Final Film

The final edit has a few alterations. My name has been altered to have my full name. Also at the end of the short film the music has been kept but the volume lowered where the main character is sat against the wall. I feel that this use of non-diegetic sound makes it more powerful against the silence that is used earlier. 

Draft 10

This is a later draft of the film, however there are some minor issues. The first is the opening credits; where the credits read 'Mickey' it should read 'Michael Dearsley'. This is because it is more professional to have a full name, the shortening was used earlier as a place holder to make it easier to edit. Another part I want to change is near the end where it cross cuts between the character in present day and the other character walking out; here I think that the non-diagetic sound used throughout should run over quietly to the reality sequence. This will make the sound transitions less jaded and cumbersome.

Draft 9

Feedback & how to improve: 0:46 - Oridiginal Score, dropped frame 3:50 - Callum lying [shorter] 4:10 - Music to fade out when no woosh. Make music fade. 4:30 - Music ADD Peer said: The lighting is good, the way there is a cut from shot to shot is highly emotive. The way we have captured the relationship between the brothers, and the pain that can be caused after death and how it is expressed through the shots is extremely inspiring.

 

From the feedback from Facebook it is clear that the music and visuals are very effective. However some aspects of the film are difficult to understand. 

Teacher Feedback

Product -

7 Draft:

The beginning needs to be cut or changed, cut it from later on in the sequence

The whooshing sound detract from the narrative and feel of the film. The sound should enhance not detract.

Lack of sound at 4:38

Blog-

Remember the title of the film and how does the review change this. Change it to a specific month. 

Change the review image, to a better framed image. Find a better. An image that is more about the genre of the film

Draft 7

Evaluation
After re-watching this edit I noticed that there are some dropped frames throughout. Also there are issues with the non-diegetic sound near the end as it seems to randomly play. The man walking at the end of the sequence needs to be removed as the build up to this part has been taken out, so he doesn't fit into the narrative anymore. This also means that the sound of the car needs to be taken out and it should end on the funeral letter. Although I think that this letter should zoom in not out.

Review

Final Poster - After Feedback

Review

Final Draft of poster and facebook feedback

Feedback on the Poster from Facebook

Reviews comparison

 

The only difference between these two is the image. This is to see the difference between taking the image used for the poster and comparing it to an image taken from the film. The poster image will work because it is an image that is connected to the film, however other reviews like Empire Charlie St Cloud shows an image of the actors face. So I am going to use the second review to fit with industry design. 

Review Draft 1

The Absence of Life

Plot

Marc (Hurley) is alone after the death of his older brother, looking onto the faded line between reality and his memories. As the short film moves on the grief fuelled memories become realistic hallucinations; making it near impossible to tell reality from the illusions of his past.

Review

Being one of Callum Hurley’s first off stage performance he really pushes his acting ability with the grief stricken Marc as he comes to terms with his older siblings death. ‘The Absence of Life’ is set during a day sometime after his brother’s demise where Marc is struggling to tell the difference between reality and fantasy as he remembers his brother. A major contribution to this isolated feeling is the cinematography, using close ups and depth of field to create the atmosphere felt in the film. This visual style coupled with the original score by Wimble makes the atmosphere consistent throughout.  It is very clear that the flashbacks are filmed in a natural setting as the younger versions of Marc and his late brother are playing like children play, which hits home that emotional connection. The story slowly builds to the suggested ending, allowing the audience to know what happened to the older brother.

Verdict

The short film is well shot, acted and written; allowing Hurley to flaunt his acting range, using subtle tears to leave the audience feeling emotional. Making the film an all-around decent film and worth the watch. 

I am going to change some of the wording, and put it into a format that is usually seen within professional reviews, using images from the film and posters.