Infected. Short film for college. - General

Evening all, I'm currently doing Media + Digital Arts at college, what this entails is graphic design and moving image work. I'd love to become an editor when i'm older, wether it's for TV, Film or free lance work. Here is my first "official" film whilst i've been on this course. I know there are a few continuity errors and it's not Speilberg standard but hey, i'm learning. :) The assignment brief was to create a short film with at least one chase scene in it. The narrative (story) can be whatever I desire, and the content as I wish as long as there is a chase scene. [b]Infected[/b] (oooh) - A 4 minute short. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH-0l8Q1Bdc[/media] (Purplemud is just me and my fellow homeslice's future videos) [b]If i was to re-do this, i'd have a better soundtrack, more zombies and better makeup and mise-en-scene.[/b] (I'd love it if you'd like it on youtube as well (or dislike, as the case may be.) :D Comment, criticise, etc. Comment on the video aswell if you so wish.. :) Cheers!! P.s - Would appreciate reasons for dumb ratings.

Although the camera needs some work (maybe find a tripod so it's not all shakey-cam), that's some nice editing.

not too bad for a student film

There should be some make-up on the zombie, buy some theater blood. Some blood on the face and on the clothes.

[QUOTE=SlayerFin;26429523]There should be some make-up on the zombie, buy some theater blood. Some blood on the face and on the clothes.[/QUOTE] Damnit that's exactly what I was going to say

Thanks guys.. :) Really appreciate you looking and commenting! Yes, very low budget haha, the only blood we could get stained horrifically! - the next one will have better make up in it + better costumes. (My friends didn't bring old clothes they didn't mind getting ruined) As for the tripod, i forgot to book one out from college (I used my own camera). I should be getting a tripod for christmas from me dad though :D Cheers guys. [b]Edit: When you click play on this page does it make the views on Youtube go up?[/b]

Make sure you don't capitalize random words in a sentence, it looks horribly unprofessional. Like you did here: [quote]Comment, Criticise, etc.[/quote] Another thing is the zombie. At first it stumbles toward him and right after it was able to sprint. I don't know it was done on purpose but seemed odd to me as a viewer. I'm not saying this in a rude way at all, apologies if that's what you thought.

If you have a Black's store nearby (A photography store) They have really good tripods on for 20 bucks (Canada). I got one from there and it's really great. It's regular 40 bucks. It's a Soligor T145 if you want to look it up. [url]http://www.blacks.ca/blacks/jump/product/4502/Soligor-Tripod/cat40015/Tripods/product.jsp?prdId=4502&bauth=1#[/url] If the store you go to doesn't have this price tell them that a store in London has it for 20 bucks off. They will lower the price to match it.

[QUOTE=Within;26429891]Make sure you don't capitalize random words in a sentence, it looks horribly unprofessional. Like you did here: Another thing is the zombie. At first it stumbles toward him and right after it was able to sprint. I don't know it was done on purpose but seemed odd to me as a viewer. I'm not saying this in a rude way at all, apologies if that's what you thought.[/QUOTE] Alright changed. Yea, it was meant to be a more, inquisitive move, like, the zombie is confused and working out what the human is doing there, then realises he is not a friend. - The actors aren't doing an acting class, or being paid to do so, they're just my 18 year old friends who enjoy doing this ofr a laugh so it's not top quality acting, although i think they're awesome haha. Thanks for commenting! [QUOTE=Jurikuer;26429919]If you have a Black's store nearby (A photography store) They have really good tripods on for 20 bucks (Canada). I got one from there and it's really great. It's regular 40 bucks. It's a Soligor T145 if you want to look it up. [url]http://www.blacks.ca/blacks/jump/product/4502/Soligor-Tripod/cat40015/Tripods/product.jsp?prdId=4502&bauth=1#[/url] If the store you go to doesn't have this price tell them that a store in London has it for 20 bucks off. They will lower the price to match it.[/QUOTE] It's cool, I've got no money, and i don't live in canada. :P

Pretty good, the shakey camera and the actors are really the only things you could improve. The main character seemed to react too fast, like the scream, you wouldn't just instantly run into that. I thought it was pretty good though. Maybe get a few more friends so you aren't only focused on one infected.

It was pretty good, one thing though is why didn't he just hit it with the bat?

A tripod would likely get rid of all the camera shaking.

You should use some different camera angles. The POV one gets rather boring.

