View Full Version : DVC 10 "Are You Dead Yet" by Bradley L. Marlow


Bradley L Marlow
October 29th, 2007, 09:00 AM
Well, here we go once again. Another wonderful DV Challenge!

For a while there, I wasn't sure if this was going to get cut down to the required :03m:20s to be in the running. My best buddy Wally and I hadn't made a movie in a while and our eyes were bigger than or stomachs (so to speak). Many scenes thought up and shot were deleted however, am really happy with the final contest version. The end credits however will definitely receive a proper send off when redoing later.

This is a new sub-genre: A Western Comedy of Horrors

To make it even more interesting, I told Wally in the beginning, there can be no bloody violence, no plucked eyeballs, drilled brains and no ultra foul language. He immediately got in his truck and drove 3 hours back to his house. (just kidding) I know your disappointed in me Quentin. I'm sorry. But who says blood and guts itself is always scary anyway, right?

The inspiration to go in this direction actually came from fellow filmmakers like Hugh DiMauro and Lorinda Norton who expressed their desire to see more of "In Wyoming with Wally and Bradley". (Thank you)

Hope you like it and I welcome any comments, constructive criticism and questions.

I look forward to seeing your films!

Meryem Ersoz
October 30th, 2007, 09:29 AM
where kin i git me some of those "wyoming prairie berries"?? looks fun.

another quirky trip through your twisted mind. always a fun romp.

i cracked up at the part where you start shooting blindly when your friend startles you...

great opening with the smoke n bulletholes with the music, which does the nice work of both enhancing and providing counterpoint to the rest of the piece at the same time. i think riding that edge between reinforcing the western/TV hunting genre and simultaneously undermining it is what works well with most of your stuff. when you combine something completely recognizable with something completely wacky and quirky and off-beat....

by contrast, i think the hallucination sequence pulls this piece away from the parts that work so well. i guess wyoming prairie berry hallucinations tend towards the random, but i probably would have preferred to see the hallucination sequence go somewhere less random, maybe have one of those shamans appear and start hunting the hunters. or something.

that section kind of pulls the piece away from its heart and "feel", when i'd prefer to see it add to that vibe. it doesn't do the same work as, say, the opening. suddenly you go out-of-genre entirely, into some allen ginsburg-esque reverie, and it seems you could stay in the genre and still accomplish the same thing, while being more even and consistent.

it's rather a tightrope, innit?

it always amazes me what you can toss together in a week, you make it look so effortless, you talented b******d. did i spell that right?

Ronn Kilby
October 30th, 2007, 11:19 AM
Hil-F***ing-larious. (Pardon my asterisks)

Loved it. Some dang fine acting and I was entertained from start to finish. I could watch a passel of these "episodes." Great writing too. Class act. I won't go into the gun comments since I'm sure Bruce will cover that in his feedback :)

Scary? Not so much. Fun? Definitely.
PS Glad you weren't hunting ducks - see below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ZMOGGY4Uc

Ronn

Bradley L Marlow
October 30th, 2007, 12:12 PM
where kin i git me some of those "wyoming prairie berries"?? looks fun.

another quirky trip through your twisted mind. always a fun romp.

i cracked up at the part where you start shooting blindly when your friend startles you...

by contrast, i think the hallucination sequence pulls this piece away from the parts that work so well. i guess wyoming prairie berry hallucinations tend towards the random, but i probably would have preferred to see the hallucination sequence go somewhere less random...

it always amazes me what you can toss together in a week, you make it look so effortless, you talented b******d. did i spell that right?

To borrow a line:

"There is nothing worse than a man in the depths of a Wyoming Prairie Berry binge."

Thank you Meryem. I appreciate your comments and yes - we were aiming for completely random mental trips. The deer skull was the only thing that might make sense to a brain other than Abe Normal's.

Prairie Berries are in season and I can get some to you at a very reasonable price. :)

Finally, I believe that it is spelled "b*****dz" (You are very kind. Thank you Meryem)

Bradley L Marlow
October 30th, 2007, 12:17 PM
Hil-F***ing-larious. (Pardon my asterisks)

Loved it. Some dang fine acting and I was entertained from start to finish. I could watch a passel of these "episodes." Great writing too. Class act. I won't go into the gun comments since I'm sure Bruce will cover that in his feedback :)

Ronn

Thanks Ronn. Ha! I loved the California Ducks Now video. Didn't know you could sing too. Bravo!

