INTROSPECTACLE - Feedback - DVC#5
 

Wow. Didn't think my film would have been one of the first posted. Nonetheless, here we go.

This film was made without a crew - just me and some equipment.

Two costumes, one Canon XL1s, a home made car mount and various odds and ends. I discovered how challenging it is to film oneself when you can't see exactly what it is you are shooting...lol.

Since it was "ok" in the rules - "You must use your city/town/countryside as a backdrop!" - I decided to use my "countryside" as the backdrop given that is pretty much what we have out here in the sticks.

I welcome all comments, critiques and thoughts. Please feel free to let me know and hope you enjoy the film. Thank you very much!

Best wishes~
Bradley

You made a great short. The jumps in the editing (hard music changes with fast scene cuts) really added to the character. We all know someone like that so it was a fun piece to watch. Cheers.

Ben

Thank you Ben
 

Sure appreciate your comments. So happy you liked the piece and that you identified with the character.

Best wishes~
Bradley

Wow!
 

Brad:

Stunning cinematography. The images were fabulous. Your use of light and framing just blew me away. You are also an excellent character actor. For a one man show you did a great job. Alot of work went into your movie and it shows. You just raised the bar on the technical end of things. Makes me want to work that much harder on my projects. Thank you for giving us a high technical goal towards which to strive.

Thank you Hugh
 

Very kind! I'm glad you liked the visuals and especially grateful for the comments on the acting...lol. It's been a while since I played a full character role and wasn't sure how it would all work out. Much appreciated.

Best wishes~
Bradley

fabulous use of location! also a great sound mix! i've made a one-man band film for a DV challenge, so i can totally appreciate how much goes into doing it, but nothing as complex as this.

i don't know how you managed to get some of these shots of yourself, by yourself, framed so accurately, especially face-down, bloodied with a sharp object in your sphincterdoodle.

excellent job, bradley. you amaze me with your many talents.

Thank you Meryem
 

Really appreciate your comments and was secretly crossing my fingers that you would like it. I value your thoughts.

I can certainly relate (now) to how much went into your one-man band film.

One of the tricks I used, after too much guessing, was to lay down a semi-stuffed pair of shorts or set up a second tripod with the "Grim Twin" head on it. Frame it up, start the camera rolling, set myself up in approximately the same spot, throw the shorts or Grim out of the frame and hope for the best.

"Sphincter-doodle"...lol. Glad you caught that.

Best wishes~
Bradley

Dear, Sweet Crash. I love this guy!

Well, Brad, you did it. You had me laughing my head off, then choking up when I realized what was going on with our hero. I wish no one had to look back and have regrets like that.

But let's dwell on the funny stuff! Because I was a bit of a rock hound as a kid I really laughed when the man and the legend got into his hunt like he did. "NOPE!!!!" LOL!!!! You're a great actor.

Beautiful job, as usual. Ain't it great livin' in the sticks? :)

This was my first film, and seeing the work you guys do will certainly motivate me to improve. I loved the pace, and the craziness of the film-- as well as the great scenery and backgrounds.

Thank you Lorinda
 

Am so happy that you liked the film. Especially glad that you laughed...and got choked up. Was hoping for something like that.

YES! It is great living in the sticks. With so few people around, felt I was able to get away clean...and not be hauled off to the rubber room.

Really value your comments and thanks again!

Best wishes~
Bradley

Thank you Chris
 

Glad you liked the pace and the locations and sure appreciate you taking the time to write.

No matter where we are in the process of creating films, I'd be willing to bet that each of us is highly critical of our own work. The DV Challenge, for me, has been one of the greatest educational experiences I can remember. No wonder they call it "Cheaper than Film School!"

I look forward to seeing your film.

Best wishes~
Bradley

GREAT job, Brad! Love the location shots and the character was a hoot. The opening sunrise sequence looked like it came straight out of "Texas Country Reporter." Excellent.

Good thing I took that Evelyn Wood speedreading course! ;)

Nice job! Really pretty shots and nice editing work! Particularly the transition from the pretty opening sequences with the dissolves to the more frantic character stuff with the quick cuts, worked well!

Good work!
Bill

Thank you Edward
 

Very happy you liked the locations...and the character, "Crash Malone". Is the Texas Counrty Reporter a local TV show? Would sure like to see that.

I noted that you are from "Hell's 6 Acres" in Texas, which is very interesting to me. The reason is because one of the very first locations I wanted to shoot here is a place called "Hell's Half Acre" Wyoming. Filled with bizzare rock formations and a strange valley, this spot was actually used in the film Starship Troopers.

Later, once the realization hit that I would have no crew at all, elected to shoot at the lake which is only 10 miles away. Hall's Half Acre is 75 miles away. Glad I decided on the lake!

Best wishes~
Bradley

Thank you William
 

Very happy to know you liked the scenery and the editing.

That morning was absolutely beautiful and it is so rare that I'm up for a sunrise. Such a nightowl! However, it was 25 degrees out there and of course I brought everything BUT my coat! Was freezing my sphincter-doodle off...lol. Fortunately, as the day progressed, it warmed up.

