Posthuman, my web series, Episode II: Strange Bedfellows

[T'Baio]

Hey there,

The second episode of our web series "Posthuman" just went live. Please check it out and let me know any thoughts or constructive criticisms. As always, there are a few problems that I'm aware are present...huge amounts of unexpected traffic noise that weren't there during the original location scout, for instance...but in the end every episode is a learning experience. So like the last, the audio may not be what it could be, but if you heard the original, it's actually been fixed pretty well.

Hope you enjoy, and I look forward to any comments.

Cheers.

http://vimeo.com/channels/posthuman#16370378

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Very, very good. I absolutely love the cinematography -- especially the framing. No one can say that you're not taking advantage of b&w as a medium in and of itself. The story itself is nicely progressing, too. I liked the way this episode expanded on the story world rather subtly -- very naturally given the dialogue. These elements are interesting, especially considering how Porter and his mission fit into them.

If there's any criticism I can offer, I'd say this: when Porter and Gibson were talking, the camera was noticeably shakier when it focused on Porter than when it focused on Gibson. This may have been purposeful (ie Porter is a less stable character than Gibson), but it seemed an awkward juxtaposition. And when the final credits rolled, the sudden crash of music over the piano was a bit too forceful, IMO.

Like I said though, very good. And I'm eagerly awaiting the next few episodes. Which lenses did you end up using? How did you set up for sound outside? The dialogue was very clear.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Incidentally, is there some reason why you've chosen to eschew having an official website for your series? I would think a wordpress-based site (something like this: afterjudgment.com) might be a useful promotional tool.

 

[T'Baio]

We are eventually going to have our own web site. I actually have someone roughly designing it right now, with daily input from myself. I just felt I didn't want to put up a dedicated web site with only one episode. My plan is to get four or five episodes done, and then we'll launch the site, so there'll be plenty of content for it by that point. We'll have some other stuff on there too. One thing I'm excited about is that we want to have a discussion board in which people can discuss the themes raised in the series. There might not seem like much is there yet, thematically, but we'll get there. The first 10 episodes or more are really just setting up the larger picture, and we're going to be getting into deeper themes as it goes on. I don't know if there'll be enough viewership to warrant the discussions, but hopefully it'll grow to a certain point.

So posting on Vimeo is really just an in between for now. See what people think, get them out there a little bit, see what the response is. The web site will come soon enough. I am intrigued by free web hosting, though...I'll have to read up more about Word Press...this is the first I've heard. Thanks.

Edit: Sorry, forgot to answer your other questions. I used three lenses on this shoot...a Canon 50mm 1.8, a Canon 28mm 2.8, and a Tamron 70-300mm zoom. I swore I would never use a zoom after the last shoot, but the Tamron came out remarkably clear...better than a Canon zoom. I was impressed. As for sound, we used an Azden boom mic with a "dead cat" on it, put through a BeachTek adapter directly into the camera. I'm really glad the audio came through clearly, I was afraid there was too much ambient noise rising and falling. There is some there, but I'm glad that you could hear all the dialogue clearly.

 

[JacksonArcher]

I caught the second episode last night. I re-watched the first episode again and I think I might like the second episode more. I think I like it more because for some reason I became more interested in the story and more invested in the characters. I really like your actors- your lead is as always on target but the actor playing Gibson had a Ron Perlman quality that was pretty interesting.

I'm really interested to know more of the story after this episode- I think like what has been said before you gradually reveal just enough information to keep me intrigued to know what happens next. You've sprinkled just enough story details in these episodes so far to keep a sense of intrigue and allure so I want to watch the next episode to find out what happens next.

Anyway, really fantastic work so far. On a technical level, I think the audio is much better on this episode since I didn't notice any drops in the audio like last time. In fact, I would say the audio was very crisp and clear and the dialogue was easy to understand and hear. You really do take advantage of the black and white noir setting and I think it actually works really well for the type of vibe and tone you're going for- I'm usually against black and white but I think it works here. I think if you can maintain this sense of mysteriousness and mystique you'll be able to garner a faithful viewership. I know I'll be sure to check out future episodes.

 

[Mr Awe]

Very impressive!! The acting was great. Story was interesting enough to keep me watching. Technically, very nicely done. Very artistic!

And, like another poster, I don't usually care for the B&W thing but it really works here.

Mr Awe

 

[T'Baio]

Thanks for your comments, guys! Much appreciated.

It's funny that everyone is complimenting the black and white, as the next episode will be the first in colour!

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Ha! Can't wait to see it.

BTW, I've posted reviews of both episodes thus far, and I'll be reviewing the rest of your series on an episode-by-episode basis. Take a look: http://dauntlessmedia.net/posthuman

 

[T'Baio]

After reading the reviews, maybe I shouldn't add colour! Haha! Really though, we're trying to make an aesthetic that's appropriate for each episode on its own merits. So if we think it's better in colour but still retains a noir vibe, we're gonna' try that out. So it will be interesting to see what people think with episode 3.

Thanks for the reviews, Samuel Walters. Very cool, and very kind. I appreciate the show of support!

 

[Greylock Crescent]

After reading the reviews, maybe I shouldn't add colour! Haha! Really though, we're trying to make an aesthetic that's appropriate for each episode on its own merits. So if we think it's better in colour but still retains a noir vibe, we're gonna' try that out. So it will be interesting to see what people think with episode 3.

Thanks for the reviews, Samuel Walters. Very cool, and very kind. I appreciate the show of support!

As long as the change from b&w makes sense within your story -- or how you're trying to tell your story -- then it shouldn't be a problem. I'm guessing it has something to do with the difference between the world we've seen so for and life in, say, Capital City or the Ghetto?

And you're welcome! I've added some custom graphics to the reviews, as well as links to your vimeo page. Be sure to let me know when you've got your official site up and running and I'll set up links to it.

 

[T'Baio]

Well, the next episode is a flashback to a different time, when Porter was a SWAT cop (I'm giving plot away! ) and not the noir detective we've seen so far. It'll be a flashback detailing his first meeting with Gina, the woman mentioned at the end of "Strange Bedfellows." And that's all I'm saying! But since his character is completely different, I thought the change to colour is warranted and would be an interesting dichotomy...since it's usually the other way around, where black and white is what's used for flashbacks.

Thanks for everything you've done, Samuel Walters, it's really appreciated.

 

[T'Baio]

Hey there, guys...I know this is a long shot, but I know there are a few posters on the board from the Kitchener-Waterloo, tri-city, Toronto area, so I thought I'd mention here that we've got a casting bulletin up. We're looking for a woman to play Gina, and two "cop" bit parts. If anyone is from the area and interested, or know anyone who might be, point attentions here;

http://www.mandy.com/1/cast3.cfm?v=41050595

Thanks muchly!