Thanks for the comments and I'm glad you liked the flickage.

Robert Martens
October 30th, 2007, 01:00 PM
My other favorite so far, along with Daniel Kohl's entry. I expected comedy at first, but that quick trip into the bizarre at the end grabbed my attention. The lighting, the sound, Wally's dolly-riding float maneuver, all very creepy, good going!

Speaking of creepy, I don't suppose you're anywhere near Niobrara county up there, eh Brad? You might get a kick out of this user's videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ilovetofix They were part of an Alternate Reality Game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game) run a few months ago, pretty freaky stuff even though it wasn't real.

Lorinda Norton
October 30th, 2007, 02:30 PM
Hahahahaha!!!!! Oh, Brad……that was right up my alley. You’ve produced some great flicks but I don’t know…this one is darn close to topping them all.

You and Wally make the best team—better than Martin & Lewis, better than, uh, all the other comedy duos out there (sorry, can’t think of ‘em right now). I love your expressions, especially during that first sequence with the rifle. Then the way you two interact just had me laughing and smiling throughout. It even carried me through the hallucinations, which were just as bizarre as you meant them to be. I appreciated the deer getting in his shot, too. “How’s the hunnntting?” ;)

This romp delighted me to no end. I loved it! But I guess you can tell that…

Hugh DiMauro
October 30th, 2007, 03:16 PM
Brad, once again you dazzled me with your just-left-of-center humor and amazing images. You and Wally nail an immediate audience/character connection that is difficult to explain. Why are some actors superstars and others destined to forever be on the “B” list? I don’t know. Charisma? Whatever it is, you and Wally have it with interactive comic timing, a certain “look” that translates well on the screen and last, but not least, you’re not afraid of a closeup. The camera likes you guys. You’re unafraid to dive in and combine the normalcy of a hunting trip with the zany abnormal result of consuming the wrong type of berries. I love those “oops” moments which make everyday life hilarious. This movie was superb on all levels. I was not scared out of my pants but I certainly did laugh my butt off. I’d rather be in pain from laughing than distress from horror. Great job!

Daniel Kohl
October 30th, 2007, 04:19 PM
I am definitely a fan.

The best bit of comedy I have seen in a long time. I won't bother listing all of the things that I like about this film, and why it is abnormally entertaining ... I think its been covered already.

I wish I had a friend like Wally.

my favorite line: "this don't look good to eat".

Your films keep getting better and better.

... I've got a comment that wasn't already made. You use an unconventional editing style, particularly in the beginning part of the film (before you almost shoot your friend by accident). I think I would classify it as bumbling jump cutting. You have raised that to an art. One day I hope to master that as you have. It needs the right kind of acting though. You seem to have been born with that. So maybe I shouldn't even bother trying.

I liked the "Altered States" homage.

It was almost scary. I figure you put it in there just so that you could qualify for the DVC. I think the weird stalking animal POV near the beginning would have been enough to cover that though.

I hope you plan to make a directors cut available, with the "Trip" in its entirety. I'm sure that it is at least as long as the lead-up story is (and at least as funny). I have the feeling that when it's a bit less hacked up - with all the bits you left out for time reasons that it will defy all criticisms. it doesn't meet up to the quality bumbling jump cutting of the first half.

Bradley L Marlow
October 30th, 2007, 05:08 PM
My other favorite so far, along with Daniel Kohl's entry. I expected comedy at first, but that quick trip into the bizarre at the end grabbed my attention. The lighting, the sound, Wally's dolly-riding float maneuver, all very creepy, good going!

Speaking of creepy, I don't suppose you're anywhere near Niobrara county up there, eh Brad? You might get a kick out of this user's videos: ...

Nice to "see" you again too, Robert. Thank you for your comments.

I live about 250 miles from that County here in fabulous Wyoming and no, I hadn't heard of this. I watched a few. Very interesting indeed and thank you very much for sharing that with me. I look forward to watching them all.

Bradley L Marlow
October 30th, 2007, 05:11 PM
Hahahahaha!!!!! Oh, Brad……that was right up my alley. You’ve produced some great flicks but I don’t know…this one is darn close to topping them all.

