SHAWN WELLING'S NARCO SUB DEBUTES...WILL EVENTUALLY DISAPPEAR, AS ALWAYS

 

INDIE FILM REVIEW - NARCO SUB - Rated [R] I guess - Starring Lee Majors, Tom Sizemore, Robert Lasardo. Directed by Houston's very own Indie Film Scene extraordinaire, Shawn Welling. This movie is about a Navy SEAL and a submarine, written by someone who has no idea what being a SEAL is about and how a submarine actually works!

If you've seen any of the previous Shawn Welling indie films before, "Dark Horse County," "The Last Astronaut", "Toxin: 700 Days Left on Earth," and a few others, you going to get the same feel, same production standard, same-type storyline and plot; same CGI effects; same dramatic entrance by some helicopter, truck or bus, and small cameos by actors of a by-gone age. Other than that, and with a few well placed ratings from the local cast and crew, the finished and well polished production of Deep Water Production films sputter out with a spark of momentary excitement in the local community. Once thing also found in many of Welling's directed works are some unanswered questions that linger each time the credits roll; like, "What happened to that one guy?" - "But if she got away, how did she not notice that?" and some of other small stuff that even the mildest movie goer would see at the end of the film...So yeah, there are some unanswered questions in this film too.

But, NARCO SUB definitely has some value in it. Shawn's eye for capturing scenes on camera has hit the next level as he is finally working consistently with 4K cameras, gimbles, and other little things to raise the production standard. He loves to spend time in pre-production presenting the camera equipment he's using in promotional "behind the scene" photos, when what he should spend more time with is training his circle of actors to actually act wen their required to, write a better script with reinforced character development, and try not to over hype his indie work with long trailers that show the best scenes he's produced. You're going to see many familiar faces within the Houston Film scene in this film, as he continues to use the same extra's who seem to be dying for his attention, film after film, so get used to it.

I'd recommend watching "The Life History of Spandau Ballet" over this monstrosity. But I still step out to support local indie films and no one should be too upset if they spend their money on Amazon Prime to watch this film and see that I am right about the same production value seen in Welling's startling indie film career and just watch the spark of this new project sputter out.  [3.5 of 5 Stars]

"OFF THE GRID” SHOWS REAL PROMISE!

OFF THE GRID: SEEKING THE TRUTH [Short film]

Directed/Written/Edited by Malcolm Carter
Music by Envato Elements

Produced by MCP Network

Starring Jalal Jamal, Eric Duron, Ahad Thalho, Huberto Villarreal, Malcolm Carter, Brad King, Alexis West, Aaron Phillips, Justin Saxton, and Eric Hunter.

SUMMARY - The opening sequence tells a story of time travel; where a traveler arrives safely into 2018 and then is surprised to meet someone from his time already there. The scene changes to another location where people with masks are trapped in a forest-maze where they cannot escape. One can assume that the people trapped in this 'maze' must align themselves with other teams to survive. 

The first segment is filmed in the dark and the second segment shot during the day; a direct contrast, but something that works with this first installment that could be a nice web series to see put out more information. The wardrobe and costumes are perfect for the story, adding more mystery to the story.

Several posters and ads for this short film have surfaced on the internet and on Facebook that are unique and impressive in a futuristic type of way. It definitely looks like the production team thought out the advertisement sense of this project before delivering it to fans  on Youtube.

PRODUCTION BREAKDOWN

← Lighting

← Camera Work

← Screenplay

← Sound

↑  Use of Visuals

← Time Lapse

← Editing

↑  Rule of Thirds
← Locations

↑  Music

← Ending/Follow through
 
LEGEND   ↑ Excellent   ← Needs Work    ↓ Poor

POST MORTEM - I was truly impressed with the first minute and fourteen seconds of this short film; there was a ominous dark tone which the two actors brilliantly performed to give the start a 'secret feel' of what to expect with the rest of the film. I had a problem that the rest of the film had little color corrections and that the sounds in the background weren't consistently flowing in each take even though there was an apparent attempt to fix it. 

