archived-videos Double feature

Theauteur14 · Mar 4, 2016

Double short feature

This is my latest short, Elsewhere. Were still going for some festivals. But I can finally put it publically online. So far the response has been good. I am disappointed that the main actress has pretty much refused to promote (though the second actress has been helping me out a lot). So I ask for all of you to please spread this link around, anything helps.

https://youtu.be/3DsbkSDbYGo

This is the short that I did before Elsewhere called Mastery. Despite some really bad sound issues I was able to get into some film festivals. I decided to finally make this one public.

https://youtu.be/eqHqW6M_g7o

I hope you all enjoy.

mlesemann · Mar 6, 2016

Guess you didn't like my feature ? Oh well - you're entitled to your own opinion

Theauteur14 · Mar 6, 2016

Hey, just remember an opinion good or bad means nothing. I am sure you had people who loved the film and hated it. I've had some real champions of my film and some people not so much. Either way it doesn't take away from the work. Some people felt that Spotlight and Steve Jobs were boring predictable films (both are in my top ten list of the best films of 2015). An opinion only means something if you agree with it.

mlesemann · Mar 6, 2016

Re loving or hating the film - I totally agree. I've had lots of people who love it, a fair number who hate it, and very few who or neutral or ambivalent about it ("it" being my feature Surviving Family).
There was a day recently when I got 2 reviews on Amazon within 5 minutes of each other & they were diametrically opposed - to such an extreme extent that I had to laugh. And I'm glad you have people who like yours - we are never going to please everyone.

Theauteur14 · Mar 6, 2016

In my little experience it's far better to be polarizing than to have everyone say "yeah it's watchable."

I always keep this mind whenever I make a film "I don't need everyone to like me or what I am doing." The worst thing someone could say to you is that "it was interesting. I think it was David Fincher that said that when he makes a film that he is okay if a certain section of the audience doesn't like what he does during a film. Because there will be people that do.

WalterB · Mar 6, 2016

Theauteur14 said:
..........An opinion only means something if you agree with it.

LOL.
And suddenly I understand more about US and Dutch elections

Opinions are indeed 'just opinions', but when you can learn on what basis it was formed, you can often learn from those opinions.
On one hand I'd say: let those opinions just go and slip away into oblivion. There is nothing to cling to anyway.
On the other hand: welcome all opinions, observe them and try not to label them good or bad. Set the 'ego' aside and listen to what they tell you. Look what you can learn from it. And then let it go.

(For people who are puzzled now: learn to meditate and it will make more sense

As a bonus you will feel less stressed

)

Yeah, there will always be people who don't like it. Always.

Theauteur14 · Mar 6, 2016

WalterB said:
LOL.
And suddenly I understand more about US and Dutch elections

Opinions are indeed 'just opinions', but when you can learn on what basis it was formed, you can often learn from those opinions.
On one hand I'd say: let those opinions just go and slip away into oblivion. There is nothing to cling to anyway.
On the other hand: welcome all opinions, observe them and try not to label them good or bad. Set the 'ego' aside and listen to what they tell you. Look what you can learn from it. And then let it go.

(For people who are puzzled now: learn to meditate and it will make more sense
As a bonus you will feel less stressed )

Yeah, there will always be people who don't like it. Always.

I believe you are speaking generally. But no one in this thread has really offered up any real opinions that could make me go hmm outside of yours.

What I am saying is that at the end of the day you have to trust your inner voice. I remember I showed a guy who ended up becoming my producer on my feature that I am making. His reaction to Elsewhere was "wow this is great! "What was the budget?" I showed it to my own mom and she was like "this is a nice story. "But you can do better." I showed it to some guy that I was trying to hire as a composer (he was a real dick) and he said "do you think that this will get into festivals? "Don't waste your money and just submit to holly shorts." Then I showed to a bunch of other folks who said that they loved it or thought that it was a good short. Al cool compliment that I got was from this girl. She said tar after her first viewing she didn't get it. But for some reason she decided to revisit the short and not only did she enjoy it more, she said that it made her feel better about a situation that she had in real life when she got hurt. That made me feel good. Because at the end of the day filmmaking is about making people feel less alone.

Out of the people that I have showed it to the one guy who gave me good advice was a director that I worked with. He enjoyed the film because of the acting mainly and said that at the end of the day that it's all about the drama.

Everyone's else opinions were either "I love it" or "not so much". And I have to say that I have gotten more positive than negative. A critic actually wrote a review about this and gave me a pretty good review (felt that the writing, visuals, sound design and acting were sharp).

So with all of that I can't really do anything with it. Even when someone said they loved it while being cool at the end of the day is just validation. And I try to not get into external validation. So I must ask myself how I felt about the project. At the end of the day that's what matters the most. And I don't make films for everyone. I make films for people who think like me and myself. I think that's the right way for anyone to approach anything.

