Film 4, July 28 – Aug 3: Ptocheia
This week came with a huge challenge: I only had one day to edit the film, which is why it’s 6:00 a.m. and I’m still working!
Both Elena and Cassidy shine in this film. They ground their performance in subtlety and concentration. Needless to say, it really was a tremendous pleasure to work with them.
I also had great help this week; three friends joined me on set, including my cousin, Armig. There is no way I would have completed this film without friends supporting me.
I really liked the intense conflict of wants. The ending was so creative and surprising. The peach tree story… amazing.
Awesome.
Thank for all the comments, Amro! Yes, using the Greek spirits was pretty neat, huh? It worked out so well. I considered other muses as well, e.g., colors, days of the week, etc., but the spirits worked out the best. And let me tell you: it seemed like the “perfect” spirit reared its head ever week, though they were randomly drawn! It really was amazing…
Love this film! its so interesting. Im intrigued by this! Im posting this one on my facebook wall lets see what my friends think :)
So far…this one is my favorite.
Awesome, thanks, Shaleah. There are so many elements in this particular films that I love, namely, the performances. I was talking to Elena, the actor with the short hair, just yesterday and reiterated how thrilled I was with her performance. The way she says, “I’m so sorry,” is pure gold (and poison!)….
Awesome!!!!!!
Wow, fantastic! The actresses were amazing, and I really loved the part when you focused on the house after the visitor left, and followed the sound of speaking to its source.
Good to hear from you, Jen. Yeah, I really enjoy the voice-over as well. It reminds me of the Mother’s voice in Psycho! LOL
This movie really kept me in suspense and wonder. I was really amazed at how you were able to create such a story in a short amount of time. It leaves us speculating about many things, the reason for the ladies anger, her judgement on her neighbor and also if she has any immediate connection to any of her neighbors boyfriends. The ending then surprises the viewer with one act of kindness after all that tension between the two characters. Great work! You are so creative and doing a wonderful job!
Thank you for the comments, Mona! It’s great hearing from you. I’m so happy you are enjoying the films. They’re all so different, which is so fun. Your insight into the film is awesome. You should consider being a film critic! :)
Chris, You have gotten some shots that are amazing. Specially the one of the legs on the bed. It was great that you added an ending after that. Also, thanks for taking care of the sound, it created a tense atmospheare. The performances and dialogue was great too.
I’ll be thinking twice before I ask a neighbour for an egg or anything else!
What a great project “7 films, 7 weeks”. You should be proud for sticking to it, even until 5:30am.
Hey, Miguel. Thank you for the compliments! It’s been a challenge, that’s for sure, bet really worth it. Once this is over, I’m going to write an article about my experience and hopefully encourage others to do something similar!
I’m in. I really want to to something like it. I’m sure you’re achieving your goal of cultivating your craft and voice as a filmmaker. Plus, the whole greek spirit random drawing looks like a lot of fun. It force you to develop an idea out of a “human condition”.
Followmyfilm has been very encouraging all the way. I’m doing everything possible to shoot my feature by the end of this month.
It’ll be in Mexico. I’m working to put EVERYTHING together.
Chris, I’d have to agree with Tom P on this. Best one yet (even if I might be a little biased). There is so much story in such a short time. The actresses were great, the imagery was fantastic (and creepy), and the sound design really gave the scenes inside the house a very heavy, claustrophobic quality. It was a pleasure to do the music for the end credits, and it’s gratifying to see the music match the emotional impact of the short.
So, while it initially felt ironic for me to do an arrangement of a Catholic/Christian hymn, I think I understand now how it’s significant in the film. If I’m correctly interpreting what was being conveyed, that makes the whole process feel markedly less ironic for me. :)
Great film, and I hope to work together again soon.
Thank you, Jake, once again – I absolutely love your arrangement! And I’m really happy to hear that it was a good experience for you despite the irony :)
So, yeah, sound design – I love it! You know, it’s been one of the funnest elements for me within this project thus far. The sound effect I used for the kitchen, the deep rumbling, is actually a recording made in a mining shaft during work. Isn’t that amazing? I love it: the fact that you can use something like that in a kitchen with two women talking :) That’s the magic of sound design…
You’re actually quite good at the foley and sound design stuff. I’ve noticed that not only in this film but in all the others as well.
You have quite the talent pool to pull from. Both of your actresses were wonderful. I liked the story-line, loved the tension and uncertainty of the character interaction, was blessed by the utter display of thoughtfulness. “To he who knows the good to do and does not do it, that is sin to him.”
I will continue, if I may, to say that the way you lingered on certain frames (i.e., the leather sofa and bed after the character gets up) was impacting. It really created a moment to absorb the story; to reflect and engage in what happened and what may happen.
Love the comment – thank you. You know, one of my primary goals as an aspiring filmmaker is to develop relationships with talented actors and I feel it is happened, as is evidenced in this film. I really appreciate your attention to that detail.
And I’m so happy the lingering shots work for you. They definitely don’t work for everyone, but with good sound design, rhythmic editing and possibly score, they can be immensely powerful. It’s just something I do instinctively, however, I am trying to add a bit more intention as well, such as accentuating those shots with sound design.
Thank you again for the thoughtful reflection on the film and, mostly, for sharing!
Best one yet! Excellent!
Thank you, Tom! Your taste in film will always be a mystery to me! :) I’m so happy you enjoyed this one…
Great Film! I Agree – best one yet.
I also theorize (in response to your comment to @Tom) that no two humans have the exact same taste in films. Just a theory – but I’m feeling good about it. ;-)