Well it was mostly a wacky experiment, proof-of-concept done in a hurry and might make more sense if watched a few times. I'm putting a plot synopsis up on mingfilm.com when I get a moment.
I spent most of my allotted ScreenLabs window shooting and editing "Good Love Rises" by Julie Meyer, where I didn't have to write direct or act.
Shari literally emailed her performance to me from Los Angeles, and I agree she did a great job. Much one-take, duct tape fun. Sorry about the suffering, it was pretty bleak. Maybe next year - if they have this again - I'll shoot a comedy at the last minute.
LIFE CYCLE Was created as a response to the 2008 ScreenLabs Challenge. MING!FILM was already committed to shooting and editing/post on Julie Kane Meyer’s GOOD LOVE RISES, also a response to the same call for entries, severely limiting the time allocated for the LIFE CYCLE project. On the other hand many hours were spent on the opening and closing sequences long before shooting the live scenes, facilitating the last minute editing process.
The story explores the inspiration of wanting to do something where the action took place at Prospect Park, but underground rather than among the fairly generic grass and trees. The requisite “Agony and Bliss: Unrequited Love” theme is presented through a series of phone messages, embedded in a larger story of not so much love as attachment (Milo to the test animal).
The decision to have a “cloning” component in the story was dictated in large part by the lack of available acting talent on such short notice and in such a constricted set. Video monitors provided the ability to tell a story with multiple characters played by one actor, with a minimal differentiation provided by clothing and varying amounts of whiskers.
Bringing in video blogger Shari Goldberg (Los Angeles) as the character on the answering machine solved the problem of casting and shooting the scenes in addition to the onsite shooting. This also tested the concept of a collaborative film production where the principal artists never meet, but contribute substantially to the final product. Ms. Goldberg was contacted via an ad placed on Craiglist, looking for a video blogger willing to do some acting and shoot their own “sides” on a deadline.
The scattered debris on the set represents but a small portion of the creator’s backlog of … well, crap. Items of the greatest aesthetic interested were selected.
Green screen keying was used for the monitor effect, as opposed to using a live feed when it was discovered that the screen glare would severely obscure the image and the lighting for the live element of the shoot only exacerbated the problem. Green cardboard was attached to an “ice cube” lamp from Ikea, and a miniature tv.
Trivia: The container for the test animal is a Century Strand 500 watt spotlight, partially dismantled.
The character of Milo wore two layers of plastic gloves, primarily to hide the actor’s wedding ring, though it also contributed to the bizarre atmosphere.
The x-ray taped to the tv set on the “video” setting is of the Director’s cat, taken during a visit to the emergency vet. Thankfully, Elton is fine.
Elements of the opening and closing sequences were shot on a Panasonic DVX100A. The live scenes were shot using a Canon HF10. Editing and effects were performed using Final Cut Express HD.
I liked this one. Quite a bit. Very effective in terms of conveying a post-apocalyptic mood. Great job with style and tone. The girl on the vid phone was out of synch w/the rest of the story (stylistically that is, she didn't seem to be from the same world as the rest of the story; but considering she literally phoned in her performance...). All-in-all: damn good. It's the kind of film that won't just fade away.
DK - I tried to make it clear with the intro cards and the date on the voice message machine - in the story it's 2140 (or something, I've already forgotten). The answering machine messages are from 2019. So she's very appropriately out of synch with the rest of the film. Hard to get things presented completely in 12 minutes. Glad you liked it!
The girl, Sheri, existed pre-apocalypse (2019) and Milo simply replays her VIDfone recording. Milo lives in an underground monoclonal community. If clones like Milo and Simon, live a average duration of human life, he probably never knew Sheri and she is addressing a guy named "Michael" at any rate.
As far as I can tell from the story, there are no women left in 2104 and these men for the sake of survival are simply cloning new life and manufacturing pharmaceuticals.
Why does Milo replay her VIDfone recordings from 85 years prior? The VIDfone is a disembodied fragment of the emotions being expressed in her rant. She is a his only remnant/document Milo has of love and emotional attraction and "feelings."
That's what makes "Life Cycle's" approach to the theme of "unrequited love" so poignant and brilliant. It defies standard stereotypes of male/female relationship, of jealousy, loss, and remorse. In a monoclonal underground culture, a whining angry woman wanting clarity about love could be be sweet music to his ears.
Sheri's recordings end with "I wish... I wish..." and then boom -- OOPS Apocalypse!
24 comments:
"Did I tell you your rat died?"
Erickson: You need to get Ming Film Tee-shirts printed with the line on it!
great idea, thanks!
This is another, What were you thinking?
It's like Mad Max/Pi/Dr Who/and the saturday morning science show.
Wow!
It had no real plot going on.
You just put us in the situation, and then we suffered. I'm sorry, but I was hoping it would blow up sooner.
The girl on the camera phone, was very good thou.
It's funny because you wrote, directed and starred twice in your own film.
You were wearing to many hats.
Acting: C-
Directing C-
Cinematography: B-
Story: D
Production Value: A
Your great with special FX, but the acting and story structure not so good.
Movie Critic-
Well it was mostly a wacky experiment, proof-of-concept done in a hurry and might make more sense if watched a few times. I'm putting a plot synopsis up on mingfilm.com when I get a moment.
I spent most of my allotted ScreenLabs window shooting and editing "Good Love Rises" by Julie Meyer, where I didn't have to write direct or act.
Shari literally emailed her performance to me from Los Angeles, and I agree she did a great job. Much one-take, duct tape fun. Sorry about the suffering, it was pretty bleak. Maybe next year - if they have this again - I'll shoot a comedy at the last minute.
