MiniDV $8000 ACTION INDIE FILM - 100 VFX SHOTS

[BROKEN2005]

Hey Everyone,

We just finished shooting an action/thriller short film called BROKEN. Shot on the DVX 100a MiniDV 24p.

Click here to check out the trailer: http://www.whatisbroken.com/broken_trailer_enter.html
Also, check out our web docs: http://whatisbroken.com/webdocs.html

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for taking a look.

[Red96TA]

WOW!!!

Now the questions....you used an $8k budget for the ENTIRE film? What NLE? What filters, who/what did you use for the effects?

[Red96TA]

Here's another couple questions:

What type of distro are you planning? Amazon, Blockbuster, etc?

[compuser]

Looks awesome can't wait to see it.

[BROKEN2005]

Thanks guys for the kind words!! We are selling the DVD on our site:
BROKEN DVD has almost 3 HOURS of DVD Special Features:

6 Commentary Tracks covering...

Directing
Producing
Visual Effects
Music Score/Sound Design
Cast and Crew
Film Geeks Unite

---------------------------------------------------------

Pre-Production

Concept Art / Location Comparison
Costume Design Gallery w/ Commentary

Storyboards: The ENTIRE Collection for BROKEN ( 9 Edited Sequences )
Storyboards: Comparison with Final Shots

Rehearsals:
Rehearsal Comparison with Final Scene
Blocking Action in a Scene w/ Commentary
Evolution of an Action Sequence w/ Commentary
A Director's Best Friend - Finding Your Shot

---------------------------------------------------------

Production

Head go BOOM: "The Guacamole Gun" w/ Commentary
Recipe: "How to Make a Guacamole Gun"
Mister Tony's Neighborhood: "A Technical Advisor's Job" with Tony Gomez

Special Effects Make-up Breakdown with Megan Graham
Anatomy of Scar
Anatomy of a Tatoo
Anatony of Burnt Eyes
Bonus: Brain Matter Recipe

Anatomy of a Stunt: w/ Commentary
Shotgun Blast
The Dive for Life

Guns, Guns, Guns: "How to Get Pro Looking Guns with Little or No $$$"
The Weapons
Getting Guns to Look Real
Where to Get Them

Tips on Producing an Indie Film: with Jorge F. Rodriguez
Reverse Budgeting
Insurance: Weapons and Stunt Work
Locations
Feeding Your Crew
Stunt Work
Production Design
Tips and Tricks
Props
Go Make Your Movie

Being There: The On-Set Experience
12 Behind the Scene Vignettes on the set of BROKEN as we shot it !

---------------------------------------------------------

Post Production

How to Make DV look like Film! with Alex Ferrari
Why Shoot MiniDV?
Filter Packages for Post
Production Design
Costumes & Color Palette
Lighting
Color Correction
Shooting 24p: The Camera
Getting the Cameras

Color Correction Lab: The Overview w/ Commentary
Color Correction Comparison with FINAL FOOTAGE

Visual Effects Breakdowns
w/ Commentary from Sean Falcon & Dan Cregan

"Marquez Explosion" w/ Commentary
"Shaking Things Up" w/ Commentary
"Muzzle Fire" w/ Commentary
"Bonnie's Eyes" w/ Commentary
"Matte Painting/Sky Replacement" w/ Commentary
"Knife Throw" w/ Commentary
"Scoping Things Out" w/ Commentary
"Digital Blood Hits" w/ Commentary
"Digital Spark Hits" w/ Commentary

VFX Breakdown: The Title Sequence w/ Alex Ferrari & Dan Cregan

Visual Effects in Indie Film: with Sean Falcon
Pre Production
MiniDV and Compositing
Why Shoot 24p?
1 Chip vs 3 Chip MiniDV Cameras
Practical and Digital Effects
Compositing Before or After Color Correction
MiniDV Blowup to Film
3D Animation in Indie Film
Gun Muzzle Blasts
Compositing: The Details
Digital Matte Painting
Shaking Things Up
Bullet POV
Blowing Up Someone's Head
Where Do I Find Visual Effects Talent for my Film?
I Want to Composite Too...
Where Can I Get Training?
Apple's SHAKE
Doing It Yourself

Cinematography in Indie Film: with Angel Barroeta
Sound Design/Composing in Indie Film: with Mark Roumelis

---------------------------------------------------------

After the Short

The Making of BROKEN
The Origin of BROKEN
First Impressions
Actors: The Rehearsal Process
On-Set Experience
War Stories
The Future: A Feature Film

Marketing: Promoting a Short Film
Promotion: 50% of the Creative Process
Film Festivals and Sundance
The Internet: Even Playing Field
The Trailer

Marketing: Poster Gallery
Alternate Ending w/ Commentary
Art of BROKEN: The Nick Monaco Experience
The BROKEN Shoot: Gag Reel!

