Timotheus

Just read all todays madness
Time out Please!
ES needs to refund the 3 people involved in this matter , it's between him and them .
Andrew is away filming and I don't think he will want an internet intervention lynching branded by EOSHD members when he has said if this is not resolved he will get the authorities involved.
 
ES contact the three people involved , keep in regular contact with them and get on with the plan for refunding them in full with a realistic time frame they are happy with and stick to it.
or you will be dealing with Andrew Reid direct.
 
 
 

I´m with you on that big time, dhessel!
@andy lee, if you feel to drop a line on this, maybe you can find the time to do so.
I have been promoting the idea of leaving it to authorities before. I do not feel like screaming it through
the vast number of posts. It is not a pleasure I want to learn to find.
Anyway, leaving it to the authorities is the legally right procedure in this regards matter, involving
the account ES, the scam victims, the forum posters and not least of all Andrew!
Andrew suggested that as well to leave it to authorities!
 

This is a very good point, it is a shame that Andrew has not been able to be more involved in this from the beginning. I personally have no intention participating in what is coming, it is not something that is in my nature or that I necessarily agree with, this is sound advice for anyone thinking about going along with Ed's plan. 

You are so very right, man! You guys, hold your actions on behalf of Andrew! His platform is not the place to organize collective acts as suggested on this page of the thread.
It is Andrew´s place, not anybody elses forum to plan out activities against internet criminals!
Andrew is working hard on filming, he cannot chim in at the moment, so let´s respect that and behave in consequence of that like guests in his house,
not like operators of large scale web2.0 operations.
If people wish to do so, they should use their own communication channels.
@andy lee Do you follow my logic above?
 
Though I´d leave that to the authorities as well!!!

Not to put a downer on all this, but shouldn't you guys move off/away from this forum?
This is Andrew's forum/blog, after all & he might not take too kindly to all of this.
Remember that you might be dragging his name down with yours & this scammer.
Have any of you checked to see what he thinks or what steps he is taking? Might be worth doing, before you rush headlong down this route.
Just saying, because in the past he was quite quick to ban people for a lot less that what this kid has done & what you are doing.

I have a huge collection of short films from big Film Festivals, and most of them are Absolute Rubbish. I am guessing, it's more of creating hype and propaganda, and getting an agent, or becoming one, that gets you through. For most things. Also, while some films have excellent cinematography, or other technical bits, their stories and direction are good for toddlers, at best. 

Start systematically. Ensure the edit is good. Most often, faster cuts (and large angled camera shots, where faces aren't so visible for bad actors) can make an average film seem good. Also, ensure the sound is good. Check ADR as an option, and put in a good background score. Good coloring and grading are also necessary. 
Also, good posters, and working stills (along with a good trailer) would be a great idea.


Make a list of Film Festivals like this:
1. Ones closest to your house. Like within a radius you can travel to (like 100-500 kms) with your parents or friends. 
2. The ones that are Free. Or have very low entry fees. Sundance charges $40 for early bird entries for their Short Films. SOTC (short of the week) charges $29. The $11 isn't exactly huge, by any standard. And, many famous film festivals charges almost nothing, many even less than Sundance. Do your research. There must be atleast 30-50 like these. 
3. The ones, whose owners, producers you can meet and discuss, and get some mileage out of, for showing in their festivals.
4. Film Festivals where you can meet and intereact with people for showcasing of your film, and taking their feedback. Sundance seems like a great place for meeting people, learning from them, and maybe even collaborating with them.
5. Do a round of as many film festivals as you can. Give yourself a budget. Of like "$100-whatever" to do a round of all possible film festivals. Don't spend more than 50% of that cost for the big ones, because they may or may not take a film (read my first para above). There is no criteria for them selecting a film. 
6. Rejection means nothing. I am quite dismissive of many famous people. One should never discover how they made it big (as opposed to their version of the truth). Also, most people in the films festival circuit didn't either think much of Paranormal Activity or hadn't even heard of it. As a matter of fact, Sundance rejected it outright. So, like I said, rejection means nothing. 
7. Show the world your film. You job is not to sit in judgment of it. Let the others do that. Just push it down everyone's throat. Whether they want to, or not. That's your job. 

