Hi!
This week I'm evaluating the reviews of my group's opening scene.
1. From Mahathi
Peer Review
"In this clip, I liked various technical elements. Firstly, we have insert, crane shots, voice overs, and more. In the beginning of the clip, we see an insert of the flickering lights. This grabs the audience attention to let us know that it is sort of eerie or creepy vibes. The background music adds on to the suspense of the clip. I furthermore liked the straight cut on the actress constantly scratching her finger, to her legs shaking. This lets us know that the actress is nervous and potentially has anxiety.
One thing I disliked is the use of type of lighting used. What would be better is if used more of low-key lighting. This would add onto the suspense. Furthermore, the types of characters used, a therapist and someone who is not mentally okay. The low-key lighting would give the audience some sort of creepy vibes. I also did not like the type of cut used when the actress is taking her pills. It is sort of unnecessary.
Overall, this did feel like a movie opener. The ending of the clip leaves us on a cliffhanger on the therapist looking confused and surprised simultaneously. The slow zoom in on the actor's face keeps the audience on the edge of the fence and to find out more. I would suggest adding an establishing shot, this can let us know on where this is taking place, whether it is in an office, the actress's house, or anywhere else."
My evaluation: I agree with most of this review. However, our choice in using high-key lighting was based on the fact that the setting for the opening scene is supposed to be an office. Knowing that, it wouldn't make sense to have a darker atmosphere, seeing as the bright disorienting lights at the start already provide a eeire feeling. Additionally, we chose to add a two-shot of the actors sitting across from each other, in place of an establishing shot for our final cut because it still showed the minimally decorated surroundings to give off the professional therapy clinic we were attempting to recreate.
2. From Elizabeth
".What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
- A specific element that stood out to me of the film opening was the close-ups on the girl throughout the beginning where the girl is telling the therapist her story. It focused on specific shots like her hand and foot, that was a really nice input since it shows the audience how the patient is feeling in this case nervous. Another element I really liked was the flashback of the story she was telling that happened, I was able to get a deeper understanding of the story. Another really nice technical element was the tracking shot of her where she was being followed by the camera while doing her daily routine.
2. What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
- Something they can maybe work in is putting different type of camera shots or movement instead of repeating the same one but other than that the film had a really nice story and scenes. Maybe they can add an establishing shot for the viewers knowledge and know the location of where the action is happening. Something I did notice was the costume, what seemed like the therapist was wearing casual clothing, I do think he should have dressed maybe formal to show off his part in the film.
3. Did this look like a movie opener, and did it make you want to know what happens next?
-Yes, the film does look like a movie opener, it introduces the two characters of the audience, with every question the therapist asked you were able to figure out and get to know the characters yet not really know everything. It does leave you with wanting to know what is going to happen next in her story and if she is telling the truth or not, which does go with the genre of the film.
4. Was there anything that left you confused?
- Some things that did leave me confuse was towards the end where they had a variety of cuts like the one with the bottle I did not really understand if it was reality or a part of an allusion. Also, when the therapist was writing down in his notebook a then made a confused face, I did not really know what was going on if he may be taught, she was lying, or it was to leave us in suspense to want to know what will happen next.
5. What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
- A suggestion in making the movie opener better I would say to refilm the clip where the therapist is seen and have him wear a more formal attire, a dress shirt and pants. I would also suggest reducing the time of the cliff-hanger, it does leave the audience confuse because of how long it is. Also, adding a title sequence would make it seem more of a movie opener, which I have noticed most groups did not do including mine. "
My evaluation: I disagree with most of this review. Personally, my group and I decided that the therapist's outfit was sufficiently formal. Perhaps he could have worn a long sleeve buton-up instead, but otherwise, a Polo shirt and dress pants with a belt already appears formal, in my opinion. Also, I think the length of the zoomshot at the end was a necessary and unique touch because it helps viewers go through the same thought process as the therapist in real-time. However, we did include a title scene, as this review suggests.
3. From Nestor
"What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
Throughout the film opening I liked the Close-Up Shots because they help you capture the facial expressions and emotions, The Dutch Angle because it helped portray the patients feeling of forgetfulness, and The Inserts because it provides the feeling of a glitch of what is actually happening so the audience knows the truth.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
I wish I could have seen more variety in the technical elements. It felt like it was the same five elements being used. A little more diversity in the techniques would have made the experience more interesting and engaging, rather than feeling repetitive and predictable each time.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
This movie opener was really impressive and definitely grabbed my attention. It created a sense of curiosity that made me eager to find out what happens next. The way it set the stage for the story left me wanting more, which is always a sign of a great start
Was there anything that left you confused?
One thing that left me confused was the email part, when she received the email there was not really enough time to read the only thing we see is red words like urgent and etc so it just left me confused about what the email contained. Another thing that left me confused was the glitch, I feel like most people might not get it, it took me some time to get that it shows reality vs what she said.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
One suggestion I have is to add some time in some clips like the email clip so the audience can read and understand it so they can know what is going on. Another one is making more technical elements to help experience more interested and engaging of the audience."