Sweetie · Mar 6, 2016

It depends on why you're making films. If you're looking for a way to express yourself, go for it. It doesn't matter what people thing. It's your expression that's important.

If you're looking at a career in filmmaking, I would see this a real red flag when you're trying to pay a composer to work on your film and he pulls out his 10 foot pole:

I showed it to some guy that I was trying to hire as a composer (he was a real dick) and he said "do you think that this will get into festivals? "Don't waste your money and just submit to holly shorts."

Grats on all the great feedback.

Theauteur14 · Mar 6, 2016

Sweetie said:
It depends on why you're making films. If you're looking for a way to express yourself, go for it. It doesn't matter what people thing. It's your expression that's important.

If you're looking at a career in filmmaking, I would see this a real red flag when you're trying to pay a composer to work on your film and he pulls out his 10 foot pole:

Grats on all the great feedback.

I just make what I want to make. Plain and simple. The right people will show up on time. I will think about my audience. But at the end of the day I go with what excites me the most.

I wasn't trying to pay a composer. I was asking him to do it for free actually and he was willing to give me music. I went with someone else who enjoyed the film obviously.

And I love how selective you have been to what you respond to throughout this whole thread. You didn't quote the guy saying "this is great!" or when I said people said "I love it" or when I said a director that I worked with really enjoyed the acting. Or the critic that complimented the film for it's acting, writing, visuals, and sound design. You quoted me being honest about someone who wasn't totally into it. Last time I checked there has never been a film ever made that everyone who watched it liked.

You are just proving your worthlessness more and more.

Sweetie · Mar 6, 2016

You quoted me being honest about someone who wasn't totally into it.

You did say hire, but whatever.

You're so focused on the bad in the world when it isn't there. I congratulated you on the positive feedback, but you're so hellbent on the attack, I guess you missed.

It's no wonder you're suicidal.

Theauteur14 · Mar 6, 2016

Sweetie said:
You did say hire, but whatever.

You're so focused on the bad in the world when it isn't there. I congratulated you on the positive feedback, but you're so hellbent on the attack, I guess you missed.

It's no wonder you're suicidal.

Believe me, I had no money to pay him (the short itself cost just under $1,000).

Dude, I caught your passive aggressive attack. If you were serious then you would have quoted some of the nice feedback.

For someone that only watched like two minutes you seem invested in being a real dick.

Theauteur14 · Mar 6, 2016

Lessons learned from this.

The filmmakers on this site are unsupportive and too self involved to really care to watch another person's work.

Some of the filmmakers on here are just hacks and weak people (you know who you are).

This is the third time in recent memory that I started a thread hoping to get something out of it and got nothing helpful (WalterB was the only one who said anything useful). Three is a trend. And the trend here proves the worthless of some members. The first thread I wanted advice on funding my film and all I got was "you are crazy." My second was about if I should move from L.A to NYC and all I got was "we can't help you". And from this I just wanted people to watch my short to up my views. All I got were people talking who didn't even watch any of my short or watched just a few minutes of it.

I am starting to wonder what the point of this site is. I can get any questions I need answered on youtube, the internet, or by directors that I know.

If this site can't be a community then what is the purpose?

So a sincere fuck you.

sfoster · Mar 6, 2016

Maybe it's you personally that people don't want to take the time to give feedback to.

Theauteur14 · Mar 6, 2016

^ Where did I ask for feedback? I never did. Though some good feedback is always welcomed. I just wanted my view count to go up (it actually has no thanks to this site). I can check all those stats on YouTube so I could tell if anyone clicked on the link or not.

I couldn't care less if people on this site like me or not. For one I know no one on here and this site is full of hacks and weak people. People just projecting their own self hatred on people they envy, want to be like, or maybe even people who they feel like are better or more successful. But that's just what I think.

Like I said, I won't be supporting the majority of people on this site so it doesn't really matter. I am just starting to wonder what this site really accomplishes. A place for Aussies and guys with stereotypical cop avatars to talk about lame conversations?

I mean reddit is a better community for goodness sakes.

SkyCopeland · Mar 6, 2016

Hey Theauteur, you've been on this site a good bit. You've even posted more than the average passer-by.

So yes, when I saw this post (it had no comments at the time) I thought about viewing this, but was at school. I got on today to comment on a few things, and watch your newest short. However I saw all these comments and decided to read them first.

Unfortunately you remind me of others on this site in the past who have thought their shit smelt good. In fact, the pure mention that you don't care what we think of the video and just want the views, makes me kinda wish you never picked up a camera because you're a cancer to filmmaking.

