Feedback: "Soot Happens" at DVinfo.net

Lorinda Norton · December 19th, 2005, 02:52 PM

The boys are back!!! Yes, Jeff & Mason made it out of the desert, and by request of a few DVC3 folks they’re back for another go-round. This movie seems like pretty light fare, especially when compared to many of the entries I’ve seen here so far. But it’s just hard for some of us to be very serious—particularly at Christmastime.

As a believer in the *Baby in the Manger,* I was asked why I didn’t do some present-day movie in that direction given the “spirit” theme. Simply put, I didn’t think I could pull it off! Shoot, trying to light the inside of a fake chimney (yeah, I cheated on the motivated lighting thing) had me stressed out enough.

Hopefully, though, this hapless duo struck a friendly chord in reminding us of an age-old truth.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Dick Mays · December 19th, 2005, 05:29 PM

Lorinda,

Are these the same two guys that were stuck in the desert? I liked that one, and I loved this one.

This one has my favorite dialog so far:

"We are idiots, Jeff, one of us anyway."

Followed by...

" You're not an idiot Jeff. Not a big idiot, like everybody thinks..."

I love the understated delivery. Serving it up with nothing on it!

Riley Harmon · December 19th, 2005, 05:30 PM

hilarious yet simple/sentimental

Tyler Baptist · December 19th, 2005, 06:08 PM

I really liked this one, very simple and very funny. The dialogue was good and the lighting was awesome. Where did you film this?

Chris Barcellos · December 19th, 2005, 06:23 PM

Fun movie. Great tecnique. Good actors....

Lorinda Norton · December 19th, 2005, 06:57 PM

Yep, fellas...simple is my specialty! LOL! Thank you so much for the nice comments.

Tyler, I am thrilled that you liked the lighting, as that was my obvious concern. To answer your question, upstairs at the music store where I teach there's an unheated, uninsulated storage area where we built a three-sided "chimney" out of chipboard and 2x4s. Jeff wasn't kidding when he said something about it being cold in there. It's good, though, because of the 12 foot ceiling.

That reminds me; I still have to get my lighting gear out of there... :)

Robert Mann Z. · December 19th, 2005, 07:07 PM

another hit for me... i really enjoyed this one and as everyone else commented the writing makes the difference...

one comment, i noticed the santa hats were clean but there faces were dirty, was that on purpose becouse of the low lighting or a production goof?

Lorinda Norton · December 19th, 2005, 08:07 PM

Robert, I didn't give it a thought until I read your words just now. OOPS!!!! What floors me about that is the fact that I did notice (though too late) we didn't make their hands sooty, either.

"Now...they're just gonna think we're a [bunch] o' idiots..." :)

I'm so glad you take the time to look at these movies and comment. You already know how much I value your opinion. Thank you.

Jean-Francois Robichaud · December 19th, 2005, 08:21 PM

This one is great. The dialog was the best ingredient for me, followed by the look (lighting and all). I thought the two guys were great, like in their previous adventure. And there is something to be said about simplicity.

I do feel the pacing is too slow. There seems to be too many beats in between lines, and the delivery itself is a bit on the slow side. Humor is a thing of rythm, and I think the lines would come out with more impact if it was tightened a bit.

Dick Mays · December 19th, 2005, 08:31 PM

I like the pacing. But then, down here in Georgia, we miss things if it goes too fast.

Lorinda Norton · December 19th, 2005, 09:29 PM

LOL, Dick!!!! I was just about to say to Jean-Francois, "You don't get around many hicks, do ya?" :)

Actually, I agree that it did drag some, but this was a tough row to hoe. In earlier takes, the guys were too animated--didn't sound dejected/despondent enough. Besides that, I wanted to steer clear of it sounding like one of those typical sit-coms on TV. There was a sweet pace in there somewhere, but we didn't quite find it.

Jean-Francois, I really appreciate your comments. I'll pass them on to the guys!

Mitchell Stookey · December 19th, 2005, 09:41 PM

Lorinda I loved this one. It's so charming. The guys really win you over. My personal favorite line is "Ugh, what'd you have for dinner?" and instead of telling him to shut up or some kind of retort, he just honestly says "Pizza and candy bars." hahha I laughed so hard at that and it made the scene feel very real for me. I enjoyed your last entry alot, and again with this. By the way I also liked the set you built because I believed entirely I was watching two guys in a chimney and was curious about what you did. Awesome!

Lorinda Norton · December 19th, 2005, 10:03 PM

Well...

Could be that the reason Jeff sounded so honest in his answer is that, um, that's what I did feed them for dinner! :)

Thank you so much, Mitchell. You and I have to keep our streaks going, so I will see you in DVC5!!!!

Mitchell Stookey · December 19th, 2005, 10:08 PM

Yea I know, we missed Jon Jones in this one! I wouldn't miss DVC5 for anything.

Jean-Francois Robichaud · December 19th, 2005, 10:37 PM

I must say that the composition was great in simulating the claustrophobic situation. I really love that moving shot in the beginning.

