Comments

Permalink Reply by W O of Love to Feel on August 28, 2012 at 4:48am

I am still learning storytelling and filmmaking so I am happy to hear that your film won awards on such a tiny budget! I hope you guys had fun - which is often what is left out lately in filming because people are so focused on "success".

Some questions: Did you shoot with the original intention of a web series - not a film?

If it was originally a film why did you put your film online?

I LOVE action and indie action is a reallllllly rare category in the web series world. I'm just happy you even exist at the moment :)

I just saw the first episode and I thought it was pretty awesome!

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Permalink Reply by W O of Love to Feel on August 28, 2012 at 5:27am

Ok. So I just watched episode 2 and I love what you guys are doing! Its clear to me now that you did intend for it to be a series and you didn't just chop a film up.

So excited! I want to watch episode 3! I love what you did at the end by addressing the audience. Even though I should be creating more, one of my guilty pleasures on WSN is scoping out new series I would actually watch. I am subscribed!

Knowing its only 4 episodes long makes me sad but maybe you stumbled on the perfect length for a web series. Perhaps in addition to length of a show we should be paying more attention to the length of a series. So in this case I definitely learned something from you.

Quality is awesome. Acting is really good. Storyline is good. And its not action that's funny, its REAL action which is something I was not expecting at all! Very refreshing.

Its like you are building a network of different shows. Reminds me of the action pack series that were so popular in the 90s where there was kung fu, then supernatural, then fantasy/myth, maybe sci fi if the network had the budget for it. Right now you have action, next is horror. Feels like what you have started here is going to be really good. Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by Derek Johnson on August 28, 2012 at 8:31am

W.O...

I am honored that you watched AND posted comments.  Most people are too busy or don't care... so I really appreciate that.  Really glad you dig the series.

You guessed right.  DAY OF VENGEANCE is truly a web series.  I was a big fan of the TV show "Lost", and EP2 was written and shot in the same manner: An episode that builds and reveals more of the story by showing a different character's perspective of a previous episode.

Can't wait to show you EP3!  That's where mayhem ensues and the story is propelled.

It's tough to sustain a quality action drama without financing, so we clipped it at 4 episodes (35 minutes).  Shorter production = less money spent (food, gear, time from work) & actors more likely can commit without pay.  

We shot in Atlanta, GA,  We put EP1's script online for the actors to download, showcasing our story and writing.  We then had a casting call and used local actors.    I think most webisodes make an error by casting their friends.  If you write a good story and good roles, talented actors will come just to put that performance on their reels.  The competition for the Emmett Forrest role was fierce.  We had actors driving in from adjoining states. 

Our next project is:  http://ALessonInTorture.com

We want filmmaking to be our full-time careers, so we are trying to monetize and create a quality horror feature film.   Not a brainless slasher flick.   We want gore.. but we want it to be smart, have a really good story, and have good acting performances as well.

I encourage you to check out http://dayofvengeance.com for more details, blog,  photos, video, etc.  

EP3 premieres Monday Sept 3.  Spread the word!  Any questions/comments... I'm happy to respond :-)

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Permalink Reply by Jarrod on August 30, 2012 at 6:50pm

Watched the two episodes online. Overall good job.

Episode 1:

The part in the truck looked fake. The outside the truck shots were good though.

The quick cut at 40 sec mark was a little jarring.

I like the inside the meeting footage except the long zoom stop zoom stop zoom stop. It came across like someone not knowing how to use the zoom on the camera. Would have been better as a dolly shot or slider moving in. I really like how that sequence ended with the tight shot on the guy's face.

Some of the cuts in the office scene are a little too fast, and there are a few jump cuts. Acting and dialogue could be a little stronger. The scene was a little uneven and felt longer than it is.

Might have been better to start with an establishing shot of the outside of law office with the 4 yrs later slug. Digitally altering the signage of the building if need be. Then cut to inside with the tilt up and the horse crap line.

The meeting room scene was better. The lighting was flat on the older lawyer. It was a little hot on the racist and the younger lawyer. I would consider not using white shirts for people if you're going to use such harsh lighting. Either switch to a light gray or diffuse the light.

