It just turned out to be bad timing for me; I did have free time in which I could've done something, but between tiring workdays (working in forty degree weather, installing heat in a furniture shop in Brooklyn that had none), a dead monitor (bought in late October of '99, it died at six thirty-nine PM, January 22nd; not too shabby, all things considered), and endless problems with my bank (a check took longer to clear than I'd expected, and the two attempted charges for my DV Multirig were marked as suspicious, thus deactivating my card...the bank never called me to verify), I just haven't had the energy to do anything.

Not all is lost, though. The heat is up and running, I have an excuse to get a fancy widescreen LCD--I'm a CRT kind of guy, but they don't come widescreen, far as I know--and my bank situation has been remedied. I'd wanted to use my dead monitor as my entry, as a matter of fact. See me sitting there, staring at the dark orange picture, trying desperately to convince myself that I can fix it, ultimately having to face the fact that it's gone. But I needed to use the computer, so I had to disconnect the old monitor, and to shoot what I wanted I'd have to move everything back. Not too difficult, just not enough time or energy. Would've been nice to mess around with the Multirig, as well, but it was not to be.

I wouldn't say I lacked enthusiasm for the competition itself simply because it wasn't one of the big ones, it was really just a matter of timing for me. For what it's worth, I couldn't have completed an entry for the UWOL Challenge either, if I'd entered.

Robert, they do make widescreen CRT's. At least TV's anyway...
My brother bought a small HD widescreen TV for his bedroom. Toshiba made it...

I think it was close to 27"
I'm not sure if it has a VGA input or not...

Sorry you couldn't enter something.

What did you think of the 3 entries?

Mike

Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough for a wide CRT; I'll keep my eyes open, Mike, thanks for the heads up.

I liked the films very much, really funny work! Skip this next part if you haven't seen the films yet, I'm about to ruin the surprises.


Bruce, it was great watching you kick things up a notch: I didn't expect the gun, and the sense of "now it's time for some action!" was wonderful. Thought you might go off and fight some post-apocalyptic zombies, or something. I do suspect someone in that situation might forego a seatbelt, but I can excuse that. I'd put mine on, too. :) What's the story behind the house? It seems to have fit the bill quite nicely.

Chris, I thought your film was very funny, but I think it'd be even better if it were a bit snappier. As far as editing suggestions go, I'd start by eliminating everything before you pick up the bottle. You've got a black screen, hear snoring, then cut to the carpet and couch, so there's a beat or two before your arm swings down. And maybe stay on that shot a little longer; instead of watching the walk to the bathroom, we'd see you walk off camera, then hear the light switch on, a few more footsteps, then cut to a shot of the empty bathroom with the sounds of your..."illness", let's call it.

Other than that, I'd just say the lines sounded a little too on-the-spot. More time to polish and/or rehearse would be the cure for that, I suppose. But then, I don't know how anyone does anything in four hours, let alone make a movie, so good show! Widescreen doesn't look that bad, either. A little soft, maybe, but not the horror so many people make it out to be. Did you have a wide angle lens--not a 16:9 adapter, just a regular wide angle--attached while shooting? Saw some curvy lines in there, mainly the bathroom door frame. Nothing major, though.

Mike, hilarious ending! I would have suggested the doctor call him "Chaz" in the last shot, to maybe mix things up a bit, but the rest of that scene was perfect. The timing when Chuck walks in the door, falls to his knees along with the dialogue, was impeccable. The "sugar" bit was excellent (was recording phone conversations as much of a pain for you as it was for me?), I take it you changed the unseen receptionist's lines after shooting the video?

One thing I noticed--you're gonna love this, I'm sure--is that the video is a bit squashed. I know I said your DVC 7 entry looked squashed horizontally, but now the picture looks squashed vertically. I wish I knew what might cause that, but I'm totally stumped. Two separate distortions from the same camera, I have no idea.

Thanks for that Robert!

Yes, I had some issues with the telephone calls in this one. :)
I've actually worked on improving them a bit...

I also plan on posting a new edit tonight. It will be longer, and a little different in spots. If you guys have some time tonight I would love it if you could take a second look and add your critique.

I think I have the aspect ratio problem figured out as well!!

Thanks again,

Mike

[QUOTE=Robert Martens]
Widescreen doesn't look that bad, either. A little soft, maybe, but not the horror so many people make it out to be. Did you have a wide angle lens--not a 16:9 adapter, just a regular wide angle--attached while shooting? Saw some curvy lines in there, mainly the bathroom door frame. Nothing major, though.
[QUOTE]

Thanks for comments Robert. Yes, I used the Sony 58mm .7 Wide angle adapter (can't remember number) for the bathroom scenes, as you indicated and certainly had distortion on the door frame. With the dialogue, I shot drunk guy first, all adlib, then shot mirror guy all adlib, hoping to cut in a conversation that made sense.

Thinking back to Katrina, and the breakdown of authority, the resulting lawlessness. Those legally armed who hadn't left before the storm were in a much better survival situation. The handling shown was a quick "press check" , part of what is taught at Thunder Ranch and other "schools" as a "system check" before moving into a situation that might get "dicey".

I teach Defensive Handgun and try to stay informed and current on these issues

Well, it was the best I could find. I was really hoping to be able to find a house or building being demolished that suggested much worse devastation. I spent 3 days in rainy weather driving around looking for something usable and found two. When the weather cleared I went to my first choice to find a Bobcat moving the last of the debris to a dumptruck.

The house I used was actually being restored as part of a low income housing project. I had to keep the camera aimed high to prevent the new looking foundation from showing. The limited field of view also caused me to reverse direction with the camera and action in a way that's a no-no, but there was no other choice. The other 3 sides all showed either undamaged neighborhood or no damage to the structure.

Thanks for the comments.

Bruce

Okay, I get it. Can't say I've experienced that firsthand, thank God, but I've heard the stories; a guy and his family had a pickup loaded with extra fuel cans, covered in a tarp. They're getting looks from everybody stuck on the highway, trying to leave, and even get accosted by a neighbor they thought was a friend. Their weapons were the only thing to stop outright fighting from breaking out. Seems like situations like that bring out the best and the worst in people simultaneously.

Didn't bother me in the least. I only noticed the reversed angle my second time through, actually. The first time I thought it was just a different side of the same building, so I think it works out.

I noticed it as well but it didn't bother me either...

BTW, Bruce, you should post a link to the alternate ending!
I won't give anything away in case you do.

I thought it was excellent!

Mike

Have to post to show my face...

I rented my camera, and I've been working wild´ly ever since it came back.

Though I had a slow spot where I could do this. It's now 2.30 am here, and I'll chill a couple of hours before i continue.

Sorry.

But here I am.

Gunleik

I wouldn't worry about posting anything for this challenge, the deadline has long since past.

Mike