"A Californian Homage to Top Gear" - Page 2

Akilles · January 26th, 2009, 5:34 PM

Now i watched the full movie, overall it's impressive to see that you guys can make this images/smilies/smile.gif

The voice-over for the race sounded very dull, but overall the movie was good.

SVB: Okey, i missed that you wrote about the torrent, images/smilies/smile.gif

Kiskaloo · January 27th, 2009, 12:02 AM

Honestly, these guys didn't strike me as being any more "stiff" then the Top Gear Australia guys.

The TGUK guys have been on the radio and on television for what, decades? That has to help in the "polished" department.

I will note that they did strike me as maybe trying to hard to be like JC, RH and JM and I can see where that fell a bit flat because the original trio are so polished. So if you folks do go forward, just be yourselves. images/smilies/yes.gif

svb · January 27th, 2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiskaloo

I will note that they did strike me as maybe trying to hard to be like JC, RH and JM and I can see where that fell a bit flat because the original trio are so polished. So if you folks do go forward, just be yourselves. images/smilies/yes.gif

Well, take this as you will, but I assure you that how we appear in the film is how we are in real life. I don't think any of us were trying to be like the guys on Top Gear during the shoot. The fact of the matter is, one of the reasons we did this film is because we are similar to those guys in many ways as I'm sure most "regular blokes who are into cars" will be. That's in part why we're fans of the show and why we wanted to do a film like this ourselves.

The comparisons to Top Gear UK are obvious and inevitable, and as I've said before we could never hope to match up to the original. Luckily, because we've all known each other for years now, we have a lot of built-in chemistry that I think comes out in the film. If we appear similar to the original, that's simply a reflection of reality -- we're not that good of actors! images/smilies/wink.gif

jayhawk · January 27th, 2009, 2:21 AM

+1 for saying "liberal hippies".

Also, the last shot in the fifth episode, driving on the dirt road, was fantastic.

Also, I do not think that for the most part it was forced acting.

Dsemaj · January 27th, 2009, 3:23 AM

Errr. VLC plays all the quicktime files perfectly. You fools need VLC images/smilies/tongue.gif

Oh, and I don't think you guys felt forced on camera at all! If you kept working on it, you guys would work great on screen. You all seem pretty natural and relaxed for the most part.

shellygrrl · January 27th, 2009, 5:24 AM

Well done, all! *applause*

motogpboy · January 27th, 2009, 5:33 AM

Saw the first 15 min. about a week ago and was very impressed with that. Can't wait to watch it later tonight! (Roddick v Djokovic match is on right now) images/smilies/tongue.gif

mountainman · January 27th, 2009, 4:30 PM

I haven't watched any ACH2TG yet. I've been saving myself because I want my first time to be perfect. You guys going sell a DVD version? It's rare I have an opportunity to pay for Top Gear-esque entertainment. I'd even mail you a SASE.

Final Daihatsu · January 27th, 2009, 5:31 PM

I watched the first part over there on Blip, then the second part just refused to load. I'll wait for the torrent.

Nevertheless, I still think that this film is an awesome achievement, you blokes are win :>

Also,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Could this be the start of something? FinalGear.com user-generated content? If everything is as good as this, we could do it. Think about it, all our members from all over the world on a quest to find the greatest driving road!

HOLY FUCKING YES, I'll participate as soon as I have a car! images/smilies/biggrin.gif

This could be brilliant, creating a number of separate films from different countries, then editing them into a one big film (as in "meanwhile, in country x..").

LeVeL · January 27th, 2009, 8:43 PM

Ok, I just finished watching the whole film. Great job overall, but just one bit of criticism - you didn't show enough roads! I want to actually see the twists and turns of all those wonderful cali roads

TerranCmdr · January 27th, 2009, 9:34 PM

Fantastic work guys. I was really impressed with the quality of this film. I particularly liked the San Francisco segment, but I might be a bit biased because I live here! images/smilies/biggrin.gif

hyperlitenerd · January 28th, 2009, 3:37 AM

I loved it! I was really surprised to see moody/pagemill show up there! That is one of my most traveled "driving" roads. I will have to check out that road near clear lake.

