Merry Christmas, Craig! at DVinfo.net

Ben Robbins · January 13th, 2010, 11:31 PM

Well, a little back story I suppose. Me and my friend Cole were really excited to do this theme when it was first announced. We started brainstorming to come up with a really different way that gift could be interpreted. We tossed around a few ideas, but never stuck with one. Weeks passed, we had both been really busy with work, school, etc. during the holiday season and we hadn't found any time to get together to do something.

So one night, when I came back to the apartment at 1:00 AM of January 9th, we decided we couldn't forgive ourselves if we didn't have SOMETHING to contribute to the contest. So we scrapped an idea together and finished principal shooting at 3:30 AM.

The next day we spent about an hour or so editing and and mashing up a quick, upbeat song reminiscent of "Seinfeld", using garage band.

We shot it on a plain Jane Canon Xl1, with some beat up tripod from a garage sale. We tried to work in some cool shots and ideas, but this was our final product.

We're looking forward to the next challenge, where we can hopefully get a jump start on things and have a fully developed idea ready for you guys.

"Merry Christmas, Craig!"

Bill Thesken · January 14th, 2010, 12:57 AM

Well, I'll be the first to say that this could have been the hands down winner if it was on time. Camera technique and pacing were superb.
Who among us has not had a 'bad' roomate?
I know a guy (not me) who got so pissed at his roomate drinking straight out of the milk container that he farted into it, knowing that the other guy would get a good whiff while drinking. Well, that turned into a fistfight. We don't know the outcome of this 'container'. Yet.

Trond Saetre · January 14th, 2010, 09:55 AM

Ben,
Very good!! I really enjoyed your video, and had to watch it again. Funny!
Good story, and the music fits well.

Thank you for sharing.

Dick Mays · January 14th, 2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Thesken

I know a guy (not me) who got so pissed at his roomate drinking straight out of the milk container that he farted into it,

Yeah, I know a guy (not me) in a lot of my stories too ;)

Very creative use of the theme "gift." Brought a whole different point of view to the subject. Looked like you have a great directorial eye, with interesting angles and camera movement. The POV from the gift, and the camera move from under the table, are examples. Hat's off to the camera operator.

I loved the scene of eating jellly and peanut butter right from the jar. Growing up with five brothers I can understand the revenge motive at work.

Very funny and believable story!

My only add is audio. Start a little lower level so you have somewhere to go with the scream. It was pretty heavily clipped, and there's a little mic noise at places. You can edit out those mic handling noise easily enough.

Lorinda Norton · January 14th, 2010, 11:42 AM

Bill, I'm not sure what you meant by "if it was on time.'" Just to make sure there's no confusion, I received the working link to this hilarious movie early on Sunday the 10th--well before the deadline.

Ben and Cole, you guys...

Well, I almost don't know what to say. :) It's such a guy movie...and it's very, very funny. And as Bill pointed out, very well done.

Loved the sinister smile out the door when the victim goes in to...uh...make the gift for Craig.

Okay, I think that's about all I can stomach for now...

Bill Thesken · January 14th, 2010, 11:46 AM

Well there I go for assuming things...

Chris Barcellos · January 14th, 2010, 11:59 AM

Nice save guys ! Great and interesting shots, and a fun commentary on the concerns of roommates.

Not so sure what happens with the gifts next..... I am thinking "regifting" may be coming...

Andris Krastins · January 14th, 2010, 01:12 PM

This was AWESOME! :D No more comments.

Ken Diewert · January 14th, 2010, 02:13 PM

Ben,

This is waaaay funny. If you haven't done so already, you better throw a version up on youtube. It evokes memories of the things that guy room-mates do to each other.

To me the best part of this was the fact that you made this between 1:00am and 3:30am on the last day. I think that there should be a 'graveyard shift' film festival.

Ben Robbins · January 14th, 2010, 07:44 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone! Glad to see we didn't offend too many people ;)

Ben Robbins · January 14th, 2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Mays

My only add is audio. Start a little lower level so you have
somewhere to go with the scream. It was pretty heavily clipped, and there's a little mic noise at places. You can edit out those mic handling noise easily enough.

I had only noticed the mic clipping only after we had uploaded it, but it is quite apparent.We probably would have caught it if we had not procrastinated until the very last minute :)

As for the scream, I honestly can't remember if we did that on purpose...Haha, I think we thought it was funny that it went way over the levels and clipped out.

Thank you for the input, we always try to be more mindful of little things we can fix.

Chris Swanberg · January 14th, 2010, 11:56 PM

Well done Ben. Your camera work was nice to watch - I liked the rack focus on the dropped glove.. and the edits practically invisible to the viewer - which is how a well edited film ought to be. I would agree that if there was a portion needing a little work in the future it would be sound, but then I am a firm believer that sound is a major part of any presentation. Funny story, and well executed. This is a certainly a contender !

Chris

Graeme Hay · January 15th, 2010, 08:03 PM

Very nice video, I love the story, I'd personally add a bit more light if possible except in the "toilet shot" to give it more of a grimy feel, without of course being too explicit. Overall very well done.