Some of the dialog between the actors sounded 'robotic' and the acting was a little cold in the second segment of the film; there are some serious talented actors cast in this short, perhaps the actors were still feeling out their roles and waiting the proper character development that could happen in due time. Proper training with screenplay can correct this problem and eliminated the 'robotic' feel to the delivery of some of the dialog. Practice makes perfect and this production could easily set a new standard in the Houston Film Scene.

This could be a 'long haul' web series that's in development and there are some interesting variables that could launch this idea into the next plateau of success. The visual effects, opening and closing credits were crisp and totally professional; the music was a nice touch and didn't drown out anything that was happening in the forefront of each scene.

Bravo...and I hope to see more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️[3 of 5 Stars]

DOES WINNING A RIGGED AWARD BOOST ONES PERSONAL SUCCESS?

EDITORS NOTE - The following blog entry is the opinion of the editor [D. R. Quintana] and not the opinion of the cast and crew of Quantum Storm Pictures.

There are very few actors who will try and enforce the issue of hyping the win of being awarded "best actress" for a three second scene in a 5 minute fan film during a film festival they personally organized...but hey, I guess if you're trying your best to "fake it until you make it" then I guess it's a good start, for now. It may even seem a little silly that these same few actors will then use the "fame" of that momentous award to escalate their importance within the local community; suddenly claiming to be a professional film producer with the clout and experience to make better films than most of the elite amateurs who have yet to win award. They will often use any win as a platform for launching their film and acting career, promising to share the wealth of their award in the coming year with more films, more acting performances, and even more money which will be pouring all over their future films because of the glorious win that has now gotten world attention through the internet. Don't laugh dear reader, it's actually happening right now as we speak. It will only take you a quick search on any Facebook page that has local indie winner hashtags aligned to it; you'll be amazed at the number of local indie film actors and directors who claim to be "award winning" recipients who have broken away from the bottom dwellers of the local film scene.

Not trying to single anyone out during this blog entry, I seriously ask that anyone who claims to have won a significant international award to please have their work ready for preview for those admiring millions of Chinese fans on YIZIHIBO that are out there waiting for their chance to emulate the performance that only few amateur Indie actors could ever achieve in their lifetime if living in the U.S. for only a few years; even though there is already word the at the system has been down for a few weeks due to a buy out.; but you still have to believe what you read on their Facebook pages? Within their own little world, they try to impress people all the time on their Facebook pages claiming to be working on that next BIG film and getting a large number if views through web pages in other countries; when in reality their working with just another "guy with a video camera" and both of them have no certifications in filming, have proof that they've ever completed a real film of any kind and don't have the right connections to even film a TV commercial.

In any movie production that arises, it takes more than just good looks, posing for fake scenes that aren't being really produced, and holding a gun to make a movie successful. As a matter of fact, it takes years of acting experience through acting courses, live stage performances and weapons training to give an actor the proper professional edge needed to give a film the luster to succeed at the highest level. So, if your an actor/actress who hasn't still grasped the most basic, fundamental language skills required to deliver dialog, then you have a lot of work to do. No tiara or acting award will erase the qualities you lack as an actor/actress and it will take more than a nine minute film to help you truly hone your acting skills and gain you real credibility in the heavy, sometimes intense competitive Indie film scene which struggles to gain favor as a film industry.

And if you think you can make it BIG in the Indie film scene with just your good looks alone, keep in mind that the indie film scene is a mecca of good looks and talent. It doesn't matter how many great looking actors or actresses are in your yet undeveloped and un-produced film that you may have, there are prettier and sexier actors that are willing to go the extra mile to prove their better and sexier for any role that you think your highly qualified for. And when I say better talent,  I Mean people who have studied for years in front and behind the camera and have proven themselves in the real are of movie production, through proven directors and producers that have actually finished films and have many under their belts to impress any investor wanting to throw cash down on a project. Given the opportunity to truly impress and make that film your in MORE special, all it takes is a simple email to contact me to help give your film project direct access to a talented actress who will perform to please and not surround the cast and crew with drama. These proven actors don't spend a lot of time on Facebook, worrying about how many hits and views they get for a post. They are honest, hard working professionals that love to film for the art.

