pauly_the_hitman
Veteran
I loved the cinematography and the story was well thought out. Good job.
Pauly
Pauly
"Innocence" by AJ Brooks
- Thread starter AJ Brooks
- Start date
Susanne G.
Well-known member
Very impressive - love the cinematographic and this score gave your film the right dramatic feeling. Especially I like the moment when the friend which killed the girl, has the changing of expression in his face, directly after your lead said something like "I don't understand why you did it?" Above all good acting. Nice work - thank you! :beer:
Susanne
Susanne
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Dick Campbell
Veteran
nice photography. liked the story. didn't like the dead air cut in he opening title.
Bryce A
Well-known member
There are two things I really loved about the film.
1. Anthony Cull’s acting during the dinner conversation with Jill Wilson. He perfectly got across the “aunt dying does not equal daughter being killed by pedophile” look. Well done.
2. How the character of Allan used the gift. That was a great twist. Brilliant. Used his charming little last bye to solve the crime. This struck me as really original. We see so many stories about characters giving up revenge for solace, but here he gets and embraces both.
A few cons:
Music was overbearing at times.
Felt like the movie was a bit disjointed. I’m thinking this was because there were so many elements: cop, pedophile, new woman (love interest is what I thought at first) introduction of the stone, revenge plot, Etc.
I felt the cinematography was strong throughout, but had a very tripod feel during the dinner scene. Nice fire shots!
1. Anthony Cull’s acting during the dinner conversation with Jill Wilson. He perfectly got across the “aunt dying does not equal daughter being killed by pedophile” look. Well done.
2. How the character of Allan used the gift. That was a great twist. Brilliant. Used his charming little last bye to solve the crime. This struck me as really original. We see so many stories about characters giving up revenge for solace, but here he gets and embraces both.
A few cons:
Music was overbearing at times.
Felt like the movie was a bit disjointed. I’m thinking this was because there were so many elements: cop, pedophile, new woman (love interest is what I thought at first) introduction of the stone, revenge plot, Etc.
I felt the cinematography was strong throughout, but had a very tripod feel during the dinner scene. Nice fire shots!
FDL film music composer
Active member
A few cons:
Music was overbearing at times....??
i think not ..i heard other film where the score is always present (every scenes)..you must consider that the opening of the film to bed scene are muted scenes......I don't understand why you have considered score overbearing ....-)
Music was overbearing at times....??
i think not ..i heard other film where the score is always present (every scenes)..you must consider that the opening of the film to bed scene are muted scenes......I don't understand why you have considered score overbearing ....-)
AJ Brooks
Well-known member
I think the "over bearing music" note comes more from there not being much location sound and foley. So it seems like music rides over it.
It definitely does have empty spots that make it feel distant. A good note to myself to always capture location or reference sound.
It definitely does have empty spots that make it feel distant. A good note to myself to always capture location or reference sound.
Mile Bozicevic
Well-known member
I must give credits to actors; I think they all did a great job.
Some editing there I found a little strange, but I think that's just the personal taste.
It's weird to me that guy at the end didn't tried to defend himself in any way, just kept repeating ''Allen, wait.'', plus to that he was bonded by that piece of plastic.
Maybe that was intentional and metaphorical due to showing the true face of people like that.
Also, this is probably one of the hardest story of the whole fest, and I found it kinda repulsive.
The way it's told anyway, is something to learn from.
Once again, acting was supreme-really something.
Some editing there I found a little strange, but I think that's just the personal taste.
It's weird to me that guy at the end didn't tried to defend himself in any way, just kept repeating ''Allen, wait.'', plus to that he was bonded by that piece of plastic.
Maybe that was intentional and metaphorical due to showing the true face of people like that.
Also, this is probably one of the hardest story of the whole fest, and I found it kinda repulsive.
The way it's told anyway, is something to learn from.
Once again, acting was supreme-really something.
Bryce A
Well-known member
Sorry, FDL didn't mean any offense. I wasn't saying the music was bad, just a bit dramatic for my personal tastes. i.e. some emotional cues like 5:33 when the light goes out or the scene with the police officer.
But I think AJ Brooks explained in his last post. Once again, not bad, just a little dramatic for me.
AJ Brooks
Well-known member
Those little zip ties are actually quite hard to get out of, but yes I totally agree that I should have had him put up more of a struggle. To the actor's credit, it looked fine while shooting, but a lot of it got lost when I trimmed the edit. And he ended up looking like he gave up too soon.
Is that a good or a bad note?
Thanks for the comments.
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FDL film music composer
Active member
Don't worry ..it's a mistake about my reply -)
Mile Bozicevic
Well-known member
AJ that's a good/positive/you did a good job note.
The story itself, as I said, is something I don't like to see in movies, but that doesn't mean I dislike the original idea etc.
The way it is pulled out, with proper montage of shots and dialogue where it is neccesary is that 'something I could learn from', and I mean it. There's no need in showing some things-editing and way of storytelling does its best.
