"Stay Sharp" a film by Amy Beth O'Brien

Good shot composition and photography, and I liked the transitions, it's always fun to work on a piece where we can use some of those cool wipes in our NLEs that are all sitting there waiting for a chance to be utilized. The music fits the movie very well. I laughed in a couple of places. I felt the story was a little droll and the film could have been shorter.
 
nice movie! the problem is its about homework and you did such a good job showing the frustrations of doing it that i couldn't wait for him to be done! the younger sister is terrific. they all did a good job. nice directing! and nice shots too, very smooth. i'm not going to use a pencil for awhile, thats for sure!
 
I'm going to echo John's comments. Your opening and closing credits were cool. Homework in the beginning and Ice Cream dish at the end, like book-ends to the movie's story.

Story could have used a little more, but you made up for it with those beautiful shots and use of lighting.
 
Amy, I expected a lot and you delivered. I've always enjoyed your stories and films and looked forward to this one. I'm a sucker for these kind of movies.

I thought the story fit the 'quest' theme really well. And it was told with very little dialog. The kids were charming (as usual), especially the littlest girl (she's been in your films before?) Kudos for directing the kids and getting the shots and emotion you wanted.

I very much enjoyed the opening and ending credits. Great use of ending the story with the kids outside and the bowl of ice cream. Well done!

I thought the middle of movie became a little slow and redundant, but other than that, the pacing was good. Maybe you could get some shots outside (some other kids perhaps) to change up the interior locations?

The music was right on and fit perfectly. Great job to your composer! I really liked it!

Overall, very charming and I look forward to your next film (as always). :)
 
Thanks Rod and Robert! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

Yes, the youngest was in my Time Fest film "Four".
 
armisiano said:
... isn't Damian Sanchez brilliant? I love his work. Top marks. :)
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ramsaur said:
The music had a good theme with the film.
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puckthemad said:
Nice music once again from Senor Damian Sanchez. Glad I warmed him up for ya! :grin:
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John LaBonney said:
The music fits the movie very well.
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Robert Eldon said:
The music was right on and fit perfectly. Great job to your composer! I really liked it!
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Thank you so much for all. I really appreciate your comments.

I enjoyed scoring this film and I'm glad you're enjoying it now.
 
Hey .. Great / Sweet / Cute little adventure... which reminds me of the great adventures we had when we were kids... wow what a world ... only thing .. it was slow at times (although it was supposed to be racing agains time) ... maybe a little bit of nervous movements from the main actors (like ... shaking of the legs) ... might have helped .. but that's only my idea... great effort ... anyway keep it up ...
 
Hi Amy, I loved it.

I really felt for your main character, and the memories of parens and their rules (I am now 28)... This may also be because I have two sisters, who have always tried to make my life hard. I was amazed the mother didn't come in to tell him to put his glass on a coaster! That is how real it felt.
All actors did a wonderful job, especially the kids. You made a really simple idea work so well. You might have been able to shave seconds off it, but any more and you would lose the impact you have, and that impact makes the ending very satifying.

Well done, really good short.
 
Thanks for your comments, guys. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

To be honest, this film is not too far off from real life events, so I'm not surprised if it is bringing back memories for some (or flashbacks, as the case may be!).
 
Ah, simpler days of worksheets and homework. Really enjoyed your film Amy. You took a simple concept and told a really good story with it. You have a very natural organic style of filmmaking that always feels like you got just the right shot. Plus you have a talent for directing children which I assume isn't the easiest. Nice coloring and shot composition and perfect sound. Great Job!
 
Thanks Brian. I'm glad you liked it. Ryan Frias gets the credit for whipping my sound into shape. I'm afraid I neglected that during filming and it needed extra TLC which Ryan did expertly.
 
Amy, this was the highest I've rated one of your films, I believe, and is tied so far with some of the highest I've rated any so far in the fest. Very simple, cute story, but well told & shot.

You continue to amaze me in your talent/ability to work so well with little kids, and it's only improving with each one. Loved the performances by the kids in here, especially the youngest. Very strong outing. Well done. :)
 
Very cute film. Not fair, though, because you cheat by using kids. :) :) :)

He's a little bit like a young Napoleon Dynamite and delivers a nice centered performance.

I do think the middle part is a little off somehow. It's kind of a pseudo-montage, I guess, but it doesn't quite take me on that roller-coaster ride. Maybe partly due to the music spotting, (the music itself is great) and the editing, I feel it plays a little flat, or perhaps because after the wipe transitions it seems like you're going to a similar shot often? I don't know...

Very nice performances and another good story to add to your collection. Congrats!
 
Norm: Wow, thanks. High complements indeed. I'm flattered and glad you enjoyed it!

Tim: Never thought of Kevin as being Napoleon Dynamite, but now that I think about it, you should see him dance :) Thanks for your comments.
 
Great film! I loved the quest and thought the story was told very well and Damien's score really made the film complete for me! I really liked how things kept disappearing and reappearing as another one disappears. Might have liked a little more suspense/danger on the whole, entering Mom's office. The kids really seemed to have fun and there were some priceless looks on the face of Cheyenne, Kevin, and Susanna! Great Job!

Thanks for sharing!
 
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