December 19th, 2005, 02:52 PM	#1
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Feedback: "Soot Happens" The boys are back!!! Yes, Jeff & Mason made it out of the desert, and by request of a few DVC3 folks they’re back for another go-round. This movie seems like pretty light fare, especially when compared to many of the entries I’ve seen here so far. But it’s just hard for some of us to be very serious—particularly at Christmastime. As a believer in the Baby in the Manger, I was asked why I didn’t do some present-day movie in that direction given the “spirit” theme. Simply put, I didn’t think I could pull it off! Shoot, trying to light the inside of a fake chimney (yeah, I cheated on the motivated lighting thing) had me stressed out enough. Hopefully, though, this hapless duo struck a friendly chord in reminding us of an age-old truth. Merry Christmas, everyone. __________________ Lorinda

December 19th, 2005, 06:08 PM	#4
Tyler Baptist Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Saskatoon, SK Canada Posts: 71	I really liked this one, very simple and very funny. The dialogue was good and the lighting was awesome. Where did you film this? __________________ Tyler Baptist

December 19th, 2005, 06:23 PM	#5
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Thumbs up Fun movie. Great tecnique. Good actors....

December 19th, 2005, 06:57 PM	#6
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Yep, fellas...simple is my specialty! LOL! Thank you so much for the nice comments. Tyler, I am thrilled that you liked the lighting, as that was my obvious concern. To answer your question, upstairs at the music store where I teach there's an unheated, uninsulated storage area where we built a three-sided "chimney" out of chipboard and 2x4s. Jeff wasn't kidding when he said something about it being cold in there. It's good, though, because of the 12 foot ceiling. That reminds me; I still have to get my lighting gear out of there... :) __________________ Lorinda

December 19th, 2005, 08:07 PM	#8
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Robert, I didn't give it a thought until I read your words just now. OOPS!!!! What floors me about that is the fact that I did notice (though too late) we didn't make their hands sooty, either. "Now...they're just gonna think we're a [bunch] o' idiots..." :) I'm so glad you take the time to look at these movies and comment. You already know how much I value your opinion. Thank you. __________________ Lorinda

December 19th, 2005, 05:29 PM	#2
Dick Mays Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 690	Lorinda, Are these the same two guys that were stuck in the desert? I liked that one, and I loved this one. This one has my favorite dialog so far: "We are idiots, Jeff, one of us anyway." Followed by... " You're not an idiot Jeff. Not a big idiot, like everybody thinks..." I love the understated delivery. Serving it up with nothing on it!

December 19th, 2005, 05:30 PM	#3
Riley Harmon Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 424	hilarious yet simple/sentimental

December 19th, 2005, 07:07 PM	#7
Robert Mann Z. Skyonic New York Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 614	another hit for me... i really enjoyed this one and as everyone else commented the writing makes the difference... one comment, i noticed the santa hats were clean but there faces were dirty, was that on purpose becouse of the low lighting or a production goof?

December 19th, 2005, 08:21 PM	#9
Jean-Francois Robichaud Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 142	This one is great. The dialog was the best ingredient for me, followed by the look (lighting and all). I thought the two guys were great, like in their previous adventure. And there is something to be said about simplicity. I do feel the pacing is too slow. There seems to be too many beats in between lines, and the delivery itself is a bit on the slow side. Humor is a thing of rythm, and I think the lines would come out with more impact if it was tightened a bit.

December 19th, 2005, 08:31 PM	#10
Dick Mays Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 690	I like the pacing. But then, down here in Georgia, we miss things if it goes too fast.

December 19th, 2005, 09:29 PM	#11
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	LOL, Dick!!!! I was just about to say to Jean-Francois, "You don't get around many hicks, do ya?" :) Actually, I agree that it did drag some, but this was a tough row to hoe. In earlier takes, the guys were too animated--didn't sound dejected/despondent enough. Besides that, I wanted to steer clear of it sounding like one of those typical sit-coms on TV. There was a sweet pace in there somewhere, but we didn't quite find it. Jean-Francois, I really appreciate your comments. I'll pass them on to the guys! __________________ Lorinda

December 19th, 2005, 09:41 PM	#12
Mitchell Stookey Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 196	Lorinda I loved this one. It's so charming. The guys really win you over. My personal favorite line is "Ugh, what'd you have for dinner?" and instead of telling him to shut up or some kind of retort, he just honestly says "Pizza and candy bars." hahha I laughed so hard at that and it made the scene feel very real for me. I enjoyed your last entry alot, and again with this. By the way I also liked the set you built because I believed entirely I was watching two guys in a chimney and was curious about what you did. Awesome!

December 19th, 2005, 10:03 PM	#13
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Well... Could be that the reason Jeff sounded so honest in his answer is that, um, that's what I did feed them for dinner! :) Thank you so much, Mitchell. You and I have to keep our streaks going, so I will see you in DVC5!!!! __________________ Lorinda

December 19th, 2005, 10:08 PM	#14
Mitchell Stookey Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 196	Yea I know, we missed Jon Jones in this one! I wouldn't miss DVC5 for anything.

December 19th, 2005, 10:37 PM	#15
Jean-Francois Robichaud Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 142	I must say that the composition was great in simulating the claustrophobic situation. I really love that moving shot in the beginning.

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