I hope this helps with the timelines, and the Fee/ No Fee option :

http://www.thetakes.com/festivals/#.V3zbhbh97IU

Having a decent script is awesome. It's always a challenge to make a great movie, regardless of a strong written foundation.  Hope you can pull it off!
Regarding Vimeo: my wife and I made a very very modest documentary that we put on Vimeo, and we see a trickle of income from it.  We've never bothered to promote it, but it's a topic that has a niche so orders keep floating in.  If you hook into a supporting community, they will prop you up a little bit, which is certainly nice.
If you think your film is good enough for the upper echelon film festivals, then yeah, give it a shot.  
As an active member of a small SoCal film fest I can tell you, we're desperate for films with a creative POV, from filmmakers that have an actual voice.  There's plenty of decently crafted films that we see, (because of the democratization of production gear) but not a heck of a lot that are truly accomplished with compelling and creative cinematic storytelling.  
I'll be completely honest here (so don't tell anyone I wrote this)  --it's personally a bit frustrating to screen some of the films we screen.  But ultimately that's cool.  That's all part of it.  My tastes in film doesn't exactly jibe with the rest of our selection committee's POV.  To put it diplomatically: We're "diverse."  To state it realistically: We put average films in the festival.
1. because we need the programming. 
2. particular topics, rather than cinematic creativity, will appeal to our selection committee.  (This is not necessarily a bad thing, I'm just acknowledging a typical situation of film fests)
As it happens, almost all good films that get submitted to our festival will get into our festival. (there's some ideological politics involved as well that go into the submission decisions --that's the nature of a committee)  But, be that as it may, we're a film festival that's incredibly embraced by our community.  Every single screening during our 5 day festival sees attendance of 150-200 people...and this is in a proper theatre venue that officially seats 185.
So, if you ever get accepted to film festival be wise and do your research regarding what sort of event they present. 
It's a bit much to travel across the nation to attend, go to your screening, and then it's you the filmmaker and only 4 other people in a sunlit conference room with a LCD projector... Experience that firsthand and you'll get a rude awakening of the sad state of some so-called film "festivals" these days.  This doesn't even take into account the festivals that exist solely to generate submission income and then dole out laurels and empty awards, while never even holding physical screenings.  
Our festival may be small, but at least it's legit.
At any rate, PM if you're interested.  I'd like to hear what you got going.  Also:  Good luck in general!

It's a script i actually believe in, AND i had the resources. it's turning out better than i expected. My restrictions led to some creativity in the look. Anyway, I'm taking it really seriously and wondered what to do with it. Been doing my own research, of course, and had some thoughts, but thought I'd look for advice here too
A lot of festivals now let you enter while your film is also released online, which is very cool. I figured i may put it on vimeo, send it to some groups on there, "shout" it to some channels like "short of the week", just hope to get some views. Maybe enter it in a couple of the big festivals just in case (not risking too much) and some just close to me that are somewhat cool. I wouldn't  be looking for like a film deal. The best thing i think would be connections with people near me on the same wavelength who i could maybe team up with. Should i not risk it being online because of the fine print of the little film festivals nearer to me? Is vimeo even a great place for it? I've  been doing a lot of browsing.. the staff picks are all the same, bigger and more symmetrical than my film will be, with less of a story
Any other filmmaker communities online to look at? Any hidden groups in vimeo to find cool stuff and might be a good place to share a film as well? Should i release it on vimeo on demand with a good thumbnail and promote the crap out of it, making up for the lack of connections with a couple of bucks? I figure even without connections, trying to cast anyone near me with a decent film on vimeo under my belt would be a good start
I don't know, i can only assume there's a lot i haven't considered. This is also very chickens before they hatch.. but if i ever finish anything, I'll want to have thought of this

Ebrahim, I cannot believe how much you have risked.
There is so much good in your life (apart from your father's passing) but I am glad that you are, at last, tackling this issue head on.

