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Indie Horror Film Lurking Under Life.

Indie Horror Film. FULL MOVIE to VIEW and SUGGESET for.

Lurking Under Life is my first horror film. It's an hour long and attempts to creep you out the old school way. Not a lot of blood, but plenty of atmosphere. That's the idea anyhow.

The film was released July 20th 2010 and is now available.

Here's the part people may find interesting.

I had no experience with any aspect in the business before this. I had a story idea and my friend said: "Well, try and make a movie." So I did.

I'd never even used a still camera except the one on my phone. Wow! What a great experience it was and I met so many cool people.

Anyhow. The film is available and from what I understand not to bad. It's no Titanic, but people can't believe it is my first, shot with a Sony HandyCam and I did it all myself.

I'm looking for people who like B-Type horror movies to give me some thoughts.

Now, the film is for sale "Direct download, it's a few bucks (Coffee pretty much)" on our website. It would be great to sell a few for funding for my next film. (Yes, I'm doing another). But if anyone would really like to see it and give me their opinion I can arrange something. Message me.

UPDATE WED OCT 13th.

For a few days I have put the film up for public viewing, for FREE. Please have a look and tell me what you think. Good and bad. When commenting please read the original post first. This is a thank you for the supporters of the project. And a special thank you for everyone who said I could not make a film with no experience, equipment or budget. It may not be Titanic, but it's finished none the less.

LINK to FILM:

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi4257285657/



OUR WEBSITE:

http://www.lurkingunderlife.com


And A Indie web site that did a review on the film. Look up Reviews/Lurking Under Life.

http://www.indyred.com



This seems to be a great community and I'd value any and all opinions. As well as any support. Now. to continue browsing.
 
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Is it an actual purchase to download, or is it a temporary video rental?

Looks like a purchase, but priced like a rental. :)
 
Hey BigBadBilly you willing to send me a screener copy for review for my site then we can do an interview if you wish? Just know that I can be hard on movies.
 
Is it an actual purchase to download, or is it a temporary video rental?

Looks like a purchase, but priced like a rental. :)

It's a purchase. My goal is to make enough money to make the actual DVD's, and to help buy some better gear for my next film. What can I say? I've got the bug.

@ TheBuck. I'll message you.
 
Just updated the main topic to include a short review we got from a independent review site.

The review is under the Review section on the website Independent Red.

www.indyred.com

It's not a community forum, they just do reviews and have a independent project directory that some may be interested in.

Thanks for the support so far guys. I wish I would have found this community before I made my first film. lol
 
For a few days I have put the film up for public viewing, for FREE. Please have a look and tell me what you think. Good and bad. When commenting please read the original post first. This is a thank you for the supporters of the project. And a special thank you for everyone who said I could not make a film with no experience, equipment or budget. It may not be Titanic, but it's finished none the less. Thanks everyone! Can't wait to put what I've learned/learning to the next project!

LINK to FILM:

http://lurkingunderlife.blip.tv/
 
I found the audio (adr) and acting to be unwatchable. I can't get pulled into a story when the acting is at this level...and there certainly is no way I'll be scared by it when I'm constantly reminded that I'm watching bad actors.

I honestly tell you this for your own sake...please in the future, find solid actors...it makes *all* the difference.

Cheers and good luck with this.
 
No offense taken. Like I posted it was my first attempt at a film with no experience.

I will say though that of all the comments that is the most unexpected one I could have thought.

All the review sites commented that the acting and score was what held the movie together.

But ya. All comments welcome. That's how I learn. ;)

EDIT:

Just watching it. There is a lag (And major loss of quality) on the uploaded version. I had to compress the hell out of it to make it streamable. (Is that a word?)
Anyhow, it makes some of the lines not seem to match the actor. I'm about 1/4 of the way in and it seems to sync up about this point though. Maybe a buffer/stream issue? I don't know.
 
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I watched 26 minutes or whatever (It was just getting good), then after that I couldn't figure out where part two was.

It wasn’t horrible really, but I didn’t care that much for the framework that it opened in.
To me when that set-up is used, it has to really sell it to work, but I have seen worse.