Check out: http://www.whatisbroken.com/dvd.html

All the details on how we made BROKEN can be found on the DVD and/or website. Quick answers:

NLE: Apple's Final Cut Pro
Compositor: Apple's SHAKE
Camera: DVX100a MiniDV 24p Mode

Cheeers!

[BROKEN2005]

Hey Guys,

BROKEN DVD UPDATE: Well the DVD is FINALLY Done!!!! It is Jammed pack with almost 3 hours of Special Features. We have hit our deadline date of July 15, 2005 but the DVD manufacture is telling us two to three weeks before we can have the DVD done and in our hands. So we are hoping to have the DVD available by early August. We are truly sorry for the delay. We wanted the DVD to be of the highest quality and wanted to pack it with more cool stuff and just got carried away.

Here is the FINAL list of goodies:

BROKEN DVD has almost 3 HOURS of DVD Special Features:

6 Commentary Tracks covering...

Directing
Producing
Visual Effects
Music Score/Sound Design
Cast and Crew
Film Geeks Unite

---------------------------------------------------------

Pre-Production

Concept Art / Location Comparison
Costume Design Gallery w/ Commentary

Storyboards: The ENTIRE Collection for BROKEN ( 9 Edited Sequences )
Storyboards: Comparison with Final Shots

Rehearsals:
Rehearsal Comparison with Final Scene
Blocking Action in a Scene w/ Commentary
Evolution of an Action Sequence w/ Commentary
A Director's Best Friend - Finding Your Shot

---------------------------------------------------------

Production

Head go BOOM: "The Guacamole Gun" w/ Commentary
Recipe: "How to Make a Guacamole Gun"
Mister Tony's Neighborhood: "A Technical Advisor's Job" with Tony Gomez

Special Effects Make-up Breakdown with Megan Graham
Anatomy of Scar
Anatomy of a Tatoo
Anatony of Burnt Eyes
Bonus: Brain Matter Recipe

Anatomy of a Stunt: w/ Commentary
Shotgun Blast
The Dive for Life

Guns, Guns, Guns: "How to Get Pro Looking Guns with Little or No $$$"
The Weapons
Getting Guns to Look Real
Where to Get Them

Tips on Producing an Indie Film: with Jorge F. Rodriguez
Reverse Budgeting
Insurance: Weapons and Stunt Work
Locations
Feeding Your Crew
Stunt Work
Production Design
Tips and Tricks
Props
Go Make Your Movie

Being There: The On-Set Experience
12 Behind the Scene Vignettes on the set of BROKEN as we shot it !

---------------------------------------------------------

Post Production

How to Make DV look like Film! with Alex Ferrari
Why Shoot MiniDV?
Filter Packages for Post
Production Design
Costumes & Color Palette
Lighting
Color Correction
Shooting 24p: The Camera
Getting the Cameras

Color Correction Lab: The Overview w/ Commentary
Color Correction Comparison with FINAL FOOTAGE

Visual Effects Breakdowns
w/ Commentary from Sean Falcon & Dan Cregan

"Marquez Explosion" w/ Commentary
"Shaking Things Up" w/ Commentary
"Muzzle Fire" w/ Commentary
"Bonnie's Eyes" w/ Commentary
"Matte Painting/Sky Replacement" w/ Commentary
"Knife Throw" w/ Commentary
"Scoping Things Out" w/ Commentary
"Digital Blood Hits" w/ Commentary
"Digital Spark Hits" w/ Commentary

VFX Breakdown: The Title Sequence w/ Alex Ferrari & Dan Cregan

Visual Effects in Indie Film: with Sean Falcon
Pre Production
MiniDV and Compositing
Why Shoot 24p?
1 Chip vs 3 Chip MiniDV Cameras
Practical and Digital Effects
Compositing Before or After Color Correction
MiniDV Blowup to Film
3D Animation in Indie Film
Gun Muzzle Blasts
Compositing: The Details
Digital Matte Painting
Shaking Things Up
Bullet POV
Blowing Up Someone's Head
Where Do I Find Visual Effects Talent for my Film?
I Want to Composite Too...
Where Can I Get Training?
Apple's SHAKE
Doing It Yourself

Cinematography in Indie Film: with Angel Barroeta
Planning BROKEN
Challenges on BROKEN
Tools: The Camera
Tools: The Lights
Tools: Moving the Camera
Shooting: Digital or Film?
Panasonic's DVX100a
Some Advice