Thanks for the feedback!
David
I really liked your movie. And don't by Movie Critic, he has not really said anything good about ay of the films.
You definitely had one of the more original videos in this contest!
-Taylor O.
LIFE CYCLE
Was created as a response to the 2008 ScreenLabs Challenge. MING!FILM was already committed to shooting and editing/post on Julie Kane Meyer’s GOOD LOVE RISES, also a response to the same call for entries, severely limiting the time allocated for the LIFE CYCLE project. On the other hand many hours were spent on the opening and closing sequences long before shooting the live scenes, facilitating the last minute editing process.
The story explores the inspiration of wanting to do something where the action took place at Prospect Park, but underground rather than among the fairly generic grass and trees. The requisite “Agony and Bliss: Unrequited Love” theme is presented through a series of phone messages, embedded in a larger story of not so much love as attachment (Milo to the test animal).
The decision to have a “cloning” component in the story was dictated in large part by the lack of available acting talent on such short notice and in such a constricted set. Video monitors provided the ability to tell a story with multiple characters played by one actor, with a minimal differentiation provided by clothing and varying amounts of whiskers.
Bringing in video blogger Shari Goldberg (Los Angeles) as the character on the answering machine solved the problem of casting and shooting the scenes in addition to the onsite shooting. This also tested the concept of a collaborative film production where the principal artists never meet, but contribute substantially to the final product. Ms. Goldberg was contacted via an ad placed on Craiglist, looking for a video blogger willing to do some acting and shoot their own “sides” on a deadline.
The scattered debris on the set represents but a small portion of the creator’s backlog of … well, crap. Items of the greatest aesthetic interested were selected.
Green screen keying was used for the monitor effect, as opposed to using a live feed when it was discovered that the screen glare would severely obscure the image and the lighting for the live element of the shoot only exacerbated the problem. Green cardboard was attached to an “ice cube” lamp from Ikea, and a miniature tv.
Trivia:
The container for the test animal is a Century Strand 500 watt spotlight, partially dismantled.
The character of Milo wore two layers of plastic gloves, primarily to hide the actor’s wedding ring, though it also contributed to the bizarre atmosphere.
The x-ray taped to the tv set on the “video” setting is of the Director’s cat, taken during a visit to the emergency vet. Thankfully, Elton is fine.
Elements of the opening and closing sequences were shot on a Panasonic DVX100A. The live scenes were shot using a Canon HF10. Editing and effects were performed using Final Cut Express HD.
Peace,
David CC Erickson
MING!FILM
Mingfilm.com
Really like the girl. Started to wait for her to come back since she was the only thing moving the "story" along.
phylo - thanks!
anonymous - Shari did a great job! I guess it's more of a "day in the life" - albeit a strange one - than a conventional narrative
Great little film! Shari was awesome
Good Luck gang
Joe Caballero
Great film. I thought it had an interesting storyline.
Shari was superb in the film! Very compelling and interactive job! Great job Shari
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Sorry, my foot fell asleep. Do you mind if I join it?
Joe, Matt - Thanks!
anonymous - Go right ahead! Soon it's going to be a free country!
This one gets my vote. At least he took some risks and had some original concepts. And, yes, Shari was good.
Awesome, David! I want one of those MING!FILM tees too. Once you get into your mind, you appreciate its dark genius.
I like the clones.
cat, jmm - thanks!
I'm noting the suggestion - next time, more clones.
I liked this one. Quite a bit. Very effective in terms of conveying a post-apocalyptic mood. Great job with style and tone. The girl on the vid phone was out of synch w/the rest of the story (stylistically that is, she didn't seem to be from the same world as the rest of the story; but considering she literally phoned in her performance...). All-in-all: damn good. It's the kind of film that won't just fade away.
- DK from T3
DK - I tried to make it clear with the intro cards and the date on the voice message machine - in the story it's 2140 (or something, I've already forgotten). The answering machine messages are from 2019. So she's very appropriately out of synch with the rest of the film. Hard to get things presented completely in 12 minutes. Glad you liked it!
Clearly the best of the competition -- stylish, innovative, and risk-taking, with an atmosphere that truly qualifies as haunting.
Ignore Movie Critic. He's full of himself. This was cool. The movie equivalent of impressionism/poetry.
The girl, Sheri, existed pre-apocalypse (2019) and Milo simply replays her VIDfone recording. Milo lives in an underground monoclonal community. If clones like Milo and Simon, live a average duration of human life, he probably never knew Sheri and she is addressing a guy named "Michael" at any rate.
As far as I can tell from the story, there are no women left in 2104 and these men for the sake of survival are simply cloning new life and manufacturing pharmaceuticals.
Why does Milo replay her VIDfone recordings from 85 years prior? The VIDfone is a disembodied fragment of the emotions being expressed in her rant. She is a his only remnant/document Milo has of love and emotional attraction and "feelings."
That's what makes "Life Cycle's" approach to the theme of "unrequited love" so poignant and brilliant. It defies standard stereotypes of male/female relationship, of jealousy, loss, and remorse. In a monoclonal underground culture, a whining angry woman wanting clarity about love could be be sweet music to his ears.
Sheri's recordings end with "I wish... I wish..." and then boom -- OOPS Apocalypse!
Very good work Erickson.
anonymouses - thanks!
Al - I left the $50 taped to the third men's room stall door. At Hooter's.
You don't know Al.
He'll never see the inside of a HOOters!
He may never see a hooter, but he's seen Hooter's
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