Guys. A few deep breaths might be helpful. Believe me, I am as angry as anyone here and I want to be compensated. Ebrahim has committed himself to do something about that in the coming day, and providing evidence of it. We shall see about that quickly enough.
Regardless, there is the issue of proportionality one how one should respond, certainly if you're not directly affected. Who decides what the 'punishment' should be and who should deliver it? I think @dhessel made some similar remarks. I feel this community (and it's administrators) can decide how to deal with the situation here. Whether that means a ban or keeping this thread on the site can be debated.
Reaching out to a large pool of strangers (Ebrahim's contacts) and dragging them into this mess might be a bit much at this point, though. But that's just my 2 cents ... (or actually $275...blegh).

Guys. A few deep breaths might be helpful. Believe me, I am as angry as anyone here and I want to be compensated. Ebrahim has committed himself to do something about that in the coming day, and providing evidence of it. We shall see about that quickly enough.
Regardless, there is the issue of proportionality one how one should respond, certainly if you're not directly affected. Who decides what the 'punishment' should be and who should deliver it? I think @dhessel made some similar remarks. I feel this community (and it's administrators) can decide how to deal with the situation here. Whether that means a ban or keeping this thread on the site can be debated.
Reaching out to a large pool of strangers (Ebrahim's contacts) and dragging them into this mess might be a bit much at this point, though. But that's just my 2 cents ... (or actually $275...blegh).

Good for you Ebrahim on confessing. I just want to say that since you're part of this community ,if you were in a tough spot and needed some help we would've done whatever possible to help you out. I know that we could've gathered a group to donate. Same goes to anyone in the future. If you can prove the situation to be real.

Incredible. 
I always had the impression Ebrahim Snr was the main user of the account, due to the impressive knowledge, warm and fairness of his comments. It really didn't match this 19 year old beginner/noob thing. 
Did Ebrahim really go to all this effort of posting very helpful information for 3 years - just to gain the trust of an online community and scam them for just a bit of money? Baffling. Absolutely baffling. 
I'd do this: 
1. Submit a video message of yourself and your Grandfather together. 
2. Submit some of your portfolio work and any proof of directing credits. 
3. Submit any websites/imagery of your media company - behind the scenes? Projects? Anything? 
If I was convicted of being a scammer, I could do all the above in 20 minutes. It would go a long way to actually show us you're a genuine person who is in fact says who he is. 
Myself, like most other people, don't want to mix with anybody involved in criminal activity. 
All other forum topics are dying because of this thread being stuck at the top. I feel sorry for Andrew. It's not fair. 
Let's clean this up, nice and fairly, shall we?

The big thing i also learned is yes...dont trust always what people tell you. You have to really trust your own eyes.
Cml... cinematography mailing list and cinematography.com and american cinematographer have real dps telling you what they do.
Colorist forums like liftgammagain also the same.
Dslr forums and dvxuser and reduser dont have as many working professionals. So take what they say with a grain of salt.
You can trust certain peoples opinions and sometimes not.
Like a dp i really respected lead me down a rabbits hole.
So trust your gut and always do your own tests!! My own tests are many times flawed.
So of course as most of you know...never trust what my likes or taste are either.  I am a weirdo.

Panny, I enjoy the community as it gives me an outlet to discuss filmmaking. I have very few people in my daily life that enjoy the subject.
However I am not looking for encouragement or validation. I can only speak for myself of course. I am looking for pointers from people who have been at the stage that I am at. And I am very thankful for the help I have received, both positive and negative.
But what ES has done has concocted a resume that would lead other beginner filmmakers to believe the "truths" and "experience" he espoused. Sure the two scammed members lost some cash but how much cash and time, beginner filmmakers... Either members or just readers... How much time and money was wasted and lost over the years based on ES's lies?
That's the real shame in all of this.
It is of my opinion that ES either proves through video chat that they are in fact two people and either deliver the rangefinders or return the money. Then write a post apologizing to the community and accept a temporary ban of at least 3 months before being allowed to return as the true person they are. And if any lies are ever found out again then they are banned for life. His posts can easily be ignored by any members that wish to not risk reading his lies.
But honestly this is a forum run and owned by one individual who will have the final say. Until then it is nobody's place to tell other members how they should or shouldn't feel about this matter. 
But...
If all of this is true, then ES has some issues and we should be responsible human beings and acknowledge that, and hopefully ES is mentally capable enough to understand that with his actions come consequences. Some of those consequences will be jokes made at his expense and some will be angry responses.

