My film is on DVD!

xerxes · May 12, 2003, 04:12:41 PM

Quote from: GhostboyOOPS, I need to clarify one thing...
If you want the 'Xixax members special,' you need to take the two dollars off yourself when you enter the amount in the order form.

umm, i did not do that

RegularKarate · May 20, 2003, 01:19:29 AM

Okay... so, I got this DVD today and I guess this is where I should post my errr... review?

Anyway... Well done... I must say...

The Film as a whole: I enjoyed it... I thought it was a solid story, paced well and felt like a film like that should feel. I thought some of the acting scenes were really well done (there may have been a couple of scenes that felt a tad... artificial). I think it's strongest point is it's visual soundness. Not just the camera work (which had a very slight style, but far from visually overbearing), but the editing (which didn't feel akward, like a lot of lower budget festival films) is well paced, it's quite smooth.

Overall, the film as a whole is worthy of being in a short film festival... I've seen a few and some of the films that turn up on screen make me wonder what the criteria is for entry... one that I would enjoy I mean.

My only complaint about it would be that it's a tad melodramatic. The acting was the main reason behind this. But it's a minor complaint.

Technically: I thought it well shot... as far as composition goes... It's definately proffesional... it didn't look like a student film, it looked like you knew what you were doing. I don't know about your color correction because I only have the trailer to go by for the original color, but I felt you may have pushed it a bit too warm. I felt some of the tones bled a bit too much in certain scenes, but sometimes 16 can just look like that.

Lighting wise... back to being proffesional... especially because it didn't interfere with anything (with the exception of about two scenes that seemed mildly overexposed in spots, but that may have been intentional). It looked right... it looked like a real film.

Sound wise... pretty good... seemed mixed well... The only time I noticed the sound was the one scene with ADR and that's just because ADR is hard to mix naturally.

The DVD overall: I would recomend it to anyone who's interested in film making... the documentary is very good and it's neat to see how a shoot like this is run. The commentary is great too, it fits in as a kind of supliment to the doc. I wouldn't have been brave enough to do a commentary... but way to have some balls.

Only thing I would say is that I wouldn't personally admit to not being good with actors.

Anyway... I'm definately glad I bought this and I think the others that did will enjoy it as well. I hope he gets to make another film soon, I think he has great potential. I actually have more to say, but I'll wait until others start getting thier copies.

Oh... and Da... er Ghostboy... if you're in need of a camera op for your next flick... I LOVE handheld.

Ghostboy · May 20, 2003, 04:30:59 AM

Thanks, RK!

Has anyone else received it yet? As of tomorrow, all orders so far will have shipped. I'd like to discuss it in further as well, once more people have seen it....

Pas · May 20, 2003, 08:25:58 AM

Haven't ordered it yet, but I really liked the trailer's music and the way you feel "something's wrong" there just by the mood it creates.

Look forward to seeing this...at least in a festival if I don't buy it (it's all depending on my spending urges, really

)

Xixax · May 20, 2003, 08:31:02 PM

Just ordered my copy, too. Always glad to support a fellow Xixaxian!

Alethia · May 21, 2003, 09:46:45 AM

havent ordered mine yet either, but am looking forward to doing so, i love your site too by the way.

Xixax · May 24, 2003, 05:15:41 PM

Just watched "Still".

Wow. Very professional! It looked like something I'd see on late night Cinemax, only without the porn.

My only criticism was the title. It was *too* foreshadowing. I had the film figured out as soon as we met the neighbors.

Great score, and Mary was really really great.

I'll watch the commentary after the kids go to bed.

Have you hit the festival circuit with this?

Ghostboy · May 24, 2003, 08:46:59 PM

Quote from: XixaxJust watched "Still".

Wow. Very professional! It looked like something I'd see on late night Cinemax, only without the porn.

My only criticism was the title. It was *too* foreshadowing. I had the film figured out as soon as we met the neighbors.

Great score, and Mary was really really great.

I'll watch the commentary after the kids go to bed.

Have you hit the festival circuit with this?

Thanks Xixax! I have hit the festival circuit, but with only limited success. I was told by one festival director (who did accept it) that most fests try try to program shorts under 15 min, so they can fit in as many as possible. I guess that's a decent enough reason...I'm still trying, though.

