View Full Version : WITCHES WOODS - 10 minute short film by bwind22
bwind22
07-29-2007, 05:56 AM
I put this same thread where it belongs, in the Filmmaker Forum, but I've been around long wnough that I know it'll get seen much more here.
This is the 10 minute short film I made last summer. The budget was $20 & we weren't real concerned with things like story, acting or characters. Basically I just wanted some raw footage so that I could play with my new editing software & these guys were nice enough to provide it for me.
Click here to watch WITCHES WOODS. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urXwk8jK70U)
Enjoy. Comments & feedback are always welcome.
What the hell didja spent the $20 on?:D
Very good job editing and i've rented movies where the acting was much worse.
massacre man
07-29-2007, 07:09 AM
I assumed this was going to be a group of transvestite witches luring young boys into their homes and doing things to them when I read the title, but this was good too.
I laughed at all of the "What the heck?"s though, I'm not sure why. It was edited well, but I didn't like the page-turning thing. Other than that it was nice, hope to see more from you.
Roderick Usher
07-29-2007, 08:02 AM
An excellent camera/editing test. Some really nice shots and an easy to follow story - which is a lot harder to pull off than it sounds. You also did a good job of trimming the ambient sound around the dialog. Well done.
Next time you need a story and some actors:D
bwind22
07-29-2007, 09:25 AM
What the hell didja spent the $20 on?:D
Very good job editing and i've rented movies where the acting was much worse.
Haha. A citronella candle, a bottle of lighter fluid, some spray paint that I didn't even end up using and a pair of black pantyhose.
Thanks. :)
bwind22
07-29-2007, 09:27 AM
I assumed this was going to be a group of transvestite witches luring young boys into their homes and doing things to them when I read the title, but this was good too.
I laughed at all of the "What the heck?"s though, I'm not sure why. It was edited well, but I didn't like the page-turning thing. Other than that it was nice, hope to see more from you.
Haha. I wanted to keep it PG rated and 100% non-offensive. Since one of the actors was my younger brother & the other was my cousin, I figured it'd be nice of us to keep it as something we can show our grandma & our nieces and nephews without worry, since we knew they'd all want to see it anyways. :)
bwind22
07-29-2007, 09:33 AM
An excellent camera/editing test. Some really nice shots and an easy to follow story - which is a lot harder to pull off than it sounds. You also did a good job of trimming the ambient sound around the dialog. Well done.
Thanks! All of that soundtrack was from one 45 second sample I took off a song from my cousin-in-law's bands CD (Corum is the name of the band.)
Next time you need a story and some actors:D
It's already in preproduction & will be better in every way. I upped my budget from $20 to $100. :D And I have a script with more story & a focus on characters. We're set to film in August. (It's the script you read Rod, but I am re-writing it now because I got Movie Magic Screenwriter on my comp.)
The good news on that is that it shouldn't take me nearly as long to edit since I'm now familiar with the process. I'm hoping it'll be done in early 2008.
massacre man
07-29-2007, 09:53 AM
a pair of black pantyhose.
For Transvestite Witches? :D
Angra
07-29-2007, 11:39 AM
For Transvestite Witches? :D
No, for himself.
bwind22
07-29-2007, 01:02 PM
The black pantyhose were actually supposed to represent the witch. I stuck some rocks in there & tied it together, then had Michelle off camera throwing it through the woods in one of the scenes. It's in the film, but more or less ended up being relatively unnoticeable because most of the footage that it was visible in didn't work out.
ManchestrMorgue
07-30-2007, 06:55 AM
Well done, that was a fun 10 minutes. I can only imagine what you could have done with a cool $50. :)
massacre man
07-30-2007, 07:05 AM
Well done, that was a fun 10 minutes. I can only imagine what you could have done with a cool $50. :)
25 minutes of fun!
Shazbut
07-30-2007, 10:23 AM
As short as it was, with a budget of only $20, and no one expected to *act* or anything....... it was still atmospheric.
I could easily have watched more an extension of that - definitely :D
bwind22
07-30-2007, 11:26 AM
Thanks everyone for taking the time to watch it & offer your thoughts. It's greatly appreciated! I just watched the video in it's entirety for ihe first time on Youtube & noticed that the picture quality is significantly reduced from how it is on the DVD & on my computer. The actual footage is closer to the quality in this trailer I did for 'Witches Woods'... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK9A3iCxe-4
Apparently the longer a film, the lesser the video quality. I was told to sign up as a director for larger size limitations, which I'll look in to for next time. I just wanted to let everyone know, the actual quality of the video (not the acting, story or plot) is better than it appears on YouTube.
Also, if anyone's interested in seeing the teaser trailer for the fnext short we're doing, It's called 'Everyday Hero' and it can be found here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQPn0jC16Ao
BudMan
07-30-2007, 11:48 AM
Also, if anyone's interested in seeing the teaser trailer for the fnext short we're doing, It's called 'Everyday Hero' and it can be found here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQPn0jC16Ao
I am highly offended in this trailer. I happen to drink beer and am every bit a hero.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v259/rockinmule/bmancheerspic.jpg
scarecrow666
07-30-2007, 11:54 AM
WOW.
