Peer Reviews of First Cut
Below are the reviews for my peers first cuts of their movie opener.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
The technical element I really liked in the opening is the drone shot that they did. It was really well done and added to the cliffhanger that was necessary to be a continuation clip. Another element of the clip I liked was the closeups of the piano, especially the shot where the piano is being opened.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
There was no sound in the video, this took away from the first 40 seconds. Especially since it seems like they are focusing on the playing of the piano within that. Another element is that some shots seem to hold a few seconds too long. This can be seen with the shot at 53 seconds, it seems to hold for about two seconds then it needed to.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
This did look like a movie opener. This was because of the cliffhanger it was left on. Though with how sudden it was maybe it can be seen as a clip found more later in a film, overall it is a good opener.
Was there anything that left you confused?
There were a few things that made me confused in the short. Most important was what was the significant of the first 40 seconds. This is where the piano is being played. I'd imagine there is dialogue and music over it to make it make more sense but right now it is confusing. I am also confused of who was the man playing the piano and his significance.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
Overall this is a really well made movie opener, there are only a few things needed to make it great. This includes the music and dialogue to make the opener make sense. Another thing is to shorten a few of the shots to make it not drag. Another thing necessary is a title sequence.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
An element I like in this first cut is the long shot with the zoom in on the face. It is executed very well and makes the audience wonder what is going on inside the character's head. Another element I like is the tilt up when the character is walking through the door. It looks better than a static shot.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
An element I dislike was the wide shot in the beginning of the first cut. It lasted a minute total and there was no break in between. This made the scene less engaging and overall dragged on longer than it needed to. Along with this the tracking shot seemed a second longer than it needed to be.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
Yes it did seem like a movie opener and made me want to know what happens next. This is best done with split between the two conversations and the whisper in the ear. The final shot long shot helped add a sense that it could continue after it.
Was there anything that left you confused?
I was confused on what was said but that is likely due to the intention of the first cut itself, with it being "explained" as the film goes on. The other thing that left me confused was the importance of the first minute and what it was for. One thing that might help is to shorten the clip.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
A suggestion I have is to keep the camera orientation the same throughout. At some points it would be in landscape then it would be up-right. This made it seem more messy than it really is. Another suggestion is to shorten some clips, like the first wide shot or the tracking shot.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
A technical element I like is that there is always some type of movement in the camera, nothing is ever set in one place. This makes the clip have more life to it. Another element I like is the editing for the thing stalking the characters, the darkened sight adds to the menacing feel.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
A technical element I did not like was the sound. The first shot had sound that was hard to hear compared to the rest of the first cut. All it needs is more consistency throughout. Another element was at around 18 seconds with the quick cut to a zoomed in character. This seems out of place.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
It does make me want to know what happens next. Though it does seem to end to abruptly. This is likely because the clip only had around 1 minute and 20 seconds done at the time I am writing this. This is definitely a good movie opener.
Was there anything that left you confused?
There was one thing that left me confused in this first cut. At around 1:06 the video cuts from the day to night. It is either too big of a time jump without any filler or explanation or just dark because of time constraints. Either way it confuses me, other than that there is nothing that leaves confusion.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
I suggest to change the audio levels on certain cuts. This can make it more consistent throughout. Another suggestion is to add an audio threshold, this will help stop the sound of the wind in the background which takes over the dialogue.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
One element I liked is when the first cut is being filmed from the perspective of the character vlogging. This makes the clip overall seem more natural. 22 seconds in their is a shot with the group of characters walking by, this is done well and splits up the tracking shots.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
Elements I didn't like was where the shots were cut at some points. Sometimes you can hear some noise or someone say something and it is cut, making the cuts seem very abrupt. Another element is how long some shots hold like the tracking shot that held for about 10 seconds, if it was split up or some other angle was used during it it would of worked.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
Yes it does make me want to know what happens next. This is mainly through the cliffhanger it is left on. Though it does seem to end too quickly, this makes sense as it is only 1 minute and 21 seconds. If more shots were added to pad out the time and maybe add more context it would be a better opener.
Was there anything that left you confused?
One thing that confused me in the opener is where the side characters went. It goes from all three walking together to the person filming the vlog being alone. Maybe this is explained in the 40 seconds that are missing or was an idea that was cut entirely.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
A suggestion I have is review the cuts between shots again and to clean them up. They are a bit messy at the moment but it is an easy fix. Another suggestion is to fix the orientation at around 42 seconds. I don't know if its the devices I am watching on but there is a black empty space on the right and below the actual shot.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
An element I like is the overhead shot of the character typing on the laptop. Another shot I do like is the closeup shot of the laptop screen. The use of the mirror as well is used well.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
Technical elements I did not like are the sound and transitions to the next shot. The sound is inconsistent through the clip and sometimes it is too quiet while other times you can hear fine. The places where the clips are cute also seem too abrupt such as where the character blows a kiss to the mirror, the shot is ended way too soon.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
This did look like a movie opener, mainly thanks to the cliffhanger. Though I hardly know what's going to happen next and what direction it is going to go as little context is provided to what is happening or what will happen. If there was maybe more to the clip rather than it ending with them checking their application the conflict would be clear.
Was there anything that left you confused?
There was one thing that left me confused in the opener. At around 53 seconds in the character walks by but then right after they meet each other at the table. I don't know whether the clip is in a different time but it seems unnecessary to have the character walk by if so.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
A suggestion I have is to fix the cut in the mirror shot, this will make the flow more natural. Another suggestion is to cut the clip where the character is walking by the other character or to add a clip in between that and them meeting at the table. This will lessen the confusion of the two shots.
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