My evaluation: I disagree with most of this review. I think my group and I did a great job at including technical elements. Unlike most of our peers, we had various shot types and movements. Yes, many close-ups were used during the conversation between the patient and therapist, but during flashbacks, we utilized, over-the-shoulder, overhead, and tracking movement. We also had diegetic sounds in our first cut, we've since then added even more sounds and music to better portray our story, effectively using shots, movements, sound, mise-en-scene, and editing. However, as this review states, we did lengthen the time of the email screen-time.
4. From Yasmine'
Peer Reviews of First Cut Movie Opener
"For this film, I felt that the acting was phenomenal. The ringing sound added suspense to the film and showed how the therapist's client seems "off". I felt that zooming in on the notes the therapist was writing was a good move for the plot and added depth to the film opening. Zooming on the client's computer with her emails open was also a good move because it showed her poor mental health as she had several emails from a psychiatrist and the pharmacy telling her to pick up antipsychotic medication. However, I feel that there are too many close-up shots and there should be more range in the types of camera shots. Something that left me confused is the role her mental health plays in the film and why it is important to the plot that she is mentally unstable. However, it does look like a true movie opener and I would watch it to see if the client is able to get better mentally and why her being in a bad mental state adds significance to the film plot."
My evaluation: I agree with this review. The inserts on the notes and emails were done especially to add depth and provide viewers a sense of "being in the know." I do see how many of our shots were close-ups, as I stated in the previous review, however, I think we made up for it with the other range of technical elements we used and if we were to continue filming this as a full-length film, we would definitely include more shot types. I understand the partial confusion on the importance of the protagonist's mental health. This is something we couldn't touch on more in-depth as it would've made for a too-revealing opening scene when it's something that should be understood over time throughout the film.
5. From Nathaniel
Peer Reviews of First Cut Movie Opener Blogpost
"What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?*
The music choice for this opening film is a great choice and it personally adds a sense of curiosity and wonder to why her parents send her to go talk to someone, and throughout the whole interview the music continues because they are trying to figure out what going on with the mind of our main character. Another thing that I like is the small jump cuts to show what happened if she didn't take the medications that one day, this would push forward the story that if she doesn't take the pills then she either becomes dangerous or a threat. The camera angles are also good choices because it allows the audience to understand how the main character is feeling, for example in the beginning of the opening film close-up shots are used to depict that the main character is either stressed about the truth or how uncomfortable she is. The mise-en-scene of the color yellow is an excellent choice because it depicts the word "caution", which is perfect for allowing the audience that the character we are currently following has a mental problem and without her medication she is a threat.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?*
One thing that I dislike is that sometimes the audio of the music can be overwhelming to hear the actual dialogue, and its important to hear the dialogue here because its explaining and moving forward the story being told here. Another thing is that some of the facial expressions can be a little weak and confusing to the audience especially during the close-up shots of their faces, these facial expressions would allow people to understand the emotion and feeling that should be conveyed through the screen. On the topic of the emotions, the voice acting could use a little improvement because it sounds very natural to the ears of those who would watch this opening. Voice acting allows the audience to understand the emotion a character is feeling at the moment, and it allows to capture the audience's attention on the plot of the story. These are all the things that are important to a film because it helps guide the audience about what the story being told is about.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next? Explain.*
Yes, this is a movie opener because the audience is being told an event that happened before the main character had to go talk to a specialist about her problems. Over the course of the opening film, the audience is left wondering why specifically this young girl had to go visit a specialist because she is seen as an innocent person but without the help of her medication, this young girl is possible dangerous to others and possibly herself. The introduction to the opening film also gives out the message that the main character's mind was blanking out giving more information to the audience that something is wrong with her mind. Lastly the way that the film ended left the audience on a cliff hanger because we are left with the specialist looking at his patient very confused and perplexed about the results of the interview. All these element build up to a very good movie opener and deliver the message that the audience are in for a ride of emotions.
Was there anything that left you confused? (be specific)*
The One thing that left me confused was the pacing of the plot. This is because when I was watching the movie opener, I had to deeply analyze what the small jump cuts meant and why they were included. Another thing was that specific moments felt very off to me for driving the plot forward, for example I was confused why she started to look at her computer messages. I understand that it was to show the jump cuts of her ignoring her medication messages, but why is she looking there in the first place, what is the purpose of her looking there in the first place. Another thing that confused me is what happened to the dog because yes it is used to further advance the plot of the story but, was the dog killed or was the dog all inside her head. I had this question because it is implied that she has a mental problem but was the dog killed because of her mental problems, or does the dog exist inside her head since a bowl of food is already poured out.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?*
My evaluation: I agree with this review. I'm glad some viewers were able to understand the importance of the inserts as well as our choice of using a yellow costume. Also, we took into account the silence that followed the scene of the emails. We hadn't finished the editing, so we have since added a voiceover and music during the soundless scenes. I understand the confusion regarding the dog and medication. However, the implied state of the protagonist's mental health is what we were trying to achieve, so we decided to leave some questions like "What really happened to the dog?" up to interpretation.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Comments
Post a Comment