It was not as sharp as top gear, but on the cost for value scale, it was awesome. I am assuming there will be another one, and when you do that one, I might suggest 175 to clear lake, the road up to Mt. Tamalpais in the north bay, Mt. Hamilton out to Tracy. I would also be curious to see some of the alpine roads out east.

Overall great job, waiting for the next installment... hyperlitenerd

GerFix · January 28th, 2009, 10:48 PM

Brilliant! Really enjoyable viewing. I've been eager to see the rest of it since you posted the first part last September (?) and was not disappointed. Well done. images/smilies/biggrin.gif

gaasc · January 29th, 2009, 7:56 PM

i saw the first part when it came out and i was like "well it's not bad" but seeing the whole thing it's better than i thought. it did felt a bit pushed sometimes but it was great overall, if i have 1 criticism is that the voiceover of the rally stage was dull as hell (especially the fiat) so if i had to rate it 8.3/10

BTW svb i see you have a VW GTI did all of you just dumped the cars,kept them or sold them

svb · January 31st, 2009, 5:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaasc

BTW svb i see you have a VW GTI did all of you just dumped the cars,kept them or sold them

The Fiat has been Brandon's second car for awhile now. It's partially restored and he has plans to do more but it's currently on hold. He's not getting rid of it either, though.

The BMW has already been sold.

Last I checked, the owner of the Neon ACR was thinking about selling it but I'm unaware currently if he has actually listed the car for sale yet.

Alakdeus · January 31st, 2009, 11:31 PM

the neon ACR was actually crashed on highway one by the owner (the guy who was in just some shots) because of hydroplaning. I'm not sure if it's totaled, but it's definitely messed up.

-rodoni

Labcoatguy · February 1st, 2009, 12:15 AM

Excellent job guys! Makes me want to move to California, like everyone else, and indulge my car thing. In due time, of course.

Richmondgal · February 1st, 2009, 12:24 AM

I've seen a bit of the film and i can only see a bit of it or else my computer konks out on me. (needs new one) It's something I wanna do when I get my licence, although I don't know how I'm going to get the minicams, the extra people that will hold the cameras while I'll do a piece to camera about the lame bomb I'm driving and editing the film. So far, your film is good and it's great that there is natural chemistry between the three of you. You may need to work on the camera shots, but apart from that, pretty good.

We should set up something like a Finalgear TV or something so members can share reviews and whatever to everyone.

nuntius_deorum · February 1st, 2009, 10:44 PM

That was very good indeed, thanks for sharing! images/smilies/clap.gif

Kingsoup · February 2nd, 2009, 10:18 PM

Ok I just gotta say I'm stunned that anyone is critizing this.

Its amazing, it captured the spirit exactly, wasn't readily rehearsed, and the shots where GREAT! I can't imagine how much work this took, but its Brilliant. For an amatuer effort its nearly professional quality, more entertaining then any TG Australia I've seen, most 5th gears and a couple of TopGears I can think of.

Stellar job, just amazing! something we've all dreamed of doing! Linked to every car person I know.

January 26th, 2009, 5:34 PM	#21
Akilles Joined: Mar 5th, 2007 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Sweden! Posts: 26 Car: Working on a driving license Rep Power: 12	Now i watched the full movie, overall it's impressive to see that you guys can make this The voice-over for the race sounded very dull, but overall the movie was good. SVB: Okey, i missed that you wrote about the torrent, __________________ Clarkson: James! Bad news, the Dacia Sandero... May: The what? Last edited by Akilles; January 26th, 2009 at 5:36 PM.

January 27th, 2009, 2:21 AM	#24
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 1:57 AM Location: Aurora, IL. Age: 34 Posts: 6,475 Car: 07 Subaru WRX, 09 VW Tiguan. Rep Power: 234	+1 for saying "liberal hippies". Also, the last shot in the fifth episode, driving on the dirt road, was fantastic. Also, I do not think that for the most part it was forced acting. __________________ Instead of attending the circus, I visit Autoblog to see the clowns comment instead. Last edited by jayhawk; January 27th, 2009 at 2:25 AM.

