CLEAR SPACE - Written & Directed By Matt Harris

Quick review.

Matt - this genre suits you. You seem to make it look so easy. I was bored to death in Paranormal Activity, but I totally enjoyed this.
 
Hey, Matt. I have to say that your film was one of the first ones that I watched when the films first opened, but I haven't had alot of time to leave reviews. I actually thought I'd already left you one, but turns out I hadn't. This was a very good and professionally shot piece. Everything looked good and definitely real! You built the story and suspense really, really well. It's one of the best in the fest. The only issue I had was that the stab at the end didn't look so real to me. Other than that, no issues here! Great job.
 
Thanks Marlon! Taylormade is actually helping me to fix the screwdriver to the eye scene in After Effects, i totally agree with you.
 
This film is a succesful evolution from the ideas you were exploring (i think in the last festival) which explored the video first person pov. I actually find that particular form of filmmaking intriguing and I explored it with my feature 'White Out' that utilised some aspects of mumble corp (along with traditional script fare.) I wonder if that was how you approached the dialogue or some aspects of it with this film?

Whether you did or not it came across as natural and the characters were very 'clear' in their role, personnaa and purpose (especially important i think when your utilising this form of docu style cinematography.) The use of the mask is a great example of a very clear means of identifying that particualr character as the 'skeptic' (that and the characters ego) - great work!

I wonder if when you watch this film (and your last horror/esque vid diary movie) whether it seems somewhat more aged in its presentation style over this? Your last film i remember had some great tension but it was anchored with this fake tv docu/ warped voice ott effects blurgh de blurgh that just sucked you out of the reality into fx tutorials!

Here you've struck a much better balance and it makes the film far superior as a result - the ghost train style vfx pops at you from cupboards and ceilings.) Basically there is a lot to like here, however the area that i would identify as lacking (for me personally is in the building of suspense once the light shatters etc.

From the moment our chap is gasping and hiding in teh cupboard etc, I think it just felt so fast, that it 'sapped away' some of the energy that should have stayed locked in the film, in the hearts of your audience. Don't get me wrong it still had some, - and i wonder maybe if there isnt just a little more tension that could be allowed to build inside the cupboard (before the boo etc) that might rectify that?

ie. a 2nd pause almost?

Its not without suspense as it is, but having a dose more could only help it.

Overall I think this film shows a progression in confidence, and i know you might groan when i say, that i dont think its no coincidence that with your growing confidence we can chart a greater moderation of AE.

Good work, and btw I marked this film the same as Shawns and AJ, if there was a half point I think you might have the slightest edge.
 
I've got time for one more review Matt and you are it. Hold on to your britches.

First off, congrats on making the finals. Secondly: are you gearing up to kick some Blair Witch and Paranomal Activity ass? Cuz you're doing an excellent job of presenting the material as found footage, especially where the camera stops to makes adjustments etc, just like you would in real life. So I completely bought it. The actors did a great job of conveying the reality of the situation as well and there was nothing pretentious about it and the progression. The only part i questioned was why he didn't just shove past the lady and down the stairs, but I guess the camera guy was just a big pussy and chose to hide instead.

Well done, believable and scary, so you set things up very well and you pulled it off excellently.
 
Thanks Kholi, this was the first time I have ever placed top 3 after 11 Fests!
Wait.. that's sort of embarassing.

But It's 11-11-11 today and this was my 11th fest so that's cool.
 
What! A found footage!* Great job anyway. :)

*I just had a found footage script of mine filmed (butchered) by some college film school students.
 
Well, Matt, good job in telling a cohesive story. Like a yo-yo didn't like your last flick and you know how I liked this one. Glad to see you made the top three slot.
 
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