DVC #8 - The Lottery Will be Televised at DVinfo.net

Sean McHenry · April 30th, 2007, 10:09 AM

Welcome to my feedback thread. Hope you enjoy(ed) my little entry. I'll explain after it's been published for mass consumption. Thanks for stopping in.

More to come. Now, sleep.

Sean

Sean McHenry · May 1st, 2007, 10:36 PM

Well, everyone seems to include what they used, except me so here's the short list of what I used in mine:

Camera - My trusty Sony DSR PDX-10 in 16:9 native mode
Mic - None. (Yep, all sound effects, some music and ambient stuff)
Lighting - Natural Sol
Tape - Sony DVCam
Sticks - Bogen/Manfrotto 3011Bk
Head - Bogen/Manfrotto - 501
Editor - Avid Media Composer, Software Version

Props and stuff:
Plastic Masks, Cheap Fedora hats, Barcode temp tattoos, 4 black balloons, 2 white balloons, plastic white Lilly's, Black Jeep Wrangle Unlimited (my new car), Picture of my dad and some computer stuff.

Total cost, about $70 or so. (I bought the entire cast fancy chocolate bars as a thank you)

Looking forward to seeing what the others have done.

Chris Barcellos · May 9th, 2007, 09:19 AM

You got me to watch it two times, right off. Reminded me of that first Mac commercial in the 80's, 1984ish Orwellian ??. This one makes you dig for a meaning... thought provoking. And the filming style changes interestingly, and I am sure intentionally from scene to scene.. I'm interested to see what others make of it...

Josh Johnson · May 9th, 2007, 09:26 AM

I found it quite interesting too... Totally had a Orwellianish feel to it. The end shot with the winner? looking up was almost creepy... My head hurts...

Good one though!

William Gardner · May 9th, 2007, 09:26 AM

Interesting film styles and editing choices. Conveys the theme well, though it was too deep for me or I too deep for it so I struggled to find meaning in it. I suspect that experimental films like this are supposed to do that though: provide an audio-visual experience that each viewer finds his own meaning in. ??

Bill

Sean McHenry · May 9th, 2007, 09:39 AM

Thanks everyone. Sort of the ideas I was going for. Actually it's based on a combination of several ideas. Orwells "1984" is the most in your face concept but there is also a bit of "THX1138" in there and "The Island".

The concept was a bit more easy to come by in the original version but I didn't have the crowd of people I thought I would have so it got harder to convey the message. What it was intended to be is this:
The government controls the population through the televisions, government sponsored drugs (mandatory for everyone) to make all of society docile and sheep like. Every night the state sponsored Lottery comes on and allows one individual to be "freed" from this drugged controlled life. Natalie, at the end, is the result of the "freeing" of the person. Obviously not free.

In the short the people getting out of the jeep are a sort of "Prize Patrol" and they gather the "winner". They have flowers, not obvious but they are white Lilly's (foreshadows a type of death) and balloons. The one white balloon escapes. Represents Natalie escaping. In the end, like the ruined Natalie we see the balloon has come to rest but is also ruined.

Yeah, I may be pushing symbolism a lot but the artistic films of the early century, and David Lynch, very much intrigue me, a lot.

Still, creepy feeling are my present to you all. Hope you enjoyed it a bit. I enjoyed making it.

It's always interesting trying to explain this sort of idea to people in the shots. Some get it, some don't and some don't really care. It all works so well sometimes. I'm just happy to be making these and I owe it all to DVC2 for getting me started.

Sean

Sean McHenry · May 9th, 2007, 09:52 AM

I forgot, Bill, that's exactly it. As my hero, Lynch says, everyones interpretation is valid. Whatever you get from it is as good as the next person. It's interesting really because it place art in reach of everyone if no interpretation is wrong, or dumb, or right on. All are valid.

He staunchly refuses to explain anything in his films as he wants you to get your own experience from the piece. I love that.

Sean

Mugurel Dragusin · May 9th, 2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean McHenry

Thanks everyone. Sort of the ideas I was going for. Actually it's based on a combination of several ideas. Orwells "1984" is the most in your face concept but there is also a bit of "THX1138" in there and "The Island".

