My short film

[Pj]

I have just uploaded my film on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NzKW45OuEQ

Hope the link works.

I shot my film with a small crew and two professional actors. The film is in one single shot without any cuts at 18 fps using a complete Super 8 cartridge. In all we did 7 takes and used Ektachrome 64T and Vision 200, the version I have uploaded is 64T. We used a steadycam made from a monopod, a mini disc recorder and a Bruan Nizo 6080 which has a widened (super duper) gate. The telecine was a workprinter.

Pj

[mattias]

i liked it. good sound and cinematography. i didn't quite get what was going on though.

/matt

[Pj]

I'm glad you liked it. It was just a random conversation between two strangers and that's it.

In reality I wanted to test my directing skills, use different Super 8 stocks and see how well I could film sound with a camera that wasn't crystal controlled. The poor quality on You Tube doesn't really show off the sync sound.

PJ

[mattias]

In reality I wanted to test my directing skills, use different Super 8 stocks and see how well I could film sound with a camera that wasn't crystal controlled. The poor quality on You Tube doesn't really show off the sync sound.

sounds like you got what you wanted, it works well. what mikes did you use? the closeness of the dialog suggests a shotgun on a boom or lavs but the way the surroundings are so clear suggests an on/near camera mic. the nizos are sure quiet for super 8, or did you do any post tricks to remove the noise?

i'd love to see a higher quality version. check out yousendit.com where you can upload as much as you like, 100mb at a time, for a week for free. i use it all the time.

/matt

[Pj]

Thanks for the link I will post a higher quality version. We didn't use any post tricks on the sound just a simple tie mike and the Mini Disc was in the actors pocket. The camera is very quiet, I think ideal for sound work.

I hope more people comment too and share some of their experiences in particular with the wide frame as hardly no high end telecine facility can handle the overscan.

PJ

[mattias]

Thanks for the link I will post a higher quality version. We didn't use any post tricks on the sound just a simple tie mike

ah, so i was right but wrong. i'm amazed how much of the surroundings it picked up. the footsteps are almost louder than the dialog...

/matt

[Superbus_]

I like your film. There is tension between the actors you don't know, anything could happen. and also a good example that the 3.5 minutes is enough for an almost complete conversation.

[unit22]

That was pretty cool. I liked the cinematography.

[narri]

I enjoyed it. The actors performed really well, and I have this tendency to like long, continuous shots.

A few minor questions though. The framing was quite tight, I can see a point where the two persons faces would've been very small in comparison if they're feet would've been visible. Still I'd have gone for a bit wider composition.

Even if I'm really enjoying the fact it's all in one take, it would've been a pleasure seeing the actors in a close up. Maybe they could've stopped at some red lights where they'd come closer to the camera. Of course this would've introduced a lot of more problems with the focus. But it could've been effective. A dolly would've helped with the shakiness as well, it really didn't bother me at all to be honest, but it might be one thing to ponder if something similar comes along in the future. People have used wheelchairs and whatnot for such things, works like a charm.

All in all I really liked it, the tension is built up nicely and I liked the atmosphere a lot. Good job.

[Plastik]

I think the actors do their thing really well. I didn’t get bored one bit.

I like the fact that it is one shot. It would have been interesting to see it as a tracking shot – have the frame rock steady. It would draw a little more attention to the actors – maybe not, I’m not sure.

I definitely agree on seeing it at a better quality. It’s one shot – we need to see it at it’s best with no compression artifacts.
Good directing.

[Pj]

Thanks for all the comments.

I have just uploaded a Kodak vision 2 version. I like the look of the vision stocks though I think the performances were better in the Ektachrome, I do like the slightly tilted framing in this one too,.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mc-Y9gT8Z0

[steve hyde]

...nice work. I like the continuous take. the intro title sequence is not very inviting though and the title itself is not particularly intriguing, but the content is interesting. Assuming you are looking for critical feedback and suggestions, I suggest a one word title for a film of this duration and I would personally refrain from using fancy corporate logo introductions. When ever I see that stuff before a super 8 short, I always feel like I am entering into a video promo. I think you need an intro that serves the mood of your vignette.

Was it you that made that Kodachrome movie a while back in a convenience store? I liked that one too.

Cheers,

Steve

[Macnessa]

I love the sync sound, man. You really nailed it. My films in S8 are all silent, but this has inspired me to try wild sound without a crystal.

Any tips--did you just use a clapper and then line up the audio track in editing?

Great work!!

[Pj]

Thanks. It wasn't me who made the film in the convienience store.

As for tips for syncing sound we didn't use a clapper just someone introducing the scene and logging it on paper. The sound was fitted to the visuals in the edit, it was time consuming but fairly easy.

[Macnessa]

Wow, didn't think you could get that close just by winging it. Good job.

One other question, how did you make your fake steadycam with the monopod? That's something I'd like to try.