de-rez: Hitman

[Hawkzor]

I really have to disagree with you Calsipher. I wouldn't have a problem with this movie if the issues were out of the producer's hands, but they aren't. Just about everything they did could have been done better if they spent a bit more time and energy on it, there is no reason for a huge distortion in the levels, or the lack of any lights what so ever (use lamps if you have to). This movie could have been made in a single afternoon and it looks like that was the case. Also I didn't mention this before, but the script (was there a script?) is very weak. There are no real jokes, just someone acting stupid and ranting, saying the same things over and over again.

Its not about the equipment, I don't expect the producers to run out and buy a lighting kit and a Canon XL-2. Indeed it wouldn't even help them because their problem is that they clearly didn't put any thought or energy into the piece. Iv seen people do incredible things with a 12 year old high-8, some lamps and a Shure SM58.

 

[calsipher]

Oh I?m not disagreeing with you in fact I agree, there were blatant areas through out the piece that could and should have been vastly improved with more care and attention.

What I?m trying to say is that its a learning curve and maybe de-rez has only just jumped on to it. I agree that there really is no excuse for poor production values when awesome shorts can be made with the most simplistic of kit, but i do think advice with a dash of flaming might be the better course to approach.

The video was indeed a failure in nearly every sense, and the next one maybe as well, but with some advice and tips, (perhaps approach a different genre style altogether, not everyone can write comedy, try noir using high and low key lighting, or maybe more physical comedy building up to a punch line) they might be able to learn something and make the next installment more entertaining.

I think that?s what I?m trying to say, didn?t mean to cross wires.

Calsipher

 

[george_berry]

In theory, the idea could have worked, but if you put so little effort into something, you arent going to get gold.

The dry comedy has become stale recently, I see it all over the internet with everyone jumping onto the bandwagon. I was actually a little disappointed with this week's ZP just because the humor style is just so generic now, I can expect the reactions people are going to have.

By all means though, keep trying, its good to search for new ideas.

 

[Singing Gremlin]

I'd rather not cast judgement before I've seen a few, because one sketch doesn't determine how good a comedian is. Anyone who does comedy, from someone like Bill Bailey (I chose him because I happen to know for a fact he thinks this, and therefore I'm not entirely talking out of my arse) to students doing GCSE Drama knows that some ideas are hillarious, some fall flat on their face. Just keep trying, and learn from what does and doesn't work.

 

[Hawkzor]

Indeed I really hope these movies improve, I really like this site and I hope de-rez works out for them. Maybe thats why I'm annoyed, because we see so much stuff like this these days with youtube's popularity but my assumption is (and I hope I'm wrong so if so please tell me) that de-rez got got paid to make this latest movie, but if thats the case they didn't act like it, and that kinda bugs me.

 

[calsipher]

I think what annoys me most of all is that this is an awesome opportunity to make a name for yourself possibly a career and it seems as if its being thrown away. I just wish I had stumbled on to this competition in time.

Calsipher

 

[Russ Pitts]

I just wish I had stumbled on to this competition in time.

Perhaps we'll do another one some day. Or, if you're feeling extra motivated and/or outraged, you're welcome to try your own hand, post a video to YouTube and send us a link. I see no reason why our magazine's open submissions policy can't extend to videos.

My email address is: [email protected] when you have something to show.

 

[calsipher]

Cheers russ ill let you know if i come up with anything.

Calsipher

 

[CanadianWolverine]

I know this is going to come across really strange, but I actually like this. Well, to be more specific, I like the premise. In other words, I like what it could have been, rather than what it is. Let's call it a missed opportunity and hit the restart button, this could be awesome.

If I may, here is a potential skit that could have played out instead:

Premise - Every video is to feature someone we could call "Joe" or "Jane", as in to represent someone who is from "real" life and they happen to meet characters from games - this is what I understand the setting of the videos to be from this one.

Set the scene, guy just relaxing and working out. Instead of having 47 talk, just have him show up. Guy working out wonders why this man is staring at him and tells him to bugger off. Show various items around the man working out that 47 looks at, try to imply possible uses as weapons. Have 47 keep showing up, not talking, in different "disguises", but its obvious that the man is bald and still creeping the man out. Finally, just as 47 sneaks up behind the man working out with like a piano wire, have the character from Assasin's Creed pop out of no where and do 47 in, then join a crowd of passerby or climb up a wall or whatever. Hopefully the implied would be that Joe Average is going to get it but with sudden delivery 47 gets it ... oh, and for added silliness if its felt its needed, instead of death by blade, use comedic death by cream pie and have the stoic Joe Average break into knee laughter. Could even do like a photo shoot type thing where its like a fan having their pic done with their star, standing over the pie in the face 47 with thumbs up or whatever.

Just an idea, could have went differently than say "Oy! I'm wearing your clothes!" *shrug*

 

[portuga-man]

This series has a lot of potential, but there's a lot of work to be done.