Much appreciated!

Best wishes~
Bradley

I just wanted to say that these films really raise the bar -- I felt like I put in a strong entry, but I'm learning that I still have a ways to go.

I thought for introspectacle, the character was really strong -- you really got to know him. It was a little jumpy for me and wasn't the most clear on the relationship between the main character and the dead guy at the end, but I really liked seeing the scenery and watching the character, and I think I got the fact that it was his last thoughts or moments before he died... I think. (I'm a little dense/slow sometimes, so it's probably me.)

Thank you Philip
 

Sure appreciate your comments and am glad you identified and liked "Crash". I don't think you're slow at all- you got it! (don't be so hard on yourself) :)

Looking forward to seeing your film too.

Best wishes~
Bradley

I thought the shooting was super. I too got lost at the end for a bit. But on the second viewing and the coffee kicked in, I got it. I really liked the transition from the beginning to the rest. Sound was great. Awesome character.

I agree, I think my bar has been raised with these films. good job.

Thank you Michael
 

Glad you liked the character, the shots and the sound.

I appreciate your comments on the end. Relieved that after the cup of coffee kicked in everything came together. lol... Do you know how much coffee I was on while shooting that Crash Malone character? Two pots! Whew. Same deal in the editing process. I am a coffee junkie!

Looking forward to seeing your film too.

Best wishes~
Bradley

Yeah, nice work, buddy. Such thoughtlessness! How am I supposed to win an iPod with a film this good in competition? Hm? Maybe show a little consideration for the rest of us next time, jeez.

Bradley (Brad?), I am positively floored. Everything's all peaceful and contemplative, pretty skies, tweetin' birds, soothing music, then BOOM! Cue the kickin' tunes and action shots. Kinda creeped out when I saw the freaky looking guy standing around, but couldn't stop laughing from the moment I saw the t-shirt close-up. You have a priceless character here--as mentioned earlier, it's true, he's an amalgam of several people I've known--and someone I most definitely want to see more of. And those landscapes, man, they're purdy. Great cinematography.

I'm still laughing about "libel"...

Thank you Robert
 

Very kind indeed! Am thrilled that you identified with Crash and was hoping he might have that effect on people.

Understanding that you are a wordsmith, I'm glad that you caught the "Libel" sign. That is so fun. The lady who owns that Rock Shop specifically pleaded with me NOT to use that sign and I told her it was something that just had to be in the movie. She laughed at me and said "Well...ok."

Much appreciated!

Best wishes~
Bradley

PS: My friends call me "Brad" - amongst other creative and colorful things.

Bradley,

Wonderful cinematography (like the last thing I saw from you in DVC#3), great pacing, breat editing, and, I have to say, great and strange acting.

The concept is, I believe, waaay too wacky for me, but I must recognize the quality of the work involved. Moreover, you're the living example that I shouldn't have settled for the lame and sorry excuse of having my actors running away to avoid shooting for DVC#5.

Best,

Hugo

Thank you Hugo
 

Very happy you liked the cinematography, pacing and editing. I laughed hard (out loud) when I read the line "...waaay to wacky for me." I suppose there will be some people who feel this is indeed wacky. lol

Admittedly, I was bummed out Hugo, when I read your posts that you weren't going to make it this time. Have enjoyed your films and your thoughtful comments on each and everyone's work in the past. You are a good man and I sincerely hope to be seeing your work again in the very near future.

Best wishes~
Bradley

I don't care what Dylan says about the way he rates shorts.
I add two more categories, relationship and dialog.

I loved the relationship in this one, and you got it without any other actors!
"You got a little fledspar in your eye? It looks painful."

Great line, but my favorite was...

"a girlfriend would have been nice."

This short reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite, stupid stuff that you are embarssed to enjoy and find funny.

Oh, yeah, the cinematograpy was beautiful too!

I only got to see about 2/3rds of it because Quicktime keeps crashing when it gets to a certain spot of the video. I tried redownloading and it's still doing it.

Anyway, what I saw of your movie looked pretty good. I've tried making short videos on my own and it's tough to frame them properly, so I was really impressed by how well you did it.

My problem is the same as Mark's: I can't watch the video's full length cause it's crashing after a few seconds, although I've started it from my hard disk drive and I have installed the newest Quicktime player...
Could you please serve another version - wmv for instance?!!

Thank you

Volker

Cinematography and sound were excellent. I thought it was funny. I liked the way you kept jumping around in the scenes. I must admit the stone up the a** was a bit of a turnoff, but how else do you do a guy like that in ???

Thank you Dick
 

Wow- sure appreciate your comments Dick. Glad you enjoyed the dialog, relationship and cinematography. Thank you.

Looking forward to seeing your film too.

Best Wishes~
Bradley

Mark and Volker - wmv file
 

So sorry the QT was crashing on you guys. I purchased some software today that allows this mac man to convert .mov to .wmv files. Did a Lo Res version at about 11MB, found a host, e-mailed Dylan to make sure it was within the rules, got approval from him, he posted the wmv link in the finalists section.