But if your film production needs a real, certified actor/actress to up the ante in the acting department to win you a real investor, theres always the great connection through the Quantum Storm E-Magazine [QSE] as my publication always lists the top 30 actors/actresses in the state with bonafide SAG cards, lists of awards, long list of films they've partaken in; including featured roles and extras, and contact numbers for their professional agents. So, if your now claiming to also be a producer or co-producer in film productions, always be sure to keep your options open for a better actor or crew to help make the best film possible. Credibility and respect go a LONG way in the indie film scene for any future producer who is only wanting to put together the best team to make an impressive film for future fans, no rigged award will win you the hearts of both the film scene or future fans in your local community. Being a film producer means you know how to manage a production set, provide proper contracts to protect yourself and your actors careers, provide the studio the best equipment, materials, and locations that will separate your film project from anyone else.

If you claim to be an actor/actress, but also produce or co-produce a film project, at least have the dignity to educate yourself on how to do the job properly. Don't try to just be another person who plans on "making a difference" overnight and being a millionaire on a project that still shoots films on a Cannon 5D or a hand held camera!

D. R. Quintana
Editor in Chief

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL JUST DISAPPEARS

Only a few weeks after the Quantum Storm E-Magazine [QSE] released an investigative news report over the possible rigging of awards for an international indie film festival [Rigged Indie Film Festivals & Awards Are Back In Houston dtd 1-4-2019], it seems the at the lone film festival in question, the U.S. Chinese International Independent Film Festival, has simply just disappeared from existence. Even the presented “committee” which overlooked this even has simply disappeared; with the exception of a few American and Chinese businesses who were wrestled up and asked to provide funding to help put it all together. Any online searches for the festivals websites have proven that the once active links were completely shut down and removed from existence; leaving many to speculate that the event was a sham all along.

This Indie awards festival was definitely not a scam, but it certainly also wasn’t a certified global event as it was advertised over the course of maybe two months. Several promotional ads and video commercials were prepared and posted on the Facebook pages owned by two people in Houston, Marcus Muhd and Nanae Volle; who alleged that the International Film Festival was a bonafide event with proper Chinese interest and a committee that was created to oversee the festival’s legitimacy. These ads were then copied or shared on Facebook media by various other sources who also claimed the event was legit; there is no evidence that funds were spent on any other advertising, except some poster boards, wooden awards, and large banners which were used at three locations in Houston. Even though some of the awards that were presented, only four in photographs, and those could have easily been manufactured by a local trophy store in Houston.

What comes in complete surprise was a gem studded tiara that was purchased solely for the "Best Actress" award and presented to none other than Nanae Volley for her two second scene and voice over part in a fan film trailer entitled, BLADE REMIX, which was directed by the secondary creator of the International event in Houston, Mr. Muhd. In the years that I have lived in the Houston area and have witnessed many Independent award platforms, I have never seen an actress receive a tiara for their efforts in a film, especially only performing in a film for a few seconds. Mrs. Valle seemed to love the attention of winning the award and the tiara as she was crowned the best actress in a Chinese International film that was actually just a short film, and a fan film at that. I also find it a bit humorous that no one can gain access to the fan film to see it in it's entirety and many of actors who took part in the fan film have stated that the fan film, which only consisted of an action sequence, was incomplete and lacked a full story to present to the judges. This has just been another element of various red flags that has arisen over the film festivals "alleged" judging of Independent films which claimed to have Chinese actors and culture presented within.

Whether or not this “International festival” was produced to serve the vanity of one or two people, with the likes of Valle strutting around the festival in awe of her award, is unclear. Even though there were some fantastic photos and web pages that were created which presented the look of a three to four day event, there has still been no evidence of the 200 Indie films were submitted for review, there was no list the Indie film titles with their actors, directors or their producers; nor was there a list of complete awards for all of the nominees and winners who submitted their films. Even worse is the fact that the QSE has learned that the winning film was not an International Indie film at all, but only a trailer for a fan film which could not possibly qualify for an International film by any means, as fan films cannot accept funds of any kind to help produce the film project, be submitted for International awards, or pay it’s actors as most international independent films require.

