Social Networks

I tried doing this online networking at the end of the college 2nd year, but i didn't have much work to shout about. My showreel was very weak and unimpressive. However, within a few months my showreel has become much better. The new college equipment has helped loads, you can shoot anything and it looks beautiful.

Mike and Annabeth kept telling me last year I have to get more short films under my belt. I never understood how I could fit this into my schedule. When practicing with the equipment this year Mark, Graeme and I shot two little sequences. They were silly, but fun and I now realise that this is what Mike and Annabeth meant by short film. When I hear short film I think 0f a 5 to 30 minutes, when actually 30-120 seconds is enough. I learnt so much from shooting these two little films, the very basics of filmmaking. The current project we are working on is similar. Two short sequences to learn new techniques. I wrote a post a month or two ago about how great these are.

I've story boarded three new short sequences. I don't think you can call them short films. I'm going to start advertising for actors over the next week. Hopefully I can have them shot before the end of the year, or at least in January. The great thing about these shorts is you can rehearse and shoot within a working day.

Going back to the networking. If I can keep producing these shorts then it gives me something to upload. I think the key to success on the net is being consistent.

Making short sequences will improve my skills, showreel, and hopefully get me a following.

I'm members of most the common social sites, but I bet there are loads out there. I'll post links at the bottom of the page, please add or subscribe yourself to my profile. If you know of any other sites please comment this post.

On the video sites I have set up groups dedicated to Leeds filmmakers to hopefully get a network you the area going. So far it hasn't caused much of a buzz, but starting it is the first step I suppose.

Anyway the links

YOUTUBE
VIMEO
DAILYMOTION
BLIP
MYSPACE
DAILYBOOTH
TWITTER

I know of a few others but I haven't set them up yet. On the video sites instead of uploading the same shorts on each of them at the same time, I'm trying to vary them to keep it interesting. On daily booth I've started to take screen grabs of the shorts or pictures of me on set. Thats worked very well. I'm not sure what to do with myspace, Its a hassle to add people. After 10 people you have to start putting in codes, and I haven't had much response from it yet.

I am however enjoying setting things up and receiving comments. Its very rewarding.

Cheers.

I Love You, Man.

I Love you, Man.

I watched this with little expectation, If my memory serves me correct I don't think it had a good cinema run. It stars Paul Rudd who has done well in supports such as Anchor Man, 40 Year Old Virgin and probably most regonisable from TV show Friends. Along side Rudd is Jason Segel, known for support in Knocked Up and lead star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Now the introductions are out of the way we shall begin.

After the first 20-30 minutes I really wasn't enjoying the movie, it was a little awkward and uncomfortable to watch. Until Jason Segel's character arrived, the story really opened up. Watching the two characters bond made me really start to care about them.
Once we had this connection I really started to get into the film. The characters were really well written and acted. Even though the film started off slow it soon redeemed it self and was very entertaining.

It was your typical love story, with the twist that it was a buddy friendship, rather than a couple falling in love. But we know how it plays out, they get together, have a fall out, then realise that life is better together than apart. Sometimes they throw in the twist that it appears one of them has already moved on, but they haven't. I love you, man didn't do that, thank god.

So, yeah, you've seen it a thousand times before in all different situation, its a tale that never gets old. Its like that old saying it doesn't matter how many times you've heard the joke, its how its told... Or something like that.

In the case of I love You, Man its told well. It's not got amazing cinematography or a beautiful score, but as far has comedies go its entertaining.

Anyway don't take my word for it, go on the official website (<<

Finally, I Watched Switchblade Romance the other night, French Slasher Horror flick. Thought it was alright, bit of a strange ending. Think they wanted it to be a big twist, or make it clever, but should have left it has a straight out man killing rampage. The colour was really nice, had a subtle green tone. Made the whole picture look expensive and stylised, but didn't distract from the story. The biggest shock of the film was, coming up to the final third, the revenge section, the protagonist goes after the killer in a stolen sports car, the track NEW BORN by Muse plays. So far the film had been scored, the was the odd track playing from the radio, but this was the only placed track, which I found really obvious. It stuck out, I actually really liked that song and it worked with the visuals. But surely opt for a whole artist soundtrack, rather than just having the one song. Dunno, maybe its just me.

Anyway, I've written the script for another Video Review, Mega Shark Vs Giant Octopus. Should record the vocal within the next week or so. Before then there will be a few more blogs. Next film I'm rambling about will probably be Chocolate, Thai Kung Fu film, which was visually stunning. Will most likely go see the big releases at the cinema this weekend, I. Basterds, District 9 and Funny People, which I'll be reporting on in some form of media.

Check out the usual

Twitter

Youtube

Blip

DailyMotion

DailyBooth