The Past Is A Grotesque Animal Short Film

I go to the school of the art institute
or did go...

anyways.
This looks like an artsy film.
The kind that whether it sucks you say "well you guys just don't understand my art" artsy film.

I don't mean to be an asshole, I just see stuff like that in the art institute all the time...
xD

I'm interested in what you were trying to get across
 
I wasn't trying to make it an 'artsy' film, as I think the entire film medium is an art. But if it sucks, I'm fine with it as long as you can justify why it sucks, as to I would like to improve my ability through feedback.

I think what I was trying to get across was pretty obvious with the title. It's about a guy running from his past of drug abuse and absurd situations and the guy in the mask is his 'past'. But I guess shorts in black and white are always classified as 'artsy' even if they aren't. But why do you think it sucks?
 
As a stand alone short.....
that my friend is the definition of artsy
now that is not a bad thing..... but without your explanation I had no idea what this was all about
I thought it was shot and edited well
only area I would work on was foley (the footsteps in the hall)
this might work as a dream sequence in a larger film
but what I think Charle06 was saying as a short it really has no commercial value (not dumbed down enough for mass consumption)
But it did show that you do indeed have skills......
keep it up
 
thanks, I appreciate it. It was a quick short/project, my first one actually. I was restricted to 4 minutes no dialogue. But it could have been a lot better as well. I guess I have to try and master how to develop plot points and character arcs in 4-6 minutes. I just don't see how that's possible though. Any tips?

But I have a question as for the statement in regards to the commercial value of shorts. I thought there was no commercial value for it, hence why I wrote my script primarily to test out a black and white/paranoia type theme (another also, to avoid the camera's shitty colors). If there is , what kind of profitability is there for shorts because I really want to get involved in that.
 
ahhh the no dialogue assignment......
now it makes more sense
why would any one give a film assignment like that?
I guess I just don't see how that will make you a better filmmaker

1. pick a story that can easily be told within your restrictions
i think with no dialogue a comedy would have worked better
2. clearly define your protagonists conflict (in this case it was running from your past)
maybe if you had used an older guy in the present with a younger past or included other characters like a mom or girlfriend.... who were angry with his past
3. tell a story.... while I liked your shooting style there was no real story (have something to say)
a set up... conflict......resolution. this can be done in 4minutes with no dialogue
4. make me care or at least relate to your characters
5. don't assume i get it.... that is one of my biggest weaknesses as a story teller.... I can tell you thought it was very obvious by your comment about the title. We all see the world from a unique singular perspective... as a filmmaker it is our job to get the viewer to see the world through our eyes....
 
I think visually the project is strong. And to preface, I don't mind if it's artsy, I agree, I think the whole medium is an art. Your project is a little more abstract than that.

The use of sounds, music, and how that flows with the editing works. Those sounds that don't match up are a nice style quality in the project. I enjoyed that.

Now where it faults, is there isn't enough time or better established past. We see the guy and the mask enough, but the effect of drugs isn't totally apparent. We may not need to know, but how is it effecting him? Does he still do drugs? Did he lose his family? Why does his past bother him??

So I think that part of storytelling is unclear, and just the weakest part of the film. I don't think it ruins the peace completely, but the question of what exactly happened, is to be expected.

Other then that, I didn't mind watching and its a good start towards future projects!
 
when I said commercial value I was meaning something that would be enjoyed and watched by a large group of people who span all demographics.
why is this important? because if you want to make a second film your first one better reach people

1. with the web, youtube, these on the lot type shows, etc. more people than ever watch shorts entertain them and it will lead to bigger and better things
2. to show the industry that you get it read the posts of several others on this thread and see how they have used shorts to get funding to make features.... even Robert Rodriguez used a short to help get his first feature sold
3. to hone your craft learn how to tell a story, try out that new special effect or piece of equipment, learn how to play nice with others, etc. without spending alot of time and/or money
4. To tell a story... Have something to say, make me feel something, entertain me, help me escape even if it is only for four minutes. Once you can do that..... do it for 10 minutes... than 30 minutes than 90
 
I would have done comedy, but it doesn't really appeal to a large demographic since everyone's sense of humor is different. And I also think it's the most over-done genre in film school. I thought this would have been a simple concept since it's basically a guy running from his past. But the demographic I had in mind was people who have had a drug related past and are now trying to escape from it. But I understand why the character development wasn't made clear, it was because that the character "who cleaned up" wasn't necessarily living a better life than his past, right? At least I think so.

I appreciate the critiques by the way. But I look at marketing short films differently than sole content; although content is a part of making a successful youtube short, it won't cause it to go viral and overload with hits. But I wasn't really trying to go 'viral'. Since most videos that go 'viral' these days are nonsense. But in the future, I do want to somehow get 'connected' and get a team basically, and to do that I do need good content.

again, I appreciate you guys feedback!
 
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