briceman "A Price Too High"

So now that I've seen most of the films, I'm starting my comments... and Briceman, you get to be lucky number 1 :)

I hope you (and everyone) knows that I really put a lot of effort into watching the movies... and watched/am watching each multiple times... took a lot of notes... so I hope you can take both my compliments and criticisms well :)

So here we go...

Like everyone else, I really liked the blood effect at the beginning... very good... looked really professional/"real".

The lead actress was excellent... she seemed to really get into the role and become the girl... I could believe her. Rodriguez was also very good -- even though he reminded me of Tubbs from Miami Vice (hehe).

I didn't like the Shrink... he came across as unnatural/unbelievable. His office also seemed too crowded... not as much by where the girl was sitting, but behind him with the multiple metal book shelves.

The sound outside at the lake needed some work... the dialogue got lost in the wind and it was hard to hear them.

I liked the story a lot, and the only nitpick I'd have is the very last shot of the file going into the garbage can, which I didn't quite get. Shredding it, taking it, hiding it, all seem like they would have been better choices than out in the open on top of the the garbage can... but that's just a little nit pick ;)

The cinematography and editing were very good overall. In the editing there only were two spots that bugged me a bit... at the very beginning when she's in front of the mirror she's dancing, then you cut and she isn't, then cut back and she is... the inconsistency came through, though only on a second and third viewing. For pacing, the car screeching up to the warehouse didn't seem to flow well, and Rodriguez following her into the warehouse, or something, might have worked a bit better.

Lighting was great... but maybe it could have been a bit more ominous in the warehouse scene.

Great job overall and we really enjoyed it watching it. Overall, the story flowed well and I didn't feel at all it was too long or too short... it fit the timeframe well. It didn't drag at any parts and kept me interested all the way through. Kudos to you!
 
EditPhish said:
So now that I've seen most of the films, I'm starting my comments... and Briceman, you get to be lucky number 1

I hope you (and everyone) knows that I really put a lot of effort into watching the movies... and watched/am watching each multiple times... took a lot of notes... so I hope you can take both my compliments and criticisms well

So here we go...

Like everyone else, I really liked the blood effect at the beginning... very good... looked really professional/"real".

The lead actress was excellent... she seemed to really get into the role and become the girl... I could believe her. Rodriguez was also very good -- even though he reminded me of Tubbs from Miami Vice (hehe).

I didn't like the Shrink... he came across as unnatural/unbelievable. His office also seemed too crowded... not as much by where the girl was sitting, but behind him with the multiple metal book shelves.

The sound outside at the lake needed some work... the dialogue got lost in the wind and it was hard to hear them.

I liked the story a lot, and the only nitpick I'd have is the very last shot of the file going into the garbage can, which I didn't quite get. Shredding it, taking it, hiding it, all seem like they would have been better choices than out in the open on top of the the garbage can... but that's just a little nit pick ;)

The cinematography and editing were very good overall. In the editing there only were two spots that bugged me a bit... at the very beginning when she's in front of the mirror she's dancing, then you cut and she isn't, then cut back and she is... the inconsistency came through, though only on a second and third viewing. For pacing, the car screeching up to the warehouse didn't seem to flow well, and Rodriguez following her into the warehouse, or something, might have worked a bit better.

Lighting was great... but maybe it could have been a bit more ominous in the warehouse scene.

Great job overall and we really enjoyed it watching it. Overall, the story flowed well and I didn't feel at all it was too long or too short... it fit the timeframe well. It didn't drag at any parts and kept me interested all the way through. Kudos to you!
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Thanks so much for your review! I just wanted to let you know that the opening scene was meant to be jump cut :) And, thanks for the constructive critisicm, and everything. Most people have had a problem with the shrink, and I think it's due in part to a lot of his major dialogue having to be cut in this shortened version. So, hopefully you'll like his performance better in the "real" cut ;) Thanks again for the comments, and your critique has not fallen on deaf ears.
 
I liked it, she had healing powers. What is the likelyhood of the hitman missing twice in one day though. Food for thought. I liked the twist in the end though.
 
I've never been more hesitant about posting a review to give you more fuel to post like a madman :) but here you go.

A Price Too High – Like everyone else the blood thing caught my interest in the beginning, and overall I thought that the score in the beginning worked well. Not to be a nay sayer, but the acting of the lead girl didn’t do it for me. The doctor’s acting didn’t really do it for me either. The sound at 1:33 gets really noisy, lots of wind. At first I liked the sniper viewpoint, but the second time we see that shot it just doesn’t work for me. I liked the warehouse location and the payoff at the end worked for me. Here is what sort of killed it for me ultimately: 2:50 the dialogue gets really cliché. The word power is said a lot, and it just pulls me out of it. I liked the score in that scene in the warehouse, but the word power could be a drinking game. I liked the Rodriguez guy as an actor, and the bullet shot worked well for me. The payoff at the end was a little cheesy, and the whole healing and passing out thing reminded me a bit of The Green Mile. The sound throughout was good with the exception of the lake scene. I thought your color correction was good and it was a good submission. Best of luck.
 
