Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

The Weight of Liberty - Red Epic-W

Curtis boggs

Curtis boggs

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 13, 2016
Messages
753
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
Website
www.cboggs.com
Hi gang,

Sharing a preproduction teaser I shot on Epic-W and edited in FCPx.

Currently in pre-production a feature about the tough guys that fight wars and the emotional burden they carry.

https://vimeo.com/204118658


Cheers,

Curtis
 
Last edited:
I'm interested to hear what people have to say about the story line and execution.
 
I like the lighting (not sure that it's motivated lighting, considering they're in a tent, but it looks kinda cool) and the wardrobe.

But it feels really staged.
The guy w/ the gun is like a caricature, throwing big wild punches and breathing heavily.
The music and camera movements try to build suspense, but I don't think it works because I just see two actors acting out a scene instead of a hostage in danger.
 
I really appreciate the feedback.

They are in a warehouse / steel building, .. actually my new studio building that's not finished.
Light was simply a 1k Fresnel along with the light spilling in through the door.
I tried to control ratio to some extent. As you can tell I simply color corrected towards the Tungsten to get the warm/cool colorgrade.
New color science and quick grade in RCx.

The people I did this for are using un-paid local actors and didn't handle any of their
pre-production duties. The military gear is all stuff I had.

Akin, from a DP standpoint is there something different in the cinematography that you think could have helped?

It was suggested to me that the edit is too "linear" or "plain" , thoughts?

Guys I really appreciate the feedback, . . very generous and I always want to get better.
 
Bill, ... you've worked with Chic Corea??? easily my all time fav musician.
 
Would nice to see more movement and longer takes if you have them. I feel like this whole edit could be accomplished with maybe only three cuts. Obviously you can't do that now because it wasn't shot that way but I would definitely look into adding more movement and longer takes next time so that the emotion of the scene isn't jarred with each cut. Just my thoughts.
 
Bill Totolo said:
I worked with all my jazz heroes on the Fender Rhodes doc. A dream gig.
Click to expand...

wow Bill getting to work with the jazz greats like chick had to be completely amazing

thanks Levi so in general you would've liked to see more camera movement?
would that be movements that contribute tension like dolly in etc.?
The producer on that shoot suggested a 360 shot but I didn't think it contributed to the story
 
Curtis boggs said:
wow Bill getting to work with the jazz greats like chick had to be completely amazing

thanks Levi so in general you would've liked to see more camera movement?
would that be movements that contribute tension like dolly in etc.?
The producer on that shoot suggested a 360 shot but I didn't think it contributed to the story
Click to expand...

I think handheld (maybe not Greengrass style but close) would help mask the lack of training in the physical stuff. Zoomed in with maybe a faster than normal shutter speed might help add some tension.
 
Curtis boggs said:
Akin, from a DP standpoint is there something different in the cinematography that you think could have helped?
Click to expand...
Maybe some natural camera shake to give it a more dirty feel. If it's supposed to be a gruesome scene, that could help. The camera movements are clean and pretty, but the scene is showing torture.
 
Interesting observations guys, .. thank you.

Being just a quick teaser scene I'll get to shoot this again with the proper actors
and some rehearsal time.
I get what you're saying and am going to try some takes hand held, maybe both
on my shoulder rig and Ronin.

cheers,

Curtis
 
The still tripod shots do the scene no favours here due to the acting. The wider the shots and the more you see the action, the more demanding it is on delivering a realistic performance. In violence and action this demands proper training from the actors, or the use of doubles to really "deliver" those punches.

I would second the use of handheld and more detail shots cut with wider shots. Its a way to "cover" the lack of preparation of the action scenes. A couple of shots look beautiful, the blood dripping, the holding gun pointing at camera one look great.

Needs much more attention on the sound department. As gorgeous as a picture can look, cheap sound FX and audio immediately throws the film to "non professional" levels.

There's potential in this. Make sure to think the "style" needed for the whole production and have everything under control!
 
Thanks Sergio

I think the director was trying build suspense and tension, .. and the reason we agreed to shoot and edit
in this way. Seems since it's supposed to be a dream sequence of sorts the pace and tons of reverb on the sound was to support that.

I get the use of hand held and tighter shots for the action.
I shot it in 8k and am using a 4k timeline so I'm going to see if I can reframe.

Sergio, I really "get" what you are saying along with Akin and have given me a fresh look at this.

Again, .. thank you all for the opinions and advice, it's very generous of you.

Curtis
 
Well if you have wiggle room on the framing you could throw in a little handheld motion just to see what it looks like.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top