Happens to really liked the THX1138 and The Island, so by the time I got to read this, I was mumbling in my head that this has the same theme, good stuff man! :)

Ronn Kilby · May 9th, 2007, 10:24 AM

I'm so depressed now - but in a good way. :)
Only thing missing was a nice big bowl of Soylent Green.

Anders Risvold · May 9th, 2007, 11:56 AM

Weird stuff. I loved it :)

Sean McHenry · May 9th, 2007, 12:50 PM

Quote: Only thing missing was a nice big bowl of Soylent Green.

There is this little known band called Synth Punk Disco Panzer (well worth checking out) that has a tune that's so superbly mellow - "Eating People is Wrong".

Tuesday is Soylent Green day!

And for those that like this sort of style, check out my DVC5 entry, "Memories of a Dream", On Google Video, Grouper, YouTube and now on the MTV Italy web site, http://en.qoob.tv

Sean

Sean McHenry · May 9th, 2007, 01:04 PM

Hey Chris, guess who did those Mac spots...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8

Ridley Scott just after finishing Blade Runner. Loved that spot for it's dark overtones. Much the same reason I loved Brazil. Looks familiar, smells and tastes familiar but something is wrong, just plain wrong. I love that sort of feeling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_(t...ion_commercial)

Sean

Lorinda Norton · May 9th, 2007, 01:47 PM

Well now, Sean….that was pretty darn weird! Just the way you like it. :)

Thank you for not pulling a David Lynch; I really appreciate you offering an explanation here. It helped, for the most part.

Interesting shots and look to this movie. Guess the only question I have is how you got across that field. Stabilizer?

Brent Graham · May 9th, 2007, 01:56 PM

I liked this one. I liked the look and tone of the images. The story itself could use some more arcing, it seemed to be more like a single scene than a story. But I really liked the visual treatments, I'm now wishing I had time to color treat my film!

Oh well...

Very nice job.

*edit, just read your story explanation above...shoot, missed that. My bad.

John Brickner Jr · May 9th, 2007, 01:59 PM

This was some deep stuff. After I watched this I was like "whoa". This film is definatley a thinker. I mean that in a good way too :)

Also dig the Ohio State shirt on one of your actors ;)

April 30th, 2007, 10:09 AM	#1
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	DVC #8 - The Lottery Will be Televised Welcome to my feedback thread. Hope you enjoy(ed) my little entry. I'll explain after it's been published for mass consumption. Thanks for stopping in. More to come. Now, sleep. Sean __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

May 1st, 2007, 10:36 PM	#2
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	Equipment used for my short Well, everyone seems to include what they used, except me so here's the short list of what I used in mine: Camera - My trusty Sony DSR PDX-10 in 16:9 native mode Mic - None. (Yep, all sound effects, some music and ambient stuff) Lighting - Natural Sol Tape - Sony DVCam Sticks - Bogen/Manfrotto 3011Bk Head - Bogen/Manfrotto - 501 Editor - Avid Media Composer, Software Version Props and stuff: Plastic Masks, Cheap Fedora hats, Barcode temp tattoos, 4 black balloons, 2 white balloons, plastic white Lilly's, Black Jeep Wrangle Unlimited (my new car), Picture of my dad and some computer stuff. Total cost, about $70 or so. (I bought the entire cast fancy chocolate bars as a thank you) Looking forward to seeing what the others have done. __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

May 9th, 2007, 09:19 AM	#3
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	You got me to watch it two times, right off. Reminded me of that first Mac commercial in the 80's, 1984ish Orwellian ??. This one makes you dig for a meaning... thought provoking. And the filming style changes interestingly, and I am sure intentionally from scene to scene.. I'm interested to see what others make of it... __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

May 9th, 2007, 09:26 AM	#4
Josh Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 53	I found it quite interesting too... Totally had a Orwellianish feel to it. The end shot with the winner? looking up was almost creepy... My head hurts... Good one though! __________________ Josh Johnson http://www.carolinaflicks.com

