Deadly Waters - First Zombie Movie (pics)

This forum is for announcing and discussing your films.

Moderator: Moderator Team

User avatar
TroubledCobraStudios
Member
Member
Posts: 56
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:19 pm
Contact:

Post by TroubledCobraStudios »

I just watched your rough edit. I don't care much about things like acting in amatuer projects because they usually are just our friends. The only thing that bothered me was the music. It didn't fit at all I thought. Was that music just there as a placeholder or were you intending that to be used in the final version? I just don't think that metal and zombies go together too well, even though by themeselves they are totally awesome.
www.freewebs.com/troubledcobrastudios
Darzeth
Member
Member
Posts: 57
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:46 am

Post by Darzeth »

i noticed in your first edit you guy talks about guitar hero didnt that come out after 1999?
Raptor
Forum Veteran
Forum Veteran
Posts: 1027
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:47 am
Location: Altoona, PA, USA

Post by Raptor »

Decent piece of work there....
The live audio is a definite issue tho, if you are shooting off a boom pole, reshoot the closups right at the shoreline so the mic can be placed more correctly, and use a fuzzy windscreen. For the long shots in the center of the lake then just overdub the lines. The alternative would be to use the wireless Lavs on your characters. Drop the mention of Guitar Hero unless you get it cleared. Also something else to watch out for is any T-Shirt logos. Some are pretty easy to clear. We had no problems getting HL-2 and a couple of other video games cleared for use on The Underground on TV, the problem we ran into was clearing the rights to use Tshirts from the movies LOL....
All in all a great start, just keep on the audio, The audio is easily as important if not more inportant thatn the video in telling your story!
The UNDERGROUND
[url]http://theundergroundtv.com[/url]
Music television for unsigned bands
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

Thanks for your imput on this. We will be reshooting the audio completely on this, following the script as Darzeth wrote it word for word. I just threw the date 1999 in there for the heck of it - so I will probably change the date, and the Guitar Hero reference will not be in the final edit.

As for music - it's what these guys like, and it is their movie. So at least for them, we'll use the heavy metal - perhaps for the version released here, I will use something different.

For shirts, etc...we're not making money off of this, its just a movie for friends by friends. All of our shots involving the kids with dialogue are either wide or closeup shots. If by some chance a logo can be seen, and if it will make problems for us, then I will blur it out or crop as needed.

Do not worry, audio will be fixed!

(On a side note, we tried to use the lav, but high winds caused wind noise on the lav, making it unusable. The windscreen on the boom mic helped a lot with that.)
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

UPDATE!

Post by kene555 »

Update!

We filmed last night. Due to cloudy weather and other things, we were unable to film a redone dialogue of the boat scene. However, we filmed the opening sequence, in which an unwary kid is attacked by two zombies...

Some behind the scenes pics:

The director points out a location
Image

One of our zombies
Image

Myself and an actor observe the stylized effects I set in camera to create a night effect.
Image

Setting up the fence attack
Image

Filming the zombies attack
Image

Myself filming a rare scene: the full moon came out, with clouds passing over - a perfect scene to start out the movie with!
Image

And some stills from the XL2 - no color correction added: this was all done in camera.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
Darzeth
Member
Member
Posts: 57
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:46 am

Post by Darzeth »

wow that looks pretty good can't wait to see the final version of it.
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

Thanks! :D

Edit 1 of the opening zombie attack.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1UX4kHo_C6w"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1UX4kHo_C6w" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
User avatar
Zacatac927
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 588
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 7:34 pm

Post by Zacatac927 »

i have to say, its slow... but beautiful looking
@Zacatac927

www.vimeo.com/zac927
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

Yeah...Well, it's the opening scene, so I wanted it to have a more stylized look than action. This scene is meant to draw the viewer in, then the action comes in BAM BAM BAM.

But thanks!
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
User avatar
angusware
Posting Freak
Posting Freak
Posts: 272
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 12:38 am

Post by angusware »

Firstly... HOLY s***! That's one nice camera.
secondly, that opening scene is good, maybe a bit more suspense before the zombies are identified? it seems like he just happens across some zombies without any fear or suspense.
I would go the cliche with the rustling bushes etc.
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

Firstly... HOLY s***! That's one nice camera.
lol. Thanks, I have to agree.

I will continue work on this, and some more suspense will be good. I'll see what I can do.

More scenes will be filmed after a few week hiatus.


