A final issue I noticed, that is easy to correct in this and future films, is the introduction and exit of music. Currently music used for concert and other montages begins and ends far too abruptly. This was edited on Adobe Premiere Pro, which can easily cross-fade audio. Most new filmmakers tend to leave the default crossfades as they are, utilizing them like any other visual transition, but this is really far too brief for music. Music really needs to be gradually brought in and gradually faded out. You can do this by dragging the edge of the cross-fade transition further into the music piece, or by keyframing the volume controls manually. While the latter gives you a more precise control, either one is a very acceptable choice in most cases.
Use of Budget
Considering that the budget covered travel, food, tapes, and other expenses for the entire band during the filming, this was a very good use of budget. While there were a few additional things, like a shotgun mic, that should have been budgeted for, this was a very good, first effort in this department.
ZelaZowa has a divergent group
of fans from club scene girls...
...to actresses who love their
music and their acting.
Lasting Appeal
While the rather random layout of the film and the audio/visual issues get in the way of the film, it does have a lasting appeal for folks who want to learn more about a new band that is really working their butts off to reach their dream. As such, I feel folks who want to learn about these folks and the role of traveling musicians in general would find this has appeal. I personally would not mind watching this again or showing it to friends.
Overall Comment Zelazowa may have a very college dorm feel to it, but it is a good step into the world of documentary filmmaking. It looks at an interesting group of people and really tries to figure out what makes them tick. While it is not always successful in this, it does make you think and it does open your mind up to people who live a very different lifestyle than most of the rest of us. As Mr. Urbanic’s documentary filmmaking abilities continue to grow, I look forward to seeing what his future work will hold!
The
director of two feature length films and half a dozen short films,
Jeremy Hanke
founded Microfilmmaker Magazine to help all no-budget filmmakers make
better films. His first book on low-budget special effects techniques, GreenScreen Made Easy, (which he co-wrote with Michele Yamazaki) was released by MWP to very favorable reviews. He's curently working on the sci-fi film franchise, World of Depleted through Depleted: Day 419 and the feature film, Depleted.