May 9th, 2007, 09:39 AM	#6
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	Thanks everyone. Sort of the ideas I was going for. Actually it's based on a combination of several ideas. Orwells "1984" is the most in your face concept but there is also a bit of "THX1138" in there and "The Island". The concept was a bit more easy to come by in the original version but I didn't have the crowd of people I thought I would have so it got harder to convey the message. What it was intended to be is this: The government controls the population through the televisions, government sponsored drugs (mandatory for everyone) to make all of society docile and sheep like. Every night the state sponsored Lottery comes on and allows one individual to be "freed" from this drugged controlled life. Natalie, at the end, is the result of the "freeing" of the person. Obviously not free. In the short the people getting out of the jeep are a sort of "Prize Patrol" and they gather the "winner". They have flowers, not obvious but they are white Lilly's (foreshadows a type of death) and balloons. The one white balloon escapes. Represents Natalie escaping. In the end, like the ruined Natalie we see the balloon has come to rest but is also ruined. Yeah, I may be pushing symbolism a lot but the artistic films of the early century, and David Lynch, very much intrigue me, a lot. Still, creepy feeling are my present to you all. Hope you enjoyed it a bit. I enjoyed making it. It's always interesting trying to explain this sort of idea to people in the shots. Some get it, some don't and some don't really care. It all works so well sometimes. I'm just happy to be making these and I owe it all to DVC2 for getting me started. Sean __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

May 9th, 2007, 09:26 AM	#5
William Gardner Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 216	Interesting film styles and editing choices. Conveys the theme well, though it was too deep for me or I too deep for it so I struggled to find meaning in it. I suspect that experimental films like this are supposed to do that though: provide an audio-visual experience that each viewer finds his own meaning in. ?? Bill

May 9th, 2007, 09:52 AM	#7
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	I forgot, Bill, that's exactly it. As my hero, Lynch says, everyones interpretation is valid. Whatever you get from it is as good as the next person. It's interesting really because it place art in reach of everyone if no interpretation is wrong, or dumb, or right on. All are valid. He staunchly refuses to explain anything in his films as he wants you to get your own experience from the piece. I love that. Sean __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

May 9th, 2007, 10:24 AM	#9
Ronn Kilby Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Fletcher Hills, CA Posts: 211	I'm so depressed now - but in a good way. :) Only thing missing was a nice big bowl of Soylent Green.

May 9th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#10
Anders Risvold Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 72	Weird stuff. I loved it :) __________________ ------------------- www.r-video.no/dvd

May 9th, 2007, 12:50 PM	#11
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	Quote: Only thing missing was a nice big bowl of Soylent Green. There is this little known band called Synth Punk Disco Panzer (well worth checking out) that has a tune that's so superbly mellow - "Eating People is Wrong". Tuesday is Soylent Green day! And for those that like this sort of style, check out my DVC5 entry, "Memories of a Dream", On Google Video, Grouper, YouTube and now on the MTV Italy web site, http://en.qoob.tv Sean __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

May 9th, 2007, 01:04 PM	#12
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	Hey Chris, guess who did those Mac spots... http://youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8 Ridley Scott just after finishing Blade Runner. Loved that spot for it's dark overtones. Much the same reason I loved Brazil. Looks familiar, smells and tastes familiar but something is wrong, just plain wrong. I love that sort of feeling. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_(t...ion_commercial) Sean __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

May 9th, 2007, 01:47 PM	#13
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Well now, Sean….that was pretty darn weird! Just the way you like it. :) Thank you for not pulling a David Lynch; I really appreciate you offering an explanation here. It helped, for the most part. Interesting shots and look to this movie. Guess the only question I have is how you got across that field. Stabilizer? __________________ Lorinda

May 9th, 2007, 01:56 PM	#14
Brent Graham Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 222	I liked this one. I liked the look and tone of the images. The story itself could use some more arcing, it seemed to be more like a single scene than a story. But I really liked the visual treatments, I'm now wishing I had time to color treat my film! Oh well... Very nice job. *edit, just read your story explanation above...shoot, missed that. My bad.

May 9th, 2007, 01:59 PM	#15
John Brickner Jr Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tiffin, Ohio Posts: 77	This was some deep stuff. After I watched this I was like "whoa". This film is definatley a thinker. I mean that in a good way too :) Also dig the Ohio State shirt on one of your actors ;)