ZMF Official trailer Wow... I'm sure it's going to be big

Sorry Guys

As it stands it just does'nt do it for me. And IMHO it will not make an impression with anyone I know.

I am glad it is delayed

I don't want to be negative so if anyone want's to hear constructive criticism email me directly at [email protected]

This thing is just TOO BIG TO GET WRONG !!!

Grant

Hi Grant,

Constructive criticism is allowed online dude, so its best to air your views on here so we can all contribute to the points raised.

I for one would be interested in reading what you feel is wrong.
Remember its easy to critisise, so if you can offer a solution or an idea that would help get the message across, that would be most welcome...

Zen..

OK, Thanks ZEN

I undertand what you mean, I will compile a small Critique with suggestions offline and hopefully post in 60 mins

Grant

From the Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYLLFpNn4lM

0 to 40 Seconds
Noise
When was the last time you saw a movie trailer that began with 40 seconds of Noise, remember who the Target audience is, If we've seen addendum and are waching this we know what the news (noise) reports are saying, but we're already commited.

IMHO - this period is too important to leave with dead visuals, this is a trailer, it may work in the film, but not in the trailer

40 to 45 seconds
off putting high pitch tone, the kind that we use here outside shops to stop the kids loitering about.

IMHO Accompany the shocking sound with equally shocking images, If your gonna Shock, then use both Audio & Visual complimenting each other for MAXIMIUM effect (5 seconds)

45 to 120 Seconds
Narration good but screen image static & wasted

IMHO Utilize the video to show subtly abstract examples of todays socially accepted mal adjusted behavior

120 to 130 Seconds
Black immobile Image spent introducing the statement "The System"

IMHO Introduction of narration here is good but should use black areas to identify who is speaking and what their credentials are!!! PORTRAY CONFIDENCE IN THE NARRATORS.

Above all - give the impression that what is portrayed is actually happening today and is undeniable reality, along with chilling music

OK so thats the first 2 minutes, and that as long as you get !!!. Most people will have formed an opinion or lost interest by this time which will be almost impossible to change.

IMHO MIX in imagery
Subtle but firm Cuts, a child starving whilst a spoilt child throws his food around during the same second of the same day = REALITY BUT CRAZY

Personnaly I LOVE the previous Images I've seen with the Man in a Suit with a Briefcase that Just stops moving in a Busy Street and falls to his knees in REALIZATION that something is wrong. It made me Cry!! If it works don't be afraid to re use snippets or expand upon

Target Audience = WAKE UP Target Audience = WAKE UP Target Audience = WAKE UP Target Audience = WAKE UP

All IMHO, I'll try & leave my Ego out of this

Grant

Hey Grant

You've missed the point completely. Somehow I think I am answering some sort of media studies question on your behalf. Noise is representative of what current society is. Hence noise. If you aren't aware and of understanding noise, especially white noise, it is a combination of all audible frequencies, usually 20hz to 20khz. Noise as a representation of where we are at in society is absolutely referential to white noise, it is the antithesis of a sine wave, for example or multiples of, show harmony. An identifier and theme in all ZGMs, we want to get to a single tone so from the 'noise' to melody, towards a single note will ensue.

Given that if you hadn't seen any of the previous ZG movies white noise would be something unfamiliar and might be a cause or interest. If you had seen them it would be a familar hook.

As for the rest I am sure Peter has kept the best back. Unlike cinema trailers where the most dynamic parts of the movie are flaunted out of context to draw the potential viewer in to find out what will ensue we are looking at an established audience in the main and those who are not may be drawn by the unconventional.

The image of the briefcase guy left me cold - that's me, I'm not moved by someone who should no better as opposed to the innocents who our society cull everyday.

Hope this helps. Constructive debate welcomed.

Take care Jonno

Interesting analysis Jonno, but I think Grant has a point - sure as a piece of art it might be meaningful but as a tool - an advert essentially - to get new people interested enough to invest the time in watching the film, maybe it could be improved?

Good job I'm trying to leave my ego out of this

I've never done Media Studies, so mine is simply the view of a mature Database Analyst who Circumnavigated the world before his 17th Birthday

Thanks for the explanation of the noise principle, maybe it is subliminal enough to reach the uninitiated mind, which would lead me to the Question, "Who is the Target audience?", is it really intended for an established audience, if so, why? I'm not sure that the noise would be "unfamiliar & cause interest" (0 to 40 Seconds) within a trailer for the uninitiated. A bit off topic but you seem interested, have you ever heard of the Schuman resonance?

I'm sure PJ has a lot on his plate right now & I really hope he is receiving strong personal support. I get the impression that the trailer is not really well thought out for maximum impact but just some snippets cut together ad-hoc. I don't know if PJ has done this or he has a seperate team, I hope it's a seperate team with fresh eyes.

I think not being moved simply because "the briefcase guy should know better" is not really inline with how we should approach people.

As I said before I think this is really TOO BIG to get wrong, some may extrapolate that the entire movement could be put back years if this film/trailer is not amazing, this is a big gamble, we may need to be weary of fifth columnists, so with all this in mind, does anyone know where this trailer is being discussed in a constructive, open & formal manner, with boundaries and clear objectives that could be fed back to someone who has influence on production?

Grant

Grant If you feel so strongly about this then I'd suggest getting a logon for the Global site and create a forum entry or comment on any of the others for ZM: Moving Forward. You can also send a message directly to Peter Joseph as he is a global admin for this forum. There's a whole thread where people have created their own trailers. I haven't checked for a while but he may have written up there his rationale for it

I still think the 'style' and feel is appropriate, it continues the established theme. This movie is not ever going to go into theatrical release in direct competion with Hollywood blockbusters in your local Odeon. I know PJ is going to put it into some film festivals, not sure which, and his 'style' has been successful in the past earning critical awards for ZTM and ZA. There is an established theme in the presentation of his work, it's worked well until now and PJ is comfortable and productive with it.

There are other movie makers out there for the movement, Douglas Mallette's Awakening for example. Maybe it's more a case of someone else coming up with a different sort of presentation again with a more immediate feel that appeals to a wider audience brought up on commercial big bang and thrills media?

I think you are wrong in your assumption that the movement will be set back if the movie is not amazing, and on what grounds will you judge it as have been amazing anyway? The movement stands regardless. It's entirely different to the 3D blockbuster that's big at the moment to the next one that is anticipated to be even bigger and you'll have forgotten about the first one. I hope we're not that fickle and TZM will only grow with a membership that understands and embraces what we're about and not a cool special effect although I believe we are going to be treated to a few.

Not heard of the Schmann resonance, thanks for the reference. Checked it out on Wikipedia. If only we could organise some lightning strikes on the 15th Jan to create some sub audible resonances to add to the vibe...

By the way my initial response was meant to be taken semi-seriously. I haven't done media studies either. Your dissection of the trailer envoked an image of what a media studies student might do. I don't know for sure if the white noise is meant as an analogy for the chaos in society either, that's just my take on it.

Jonno

Hi Grant,

I actually like the trailer as it is and granted the noise is long, but it does serve a purpose.
Also as the last 2 films PJ has released have gone on to become the most watched online docu films off all time, i think its safe to assume he knows what he is doing.
There is another trailer being released, so lets wait and see what this one is like.

I'm not sure off the numbers but i believe more than 50milion people watched the other films, so they would be one of our target audiences.

Also its up to us as members to promote this movie too, so i'm holding off any negative comments until i have more info on the content of the film. This film wont miss-fire going by the success of the previous 2 films.

I for one cant wait for the release, and all the promo work thats required to make this movie as big a success as possible.

I've not heard many critisisms of the trailer, but if you go on the the international site, you will find its talked about at great lengh within the forum.
http://www.thezeitgeistmovement.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_kunena&I...

One question to you Grant Williams & JH Abbot,

Where`s your fucking movie?

Anyone who can go through any movie trailer on a second by second basis has got too much spare fucking time on their hands.

All of course IMHO

Thanks for your input, very useful

Hey you were asked a question,

Now answer it or shut the fuck up.

Because until we see `your` movie nobody is intersted in yours or Mr. Grant`s `opinion`.

