Comments on: Is Fede Alvarez The “New Neill Blomkamp”? Watch Robot Invasion Short, ‘Panic Attack!’

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:49:38 +0000

<>but the effects and the videography are what directors do. They craft the imagery, the package, the complete experience.

With the exception of people like James Cameron, they generally do not come up with the story. That falls to the screenwriters. Directors and producers find an idea they like and turn it into a film. When Hollywood looks at the short, what they are looking at is how he executed the idea, not the idea itself.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:11:24 +0000

What nobody has acknowledged is that the whole "giant robots attacking a city" thing was blatantly ripped from this short made like 10 years ago for half the budget:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfMoJ_gzjCk

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:12:56 +0000

He was showing off what he could do with $300, not his original idea for a screenplay. Everyone is impressed by the effects and the videography.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:51:21 +0000

It's an interesting short. Yes, there is a definite similarity to the 2004 film, but that one didn't have a narrative flow or a human element, nor was any scene more than a few seconds long. Besides, Hollywood is constantly remaking films. Alvarez brought something new to it.

More important, it isn't just standard blow-'em-up stuff -- there are some shots that have pretty sophisticated camera angles and composition -- the black smoke boiling up around the white cross, the curving arcs of the missiles heading to the skyscraper, the swings (a Terminator 2 homage?), the spatters of blood on the screen, the obelisk with the flames flowing around it...

No, it doesn't show whether he can coax a decent performance out of an actor but there is talent there.

By: *muse

*muse — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:35:41 +0000

What is most interesting to me about this story is the fact that YouTube and the internet in general has made an amazing platform for those who would have been unheard of otherwise. Whether we want to describe Fede or the footage to any other movie, director, producer, animator or otherwise, what he's done with his small budget music video has gotten enough plays and buzz to make the United States Hollywood conglomerate pay attention to folks they wouldnt have. Thus the same deal w Myspace and Apple commercials, now creating semi web stars from folks at home with a diddy and a guitar.

Funny enough – I'm sure SNAKE is not as pleased that the producer got hooked up off of a video made for their song (if you actually CLICK the music video link, its THEIR song, Ataque de Panico: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8F9Qvror6g) which I thought seemed very music video like when I saw the video sans band.

however – A lot more people now know about the band internationally that probably never would have.

VERY FEW ideas are that original. Get off your high-horses, people. 30mil is great for a dude from S America – but consider the budgets for a lot of these other movies out there that have been less than exciting.

Congrats to Mr Alvarez, and I hope some other great indie producers, etc now will catch some love from big name studios as well.

For all you other talented folk, stop bitching about this story and upload your own stuff. Start the viral promo NOW!

By: i.c. filmworks

i.c. filmworks — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:14:47 +0000

I agree. Commend this Artist for his time and effort in his work… He did a brilliant job. No Artist know what has public appeal until he puts his work out there. With the experience of directing 5 films… The latest having a animated opening that was only three minutes and took almost 24 hours to cut… I can imagine what it took him to piece his work together… C'mon guys lets tip our hats to this Artist… he did an awesome job…. I had my little critics comment on my work and its striking to know that most never wrote a script, shot a film, or edited one… I'd just laughed them off because I knew they didn't have the courage to even shoot a film…. It takes guts and glory to do so…. Please give this Artist some respect… And for the smart allecks… Yeah my works recieved great reviews… but I'm not here to comment on me its all about Panic Attacks director…. Brilliant work! Go do what you really wanted to with that 30 million dollar budget! Marvelous Mr.Panic Attack Direct!
Simply marvelous!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:34:52 +0000

People are so jealous these days. the jealous haters are the ones that have nothing, because there to negative and focusing their energy hating. Thats why they are not successful. He did this short, with $300 dollars. It was good! And hollywood likes it. Just cuz your work isn't good, stop hating. Make something better if you think you can. But don't hate, be happy for the person. Maybe being a little positive will bring you some prosperity. But the haters will be losers the positive creative thinkers will succeed.

laterz

By: DaTruth82

DaTruth82 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Uh, people he did this for only $300 – that is what's impressive! Could you imagine what he could do with a budget of $10k, $50k, or even $1M. Admittedly, the pacing is a little off (starts off strong and beautiful), then lags a bit, and then goes full tilt, but fixing that will come with experience. Not to mention, the middle downtime left me completely unprepared for the attack that came next. Maybe that was the intent, and, again, with some experience and 'old heads' around, this director will improve. Bravo – well done!

By: PoopChef

PoopChef — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:49:59 +0000

This is a pretty ingenious blueprint from Hollywood:

1. Create a buzz for an unknown director by taking advantage of free viral marketing.

2. Have a ubiquitous apocalypse screenplay ready that any modestly talented director could handle.

3. Make new low-maintenance director your puppet and control film using established blockbuster formulas and minimizing costs.

4. Market the next big end of the world movie as directed by Hollywood's next action genius (keep in mind a lot of the marketing has already been done for free on the net).

5. Profit and enjoy your ability to manipulate the consumer and their pocketbooks.

By: matthew

matthew — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:24:43 +0000

It looks like a film that has been already made before. but oh well, if it works for you. ??

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:01:42 +0000

wow did everyone see this link below!!!:

http://www.vimeo.com/6966258

It's so obvious he must of copied and based his short movie off of an older video from 2004. WOW
That is soo unoriginal…How can you possibly pawn this off as your work, seriously.

Anyway….I would still go see it 🙂

By: Mircea

Mircea — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:40:38 +0000

Checkout this video made in 2004: http://www.vimeo.com/6966258

Do you see some resemblance?

Also, I didn't like the music…to slow for the action. But the music from Alive in Joburg (Neill Bloomkamp) was fantastic!

By: Kevin Dougherty

Kevin Dougherty — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:50:39 +0000

$300 is a lot of dough if you're not actually paying for software :)

Lots of folks have done similar pieces for less. You can make things like this for nothing if you have decent skills with a camera and compositing (and access to the tools.)

I liked it, but when I heard the music was swiped from "28 Days Later" my opinion dropped a bit.

Sure, it's all a bit of hype, but I wish the director well...and I'm admittedly a little jealous that nobody paid me to expand my short: "Giant Robot Attacks Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania."

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:23:20 +0000

how was this done with just $3oo?

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:12:22 +0000

Wow, the hate and jealousy! It may not be revolutionary but is pretty on par with what is released today. Good enough to get 30 mil, no?
There are an endless amount of story lines you could write for this.

By: Newyorkladii

Newyorkladii — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:09:20 +0000

HE SPENT $300 TO MAKE THIS.

Okay, with that in mind...

This short film is spectacular. Look at the crap half of the "youtube" starts are putting out and spending way more on. Keeping in mind this guy had no previous deals and literally is starting from the bottom and made his way up in a fairy-tale story.

Ya'll get your facts straight. This is legit for only three hundred bucks and I'm looking forward to seeing him on a grander scale.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:06:51 +0000

Wow, pretty impressive actually to just be done with 300 dolla's. I dont know why people have to hate on it… i mean it was a bit slow at first but after everything went down it really wasn't that bad of a short film. I guess people dont realize what you can do with 30 million compared to 300

By: Voz Earl

Voz Earl — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:00:25 +0000

Listen to all the jealous posers taking shots at this guy–like they could do better phfffft. Well he has a $30 million contract and you all have zip, zilch, zero, nada. That pretty much says it all. A most impressive video.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:41:34 +0000

I wonder how long until the film is taken off youtube for copyright violation? If this cost only $300 to make then you know damn well he didn't license John Murphy's score.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:38:52 +0000

Anyone catch the "Battleship Potemkin" homage?

But yeah, can't say I'm all that impressed. It's just a showcase for the guy's CGI wizardry, with no plot to speak of.

I think it's a little soon to be hailing Alvarez as the next big thing.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:34:53 +0000

What I don't see in the original post (and just what happens to be the most important issue) is that this short had a total budget of $300. That is impressive! However, just because Alvarez can do a lot with little doesn't mean this translates to big-budget Hollywood success.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:55:39 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNGEdwiUD_E

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:34:33 +0000

Don't mean to be rude , But I think the Concept/idea was taken from this New Zealand music video made a few years ago i.e Giant Robots come into a city, same building explosions shots and a Nuke at the end..

http://www.umeric.com/#/project/salmonella_dub/nusteppa/

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:45:41 +0000

i got to echo some comments here. you're pretty tough on 2012 (rightfully so), but this is the same thing only it doesn't look as good. i'm sure you'll say "but 2012 had 250 million and this is low budget". maybe thats true, maybe not (i don't know how much was spent on this, could be some rich kid dropping millions), but who cares? there is not one clever, interesting, or unique shot in the short. it's really nothing except special effects, which you guys are always hating on. it's still pretty impressive technically for a young director no doubt, but odd you singled this out. and since when did agents meeting with someone mean anything (same site that dismisses when actresses meet with directors)?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:51:13 +0000

I agree with everyone but Dave and Anonymous. This is far from good, and underscores Hollywood's reactionary behavior because agents are just "chasing" him to sell the sizzle to producers and studio execs who are equally reactionary and lacking in imagination, and no one really cares if there's actually any "there" there.

Also, to Anonymous: Neill's political statement was actually very original. Your facts are totally wrong, but most people are ignorant so it's understandable how you can be so misinformed, even though the truth has appeared often in the press (Neill has even said so himself in interviews on multiple occasions). It WASN'T about apartheid, but about the black-on-black violence in the townships due to civil war in a neighboring country driving refugees into South Africa.

Fede's short is just cheap effects and as Cde and Amber so smartly noted, it doesn't give any indication that he could make a feature.