IP: HV20 feature film, first footage at DVinfo.net

Reese Leysen · August 11th, 2007, 03:25 PM

We're a group of 5 people doing some serious out-of-the-box work to try and make a 'Hollywood-quality' movie without a budget.

First footage from an early version of a scene we shot!

http://www.movielol.org/ip/video/5.php

Enjoy :)

(hope to get a high-def download up soon, image still needs some cleaning up etc)

Charles Papert · August 11th, 2007, 04:25 PM

Good for you guys for going for it.

Since you are repeatedly stating that you are going for "Hollywood-quality", I would suggest that shallow depth of field and slow dolly moves are just the beginning. Since you are letterboxing to 2:35, I would recommend making more interesting compositions and using the whole width of the frame (center-punching nearly everything for a project like this feels more like lack of composition than a choice). Also the lighting is nice and soft, but lacks shape especially in the closeups--try more negative fill and less front light especially for moody scenes like this one.

I know this is a first pass at this scene, but if you do intend to cut back and forth between the girl and the stereo/CD player, you should have some different sizes/angles on the girl to mix things up. You start on an extreme close-up, so you have no-where else to go from there--probably a wider shot or a profile would help give some variation and then cut to the tightest shot when the music begins to give it some emphasis. Overall though, this sequence is way too long and what we call "shoe leather". Obviously not knowing the script I don't know if the sound system becomes an important element, but if the stage direction is that the girl puts in a CD, this is a lot of screen time to get that to happen (and the shots themselves are not inherently that interesting).

Good luck with the rest of the project! It's cool that you guys are shooting it on the HV20.

Mike Horrigan · August 11th, 2007, 09:49 PM

Very nice work guys! I love the look that you have going... very ambitious.

Some shots may have lasted a tad bit too long but I really liked it overall. Hopefully the story can back up the look. ;)

I also liked the focus shot on the key. Are you using any lens attachments with the HV20?

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Mike

Reese Leysen · August 12th, 2007, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys, some good points you guys made :) .

Mike Horrigan · August 12th, 2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Horrigan

Are you using any lens attachments with the HV20?

Just curious, can you answer this one?

Thanks,

Mike

Glenn Chan · August 12th, 2007, 10:52 PM

Produce a Hollywood quality script and it won't matter whether you shot it on a HV20 or not. The production value is decent... I would work on making sure your script is solid. In the editing, I'd probably tighten up the scene and get to the point (whatever it is; obviously the scene is missing context because the rest of the movie isn't shot yet!!).

And have fun... that's important! :D

Reese Leysen · August 13th, 2007, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Horrigan

Just curious, can you answer this one?

Thanks,

Mike

We're using the Letus35A with some DIY support and spacer tube, you can see the construction in the previous making of clip here http://www.movielol.org/ip/video/4.php .

Mike Horrigan · August 13th, 2007, 07:09 AM

Awesome! Thanks for the info.
Looks like you guys are having a great time!

Cheers,

Mike

August 11th, 2007, 03:25 PM	#1
Reese Leysen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 114	IP: HV20 feature film, first footage We're a group of 5 people doing some serious out-of-the-box work to try and make a 'Hollywood-quality' movie without a budget. First footage from an early version of a scene we shot! http://www.movielol.org/ip/video/5.php Enjoy :) (hope to get a high-def download up soon, image still needs some cleaning up etc)

August 11th, 2007, 04:25 PM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Good for you guys for going for it. Since you are repeatedly stating that you are going for "Hollywood-quality", I would suggest that shallow depth of field and slow dolly moves are just the beginning. Since you are letterboxing to 2:35, I would recommend making more interesting compositions and using the whole width of the frame (center-punching nearly everything for a project like this feels more like lack of composition than a choice). Also the lighting is nice and soft, but lacks shape especially in the closeups--try more negative fill and less front light especially for moody scenes like this one. I know this is a first pass at this scene, but if you do intend to cut back and forth between the girl and the stereo/CD player, you should have some different sizes/angles on the girl to mix things up. You start on an extreme close-up, so you have no-where else to go from there--probably a wider shot or a profile would help give some variation and then cut to the tightest shot when the music begins to give it some emphasis. Overall though, this sequence is way too long and what we call "shoe leather". Obviously not knowing the script I don't know if the sound system becomes an important element, but if the stage direction is that the girl puts in a CD, this is a lot of screen time to get that to happen (and the shots themselves are not inherently that interesting). Good luck with the rest of the project! It's cool that you guys are shooting it on the HV20. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

August 11th, 2007, 09:49 PM	#3
Mike Horrigan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 755	Very nice work guys! I love the look that you have going... very ambitious. Some shots may have lasted a tad bit too long but I really liked it overall. Hopefully the story can back up the look. ;) I also liked the focus shot on the key. Are you using any lens attachments with the HV20? Keep us posted. Cheers, Mike __________________ My short films... The Interview & Calls From The Führerbunker

August 13th, 2007, 07:09 AM	#8
Mike Horrigan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 755	Awesome! Thanks for the info. Looks like you guys are having a great time! Cheers, Mike __________________ My short films... The Interview & Calls From The Führerbunker

August 12th, 2007, 01:01 PM	#4
Reese Leysen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 114	Thanks for the feedback guys, some good points you guys made :) .

August 12th, 2007, 10:52 PM	#6
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Produce a Hollywood quality script and it won't matter whether you shot it on a HV20 or not. The production value is decent... I would work on making sure your script is solid. In the editing, I'd probably tighten up the scene and get to the point (whatever it is; obviously the scene is missing context because the rest of the movie isn't shot yet!!). And have fun... that's important! :D