January 27th, 2009, 3:23 AM	#25
Dsemaj Previously Known As Jamesd Joined: May 3rd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Adelaide, Australia. Age: 18 Posts: 2,671 Car: '95 BMW 530i, '85 Nissan Bluebird S3 GXE Rep Power: 40	Errr. VLC plays all the quicktime files perfectly. You fools need VLC Oh, and I don't think you guys felt forced on camera at all! If you kept working on it, you guys would work great on screen. You all seem pretty natural and relaxed for the most part. __________________ 1995 BMW E34 530i V8 M60B30 218HP/163kW 5sp Auto 1985 Nissan 910 Bluebird I4 CA20S 105HP/78kW 3sp Auto

January 27th, 2009, 5:24 AM	#26
shellygrrl Not A Dude Joined: Nov 29th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Maine Posts: 1,083 Rep Power: 82	Well done, all! applause __________________ "Unlike James May, I will only run on television." ~ Jeremy Clarkson "This is where we'll see the advantage of the optional sport pack." ~ James May "Oversteer is best, because you don't see the tree that kills you." ~ Richard Hammond "James is NOT gorgeous. He’s hairy, churlish and has curious personal habits." ~ Oz Clarke "ALL TV programmes have a script (and/or storyboard), otherwise as other posters have said it would be chaos, and TG would look like a Youtube video from someone's backyard." ~ ozgirl

January 27th, 2009, 5:33 AM	#27
motogpboy Joined: Jan 20th, 2009 Last Online: 12:00 AM Location: UC Berkeley Age: 23 Posts: 517 Car: 2006 WRX Rep Power: 23	Saw the first 15 min. about a week ago and was very impressed with that. Can't wait to watch it later tonight! (Roddick v Djokovic match is on right now) __________________

January 27th, 2009, 12:02 AM	#22
Kiskaloo Joined: Jan 10th, 2009 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 327 Rep Power: 15	Honestly, these guys didn't strike me as being any more "stiff" then the Top Gear Australia guys. The TGUK guys have been on the radio and on television for what, decades? That has to help in the "polished" department. I will note that they did strike me as maybe trying to hard to be like JC, RH and JM and I can see where that fell a bit flat because the original trio are so polished. So if you folks do go forward, just be yourselves.

January 27th, 2009, 4:30 PM	#28
mountainman Joined: Jun 4th, 2008 Last Online: November 17th, 2009 Location: Richford, Vermont Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	I haven't watched any ACH2TG yet. I've been saving myself because I want my first time to be perfect. You guys going sell a DVD version? It's rare I have an opportunity to pay for Top Gear-esque entertainment. I'd even mail you a SASE.

January 27th, 2009, 8:43 PM	#30
LeVeL Joined: Jun 16th, 2007 Last Online: 2:00 AM Location: MA Age: 21 Posts: 2,967 Car: CG5/F23A1 Rep Power: 100	Ok, I just finished watching the whole film. Great job overall, but just one bit of criticism - you didn't show enough roads! I want to actually see the twists and turns of all those wonderful cali roads __________________ ^Don't worry he's a closet ~~homosexual~~ Miata driver. - Twerp128 flickr . . . photography + UMass Motorsport

January 27th, 2009, 9:34 PM	#31
TerranCmdr Joined: Nov 12th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: San Francisco, CA Age: 22 Posts: 96 Car: '09 Corolla Rep Power: 13	Fantastic work guys. I was really impressed with the quality of this film. I particularly liked the San Francisco segment, but I might be a bit biased because I live here!

