The Silent City, short film now online... in HD too!

Gnn... it's *about* losing the ability to control your own destiny when forces beyond your control intervine.

Why would you need a synopsis if you've seen the film?
 
Ruairi Robinson said:
Why would you need a synopsis if you've seen the film?
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Ah... :) Think about that question for a minute... :) Maybe it's because the film does not have a clear story.:beer:
 
Film seems pretty straightforward to me.

First there were four soldiers, and then there were three.

Soon to be one... Or none...

I guess you could call it a "snapshot" kind of film. We walk into the middle of a story, and thats fine with me. Does there always have to be a distinct beginning or end? Do we need back story for everyone we see on screen? How about just watching the moment?

I liked what you did here. I enjoy ambiguous and open endings. That's just me.
 
I'm downloading this now. At the moment I'm pretty creeped out because I also have a script I occasionally tinker with called "The Silent City", which based purely on the poster might be more or less about the same thing. Although mine isn't quite as horror-oriented, I gather (again, purely from the poster and stills). Still, weird.
 
WIerd for sure. Its more apocolyptic than horror though. Either way its great. You can tell when people get it and dont get it very easily, and this guy, he GETS IT.

Mojo, talk more in PM of course, but how come ive never seen you before!! You are in the bay area, where abouts im checking your site and myspace now.
 
Cynic821 said:
WIerd for sure. Its more apocolyptic than horror though. Either way its great. You can tell when people get it and dont get it very easily, and this guy, he GETS IT.

Mojo, talk more in PM of course, but how come ive never seen you before!! You are in the bay area, where abouts im checking your site and myspace now.
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Well for starters i usually have some silly comment where my location should be so it was hard for people to know where I was. :)

I'm living in Emeryville. Still learning my way around. I've only been here a few months, transplanted from Utah. I'd love to meet sometime soon. I've been living like a hermit since I got here.
 
MojoTrancer said:
Does there always have to be a distinct beginning or end? Do we need back story for everyone we see on screen? How about just watching the moment?
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A narrative film does have a beginning, middle, and an end. But, if the creator says it's a snapshot, then cool. Otherwise, the question was valid. I didn't see "an experiment in my ability to create a believable 3d environment, or a directorial piece." Don't hate on people because they question the motive as peers...
 
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Kholi said:
A narrative film does have a beginning, middle, and an end. But, if the creator says it's a snapshot, then cool.
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Well we could get really deep and say that everything has a beginning, middle and end. All things are born all things die... Lets chant for a moment...

j/k.

I guess my comment was questioning if a narrative film really has to have an arc to be considered good or entertaining. Not necessarily. At least in my book.

No hating going on Kholi. Just discussion.
 
MojoTrancer said:
Well we could get really deep and say that everything has a beginning, middle and end. All things are born all things die... Lets chant for a moment...

j/k.

I guess my comment was questioning if a narrative film really has to have an arc to be considered good or entertaining. Not necessarily. At least in my book.
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Arcs have nothing to do with Beginning's, middles, and ends. You're delving into a different facet of storytelling when you begin to include arcs. Good is subjective, questioning the logic of a narrative is not.

I think it looks cool. Just don't chide somene for asking valid questions.
 
When the question comes with a comment like the one it did, as well as who its from, i think his "chiding" was justified kholi. kind of a strong word to use.
 
Cynic821 said:
When the question comes with a comment like the one it did, as well as who its from, i think his "chiding" was justified kholi. kind of a strong word to use.
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Oh yeah buddy, and what makes you the all authoritative say on a narrative story? I've seen ONE short film from you :) No slamming going on here, just trying to figure out why my comments don't matter. Thanks.
 
Cynic821 said:
When the question comes with a comment like the one it did, as well as who its from, i think his "chiding" was justified kholi. kind of a strong word to use.
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I'll give ya that one. Probably the wrong way to ask the question. Anyway, visually impressive short. I aspire to be Ruari.

Horrah.
 
Brandon Rice said:
No slamming going on here, just trying to figure out why my comments don't matter. Thanks.
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Not sure if you meant what i said as well. Don't want want to be misunderstood here.

Not trying to slap you down, Brandon. Just playing Devil's Advocate and asking some questions. Thats what I do. I didn't agree with what you said so I offered my own 2 cents.
 
Funny, for a brief moment I thought Gas Mask was a CGI video game character, but it just added to the surreal tone to the piece. As soon as we circle his helmet, I'm like "this is cool." My favorite moment is when the "enemy robot" is on its way to visit our three soldiers and it bumps into a derelict car...and the car goes flying. I guess it's sorta big and mean. I loved it. I can see why this short will get you the work I deserve!
 
MojoTrancer said:
Not trying to slap you down, Brandon. Just playing Devil's Advocate and asking some questions. Thats what I do. I didn't agree with what you said so I offered my own 2 cents.
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No man, that commented was NOT directed at you... no.

I totally think your comments were valid, and hey, it's all subjective, I just didn't like an earlier comment that basically said certain people's comments mean nothing. :beer:
 
Well, having watched it, I'm pleased to report that it has almost nothing in common with my script. :)

Great looking piece here. I also really liked the sound design, the mood, the pacing. Unfortunately, I have to agree with all of those here who are asking, "What is the story?" Like Cynic, I don't mind just observing a moment, but a moment is meaningless if it's not observed in context. Who are these soldiers? What happened to their world? Are there any civilians left? Why are they still fighting? What is the thing that we see POV from at the end? It's not human, I gather, but what is it? Why are humans fighting on its side? The short makes no attempt to answer any of these questions, as far as I can tell. Worse, actually, it doesn't seem to acknowledge that these questions even exist! Even a tiny effort in that direction would have done wonders for my enjoyment of the piece.

However, I don't think it's BAD. It's certainly intriguing, and extremely well executed. I have no doubt that you will get work off of this. In particular the whole thing had a very commercial feeling to me - like watching a big budget car ad. So congrats on that!
 
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