So, no. I'm not even going to click the links now, because you have no respect for filmmaking or the filmmakers who put their souls into their works. All you seem to care about is yourself and getting known.

Same as Sweetie, I think you're delusional. And a delusional filmmaker has the least chance of getting anywhere in this industry.

Theauteur14 said:
You [Sweetie] don't get hired a lot do you?

I have to say, there are a number of people I would work with from this site based on how I've seen them and talked to them through years of being on this site. There are also a large number I wouldn't work with (even if I do like them) because they are either horrible at this or delusional.

Sweetie is among the list I would be happy to work with. Alcove as well. (Especially Alcove... Sound is the first department I make sure I can pay for.)

They are down-to-earth people that understand what this industry really is. They don't have false hopes.

Just as the composer you tried to hire, I'd avoid you like the plague.

Sweetie · Mar 6, 2016

the short itself cost just under $1,000

You spent $1k on those videos?

If you were serious then you would have quoted some of the nice feedback.

Sure. Here we go. Lets quote you some nice feedback:

"Hi. I'm suicidal. Now tell me, what did you think of my film?"

"umm... err.. it's passable"

What did I miss? Oh, that's right. Your "as dull and dreary as your film" insults. Don't worry too much, we've all done the dull and dreary film that sucked. It's your choices from here that count.

I am just starting to wonder what this site really accomplishes.

I'll tell you one thing. This site doesn't pander to angry wannabes.

So a sincere fuck you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG4hOjJ9tEs

Nothing like some out of sync vid, right?

Sweetie is among the list I would be happy to work with.

Awwww schucks, you're finally warming to me after all these years

I'll be sure to drag the skill level of your team down 50 points as soon as I join your team, but I appreciate the kind words.

Alcove as well. (Especially Alcove... Sound is the first department I make sure I can pay for.)

Oh wait... no! You already forgot me and my production sound skills. Though you're right, Ape runs rings around me. I had the opinion he doesn't do much in the way of production sound anymore. I'll still occasionally dust my gear off. We did win a Warner Brothers comp/festival late last year on a film where I did production sound, so obviously I didn't screw it up too bad. They paid out some coin for it too. Not a lot, but it was still something and the nice producers split it among the cast and crew.

If you want to see me drag down your production, you should check out my directing skills. I've done a bunch of pretty monumental dumb ass decision making in my time, but we live and learn right? Always improving.

Just as the composer you tried to hire, I'd avoid you like the plague.

Sorry, gotta correct you there. The composer he tried to get to volunteer. He didn't have the money to hire him. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

SkyCopeland · Mar 6, 2016

Sweetie said:
Awwww schucks, you're finally warming to me after all these years I'll be sure to drag the skill level of your team down 50 points as soon as I join your team, but I appreciate the kind words.

Haha, finally? I've liked to think we got along well since I got here. We've argued things, but I never thought it was beyond just debate haha.

The skill level of my team... Honestly, the only people on my teams with skill that's impressive are my DP (Award Winning... from a porno) and the Sound guy. The rest are all unproven and love to learn. Wanting to improve and create interesting pieces are all I really want around me.

Oh wait... no! You already forgot me and my production sound skills. Though you're right, Ape runs rings around me. I had the opinion he doesn't do much in the way of production sound anymore. I'll still occasionally dust my gear off. We did win a Warner Brothers comp/festival late last year on a film where I did production sound, so obviously I didn't screw it up too bad. They paid out some coin for it too. Not a lot, but it was still something and the nice producers split it among the cast and crew.

I clearly have... I don't recall you ever mentioning production sound being something you pride yourself in? Glad to hear you worked on a comp/festival piece last year. Warner Brothers, huh? I didn't know they had comps, mind sharing a link to the comp and the piece? Nine producers lol, I hope they had a good sized crew too.

If you want to see me drag down your production, you should check out my directing skills. I've done a bunch of pretty monumental dumb ass decision making in my time, but we live and learn right? Always improving.

xD I'm sure your directing skills are better than my Camera Operating ability. I can't frame a shot for shit. Thank god for knowing good DPs.

Sorry, gotta correct you there. The composer he tried to get to volunteer. He didn't have the money to hire him. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Opps! This was a lot to read haha, cut me some slack. Was it at least a composer who was open to doing free work? If so it's still pretty surprising. I do free work pretty often for coloring (to my fellow Full Sailors) and have only turned down absolutely horrible shorts.

Sweetie · Mar 6, 2016

I've liked to think we got along well since I got here. We've argued things, but I never thought it was beyond just debate

Tis true.

Wanting to improve and create interesting pieces are all I really want around me.

