DerSpieler
Member
Sometimes, I think my role as the director is to not ruin the story and just get out of the crew's way and let them all do their magic.
Hey, you wrote the story, that's where the real magic happens
"One Saved Message" - Off Stage Films
- Thread starter Chris Messineo
- Start date
Hey, you wrote the story, that's where the real magic happens
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
Chris. I'm very impressed with how this came out. Not that I thought it wouldn't, but I had my doubts about some of the waist-high shots looking too much like a soap-opera. Luckily, they are used so sparingly it's not really and issue.
Nice color work to. I assume you did some correction on it. much warmer tone than it seemed on set.
music just about perfectly suited to the size and scope of the piece.
Nit-picks: I think, now seeing it, that choice to have her mouth the words treads on going over the top. It's just that the elements are all working so great there, you don't need it in my view, so whens she does it, it feels like pouring it on a bit. She does a great job of just being in that moment, so I don't think it's needed.
I guess I saw this when I read it, but for some reason thought it would be more so in the performance, but now I kind of wish for a hair more conflict here. Inner conflict? Maybe that's a different story than the one you're telling, but I don't fully see why she's okay now, if she just played the message. What's different about this day? I mean, I guess it's in seeing the daughter safe? Dunno, I didn't fully get it.
Nice work.
Nice color work to. I assume you did some correction on it. much warmer tone than it seemed on set.
music just about perfectly suited to the size and scope of the piece.
Nit-picks: I think, now seeing it, that choice to have her mouth the words treads on going over the top. It's just that the elements are all working so great there, you don't need it in my view, so whens she does it, it feels like pouring it on a bit. She does a great job of just being in that moment, so I don't think it's needed.
I guess I saw this when I read it, but for some reason thought it would be more so in the performance, but now I kind of wish for a hair more conflict here. Inner conflict? Maybe that's a different story than the one you're telling, but I don't fully see why she's okay now, if she just played the message. What's different about this day? I mean, I guess it's in seeing the daughter safe? Dunno, I didn't fully get it.
Nice work.
Lu-Ann Reilly
New member
Chris, I just wanted to say that I loved the film! After listening to your direction --and all the technical stuff that I didn't understand while watching the shoot (first time for me)-- I couldn't wait to see the final product. I like the fact that the film had no extraneous action. It was so incredibly touching without being super-emotional. As the real-life mom of the daughter in the film, I have to admit that Nadja and Kelly look more like mother and daughter than Kelly and I do! Also, I know I am biased, but I truly and honestly loved their performances and, knowing what you were asking of them, I can say that I think both Nadja and Kelly gave you the performances you wanted from them. Even after reading the script and sitting through the shoot, I cried when I saw the film. :crybaby:Great job, Chris! You are an amazingly talented filmmaker and it was an honor for Kelly --in her film debut--to work with you, Nadja, and your excellent crew. Best of luck to you!
Also, I know I am biased, but I truly and honestly loved their performances and, knowing what you were asking of them, I can say that I think both Nadja and Kelly gave you the performances you wanted from them. Even after reading the script and sitting through the shoot, I cried when I saw the film. :crybaby:Great job, Chris! You are an amazingly talented filmmaker and it was an honor for Kelly --in her film debut--to work with you, Nadja, and your excellent crew. Best of luck to you!
lawriejaffa
Veteran
Yes I'll just add my tuppence. This short (was short!) and touching. The answering message was eerily authentic sounding. I think perhaps the resolution and the overcoming of the character (over needing to keep this message) as it were was a little 'easy' and sentimental.
I don't think moving on necessary means deleting the last recorded message of a doomed loved one (thats just my opinion) and i wasnt sure why a simple hug (that presumably had occured many times before) had not achieved the same result before.
So again, eerily authentic message, touching tale, but a little too easy - a little too much bourgeious sentimentality there
Overall i enjoyed it mate and well done on the short
I don't think moving on necessary means deleting the last recorded message of a doomed loved one (thats just my opinion) and i wasnt sure why a simple hug (that presumably had occured many times before) had not achieved the same result before.
So again, eerily authentic message, touching tale, but a little too easy - a little too much bourgeious sentimentality there
Overall i enjoyed it mate and well done on the short
Lawsuit_Boy
Veteran
Chris,
This was certainly an affective, simple tale with a big heart. The performances all around were strong, the lead in particular. I absolutely adore seeing pieces like this in which the audience is shown someone finally coming to terms with a great struggle of theirs, especially the loss of someone. The idea of saving a message is something that hits home for me and it really helped me to relate. A bitter-sweet type of film in which we all feel a little better by the end.
