Christopher Frey

Used a bunch of open source home movies and footage from across the US from the later 40's and 30's and combined with a narrative mostly written by me. It was for a narrative avant garde film course. Any comments would be great appreciated

What is the best way to to achieve a deeply black and white image... with a narrow gray scale? Should I use a filter? Or would a lighting setup be the best way? What would be a good exposure for indoors on Tri-x? Thanks for the help-- first time user. Christopher Frey

Hey all, I am wondering how to work with two video layers-- but for example shoot a person and then shoot a background on a second track and combine them. I know that this sound likes green screen, but is there anyway to like cut thsi person, for example, and put themand combine them with a second track? If so how-- I know like in film I owuld have to do this frame by frame, but I'm less clear on how to do this in the digital realm. Thanks for any help, Chris

Hi, My mac just died and the warranty is gone and I was using Final Cut express, but I've also used Premiere Pro. Since there are better machines here for heavy editing I can use, I do not need a heavy editing prog. nor can I afford it. Anyway, over the summer I wanted to edit some short films and music videos and had to go with a PC because it was cheaper than fixing my macbook, so my question is: would Elements be an okay editor to accomplish this, if not what do you recommend? Chris

Hi-- I can only comment on your questions about the screenwriting. For future reference if you plan to sell scripts to producers and or directors who may not be familiar with your world, it's recommended that the script be as least particular because it may deter the reader. For example if you're writing a scene that is to take place on a street across your town, a producer or director will not focus on that and this will make harder for him to focus on the larger picture. It's nice because each reader will interpret a story differently so let them picture it in their minds rather than you tell them where to be. If it's a good director he'll discuss his visions with you and then collaboration with begin. I know that isn't relevant to your situation now, but for future reference. Good luck with the script and shooting. Chris

Hi, This is my first short and I'm starting shooting next week, but with the script written (for the most part. Have main dialogue written and scene sketches only want to leave open improv. for my actors) I have come to the estimate of about 20-25 minutes. Is this too long for a short? In other words would this hinder it's ability to succeed in the festival circuit? This has recently occurred to me when I finished this adaption of a novella. The script ended up at about 60 pages, but I don't want it to be a "short film", but it's not long enough to be a feature and extending the script would deter from the story-- anyway that is not the topic of the post. Thanks, Chris

Thank you-- I realized that it was only for 16mm shortly after I posted the link. I'll use tri-x. thanks again. I'll probably go through Kodak.

Hi, I'm in the process of preparing to shoot a short film of mine and wanted to shoot some scenes on Double-X and plus-x (reversal), but the only problem is that I don't live anywhere near a store that sells super 8 film. I don't know how much I want to purchase off ebay because: 1. I don't need that much film 2. Budget is micro and 3. It's not much cheaper than full price. I've looked Bhphoto.com and they only sell reversal film, but I was wondering if there was a place (other than Kodak directly) I could get all my super 8 needs? Thanks, Chris

Hi, Have you thought about posting it on Zoetrope.com? It's a virtual studio where writers and filmmakers go to post work for review. It's a great website and it's free. Francis Coppola created it a while back and I've post a few things up on there and have received great feedback. You could post it there and say what you said here and maybe that could open the door some more.

Hi, I'm an entering freshman working on mac. I have a macbook now and plan to keep it for my first two years, but I was looking into external hard drives for next as I have to have one and I need one shortly due to short film I'm filming. But I don't know what would be best. I know I want something with at least 500 GB and firewire, but my school says to get a HD with an OXFORD 911 or 922 chip and I cannot finding anything like that around where I live. Any advice or suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I'm an entering freshman working on mac. I have a macbook now and plan to keep it for my first two years, but I was looking into external hard drives for next as I have to have one and I need one shortly due to short film I'm filming. But I don't know what would be best. I know I want something with at least 500 GB and firewire, but my school says to get a HD with an OXFORD 911 or 922 chip and I cannot finding anything like that around where I live. Any advice or suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

The budget I'm working with is slim to none. I mainly looking for a Cam. Operator and a Grip to hold the boom pole and other odds and ends. I am currently in the enfield area of CT. The time required will be a little as possible to prevent interuption of daily lives. I mainly look for someone with an interest rather than someone with great experience due to lack of budget. I thought I'd post for the heck of it to what happens. Thanks, C. Frey Any information or ideas regarding finding people would be appreciated. Also, I'm putting up posters locally as well.

Thanks... that was helpful. If I were to do it in post what would you recommend for software and would you know or have an idea of how I would go about doing that? I am new to sound and it's what I most nervous about when it comes to my short. Thanks.

I know this may seem like a dumb question, but I was planning to shoot a short film this summer-- my first and I've just recently purchased a marantz cassette recorder, but can the audio be synced with mini dv footage? Thanks.