I also appreciate the "want to continually improve" in my team and those around me. There's only one thing that pisses me off more on set than the "I fucked up and I don't care" and that's the "I'm so great, I don't need to learn" ignoramus who doesn't even possess the skill to carry a shot bag without screwing up.

Award Winning... from a porno

0.o. Hard work? (Couldn't resist)

I don't recall you ever mentioning production sound being something you pride yourself in?

Oh, I don't pride myself in it. In fact, I hate it these days, but paid gigs still come across my desk for it. Early on, I knew how important capturing good, clean sound was and there was a shortage of sound guys in my area, so I both invested in some gear and tackled the know how to get good sound on set. I can do a good job. Just don't expect me to appear anything more than professional... definitely don't expect me to look like I'm having fun doing it. Reminds me of a time I once had a ****wit director do a 60+ minute take while I was booming. Not happy Jan.

Warner Brothers, huh? I didn't know they had comps, mind sharing a link to the comp and the piece?

I don't think there's a public link to the video. Last I heard the producers managed to get permission from WB to schlep it around to some US festivals.

Remember, this is in Australia. Not sure if they had an official page or not. I found this link for the comp. https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjZs6K4pa3LAhXCEpQKHSCRAHIQFggnMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmovieworldgoldcoast%2Fposts%2F10153424893252182&usg=AFQjCNFlZ4y-uQlVadz2G8tBgZ8Q8k6YvQ&sig2=-JHnvhq_kqOBjo2L5_SFCw

Nine producers

NICE producers, not nine.

They were nice to divvy up the winnings. There were 2, (Ferrari driving) producers.

Camera Operating ability.

Don't get me started on camera operating ability. I'll race you to the bottom of the barrel. lol. It's something I'm starting (ok, honestly, planning to start) to work on. My DOP leaves his a7s + recorder here sometimes.

SkyCopeland · Mar 6, 2016

Sweetie said:
NICE producers, not nine. They were nice to divvy up the winnings. There were 2, (Ferrari driving) producers.

Lmao. Second fuck up of mine in this thread. Nice makes more sense.

Don't get me started on camera operating ability. I'll race you to the bottom of the barrel. lol. It's something I'm starting (ok, honestly, planning to start) to work on. My DOP leaves his a7s + recorder here sometimes.

a7s <3 Recorder? One of them fancy externals so it can do 4k?

I honestly love the ability of the a7s... especially when I see videos that were shot completely in moonlight and look like early evening. Although the extreme sensitivity to orange is kinda ugh.

Wish I had access to play with one.

Sweetie · Mar 6, 2016

a7s <3 Recorder? One of them fancy externals so it can do 4k?

Yeah it is. I'm pretty sure it's an Atmos. It's not here at the moment, so cannot check. Not sure which model, but it records 4k ProRes at about 250Mbps.

Wish I had access to play with one.

We haven't played around with it much since he purchased it. Shot an action short (one of my less than flattering directing attempts - if I pluck up the courage to share it, you'll understand what a disaster looks like) for one of those 48hr film project kind of comps, a skit for a client (you know the kind, where you inform you need clean sound, but the client insists they know better - camera sound is enough on a windy day - lol - at least he pays quick - to be fair, to his credit, he acknowledged the error in judgement on sound on the first cut), and did a few test shooting sessions.

My DOP has been busy lately, so I've been chasing down post prod work in the mean time. Stuff to keep busy and up to date.

At Full Sail, do they give you access to editstock.com projects? I couldn't resist grabbing Come and Get It for a play around. Always love me some stunt & action footage but I need to force myself to sit down and finish it. Ever have that motivation problem?

SkyCopeland · Mar 6, 2016

Sweetie said:
At Full Sail, do they give you access to editstock.com projects? I couldn't resist grabbing Come and Get It for a play around. Always love me some stunt & action footage but I need to force myself to sit down and finish it. Ever have that motivation problem?

Access to resources from Full Sail.... it's kind of a hard thing to answer... we might have access to that site, but I don't know. There are so many things they give us or is given through our portal that some of it actually gets lost. If we had access to editstock.com it would be a link on one of hundreds of pages.

In terms of stuff like that... full license to Westar Music & Sound Effects, Lynda.com, and Safari Edge (tons of digital books ranging almost every industry) are the best they gave us that I know of. EditStock.com looks very appealing though.

Motivation problem? Yea

Unfortunately, I've been doing corporate coloring jobs for over a year now and have yet to put together a reel.. now my career development people are bugging me. "You're graduation soon with no portfolio site?!" Then they see my work history and they think I'm throwing it all away... I just don't have the motivation to make a reel. Crap, I have problems finding motivation to do any of my own projects, and end up helping all my peers instead.

(Example, look at my profile picture! UltraViolence was supposed to be done mid-2016... sigh...)