New film "Continuum"

[Mushiman]

Check it out........

[SgtPadrino]

Holy God! You're back!

Fantastic work - great acting, cinematography, effects (especially,) and music choice. Liked the cameo at the end too

[Ornsack]

This film is probably the best thing to happen to this forum in a long time. Please check it out!

[Lawriejaffa]

lol well i wouldnt say a 'long time' lol, but still there is much I liked in this film!

It is quintessentially a very very british student (alternative) style of comedy that is irreverant and charming in its own way... I think the brand of comedy it does is appealing (for our younger selves) - with the film overall working well.

There is much that is good about this film, the acting is decent, the cinematography is effective, and the special effects are impressive!

However because the film does a lot so well, it does cause inconsistent elements to stick out a little.

Firstly a very subtle comment for the acting which for the most part is good, (exceeding most the films here easily) however, there was a sense of 'self awareness' that made this film more like a sketch (in terms of acting performance) that a film of fictional characters in absurd circumstances. I would struggle for an example, but take Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy (eccentric uk comedy with sci-fi elements) that is when the acting 'works' completley, this film it mostly does, but at times they seem like 'self aware comedy sketches'. As a british filmmaker you will be more aware i think anyway, of what i mean by this (as im speaking in relation to uk sketch shows and their styles of performance.)

Technically, it is mostly well shot, however the number of special effects does give the film a 'mega' impression of sophistication that really does demand that the entire film visually matches the same level of competence. It doesnt however, for example, the shots of interiors (here and there) show signs of under-exposure grain, or are generally just well not lighted (except for pervading daylight) giving them a amatuer video look (regardless of post colour or luma corrections.) This would not stand out much except for the sophistication seen in other parts of the film. This makes its visual quality at times inconsistent which is a shame, because if it was all perfect, it would be very impressive. Ironically it may be the lack of a few redhead lights that lets down the film (only a little) and not the very effective masking and fx used for the dinosaurs and car tossing fx.

Artistically, the story is a little contrived, for example, having what is in effect 'xmas carol' type story for the protagonist, is for the audience to bear, a pretty unrewarding and cliche'd style of story (only the random jokes, fx and humour keep our attention.) But in reality the narrative is a hollow one... also for the first few minutes, one could guess almost shot for shot how our hero would smack the alarm clock go for a pee and brush his teeth in the mirror.

In fact, you may be aware that its almost a joke in a joke, for British offbeat comedy features, to start like this (often with a London reggae song -forgive the gross typo)

So why start the film with such an utter cliche'd series of images (cos that is a danger, for it really switches audiences -especially cynical or mature ones off.)



So all in all, an amusing film with some good camerawork, below average lighting, very impressive fx effects, that i think creativelly falls a little flat. 20 and unders might rave it, but for those older, its been done before (again and again) So, imo not the best thing to happen in the forum for a long time but certainly a great effort let down (only a little) by ideas more than practical execution.

[rhys]

The cinematography was really good, the effects were really good (although it was obvious u used particle illusion), your acting was good, your cast was good, and u had some twists in there, nice work.
Its good enough to be on tv, even though it wouldnt be my first choice to see it but people have there own opinions.
Seriously, u should sell it.

[Jimbobsquarepants]

was that an ad for your college?

it was great. can i just say lawriejaffa, that anyone who just watches films and dosnt make them isnt going to notice things like exposure grain etc. i thought it was a funny film and if its cliche it dosnt really matter.

how did you do the time vortex effect?

[Mushiman]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I must however point out that this is a corporate video and the video will be used for a purpose of not only being entertaining, but also to recruit new students to the college every year.
The film will be shown in high schools to students to try and get them to join the college.

Target age is 15-16 year olds.

[Djokicko]

Hey that was really good i like the effects and dolly shots the story is fun two nice job

[Lawriejaffa]

Yeah i think professionally its 'almost' the quality of what i personally would deliver to a paying client, but certainly you've come up with a very original presentation i think mushiman (for the students) im sure they'll be pleased in anycase.

Jimbobsquarepants, audiences notice EVERYTHING, they might not use the vocabulary we use to discern or describe errors etc, but they do notice. There conclusions aren't for example 'over or under-exposed, or grainy (or noisy)' instead its stuff like 'hmm that looked kinda cheapo or was that a home video' etc etc Not that any of the examples would apply to this film! But im just saying audiences are utterly sophisticated - think about it, they watch tv and films almost every day from the age of 6...

[maj_barnes]

Amazing! My only problem is with the T-rex at times going into the black space on the sides of the screen. Camera work, effects, story it was all great!

[Clarence]

Nice, Mushiman! Haven't seen you on here for ages. That was a nice, entertaining flick that I'm sure will recruit some new students. It reminds me of 'A Christmas Carol' in some ways

I think it could have started off with something other than the main character waking up. It just seems like thats the start for a lot of movies.

Did you film this on the Canon XL1?

[Mushiman]

Thanks guys,

Yeah it was shot on my XL1.

[Jperson]

Yeah, Maj barnes, I noticed the dinasouar in the black bits... also at some bits it looked a bit wierd, I think it was the lighting on the stomach or possibly the texture, I actually don't quite know, I just felt that something was a little wrong... still a lot better than I could do, very good! effects are great and I love the comedy. Goood actors aswell, for once! And some really great shots and camerawork, the one shot where it zoms up in a sort of circular motion to the Doctor's face was just perfect. Perfecto! I loved it.

I agree with Rhys that is jsut about sellable, mind you I admire you for the fact that you didn't sell it and let us all bath in your guiding light (LOL). Yeah good.

[lethelgirth87]

Niiiiiiiiice!

[Ornsack]

lol well i wouldnt say a 'long time'

I would The amount of planning that's gone in to it and the epic-ness of it is something even I've not managed to achieve in recent times.

[Lawriejaffa]

Ha! Well its also a film right up your alley you comic fiend!

[El Brenty]

HE!

Dr Albert - That could have been Faldor!

Nice work Mushi! Pleasure to watch.

[Jperson]

yeah, it was really good, and you managed to make sure the brilliant effects didn't over shadow the whole film and make it an 'effects-are-wow-forget-the-rest-of-the-plot' film. Really good.

P.S. I just watched again and wanted to comment on brilliance!

[Jimbobsquarepants]

how did you do the time vortex effect?