It was technically proficient. Any critique would be of an aesthetic nature. It has a big heart, and that's where it grabs me. Great job! :thumbsup:
This was certainly an affective, simple tale with a big heart. The performances all around were strong, the lead in particular. I absolutely adore seeing pieces like this in which the audience is shown someone finally coming to terms with a great struggle of theirs, especially the loss of someone. The idea of saving a message is something that hits home for me and it really helped me to relate. A bitter-sweet type of film in which we all feel a little better by the end.
It was technically proficient. Any critique would be of an aesthetic nature. It has a big heart, and that's where it grabs me. Great job! :thumbsup:
Lawsuit_Boy
Veteran
So again, eerily authentic message, touching tale, but a little too easy - a little too much bourgeious sentimentality there
Bourgeious sentimentality...you know, that is a fair description, lawriejaffa. I'm going to have to step up my linguistic game in order to compete with your delicate and meticulous style.
But really, this is the only thing I can foresee anyone really complaining about. But you know what? As lawriejaffa also said, it's still very touching. So again, fine work, Chris.
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
Chris...WOW. I had no idea what this was going to be about & you floored me. This really hit home. (I won't go into detail as I'm sure there are a bunch of us that have personal 9/11 stories...it touched so many of us)
I thought this was SO well done. I'm a fan (and someday hope to figure out how to make one) of the short short. You did it here for me. It all came together, picture, sound, subject, acting...great job to all involved. Sometimes, less IS more and the message shines through.
Thank you for a wonderful, touching film. This is one I'll watch many more times...
I thought this was SO well done. I'm a fan (and someday hope to figure out how to make one) of the short short. You did it here for me. It all came together, picture, sound, subject, acting...great job to all involved. Sometimes, less IS more and the message shines through.
Thank you for a wonderful, touching film. This is one I'll watch many more times...
lawriejaffa
Veteran
Do you know how much effort I go to - to create those linguistic frames (in case i come across as too snobbish don't worry i always create many typos to humble myself.)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/lafargue/1881/12/25.htm
Thats a bit scary (the essay above haha) but in general Bertolt Brecht (the famous author) discusses quite effectively a theory of bourgeious drama and his preferred mediums, so thats worth checking out for sake of self reflection in ones own writings.
A soppy feel good ending is nice - it relieves the concern of an audience, but does so at the expense of making one think. My criticism here would not be that the ending is sentimental - but that it is so without a clearer visible cause? If you get my drift. You could go further to argue that indeed, instead of a happy ending, we could have had a thought provoking ending.
After all, take the 9/11 phone call, given the importance of that 'event' - is there anything to be learned from it - over say the husbands death being caused by say any other event? Why 9/11? What is the films point?
Those are the kinds of questions that are worth asking - and if you don't ask and think 'i just liked it, made me feel fuzzy, doesnt need a point' then you would be a kind of bourgeious sentimentalist (as Brecht might put it) or the type of reader E M Forster feared the most (in his instructional guide, Aspects of the Novel')
I know my feedback might seem a little unusual compared to others, but it all adds to the range of feedback eh?
http://www.marxists.org/archive/lafargue/1881/12/25.htm
Thats a bit scary (the essay above haha) but in general Bertolt Brecht (the famous author) discusses quite effectively a theory of bourgeious drama and his preferred mediums, so thats worth checking out for sake of self reflection in ones own writings.
A soppy feel good ending is nice - it relieves the concern of an audience, but does so at the expense of making one think. My criticism here would not be that the ending is sentimental - but that it is so without a clearer visible cause? If you get my drift. You could go further to argue that indeed, instead of a happy ending, we could have had a thought provoking ending.
After all, take the 9/11 phone call, given the importance of that 'event' - is there anything to be learned from it - over say the husbands death being caused by say any other event? Why 9/11? What is the films point?
Those are the kinds of questions that are worth asking - and if you don't ask and think 'i just liked it, made me feel fuzzy, doesnt need a point' then you would be a kind of bourgeious sentimentalist (as Brecht might put it) or the type of reader E M Forster feared the most (in his instructional guide, Aspects of the Novel')
I know my feedback might seem a little unusual compared to others, but it all adds to the range of feedback eh?
