... My favorite part was when he said, "My mom already gave me cash for it...she doesn't know what I'm buying though.." lol...funny. If I have any comments to help the film it may have been nice to start the movie out with a wide shot of your car in a parking lot, or some other camera angle inside the car during the dialog just to keep the pace lively.
Canon 5D Mk2 / Canon HV20
I screwed up. I scanned rapidly through the last part of the thread and miscounted judging posts. Somehow I thought I saw yours but in going back over sure enough it's only Vishus and Timbit, two votes but both the same.
Paperkut cast an "imaginary" vote but that stood out clearly.
Marc, honestly I thought I saw a judging post by you but I was trying to get many things done so quickly I just went too fast. It's my fault entirely.
But no one replaced you, I would not do that to anyone.
I've mentioned before that I have a lot of "crap" going on right now. My daughter's husband has terminal cancer and has just decided to take no more chemo. I have become a part time "caretaker" for an 89 year old neighbor (a lady whose cat I took in a year ago, and which cat now has a rapidly growing tumor that is inoperable), and my 21 year old grandson is taking a lot of attention from me to keep him in school.
I apologize to you for this oversight, please don't fail to volunteer again. This group and contest needs you very much.
I guess it's a good thing Vishus and Timbit agreed.
I am very sorry,
Bruce Foreman
I am a reforming videomaking addict
Thank you all for the comments! We had a great time making this film. ShaunP - I really enjoyed your film - great job! I'm glad we at least got to finish the film to submit something. We were planning on shooting some exteriors of the car and more angles inside the car, but an actual thunder-storm came in about half-way thru filming. Since our 'rain' was comprised of a metal ladder with a metal pole sticking out about 15 feet with water shooting out the end of it, we had to strike due to the lightning. But fortunately we were able to still make something watchable - and we had a great time doing it. Thanks for watching!
No need to feel that way. You're human. It can happen to anyone.
...anyway I think I'm more loosing interest in this contest, and in so many other things actually, so don't feel sorry about that. I don't even care about it myself.
Good luck with the next contest Bruce.
That's the main part!
My skills are vast, rendering me capable of too many things.
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