Short Film: Sam Hurst - Reborn -- Critiques Wanted

Jwenz

Jwenz

Active member
Hi Folks,

I recently completed a project with my good friend Sam Hurst documenting his recovery process over the past year. We put a fair amount of time into this...but as always more could have been utilized. I am looking for critiques as well as criticisms regarding the film. Thanks!

Jwenz
 
[video]https://www.newschoolers.com/membervideo/710342.0/Sam-Hurst---Reborn?s=50444&t=6&o=8[/video]
 
I think overall the shooting and editing was on point and it was a great edit with a music video montage style. I think if you want to make it more "short filmy" and a little bit more relate-able to a general audience I would do a few things. Add a narrative that gives an insight to the struggle, be it a voice over or talking head interview I think a lot of people can relate to an injury and to hear about that process for him would help people connect. Get rid of the pop music and do some sound design. I like Of Monsters and Men as much as anyone but there has to be more sound you could incorporate of the hospital, walking, doors, and other sounds to get us in the world. I guess what I am saying essentially is if you want it to be a quick ski edit, your looking good, but if you want to make it a film you would submit to a festival and to tell a story it seems like you have the resources but just need to form it. Good work!

Peace!
 
Thank you very much for the critique. I agree completely with the need for a more well designed piece of work. It was pretty much my first attempt at a narative edit of any kind. Generally I just make ski edits. Throughout this process I learned a lot about directing of sorts and the challenges it presents. This project was a bit different in that sam was the mastermind behind it all and I was there putting it together with minimal creative control. But I also realized how difficult it was to make something like this work. It was a great learning experience for me and I hope it helps my future work. Thank you for your kind words and suggestions. Means a lot as most times I never actually get critisicms. Thanks again and until future projects..
 
12981052:RockNRollNghtClb said:
edit was sick Im just really not a fan of your colors
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate? suggestions? im curious to hear what you have to say "sweetie"?
 
once the edit gets to around 1:45 (when you start using your camcorder I think?) the shots just feel a little too to me.

Just out of curiosity why don't you upgrade to a DSLR or something with a shallower DOF? Don't you have a t2i? why not use that instead?
 
12983706:RockNRollNghtClb said:
once the edit gets to around 1:45 (when you start using your camcorder I think?) the shots just feel a little too to me.

Just out of curiosity why don't you upgrade to a DSLR or something with a shallower DOF? Don't you have a t2i? why not use that instead?
Click to expand...

Jesus Christ what in the fuck are you talking about?
 
12983706:RockNRollNghtClb said:
once the edit gets to around 1:45 (when you start using your camcorder I think?) the shots just feel a little too to me.

Just out of curiosity why don't you upgrade to a DSLR or something with a shallower DOF? Don't you have a t2i? why not use that instead?
Click to expand...

I understand where you are coming from. You are correct in that at 1:45 I did begin using my HVX. The scene file I use for that tends to make the blacks very black...kind of personal preference and is what I feel most accurately depicts the true colors of the environment. A lot of people are used to now the 7d feel where its a little lighter and maybe more true to the color in your eyes.

You are also correct that I have a T2i. I used that in the edit as well. The backcountry stuff was all DSLR as well were the fisheye shots. The colors come out the way they do because that is how I like them. I never color correct as I like to get it right in the camera first.

Now as for why I wont switch to DSLR completely...Shooting Feel. I love the way my hvx feels and works. The audio control is incredible and gives 4 lines in post compared to the 1 that a DSLR gives even with a microphone on it. There are ND filters on my hvx which help with color control and shooting at 60 fps 1/120 shutter speed in broad daylight. I also dont have the appropriate lens' that id feel suitable having for making a full switch to DSLR. There are times and places for both cameras. Glidecaming for example...HVX weighs about 4x a DSLR and is much easier to have on a glidecam as one moves at any speed. The t2i would just flop around like a flacid...yeah. ITs all personal preference. I personally like the dark blacks and the seemingly true colors. SOme like lighter. To each their own...
 
Jeff... have you tried filming with a phantom flex, red epic, or arri alexa? I think that is what could have made this better. Ya it was good skiing was good filming was good.... but no 1,000 fps in 4k raw? Come on man. You could have done better. At least you could have done 300fps and 4k. And no color grade? Come on man.... Tisk Tisk... you could have at least ran it through instagram and used there filters. Get learnt bro....

But in all seriousness, i liked it a lot. It was very Jwenz. I loved the song choice, the filming was smooth and sleek, and the skiing..... so good! Sam rips. All in all great work, not much bad to say. I think you nailed the feel and vibe of the film. It fit Sams personality and skiing style.
 
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