I like the ending. Good cliff hanger.

The story is good. Actual production needs some improvement. I highly suggest you not have your director be your editor. It helps to get a fresh perspective when it comes time for the cuts.

Episode 2

In the beginning when the guy is setting up the camera, the video just changing size was a little off. Also the random shot of the camera seemed unneeded.

The audio has some issues when the guy and secretary are talking. Good job at making the scene between the guy and her uncomfortable.

I don't know why you go to the trouble of hiding who the delivery guy is, when it was very obvious from the taped confessional who it was.

Pacing is a little off in this episode.

The guy on the phone at the end is kind of out of nowhere and hasn't been established, so less of an impact for the cliff hanger. Also it is basically the same cliff hanger as episode 1.  Would have liked something a little different.

Again good story, just missing a few notes here and there that would move it up to a higher caliber.

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Permalink Reply by Derek Johnson on August 31, 2012 at 1:46am

Jarrod…

Thank you for watching and giving such a detailed review.    Addam and I are “proud parents” of DAY OF VENGEANCE, so it’s good to get another perspective. 

Some of your points… I could only nod in agreement.   Guilty as charged.

I expect to take beatings on our lighting.  We were no-budget filmmakers back then.  Our productions was literally “2 guys and a camera” El Mariachi-style.   

We shot DOV flat (with fluorescents) or with natural light often, because we were always in a hurry to get enough coverage before one of our actors had to leave to go to work, head to another audition, or we would lose the location for good.   I felt we had no time to fuss repeatedly with lights.. But I wish today I had focused a bit more on lighting

Of course, some of your points.. I don’t agree with.   Sorry Jarrod... ain’t giving up my editing duties.  No way, no how.  :-)

But I respect your opinion.  Your comments are thought-provoking.  I re-watched the episodes a few times with your notes.  I’d be honored if you would comment on Episode 3.  We release it this upcoming Monday.

Oh… and to explain why we” hid” the identity of the Delivery guy:  It was a creative choice. 

The Gunman is hiding his identity… his true intentions…  to the Security Guard and Secretary.  In a way, I am showing the viewer the perspective of the Guard and Secretary.  They don’t see him.  I continue their perspective until Gunman “reveals” himself to them.  They can see him now… his face… and his true intentions.  But they are too late.

I also felt it was more cinematic.   If I show his face right away.. .there is less "impact" when the Gunman turns and says "I know!"  

Thanks again and I hope to hear from you soon

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Permalink Reply by Derek Johnson on September 3, 2012 at 10:29am

Hello everyone.  Episode 3 of DAY OF VENGEANCE has been released to the public.   We hope you enjoy it.

 

Thank you everyone who continue to watch.  

Guys... help us out by leaving comments!!!   We want to get better and your feedback is crucial.  Shouts out to Jarrod for leaving a review last week... thank bud.

 

If you dig the episodes SPREAD THE WORD!!!  Finale is next Monday

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Permalink Reply by Jarrod on September 4, 2012 at 12:21pm

Think I forgot to mention, I like the Octane logo. Nice and clean.

The bedroom sequence and the guy and kid at the table were nicely done.

The lower thirds were a little fake looking and down too low. The crawl was a tad too fast.
The background behind the news anchor looked good. The reporter looks like she is in front of a green screen.

I like where you were going with the graphics adding the mask and chain saw, however I used to work in news and that kinda thing would have gotten the reporter fired and a lawsuit against the station.

I like the way you did the action sequence in the office. However it didn't quite have the same tone/feel as everything else and felt a little out of place. It was good, but didn't match the rest of shows tone up until now.

The blood splatters looked fake, and the color a little off.Around teh 4:20 mark it looks fake when the man is shot blood splatters but then just vanishes and everything around him is clean. Around 4:35 the guy is still talking after he has been shot.

Not sure why some people were left alive and others not (like the guy in the corner at the 4:17 mark) .

Not sure I 100% bought the conversation in the bathroom between the lawyers and the security guard. Felt off. Found myself wondering why they were yelling and loud

The shooters acting was a little flat.