All of this speculation and lack of information has seemingly took its toll on a couple of people who planned the whole event out without any thought of the consequences that would arise after putting together an even under false pretenses. The local private businesses that were bought in as sponsors and investors were also misled in the attempt to help provide an honest Indie film festival to help bolster the local Chinese community who has not had proper representation in indie movie awards. The entire idea of a Chinese film festival might have started out like an honest venue to help bring more Chinese indie films and investors to the forefront of future productions, but instead either gave useless awards to those who didn’t properly earn the prestige or perhaps lined the pockets of a few people who were out to make a quick buck.

Only time will tell if a proper investigation by the local authorities and District Attorney begins to take place and if any serious crime had occurred during the International event that wasn't so International by the look of things. For now, the QSE can only speculate what actually transpired in Houston during the four to five days that an alleged International U.S./ Chinese Film Festival occurred with the proper representatives and committee’s required to hold such an event.

CAN A BAD TRAILER RUIN YOUR INDIE FILMS PREMEIRE?

The honest answer to a question about the potential of having a solid Indie film trailer is “Yes, a projects success depends on what it takes to bring attention to your Indie film!” and it makes a HUGE difference to the success of your films potential for having a premiere – but don’t actually believe that people outside of your little circle really care. Indie films come and go all the time, and most of the time, the only people that truly care about your film project are the actors, the production team, their families, and friends that know about the Indie film and what it’s all about from the team. So, what should you do to get the best attention for your film?

First, get someone outside of your circle to promote your film to all of the news outlets and through all of the local Internet news circuits that they can; having someone that isn’t biased to your pride helps out a lot. Local Indie film directors try to produce fancy websites and Facebook pages to help quick-start the promotion process, but directors have BIGGER things to worry about than try to promote their own Indie film. Sure, every actor in the film claims to have ‘this contact’ and/or ‘that agent’ that can help to get the word out about your film, but a true promotions director knows the real contacts to get the word out about your film. Let them do the hard work and give them the best material to advertise your project without remorse or recourse for under promoting it.

A solid promotional director will cost you money, but to trust an accomplished advertiser to push your work to the right people outside of your circle is the best investment you’ll have when the premier date comes dancing around in the local community. A proven promo-director has to out-smart the previous ‘big Indie hit’ that came before you, so it’s always a contest to get the best person at the helm of pushing your new Indie film. 

With that, you’re going to need a solid trailer. So, where do you begin with your first trailer? What source material do you need? Should you use real material from your film?

Well, trailers are a tricky thing. Some production teams use ‘trailer ideas’ to bring investors and producers in to help their projects with money or locations; the proper term is ‘pitch film’ or ‘sizzle reel’, so if you decide to work with a team who say, “It’s called a trailer”, I highly recommend you bail out from that team right away. These types of people find out the hard way about movie making, so as a growing actor, it’s always a good thing to know when it’s time to bail when you’re working with stubborn people.

If your team has an Independent film idea you’d like to ‘pitch’ to an investor or potential producer, you want to produce a ‘pitch film’ [or sizzle reel] which is usually a seven or eight minute look into your project idea. But, we’re talking about a ‘trailer’ for your Indie film, right? So, let’s go over what you need to present to people outside of your project to get them excited to see your potentially exciting film.

I will begin by telling you that having a ‘clique of friends’ to help support your film is a good thing, but you need sheer honesty to see if your film is worth bragging about. Remember if you’re an Indie filmmaker/director, people outside of your friends circle [or clique] always expect local Indie films to be crappy and lack material worth watching, so your trailer has to prove those people wrong. Always show them that you have class within the production, and that yeah, it’s actually going to be a fun film to watch. I know what you’re dying to ask; “How do I do all of that?”

