I've decided to make this thread to just hear your opinions about my first short film. I am going to apply to different universities in U.S. only next fall, but I would like to know what you think, am I good at filmmaking? And should I keep making films?
Before I give my thoughts on you short, you should know a few things.
1) How good you are now does not reflect on how good you may become.
2) You should in no way allow the reaction to your films determine whether or not you should continue making films. If you do this you are sure to fail as a filmmmaker.
As for your short... There are some aspects I like, but off the bat you should steer clear of some things. For one, do not use the Kronos Quartet Requiem, period. For one, it is copyrighted music, which you need to learn to avoid (unless you have permission). It is also heavily overused, and does not fit the tone of your short.
Some of the shots were nice, and I think that with better equipment you could do some cool stuff. But the main problem was...I was confused. I understood that he was an injured football player, but the rest seemed kind of listless to me. Keep practicing making sure that what your trying to get across comes across. If it is ever slightly confusing to you, it'll be much more so for those who didn't make it. Ultimately a film is about the story, not the shots.
All that being said, I do think you have potential as a filmmaker. And again, what I say should never, ever have any impact on you desire to make movies - just take it and use it to improve.
Posts: 674 | Location: So Cal | Registered: March 20, 2007
Originally posted by Cinematical: Before I give my thoughts on you short, you should know a few things.
1) How good you are now does not reflect on how good you may become.
2) You should in no way allow the reaction to your films determine whether or not you should continue making films. If you do this you are sure to fail as a filmmmaker.
As for your short... There are some aspects I like, but off the bat you should steer clear of some things. For one, do not use the Kronos Quartet Requiem, period. For one, it is copyrighted music, which you need to learn to avoid (unless you have permission). It is also heavily overused, and does not fit the tone of your short.
Some of the shots were nice, and I think that with better equipment you could do some cool stuff. But the main problem was...I was confused. I understood that he was an injured football player, but the rest seemed kind of listless to me. Keep practicing making sure that what your trying to get across comes across. If it is ever slightly confusing to you, it'll be much more so for those who didn't make it. Ultimately a film is about the story, not the shots.
All that being said, I do think you have potential as a filmmaker. And again, what I say should never, ever have any impact on you desire to make movies - just take it and use it to improve.
Oh thank you very much, I'll try to improve my film
Honestly I was going to watch the entire clip and leave you some comments, but once I heard Lux Aeterna start up...I stopped watching it immediately. The song was very powerful and heart-wrenching in Requiem For A Dream and is probably one of the best pieces of music ever, but now that song is used as canned emotion anytime someone wants an instant epic or dramatic feeling.
"Important dialog is only in Hollywood films" - Kyle Phillip Johnson
Posts: 1278 | Location: Indiana | Registered: May 23, 2004
Originally posted by braininabox: Honestly I was going to watch the entire clip and leave you some comments, but once I heard Lux Aeterna start up...I stopped watching it immediately. The song was very powerful and heart-wrenching in Requiem For A Dream and is probably one of the best pieces of music ever, but now that song is used as canned emotion anytime someone wants an instant epic or dramatic feeling.
Well, actually I used it only for opening scene with credits. So you can just skip it and keep watching what happens next.
My advice would be to practice storytelling. Try to tell a story from start to finish in a 4 minute video. There are times when long, emotional character introspections like "Isolation" are necessary...but generally they are more effective when they are within a larger story that the audience can follow and connect with.
And sorry if I sounded hypercritical of your musical selection (I have been tempted myself to use the same music just because it is so perfect and amazing)
"Important dialog is only in Hollywood films" - Kyle Phillip Johnson
Posts: 1278 | Location: Indiana | Registered: May 23, 2004
Originally posted by braininabox: My advice would be to practice storytelling. Try to tell a story from start to finish in a 4 minute video. There are times when long, emotional character introspections like "Isolation" are necessary...but generally they are more effective when they are within a larger story that the audience can follow and connect with.
And sorry if I sounded hypercritical of your musical selection (I have been tempted myself to use the same music just because it is so perfect and amazing)
Thanks, I will try to improve storytelling in my next project. BTW, did you like close ups?
Generally close ups are a tell-tale sign of student filmmaking. They are usually used because the look OK without much work. But most of the time, unless there is a real purpose, close ups are completely unnecessary.
Posts: 674 | Location: So Cal | Registered: March 20, 2007
Originally posted by Cinematical: Generally close ups are a tell-tale sign of student filmmaking. They are usually used because the look OK without much work. But most of the time, unless there is a real purpose, close ups are completely unnecessary.
I saw your short film (it was a horror as I remember) and I liked it. It was made on a high level of filmmaking, editing and visual effects were awesome, though it was very long short film. But what I loved was suspence My only question is Who was this alien? And how did he get to out world?
P.S. the problem of equipment is in Russian technology. There is no Final Cut Pro or other advanced program. So I used Windows Movie Maker and that's why the editing doesn't look so perfect.
Thank you. As for the creature, as I call it, I specifically gave no explanation for it. That's the creepy thing: what if there were just creatures, just out there? What if all those unexplained noises you hear aren't just a figment of your imagination?
Are you able to get your hands on any Apple equipment? I would think they still ship to Russia, though the programs would probably be in English (which you don't have a problem with).
Remember, though, that ultimately a good film comes down to the story, and how well you tell it. I've seen some great shorts done on DV cams that beat shorts done on 35mm. Better equipment can make it LOOK better, but it wont make the story better.
Posts: 674 | Location: So Cal | Registered: March 20, 2007
Originally posted by Cinematical: Thank you. As for the creature, as I call it, I specifically gave no explanation for it. That's the creepy thing: what if there were just creatures, just out there? What if all those unexplained noises you hear aren't just a figment of your imagination?
Are you able to get your hands on any Apple equipment? I would think they still ship to Russia, though the programs would probably be in English (which you don't have a problem with).
Remember, though, that ultimately a good film comes down to the story, and how well you tell it. I've seen some great shorts done on DV cams that beat shorts done on 35mm. Better equipment can make it LOOK better, but it wont make the story better.
Oh, now I see that. Great job
Yes, I really don't have any problems with English. But it's all about Amazon.com. It doesn't ship software goods to Russia.
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