^^ Subscribed!

But most of all, I have a lot of admiration for the patient and composure of Timotheus throughout this whole thing.
I hope things will be resolved in a favourable way for you (and all others who got scammed).



 

Hello everyone, there has been a gesture from Ebrahim through a personal message. We'll see if the deeds follow the words. Perhaps we should give this a few days. Thank you all.

Hello everyone, there has been a gesture from Ebrahim through a personal message. We'll see if the deeds follow the words. Perhaps we should give this a few days. Thank you all.

Hello everyone, there has been a gesture from Ebrahim through a personal message. We'll see if the deeds follow the words. Perhaps we should give this a few days. Thank you all.

Hello everyone, there has been a gesture from Ebrahim through a personal message. We'll see if the deeds follow the words. Perhaps we should give this a few days. Thank you all.

I think most people here want to help you clear your name if you're innocent. Did the hacker take control of your Facebook acct, email, and EOSHD account? If so, when did you notice and take back control of each?

This sounds a little bombastic, but to settle peoples mind on this forum...  Ebrahim Jnr  should post a video message with Ebrahim Senior explaining the situation and what will be done to rectify it. That will help with all these conspiracy theories.
Also it would be good to see some genuine portfolio work from you both. You have enormous knowledge and seem to have tried a lot of cameras + lenses. Surely you have some material shot? 
Integrity and trust is important, even in an internet community. We share our knowledge, our work, our contact details, offer gear for sale... I'd hope that a community such as this is no place for scamming and telling lies. 
I hope the people involved have this rectified so topics about filmmaking can flourish more. 

Yeah, in the context of what's happening in France this is all peanuts...so so sad for all those people just having a good time :-(
Thanks Ebrahim Senior for replying (at least, if that's really you...). If what you're saying is true, I feel for you.
However, please consider, and if possible, clarify the following:
WU money transfer pick ups require an ID. I provided the name Ebrahim Ebrahim Saadawi. Collection of the money was confirmed. The conversation @IshootbeforeItalk had on facebook was with someone using your grandsons personal account, that's where that chat is coming from. So if hacking was involved, it is rather extensive... I emailed you wednesday July 13th on the emailadress you mentioned above (so before this forum post). You did not reply.  
Man, this thing is getting super weird. Fake identities, possible hacking. Like a Philip K. DIck novel..."A Scammer Darkly"

I love this place as I find inspiration and positive energy here, so I don't like posting something negative, but I feel you need to be warned.
A month ago I paid @Ebrahim Saadawi for a SLR Magic Rangefinder he offered for sale both on this site and on dvxuser. He had previously done an extensive review of the Rangefinder, also posted on the EosHD forum. I assumed he was selling this unit; he told me he had no use for it and no interested buyers in Egypt. As he claimed there were no other payment options in Egypt than Western Union money transfer and knowing his excellent track record on the forum, I decided to give it a go. Yeah, really stupid me I guess.
He went totally silent after my payment confirmation on June 17th. I sent four update requests since then through the forum's message service, which he all read (the site shows you this). Also messages through Instagram and email. Still no reply. Being certain (and baffled) that I was scammed I was considering what to do. Then I read @Tito Ferradans cautionary tale in Facebook's anamorphic shooters group of a LOMO scam he barely escaped (he also posted that on this site). On Facebook, another group member, Tomas, mentioned he also bought a Rangefinder from Egypt. Same seller, same story.
So we have the second highest rated EosHD account ever (second only to Andrew himself) through which at least two people have been scammed. Now here is the catch: the account of Ebrahim is used by two people. Ebrahim senior, and his grandson Ebrahim junior (the profile signature also mentions this). The other buyer did get in contact with the seller, which turned out to be Ebrahim junior.
It looks like Senior has build quite the reputation with posts I myself have also greatly enjoyed and learnt from. Junior pisses all over it now with this crap. We'll see if this post helps him reconsider, at any rate, other forum members may be prevented of becoming 'fools' (as Junior so sympathetically described me).