I think overall it would have been nice story wise to have established some of the characters in earlier episodes. Like having the security guard family scene earlier on in episode 1 or 2 or have more scenes with him so it is more dramatic with his story in episode 3. Also having a meeting with a number of the lawyers early on so we know who they are and care a little more would have been nice.

Also I think if there were more of a visual cue between current events and flashbacks it would help with keeping events in order.

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Permalink Reply by Derek Johnson on September 6, 2012 at 3:32am

Hello Jarrod...  once again.. thanks for the feedback.  

Think I forgot to mention, I like the Octane logo. Nice and clean.  

The bedroom sequence and the guy and kid at the table were nicely done. 

Thanks :-)

The lower thirds were a little fake looking and down too low. The crawl was a tad too fast. 
The background behind the news anchor looked good. The reporter looks like she is in front of a green screen.

 My AE skills weren't up to par... and we had issues.  For the news broadcast both actors had to be rotoscoped with a motion mask in AE.   I couldn't pull a decent key.

The truck scene in EP1 had to be rotoscoped for different reasons.  We had no truck mount... no lonely country road.   I didn't want to deal with engine noise, wind noise, driving repeatedly on streets... and our young actor had to leave in an hour!!  

So we shot it in a garage.  We flashed a light and rocked the vehicle to simulate motion.

Both scenes could have more realistic and precise.    But rotoscoping a person (not a object)... is perhaps a level in hell.    You need the patience of Job to cut around an actor.    At some point, I said "Good enough"

Point taken.  I'll do better in the future.

I like where you were going with the graphics adding the mask and chain saw, however I used to work in news and that kinda thing would have gotten the reporter fired and a lawsuit against the station.

Creative decision.  I wanted some levity.  

It was also an intended exaggeration... but not by much.  News reporting and opinionated entertainment IMO (ex. Bill O'Reilly, Nancy Grace ) are being blurred more each day.     

With our growing obsession with reality TV and shock news... could reporting like this be par for the coarse someday?

I like the way you did the action sequence in the office. However it didn't quite have the same tone/feel as everything else and felt a little out of place. It was good, but didn't match the rest of shows tone up until now.

The blood splatters looked fake, and the color a little off.Around teh 4:20 mark it looks fake when the man is shot blood splatters but then just vanishes and everything around him is clean. Around 4:35 the guy is still talking after he has been shot.

No way could we achieve real world realism.   Andrew Kramer, I was not.     

So I went more dramatic.  Blood on the screen.  Exaggerated blood splatters.  Blood and more blood.  

"No no" guy's wound wasn't fatal... and it certainly didn't prevent him from speaking (begging for his life).  

Not sure why some people were left alive and others not (like the guy in the corner at the 4:17 mark) . Not his decision.  It seems random... but it's God's will.

Not sure I 100% bought the conversation in the bathroom between the lawyers and the security guard. Felt off. Found myself wondering why they were yelling and loud

The shooters acting was a little flat.

I think overall it would have been nice story wise to have established some of the characters in earlier episodes. Like having the security guard family scene earlier on in episode 1 or 2 or have more scenes with him so it is more dramatic with his story in episode 3. Also having a meeting with a number of the lawyers early on so we know who they are and care a little more would have been nice.

Also I think if there were more of a visual cue between current events and flashbacks it would help with keeping events in order

Disagree with introducing the lawyers in EP1 or EP2.   Their appearance makes sense in EP3 since this is Evan's story (security guard).  

If I made this a longer series, I would have made shown Chris's story... his perspective.  Perhaps how he, Tony, and Evan got in restroom in the first place.   

The rest of your points, I can see your perspective.

 

Once again... thanks for the feedback.  I'm ingesting this feedback (and others) and next project will be improved.

Finale episode is Monday.   Hopefully you'll like it :-)

  

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Permalink Reply by Derek Johnson on September 10, 2012 at 7:00am

Here's the finale!! .  Here is Episode 4 of DAY OF VENGEANCE.  Be gentle :-)

Also, in case anyone is interested... we have begun our IndieGoGo campaign for our upcoming horror movie project: 

http://IndieGogo.com/alitmovie

Wish us luck!!   And please help us spread the word!!!  

 

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