Dale Guthormsen · January 16th, 2010, 09:58 AM

Good Morning,

Well, I had a real laugh with this video, it sunk home one might say!! It was well done and I must say the eating seen had me in stitches!! Of course the exit sealed it. Having craig come in was alright, but to be honest it was not really needed to tell the story!!!

Most excellent, I am still chuckling as I wright this!!!

January 13th, 2010, 11:31 PM	#1
Ben Robbins Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: White Bear Lake, MN Posts: 39	Merry Christmas, Craig! Well, a little back story I suppose. Me and my friend Cole were really excited to do this theme when it was first announced. We started brainstorming to come up with a really different way that gift could be interpreted. We tossed around a few ideas, but never stuck with one. Weeks passed, we had both been really busy with work, school, etc. during the holiday season and we hadn't found any time to get together to do something. So one night, when I came back to the apartment at 1:00 AM of January 9th, we decided we couldn't forgive ourselves if we didn't have SOMETHING to contribute to the contest. So we scrapped an idea together and finished principal shooting at 3:30 AM. The next day we spent about an hour or so editing and and mashing up a quick, upbeat song reminiscent of "Seinfeld", using garage band. We shot it on a plain Jane Canon Xl1, with some beat up tripod from a garage sale. We tried to work in some cool shots and ideas, but this was our final product. We're looking forward to the next challenge, where we can hopefully get a jump start on things and have a fully developed idea ready for you guys. "Merry Christmas, Craig!" Merry Christmas, Craig! on Vimeo __________________ Old school Xl-1, Redrock micro, vintage 55mm 1.4 nikkor, Final cut pro, bits and pieces around the house.

January 14th, 2010, 11:42 AM	#5
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Bill, I'm not sure what you meant by "if it was on time.'" Just to make sure there's no confusion, I received the working link to this hilarious movie early on Sunday the 10th--well before the deadline. Ben and Cole, you guys... Well, I almost don't know what to say. :) It's such a guy movie...and it's very, very funny. And as Bill pointed out, very well done. Loved the sinister smile out the door when the victim goes in to...uh...make the gift for Craig. Okay, I think that's about all I can stomach for now... __________________ Lorinda

January 14th, 2010, 11:59 AM	#7
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Nice save guys ! Great and interesting shots, and a fun commentary on the concerns of roommates. Not so sure what happens with the gifts next..... I am thinking "regifting" may be coming... __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

January 14th, 2010, 01:12 PM	#8
Andris Krastins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lielvārde, Latvia Posts: 326	This was AWESOME! :D No more comments. __________________ Our Fire Films - a free film project.

January 14th, 2010, 02:13 PM	#9
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	Ben, This is waaaay funny. If you haven't done so already, you better throw a version up on youtube. It evokes memories of the things that guy room-mates do to each other. To me the best part of this was the fact that you made this between 1:00am and 3:30am on the last day. I think that there should be a 'graveyard shift' film festival. __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

January 14th, 2010, 12:57 AM	#2
Bill Thesken Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: HI, USA Posts: 622	Well, I'll be the first to say that this could have been the hands down winner if it was on time. Camera technique and pacing were superb. Who among us has not had a 'bad' roomate? I know a guy (not me) who got so pissed at his roomate drinking straight out of the milk container that he farted into it, knowing that the other guy would get a good whiff while drinking. Well, that turned into a fistfight. We don't know the outcome of this 'container'. Yet.

January 14th, 2010, 09:55 AM	#3
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Ben, Very good!! I really enjoyed your video, and had to watch it again. Funny! Good story, and the music fits well. Thank you for sharing.

January 14th, 2010, 11:46 AM	#6
Bill Thesken Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: HI, USA Posts: 622	Well there I go for assuming things...

January 14th, 2010, 07:44 PM	#10
Ben Robbins Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: White Bear Lake, MN Posts: 39	Thanks for the replies everyone! Glad to see we didn't offend too many people ;) __________________ Old school Xl-1, Redrock micro, vintage 55mm 1.4 nikkor, Final cut pro, bits and pieces around the house.

January 14th, 2010, 11:56 PM	#12
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Well done Ben. Your camera work was nice to watch - I liked the rack focus on the dropped glove.. and the edits practically invisible to the viewer - which is how a well edited film ought to be. I would agree that if there was a portion needing a little work in the future it would be sound, but then I am a firm believer that sound is a major part of any presentation. Funny story, and well executed. This is a certainly a contender ! Chris Last edited by Chris Swanberg; January 15th, 2010 at 01:01 AM.

January 15th, 2010, 08:03 PM	#13
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Very nice video, I love the story, I'd personally add a bit more light if possible except in the "toilet shot" to give it more of a grimy feel, without of course being too explicit. Overall very well done. __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

January 16th, 2010, 09:58 AM	#14
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Good Morning, Well, I had a real laugh with this video, it sunk home one might say!! It was well done and I must say the eating seen had me in stitches!! Of course the exit sealed it. Having craig come in was alright, but to be honest it was not really needed to tell the story!!! Most excellent, I am still chuckling as I wright this!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen