"The Arrangement" a Robert Eldon Film

This just doesn't suit my taste, really. It's a sweet story, but nothing was particularly gripping. The ending was predictable. This is entirely personal opinion though; there was nothing wrong with it technically. Lighting, audio and editing all seemed quite natural, so you're definitely on the right path in that respect.
 
Erik Olson said:
I really enjoyed this. It wasn't technically over-the-top or incredibly well acted. But. I really found myself hoping it would turn out well for this guy - and her. It's a good little film with a good story.

Congratulations on it!

e
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Hey Erik, I'm glad you enjoyed it! My goal for this fest was 'a good story', well told, in under 6 minutes, so your comment means a lot to me.
 
HBlack said:
This just doesn't suit my taste, really. It's a sweet story, but nothing was particularly gripping. The ending was predictable. This is entirely personal opinion though; there was nothing wrong with it technically. Lighting, audio and editing all seemed quite natural, so you're definitely on the right path in that respect.
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HBlack, I kinda figured that the film wouldn't suit a number of DVXuser's taste, but I really appreciate your comment "It's a sweet story". That is what I wanted it to be. Thank you for the comments regarding the lighting, audio and editing.
 
Just watched it - great work!

Lighting, camera and SOUND were all great. The actor and the character who comes in during the middle was a great bit of comic relief and a great little character moment for both he and the florist. I liked the lead actress, she played very natural.

The story is well-written and clean, and at the same time, cliche. Sweet it is and sweet I don't mind, but it will be fun to see you apply your writing and directing skills (which are totally solid!) to a story that isn't quite so predictable (which, in the end, will be more fun for the audience).

Overall, it's a very watchable little flick, and it's actually very refreshing to see something that isn't laced with some kind of darkness or some kind of slapstick humor that IS watchable.

Good work all!
 
My reviews will be made up of three separate categories. One for technical, which includes cinematography, lighting, editing, sound mixing, and score. One for performance which includes the acting. One for writing which includes the script, and story. And then I will summarize up my thoughts in the overall section. I plan to do my best to review each film like this in detail.

The Arrangement

Writing
What a cute story! I really liked this story. It was charming, heartwarming, a little cliché but it worked so well for me! I’m a sucker for this kind of story, I really am.

Acting
The acting was really good overall. The only actor I wasn’t so hip on was the “cool guy” who came in, he didn’t quite work for me, but the two leads were well cast, and well directed.

Technical
This had a nice, natural look to it. Some of the framing was odd to me sometimes, but overall I was happy with it. I think your editing could be tightened up some. Again, I’m getting really picky here, only because I liked the film so much! The sound design was ok, some of the lines were tough to pick out. Justin’s score was incredible! It really helped make this film what it is. I had a huge smile on my face when the movie ended, and a large part of that was due to the score. It reminded me of his score for “The Artist” in dramafest and it worked so well! Great work Justin!

Overall Thoughts
Definitely one of my favorites! I enjoyed the simplicity and cute factor of this story. I had a warm fuzzy feeling after watching this! We need to work together on a short sometime!
 
Robert! What a wonderful entry!!!

This film is so charming. I love it. Really. I am still glowing inside from the sweetness of it.

Your actress is perfectly cast. She is wonderful in the role. The guy did a very nice job but I just felt him push too hard at times. I certainly don't mean to take away from his performance, he did deliver. I guess, for me, it was some of the stereo-typing. (always so tough to deliver a fresh and believable role like this.)

The colors of the film are beautiful. The flowers are lovely and make a wonderful setting for your film.

Even though I felt that these flowers were for her the whole time, I am glad that you went with him exiting and then coming back in. It gave such a nice moment for the girl with the photo and then the great line, "I bought these for the wrong girl." Loved it!

Great job on this film. Directed, shot and cut to a tee. Nothing stood out as "ouch!" :)

Congrats again,

Ted
 
Nice colors and good framing. I enjoyed the music. I thought the cast did a nice job. I liked the dolly shots as they moved through the arrangements.
It seemed that the cast was not in crisp focus in some shots (foreground in focus). Story was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing it!
 
This was nice. I usually don't like nice, but this was good.
I think your 2 main actors really sold this. You sat back with the camera and you let them tell the story. Very nice work.

Cheers,
 
THE ARRANGEMENT -- Kholi stops by the florist! -- SPOILERTYPE

Lots of flowers! I'd be sneezin' up a storm. Hats off to a good location. Getting us user out of everyone's living room is a good thing in the fests. Another good thing is taking the chance on a linear tale that doesn't need to be twisty and turny. I'm all for it! When it comes down to this, execution is key and I think it's executed in a fair fashion. On audio, visual, and pacing. There's a few things that I want to touch on, but overall it's another good entry.

Visually this is appealing because there's a lot of color to break up the monotony of every day life. Flowers EVERYWHERE and that makes it easy to watch. Did you have a lot of time to work inside of the location? I ask because at times I feel like the lighting really went flat. With so much to play with (I'm no DP, though, so take this with a grain of your choice spice) I feel like the sort'a flat lighting is a disservice to the robust colors in your short. Not DISPLEASING, perhaps a little more? That's food for future thought and, again, I'm NO DP (yet). Just think that more attention to light (if you HAD the time) and color pallet would've added to your story.

And thte STORY is what I truly want to comment on. Short doesn't have to mean "twist at the end". I mean there's a sort of twist here? But I get where you were going. It was about the linearity and, asimilar to another short in this fest, character realization. I'm glad that he realized that he had been doing what he proclaimed he could not in the beginning. Where I think it struggles the most is (and this is common) dialog: It's very on the nose and sometimes robotic.

There's a great moment when the other guy comes traipsing in Big Bad Girl Gettin' Wolf and "games" on the female. Of course we knew it wouldn't work, that's a given. That's FINE. The moments behind that... "That's how females want to be talked to" are great! It was on the nose and it's hard to say if it came down to line delivery or just the written word. Some of the dialog, perhaps, could've been played with in front of the camera while remaining the same on paper. It's something to think about in the future.

So, I didn't have any problems with what this was. It could've been the acting, which (not to be offensive at all) feels stiff and forced, especially in line delivery, that detracted from a perfectly fine idea. There are a lot of great moments throughout, the pacing is fine by me and it didn't feel like it ran too long at all.

Good go, Robert! Thanks for exhibitin'. =D
 
This is a very low-key, fine short. I could easily see this as a short shown on some kids show. The one part that distracted me was the window shots which were blown out, which didn't really fit the semi-flat interior lighting. I'm sure this was a budget issue and I can't really offer a cheap suggestion, but just a note. As was mentioned before, the lighting was semi-flat, but I honestly think it fit the story in its simplicity. A high contrast look wouldn't have been right for the light material.

I think the only thing that this entry has going against it is that it doesn't really take many risks.

However, for what it is and the story you wanted to tell, I think you did an excellent job with this.
 
Robert...Robert...Robert. That was a sweat little film. The acting was good and it was well shot except for the blown out entrance which is incredibly hard to control in the digital medium. This would be a great Valentine's Day gift that any woman would appreciate...well maybe not Aileen Wuornos, but just about any other warm blooded American woman.

Good show.
 
Whoa! I'm gone for a day and everybody posts. Thank you all so much. I will try to reply individually to each post. :)
 
ignatius said:
Just watched it - great work!

Lighting, camera and SOUND were all great. The actor and the character who comes in during the middle was a great bit of comic relief and a great little character moment for both he and the florist. I liked the lead actress, she played very natural.

The story is well-written and clean, and at the same time, cliche. Sweet it is and sweet I don't mind, but it will be fun to see you apply your writing and directing skills (which are totally solid!) to a story that isn't quite so predictable (which, in the end, will be more fun for the audience).

Overall, it's a very watchable little flick, and it's actually very refreshing to see something that isn't laced with some kind of darkness or some kind of slapstick humor that IS watchable.

Good work all!
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Thanks Ignatius! I really appreciate that you approve of the lighting, camera, and sound knowing the quality of work that you expect.

My goal for this fest was to convey a complete story in under 6 minutes and I know the basic story was cliche'. I've even considered changing the end ever so slightly (based on comments) for the DVD.

Thank you for your comments about it being sweet. That's the 'love' I wanted to present. Sweet and Charming.

I'm glad you liked it and glad that you watched it to the end. Didn't lose interest? :)
 
Brandon Rice said:
The Arrangement

Writing
What a cute story! I really liked this story. It was charming, heartwarming, a little cliché but it worked so well for me! I’m a sucker for this kind of story, I really am.
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Brandon, I'm glad you liked this. It was the 'story' that I wanted to tell. I'm a sucker for this kind of story also! :)

Acting
The acting was really good overall. The only actor I wasn’t so hip on was the “cool guy” who came in, he didn’t quite work for me, but the two leads were well cast, and well directed.
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Thanks for the compliments on the acting, I'll be sure to pass that on. The male lead is my son (aka JaronE on this Forum), he's taken acting courses but prefers being behind the camera.

Technical
This had a nice, natural look to it. Some of the framing was odd to me sometimes, but overall I was happy with it. I think your editing could be tightened up some. Again, I’m getting really picky here, only because I liked the film so much! The sound design was ok, some of the lines were tough to pick out. Justin’s score was incredible! It really helped make this film what it is. I had a huge smile on my face when the movie ended, and a large part of that was due to the score. It reminded me of his score for “The Artist” in dramafest and it worked so well! Great work Justin!
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Please be picky, I appreciate the input to help me improve. Yes, Justin is awesome! I know you've worked with him on your "Smuggler's Ransom" movie and have heard that soundtrack. I enjoyed being able to convery the mood, the beats, etc. and then he... creates! It's a wonderful thing.

Overall Thoughts
Definitely one of my favorites! I enjoyed the simplicity and cute factor of this story. I had a warm fuzzy feeling after watching this! We need to work together on a short sometime!
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One of your favorites? Can I quote you on that? I appreciate that you picked up on the simplicity. After doing "Hellebore" for Horrorfest, I had to do something simple and just tell a cute story.

Work together? By all means, we'll stay in touch and see what's next! :)
 
Ted Arabian said:
Robert! What a wonderful entry!!!

This film is so charming. I love it. Really. I am still glowing inside from the sweetness of it.
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Ted, thank you. I can't imagine the glow since it seems that you're glowing all the time. You are one positive and happy dude!

Your actress is perfectly cast. She is wonderful in the role. The guy did a very nice job but I just felt him push too hard at times. I certainly don't mean to take away from his performance, he did deliver. I guess, for me, it was some of the stereo-typing. (always so tough to deliver a fresh and believable role like this.)
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I will be sure to pass this along. I know the actors are always looking for ways to improve. I'd like your take on 'push too hard at times'? I want to learn.

The colors of the film are beautiful. The flowers are lovely and make a wonderful setting for your film.

Even though I felt that these flowers were for her the whole time, I am glad that you went with him exiting and then coming back in. It gave such a nice moment for the girl with the photo and then the great line, "I bought these for the wrong girl." Loved it!
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Did you really know that the flowers for her from the beginning? Ha! I suppose that's why I'm getting the 'cliche' comments.

Great job on this film. Directed, shot and cut to a tee. Nothing stood out as "ouch!" :)

Congrats again,

Ted
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Ted, thank you for your honest review. It means a lot to me.
 
This film just oozed of "cuteness", and I mean that as a compiment :)

Your actress had a nice look that really shone through on her closeups.

Kind of an odd cut at 3:45.

The character relationships (and as a side effect the story) had good depth and really fit the format and the time frame well.

Again, (and I totally mean this as a compliment, so I hope you don't hate me for saying it) it was just really cute. I knew what was coming from the beginning, but it's not something I cared about at all, or felt like I was supposed to care about. It was engaging nonetheless.

I don't have much to add to what looks to have already been said.

The piece stands on it's own entirely, and I just kinda found myself watching and enjoying it for what it was, without really thinking about the things to critique about it. And, I watched it with a subtle smile on my face throughout.

Good work. Thanks for sharing.

later,
Jason
 
kurtmo said:
Nice colors and good framing. I enjoyed the music. I thought the cast did a nice job. I liked the dolly shots as they moved through the arrangements.
It seemed that the cast was not in crisp focus in some shots (foreground in focus). Story was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing it!
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kurtmo, thanks for your review. I appreciate that you took the time to review while responding to your movie.

Awe, the dolly shot. That was not originally suppose to be one take. But it worked out well. That's my Scorsese shot. :) We were going to cut in some close ups/inserts, but it worked so well, that we left it at one long shot.

I agree, some of the shots were out of focus. I could say that we were going for a 'soft focus' effect? But no, something to improve on for next time. Thanks.
 
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