Deadline

Dang, I loved so many things about the film, but I couldn't help but feel confusion that wasn't easy to overcome.

--Herman's score was effin' awesome. Immediately had an iconic, Hitchcock feel that just brings SO much to the film. What a fantastic composer!

--Gorgeous, stylistic cinematography. Top notch in every way.

--Great title sequence!

--Loved the stormy night. Instant atmosphere

--Your female lead was really impressive. I bought into her all the way. She had a Nicole Kidman quality to her that I really appreciated. Excellent acting.

**SPOILER**

Was May posing as a reporter in order to catch the killer, whilst also being in cahoots with another killer at the office? Is she a serial killer puppetmaster? I didn't feel like I understood the twist and resolve at the end all that well. But damn, what a cool piece.

Nice work!
 
Elton nailed pretty much how I felt.

There was a lot to like here. Visually it was pretty great. What a mess to shoot in. My hat's off to you. My only gripe was the story and the serial killer. I got confused as to what was going on and how he and the reporter were connected? Did she even know he was in the car with her? I'm going to watch it again.

I also found his (killers) acting a little unconvincing.

Herman is amazing. Really good stuff overall, very strong film in the end.

Nice job getting this done.

MAH
 
Hi there Noel - yep I found this film to be entertaining, very slick and well directed and produced. Areas of improvement to consider in the edit may be for some additional information to help clarify the nature of the ladies relationship with the serial killer - and the setup (in relation to the final statement she makes at the end of the film.) I think just a little plot clarity would help for some who might have tripped a little on following just parts of the story.

The camp serial killer i found quite dark/amusing (i for some reason kept thinking that he was akin to someone who might be the bad guy in a Dirty Harry movie!) I would just add that i agree too with Elton and Michael in there compliments towards the other production elements including the score. A very sophisticated entry.
 
When a story confuses more than 2-3 people then you have to ask yourself, "what did I miss in showing clarity?" The male actors did not pull it off as well as the female actors. Filming in heavy rain is always hard to do, but looks great when you can get it done well. I'm sorry, but I got lost in the story itself. I really didn't understand it. Having said that, if I wanted someone to pull of what you did, I'd definitely hire you.
 
I like this one. The way it looks, the way it feels. I have to watch everything again but so far it looks real good.
 
I loved this story and especially liked details like: when she drove the car and the audience can see the raising arm with the knife - very funny! And when the hero first opened her car door with a spade in his hand, I thought: the gardener is coming and the gardener is always the murder :). I was very much amused about this well placed details. I actually got a bit after had watched it to explain myself, if the whole story is completely logical. I think, I got at the end an explanation would work. I believe - maybe you put to much story in the story. However, a very enjoyable short. Compliments and much luck.

Susanne
 
Thanks for watching and the feedback all. I admit that I was always concerned with the script length vs 6 minutes max. My cut was a good 7 mins 30 where I wanted it. A minute 30 is a fair bit to hack of in something that covers a lot of ground, but I did where I thought I could.

Just about to get stuck into another narrative for tropfest here in Aus. so I will keep these things in mind. But this was a great primer after not having done a narrative in awhile.
 
I think you had a good idea by having the falsely accused guy still save her after she zaps him. I enjoyed seeing that. It felt satisfying. The scene of May driving the car layered with your score reminded me of Psycho (not in the sense that you tried to rip it off). The antagonist is a very interesting character appearance wise (I think it's the hat) and how he talks. Good twist in having him be in the trunk. I think you executed your ideas well. This was a good watch.
 
nouou said:
The scene of May driving the car layered with your score reminded me of Psycho (not in the sense that you tried to rip it off).
Click to expand...

Cheers, glad you appreciated that - it was part of the idea behind it.

Glad you enjoyed it and got it.
 
Hi Noel,

I think my feedback is going to be very similar to what you've heard. Loved the way this was lit and shot. Everything was very nicely composed, Technically lovely work.. My favourite piece was in the car. Not only did it look great with all the rain and shallow DOF, but it must have taken a while to orchestrate the rear view action which for me was the height of the short.

But I didn't quite get the story and the connections between the killer/reporter/victim. I think I will watch it again. SPOILER - I wondered why he has knifing the victim in the back of the car while she was driving. Apart form being a good scare, it didn't seem to make sense why he would do that.

But there is a lot to like about this. I felt Chasing Kangaroos was a spot on drama piece and very different to this, so the style is not what I expected and shows great versatility as a director. I'd like to see the longer cut.
 
I think it had a good feel to it - quite suspenseful. I think that, as you observed yourself, you could have used another minute or so and it would have been better. I thought the husband-leaving-taking-the-kid was a bit heavy handed, but I think time constraints made it necessary. Would have been good without that thread as well.

Great film!
 
Noel - thought you should know, hubby saw most of the films, thinks your lead actress of all the ones he's seen has a "presence" about her. Not saying she was the best actress mind you, but she does have good stage presence. I'll have to agree on that, she does.
 
Yes, she was Noel, but what I'm trying to tell you is that she's very photogenic. A very sweet essence. You can't "act" that. You either have it or you don't.
 
Hey Noel, a very well executed short. Your lead actress was very natural. Has she been acting for a while? would love to use her on a future project. Great job.
 
Thanks reem. Appreciate it.

Another thing on my leading actress, she put in a lot of work. She spent considerable time talking to me in rehearsal about who the character is, what her motivation was etc. We further developed the character during that time as well. Testing some things out etc.
 
I really liked what you did here, Noel. Especially considering what all you had to go through with the rain and such. I dug alot of the shots you chose as well, so your cinematography was very good, but what else is new? Your lead actress played her part like a true professionally trained and seasoned actress. I think this was a good story and I can see that you paid great attention to detail. If I had to nitpick on anything to improve I would say a few of the sound effects could use some more punch. The car crash could have sounded a bit more intense and I think it would have been nice to hear the rain. I watched it on my computer, so if the rain sound was there, my apologies. The hit on the bad guy at the end I thought also could have used a deeper sort of thud to have us feel that hit a little more, but other than those minor, minor things, you've got a really, really solid pice of work here. I'm not surprised at all. Kudos to you, man!
 
Thank you Marlon, appreciate your feedback and criticisms. Its funny the shovel hitting the head sound, I went over and over it looking for the right sound - I always felt a little uncomfortable with everything - deep, more tinny sounding etc etc. So its interesting you picked that, almost like picking my itchy spot.

I also originally had the rain much louder. But it was interfering with some other undertones I wanted to come through. But yeah the rain sound was running all the way through, even in the interior scenes it was there. But now you mention it, I want it to be louder.
 
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