That was great! I wanted to see a hell of a lot more. That acting was good ( a lot better than a lot of pro. films i seen).
I liked the music also , where can i get it?
Keep it up!!
Angra
07-30-2007, 12:40 PM
Loved the music.
Who was the black haired dude? He was fun. Reminded me of Adam Sandler.
"RIGHT THERE!!!", "LEAVE US ALONE!!!", "GET OUTA HERE!!!", "TONY!!!" :D :p
Hilarious.
bwind22
07-30-2007, 01:52 PM
I am highly offended in this trailer. I happen to drink beer and am every bit a hero.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v259/rockinmule/bmancheerspic.jpg
That next film is gonna be a fun one I think. He's not a D-list hero because he drinks beer (Wolverine & Punisher do that & They are on the A-list.) He's a D-list hero because he happens to work in a crappy small town where nothing ever happens so he's never been able to build up his credibility to that of a an A-list hero that gets his own toys, movies, cartoons or even comic books, despite having very impressive powers. (Exterme strength & durability.) So it's kinda the tale of a jaded D-list superhero who longs for a better life.
bwind22
07-30-2007, 01:55 PM
WOW.
That was great! I wanted to see a hell of a lot more. That acting was good ( a lot better than a lot of pro. films i seen).
I liked the music also , where can i get it?
Keep it up!!
The music is a 45 second sample from a song called 'Tangents' by a band named CORUM (my cousin-in-laws band) from their debut CD called Riffhead. I believe the band broke up (my cousin in law moved to Australia) but they're website is still up. www.corumnet.com I'm not sure if they have anything for sale, but you could try contacting them on there & asking if they might know where you could pick up a cd online. (They may even just mail it out to ya for free.)
bwind22
07-30-2007, 01:58 PM
Loved the music.
Who was the black haired dude? He was fun. Reminded me of Adam Sandler.
"RIGHT THERE!!!", "LEAVE US ALONE!!!", "GET OUTA HERE!!!", "TONY!!!" :D :p
Hilarious.
The black hair fella is my cousin Joe. He was my best man when I got married & is more or less my right hand man when it comes to this kinda stuff. He's always game to make a film. :) On a related note, he is also the star of my next film, Everyday Hero and can be seen in the superhero costume in the trailer linked above. :)
Angra
07-30-2007, 08:46 PM
The black hair fella is my cousin Joe. He was my best man when I got married & is more or less my right hand man when it comes to this kinda stuff. He's always game to make a film. :) On a related note, he is also the star of my next film, Everyday Hero and can be seen in the superhero costume in the trailer linked above. :)
Yeah i watched that trailer. Had me laughing.
It IS a comedy, right?
The STE
07-30-2007, 10:22 PM
Not bad, especially considering the mess my first one turned out to be.
a few notes:
0:37 - I heard a voice, sounded like someone off-screen say "now" or "go" or something.
0:38 - stray frames, should cut it a bit more precisely here
0:39-0:40 - the girl spikes the lense
0:49-1:11 - nice job not getting the camera's reflection in the car
Credits - I wouldn't use a red font for stuff you're posting on YouTube, preferably in general unless you can get a really high res output. Red text never looks good.
1:11-1:26 - I would've broken this into different camera angles to make it not seem so long.
1:26-1:36 - same here
1:36 - While neat for using in home-done stuff, the transition doesn't fit the mood you seem to be going for.
1:36-1:42 - While it's hard as hell to work the camera while driving, watch your framing here. His head's a bit too far to the left in the frame, it feels kindof awkward. Same with the subsequent shots of the driver. Good work using the camera while driving, though, or however you did this shot.
2:02-2:13 - You broke the 180 line here. The car should be going the opposite direction. It looks like they're heading back the way they came.
2:36-2:41 - Excellent framing here, with her opening the door and getting out right into the middle of the frame. Might want to trim a little bit at the beginning, though.
2:59-3:05 - The first shot should be before the second guy is in the woods already. The OS voice seems like he's still standing in close proximity to the girl.
3:02 - black frame between shots
5:39-5:43 - HA!
6:03-6:15 - EXCELLENT framing here.
6:19-6:20 - HAHAHAHAHA!!!! "Right THERE!"
6:19-6:20 - I had to watch that part again. "Right THERE!" Hehehe.
7:09-7:10 - "LEAVE US ALONE!" HA! You should just have a movie of that guy yelling things. It can be a buddy movie with your guy and my Change Wanting Customer.
6:54-7:44 - You should've had something with an orange glow sitting where you added the fire to give the fire more presence.
8:28-8:31 - Nice.
6:19-6:20 - "Right THERE!" Haha. That never gets old.
8:31-8:36 - Nice shot there. But for a last shot I would've gone with a wide shot of a clearing in the woods, maybe one with a lot of dead trees if you found one.
roshiq
07-30-2007, 10:56 PM
nice start, wind!