As I stated earlier, it’s all about honesty. First time local Indie directors are always looking for someone to hand out accolades for every small scene they complete; but how good are those scenes really? How did everything tie in together? Was the mood you wanted to present in retrospect all there? These questions cannot be answered and evaluated by the production team. I hate to say it, but if you clearly have a scene between two people sitting on a couch, passing out what you think is a key point or important information within the films storyline, you should truly consider not showing that in your trailer. “Couch scenes” are considered amateurish, strong signs of a low budget production, and will give the audience an ill fated glimpse into the quality of your film.

I recommend for first time directors to set up a private screening for different genres of people after your films first run at post editing who are not part of any clique or production circle. They should be split up in several groups to best evaluate a rating system, evaluate flow, and gage interest for maturity purposes if your film declares a film rating of PG or higher. These groups can be split up in age groups, like this:

- First group 8-16 years of age.
- Second group 16-24 year of age.
- Third group 25 or older.

Keep the numbers of each group small to less than three per age group. These groups should be allowed to take notes and openly review your film. If you feel that the younger audiences[8 to 16 y/o] won’t understand your film or be too afraid of the projects content, remove them from the first group and add another age group who will help you get the right type of review that’s good for your project. Ask this audience of reviewers to be brutally honest as their review will help you establish a movie rating for your film; whether the film will be PG, PG13, or R. Don’t ever just assume the rating of your film because you ‘feel’ it should be a certain rating for future audiences.

So from here, let’s pretend you have your review and now you’re considering on producing a ‘trailer’ because the initial reviews from your unbiased group gave you good marks. Keep in mind that most professional trailers to a finished film should run under two minutes in length. If you’ve produced a comedy, make sure the trailer is funny; if you’ve produced a dramatic film, make the trailer dramatic; if you made a horror film, make damn sure it’s scary; if it’s a sexy film, make the trailer sexy. The best advice I can give is, don’t tell the viewer the whole story and plot about your film. A trailer is preview of things inside the project that best represents the whole meaning of your film. Push the envelope where you need to and if you have a film format that separates you from other Indie films, toss that in for good measure.

Some of the best trailers we’ve ever previewed have been those trailers that have presented the unexpected without giving away too much. Most of those trailers were produced by persons not related to the production team; meaning that the director put the production of his films trailer into the hands of an experienced editor who has actually seen the film and knows what will make the trailer tick to audiences. A good sound track is also key to delivering a punch [or dramatic peak] that fits the mood of the trailer. The prowess of your actors will be evaluated by the audiences when they watch your film, so don’t worry so much about trying to present the total acting quality in your trailer.

People love to see flowing scenes from one scene to another, so be sure to make your trailer flow constantly with scenes you now will set the mood for the trailer. If your trailer can bring in only one person outside of your friends circle to see your project, then the trailer has done its job. The list for bad film trailers is long and distinguished, but if your current trailer design has the following bad practices in trailers, you should consider cutting a new trailer.

- Trying to show the entire cast of your Indie film in the trailer; because you feel like you owe it to the entire team.

- Making up scenes in the trailer that are not in your film.

- Showing a plot twist in the film that gives away your film’s best avenue for stunning your future audience.

- Presenting the names of all of the actors and production team in a trailer “credit scroll” just to satisfy your crew’s vanity.

- Presenting a release date or venue location on your trailer; as you will wind up making updates to every change of venue; always present only one trailer for your film to use in all promotional venues.

If you’re an Indie filmmaker who has several successful films in your resume, the lists and the information shared may not mean much to you. But if you have yet to successfully break away from your local Indie clique and get impressive ‘outside’ numbers for your films premiere, it might be due to not bringing in the newer crowds through your previous trailer. Try a change in your post production habits, put your faith in an experienced Marketing or Promotions Manager, and try some of things we’ve presented to help you on your way to improve the attendance in your new films premieres.

D. R. Quintana

CEO and Editor of the QSE

Submitted as Liner Notes - His opinion is not the opinion of all of the QSE Staff or the actors who work with him on film projects.