Making stuff as a founder of Avocado. Former music-maker. Tuna melt advocate. Started Google Reader. (But smarter people made it great.)

I seem to have made a short film.

Later, when I've moved back to the topics of feeds, Google, and the birth of a software product, well this digression might seem a bit weird. But on my weeknights and a couple of weekends I made a short movie. A small, funny mystery running less than ten minutes.

It's about Lukas, a man who is having a day he'd probably rather forget. I'm sure you can sympathize...we've all been there, haven't we?...



Filmed using a Panasonic HD camera (if you like the tech details, it's the AG-HVX200) in a single location over the course of 3 weeks. Editing took around 4 days total. The script took 3 days to write which I did mainly while riding the shuttle to work. I read about cameras, lenses, and various guerilla-level introductions to filmmaking at the excellent HD for Indies blog.

I have a higher resolution QuickTime version available at http://massless.org/films/hung but it's still of small resolution even though its file size is around 60MB.

The film features songs by Saturday Looks Good To Me and Citizens Here and Abroad, and The Small Hours. Ok, I'm in two of those bands. But Saturday Looks Good To Me to is an amazing, gotta-love-em fever dream led by Fred Thomas that drive my hands to clap whenever I hear them and I believe they'd do the same for you if only you'd listen. So, go listen.

They're also about to tour in October with one of my favorites ever, The Blow, mainly comprised of Khaela Maricich, whose talent sparks my envy and devotion every few minutes as I press repeat. Details are on the SLGTM website.

Regarding filmmaking (and acting in particular): I think it's useful to know I'm generally ignorant about how this stuff works. I'm just glad I figured out how to remove the lens cap.
posted at September 17, 2007, 9:39 AM

17 Comments:

  • At 10:47 AM, Blogger Jason Hall said…

    Given that the film revolved mainly around a 6-foot-square area (a few square feet of which were toilet) I think you did a great job of setting up really interesting shots.

    I especially liked the opening shot, and the one from inside the shower. Also, the blurred shot of the woman just as you were waking up was a really nice touch.

    If that whole software engineering gig doesn't work out, and if the musician gig falls through after that, I think you could have a future as an indie filmmaker.

     

  • At 12:34 PM, Blogger Chris Wetherell said…

    Thanks, Jason! That's very nice of you to say. Also, mmmm Google food...which is my way of saying thank you for returning to the dinner table. See you in January. :)

     

  • At 2:10 PM, Blogger Nelson said…

    Your voice is so movie star deep!

     

  • At 9:01 AM, Blogger Milt Lee said…

    Hey Chris, I enjoyed it. You did create a sense of mystery which was nice. And some nice lighter touches - such as the phone solicitation. It's definitely well shot.

    So now to the tech stuff - what did you do to encode it for youtube? It really looks great. I know that you started with some very high quality stuff - the HVX is a pretty great camera, and when I get an extra 10K (cards, batteries etc etc) I'll get one myself. Until then, I'm getting by with the DVX100B - which I also love. But that doesn't really explain the amazing YouTube quality - so what gives?

    Thanks - if you would like to check out what I'm doing go to http://realrez.com. I found your website through Jay and Ryanne.

    Milt Lee

     

  • At 8:02 PM, Blogger Courtney said…

    I love it! I had this website saved in my links from your interview with Merlin Mann, and I decided to check up on it today and ta da! a wonderful short film. I really like how the title makes sense only in the end. My favorite line: "no, I don't suppose that's something to think of as a benefit". I loved the shot where the lens looks down the hallway and there's that buzzing noise, it really puts the viewer in the antagonist’s point of view. Thanks for the treat!
    -Courtney

     

  • At 8:29 PM, Blogger BJ said…

    Like the film. You should make some more when you get some free time (whenever that is :P).

    Kinda cool that there's a Citizen's song in there.

     

  • At 7:39 AM, Anonymous MetalOnion said…

    Chris I love you :*

    Rò

     

  • At 9:10 PM, Anonymous cartomanzia amore said…

    very nice video, compliments!

     

  • At 9:11 PM, Anonymous cartomanzia amore said…

    very nice video, compliments!

     

  • At 10:09 AM, Anonymous chuck wetherell said…

    Son, When we were in purusing mode in the fall of 87 with Bennington & Rice, accepting and the other Burkley, Juliard was just a brief whim in the rearrview mirror with the UofO as a backup, we thought Berkeley was a better fit all the way around. Though as a 'little friend of the world' gifted child I did wish for MIT and bio-chemical engineering, but I overcame the living through your child thing fairly easily. We don't even have the 'GO BEARS' license plate any more. I knew at the time USC and film school was likely a better choice. That would have been like buying a Harley for a teenager and something a parent wouldn't wish on anyone. Though filmaking can be learned it is best suited for those with passion. Your passions are all over the place and shouldn't be boxed. And that is as it should be. Though full of many qualities "HUNG" is well crafted.
    dad

     

  • At 4:04 PM, Blogger CocteauBoy said…

    That was really good. Thanks for sharing this. Impressive. I love these kinds of twists... kind of like looking at something really close up and making an assumption about what you are seeing and then pulling out to see the whole picture, which is very different from what you and presumed.

    Plus you are nice to watch, too! Yowza!

    A new fan,
    Troy aka CocteauBoy

     

  • At 6:55 AM, Blogger jeremyandtony said…

    Deep theme. Loved the camera work and especially the soundtrack.
    The ending was a very nice touch. You worked up to it well with the part about not being sick or hung over. Very well done!

    Jeremy

    PS you might want to flush the toilet now.

     

  • At 3:02 AM, Blogger Sayyadina said…

    wow this is really great. even the title is perfect... hung over? maybe not.

     

  • At 6:31 AM, Blogger strivin' said…

    cool

     

  • At 9:34 PM, Blogger Edmund (Joey) Janas said…

    Interesting, it took me a while to get it though, you meant "Hung-Over".

    I could see you getting great exposure with this.

    Namaste,
    Edmund

     

  • At 9:36 PM, Blogger Dina J. said…

    Great job, Chris.
    What did you use for editing?

     

  • At 8:18 PM, OpenID freakyhobbit said…

    Great wee film.
    I like when he agrees to getting his phone package upgraded, but then calls back to say he's 'not ready'.

    Very clever how the title only makes sense at the end.

    Nice work.

    Frodo
    (:

     

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