Student films are always done on zombies. Wasn't bad, need new angles and less shake in the camera. First guy's acting wasn't bad.

Pretty poor effects and camera angles to be honest. If you really wanted to make a short zombie film then as you know your resources are going to be limited - bad quality camera, having to use cheaper editing software etc. If I was doing this I'd have done it as either me or a friend using a video camera to record in POV, kind of like cloverfield. This would mean that you wouldn't need to worry about a low quality video camera, bad camera angles, keeping your hands still and less editing is required.

Thanks for the comments guys :D [QUOTE=Carne;26433636]You should use some different camera angles. The POV one gets rather boring.[/QUOTE] There was only the 2 POV shots and they were both the zombie ones.. [QUOTE=Amaurus;26433472]A tripod would likely get rid of all the camera shaking.[/QUOTE] This has been discussed. The loaning store in college was closed on the day i went in to get one, so i had to go without if i was to meet my deadline. [QUOTE=Kirrimir;26430981]It was pretty good, one thing though is why didn't he just hit it with the bat?[/QUOTE] Thanks :) Simply because i needed a chase scene... ;) If i was to have it my way, he would've smacked the shit out of him, and more would run after him and it would be really intense, but i didn't have the time, actors, or props. [QUOTE=Waffle99;26430535]Pretty good, the shakey camera and the actors are really the only things you could improve. The main character seemed to react too fast, like the scream, you wouldn't just instantly run into that. I thought it was pretty good though. Maybe get a few more friends so you aren't only focused on one infected.[/QUOTE] Thank you :) Yea, they're only amateurs ;) (and the tripod things have been discussed) To justify him reacting so fast, he has been living in near silence for months, so a scream would startle him greatly. If i had more friends that were willing to act then i would've used them. Unfortuantely lots of my friends (and myself) are camera shy. Thank you to all for the comments, they've all been taken on board and are much appreciated.

My word that was terrible, student film or not I do not understand how you're in College for this(I assume you are), but you are there to learn. However I shall critique: -The song is overused. -Parts of the film were washed out from incorrect lighting. -The colour overlay, whichever used at times was ... Dull. -The scream and sudden aggressiveness of the first actor was, meaningless. (Oh no! Someone screamed, better grab my cricket bat!)[sp]doesn't make sense[/sp] -The zombie, or goth kid pretending to be the zombie ran too fast for Actor #1 to keep ahead of him, you can see that through the cutouts. Why was Actor#2(zombie) Finely dressed, hair easy done, and face not lacking in any sense of rigorousness? I.e, zombies die, then they come back to life, he is already pale enough but he should have more. Either than being a generic washed up student film, it was... Yeah, not great. That's why you're in college though, to improve.

My main gripe is that damn music, it's used in every zombie related video, a different soundtrack or perhaps just something ambient would have gone a long way to creating more of a feeling of immersion. [B]Edit:[/B] Damn, ninja'd again.

[QUOTE=Covalent;26434956]My word that was terrible, student film or not I do not understand how you're in College for this(I assume you are), but you are there to learn. However I shall critique: -The song is overused. [b]I know, but i'd just re-done my computer and had to go to a last resort + I didn't intend to release this publically, i just wanted to impress my class and teacher, which it did ;)[/b] -Parts of the film were washed out from incorrect lighting. [b]I agree with you, however I did attempt to use CC where possible.[/b] -The colour overlay, whichever used at times was ... Dull. [b]Regardless, it was better than the RAW footage[/b] -The scream and sudden aggressiveness of the first actor was, meaningless. (Oh no! Someone screamed, better grab my cricket bat!)[sp]doesn't make sense[/sp] [b]He's living in a post apocalyptic world, a scream of life doesn't happen often. + he needs protection when he goes out[/b] -The zombie, or goth kid pretending to be the zombie ran too fast for Actor #1 to keep ahead of him, you can see that through the cutouts. Why was Actor#2(zombie) Finely dressed, hair easy done, and face not lacking in any sense of rigorousness? I.e, zombies die, then they come back to life, he is already pale enough but he should have more. [b]I'm not Rick Baker, so sorry for that. Yea, I know, it's all been evaluated and noted for future productions. - He was finely dressed because of lack of organisation for bringing a set of old clothes (said above).[/b] Either than being a generic washed up student film, it was... Yeah, not great. That's why you're in college though, to improve.[/QUOTE] Thanks for looking, this was :smug: the best in the class. (apparently) Lots of them looked like home movies of people messing around, but i tried to go professional with what resources i had, obviously, what you put in is what you get out, i put in alot of time and effort, and got something, that given the circumstances, isn't too bad. Thanks again. :)

