SHORT: Science Fiction Political Drama

R

Rdwomack2

Active member


Queen Ania is faced with a tough decision when war threatens her people.

Director's Commentary:
I've always enjoyed political dramas, so when it came time to produce the 8th installment in the "Imperial Odyssey" series, I wanted to do something that stood out. "Brushfire" is a purely character driven story so it really challenged my abilities as both a director and writer. Keeping a film entertaining can be very difficult sometimes, especially where the entire story takes place in a single room. To keep it aesthetically pleasing we used lots of cuts in the edit. This really helped keep the pace the intensity of the film. But quick cuts and shot variety aren't enough for a movie like this. My actor's performances are really what held this movie together. This was a great experience as a director to study character, actor dynamics, and work with a talented cast to deliver the perfect performances. I enjoyed making this film so much I've started writing a feature based off it. Perhaps one day, should I find the funding, I could get deeper into the story.
 
the acting is very good. And also it's very good to be able to make a shortmovie, just with one scene that's not "boring".

soundwise, the dialogues are ok. But did you add a noise to make shots "fluently" ?
 
dre83 said:
the acting is very good. And also it's very good to be able to make a shortmovie, just with one scene that's not "boring".

soundwise, the dialogues are ok. But did you add a noise to make shots "fluently" ?
Click to expand...


If you're referring to room noise I did not because for some reason or another it just wasn't working. I designed a small undertone which I have throughout the film.
 
Well.... it still has to be mixed in. And it has to be exatly the same room and recorded on the same day.

If you like I can see what I can make of it
 
The sound is actually pretty bad. You have that slight echo effect that gives away the room's acoustics. Next time get someone who knows sound to record the dialogue for you.
 
For me there were a couple of items that I'll comment on.

1) Acting. For me, the main actress, tended to 'over act'. There were a couple of shots where her eyes would jump back and forth. For me that was a bit 'disturbing'... Other actors didn't seem to me to be 'alive', a bit dead...
2) Shots. Some of the OverTheShoulder shots left a large amount of empty space, and the talent's face was being crowded by the shoulder of the other actor.
3) Sound. The low rumble didn't work for me. Don't know what it was 'supposed' to mean, but it sounded like the sound had not be processed well.
4) Lighting. Everyone was 'well light' most of the time, but for me there seems to be a variation on the lighting that didn't give me a consistently 'dramatic' look.

Here's a picture of a 'real' cabinet meeting during a 'real' potentially world changing confrontation...

A couple of points to notice. Most of the light is motivated by the big picture windows. Your set has that as well. But on occasion I would be come aware of 'fill' or 'additional light' and especially in the final sequence where the Queen(or Majesty...) is ending her converstation with the Genreal, he gets up, and casts a shadow across the wall behind the Queen, breaking the appearance of 'all window light'. Also I think the final shot could have had more contrast, giving a greater dramatic effect.

Also notice in the picture below there is a 'fill', but it comes from high above rather than directional.

Obviously for a found location, one can't do everything but one can look at examples like that below an see if there is a way to do the lighting similarly.



The Cuban Missile Crisis:

ts
 
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