Sound Design/Composing in Indie Film: with Mark Roumelis
Original Music in Indie Film
Composing BROKEN
Doing It Yourself
Recording Sound for 24p on DAT: The Sync Issue
Doing Audio Tests

---------------------------------------------------------

After the Short

The Making of BROKEN
The Origin of BROKEN
First Impressions
Actors: The Rehearsal Process
On-Set Experience
War Stories
The Future: A Feature Film

Marketing: Promoting a Short Film
Promotion: 50% of the Creative Process
Film Festivals and Sundance
The Internet: Even Playing Field
The Trailer

Marketing: Poster Gallery
Alternate Ending w/ Commentary
Art of BROKEN: The Nick Monaco Experience
The BROKEN Shoot: Gag Reel!

---------------------------------------------------------

MASTERED in Dolby Stereo & Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound



Thanks for you patience guys. Also, we will be putting up a trailer with previews of the DVD soon. Check: http://www.whatisbroken.com/dvd.html for more info.

Thanks again for the support & good luck on ALL your projects. ; )

Alex
http://www.whatisbroken.com
http://www.enigmafactory.com
http://www.alexferrari.com
http://www.fortuityfilms.com

[DVD_NDN]

holy crap!!
nyce!

[garrisonkw]

Awesome is all I can say. I'll probably buy one when they're released. If nothing else, the extras seem worth $20.

[BJ_M]

ALL I CAN SAY IS AWESOME !!!

[edDV]

DUDE !

[BJ_M]

the making of Broken:

http://finalcutpro.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=32706

[BROKEN2005]

Thanks guys, we worked real hard on it. Here is a link to the BROKEN DVD: The "BOOTLEG" Preview Trailer:

http://www.whatisbroken.com/broken_dvd.html

Let me know what you think. The DVD should be available in three weeks, according to the distributor.

Cheers and thanks for the support and kind words!

[slacker]

Just what we need...
More violence, sadism, blah, blah! Another freak show written by freaks!
Big frakking deal. A dime a dozen!

ART my boy, is a rare thing!

[edDV]

Just what we need...
More violence, sadism, blah, blah! Another freak show written by freaks!
Big frakking deal. A dime a dozen!

ART my boy, is a rare thing!

Sometimes the journey (the process creation) is its own form of art.

[slacker]

Sometimes the journey (the process creation) is its own form of art.

edTV,

NO, IT'S NOT. ART is NOT psychotherapy. ART is NOT bad ART. ART is not the process of creating ART. THAT is a way of life. ART is the finished RESULT, the expression of your SELF and your relationship with IT, as Jung so eloquently wrote. True ART is spiritual, meaningful, eternal, and rises above the BS of mere mortals. It makes you better than you were once exposed to it. That is the litmus test! Don't confuse ART with entertainment, very different animals. I know you know what I mean. Everyone does! Even those on the "dark side", although they HATE when they are identified and look the other way when called down. In video, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and sooooo... many others. THAT'S ART.

I'll save my nickel for the good ones!

[edDV]

Well, to me The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is more impressive for its production process than artistic result. I would rank it a distant runner up to say, Kubrick's 2001.

The Lord of the Rings is a good analogy from the other end of the budget spectrum, an innovative use of technical and human resources producing a quality if imperfect result.

I'll reserve judgement on "Broken" until I see it.

[guns1inger]

I'll reserve judgement on "Broken" until I see it.

No no no. You must villify a film sight unseen. There is not point in saying it is crap after you have seen it, or you may be forced to rethink narrow-minded, dogmatic judgements if it turns out to be good. It is much easier to say "it's crap, and I have no intention of supporting it by seeing", than to see it and render an informed opinion.

[vhelp]

@ BROKEN

When I saw the preview trailer (last week) I wanted to pop in a comment,
but I got lost in the shuffle of things - - you know how it goes.. I got
tied up in other things

I thought the preview trailer was

Anyways..

Can you describe a little more detail about this 24p type cam that you
used in your BROKEN movie ??

* How did you use it
* what settings did you use in those dark scenes
* did you post-process your 24p dv avi or .. add telecine to it, etc.
* did you color-correct any footage (if so, how ?? would be interesting)

I'm curious, just how much did you put into "tweaking" (if any) in your
latest movie creation. Once in a while, I read comments by users who
used or delt with 24p cams. And, your latest movie project shows great
24p quality.

From what I have read, Cinema/Hollywood does some color-correction to their
videos for DVD production. And I wanted to know weather or not if you
had to resort to this same practice (if you can explain why)
I realize that for SE parts, it would be a necessary step, but for normal
video (whatever that might be) in your movie project, did you apply any
color correction ?

