Evan Samaras

Thank you Daniel, Financial run down hmm... my situation may be different than someone else just starting. Way before I had a script I started gathering the equipment I knew I would need in order to shoot film. I spent more than a year gathering the necessary equipment at affordable prices, therefore I did not include any of that financial strain in the "budget" of this film, as it is gear that I can reuse for every shoot. This gear includes, but is not limited to: Arri SR3 HS, Angenieux 17.5-70mm + Retro Adapter. Mattebox, A Set of series 7 Filters that I used in photography (hence the split dipoter), as well as 4x5.65 filters. An Arri 750W Light kit (3 lights) + stands. Reflectors, Lighting Gels, Tripods, Dana Dolly, Steadicam ProVid, Follow focus, Tascam recorder, etc. When I added everything up, I took a big gulp at the heap of money I invested just to get my projects off the ground! When it comes to this project, everyone involved worked for lunch basically. It was a collection of friends who have never worked in film of any kind, including the actors. This left me handling way too many responsibilities (my first and maybe biggest mistake). Film stock came from friends who had leftover rolls from their shoots. They provided me with a nice discounted price! This provided me a tight 4:1 Filming ratio. As for film developing and scanning, you can usually get a deal when you shoot about 3000' of 16mm film. Shop around! The budget basically went to transportation and lunch for everyone. In the end the short film cost $2,300, of which the majority was spent on film stock, processing and scanning. If I can find my documentation on it, I will break it down by category at a later time. Thank you Pav! I do have an understanding of what I felt worked well, and what failed. However, it's hard for me to see it from a perspective other than my own, being that I was so deeply immersed in it. The story was written in a manner that asks the audience to question what happened. Maybe that didn't sit as well with the viewer as I hoped it would. Although there is a point in the film that certainly clarifies and reveals a lot, but it appears to have been overlooked by many. No one has pointed it out, and I am more interested in hearing what the viewers believe happened. Is that an error?

Thank you for the feedback Giacomo! I am familiar with the dialog recording being terrible, it was the most heartbreaking aspect of the film for me. However, could you elaborate for me on the ways you felt the short failed in the editing room?

Thank you Hunter! It is the first of many more to come! I plan to stretch out as much footage in S16 as I can until I move up to 35, and not down to digital :P Now if I could just find myself a Steenbeck.... =D

Yesterday marked the release of a project to which I dedicated many, many months. Writing, Location Scouting, Casting, Rehearsing, Directing, Filming, Editing, Scoring... One doesn't realize how much is involved in a project until they are in it! My first short film was shot on 16mm Kodak film, (200T & 500T) through an Arri SR3 in Super 16, resulting in a 1.85 Aspect Ratio. Errors were made, flaws are present, but what a learning experience it all was! Everyone involved, from the actors, to the crew had never been part of film making. Perhaps it is very apparent at times, but I hope you enjoy the result. All criticism welcomed! I'll be back for more, and that's a threat! :D You can watch "Seeker" here: https://vimeo.com/295853319

Thank you for the feedback and advice everyone! These were the scenes where it stood out to me most. Running time is about 17 mins, and there's a good portion of the film where there's a significant difference in visible grain. So, I am using that as reference to learn from. Thank you again, I will definitely use this information to my benefit moving forward!

Adrian, I have already started such a book actually haha! Mark, I prefer the grain to what you describe as a "clean" digital image. I'll stick with film :D

Thank you for the feedback everyone, it is greatly appreciated! Unfortunately I only had the chance to read one book on film lighting before shooting the project. I guess the contrast was not high enough in my readings! I have read Kris Malkiewicz's Film Lighting. Are there any other books on depth and lighting that you can recommend? Now that this project is ending, I would like to start my next real soon! Thank you again!

Thank you again Adrian. I was not referring to the dust, scratch (and thankfully not here: hairs) as I am aware of those areas. I did not have any software to handle that clean up as my footage is Prores 4444 and not DPX that Davinci requires for the job. I think I was confusing the grain with noise, although I am aware they are different. I appreciate your feedback!

Thank you for the quick reply Adrian! I had a feeling it might just be the grain at this point. Some scenes look good! However, there are three scenes where it stands out to me the most. Attached are three clips The PASSWORD is: seek https://vimeo.com/281297684 https://vimeo.com/281297988 https://vimeo.com/281295552

Hello everyone! I am nearly finished with my first short film! It was shot in S16 on Kodak Vision 3 500T and 200T. It was scanned at 2K at MetPost in NYC. At this point I am not sure If I am trying to over reduce the noise, or if I am just smudging away grain((?)). I am still noticing what I believe is color noise (and perhaps other noise?) in some of the darker colors. I have tried to use the qualifier to select the areas that I believe require additional attention from reduction. However, even with high amounts of chroma reduction I am seeing some blue speckle. I fear I might be going too far. Is this something I will have to live with? I am also noticing what looks like white speckles dancing around in other areas. It feels too fast to be grain, but maybe I'm wrong! Any and all feedback is appreciated. I have attached some screen shots, but if required make a small video clip of the scenes that stand out to me most. The following link has 6 screen shots exported as JPEG stills from Davinci Resolve https://flic.kr/s/aHskBQnpye I have attached three stills here but I was limited in size. Thank you!

Still staying optimistic Gregg! That same week one went up on Craigslist for free. I found the ad 2 hours after posted, but it was claimed quicker than that apparently! Still searching, in case anyone has one they are ready to part with =}

Mark, I understand what you are saying, and was not expecting a free editor in perfect working order. But I hoped one needing some servicing. Would be cheaper than 5-7k Aaron, Thank you, I have considered renting at Mono no aware. There is actually another lab even closer to my home in Queens that rents out units. I believe most of the renting is done while used at their locations. As I work late hours, I was hoping to have one readily accessible in my home at any hour I may schedule myself for a session =}

Mark, Yes, cutfilm does want 5-7k as you mentioned. Unfortunately that is more than I can afford to spend. I also know that they sometimes come up for next to nothing, or even as Tyler was kind enough to offer, basically free! Tyler, Sure wish I lived closer by. Thank you, and maybe Ill have to take you up on that if Im nearby one day haha. Rudy, Correct me if Im wrong, but the Minnette is the small tabletop viewer/editor? If so, that is not what Im looking for. A nice little 4 plate editor would fit nicely into my place =} as Im sure might be the preference of others as well

I am still looking for one. Preferably one I can use or have adapted to use with S16. One with an interlock port would be nice, but not necessary at the moment. Thank you!

Hi Thibaut. Please check your messages.