Rusalka

lawriejaffa said:
where the siren emerges. But meh... why be so obvious when the danger to our young girl can be expressed surounded by beauty. It looks heavenly, and the Rusalka appears like a friend, a savior in this paradise... but no, she is redefining the girl in her own image - from Laura - to Imogen, before leading her into the sea.

In terms of performance it lends itself to theatre as its artform, and think that comes across effectively in capturing scenes in wide, letting the actors work with it. Rather than breaking the moment between close up to close up *yawn*

Likewise with Jon again the source of Laura's unhappiness is subjective - open to interpretation. It is certainly exploited, and is possible that even the smallest issue is blown up and exploited to a point where Laura is taken over. I imagine that the slow walk around is when the magic as it were is 'weaved'.

The juxtaposition of the final kiss - and promise of happiness is flatly contrasted with immediate suicide.

A fine debut for Sarah, it was a pleasure and honour to work with this special voice and artist.
Click to expand...

Your points definitely clarify a lot of my own personal convictions about the film.

And the stuff I bolded--I didn't really make the connection between Rusalka and Sirens from Homer's Odyssey. That definitely helps me assume more about the character.

And I agree that it is indeed a fine debut. :beer:
 
Aww hey thanks so so much Lawsuit Boy - your comments were kind and constructive - means a lot to me that you liked this.

As for Laura's turmoil - yes this was supposed to be sort of open to interpretation - yes we wanted her to look upset, and to show weakness, vulnerability - but didn't want to reveal too much on the details as I don't think it would have added much to the story. In my mind, if that helps, she is simply a bit of an outcast, a victim of bullying perhaps - a generally vulnerable sort whose desire to be loved was easily manipulated by Rusalka both with her charm and her supernatural seductive powers. I hope this came across!

Thanks again for watching and taking the time to note your impressions - your comments are welcome encouragement and useful food for thought. Will be getting on to Lawrie about your production suggestions :)
 
I loved the woods and I actually would like to know where it was filmed? Can you show us on a map?
 
Hey there Charli, its just a park near where i stay called 'Ravenscraig Park' its a small park really - part of a former gentry estate, in Dysart, Fife, Scotland :)

If your coming to visit i'll put the kettle on!
 
Hello, Sarah - and didn't Lawrie help on this one? This was a pretty good film. It was engaging. I thought the acting was pretty strong although I was confused by the story. I may have missed some dialogue and will have to go back and watch it again. Having said that, I thought everything here was professionally done. The transition from Rusalka being in the tree and then on the ground kind of stuck out as odd - didn't seem to work for me for some reason, but I think that's an easy editing fix (if you deem it necessary). I too was also confused about the monster aspect of it, but I've already read the posts, so no worries on that.

Nice work on an engaging piece!
 
You got the 500?? What a scoundrel - of course I mean that in the most upstanding, intellectually-engaging, non-offensive way possible. :thumbsup:That's a nice camera - wish I had a couple of those.
 
Oh god not to go offtopic hehe, but yeah i love that cam, i like its organic vibe, nice dof off the sensor good low light, and while its hd is not as sharp as others, it feels right you know? For my particular aesthetic anyway. I shot it with a Canon J6x8 standard def lens too. Just does the trick, im curious though about a video dslr for use in certain shorts, and am also wanting to do a mobile phone shot video next too (I may use the Casio mini cam)

I used to have the hvx200 + brevis before too. Next step up (if ever required) would probably be a varicam 2700.
 
Man, you're really tryin' to "move on up." I've used the HVX before and it's cool. There are so many more inexpensive HD cams and dslr cams out there now that probably the best thing going for the HVX (at least for what I do) is the variable frame rates. I wish they'd come out with that Red Scarlett, because I'd snatch that one up and go all obssessive-compulsive curled up in a corner somewhere talkin' "Rain Man" gibberish.
 
Yep blethered to Sarah, and she was telling me from the feedback, from which i think is a good idea, that the shot of our girl Laura appearing in the wood (its darkness) doesn't quite fit. To grade it brings artifacts (ie to match the other shots) as it was against the sun really. The idea of that shot was the sea in the background, but its redundent really as it stands out - so its been cut out. And the shot where voice over carried on too long with our characters heads off screen has been fixed too.

Yep Marlon I am a bit but im really settled with hpx500, it was a decent investment and pfft now it will be nice to live off the income than pay for the cam hehe :)
 
R%C5%AF%C5%BEena_Maturov%C3%A1_as_the_first_Rusalka.jpg


Here is the first actress to play 'Rusalka' in the Dvorak Opera, of the Rusalka mythological creature. I love a lot of classical music and opera myself, but ironically didn't realise this opera existed!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusalka_(opera)

And a performance of the title song 'Song to the Moon' by Lucia Popp (seemingly regarded for maintaining the ethereal unhuman aspect of the Rusalka.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoPTh_q7GYs&feature=related
 
Hi Sarah, I finally got around to watching the short films. I liked this one. The cinematography was great as was the soundtrack. And great writing as well. :)

As for performances... hmm... Laura was OK but didn't really portray any sort of life taking sadness (as was mentioned) or any reason to be taken in by a stranger like she did. I didn't see any sort of emotional connection between the two of them. From Laura, we should have had some sort of "Oh, you can make things better?" epiphany but it didn't happen. I can see that in the writing, but the execution, acting wise, wasn't there.

As for Nina, her performance was hard to watch. It's not that it was theatrical, it's just that there was nothing behind it. It was emotionless and indicated. There was really no emotional interchange between the characters and I think it's unfortunate because there's so much potential in the script. That's just so important, especially in such a dramatic piece like this. I think if you were to get a better actress, the short would have been stronger.
 
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