Keep the comments coming! :D
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
Darzeth
Member
Member
Posts: 57
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:46 am

Post by Darzeth »

wow that was pretty good, i loved the very beginning right before the zombie attacks.
User avatar
santi
Posting Freak
Posting Freak
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 12:19 am
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Contact:

Post by santi »

You have to learn a lot about editing and camera work. It looks like you didn't want to have actors in frame. Some lighting could be usefull.
Santi

"Corpse of your enemy always smells nice"

---------------------
http://sfx.com.pl/
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

You have to learn a lot about editing and camera work. It looks like you didn't want to have actors in frame. Some lighting could be usefull.
:?:

I believe that my editing was done quite well, taking advantage of the shots I had. I personally believe that my camerawork here (for the latter clip) was some of the best I have done. Lighting was simulated to look like true night.

Please specify what didn't meet your standards so I can improve upon it or explain why I shot it my way.
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
Darzeth
Member
Member
Posts: 57
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:46 am

Post by Darzeth »

i thought his editing was pretty good in my opinion and i see what hes trying to do. Plus its his style here not anyone elses. I bet when hes finished it will be incredible. The zombie part was a bit slowish but before that it was great.
User avatar
santi
Posting Freak
Posting Freak
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 12:19 am
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Contact:

Post by santi »

They are not "my standards". Maybe this is best work you've ever done and it's better then many flicks I saw but still it's just a plays of beginner.

Pans are sort of "where the hell.... aaah here you are, naughty actor". This first swish-pan was terrible just like this at 49 second. Camera should be "invisible" for viewer. Decide what do you do - film or MTV. Actors are not in frame in most of time and camera is chasing them.

You could use some backlight to simulate moonlight and add some modeling to image because it's very flat and dull. If you shot "day for night" don't show the sky. Shot when the sun is low but still bright and light is sharp. Underexpose a few F-stops and it should work.
Santi

"Corpse of your enemy always smells nice"

---------------------
http://sfx.com.pl/
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

Pans are sort of "where the hell.... aaah here you are, naughty actor". This first swish-pan was terrible just like this at 49 second.
Yes, that shot was for as an after-thought to show that zombies are now roaming the area. It is not integral, and thus is not shot as one. I wouldn't use that as something to judge me by. I have though about it, and will probably swap it with something else.

Again, remember that this film is about original style, and pretty framed pans aren't my main concern - a zombie film in my opinion is more of the 1st person camera operator simulating the emotions at the event.
Actors are not in frame in most of time and camera is chasing them.
The ending shots was done on a whim (hey, we've got some extra time, let's try this and see how it looks). From what I can tell, that's the only time actors may be out of frame a bit. Hardly out of frame for the majority of the piece.
You could use some backlight to simulate moonlight and add some modeling to image because it's very flat and dull.
Possibly, but as we are a mile away from our power source, it is impossible to set that up. Again, it would look pretty, but that's not necessarily what I'm after. This film is more about realistic shooting, using natural light to make it believable...not about using a generator with 20 lights to make a smooth setup. It's all in the style - mine is not like that. I'm more of the realistic-what can we do with what we have-use nature type of cinematographer.
Shot when the sun is low but still bright and light is sharp. Underexpose a few F-stops and it should work.
Exactly what we did. It was shot at twilight (the magic hour) with the ND filter on and the iris stepped down.

I appreciate your comments, and the fact that you took the time to explain them. Hollywood needs more rebels to shoot films in new ways - perhaps not by the tried-and-true by the book way.

More updates to come in a few weeks.
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
User avatar
santi
Posting Freak
Posting Freak
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 12:19 am
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Contact:

Post by santi »

Exactly what we did. It was shot at twilight (the magic hour) with the ND filter on and the iris stepped down.
The sky is overcast so you didn't. Make it when sky is clear and the will be a perfect moon. Just make sure it's from side or back direction.
Again, remember that this film is about original style, and pretty framed pans aren't my main concern - a zombie film in my opinion is more of the 1st person camera operator simulating the emotions at the event.
What's original in this waving camera and zooming? It's pretty common in amateur productions. If it's subjective camera why didn't the zombies attack cameraman?
I appreciate your comments, and the fact that you took the time to explain them. Hollywood needs more rebels to shoot films in new ways - perhaps not by the tried-and-true by the book way.
If you want to be a rebel learn to do it properly first. I know many rebels and it's alway an excuse but it's impossible to break the rules if you don't know them.
Santi

"Corpse of your enemy always smells nice"

---------------------
http://sfx.com.pl/
Kentertainment
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 799
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:32 am
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Post by Kentertainment »

Disregard this post. I accidentally hit submit twice and I got two of the same posts. I could only delete one and that would have been the one that says I posted on the front page. It wouldn't let me delete this one so in it's place I edited it down to this which has now wasted about 15 seconds of your time. Thank you!
Last edited by Kentertainment on Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
Kentertainment
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 799
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:32 am
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Post by Kentertainment »

I really never had interest in checking this out because I really am not much of a zombie film (Shaun of the Dead was fantastic though) fan but I finally got around to just checking it out.