January 28th, 2009, 3:37 AM	#32
hyperlitenerd Joined: Nov 24th, 2008 Last Online: 12:46 AM Location: California, United States of America Posts: 11 Car: 1994 Mazda rx-7 Rep Power: 0	I loved it! I was really surprised to see moody/pagemill show up there! That is one of my most traveled "driving" roads. I will have to check out that road near clear lake. It was not as sharp as top gear, but on the cost for value scale, it was awesome. I am assuming there will be another one, and when you do that one, I might suggest 175 to clear lake, the road up to Mt. Tamalpais in the north bay, Mt. Hamilton out to Tracy. I would also be curious to see some of the alpine roads out east. Overall great job, waiting for the next installment... hyperlitenerd

January 28th, 2009, 10:48 PM	#33
GerFix Joined: Oct 13th, 2007 Last Online: November 10th, 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 534 Car: BMW E92 M3, MG TF160, Citroen C2 VTS Rep Power: 19	Brilliant! Really enjoyable viewing. I've been eager to see the rest of it since you posted the first part last September (?) and was not disappointed. Well done. __________________ This Pork Sword

January 29th, 2009, 7:56 PM	#34
gaasc Post Whore Joined: Apr 26th, 2008 Last Online: 1:37 AM Location: Honduras Age: 16 Posts: 1,260 Rep Power: 58	i saw the first part when it came out and i was like "well it's not bad" but seeing the whole thing it's better than i thought. it did felt a bit pushed sometimes but it was great overall, if i have 1 criticism is that the voiceover of the rally stage was dull as hell (especially the fiat) so if i had to rate it 8.3/10 BTW svb i see you have a VW GTI did all of you just dumped the cars,kept them or sold them

January 31st, 2009, 11:31 PM	#36
Alakdeus Joined: Nov 10th, 2008 Last Online: April 9th, 2009 Location: San Jose/ California Posts: 4 Car: 1998 BMW 318ti Rep Power: 0	the neon ACR was actually crashed on highway one by the owner (the guy who was in just some shots) because of hydroplaning. I'm not sure if it's totaled, but it's definitely messed up. -rodoni

February 1st, 2009, 12:15 AM	#37
Labcoatguy Joined: Mar 27th, 2005 Last Online: 1:10 AM Location: Boston, MA Age: 26 Posts: 4,424 Car: A Jaaaaaaaag. Rep Power: 235	Excellent job guys! Makes me want to move to California, like everyone else, and indulge my car thing. In due time, of course.

February 1st, 2009, 12:24 AM	#38
Richmondgal Not A Dude Joined: Feb 19th, 2008 Last Online: 12:39 AM Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,061 Car: Not a Holden Monaro, but a Hyundai Getz will do Rep Power: 41	I've seen a bit of the film and i can only see a bit of it or else my computer konks out on me. (needs new one) It's something I wanna do when I get my licence, although I don't know how I'm going to get the minicams, the extra people that will hold the cameras while I'll do a piece to camera about the lame bomb I'm driving and editing the film. So far, your film is good and it's great that there is natural chemistry between the three of you. You may need to work on the camera shots, but apart from that, pretty good. We should set up something like a Finalgear TV or something so members can share reviews and whatever to everyone. __________________ Wait! I did a post!

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February 1st, 2009, 10:44 PM	#39
nuntius_deorum Joined: Dec 3rd, 2005 Last Online: November 19th, 2009 Location: Milan, Italy Posts: 29 LFS Status: Rep Power: 17	That was very good indeed, thanks for sharing!

February 2nd, 2009, 10:18 PM	#40
Kingsoup Joined: Dec 2nd, 2006 Last Online: July 24th, 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 9 Car: 1993 Mitsubishi GTO VR-4 / 1993 Toyota Celsior Rep Power: 0	Ok I just gotta say I'm stunned that anyone is critizing this. Its amazing, it captured the spirit exactly, wasn't readily rehearsed, and the shots where GREAT! I can't imagine how much work this took, but its Brilliant. For an amatuer effort its nearly professional quality, more entertaining then any TG Australia I've seen, most 5th gears and a couple of TopGears I can think of. Stellar job, just amazing! something we've all dreamed of doing! Linked to every car person I know.

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