"Picture" - A film by Amy Beth O'Brien

Amy, I really really liked it. The story is interesting, the characters easy to empathise with, solid shots.

I wondered though about the exterior light. Some the shots felt like evening in the light but as she passed windows it clearly wasnt. Thats how I perceived it.

In the top 3 for me.
 
Thanks for the comments! Glad you enjoyed it.

Noel, what shots in particular stood out to you? The film takes place over two days, with the shift being between the dining room scene and second kitchen scene.
 
Amy, to answer. The shot at 2.02 and then again at 3.10.

2.02 seems like broad daylight outside and doesnt suit the interior lighting for time of day. I see you ND'd the windows, but to my eyes looks a little off. Not sure what ct you were wb'd at or the gels used on your lights, but maybe would have been easier to light match for exterior and then use some grading to assist there. An exterior light source on that kitchen window, could have helped serve time of day also, shadow angles etc .

3.10 Watched it again and I just realised its a different day through clothing, but the colors are so similar its easy to miss and also the lighting is the same throughout the entire piece, so initially I assumed it was all one day, similar time. Even though you did the fade out after the 2.02 shot.
 
Really loved the opening montage Amy, very nice. And I thought the lighting and the look all around was very good. As I recall you were using the HVX with an adapter with this one. Looked great all the way around.

On the con side, I thought it was a little slow to get going. I think it could have been 3 minutes instead of 6, but hey, that's just me. Also, as a father I just can't imagine a new mother not being with her daughter in the NICU. That breaks any kind of movie reality I had for your film. But that's just my gut reaction. So long story short, I thought the story was a tad weak, but technically it all looked absolutely great. I really enjoyed the time out story you did for Time Fest. It looks like your daughter is going to have a reoccuring role in your shorts!

best,
Jon
 
Amy,

Wonderful short. The cinematography really stood out in this one, and excellent camera movies.

The audio sounded decent, but it was maybe the compression?

Good acting, and I would have loved to see the husband/boy friend at the end.

Score fit well!

Robbie
 
Thanks Jon and Robbie! To clarify, the little girl in this movie was not my daughter. The role was played by Logan McGreevey. I wanted Cheyenne to do it, but she wasn't ready.

Cinematography was all my DP's doing. I've told him to pop in here and read the comments, since they are all good where he is concerned! :)
 
Noel Evans said:
Amy, to answer. The shot at 2.02 and then again at 3.10.

2.02 seems like broad daylight outside and doesnt suit the interior lighting for time of day. I see you ND'd the windows, but to my eyes looks a little off. Not sure what ct you were wb'd at or the gels used on your lights, but maybe would have been easier to light match for exterior and then use some grading to assist there. An exterior light source on that kitchen window, could have helped serve time of day also, shadow angles etc .

3.10 Watched it again and I just realised its a different day through clothing, but the colors are so similar its easy to miss and also the lighting is the same throughout the entire piece, so initially I assumed it was all one day, similar time. Even though you did the fade out after the 2.02 shot.
Click to expand...

Thanks for getting back to me. I'll look at that first area.
 
Amy,
First off, very well done. The story for me was hard for me to follow even tho you gave me hints. I was relieved the baby was alive, but then felt completely out of touch with what you were feeling and why.

Camera work was well done, lighting worked well throughout the film.

Overall a good film, thanks for making it, I appreciate seeing it.

Wayne Beck
 
Amy, I just wanted to say. I was telling my wife about this movie the other night. I have to say.... this got to me. Her as well.

We have a little girl. Things were not always easy.

Anyway, once again, I loved it. Just fix the voice mail audio and get it Fest bound.
 
Thanks for the kind words, Wayne. :)

Michael, I'm flattered this film moved you. Even though this film is fictional (I never gave birth - we met Cheyenne when she was 2 weeks old, still in the NICU), there are kernels of truth. I'm sorry you had rough times with your daughter, and I hope things are better now.

Gonna get a sound person in to take a "look" at the overall sound mix. :)
 
AmyO said:
Thanks for the kind words, Wayne. :)

Michael, I'm flattered this film moved you. Even though this film is fictional (I never gave birth - we met Cheyenne when she was 2 weeks old, still in the NICU), there are kernels of truth. I'm sorry you had rough times with your daughter, and I hope things are better now.

Gonna get a sound person in to take a "look" at the overall sound mix. :)
Click to expand...
Sorry to mislead, my daughter is fine, always has been. We just had problems along the way and can relate.

On a happier note... our daughter is in CFTFB and doing fine, as you can briefly see. :)
 
Your movie is heavy. I really felt this one... the story, the characters, the set, the whole look and feel. Your DP did a wonderful job moving the camera around on that dolly.

SPOILER BELOW...

I got a completely "different" ending then Wayne and would like to know what you had intended.

This is a great short film!

:beer:
 
The visual quality here is perfect. Story pretty much held my attention until the glow at the
very end. This is me nitpicking... the glow goes to grey and then to white which kills the effect
for me. Less light rays perhaps? Solid film here with running legs for future film fests, but
doesn't quite fit the Twilight theme. Still, nice job Amy!
 
I love seeing what a different perspective female film makers have. And I was not disappointed at this one. It was shot very well and the editing and post was great. The story really got to me too being a DA and all, well done it was a truly brilliant film.
Pauly
 
Amy:

I echo all those comments on the photography. Nicely done.

I got what you were going for story-wise, I think you could have held a little longer on the shot of the picture in the frame at the end of the movie (a total nitpick, I know). I thought Laura's acting was good but Logan's was slightly flat. I can't imagine how I would have done it any better though. Justin's score is great.

I thought the story, while interesting, was a little slow to develop, and a touch repetitive with "take my picture."

All-in-all a very good short film.
 
I just didn't quite get it. Was the mother haunted 4 years after her newborn daughter died because she never got a photo of her? What just happened? I was definitely moved at the very end. Even though it was unclear it was depressing. Nicely shot. The sound was unclear on the message and I'd have made it more easy to understand. My third view of the fest, nice job. Oh and good score.
 
had to watch it twice to see what I missed and still not sure. had a hard time understanding the answering machine, and I figured that message was crucial to the story. but, a well done production and easy to watch.
 
AmyO said:
Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you liked it.

As for the "debut" question, if you are referring to the actress, that wasn't me. That was Laura McGreevey and she was awesome to work with. She's also an accomplished singer/songwriter. I'm gonna brag on her a bit and pimp her site: lauramcgreevey.com.
Click to expand...

I thought it was you from old bts pics from the last film. I guess you guys look a like or something. Or it could be the twilight thing where nothing is as it seems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top