The editing was interesting enough and volume of shots ever changing enough to keep me watching.
It moved between the various unfolding parts okay, nothing great, but nothing terrible, and once established they were pretty smooth and well timed I thought. At the point it stopped the characters were developing as well.

The one thing that either I totally missed or seems totally missing or underplayed is what they are doing there. I know what he told his uncle they would be doing, I know what the one guy’s hobby is I guess (Not a pro at), and I understand the girl’s job or interests, but it just seemed missing a well established collective (team activity) reason they are there, and subsequently how each character fits into and is played out upon in that “Team”.

On one hand maybe I missed it, but on the other it should have been driven home, obvious and evolving with and as the story.

The acting is like pizza, even if it’s not the greatest pizza, it’s still pizza, and was free.

For what it's worth at 26 minutes, I say be proud for what it is, realistic about what it isn’t, and open to what it might be next time.

-Thanks-
 
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I watched 26 minutes or whatever (It was just getting good), then after that I couldn't figure out where part two was.

It wasn’t horrible really, but I didn’t care that much for the framework that it opened in.
To me when that set-up is used, it has to really sell it to work, but I have seen worse.

The editing was interesting enough and volume of shots ever changing enough to keep me watching.
It moved between the various unfolding parts okay, nothing great, but nothing terrible, and once established they were pretty smooth and well timed I thought. At the point it stopped the characters were developing as well.

The one thing that either I totally missed or seems totally missing or underplayed is what they are doing there. I know what he told his uncle they would be doing, I know what the one guy’s hobby is I guess (Not a pro at), and I understand the girl’s job or interests, but it just seemed missing a well established collective (team activity) reason they are there, and subsequently how each character fits into and is played out upon in that “Team”.

On one hand maybe I missed it, but on the other it should have been driven home, obvious and evolving with and as the story.

The acting is like pizza, even if it’s not the greatest pizza, it’s still pizza, and was free.

I say be proud for what it is, realistic about what it isn’t, and open to what it might be next time.

-Thanks-


Hi. Thanks for the comments. Yes. The second part will get posted on Wed, so ya. It just kind of cut off. I really do wish I could upload it somewhere that I didn't have to loose so much quality. But...

I agree. I don't know if It's because I've never made a film before and don't have the training, or if it's just hard. But figuring out how to open the film was tough for me. So, I came up with what I got.

Some of the answers you are looking for do come in the conclusion when it comes to characters. But, I also know there is a lot missing and some plot holes.

The one thing I can say is I learned a hell of a lot making it. And am proud of not what it is like you said, but that it got done.

Thanks again for the thoughts, and if you do want to see the conclusion it will be up soon.

On a side note. Making it did give me the film bug. What started as a bet has really opened my eyes to possibilities. Actually scripting the next movie (Something this one sorely lacked) and planning to use all the good from one to the other. lol
 
It has some rough moments (That are fun though), but more so there are a lot of cool angles, some sweet editing, and overall the style is unique and watchable.

For low budget and being a 1st film it’s pretty cool.

You going to make a sequel?

-Thanks-
 
Ha ha. No. A new movie yes.
I'm working on a script now... a real script. I plan to take what I've learned (And learning as I film skits and such) and do another film. I guess you could say I'm going to try and go more Independent pro. Learning about lighting and stuff. Get myself a Tripod. lol

But really. I'm going to find a camera and operator. Some stuff for sound. Mainly a overall more traditional approach to movie making. Planned, audition actors and crew. Take what I've learned with Lurking and go for it. The only thing I'm not doing (Aside from the tripod and a dolly that I've come across) is studying editing to much. The main response I've got to the film is what you posted. A stylistic editing approach. I'd like to try and keep that. I think maybe it's because I've never been taught to edit. So I don't know any rules which I'm hoping will translate into my own style. What can I say? One of the reasons I joined the forum. To learn and watch.
 
Hey Billy,

Congrats on completing your 1st feature. That takes a heck of a lot of gumption to make a 60-minute movie, having never made even a short. Talk about jumping into the deep-end.