[QUOTE=DevilX;26435182]Thanks for looking, this was :smug: the best in the class. (apparently) Lots of them looked like home movies of people messing around, but i tried to go professional with what resources i had, obviously, what you put in is what you get out, i put in alot of time and effort, and got something, that given the circumstances, isn't too bad. Thanks again. :)[/QUOTE] I don't doubt this not being the best of your class. It was done well to an extent. I didn't really notice that he was living in a post-apocalyptic world when he was sitting on leather couches tinted white, whilst wearing a cliche array of clothes. Granted the organisation as you state was not good in the group, I won't comment on attire. I did not mean for you to deck your zombie out in blood, guts dripping, jaw clenched through fleshy skin. I just meant he should look a bit more... Worn. Also, if this is a group event, you should have more zombies, in fact if he is the last person alive. One zombie isn't all that of a threat, if he survived somehow against the whole city. I may be nit-picking, and even Hollywood producers don't get it sometimes, I'm just saying. Do the little nit-picky stuff and you'll get 90%+ in classes.

[QUOTE=Covalent;26435388]I don't doubt this not being the best of your class. It was done well to an extent. I didn't really notice that he was living in a post-apocalyptic world when he was sitting on leather couches tinted white, whilst wearing a cliche array of clothes. Granted the organisation as you state was not good in the group, I won't comment on attire. I did not mean for you to deck your zombie out in blood, guts dripping, jaw clenched through fleshy skin. I just meant he should look a bit more... Worn. Also, if this is a group event, you should have more zombies, in fact if he is the last person alive. One zombie isn't all that of a threat, if he survived somehow against the whole city. I may be nit-picking, and even Hollywood producers don't get it sometimes, I'm just saying. Do the little nit-picky stuff and you'll get 90%+ in classes.[/QUOTE] I appreciate the harsh criticisms, as you've done it in an honest, yet not insulting way. This is what helps us learn. :) Nah, it's not a group event, ALL pre-production, production, and post-production was done by me, i just got my friends to act in it for me. (Only been at college for 6 weeks when I finished this) Hell yea, i have intense OCD when it comes to nit picking at things, you'd be surprised what version of the film this is. Cheers for looking to it in the extent you have, it's very appreciated. :)

[QUOTE=DevilX;26435527]I appreciate the harsh criticisms, as you've done it in an honest, yet not insulting way. This is what helps us learn. :) Nah, it's not a group event, ALL pre-production, production, and post-production was done by me, i just got my friends to act in it for me. (Only been at college for 6 weeks when I finished this) Hell yea, i have intense OCD when it comes to nit picking at things, you'd be surprised what version of the film this is. Cheers for looking to it in the extent you have, it's very appreciated. :)[/QUOTE] Pleasure is all mine, I just like helping. Sometimes it may not be what people want to hear, but the truth is what will get you further and keep going to trying new things, getting better at it, etc. There is potential, I'll give you that.

Thank you very much. :)

zombies... how original. Not too bad I guess, if you haven't done much before. Cuts are used pretty effectively, and everyone here needs to remember that we don't all have access to $50,000 cameras and $100,000 steamcam equipment. Having said that, make a steady cam with a rubber band. It's really easy. Get a long rubber band with some stretch. Loop it through a belt hole on your pants. Loop the other end through the camera. When you film with it, the tension caused by holding the camera up to eye level will help to eliminate the shake your arm makes (unless you are a total wuss, in which case it will make the shaking worse). There are plenty of tutorials online to make other types of "steadycams". It would help a lot. Also, 4:3 is ancient. Use 16:9 Forget what these clowns say about makeup and all that stuff - yeah, it's important, but I doubt you are getting graded on makeup and how much your equipment cost - but rather, what can you do with what you have. I think it's pretty good for a first project. I had some Year 10 students (about age 14-15) who came up with something similar (except their monster was just an unseen phantom). Not sure what age you are. You look maybe 17-19... I'm not sure what you mean by college. where I am from, high schools are often called colleges, and universities are tertiary education. The plot isn't much. We don't know anything about the protagonist - other than maybe he is married to a much older lady and has a kid with her, or maybe that was his mum in the photo? who knows. The pan to the TV and photo was pretty pointless. Unless he was getting drunk because he lost her the day before, but there is no way to know. Also, I watched without sound, so if that was explained.. woops. I liked it. I thought the ending was expected, but still a surprise. Special effects weren't bad. Actors were amateur but oh well, you aren't at NIDA. Now think of something original, or at least put an interesting spin on it. Zombies suck. OOH! Go and watch 1980's shows like "Steven Speilberg Presents Amazing Stories" for some weird inspiration. Especially the episode called "Mummy Daddy" However, I am guessing you aren't studying how to write screenplays?