 

[Kryopsis]

I know The Escapist is a business venture and all and I really like Zero Punctuation but it has been attracting the wrong crowd to this website.
Now I don't know about the rest of you guys but I come here to read some insightful, meaningful comments such as reflections on the state of video gaming, interesting new technologies and so on. I don't come here for funny videos, otherwise I'd go to CollegeHumour or YouTube.
You guys seem to try to make The Escapist into something it is not, which is quite unfortunately. It's your website so it's up to you to decide what you want to do with it, however are you certain that you are rather expand into a new direction rather to improve the existing aspects of The Escapist?

 

[Nerdfury]

Maybe you should all read Bruce Campbell's autobiography. He started like these guys, just making some crappy films on a friend's video camera. THey met nothing but disappointment for their start to the film industry, but look at them now. Bruce Campbell is a hugely popular b-grade actor who's moved into a-grade, and Sam Raimi is an extremely popular director.

Sure, these guys aren't the best, but it comes with time, practice and constructive feedback. To 'de-rez' or whatever you guys call yourselves, I'll be honest - you need some work, but you've got potential. You need to do some research on lighting and sound, work a bit of the jokes and do some snappier editing. Move the camera, experiment with angles! Add some music! Find some forums or something on amateur filming and discuss things. Upload shorts for people to critique and get people to watch it before you upload the final piece. You'll get good feedback and make a better product.

Sure, you'll spoil the surprise a little, but to who? The people here at Escapist won't be spoiled, and we're the ones watching in the end. If you do some of what I've mentioned, you'll come out stronger and make Escapist proud.

Keep it up, lads.

 

[Logie--bear]

I agree with CanadianWolverine, this shows real promise.

One comment I do have is that from this video, I can't see what it or the series is trying to acheive. Obviously the main goal is to be funny. But to be funny you need to have a funny idea and execute it well.

As far as I can tell, the idea for this video was "47 turns up and pisses off a guy trying to work out". If the idea stated blatantly like that provokes no laughs, then try again.

"47 follows a guy around during his daily routine, ducking behind the nearest object/person when he turns around. Eventually he has nothing to hide behind and he runs off. Later he reappears in a really bad disguise and starts the whole thing again. Eventually the Guy being followed turns around and shouts 'What is your PROBLEM?' and 47 shrugs and replies 'I quit my day job'/something funnier"

See THAT has a set up and a storyline to it. I'm not saying it's good or funny but it's an idea with promise.

Keep it up and impress us next time!

EDIT: Or even better, get yahtzee to do his intro sequence theatre lololol

 

[Ed_Winchester]

lmao aww that was great i loved it. keep it up.

 

[Arbre]

Ok well I'm sorry, but I still don't see how this can get any better. They really need to work a lot on the thing called english humour. Coming from me that's funny, but it's obvious they're looking for it, and lagging far behind.

I don't know, hire the blokes who wrote Spaced for one!

Besides... sure, a mix of content helps, and video games are a wiiiide subject, especially if you see them as art... but precisely... what about making art videos?

I don't know, start something that's a mix of a new demo scene, film making and ambiguous topics (religion, politics, sex, etc.) for example.

Why not make docs on various aspects of the culture, not hesitating to go a tad underground* and be borderline with topics which don't seem to be associated to games - cause games are for kids.

Ok, let me get straigh to it. Why not provide some high brow stuff?

Because, well, I'm sorry, but that's already two videos, and I don't see the necessary acting talent required to pull off the jokes which seem to be waiting to be given justice here.

* if there is anything such as an "underground" culture in gaming.

 

[Magnus Of Weelilplace]

Criticism is great. We love criticism. If you like something, don't like it, whatever. Let us know. Better yet, be constructive and tell us why. But don't log on just to poop on things. Not here. Bad baby.

hehe...thank you for that...

on to the video,

it wasnt a total waste. i enjoyed the beginning, but 30 seconds after that it was just like i wanted to punch that guy in the face.

i hope to see better in the future

 

[smellygoat]

I laughed all the way through and was taken aback when I read the comments here. The real point is that most people seem to think either the jokes weren't funny or the acting was bad. But I've gotta say I found the guy playing the hitman to be hillarious, I thought he carried the short.

I didn't see a point of the second character other than to be annoyed, and as such thought he was a waste, and agree with some of the criticism about lighting and the different shots.

That being said i think most people went in with the wrong attitude, that is wanting the video to be succuesful and funny. The worst thing you can do to a comedian is give them a pity laugh.

 

[Arbre]

That being said i think most people went in with the wrong attitude, that is wanting the video to be succuesful and funny. The worst thing you can do to a comedian is give them a pity laugh.

Yeah yeah, it's advertised as a funny video. I wonder what kind of attitude we could go in with.
It's just that, well, there are people who don't think it's funny, despite knowing it's meant to be that.

 

[hasam]

hmmm... I dunno, didn't really like this episode but it has it's moments...
ok it has Hitman dressed as a clown saying "Aha, It's me! It's Hitman!"

All the same though I've seen alot of these guys stuff before and i know for certain they can pull off better, I'm guessing they just didn't have the time to put this one together properly, i mean The Escapist only mentioned they were picking the winners a couple of weeks ago and this went up only the day after it was announced

somehow i've got a good feeling about it, i'll definetly watch the next one, even if only to see if i'm wrong...