Problem is, it looks like the film of a first-time filmmaker. So, I'm glad to hear that before you move on to your next feature, you plan on doing a bunch of shorts. I would recommend that you not hurry the feature, just work on developing your skills with many many shorts, and you'll know when the time is right to jump back into the deep end.

There are many aspects of this film that I'm sure you'll look back on and think to yourself how lame it was. The acting is bad. The ADR is bad. Half the time, I can't even see anybody's eyes. What's up with all of those fade-to-black and cut-to-blacks? I don't understand why they're there. Why do we have so many shots of people walking around? And the color-grading. Good Lord did you go to town creating a "unique" look. But unique doesn't necessarily translate to effective. I thought the coloring was off-putting, distracting, and I don't understand the point of it. Then, there's the camera work. I guess it's not bad for someone who's never done it before, but a heck of a lot of those shots are just kinda blah.

And that's what creating shorts is about. You pick a skill, one skill, and work on it. Say, shot-composition. Have your short critiqued. The next short you make, you'll probably have really improved your shot composition, so now maybe you practice another skill, say, maybe moving the camera, just a little bit.

Needless to say, I don't intend my harsh critique to put you down. Rather, I think you've got a knack for storytelling. Most first-time filmmakers have a difficult time piecing together a coherent 5-minute film. Now, you just need to work on those many little skills that are going to make your movies all the more enjoyable to watch.

First things first -- grab a still camera and go take some pictures. Learn to compose a single shot.
 
Hey Billy,

Congrats on completing your 1st feature. That takes a heck of a lot of gumption to make a 60-minute movie, having never made even a short. Talk about jumping into the deep-end.

Problem is, it looks like the film of a first-time filmmaker. So, I'm glad to hear that before you move on to your next feature, you plan on doing a bunch of shorts. I would recommend that you not hurry the feature, just work on developing your skills with many many shorts, and you'll know when the time is right to jump back into the deep end.

There are many aspects of this film that I'm sure you'll look back on and think to yourself how lame it was. The acting is bad. The ADR is bad. Half the time, I can't even see anybody's eyes. What's up with all of those fade-to-black and cut-to-blacks? I don't understand why they're there. Why do we have so many shots of people walking around? And the color-grading. Good Lord did you go to town creating a "unique" look. But unique doesn't necessarily translate to effective. I thought the coloring was off-putting, distracting, and I don't understand the point of it. Then, there's the camera work. I guess it's not bad for someone who's never done it before, but a heck of a lot of those shots are just kinda blah.

And that's what creating shorts is about. You pick a skill, one skill, and work on it. Say, shot-composition. Have your short critiqued. The next short you make, you'll probably have really improved your shot composition, so now maybe you practice another skill, say, maybe moving the camera, just a little bit.

Needless to say, I don't intend my harsh critique to put you down. Rather, I think you've got a knack for storytelling. Most first-time filmmakers have a difficult time piecing together a coherent 5-minute film. Now, you just need to work on those many little skills that are going to make your movies all the more enjoyable to watch.

First things first -- grab a still camera and go take some pictures. Learn to compose a single shot.

Thanks. Yup, that's what it's all about.
I will say that when I started I never realized the amount of work involved. Sound, color, editing... I never really thought of anything like that. Ya, I know. The audacity to even attempt to make a full film from nothing is.... well.... you know what I mean. But, I learned stuff that I never would have learned doing shorts when doing this. Including trying to get a bunch of people together at one time... and on more than one occasion. I guess I learned a lot about planning. Funny thing about all this. The last shoot we did was much different than all the rest. And turned out a lot better. I actually had to dull down, reduce quality and add shake to all the stuff we shot last. That was the only way to make it fit into the movie. lol

But ya. The next project I'm working on is a slow work. About 2 months into writing the script now. But, like you said there's no rush and I'm filming skits in the mean time. It's a ambitious project with a cast of around 30. But, can't go back. I had the balls to try Lurking and want to go forward. The difference this time is the planning, and getting other people to help. Such as a cinematographer and sound guy. Guess we'll see at some point how it all goes together.

Thanks for your comments! That's why I'm here and why I posted the film!
 
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