Your `opinion` is meaningless unless you do something or make something useful that gives some credence to your `right` to criticise, then your `opinion` will have input value.

Other than that if you write in a public forum be prepared to deal with some shit while exercising your verbal hobby.

I've never done Media Studies, so mine is simply the view of a mature Database Analyst who Circumnavigated the world before his 17th Birthday

Grant

WOW - no ego there then.

If it's too big to get wrong, may I suggest you get the hell off the forums and start telling people about the solutions that science and technology has to the problems and destruction we see all around us?

Or perhaps you can go on criticising a film that has yet to be completed or released and let a single filmmaker be the only voice of your worldview.

It's up to you. It always has been, Grant.

What was so useful about this entire thread from the beginning that makes you such a good judge of usefulness?

Seriously, it amazes me with everything that this movement is about, that people STILL gravitate to yelling and whining online. You've received your wake-up call. If you're not trying to spread this information in any way you can possibly think of in the real worls, you aren't in the movement. YET Yes? Ok? Good.

I'm out of here. I created this profile for specifically these answers. I will not be back. The real world and actual people await.

KW

Well said all round KW,

I didn`t want to lay into our friend Grant too much on the ego issues, which were hilarious, he`s got his head stuck so far up his own ass he probably wouldn`t get the irony of his own statement.

So Grant you`ve sailed around the world single handed - so! who gives a shit? Did it solve the problem of world poverty? No it fucking didn`t.

Jesus died for our sins - who cares! has it brought about world peace? an end to war? No it hasn`t.

I once banged myself on the foot with a shovel - who cares! Did it help rid the world of malnutrition & disease, again no it fucking hasn`t.

I`m back off to the real world again as well to work with real people & do actual real stuff for this direction but I`ll be back next month to give you forum whiners more shit until you start to wise up,

And please remember I really do care about you all but you`ve got to keep your sense of humour so don`t take this shit personally but please, please if your going to be involved with this put your fucking brain in gear before you start spouting crap on these forums, KW & I are watching you, you naughty little zeitgeisters.

Hey there Bill, hope you're doing well. I'm not really sure why you're having a go at me, specifically but I'd like to know. My interpretation is that Grant has made some criticisms of a trailer, Jonno has provided his interpretation, and I have simply asked the question:

Regardless of the artistic merit of the trailer, as an advertising tool to get people to watch the full movie, could it be improved?

Now, I've never actually said whether I've even watched the trailer or not, and I certainly haven't criticized it, so your hostile response to me is somewhat perplexing. However, evidently you have somehow got the wrong impression so I must have communicated poorly somewhere along the way, I'd appreciate any guidance on how I could improve in that regard.

Additionally, I think that asking if something can be improved is always a good thing to do, and I would suggest to you that if you feel the way Grant posed this question was poor and just pure criticism, then you should address that issue separately and help Grant to express his point in a more friendly and positive way.

Perhaps you are already aware?

Maybe you're not?

But, anyway, there is now a Press Kit available:

http://www.zeitgeistmovingforward.com/

Not sure if there is more promotional stuff to come ......?

FAO Wild BillHicks

Well I can only hope that you've both made a real difference over the past month in the real world your so proud of living in and done some actual real stuff, maybe your not used to frequenting the real world as they've only just started letting you out?. Yeah, care in the community is such a good thing, isn't it The pair of you (if indeed there actually are two of you) obviously have very simialar personality disorders.

But i'll try and remember that, You really do care about us all all and thanks for the Fatherly advice to put my Brain in Gear & Stop spouting Crap, so, no, Of course I won't take your comments personnaly.

Bill I read some of your previous posts and you've basically done this same thing to other posters, I'm not quite sure why you haven't been banned yet. Do you honestly believe in that miniscule little mind of yours that your helping the movement by being so obnoxious, or are you simple a Troll or worse, a 5th Columnist?

Maybe you'd like to enlighten us as to what you've actually achieved (not the same as physically done) over the past month in your real world with real people?

Hopefully something a little more productive than stiffle constructive discussion from people who were obviously just trying to help..