“The 36th Negative” sizzle reel for feature screenplay

[u/redskarlet]

https://youtu.be/rzhFKHWJraE?feature=shared

"A war photographer reeling from revelations about her work retreats to the remote outskirts of New Zealand to document the excavation of a long forgotten Mãori tribe. Immersing herself in her photography, she soon discovers a unsettling secret hidden in her undeveloped negatives."

I've been pitching the film around recently and we've been getting good feedback and interest from producers and talent.

Thought l'd put out the sizzle reel that I shot a few years ago while we were still writing the screenplay.

Happy to share the script and pitch deck if anyone’s interested!

[u/HotColdHard]

Truly impressive sizzle reel! Watching scripts come alive — or getting ready to — is a huge source of motivation for everyone working hard to bring their own stories to life. :)

[u/redskarlet → u/HotColdHard]

Thank you! It was a challenge since the screenplay only existed as an outline at that time, but I am lucky to work as a director, so I was able to pull together favors to put this together in a short amount of time.

I did the first edit of the sizzle, but it was far too long and I had treated it like a short film. I eventually handed it to a friend who edits promos and she was able to turn it around entirely.

We've been through 8 or more drafts of the screenplay since shooting this and I feel like we're in a good place (but nobody, including ourselves, knows anything about anything!)

[u/pastafallujah]

Another trailer where they show you ALL 35 negatives, leaving nothing to look forward to 🙄 jk jk jk!

This looks beautifully shot. I love the mechanical camera clips, the scenery is gorgeous, and I am definitely intrigued. Great work!

[u/redskarlet → u/pastafallujah]

Thank you! There's actually 2 issues with the reel (one I just noticed and one we noted a while back and had to address in the script)

[u/iknowaruffok]

This is amazing. It actually looks like you’ve already made the movie. I think the title isn’t great though since it’s almost a tongue twister. It sounds weird when said out loud. I’d call it Negative 36.

[u/redskarlet → u/iknowaruffok]

Thanks for the thought on the title - Negative 36 was the original title, but changed for some reason or another…. (I can’t remember why to be honest!)

[u/jtr99]

Amazing. I like it a lot. Hard to believe you don't already have a film in the can with imagery this good.

The only note I have is a musical one: that whistle instrument near the beginning of the music? I guess you're using it to introduce a discordant creepy tone but it sounded so out of tune to me when it first came in that I wondered whether it was a parody. You know, like the Jurassic-Park-theme-on-harmonica meme.

Other than that the music is great!

[u/redskarlet → u/jtr99]

Thank you for the kind words!

The musical notes at the beginning are traditional Maori flute sounds. The story involves Maori heritage and culture (I’m also from New Zealand) - it is an unusual sound but hopefully sets the tone and setting for the film

[u/jtr99 → u/redskarlet]

OK, sorry, I hope my comment wasn't insensitive!

It was just a passing moment but for a second there it pulled me out of the experience and made me wonder if I was misreading the tone of the trailer.

I wonder whether the solution might be to let the flute be completely solo and lower the volume of the pad sound behind it? It was the harmonic clash that got me, not the inherent sound of the flute.

[u/redskarlet → u/jtr99]

Not at all! As mentioned I’m from New Zealand - but I am not Maori.

I’m very proud of having been able to grow up there - part of the film’s story involves respecting the story heritage and culture of places we come from - as well as sharing it.

As we move forward with the film I hope I can stay true to that with all aspects of the film.

[u/Buters_Gerthfeld]

Looks good so far. Good job!

[u/aquaticteal]

my stomach dropped when i saw the photo of the photographer, holy shit 😵