Lawsuit_Boy
Veteran
I'm always interested in Bertolt Brecht's writing as well as general conflict theory and marxism text. Thanks for the link!
lawriejaffa
Veteran
Happy to oblige mon amie! and congrats on your film too
Chris Messineo
Veteran
I'm so glad you liked it.
I did a little cc on all the shots, but not much, Timur did a great job of capturing a great look for the film.
There are so many ways I can answer this.
I guess I will just say, that having deleted a message from an answering machine in my life, that day was not filled with conflict, drama, or sadness and I think that is why the message can be deleted on this particular day. I don't know if that makes any sense, but I hope so.
Chris Messineo
Veteran
Lu-Ann, Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm honored that you liked it so much and it was a pleasure to work with Kelly. That look she gives her mother at the end kills me. She should be very proud.Chris, I just wanted to say that I loved the film! After listening to your direction --and all the technical stuff that I didn't understand while watching the shoot (first time for me)-- I couldn't wait to see the final product. I like the fact that the film had no extraneous action. It was so incredibly touching without being super-emotional. As the real-life mom of the daughter in the film, I have to admit that Nadja and Kelly look more like mother and daughter than Kelly and I do!
Chris Messineo
Veteran
Thanks a lot we worked very hard on that.
"Easy" I understand and in a way, I agree with. I think today was the first day it was easy for her. I'm not sure why it feels "sentimental" to you though. We tried very hard to not make this sentimental or melodramatic. Purposefully avoiding costuming, lighting, music, and performances that would play into this. Also, I don't think "the hug" has anything to do with the message being deleted today (see my note to Mark), but if that wasn't clear, it is entirely my fault as the filmmaker and I need to work on my storytelling.
Lastly, thanks for the detailed review, I do appreciate it.
Chris Messineo
Veteran
I'm so glad you liked it.
I've spent most of today watching and reviewing films (I've seen about half of them), so I think most people are just returning the favor, which I really appreciate.
Chris Messineo
Veteran
Thank you so much. I can't begin to describe how wonderful it feels to know that this touched some people. I can't ask for any more than that.
Chris Messineo
Veteran
Thank you, thank you, thank you. As I've said before, this was personal for me and it's hard to describe the feeling of knowing other people connected with it. It means everything to me.
lawriejaffa
Veteran
Hey mate - just the stories ending itself was sentimental - your quite the performances and visual style etc and music (or absence) did not lend itself to melodrama (which i dont think is automatically bad) but obviously wasn't what you were going for and of course its not melodramatic.
Its sentimentality i think comes from how the audience gets the ending they want without really having to learn anything, and that the means by which the mother can 'let go' are unclear.
Now, you can take the point of view, that with all this 'realism' we are simply 'observing' the moment by which this character, this human being has. - But that seems very circumstantial doesnt it for a short - and so again the cause and effect as it were could be clearer imo, and that would reduce the sentimentality of its 'happy ending' without 'clear reason'.
Im just discussing this with you, (if you want!) i certainly don't mean this to come across as an overriding criticism, as i enjoyed your film, its up there in my book As such for me what it lacks becomes clearer - (its point!)
Its sentimentality i think comes from how the audience gets the ending they want without really having to learn anything, and that the means by which the mother can 'let go' are unclear.
Now, you can take the point of view, that with all this 'realism' we are simply 'observing' the moment by which this character, this human being has. - But that seems very circumstantial doesnt it for a short - and so again the cause and effect as it were could be clearer imo, and that would reduce the sentimentality of its 'happy ending' without 'clear reason'.
Im just discussing this with you, (if you want!) i certainly don't mean this to come across as an overriding criticism, as i enjoyed your film, its up there in my book
As such for me what it lacks becomes clearer - (its point!)
Sprocketboy
Well-known member
This is well-executed. This is a very sensitive story and difficult to decide on how to shoot it. My hat is off to you for finding a way through it. None of your edits were too long or too short and the music is absolutely perfect. Of course, you got Herman Witkam, who has done the music for every film in this festival except mine. The young girl’s eye contact, in the wide shot, is questionable. I didn’t feel she was participating in the ‘moment.’ That is the only constructive criticism I can give to you and its can be perceived as subjective on my part.
Excellent job, Chris.
Excellent job, Chris.