Innocence, Salvation, My Name Is Harold Allen, The Borders Of Elysium are some that did that part very well by my opinion; a lot of stuff is described or put as main theme, not much of it we can see, but from what we CAN see, we get the feeling things really are that way.
Hope you get my point, I have some obscure writing. Damn English, why don't you all simply learn Croatian! :angry:
:grin:
The story itself, as I said, is something I don't like to see in movies, but that doesn't mean I dislike the original idea etc.
The way it is pulled out, with proper montage of shots and dialogue where it is neccesary is that 'something I could learn from', and I mean it. There's no need in showing some things-editing and way of storytelling does its best.
Innocence, Salvation, My Name Is Harold Allen, The Borders Of Elysium are some that did that part very well by my opinion; a lot of stuff is described or put as main theme, not much of it we can see, but from what we CAN see, we get the feeling things really are that way.
Hope you get my point, I have some obscure writing. Damn English, why don't you all simply learn Croatian! :angry:
:grin:
AJ Brooks
Well-known member
lol, yes english is a crazy language.
Thank you for the clarification, Mile Bozicevic.
That is what I was going for. I'm glad that came across for you. Some of the most disturbing stuff comes about with subtle suggestion. I really wanted to go dark dark with this one.
I feel sorry for the little actress. This is her first film! lol. I will have to make it up to her and have her star in something that her parents would actually let her watch.
Thank you for the clarification, Mile Bozicevic.
That is what I was going for. I'm glad that came across for you. Some of the most disturbing stuff comes about with subtle suggestion. I really wanted to go dark dark with this one.
I feel sorry for the little actress. This is her first film! lol. I will have to make it up to her and have her star in something that her parents would actually let her watch.
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stinkpot
Well-known member
Heavy duty film AJ. Fabulous job with this. Your opening sequence with the crime scene really drew me in. Your shots were solid all the way through and the pacing was almost perfect. Your use of close up really connected me with your lead actor and pulled me right into his world.
I don't really like stories that involve violence committed on children but your production quality and story telling ability really puts your film high on my list. One minor gripe was toward the end... I would have liked to have a little more panicked dialog from the guy that was zip-tied. Otherwise, perfect.
:beer:
I don't really like stories that involve violence committed on children but your production quality and story telling ability really puts your film high on my list. One minor gripe was toward the end... I would have liked to have a little more panicked dialog from the guy that was zip-tied. Otherwise, perfect.
:beer:
AJ Brooks
Well-known member
I was worried about doing a film on this subject matter, and having done one now I don't think I will do it again.
Even though I left details vague, the story still makes me uneasy.
My films gravitate toward the darker shades in life as it is. I need to do another comedy now to get out of the gutter. My last film I had a family eat extention cords and scrub the toilet with broccoli. My, oh my, how far have I strayed.
You can see the subtle shift...
Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.
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Danielleus
Well-known member
Hey,
Just caught the piece. I enjoyed it and thought it told a very complete story. I liked the little girl actress and thought the lighting was good for the most part. Maybe a bit dark here and there but overall very nice.
The shots seemed to go from very fitting to not so much for me. I think there was too many varieties of shots and the scene with the people around the table is incredible static compared to the rest, which hurt that scene for me.
The acting was nice throughout and like I mentioned before I thought it told a fairly complete story. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see what else you do.
Just caught the piece. I enjoyed it and thought it told a very complete story. I liked the little girl actress and thought the lighting was good for the most part. Maybe a bit dark here and there but overall very nice.
The shots seemed to go from very fitting to not so much for me. I think there was too many varieties of shots and the scene with the people around the table is incredible static compared to the rest, which hurt that scene for me.
The acting was nice throughout and like I mentioned before I thought it told a fairly complete story. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see what else you do.
gabrielflorit
Well-known member
The girl is seriously cute. Adorable. She'll be a heart-breaker one day.
This one... was... hmm. I don't know how to explain myself. I didn't like it, but it had so many things going for it. Great lighting, interesting angles and composition, nice bokeh on many of the shots, good music - but the story was so bleh. Also, I think what really pulled me out was the killer's lack of desperation at the end. If I'm about to be burned alive I'm sure as hell going to be pleading and screaming and doing everything I can to stay alive. He wasn't.
This one... was... hmm. I don't know how to explain myself. I didn't like it, but it had so many things going for it. Great lighting, interesting angles and composition, nice bokeh on many of the shots, good music - but the story was so bleh. Also, I think what really pulled me out was the killer's lack of desperation at the end. If I'm about to be burned alive I'm sure as hell going to be pleading and screaming and doing everything I can to stay alive. He wasn't.
Brian Parker
Well-known member
AJ! Awesome film man. Great shots, great lighting, and great production quality. The performances were also well done.
If I HAD to have one nitpick, it would be that when the main character backhands the other guy, there could be a richer sound effect to the smack. That was the only thing for me. Really well done man. you had a great team of people on this one. Look forward to your next thing! :Beer:
If I HAD to have one nitpick, it would be that when the main character backhands the other guy, there could be a richer sound effect to the smack. That was the only thing for me. Really well done man. you had a great team of people on this one. Look forward to your next thing! :Beer:
