HDC Idol 2008-09

[Doc Faustus]

Flayed- a thoughtful answer. I don't think I will penalize you on Yamane as NE did. Six years premature is not as thoughtless as dead and she would be an asset to the production. You only take one hit for that one. I'm not the music guru that NE is, but from I did a little research and the other two you've picked look strong. Nicely done.

[Doc Faustus]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

Thanks for the feedback, NE! I'm not sure if you've read the "Return to Wonderland" mini-series, but they're also a personal favorite of mine.



Thanks for the feedback too, Doc! To tell you the truth, this challenge was ridiculously difficult because I wanted to come up with something that was ridiculously edgy and "in-your-face" (my original concept when thinking this out was to go for a more subtle and macabre Jean-Pierre Jeunet-inspired surreal piece as opposed to a Guillermo del Toro-inspired surreal piece). However, what kept stopping me short was demand for "blockbuster" and "general audience appeal." Though V suggested that I put myself in the shoes of "a young Kubrik or Polanski," to tell you truth, in this alternate universe they would have already failed (if the concept is that all horror-to-date has failed, that, unfortunately encompasses Kubrik and Polanski too).

Not that I'm talking back to the judges or anything. :o I just feel like I have to at least defend it slightly as I felt as though I was selling a piece of my soul trying to think of big-budget-blockbuster horror that hasn't been done and that will appeal to the masses. I think that, unfortunately, the masses as a whole shy away from the in-your-face, never mind in a world where they've already shunned horror. Of course, this could just be my pessimistic world view, but, hey, it's my big budget horror movie, damnit! :p

... Cheers, guys. :D

Cynicism is both an asset an a weakness when approaching tasks like this. The public will surprise you. We now live in an America that's clamoring for a Watchmen movie, where vintage horror DVD sets are commercially viable. The Deep Discount store near my home sold out of Paul Naschy box sets in two days. The heroes that change genres are distinguishing fans with unique visions like Tarantino, Dante, Landis, Rodriguez and Scorcese. Take this to heart. The above blockbuster's might have failed because of a more jaded intellectual audience or they might have failed because people want something harder. Maybe this world has hardcore porn in every newspaper so Jaws is like camomile tea. Maybe in this world Svankmajer has been hailed as the savior of film and people eat Jodorowsky Flakes. In the future, none of you should stifle your voice or be afraid to go out on a limb. Genres change when artists with grit and savvy change them and fans with grit and savvy can be artists with grit and savvy. Balls to the wall, people!

[_____V_____]

48 hours are up for the Goblins.

I would like to request all Judges to send in their scorecards for this Test through PMs to me.

Also a reminder to the Elves to be ready for their first Test which will be posted within the next 24 hours.

[The Flayed One]

Now that our part is officially over, I'd like to make a few comments.

The random selection god obviously had it out for me. If there was one section of a movie I was terrified of getting tagged on, it was soundtracks. I am by no means any kind of composer guru. Most of the time, I really don't even pay attention to the music in a movie.

Ironically enough, it was Suspiria that first made me notice soundtracks in a movie. There are very few movies that the soundtrack grabs me in (musicals excluded) Goblins soundtrack slapped me in the face and made me explore the musical side of the industry a little more.

Sadly, I'm still not very versed in composers and soundtracks. It took a lot of hours of research to come up with what I did (thank goodness for Pandora) Ms. Yamane was the only one of the three that I knew and loved before the research started, and I took a calculated risk choosing her. Of course, NE was my nemesis on this one, and his critique actually turned out better than I thought. To have one of the most knowledgable members in the field of music on the site give me above average remarks is a relief, to say the least.

The real success story here is that I got turned on to Bo Hansson. His music is incredible to say the least, and I'm ashamed of myself for not doing this kind of research before and discovering him. Attic Thoughts is on target for order after the holidays, and probably most of his catalogue as well. If any of you haven't heard his music, follow the link in my post. He's an incredible composer and deserves recognition.

[ferretchucker]

I think every challenge of ours was difficult in it's own way, as were those of the other teams. I can see this will be a difficult task but one I am now very interested in. I'm curious though, will one person from each group be kicked out of each group, the person with the lowest marks?

[Roderick Usher]

this challenge was evil and I'm glad I'm a judge, not a contestant!

of those of you who answered I must say good job. I am please with most answers but Alky... what's the deal? You didn't really answer the challenge. Saying radio is great is not the same thing as coming up with great radio.

[stubbornforgey]

Although I am not a judge
Ferret
what I would have done in your task is researched back into time when
silent movies were being made.
Audiences were captivated by the silliness of charlie chaplin..why?
How could the audience relate to a black and white,silent movie in those days
and what made this man so popular.?

It all had to do with presentation.

Even when the man cried , his facials made people laugh.
why?
I want to play the next game.

[alkytrio666]

Originally Posted by Roderick Usher

this challenge was evil and I'm glad I'm a judge, not a contestant!

of those of you who answered I must say good job. I am please with most answers but Alky... what's the deal? You didn't really answer the challenge. Saying radio is great is not the same thing as coming up with great radio.

Yeah, it was a lousy answer. To be honest (not that this is a legit excuse) I wrote that in about ten minutes between the third shoot for a final film and a major semester exam.

Between over 25 pages of papers, a film, and four or five final exams, I'm starting to re-think my participation in this contest--I'm not quite myself as of late, and I'm not sure I have time to commit.

[neverending]

Stick with it, Alky- your time will free up. I figured it was school that had you at a disadvantage.

[Roderick Usher]

Originally Posted by alkytrio666

Between over 25 pages of papers, a film, and four or five final exams, I'm starting to re-think my participation in this contest--I'm not quite myself as of late, and I'm not sure I have time to commit.

Drop out of school. This is clearly more important!