For an amateur short it wasn't too shabby actually.

[QUOTE=DevilX;26434732]Thanks for the comments guys :D There was only the 2 POV shots and they were both the zombie ones..[/QUOTE] Sorry, I meant eye level, not POV.

[QUOTE=Lukasaurus;26435989]zombies... how original. Not too bad I guess, if you haven't done much before. Cuts are used pretty effectively, and everyone here needs to remember that we don't all have access to $50,000 cameras and $100,000 steamcam equipment. [b]Thanks :)[/b] Having said that, make a steady cam with a rubber band. It's really easy. Get a long rubber band with some stretch. Loop it through a belt hole on your pants. Loop the other end through the camera. When you film with it, the tension caused by holding the camera up to eye level will help to eliminate the shake your arm makes (unless you are a total wuss, in which case it will make the shaking worse). There are plenty of tutorials online to make other types of "steadycams". It would help a lot. [b]I'll look into it, - getting a tripod soon anyway :)[/b] Also, 4:3 is ancient. Use 16:9 [b]I'm still learning how to use the camera, can't quite work it out yet, need to spend a day sitting down with the manual.[/b] Forget what these clowns say about makeup and all that stuff - yeah, it's important, but I doubt you are getting graded on makeup and how much your equipment cost - but rather, what can you do with what you have. I think it's pretty good for a first project. I had some Year 10 students (about age 14-15) who came up with something similar (except their monster was just an unseen phantom). Not sure what age you are. You look maybe 17-19... I'm not sure what you mean by college. where I am from, high schools are often called colleges, and universities are tertiary education. [b]Thank you! - yes, it's not on the make up, it's on the cuts, sound and overall editing. - Yes, all my class did "unseen" chases... (and they're all 16-19 /facepalm) - I myself am 18.Primary school>High school>College/Sixth Form (a levels) - then Uni.[/b] The plot isn't much. We don't know anything about the protagonist - other than maybe he is married to a much older lady and has a kid with her, or maybe that was his mum in the photo? who knows. The pan to the TV and photo was pretty pointless. Unless he was getting drunk because he lost her the day before, but there is no way to know. We didn't have time for a previous photoshoot (the organisation front of things) otherwise we'd have a more... relevant picture. This WAS meant to be his wife, but we see it as his mum and baby sibling. He's drinking because everyone's dead, so what else is there? - the photo indicates that she is missing, hence why he runs off in such haste at the sound of life. Regardless of when it was, but she's gone. :( ;)[/b] Also, I watched without sound, so if that was explained.. woops. [b]Generic John Murphy sound track (28 weeks later), a scream when he runs off, which explains why there is a picture of the woman (could it be her?!). A few growls and grunts when fighting.[/b] I liked it. I thought the ending was expected, but still a surprise. Special effects weren't bad. Actors were amateur but oh well, you aren't at NIDA. [b]Thank you! :D[/b] Now think of something original, or at least put an interesting spin on it. Zombies suck. Yea, that's why i'm learning :) OOH! Go and watch 1980's shows like "Steven Speilberg Presents Amazing Stories" for some weird inspiration. Especially the episode called "Mummy Daddy" [b]Will do, thank you :) - and as an answer to below, no i'm not, but it's all experience and ideas.[/b] However, I am guessing you aren't studying how to write screenplays?[/QUOTE] Thanks! [QUOTE=MachiniOs;26436155]For an amateur short it wasn't too shabby actually.[/QUOTE] Thank you very much. [QUOTE=Carne;26447578]Sorry, I meant eye level, not POV.[/QUOTE] Sorry, i don't own cranes or dollies. Expect better next time, i'm working on a project at the moment, and it's gonna be good :) Thanks to all. x

Dude, whats the name of your college?

It's in leicestershire in the UK, not too keen on openly giving out information more than that. For the record, the college has taught me proper research and idea generation techniques, basic editing, and basic camera control. Everything that has effects, the colouring, eyes, titles, is all self taught... :)