THE GAME by Eric Day

Michael Anthony Horrigan

Michael Anthony Horrigan

More Cowbell Pictures
EDIT: I'm creating this feedback thread since I couldn't find one. I had nothing to do with making this entry.

This was really quite good! The opening scene really captured my attention. The acting was really good as well.

Fit the theme really well and had some really nice framing.
I really wasn't sure what was going to happen as he leaned in towards her...

Great short.

Cheers,

Mike
 
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This one seemed to me a very intelligent film and an artistic work with the chess board and the chess pieces hanging in the air. I liked the intellectual atmosphere and the framing. I watched the film three times, but I couldn't understand the story.

Susanne
 
I downloaded this one twice and always got glitches in the playback??
What I could makeout was very interesting. No idea waht the story is about?
I'm going to try another download now....
 
Got it! (a good download that is)...still don't really understand the movie, but it was really well done. Great Job!

Spoiler----
* I could see the girl's head moving in the 'frozen chess pieces' scenes
 
THE GAME by Eric Day

Hey guys. First off, thanks to DVXUSER for this and all of their fests. It's a great opportunity for all of us. Second, thanks for watching my film. Any feedback would be great, I'm just looking for the opportunity to develop the craft. Thanks!

Eric Day
 
I also didn't understand the story. At first I thought he had the ability to stop and turn back time, but then we ended exactly where we started. As a more minor point, I didn't buy that she, after beating him repeatedly, would freak out and knock over the chess board upon losing once.

That aside, you definitely had my attention. The intro scene is very cool, and I was attentively watching the chess game play out, trying to figure out what was going on. Technical aspects were solid.

I'd be interested in hearing what you were going for in this one. Also, you may want to PM Larry to get your thread linked next to your film so you can get more feedback.
 
The story isn't about him changing time, we could say that the intro/beginning frozen sequence is a moment of indecision and reflection. The scene then replays for us so that we can see what happen. The whole game is a metaphor for their relationship. He's been letting her win. In another cut it was blatant. She literally says, "You're sacrificing her." Referring to his queen piece. He realizes this and then it goes into the whole quick game montage. I abandoned that because I though it was too much. BUT having said that, I think it probably would have helped. Considering this was made in a day, it is what it is. I just hope I get another shot at another short. I had greater plans for this one, but due to limitations, I had to let those dreams go. Thanks again for watching though, and I apologize for the clarity or lack there of.
 
Enjoyed this one cinematically, but the story went over my head.

What I liked most was the set. Masterful!

The art piece in the background (floating woman, B&W) reinforced the film, as well as the entire set (black and white caligraphy piece on a black chest, white walls, white blinds, etc...). This set is the best Ive seen as concerns a tie-in with the film. Great job.

Add in the Dali poster!!

Yes, the sets really matter.

Even the music had that floating, melancholic feel.

alex
 
Loved the opening. Technically very well done. Also appreciated your explanation of the film. Now it makes much more sense to me. ... I also noticed the floating woman in the artwork and thought, "brilliant!"
 
This one is a bit of a sleeper. I have to admit that I didn't get what you were presenting. That became evident reading your explanation. I did think he was controlling time. I liked you effects and the acting was decent.

I wished the story could have been a little clearer, that is, that it could be understood without the explanation. That would have taken it to a higher level.

All in all, good job. I'll look forward to seeing more from you. :thumbsup:
 
WOW! I'm really impressed. The opening is great. Brings me back to watching Heroes. The editing of this film is the best I've seen so far in the fest (I have about 15 more I think).

I just wish you had made more sense of it all. Until the last thirty seconds, I kept thinking, this is going to be one of my favorite films in the fest. Then, you didn't wrap up the story in any coherent way and I was disappointed.

I'm still really impressed with the quality of this entry. The images and sound were very strong.

Oh one other thing. When I watched this, I had to stretch it to make it play in the right aspect ratio. That was kind of annoying.

Thought your film had a great interpretation of the fest's theme.

If you ever get a chance, an in depth description of how you did the opening would be cool.
 
All I get is a white screen, i can hear okay, but it's just a white screen otherwise:angry:
 
I like the effects in the movie but I don't understand the story much. There is also some harsh shadow in the movie. Nice job!
 
Beautifully shot, wonderful actors and great vfx. I really enjoyed this short, but was a little lost on the ending another film I’ll have to go back and watch again.
 
I cannot advise. You'll have to PM larry because as far as I know, you're the only one who cannot download correctly. At no fault to you, of course. Have you tried re-downloading it?
 
Hey,

Just caught this wonderful flick. I must say, I loved it. There were only two things that bothered (and yet, bothered is such a strong word for it) me. I would have liked just a tad stronger cinematography in some of the scenes (liked when he casts his all too apparent shadow on the back white wall, etc.). And I thought it was just a bit confusing, mainly in the part about his letting her win. I really, really don't think that comes across. But the analogy/metaphor for their relationship I got and think it was fantastic. I think it would be a much stronger piece if you let the whole "letting her win" aspect come through. Otherwise, It seems a little weird to have time stop.

On that note, wouldn't this moment come a bit earlier? Like, wouldn't the moment of "indicision" be where he tells her (or tries to decide whether to tell her)? My other point would be that if he DIDN'T tell her and this is all in his mind then she wouldn't have tossed the chess pieces. Unless he just runs the scenario this far in his mind?

Otherwise, I really love this piece. Aside from just a few shots I thought the rest of the cinematography was really nice. The darker/greater contrast bits where he's explaining his moves are fabulous looking, as well as the rest of it (outside of what I mentioned earlier). The chess pieces in the air is awesome and I love that you actually bothered to puts a few in the foreground when he's walking towards her in the profile shot. Beautiful.

I think this is a great little piece that takes care to tell an engaging story and does so with a pizzaz that makes it a wonderful little piece. I'm afraid at how great your films are gonna be if you have more time with them. And sincerely hope you take that time cause I can't wait to see it.

P.S. On a side note, I felt that the tone was awfully dark/foreboding. Is that what you were going for? I'm not sure it necessarily fit this story/theme, but if that's what you want you definitely achieved it.
 
ericday said:
I cannot advise. You'll have to PM larry because as far as I know, you're the only one who cannot download correctly. At no fault to you, of course. Have you tried re-downloading it?
Click to expand...
Okay, thank you, I have indeed tried downloading it about 6 times. Still with no success, I will write.
thank you
 
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