Firstly, I must say, your production value has shot up immensely but don't let that get to you, if this story isn't good and if your actors give off week performances it doesn't matter how great it looks. I personally think fertilizer draining into a lake and raising the dead is a poor idea but is still different than most zombie reasonings. Most zombie flicks are some nuclear blast or something from space (like a comet). 28 Days Later had a weird premise with monkey's which was pretty good. If it were me, I'd have the fertilizer drain into the water supply underground and get into the drinking water of a small town which then turns them to zombies and then they go to the town over looking for some yummy man-flesh. Of course if that were really to happen they'd probably get sick or die...but movies are meant to suspend your disbelief.

Secondly, your earlier screenshots (daytime attack) look a little bland. Most zombie flicks (just because I don't like them doesn't mean I haven't seen them) tend to be overblown with Tony Scott style contrast (maybe not that extreme) and I really think if you gave it more color it'd look better. But hey, just because everyone is doing it doesn't mean you have too.

In the clip, the editing was pretty nifty and so was the camera work. I know you filmed this in the early evening but if it were me, I would have refrained from actually showing the sky. It looks like a full moon cast on the shots where the sky isn't visible so it's easier to believe that it's at night. That is just me though. Also, the masks could have maybe used a wig so they didn't look so similar. It reminded me of an old Nintendo Entertainment System video game where all the henchmen look the same.

Great job thus far, when is it going to be finished? Filming and as a whole.
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

What's original in this waving camera and zooming?
I was referring to other shots as original - I have stated that the waving camera was an after thought and, as this is a rough copy, was mainly added as a sort of motion storyboard to show the actions in the final version.
If it's subjective camera why didn't the zombies attack cameraman?
With 38 seconds remaining, the camera shows the viewpoint of the 1st zombie. Perhaps I will add a mask in After Effects to simulate the zombie's eyes - I don't know yet.

Secondly, with 33 seconds left, the zombie stumbles at the camera to simulate the moments until the final attack. I believe that this is plenty of subjective shots - having too much of a good thing will subtract from the final effect.
If you want to be a rebel learn to do it properly first. I know many rebels and it's alway an excuse but it's impossible to break the rules if you don't know them.
I don't use it as an excuse - it's my explanation to those who do not understand why I do something a certain way. Believe me, I know the rules, and I know how to film a movie properly. I thank you for your comments, and suggestions. :D

Kentertainment, I do appreciate your comments as well. I recognize you as a really great filmmaker, so any positive remarks from you are quite appreciated. I have been working with with several great people on this site for improving the script, and also have been getting great advice from Knightly regarding directing actors. I believe that it will improve the acting, and I will also be improving the audio.

I totally am open to working with color correction. If anyone on here has an idea for making a shot look cool, please download a screenshot and correct it and upload it. I'd love to have collaboration on this (and already have some!)

As the movie is shot in 16:9, imported to a 4:3 project, and letterboxed even more, I believe that I can move the images around to remove or improve the sky.

My friends just wanted to make a little zombie film - I am doing everything in my power to make it as good as I can - it's simply a matter of compromising what I want and what they want to do.

I am hoping to finish filming by late fall, and hope to have a finished product up by winter.
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
Mushiman
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 504
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2003 5:25 pm
Location: Hull, England
Contact:

Post by Mushiman »

Maybe it's just me, but your stills seem pretty washed out looking.

I get nicer colours from my XL1, perhaps you've tinkered with them in post?

Also, watch out for over exposure. :)
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/derkoi][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/gelsig/black/derkoi.png[/img][/url]
kene555
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
Posts: 576
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:06 pm
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Contact:

Post by kene555 »

^

Which stills? The nighttime or lake scenes? For the lake, I color corrected the video to make it appear washed out and undersaturated. The night scenes were the ones done in the XL2.
CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING

http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com
Ornsack
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 1520
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2002 11:43 pm
Location: Bristol, England
Contact:

Post by Ornsack »

Only skim-read the last page of this so sorry if I've repeated anything.

Loved the first edit! Think maybe a few strikes of music when the zombies first appear but I thought everything else was spot on

I loved the washed out look too. Although I like to do all that afterwards just in case, it must be great not having to tinker with the footage afterwards :)
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loFABl-1Zcw]THE SALESMAN - YouTube[/url]
Mushiman
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 504
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2003 5:25 pm
Location: Hull, England
Contact:

Post by Mushiman »

kene555 wrote:^

Which stills? The nighttime or lake scenes? For the lake, I color corrected the video to make it appear washed out and undersaturated. The night scenes were the ones done in the XL2.
That would be the lake ones. If you did that effect on purpose then cool, if that was the look you were goin for. :)

The canon XL range still makes me go all fuzzy inside when i see the picture quality. hehe
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/derkoi][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/gelsig/black/derkoi.png[/img][/url]
Post Reply