Here are the links:

http://ia310113.us.archive.org/2/ite..._dvc5_blm_wmv/

Direct Link: http://ia310113.us.archive.org/2/ite...c5_blm_wmv.wmv

Sure appreciate your time and please let me know if this worked for you.

Best wishes~
Bradley

Thank you Bruce
 

Much appreciated! Am very happy you liked the sound, the cinematography and thought it was funny. Thank you. Was wondering if anyone might be offended by his undoing. I did want it to be somewhat shocking but also an "innocent accident".

Yes - How else do you do a guy like that in? lol..."In the end, he dies" or is it "He dies, in the END". Hmm.

Look forward to seeing your film as well.

Best wishes~
Bradley

The wmv version works! Thank you!

I like your film, especially the editing style and slapstick scenes.

Thank you Volker
 

Yay! I was worried there for a minute. .wmv is all new to me. Thank you so much for letting me know Volker!

Best wishes~
Bradley

Pretty interesting stuff. I'll probably have to watch it a couple more times before I fully get it. Haha. Anyway, amazing shot composition, espeicially on your own! I made a short all by myself once, it was pretty difficult to get the framing right, but it was definately a fun challenge.

But I just gotta ask, where did you get those teeth? I do hope they are fake, right?

Thank you Tyler
 

Yes - I'll bet that movie you did by yourself was a challenge! It certainly was for me and I wrestled with the same concerns.

Those TEETH! Actually, those are my real teeth. Why? Are you making fun of me? Just kidding...lol. Actually, those are called "Billy Bob Puck Teeth". I found those on eBay as well as the coke-bottle glasses. Gotta love it!

Best Wishes and look forward to your film~
Bradley

Dude! Dude? Dood? Dang...

So, I can say nothing about this as I am wondering how I will ever show my face round these parts again. I have watched most of the first set now and I'll say the same thing I said in the other posts on the other "about" threads... Dude!

I think that says it pretty clearly. The quality of the QT is super. We must chat about your compression methods when this is over.

Sean McHenry

Wow. Absurd. This movie is so stupid. And I mean that in a good way. It cracked me up almost to tears. Of all the DVCs so far this this is one of the movies with the highest replay value. Amazing editing. Great use of music and sound effects. I love the jump cuts all over the place. Jump cuts are extremely hard to do right, but you got it perfect. The back and forth dialog at the end is the best part: great acting too. On the negative side, I think there's a problem with the sequence of the character falling on the rock. The way you shot that part is confusing (though the multiple inserts of the rock in anticipation are great). But, considering you were doing everything yourself, it's just a tiny criticism. It's mind-boggling that you could get such great shots on your own while acting in the movie.

That was NUTS! And I mean that in a good way. Silly, absurd, and at the same time, poignant, beautiful. With the scenics, you really made that Canon XL1 shine visually. Total props.

Thank you Sean
 

I think :) Love to get comments from the winner of the DVC #2. (You are the one of the OG's for sure)

"Dude! Dude? Dood? Dang...Dude!"

lol...Sean! Care to expand on the dudature descriptions?

As for wondering how you will show your face- that is simply absurd! You always turn in top quality films and I really look forward to seeing this latest creation.

PS: I'm more than happy to share my QT conversion/compression methods.

Here are the details and if this helps even one person, I'm a happy camper:

* I edit on a Mac OS 10.3.9 using Final Cut Pro HD 4.5
* Then select "In to Out" points on the project
* Select FILE>EXPORT>USING QuickTime Conversion
* When the Dialog Box opens click "OPTIONS" (for the QT Movie Format)
* Under Video, click settings
* For Compression Type >Select>Sorenson Video 3
* For Frame Rate> Select>Current FPS
* For Key Frames>Type 300
* For Data Rate>Select>Automatic
* For Compressor Quality> Move the slider to "High"
* Click OK and then go to the Size Settings
* Click>Custom Size>Type in 320x240 (or whatever you want)>Click OK
* Go to the Sounds Settings>Select IMA 4:1>16bit>Stereo (44.1 or 32kHz)

I hope this helps.

Best Wishes~
Bradley

Thank you Jean-Francois
 

Wow! Sure enjoyed your comments and am pleased you liked it.

May I have your permission to use some of the comments you wrote on my homemade DVD cover? Let me know?

Also appreciate your thoughts on the sequence of "Crash Malone" being impaled. I agree- perhaps just a couple of extra shots would have done the trick.

Best Wishes~
Bradley

Thank you Robert K
 

Wow again! Thoroughly appreciated your comments as well and thank you for taking the time to post them.

I would love to get permission from you too- to use your comments on my homemade DVD cover. Let me know?

Thanks for the kind words on the scenics and the XL1 too. Still feel that I am learning that magnificent camera and have only just begun to grasp all that it can do.

Look forward to seeing your film!

Best Wishes~
Bradley