The Bridge (Test Screening)

marlontorres

marlontorres

Well-known member
4737724310_75121bc724.jpg


Hello fellow DSLR filmmakers. I am holding a test screening for my WW2 shortfilm "The Bridge" (shot on the 5dm2, 7d, and 550d). Now that the film is complete, I'd like to get some initial reactions/reviews before I send it off to festivals. Mind you, the link below will only be available for 24 hours. So watch it while you can! The film is a half hour long so be sure you have some time in your hands. Thank you in advance!

http://vimeo.com/14866982

the password is: testscreening

Also, please don't post any spoilers!
 
Last edited:
Ok just watched it. I'll be honest I didn't understand it at all.
The movie was very well done and the end was very emotional despite not even knowing what the hell exactly was going on, I guess it's a testament to how well the visuals and music mixed together. But I just didn't get the story...I don't wan to say what didn't get about it without giving a lot away as you said not to give spoilers so ....I guess I'll just have to say that it was too convoluted and not straight forward enough for me but the performances and technique displayed was very top notch
 
I'm going to have to agree with the above statement to a certain degree. It was definitely well shot, well graded, well edited and Justin did a fantastic job with the score. From a technical standpoint absolutely well done. I was a little lost in the plot however, but to avoid spoilers I will refrain from asking questions in the thread.

Hope this helps,

Kegan
 
I'd actually like to rewatch it, I'm hoping you leave it up a little longer than 24 hours. I want to rewatch it because this is something worth rewatching to try to grasp what exactly is happening. But I have to say the first 1/3 of the film felt very long and tedious, i.e. when they are just alone talking i.e. Sullivan and the other guy whose name I forget. The scene is shot very well, nice lighting etc but their talking with nothing else going on just felt very dreary and long to me and just did not even feel like they were at war or a battlefield etc. Perhaps an occasional bi-plane flyby over head, not shown but just the noise. Or explosions in the distance ("boom") or something to break it up a tiny bit and give a feeling of tension that is missing from the scene. Or perhaps even music would do the job, I'm really not sure but something needs to happen or it needs to be cut down perhaps.
 
ok I just watched it again. Just want to re-iterate a little more pronouncedly since it may have seemed my previous posts were slightly negative towards the film. Yes I still don't understand the story. Not sure if this is an inherent flaw or just needs to be slightly re-edited.
But, the more I watch it the more I'm blown away by the cinematography. This film is a major achievement, I feel it blows away Shane Hurlbut's "Last 3 Minutes" and is a major DSLR achievement.
My only cinematography related gripe is some of the scenes where the background or greenery was too overexposed i.e. blown out/clipped, just began to ruin the filmic look for me. But other than that it is a major achievement with some of the most gorgeous shots ever filmed on DSLR in their short history.
Very impressive work and a great score from Durban as usual. DAMNIT I just wish I could understand the movie :(
I mean I think I POSSIBLY get it, I just don't want to say my theory because it would spoil it and you said not to spoil for everyone.
 
This really is a tremendous achievement in terms of realizing a cinematic look
with a dslr. The score was excellent. The acting was good to excellent.
The cinematography was generally outstanding though maybe DOF was too
shallow in a few instances. (e.g. the letter writing shot) and some backgrounds
were blown out but on the whole it was awesome.

The story and editing are not so
good honestly. The story takes too long to develop and tries the patience of
the audience, so when the Jacob's Ladder type reality shifts start happening
the audience is ready to bail. Maybe with some more ruthless editing,
eliminating some of the backstory and character development, humorous moments,
and quickening the pacing, this could be sorted out. The main focus should be
on the lead, Sullivan, (some reason they all have to have Irish names?) and
I would reduce the focus on the supporting character. Of course, this would involve
killing a bunch of your darlings, so to speak, so I am not sure you are willing or
able to do this at this late date, but it seems to me it's what the film needs.
I would try and cut it down to about 12-16 minutes and see how it looks.

As it is the film is an incredible showcase of talent but weaker as a film.
Sorry if this comes across as a little brutal but it's just my honest opinion.

