Promotional "Film"

evenwolf · Thu 02/09/2004 13:07:13

Filmed Sunday, edited and scored Monday, and uploaded moments ago,

Here is the first promo I've made for my university film club.

http://kingsizedpictures.com/ufapart.mpg

[right click, select 'save target as,' size: 30mb]

We filmed with a Panasonic A DVX100, which yields very stunning digital quality.

YOke · Thu 02/09/2004 13:52:02

haha! I loved it!!

It's like Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes, except you added the one thing that it missed. I give it two thumbs up!

Chicky · Thu 02/09/2004 19:53:39

haha! excellent!

totally did'nt expect the ending. Nice one!

evenwolf · Fri 03/09/2004 00:31:55

Thanks guys!

I suppose I should give some context for this project.Ã,Â We also filmed and edited a segment of documentary style testimonials for a four minute version, where the "Smokes and Java" scene appears at the end.Ã,Â I will upload the testimonial parts when they're available but for now I'll tell you what they say:

Nick, the long dark haired one,Ã,Â is a pretentious film student.Ã,Â He argues that films should be made to make people think, and only on film.Ã,Â He's somewhat a stereotype film student.

Charles is a huge fan of George Lucas, Spielberg, and pretty much any movie with explosions and no plot.Ã,Â He argues that story doesn't matter, just special fx because its all people will ever remember.Ã,Â He also encourages digital filmmaking, because its new and easier.

The point is that their opinions clash, and that UFA recognizes and accepts that clash.

Kweepa · Fri 03/09/2004 00:55:58

Does this mean you're a student at UT?

auhsor · Fri 03/09/2004 03:16:01

I watched it but was confused. Your background behind it was helpful. It was pretty cool tho.

evenwolf · Fri 03/09/2004 05:39:06

I hang around UT sometimes.

mätzyboy · Fri 03/09/2004 13:20:28

Cool little film! I had no problem understanding the conflict without the explanation. Only crit would be that the subtitles should be exchanged for white text on black background filling the screen for some seconds, interrupting the film a bit, to fully achieve the air of a silent movie.

evenwolf · Fri 03/09/2004 18:27:01

yeah its not supposed to be a silent movie. we just haven't dubbed in the lines yet. I have a friend who will do other sound design for it, including ambient bird chirps and sound fx.

MrColossal · Fri 03/09/2004 22:50:59

Since this be in the critics lounge I shall critique!

First the usage of black and white as a symbol of the black and white way in which these two characters [who we will dub id and superego] view the world and their art form is stunning, especially coupled with the backwards masking used in the song that pla... yea I don't know what I'm talking about...

But, my suggestion is make it shorter.

I think it's way to long and could start at the 35th second, with the image of the table with the cups top down. they reach in grab the cups, cut to them both at the table drinking the coffee, they put them down and then both take a drag on their cigarettes, they exhale and close up on the artis, "je suis un artiste" cut to filmmaker "I'm a film maker" [doesn't look like he says it in french but it ain't english, correct?]

wide shot of them looking at each other, light sabers, crash.

The joke of the artist's light saber is funny but slows down the joke of the light saber I think. So maybe they pull out their lightsabers [heh... heh... heh...] strike a pose and then give a wider sweeping motion before their sabers crash together and the film cuts. Just to have the lightsabers on screen for a little tiny bit longer before cutting away.

Know what I mean?

Another thing I had problems with was the length of time it took the film maker to sit down, he walks in spills the coffee and spends a long time wiping himself down [He spends six seconds wiping his clothes.] while the cigarette just sits there I feel the moment takes too long.

When the film maker first walks in the room you can't see him very well at all, black shirt and pants on black door. He stumbles into the light and then he has an outline and he's all good, but before that he's lost.

Is the film maker a smoker? He doesn't really look it. Just wondering.

Otherwise I think it's cute. The lightsabers were a big surprise and a nice pay off.

eric

p.s. oh yea, one TINY little thingie, the artist's light saber loops around and pops out the other side of the image when he is whacking it to get the red to turn on.

evenwolf · Fri 03/09/2004 23:14:12

Yes, the character does wipe himself eleven times.Ã,Â He has also never smoked a cigarette in his life.Ã,Â But his lack of comfort in the scene is almost a metaphor for his style of filmmaking.Ã,Â He is the embodiment of the bad student film.

I like your suggestions.Ã,Â I want you to watch the four minute version when I upload it.Ã,Â Ã,Â It could just be the way I've justified it in my head, but I think it's funny that Nick is very comfortable sitting in the artsy black and white scene doing nothing, and Charles isn't.Ã,Â And vice versa, Charles has no problem with his light saber, and Nick has trouble getting his in color.Ã,Â But within the context of the documentary scene, those nuiances are slightly more obvious.

Starting on the 35th second:Ã,Â A very good idea for a one minute promo.Ã,Â I will suggest that when we co-sponsor film screenings, and need to shorten the promo. Thanks!

Igor · Fri 03/09/2004 23:37:54

Haha, love it. The music, camera angles, sketch... top notch!

BlackMan890 · Fri 03/09/2004 23:40:06

how big is this?

because where i live you have to pay for each mb you dl

anyway, how big is this?

EDIT thanks Kingsized

EDIT-EDIT: if you wan't to know how much i pay for megabyte, its about 28 mb for a dollar

evenwolf · Fri 03/09/2004 23:56:30

30mb

blackman, when I compress the new file I'll keep you in mind and make another low quality version.Ã,Â Wait until then, ok?Ã,Â

also, thanks Igor! You humble me

evenwolf · Sun 05/09/2004 09:13:06

I've got another idea for a promo.

Say we filmmakers decided to start our own frat at the University.

It would be us walking through a house for sale, looking at cool features such as a bar, and saying "Heck yeah! ...... We could all put our editing systems on this!"

and they find a mini-fridge in every room.Ã,Â "Dude! We could store our film stock in these!"

They come across a basketball in the backyard.Ã,Â "Um.... we could film a movie about basketball?"

[developing...]

Chicky · Sun 05/09/2004 10:19:06

It sounds good Even.

Mr Jake · Sun 05/09/2004 10:51:37

OMG DOUBLE POST USE THE MODIFY BUTT0N!!!111 n00b!

erm.
I liked the 'film' one of the bits I liked was when the artist used the lighter and it went with the music. Your new idea (the frat house) could be good if its played right, keep us updated

Esseb · Sun 05/09/2004 12:42:22

It sounds like it'd be amusing the first time, the rest of the time it'd just get embarassing to watch. "We've got the point already; you're film geeks. Move on". I'm afraid I don't have any good suggestions on how to improve the idea, but I do like the basic idea of film geeks using a frat house as a film making house instead of partying there.

evenwolf · Sun 05/09/2004 13:34:08

that's the thing, esseb, I wouldn't put more than two or three instances in there. I just don't think I've come up with the best ideas just yet.

But also I think the visual would help. Rather than a character exclaiming these things... what if we see the image in their head of what they'd do with the room? The bar transforms into a giant editing bay, for example.

loominous · Sun 05/09/2004 14:23:40

Think both ideas could work really well, however I find the first one too pathetic (especially the music) to be enjoyable, and could really use some understatements rather than ensuring that even a 4 year old will be able to follow.

I m sorry if this came across as harsh, but I m irritated by the fact that so many independant movies are spoiled by this.

This ofcourse is only my opinion and, as it seems from the posts so far, indeed only my opinion.