You and Wally make the best team—better than Martin & Lewis, better than, uh, all the other comedy duos out there (sorry, can’t think of ‘em right now). I love your expressions, especially during that first sequence with the rifle. Then the way you two interact just had me laughing and smiling throughout. It even carried me through the hallucinations, which were just as bizarre as you meant them to be. I appreciated the deer getting in his shot, too. “How’s the hunnntting?” ;)

This romp delighted me to no end. I loved it! But I guess you can tell that…

So happy you liked the flickage and I know Wally will be thrilled to hear about these comments.

Speaking of Wally, he wanted me to be sure to say hello to all the DVInfo.net and thedvchallege.com folks. So, "Good morning Sunshine!" from Wally.

Bradley L Marlow
October 30th, 2007, 05:17 PM
Brad, once again you dazzled me with your just-left-of-center humor and amazing images. You and Wally nail an immediate audience/character connection that is difficult to explain. Why are some actors superstars and others destined to forever be on the “B” list? I don’t know. Charisma? Whatever it is, you and Wally have it with interactive comic timing, a certain “look” that translates well on the screen and last, but not least, you’re not afraid of a closeup. The camera likes you guys. You’re unafraid to dive in and combine the normalcy of a hunting trip with the zany abnormal result of consuming the wrong type of berries. I love those “oops” moments which make everyday life hilarious. This movie was superb on all levels. I was not scared out of my pants but I certainly did laugh my butt off. I’d rather be in pain from laughing than distress from horror. Great job!

Appreciate your comments, especially all the way from Jersey! And thanks again for being part of the inspiration process. It was earlier comments from you, Lorinda, Meryem and a few others that really spurred us on.

Chris Barcellos
October 30th, 2007, 05:26 PM
Another fine and funny Marlow production. Love your manipulation of images with cuts, stop motion, and whatever, to get the feel you give to your fillms. Highly imaginative editing. I am sure the berries helped....:)

Bradley L Marlow
October 30th, 2007, 05:47 PM
I am definitely a fan.

The best bit of comedy I have seen in a long time. I won't bother listing all of the things that I like about this film, and why it is abnormally entertaining ... I think its been covered already...

Really appreciate all the comments Daniel. Yes. Once I come out from under the effects of the Wyoming Prairie Berries I do plan to have a bit longer cut with scenes that got tossed and an alternate ending. Will let you know. :)

Bradley L Marlow
October 30th, 2007, 05:50 PM
Another fine and funny Marlow production. Love your manipulation of images with cuts, stop motion, and whatever, to get the feel you give to your fillms. Highly imaginative editing. I am sure the berries helped....:)

I appreciate your comments Chris. Yes...the berries helped bigtime.

Lorinda Norton
October 30th, 2007, 07:41 PM
You use an unconventional editing style, particularly in the beginning part of the film (before you almost shoot your friend by accident). I think I would classify it as bumbling jump cutting. You have raised that to an art.
That's a great point to bring up, Daniel. No one does it better than Bradley.

Marco Wagner
October 30th, 2007, 08:51 PM
That was super funny, the berries "hyper" motion was great. Made me think "Jacob's Ladder"

Dick Mays
October 31st, 2007, 08:18 AM
Bradley,

The jump cuts were very interesting at the top. I'm going to have to play around with that style. I learn something everytime I watch one of these.

Although I might learn some editing techniques from you, forget about ever going hunting together! The thing that makes the handgun shots work so well is Wally's calm exterior in the face of the gunfire.

I liked the rack focus on the berries, and the closeup shots on the berries as you guys are eating them. It gives them huge significance.

I saw a little "Altered States" in there too. Like to see the longer berry induced scene as well.

Dick

Bradley L Marlow
October 31st, 2007, 01:03 PM
That's a great point to bring up, Daniel. No one does it better than Bradley.

You're very kind. :)

Bradley L Marlow
October 31st, 2007, 01:05 PM
That was super funny, the berries "hyper" motion was great. Made me think "Jacob's Ladder"

I'm glad you liked it and thanks for the comments!

Bradley L Marlow
October 31st, 2007, 01:06 PM
Bradley,

The jump cuts were very interesting at the top. I'm going to have to play around with that style. I learn something everytime I watch one of these.

Although I might learn some editing techniques from you, forget about ever going hunting together! The thing that makes the handgun shots work so well is Wally's calm exterior in the face of the gunfire.

I liked the rack focus on the berries, and the closeup shots on the berries as you guys are eating them. It gives them huge significance.

I saw a little "Altered States" in there too. Like to see the longer berry induced scene as well.