TheYankee said:
I've never been more hesitant about posting a review to give you more fuel to post like a madman :) but here you go.

A Price Too High – Like everyone else the blood thing caught my interest in the beginning, and overall I thought that the score in the beginning worked well. Not to be a nay sayer, but the acting of the lead girl didn’t do it for me. The doctor’s acting didn’t really do it for me either. The sound at 1:33 gets really noisy, lots of wind. At first I liked the sniper viewpoint, but the second time we see that shot it just doesn’t work for me. I liked the warehouse location and the payoff at the end worked for me. Here is what sort of killed it for me ultimately: 2:50 the dialogue gets really cliché. The word power is said a lot, and it just pulls me out of it. I liked the score in that scene in the warehouse, but the word power could be a drinking game. I liked the Rodriguez guy as an actor, and the bullet shot worked well for me. The payoff at the end was a little cheesy, and the whole healing and passing out thing reminded me a bit of The Green Mile. The sound throughout was good with the exception of the lake scene. I thought your color correction was good and it was a good submission. Best of luck.
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Thanks for the comment man, and don't worry, I won't post like a madman ;)
 
Hey

Very nice overall composition. Your film was one of the first I watched because of all your participation in the festival. My only problem was with your female actress she was little unbelievable at times but I found myself having the same problem with my female actor. All in all nice job.

Darkfader
 
darkfader said:
Hey

Very nice overall composition. Your film was one of the first I watched because of all your participation in the festival. My only problem was with your female actress she was little unbelievable at times but I found myself having the same problem with my female actor. All in all nice job.

Darkfader
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Thanks for the comment! Still haven't seen your film yet, just trying to get them all downloaded at the moment. It's a bit of a slow connection I'm using here in VA. And, I'm not around all the time either. Thanks again for the comment!:cool:
 
I liked this joint also. The story held together except for the part where she didnt save her friend because in the warehouse they talk about her saving people from dying. I thought she fit the part and reminded me of Rogue from x-men. The shrink guy seemed very stiff compared to everyone else and should have been alot older. I think that guy in your doc, the older video dude would have been a better choice. Her brother, You introduced him into right away and then nothing about him ever again.
I loved the shots of her when she was hiding from him. I thought the opening music fit the shots and age factor of the kids. The blood disappearing from his hand was nice as was the sniper cross hairs. The ending could have moved along a little faster, the shrink scenes seemed to drag.
Good job dude.
 
Aram Bauman said:
I liked this joint also. The story held together except for the part where she didnt save her friend because in the warehouse they talk about her saving people from dying. I thought she fit the part and reminded me of Rogue from x-men. The shrink guy seemed very stiff compared to everyone else and should have been alot older. I think that guy in your doc, the older video dude would have been a better choice. Her brother, You introduced him into right away and then nothing about him ever again.
I loved the shots of her when she was hiding from him. I thought the opening music fit the shots and age factor of the kids. The blood disappearing from his hand was nice as was the sniper cross hairs. The ending could have moved along a little faster, the shrink scenes seemed to drag.
Good job dude.
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Thanks Aram! Glad you liked it. Really looking forward to seeing your film (just downloaded it). I did say that the girl did heal the friend (earlier in the posts). It was unclear due to cutting some things out for time constraints. Anyway, glad you liked it, and we had a great time making this! Peace!
 
I enjoyed this film. Agreed with a lot of comments here - the agents acting was a bit melodramatic at times.

The cinematograpy kept my attention and shots were interesting.

Some of the action was great - like the target searching - and some a bit labored like the box falling but all in all a fun ride
 
smelni said:
I enjoyed this film. Agreed with a lot of comments here - the agents acting was a bit melodramatic at times.

The cinematograpy kept my attention and shots were interesting.

Some of the action was great - like the target searching - and some a bit labored like the box falling but all in all a fun ride
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Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the film! :) That's what I'm going for, a fun ride!:cool:
 
For me, the actor who played Agent Rodriguez did a very nice job. There were some clunky lines that he struggled to deliver, but that's not he's fault IMHO. I was really impressed with the music, especially in the warehouse scene, which added to the tension. I also though the scope POV was nicely done as well.

EJ
 
Blood and Scopevision were very well done!

I thought the girl did a solid job of acting, as well as the assassin, the Dr. though was really bad (I'm guessing he didn't look over his lines much?)

Kept my attention and was generally shot well. Nice concept.
 
the-lyons-den.com said:
Blood and Scopevision were very well done!

