Jeremy
Reviewed on November 28th, 2009

Where were you guys a week ago? Had this been turned in on time, I am pretty sure you would have made HW status. I really liked it, a lot. That turkey was really creepy! White balance was a taste off color, but other than that, a pretty technically sound video. Pretty believable "video camera" effect. Nice job. I really hope you guys submit to upcoming fights. Had I not already voted, this would have been my LW vote, for sure.

the_wunderkind_kid
Replied on November 28th, 2009

Thanks a lot. We had to wait for the CG to come back hence our lateness. Yeah the white balance was left untouched to add realism, since it's meant to be a novice behind the camera. Thanks for the feedback, appreciated friend.

alvirnexc
Reviewed on November 28th, 2009

so i while was watching this i was really admiring your static screen effect and the viewfinder stuff your put on it, but what really made me shit my pants with envy was the CG turkey!! that is awesome! you could do some crazy fights with that kind of capability keep it up you guys should have HW next time for sure.

the_wunderkind_kid
Replied on November 28th, 2009

Thanks a lot. The CG credit goes to Rod Estacio, a god among men. Why he isn't working for Pixar or ILM I'll never know.

Griffin
Reviewed on November 28th, 2009

Again, so many of us went the dark route with this fight; we're a bunch of sinister people!

You pulled off the "Cloverfield" approach well, and the awesome turkey animation was a great payoff.

Even though the white noise static was well done, it kind of reminds me of answering machines (instead of voicemail) in movies - outdated, but we still use it because it's easier to convey its meaning to the audience. I wonder if there's an effective way to pull off this home movie feel with a digital tape/hard drive look, instead of static. (This is more of a conversation point than criticism.) Nice work!

the_wunderkind_kid
Replied on November 28th, 2009

Wow, you read my mind. I was annoyed with the static effect but, like you say, it's acceptable for the audience to see as they'll understand exactly what's happening. The only thing that occurs when there's a gap in digital tape is that it cuts to blue, folk watching would scream and shout at this and may even throw something at their monitor or TV. So you're right, better keep em happy until someone figures out a more acceptable cut format. Thanks everyone :)

inspirevideo
Reviewed on November 29th, 2009

Well done chris, at first I thought the turkey was holding a knife in its beak and when it turned out it wasn't I was a bit dissapointed but then it killed you and I felt better! Nice one.

Adam
www.inspirevideo.co.uk

Justin
Reviewed on November 29th, 2009

Cloverfield style is awesome. I think the statis is pretty good. I dunno if the 'please stand by' should be off center like that. I forgot how they did it in Cloverfield. I also wish there were more digital effects that could replicate actual 'tape distortions' - it always ends up looking fake - or a filter that replicates the weird blocky Mini-DV errors.

Anyway, thought this was very very cool and it's too bad it didn't come in sooner! The CG is great too. I like the little details like the 'happy thanksgiving' text on screen and the proper date up in the corner. The decimated dinner table is a great shot. Assuming you shot this after your actual thanksgiving!

Good use of subtle sound effects on the turkey moving around, etc.

Overall, I would have made this a HW if it was in on time. I may yet change my mind, who knows!?! I'd give this film and easy A rating. Looking forward to seein' ya next time!!!

Also, I may want to contact that CG dude - could use some mad skills like that.

the_wunderkind_kid
Replied on November 29th, 2009

Please do, I'm sure he'd love the offer of more CG work. Thanks for the feedback, quite happy you considered it worthy for the heavy weight section (feel free to add it to said section, lol). Also with regards to your statement about the table, we didn't use it following our own Thanksgiving because we're actually all Scottish, glad we fooled everyone though (hope accents weren't insulting). I had to double check when Thanksgiving fell so as to get the correct date, which I'm glad you noticed. Anyway, thanks again. Chris

the_wunderkind_kid
Replied on December 7th, 2009

Please feel free to contact Rod, our CG man, at rodestac@yahoo.com