Dick

I appreciate your comments. lol...yeah. I could be quite dangerous hunting with me. Be careful.

Meryem Ersoz
October 31st, 2007, 02:22 PM
To borrow a line:
Prairie Berries are in season and I can get some to you at a very reasonable price. :)


after i finish this ayahuasca journey known as the DV Challenge, i may have to take you up on it....

Bradley L Marlow
October 31st, 2007, 02:57 PM
lol...I hear what you are saying. This DV Challenge is definitely a trip.

I want to thank you again for your comments earlier. I always really appreciate your learned take on filmmaking, your insightful mind and your warm heart. Even though you hang with the frozen Zombie crowd.

I'm leaving for South America now.

Bruce Foreman
October 31st, 2007, 05:07 PM
Hil-F***ing-larious. (Pardon my asterisks)

I won't go into the gun comments since I'm sure Bruce will cover that in his feedback :)


Ronn

Too damn tied up laughing my ... Well, you get the picture. I'm gonna be assless for awhile.

Bradley. I can't add anything unique to what others have said here. I thoroughly enjoyed that. One of the funniest things I've seen in a long time,

Masterfully and artfully done in every respect, can't wait to see the director's cut. You guys make one helluva team.

Daniel Ross
October 31st, 2007, 06:20 PM
Quite funny. I enjoyed that the most so far.

The deer skull was creepy, too, so you didn't completely leave out the scaring factor. But it was embedded in comedy, so I wasn't too scared.

I agree with a lot of the above posts as well, so no need to repeat.

I was bothered by the rack focus shots of the berries-- no clue why they were there, and thought you were just playing with nature. Perhaps partly because I was looking at this with my filmmaker eye. After seeing the rest, it becomes clear, but it wasn't while watching. What the viewer expects can be tough, even if they are wrong to expect it because then it feels to them like the film is wrong... tough. I know there's a bit of that with my entry in that it's dark, so people think they should be able to see more.
I think it could be a bit improved if he was shooting at the berries. Could make for some fun closeups too, of them exploding from a bullet, if you actually could fire ;)

Bradley L Marlow
October 31st, 2007, 08:14 PM
Too damn tied up laughing my ... Well, you get the picture. I'm gonna be assless for awhile.

Bradley. I can't add anything unique to what others have said here. I thoroughly enjoyed that. One of the funniest things I've seen in a long time,

Masterfully and artfully done in every respect, can't wait to see the director's cut. You guys make one helluva team.

lol Bruce. I'm cracking up that your cracking up so hard! Thanks for the comments and I'm happy you liked the film.

Now...go find your ass.

Bradley L Marlow
October 31st, 2007, 08:23 PM
Quite funny. I enjoyed that the most so far.

The deer skull was creepy, too, so you didn't completely leave out the scaring factor. But it was embedded in comedy, so I wasn't too scared.

I agree with a lot of the above posts as well, so no need to repeat.

I was bothered by the rack focus shots of the berries-- no clue why they were there, and thought you were just playing with nature... After seeing the rest, it becomes clear, but it wasn't while watching. What the viewer expects can be tough, even if they are wrong to expect it because then it feels to them like the film is wrong... tough...
I think it could be a bit improved if he was shooting at the berries. Could make for some fun closeups too, of them exploding from a bullet, if you actually could fire ;)

I appreciate your comments Daniel.

The take on the berry shot. I understand that everyone will have a differing reaction on such shots and placement of said shots.

Yes, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to hit those berries with the rifle, the sidearm or even an oversized plastic baseball bat.

Daniel Ross
November 1st, 2007, 03:34 AM
Yes, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to hit those berries with the rifle, the sidearm or even an oversized plastic baseball bat.Hahaha. Well, could have had a scene like when you shot at your buddy, but then again, would have taken too much time.

Bradley L Marlow
November 2nd, 2007, 11:56 AM
Hahaha. Well, could have had a scene like when you shot at your buddy, but then again, would have taken too much time.

Yeah. We overshot footage as it was. This cut came in at exactly 3:20 (the limit) :)

Daniel Ross
November 2nd, 2007, 12:23 PM
Well, yes, but remember you DID put the strange snap zooms in there, which only made sense on a second viewing.

Bradley L Marlow
November 4th, 2007, 10:33 PM
I just wanted to say thanks to all you cool filmmakers who commented on my thread. I really appreciate it and enjoyed watching each of your films.

Thanks Dylan, for another great DV Challenge.