I hope the production is able to invest in a more stable tripod before principal photography begins. Most notably, the wobble at the 3:42 mark ruins the upwards tilt that should punctuates the scene. It would definitely be worth going to an alternate take or reshooting to correct that.
The digital backdrop wasn't really convincing to me. Through much of the scene, the actors looked like they were walking in place, not actually moving forward in three dimensional space.
Given the stated fundraising goals, I hope the rest of the movie is able to spend more time showing rather than telling. This is just one scene, of course, but it amounts to one character telling another what is happening. Why not show it instead?
Ummm... tripod? No offense to anyone that is using that kind of rig, but it's not like we went to Best Buy for our equipment. =P
Everything used to film Axanar is professional Hollywood filmmaking in carnate -- tracks, dollies, etc. We may even be going Steadycam in some shots of the feature, too. Red cameras, real teamsters on the crew (they're a surly bunch, let me tell ya!) from the local Local, and the list goes on. If it appears in an Axanar production, barring some extraordinary circumstance that I couldn't even think of at the moment, then it has been done for a specific reason.
Watch the following proper pitch video that we added to the Indiegogo fundraiser early Sunday and you'll get glimpses on the setup for this one day shoot -- we sure weren't stuck using something like our buddy Cooter's camcorder after a quick pit stop at Fry's for extra batteries. Heck, I'm not even on the technical side of filmmaking and have a Red One rig in the closet just in case it might ever come in handy -- second hand, of course. =P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6TXDDoADIY
It's wonderful that you guys have access to such expensive equipment that the professionals use. It's also exciting to consider the possibilities and potential of this film and how amazing it will be thanks to all involved. However, it's money down the drain if the people operating these machines don't know how to do use them properly.
Harvey's point though is valid - the bump, particularly at the end, is extremely noticeable and to me and screamed "FAN FILM" all over what was an otherwise beautifully shot scene.
Mr. Peters and Mr. Burnett are trumpeting to the hills that this is to be an "indie" film, made by "professionals" and Mr. Burnett has, of late, reminded us on several occasions of his extensive, 26-year career of experience. This scene doesn't look professional with this bump. It looks amateurish.
Also, while I realize you guys have a wealth of resources at your disposal, I'm also just as confident that someone who knows what they're doing with a $15 tripod from Best Buy could get that shot done properly without spending thousands of dollars renting a pair of professional sticks.
Regarding the "bump" - i never would have thought that so many people noticed. I intentionally left that one in to give the whole shot a more realistic feel. If you smooth everything out, you get a very artificial look.
Respectfully,
Tobias, that's bunk.
You are unparalleled when it comes to visual effects work, but this was clearly an amateur mistake. The scene wasn't supposed to be some kind of cinema vérité, it wasn't shot hand-held, and it certainly didn't come off as "realistic." It just looks like someone didn't tilt up properly. If you all want this to be your professional calling card, more power to you.
Me? I'd fix it first.
. The first independent Star Trek: Of Gods and Men in 2007, filmed using mostly all professional actors and some professionals on the crew. STR had professionals (mixed with some volunteers) and was shot in a studio (Laurel Canyon Stages) where many industry productions have been filmed.
