Hello, I've been a lurker for a little while here so this is my first post.

Saluton, mi skektas ci tiu foro ekde malalonga tempo kaj ci mia primera skribaĵo.

I directed a film in Esperanto but I made many mistakes..
Mi direktis filmon en Esperanto sed mi faris multajn eraroj.

I chose Esperanto for a variety of reasons - international cast, wanting a neutral-sounding
language and also just to create a surreal atmosphere while not completely alienating the audience.

Here it is, La Lolita.

Just thought some might be curious about this and also wanted some Esperanto advice.

It's interesting. You have a strong visual style. Good costuming. Good musical choices for the most part. Good angles and editing. There are some nice shots there. Also good muzzle flash effects.

I took a look at episode 0 as well. Cool stuff. You're obviously an anime fan. I would like to know how you did some of those effects.

If I had to criticize something, I guess I would say that the audio could use a bit of work. There's a weird "buzz" or something during the dialogue. And I'm not really sure I "buy" the action. Not in the sense that it's not well choreographed, but in the sense that the actors don't seem to be moving with enough conviction. And lastly, I would like a little more story to be told. After watching episodes 0 and 1 I don't feel like I really have an understanding of the context these battle scenes are going on in.

Of course, all this is my very humble opinion. Overall I like it.

What camera did you shoot it on? How much color correcting did you do? What program do you use for editing?

I don't like to be picky, but I would love to see more background story and Esperanto speech. Otherwise I quite like the videos. The effects were nice, especially in the first episode. The hand to hand combat of the second video needed a little work, but then I have no experience in video making or editing. And of course the costuming was excellent .

Oh, and the script you guys use in the credits is awesome.

Well, this was certainly a treat for the Esperanto community.

Interesting, I'd like to see more! Like others have said I would like a bit more detail/context on the story.

I think I noticed somewhere that "c" was being pronounced incorrectly. It does not make the "k" sound, it makes a "ts" sound. Overall I didn't see too many mistakes in the language, just keep practicing, you're already leagues ahead of the people in Incubus...

Thank you everyone for the detailed comments. I am moved that even this many people were moved to write something about this. Your comments help me think about how the audience views it and I welcome suggestions for ways to make it better. No need to worry about my feelings.

I realize that the action wasn't the best. It's a difficulty with using actresses not trained in action. I did what I could to make them look better and will be doing what I can in the future. In the tradition of my favorite anime, the story is intentionally vague at this point but I will make a point to add some more explanatory dialogue in the next episode. Trust me, there is a complete arc thought out for this and I hope that those watching will enjoy...despite my slow schedule.

These videos are done basically in my spare time and so it can be a challenge to get even three schedules lined up at times. Next episode I'm hoping to get in by the end of November and then taking a break til January because Japan gets ridiculously cold during the Winter and daylight becomes a precious commodity.

whysea:I think I noticed somewhere that "c" was being pronounced incorrectly. It does not make the "k" sound, it makes a "ts" sound. Overall I didn't see too many mistakes in the language, just keep practicing, you're already leagues ahead of the people in Incubus...

Thank you! This comment alone made my day. I know I made a mistake with the word for Vanity "Vaneco" and partially that's due to the script I'm using utilizing the same character for C and K which made me confuse their sounds.

Hundies19:Oh, and the script you guys use in the credits is awesome.

Thank you. The script IS completely readable to the dedicated. For those curious, it is derived from the Voynich Manuscript and the font is in the public domain. However, I use my own (quite simple) cipher.

SPX:What camera did you shoot it on? How much color correcting did you do? What program do you use for editing?

I shot Episodes 0 and 1 on a Nikon D300s with a Canon S95 playing a supporting role. In fact, the reason why I shot Episode 0 as a series of still pictures was because I wasn't confident in the D300s as a video camera. To be honest, I still wish I had more control over the image, but I was satisfied enough to keep using it for the time being. Incidentally, if you watch the "Demo pilot" on my channel, that was shot on the Canon 60D. Not gonna lie, as much as I love Nikon, that Canon was a dream to use for filming.

I didn't do too much color correcting outside of a few Magic Bullet filters to make colors pop a little more. Edited in Final Cut Pro with Adobe After Effects with the ridiculously simple Action Essentials 2 pack for the SFX. Nothing too complex outside of a few filters and simple masking tricks.

MrOutside:
I realize that the action wasn't the best. It's a difficulty with using actresses not trained in action. I did what I could to make them look better and will be doing what I can in the future.

I just recently started film school and am in Film Production I right now. I began work on my first project a few weeks ago. It's a very simple story but I am already beginning to understand the challenges of working with actors.

My guess with the action would be to do a lot of rehearsing, if possible. If they're up for it--and I know this is probably pretty extreme for small short films like this--maybe even try to get them trained in some basic martial arts concepts, like how to snap their techniques and move with power.

MrOutside:In the tradition of my favorite anime, the story is intentionally vague at this point but I will make a point to add some more explanatory dialogue in the next episode. Trust me, there is a complete arc thought out for this and I hope that those watching will enjoy...despite my slow schedule.

I do think a little more story would be helpful. I will be keeping an eye out for future episodes.

MrOutside:These videos are done basically in my spare time and so it can be a challenge to get even three schedules lined up at times. Next episode I'm hoping to get in by the end of November and then taking a break til January because Japan gets ridiculously cold during the Winter and daylight becomes a precious commodity.

I can understand that. I'm just working with one actor on my current project and there have been some difficulties regarding scheduling.

Out of curiosity, did you grow up in Japan? Or are you a transplant?

MrOutside:I shot Episodes 0 and 1 on a Nikon D300s with a Canon S95 playing a supporting role. . . . Incidentally, if you watch the "Demo pilot" on my channel, that was shot on the Canon 60D. Not gonna lie, as much as I love Nikon, that Canon was a dream to use for filming.

I can't say I know much about either of those cameras. I recently bought a Canon t3i/600D and I'm pretty satisfied with it so far. Good image quality.

I watched the Demo Pilot. Looks pretty good. I think you have a good sense of angles and framing and you have a lot of creative shots that are edited together well. Why aren't you still using the 60D? Don't have access to it anymore?

MrOutside:I didn't do too much color correcting outside of a few Magic Bullet filters to make colors pop a little more. Edited in Final Cut Pro with Adobe After Effects with the ridiculously simple Action Essentials 2 pack for the SFX. Nothing too complex outside of a few filters and simple masking tricks.

Cool. I really need to learn about that stuff. I edit on Premiere and have Magic Bullet, After Effects AND Action Essentials . . . but I don't know how to use any of them.

Forigite

No, you're right, although the line is "Cin povas aveki mi?" (switched the object and subject for emphatic effect) and I should have changed it to the correct "veki" as I did in the preview. Also I say "Reĝnos Ci" when it should be "Revos ci?"

Very glad I put subtitles now..