Alaina, who played Mary, is on her way. She's incredible to work with. You've probably seen her already in commercials/ads/Dawson's Creek. I'm indebted to her for doing this movie.

One of my friends told me, back at the script stage, that the title might be too suggestive, and that maybe I should change it. My response was probably in the vein of William H Macy's impression of PTA when he suggested that Magnolia was a little long.

That is the reason that I saved the title for the end credits, blindly hoping that maybe people would forget what it was called while they were watching it....

I'm very intrigued about the idea of including sex in movies (i.e. The Brown Bunny or John Cameron Mitchell's new film), so maybe someday I'll make something that WILL include the porn.

BrainSushi · May 25, 2003, 08:32:00 PM

Before I order, I'd like to know if the disc works on PlayStation2's. That's the only DVD player I've got, and it doesn't read all discs (i.e., most of my Troma DVDs)

Ghostboy · May 25, 2003, 08:34:04 PM

Hmmmm...I'm not sure. Does anyone else know whether you can play DVD-Rs in a Playstation 2?

Xixax · May 25, 2003, 10:13:21 PM

Yes, DVD-R's will play in PS2's. You should be A-OK.

Redlum · May 26, 2003, 01:42:06 PM

Seeing as the online payment is paypal, do you have to be a member and validate your card and everything? I'd pay by check but I'm in the UK, and my bank wont do it.

Pozer · May 26, 2003, 02:20:19 PM

Yeah, I just did all that.

Well, just ordered your movie buddy. Look forward to recieving it.
gotta support the coz any way I can

Cecil · May 27, 2003, 10:36:36 PM

spoilers

very very well done! what was the budget?

unfortunately, i cant really comment on the story because i sorta knew the ending from the start (i think you gave it away in your journal or something). but i didnt think it was too melodramatic (maybe some did because of the music, which i found a little annoying at some spots. maybe because it was too loud, or maybe because it was trying to be too sad)

i did find it creepy, because you didnt show the baby (that was a good decision). maybe if you had made the neighbors actually acting "normally," like calling them up to let them know they had the baby, have big smiles and wave while walking him... it wouldve been much more insane to learn that hes dead, especially if they kept up the attitude afterwards as well "we saw the baby..." "yeah, isnt he just adorable?" but maybe thats not the direction you were going.

the commentary and the documentary were great. very informative and funny. unlike SOME people here, i think its great that you can admit you have flaws as a filmmaker. but anyway, from what i saw, i think you articulate your ideas pretty well. maybe i can understand you more because im a filmmaker myself. when i work with my uncle on one of my movies, we hardly even speak to each other (well we dont have to explain anything)... sometimes we just mention certain movies, or just make weird sounds and demonstrate and we can understand each other. i dont know if the actors ever did though.

also the menu and the cover of the dvd are great. i especially love the little "1" on the spine. i think youve allready mentioned it on your site, but are you planning on releasing lullaby on dvd? or have you become ashamed of the movie and never want anyone to see it again?

i found 2 easter eggs (the "love" short and the notes) are there anymore?

question: were you trying to say something during the dinner scene, where the neighbors are close to each other and the others are apart? (sorry i forgot their names)

im very impressed with the film, and i cant wait for your next one.

Ghostboy · May 27, 2003, 11:54:44 PM

I'm really glad you liked it, Cecil.

You're right about being able to communicate with other filmmakers. It's great, you can just say something totally abstract and they'll understand. Actors usually think differently, I've learned. Some of them have told me they have no idea what the hell I'm shooting until they see it all cut together. Alaina (Mary) was great because she understood every ridiculous direction I gave her...but for the most part, it really helps to give actors 'playable' directions, rather than abstract ideas.

Throughout the movie, I tried as much as possible for there to be a subtle distance between Tom and Mary, the main couple. When they're sitting at the table, definitely. Also, when Tom answers the phone, even though he knows his wife is on the other end, I thought it was important that he says "This is Tom."

There are a handful of additional easter eggs hidden within the 'notes' section, and one of them will answer your question about the Lullaby DVD. I was wondering if anyone would mention the number on the spine...as long as I have any control over it, I thought it would be fun to number my movies like that. Total Criterion rip off, of course.