Griffin
"Why I'm Here" by Edward Flinch Productions - Reviewed on October 2nd, 2009

Like a Film Fights vidblog. I enjoyed seeing all the classics mashed up together. Made me feel guilty for not submitting.

Justin
Replied on October 2nd, 2009

IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

Griffin
"Movie about Film Fights" by Willamette Filmmakes Society - Reviewed on October 2nd, 2009

I voted for this one, not because I enjoyed it more than Mike's or Justin's, but because it was short and sweet, and really felt like classic Film Fights, a little wacky and a bit of everything.

Griffin
"The Disaster" by Sometimes Funny - Reviewed on October 23rd, 2009

Great production value, but I feel like it suffers in the way that a lot of my videos do - it doesn't tell a compelling story. Granted, that's not what you were going for, in the same way that I often replace story with performance, but it's hard to get an audience engaged without a least building up to some type of climax, even if it's just a punchline. My only other critique, and I'm reaching here, is based on the placement of the monitor, you probably could have snuck a directional microphone on the desk, rather than wearing lavaliers - just to make it look more candid.

Justin
Replied on October 25th, 2009

True that!

Griffin
"The Film Fights Dance" by F.A.S.T.films - Reviewed on October 23rd, 2009

Masturbation humor isn't my thing, so I would have appreciated it more with less reliance on that gag, but otherwise I'm completely with you on the minimalist absurdity of the song and video. Justin's right; your voice sells it.

Griffin
"Inevitable Conclusion" by Beach Bum Pictures - Reviewed on October 23rd, 2009

For some reason I really appreciated storytelling this fight, as a lot of us, myself included, kind of avoided standard narratives. That's what I liked most about the video. I'd be curious to know if you storyboarded the storyboarding. It seems like you put thought into your shots, so I have a few suggestions. The first two shots are both wide shots, pointing the same direction - at the window. It's not a jump cut because they're different enough, but visually, I feel like you could plan out the sequence better to keep your audience oriented, and to come across as more deliberate with your camera placement. Likewise, the dialogue between you two offers the perfect opportunity for two equally framed, but opposite shots. But Erica's is more of a close-up, and Bryant's is more of a medium shot, with not enough look room. I think the over-the-shoulder shot of Bryant storyboarding is a great way to orient the audience, but when you do the same shot for Erica, we can't immediately tell it's her, because not enough of her is in the shot, and I'd put the camera over her other shoulder to better mirror the previous shot.

Griffin
"The Himler Wars" by Dont Ask - Reviewed on October 23rd, 2009

It's funny how you and I approached this fight with such similar styles. Because I did some of the same stuff, I have some ideas for you. I don't know if you have access to a lavalier microphone, but that would have helped your audio sound less distant. It was good that you shot different camera/zoom distances during the interview, so you could avoid jump cuts, but you still ran into a few. That's why, when I have to shoot myself, especially when I don't trust that I can make it through a long script, I usually do the whole thing twice, once for each camera angle. Or, in the case of this fight, I had four primary angles, so I tried to plot out in advance when I would cut to each one in the script, to identify jump cuts early. Also, to call less attention to the green screen, when you cut from the medium to the close-up, you could also zoom the background, and maybe blur it to make it look out of focus. That way you can almost fake the idea that there's actually something behind you, also changing when the camera changes.

Griffin
"Movie about Film Fights" by Willamette Filmmakes Society - Reviewed on October 24th, 2009

This one got my vote because it tells a concise story, and it felt like classic Film Fights - playful and eclectic. I love the POV shot near the beginning, and the cutaways to other films. I think the shots at the end are less interesting, though. I'd love to see the "Fart/Poop" graphic on the computer screen instead (not even with an effect, but just play it on the computer and point the camera), and the final shot feels unbalanced. I think it would look better with more look room, but also as more of a close-up.

Griffin
"Why I'm Here" by Edward Flinch Productions - Reviewed on October 24th, 2009

This is a great walk through Film Fights history, and the simple, but inventive motion effects for including all those films creates a beautiful landscape. With your set-up, you left me craving more of a story. After seeing your character dwell on the 21 votes, I interpreted the ending as a commentary on Film Fights - that votes can be exciting or discouraging, but it's less about winning, and more about the process and the journey. We're all filmmakers at heart, so the act of production is the satisfying part. If that message was your intent, kudos, because it came across well. Even still, the ending feels unbalanced, not as substantial as the set-up, and not as satisfying because of it. But I say this as the guy who constantly struggles to tell a well-rounded story.

Griffin
"KJL's FF about FF FF" by Kim Jong Lee - Reviewed on October 24th, 2009

It sounds like you made this while trying not to wake someone up. I assume that's actually the case, but all the whispering really removed the intensity of your story. Also, I love close-ups, but didn't see any. Try for more visual variety or plotting out shots, even if it's just shooting every shot twice, as a medium then close-up, so you have some editing choices.

Griffin
"Best Tribute EVER!" by Wallyville - Reviewed on October 24th, 2009

I could review this, but it looks like you accomplished exactly what you set out to do. Nice job, and thanks for contributing, even when naps are so awesome! Maybe white balance: looks a little yellow.

Griffin
"Film FIGHTING" by One Trick Pony - Reviewed on October 24th, 2009

Justin, you light-weight scum... you don't even deserve my review. You'll never be a heavyweight in my eyes, ever!

Griffin
"Memories" by Bobby Miller - Reviewed on October 24th, 2009

I really liked this one, with your quips and cutaways, and it was a nice tribute to the site. But I imagine your wall isn't yellow, so white balance.