I thought the girl did a solid job of acting, as well as the assassin, the Dr. though was really bad (I'm guessing he didn't look over his lines much?)

Kept my attention and was generally shot well. Nice concept.
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Thanks for the comment! The Dr. is getting a pretty bad wrap IMO. He did look over his lines quite a bit, and did a good job IMO, but his performance is very cut down in this shortened version. I am thinking this is why his part is the weakest. No excuse however. It's the six minute version we're looking at here. Thanks for the comment again and I am very glad it kept you "gripped". :)
 
Nice job, Brandon! My favorite shot is of the girl hiding in the warehouse -- very beautifully lit. I liked the open -- it drew me in right away. The sound was kinda rough, but I think you mentioned that somewhere in this thread. I, too, liked the assasin, and I also didn't quite believe the shrink, but I thought it was from having seen him in your feature and not being able to separate him from that until I saw all the other posts here... My problem with him was that he just seemed kind of condescending, and in a way that gives away the ending... But overall, great job!
 
MsManhattan said:
Nice job, Brandon! My favorite shot is of the girl hiding in the warehouse -- very beautifully lit. I liked the open -- it drew me in right away. The sound was kinda rough, but I think you mentioned that somewhere in this thread. I, too, liked the assasin, and I also didn't quite believe the shrink, but I thought it was from having seen him in your feature and not being able to separate him from that until I saw all the other posts here... My problem with him was that he just seemed kind of condescending, and in a way that gives away the ending... But overall, great job!
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Thanks so much, I am glad you enjoyed the film! Yeah, sound design is for sure not my thing, I am trying to get better at it. Thanks for the comments!
 
Brandon,

Sorry this took so long to get to. I've watched your short a couple of times now and offer the following (much of which may have already been covered in previous posts).

Yes, I liked your lead actress and the opening scene grabs. Music and movement great. Nice title and VO.

Next, the psychiatrist. Sorry, but I'm going to go against the tide of some of the comments above. I liked the actor and I liked the delivery. It's nice to have some variations on what is "expected" and this guy filled the bill. I didn't peg him as a bad actor - nor was he delivering on bad lines. To me, he was believable. So, sorry, but nice job in relation to him (MAN! It's cold and lonely out here ...).

The lake scene. Loren, the best friend. So sorry again, but I didn't like her delivery at all. Nor did I like the line "I'm your best friend you can talk to me". Too rushed a delivery. Too "on the nose" in the writing. When in real life was the last time anyone heard a statement "I'm your best friend ...<insert on-the-nose comment here>"? Then again, I have no friends so maybe that happens all the time.

I immediately bought into the shooter-assassin. Nice underplayed emotions. Nice prop rifle too. Great, dangerous look.

I, too, was surprised that Loren didn't appear to be saved by Jennifer. Seemed to me that should have happened - and a real friend would have given Loren another chance at delivering some better lines.

I liked the warehouse location. Of course, I was wondering about the zoning by-laws for a place that allows an industrial warehouse to be built so close to a beautiful lakeside residential development (or at least within a quick running distance), but that's just me being nit picky.

Once in the warehouse, I really liked that scene. I was wondering at the outset why the shooter was getting into such a dialogue with her (he'd already missed her once - just finish the job like a pro), but I bought into the story line (he wanted her to come with him). Really nice sequence where Jennifer reveals herself and asks "Why?" I liked that a lot. Nice camera work (I assume you have follow focus on your rig). I was not as fussed as others who didn't like the "power" word.

In the closing scene in the psych office, it was interesting that there was a nice pair of long, sharp scissors in a mesh cup on the psychiatrist's desk. I guess he just sees the non-violent, non-threatening, non-suicidal psychotics. (MAN! NOW THAT REALLY IS OVER-THE-TOP NIT PICKING!):eek: Sorry.

I liked the ending but didn't like the file-into-the-garbage treatment. Shred, burn hide - but don't simply discard.

By the way, I thought the score fit perfectly. Nice editing and nice camera work throughout.

Brandon, please don't take the above as anything other than my feeble attempt to find stuff that struck me. I really liked this short and if it's not in my "top five" (and I haven't finished watching all the shorts yet), I have no doubt it will be in my "top ten". You do have talent.

Cheers, and thanks.
 
Thanks for your kind words! I am happy that someone liked the doctor!! haha! I have to say that the only "non-actor" we had on this film was Lauren, and she did what she could for the role. The lines were all improv'd for her dialogue. We originally were going to shoot it all MOS, but at the last minute changed to have her actually say something on camera. And Lauren is actually healed, I know it doesn't seem like it (mainly because we had to chop the healing down in this version) but she is really healed. Thanks for the comment on the scissors (I never thought of that!!) Next time I do a scene in a Psychiatrist's office I will not put scissors in it. haha! Thanks again for the review, and I am glad you enjoyed the film! :)
 
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