Though I have very little idea in this field but I think it would be looking good if the camera moves around sometimes....in some shot it would be better to pan the camera in cope with the sequence/scene.
any way, best of luck & waiting to see more from you in the future.
Geddy
07-31-2007, 03:04 AM
Good job, Bwind!
i like the line "we've got to find her, she's got my keys" - as opposed to 'because she's lost' - typical american male attitude (screw teh girl, where are my car keys)
massacre man
07-31-2007, 01:21 PM
Anybody know any good movies about transvestite witches?
7:09-7:10 - "LEAVE US ALONE!" HA!
the best part is that one of the next lines is . . . oh well let's get some sleep. i think they should have at least had some beers first!
Great job b-w - I really enjoyed it.
i was expecting at least one topless shot- if Michelle wouldn't do it - Joe probably would (he's such a whore for the camera).
bwind22
07-31-2007, 01:42 PM
Yeah i watched that trailer. Had me laughing.
It IS a comedy, right?
Yep, that one will be an action/comedy. :)
bwind22
07-31-2007, 01:43 PM
Not bad, especially considering the mess my first one turned out to be.
a few notes:
0:37 - I heard a voice, sounded like someone off-screen say "now" or "go" or something.
0:38 - stray frames, should cut it a bit more precisely here
0:39-0:40 - the girl spikes the lense
0:49-1:11 - nice job not getting the camera's reflection in the car
Credits - I wouldn't use a red font for stuff you're posting on YouTube, preferably in general unless you can get a really high res output. Red text never looks good.
1:11-1:26 - I would've broken this into different camera angles to make it not seem so long.
1:26-1:36 - same here
1:36 - While neat for using in home-done stuff, the transition doesn't fit the mood you seem to be going for.
1:36-1:42 - While it's hard as hell to work the camera while driving, watch your framing here. His head's a bit too far to the left in the frame, it feels kindof awkward. Same with the subsequent shots of the driver. Good work using the camera while driving, though, or however you did this shot.
2:02-2:13 - You broke the 180 line here. The car should be going the opposite direction. It looks like they're heading back the way they came.
2:36-2:41 - Excellent framing here, with her opening the door and getting out right into the middle of the frame. Might want to trim a little bit at the beginning, though.
2:59-3:05 - The first shot should be before the second guy is in the woods already. The OS voice seems like he's still standing in close proximity to the girl.
3:02 - black frame between shots
5:39-5:43 - HA!
6:03-6:15 - EXCELLENT framing here.
6:19-6:20 - HAHAHAHAHA!!!! "Right THERE!"
6:19-6:20 - I had to watch that part again. "Right THERE!" Hehehe.
7:09-7:10 - "LEAVE US ALONE!" HA! You should just have a movie of that guy yelling things. It can be a buddy movie with your guy and my Change Wanting Customer.
6:54-7:44 - You should've had something with an orange glow sitting where you added the fire to give the fire more presence.
8:28-8:31 - Nice.
6:19-6:20 - "Right THERE!" Haha. That never gets old.
8:31-8:36 - Nice shot there. But for a last shot I would've gone with a wide shot of a clearing in the woods, maybe one with a lot of dead trees if you found one.
Thanks for the detailed notes. (I saw this over at CWA too.) Once I get the time, I'll rewatch it with your notes in mind & see if I can pick out the spots you are talking about, but I really appreciate the in depth feedback.
bwind22
07-31-2007, 01:45 PM
nice start, wind!
Though I have very little idea in this field but I think it would be looking good if the camera moves around sometimes....in some shot it would be better to pan the camera in cope with the sequence/scene.
any way, best of luck & waiting to see more from you in the future.
Yep, I agree 100%. All I had was a tripod for this film, but the next film I make, I'll have a steadycam so there will be motion shots. (If I tried moving the camera with just my hands, it was all over the place and none of the footage was usable.)
bwind22
07-31-2007, 01:46 PM
i was expecting at least one topless shot- if Michelle wouldn't do it - Joe probably would (he's such a whore for the camera).
Hmmm.... Well, we were trying to keep it PG rated. On top of that, it might have been a little awkward asking my little brother's girlfriend to take off her shirt. haha
Joe woulda done it in a heartbeat though.
Hmmm.... Well, we were trying to keep it PG rated. On top of that, it might have been a little awkward asking my little brother's girlfriend to take off her shirt. haha
Joe woulda done it in a heartbeat though.
oh. . . yeah. . . . hmmm. . . .so asking your little brother's girlfriend to stip off is in bad taste ... yeah. . . hmm. . . that's going to be a bit awkward. . . well. . . hmmm. . . uhm, yeah
massacre man
07-31-2007, 04:49 PM
If I don't see some god damn transvestite witches soon I'm gonna start cracking fucking skulls!
The STE
07-31-2007, 09:12 PM
For hand-held stuff, don't hold the camera at eye level. Plant your elbows at your hips and hold the camera a little above waist level, and make sure it's zoomed all the way out.
bwind22
07-31-2007, 10:03 PM
I wasn't holding the camera hardly at all. It was on a tripod. Next film, I'll have a steadycam. :D