Also, if its not too much to ask, could you make a HQ .mov/.wmv/.mpg
available for download ? FWIW.., I could only view the trailer while at
work (fast connects) because my dial-up at home is too slow, and also,
because not all of us can save-as the streaming movie. On our setup at
work (and home) this feature is disabled or grayed out. An MPEG.. would
be nice

Thank you for sharing your movie project with us here at vcdhelp,
-vhelp 3472

[stantheman1976]

Sometimes the journey (the process creation) is its own form of art.

edTV,

NO, IT'S NOT. ART is NOT psychotherapy. ART is NOT bad ART. ART is not the process of creating ART. THAT is a way of life. ART is the finished RESULT, the expression of your SELF and your relationship with IT, as Jung so eloquently wrote. True ART is spiritual, meaningful, eternal, and rises above the BS of mere mortals. It makes you better than you were once exposed to it. That is the litmus test! Don't confuse ART with entertainment, very different animals. I know you know what I mean. Everyone does! Even those on the "dark side", although they HATE when they are identified and look the other way when called down. In video, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and sooooo... many others. THAT'S ART.

I'll save my nickel for the good ones!

Art is what you make of it, my friend.

[Redd]

the making of Broken:

http://finalcutpro.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=32706

So I guess my first question is answered...Final Cut Pro was used?
Who did the editing?
What's his/her training?

[BJ_M]

the answer to those questions is in the article also

[edDV]

"Art is in the eye of the beholder" or...

art is defined by the self appointed elite.

The basic conflict of free will vs authoritarianism.

Remember Hitler's first career was artist.

[BROKEN2005]

the answer to those questions is in the article also

I did the editing and I have been in the post production field for about 10 years. Mostly promos and commercials.

[ROBERT BLACK]

I'll reserve judgement on "Broken" until I see it.

No no no. You must villify a film sight unseen. There is not point in saying it is crap after you have seen it, or you may be forced to rethink narrow-minded, dogmatic judgements if it turns out to be good. It is much easier to say "it's crap, and I have no intention of supporting it by seeing", than to see it and render an informed opinion.

Yes, MUST villify sight unseen. As for it being a freakshow written by freaks we should be so lucky. :P

[BROKEN2005]

@ BROKEN

When I saw the preview trailer (last week) I wanted to pop in a comment,
but I got lost in the shuffle of things - - you know how it goes.. I got
tied up in other things

I thought the preview trailer was

Anyways..

Can you describe a little more detail about this 24p type cam that you
used in your BROKEN movie ??

* How did you use it
* what settings did you use in those dark scenes
* did you post-process your 24p dv avi or .. add telecine to it, etc.
* did you color-correct any footage (if so, how ?? would be interesting)

I'm curious, just how much did you put into "tweaking" (if any) in your
latest movie creation. Once in a while, I read comments by users who
used or delt with 24p cams. And, your latest movie project shows great
24p quality.

From what I have read, Cinema/Hollywood does some color-correction to their
videos for DVD production. And I wanted to know weather or not if you
had to resort to this same practice (if you can explain why)
I realize that for SE parts, it would be a necessary step, but for normal
video (whatever that might be) in your movie project, did you apply any
color correction ?

Also, if its not too much to ask, could you make a HQ .mov/.wmv/.mpg
available for download ? FWIW.., I could only view the trailer while at
work (fast connects) because my dial-up at home is too slow, and also,
because not all of us can save-as the streaming movie. On our setup at
work (and home) this feature is disabled or grayed out. An MPEG.. would
be nice

Thank you for sharing your movie project with us here at vcdhelp,
-vhelp 3472

Hey Vhelp 3472,

Thanks for your kind words. All the questions you asked are explained, in detail, on our DVD. The answers are long and detailed and you more info on the DVD. I actually go through a color correction lab, go heavy into post production and also show you all aspects of making BROKEN.

We did use Final Cut Pro to edit and color correct. Everything is quicktime based. We used Macs for all of Post production.

Programs we used:
Final Cut Pro
SHAKE
Maya
Photoshop

The DVD will be available in August and you can get more info at: http://www.whatisbroken.com/dvd.html

Also, you can check out our Web Docs at: http://www.whatisbroken.com/webdocs.html


Thanks for the support and good luck on your projects.

[dvdguy4]

That rocked. Cant believe you did that on that budget.

[edDV]

Just goes to show that given talent and time, money isn't a big issue anymore.

[guns1inger]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Evil Dead
etc


Commitment goes a long way to making up for a low budget.

[edDV]

Yep, I should have said
"given determination, talent and time, money isn't a big issue anymore".

[BROKEN2005]

..............