Best regards,

Max
 
I am very impressed with the quality of this film, as others have commented. During the opening scenes I thought the film would play out fairly predictably, so I liked the non-linear, and even confusing edit style you used later on in your film. You got me wondering what exactly was going on, and guessing where the story was leading. I was hoping that all would be revealed in the end, but I too didn't quite 'get it' -- like others have commented. This didn't tarnish my appreciation for your film though. I really enjoyed what you created!
 
maxdvz said:
This really is a tremendous achievement in terms of realizing a cinematic look
with a dslr. The score was excellent. The acting was good to excellent.
The cinematography was generally outstanding though maybe DOF was too
shallow in a few instances. (e.g. the letter writing shot) and some backgrounds
were blown out but on the whole it was awesome.

The story and editing are not so
good honestly. The story takes too long to develop and tries the patience of
the audience, so when the Jacob's Ladder type reality shifts start happening
the audience is ready to bail. Maybe with some more ruthless editing,
eliminating some of the backstory and character development, humorous moments,
and quickening the pacing, this could be sorted out. The main focus should be
on the lead, Sullivan, (some reason they all have to have Irish names?) and
I would reduce the focus on the supporting character. Of course, this would involve
killing a bunch of your darlings, so to speak, so I am not sure you are willing or
able to do this at this late date, but it seems to me it's what the film needs.
I would try and cut it down to about 12-16 minutes and see how it looks.

As it is the film is an incredible showcase of talent but weaker as a film.
Sorry if this comes across as a little brutal but it's just my honest opinion.

Best regards,

Max
Click to expand...

unfortunately I agree. It just gets a bit too convoluted in that it's a short film parading as a feature film. Let's be honest the 30 minute short thing is immensely hard to get it to work. There's a reason that for the most part only 2 types of films exist the 1.5 hour feature and the 10-15 minute short because they have the 2 most natural 'arcs' so to speak. When you make a "short" that's half hour long, it starts running like a feature, but is not quite a feature and thus has some major flaws. In this regard the story at times drags but when it does pick up, it gets a bit too convoluted for the audience to follow. The fact that all of the early responders so far did not understand the story should be a testament that people are not getting it. However fortunately I think it's all there, it just needs to be recut/re-edited a bit, somehow more intuitively in order to hold our hand a little more as the ending is just not that obvious to people it seems.
 
Damn!!! I think I'm too late to the party, the password no longer works! I'd really like to see the film before you go tearing it to shreds (based on what others have critiqued so far.) Maybe pm me a link???
 
Bradbro said:
Damn!!! I think I'm too late to the party, the password no longer works! I'd really like to see the film before you go tearing it to shreds (based on what others have critiqued so far.) Maybe pm me a link???
Click to expand...

I've extended the screening to another 24 hours. Thank you again for watching. And thanks for all the feedback.
 
Marlon, thanks so much for re-posting the link!!! I watched your film last night and then again this evening. I so wanted to go on the journey with you and prove all these other commentators wrong, but as they have sensed, I felt too that it's a little disjointed. You've really created a powerful piece here with stunning imagery, I just think if you tighten it up a little some of the confusion may fall away at the same time. All in all you should be very proud of your accomplishment!!
 
I have to agree with the story and length being a little off.

But i want to praise the amazing attention to detail, and the BEAUTIFUL cinematic shots you achieved here. I was simply blown away by the grading, the shots of the girl on the beach, and actually even the acting two of the main and supporting characters.

Its shows the skill that went into this, im thinking an edit can save it.

Either way, be proud, this is a major achievement. I think that any one of us would consider this as a fine example of what a DSLR is capable of.
 
holy wow congrats marlon!

What are the plans for hte bridge? Festival circuit?

Now that its open to public, do you mind if i feature it on my blog as the Short Film of the Week?

Next one will go up monday, so it would be featured then.

jon!
 
Marlon,

First of all, I really liked the cinematography and the color/style you chose. Very good score. It's nice to see you turn your vision into a real impressive film. Love the story.

I think there were times when the flashbacks/memories could have been more stylized and/or the transitions could have more of an indication that we're 'going there'.

I think some additional layers of sound, especially when they're talking in the 'bunker'? could add more depth to the scene. Maybe some booming explosions in distance or distant planes flying over. It could be very subtle, but again adding more depth to the environment. I thought I saw somewhere where you ADR'd that scene. Very well done considering!

Congratulations on the production design. The uniforms really looked authentic and were believable to the point of not thinking about it. I would think that the actors performance were additionally motivated by wearing the uniforms?

All in all, a fantastic effort. I would consider tightening up the editing to make the story more clear and maybe adding some additional sound design.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top