AJ Brooks
Well-known member
Uploaded and approved. Now the usual lost and alone feeling after finishing a film.
That's why I wait until 5 min. before the deadline to submit.
Don't make me go back to the real world! PLEASE!!!
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Uploaded and approved. Now the usual lost and alone feeling after finishing a film.
Very nice work, Matthew! I want to say more later but let me just say I can't wait to throw this on the projector and watch this with my kids before bedtime tonight!![]()
Good Job! I enjoyed it! It was nice, simple and spooky. My kid has a bunch of stuffed animals too and literally just today got a doll... I'll have to keep my eye on it now! Good performance from the young actress and nice voice effect for the doll singing! Nice work. Really liked the shot in the first scene where the little girl comes back in and the Doll has butchered all of the other toys!
Thanks,
Andy
Ok, this is one of my favorite's. I thought your story was excellent, the acting was believable and the set design worked great. It was a super creepy film and those that have a thing for dolls eyes (me) will definitely get creeped out. Ironically, my wife and I just watched The Conjuring last night and the beginning talked about this story of Arabella. I loved everything throughout and thought you did a great job!
This movie just goes to show how a short film does not need to be complicated to be good. The plot was very focused and easy to follow, and the camera work was superb. You need to get down to Sydney and start making features! Australia needs more talented film makers such as yourself.
SPOILERS FOLLOW. READ THE FOLLOWING POST AT YOUR OWN RISK.
What I liked: This, to me, felt like a Horror film. Some of the others in the fray had some scare moments, but didn't feel very horror-y. This one did. Really creepy feel to it. Very well done. On top of that, I really like the way this was shot. We didn't have see anything gory or over the top because, let's be real here, dolls are super creepy. Really strong lead character. She delivers well. I really like that you guys had her and the doll wearing the same thing toward the end. Good build of suspense, too, with the eerie singing and music. The eyes of the girl at the end was good.
What I didn't like as much: To be honest the few things here would be minor semantics and preferences. I would have liked to have had more of a scare. Make it even creepier if you can.
Really solid entry. I'm surprised more people aren't commenting on this, but it IS at the bottom of the youtube playlist. Hopefully people are just working their way down.
The same way you thought I should cut my film, I felt that there were a few places that you could have held a shot longer on the doll and let people
creep-out on it. When the girl is first introduced to the doll, the shots at the table...and the 'twisty-push-in' were just too quick, there was no time
to really see the doll, let the music build and realize just how creepy that thing is.
Either way, you did an excellent job...and I hear you, thank goodness there were no VFX in my film!I suspect Matthew wasn't so sure how well the VFX was going to work. All the doll shots were very tightly edited before they were sent to me to add the eyes. To be honest I was kind of scared to death I might ruin the film. Before the color grade (and without audio) the VFX eyes are not nearly as spooky looking, but I did the work counting on the grade and I think that came out great. It's always hard to judge a shot after you have watched those same few frames over and over and over.
Matthew.... GREAT job on this film. I really have no place critiquing your work as you are a professional & it shows.
Everything about this worked for me, could you have made it 'scarier'...probably, but would it have added to the film?
I think not. Scary is different to all people and as I discover with each fest, different strokes for different folks.
So, that said, I'm going to throw in my 2-cents. :beer:
The same way you thought I should cut my film, I felt that there were a few places that you could have held a shot longer on the doll and let people
creep-out on it. When the girl is first introduced to the doll, the shots at the table...and the 'twisty-push-in' were just too quick, there was no time
to really see the doll, let the music build and realize just how creepy that thing is. (IMHO) The film's just a little over 5 minutes...tons of time... let it breathe,
maybe have the girl try to destroy (rip it's head off, bury it, burn it, etc.) the doll and yet, each evening, it returns untarnished. Build a better sense of fear & panic.
But like I said, I'm just talking here, one man's observations & thoughts.
Loved the film. Your cinematography is top-notch and every other aspect fell right into place. Kudos to the crew & all involved, I think you have a winner here. :thumbsup:
I enjoyed this. Secretly I think I was comparing it to Annabelle from The Conjuring.
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How could I not. Aside from the whole possessed doll theme, even the name is very similar.
Arabella had some good creepiness to it and the little girl was great. Cinematography was good too.
The doll moments worked but I never felt they reached the point of "horror movie" scary. Not bad, though.
As a short film I thought it was very good. Well constructed, good editing, and very polished.
The VFX were very good as well. Great job.
Really enjoyed this one. Your lead is a shoe-in for best actress.
I can't really comment on camera angles, and sound and lighting - not my area - but story-wise it's clean and coherent. Two issues, though: why would the great-grandmother give the evil doll to her? Not a good relationship? Wanted to pass it on to someone she trusted? From Jessica's reaction to the death, there didn't seem to be a feeling of loss. ?? Maybe a comment from Jessica could have made it clear - like, 'Why, I thought she didn't like me' or something to give a clue.
The other issue is that Jessica resorts to same/similar ways to try and get rid of the doll. It never escalates to real fear, or a real determination to lose it - chop it up, burn it, pull the legs off - something more than a closet toss.
Okay, maybe a third issue: I felt Angelika was a tad old to be playing tea party, especially with folks her age so wired on tech these days. However, in an Alice-In-Wonderland kinda way, it works, and may actually lend more to the creep factor. On the fence about it.
Nice film, fun to watch. Easily a 9/10
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