Short Film: Opnions wanted

not bad at all, just two things, maybe you could add some filters in post production to add to it(i know you only had the weekend to edit)  and when the chemist gives up the info it sounds a bit fake to me...and the shoving well.. i understand you have know special fx, good job man

It wasnt too bad,  good story but the plot arc could use some work.  the resolution comes too soon to the climax, and over all it could be shortened by atleast 30%.  other wise it was good, only a few technial things, you broke the 180 line a couple of times which changes your screen direction but if your new to making movies it happens all the time.  good composition and exposure on ur shots  dont take any of this the wrong way, im a film school student at the colorado film school so im a harsh critic.  i really liked the idea and i think you could re edit it shorter and make it better.  my teachers allways tell me to shorten my edits and evertime it makes them better.  but keep it up, its better then some off the first year students at my school

I'm in film studies too, so I'll be harsh, but anyway...

I agree with this guy above...

I'll start with the good things... You had good sound wich was suprising for a high school movie, you had some good shots in general and your plot was kinda good, but refer to the guy I quoted...

On the things you need to work... You need more close up shots in general, I don't know what camera you guys are using, but never ever use the MECANICAL ZOOM it looks really bad. Talking about the zoom, don't zoom/dezoom in the middle of a shot, make another one, closer or further. That said, always shoot close up shots they always come in handy and gives more emotion + you get more into your character (the closer you are, the best the emotions are (if your actors are good))

To know how to film a dialog, just watch a movie where there's 2 guys talking in a restaurant or something like that, and watch how the camera moves around them, and learn, it's basic stuff that you need to know.

And the last thing is, I'm pretty sure you did this with your friends but, don't take a 18 y/o kid to play a chemist, I would of put the old guy as the chemist and put the younger ones as the buyers... Anyway, you guys made a good short if you're starting out!

Keep it up!

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the input. ^I'm not sure exactly what you mean by mechanical zoom.

I dont know much about videography or whatever, but I definitely enjoyed it. My roommate is in school majoring in film and he said he really digged it too.

Use the ring to zoom, not the button that does it for you. If you have a VX or something like that, please put it on manual, this is good for the focus too. Always shoot in full manual...

alright yeah that makes sense, thanks. Also, to the guy up above, what is the 180 line? Is that when you are walking one way and the shot has more space behind the person than in front?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/180_degree_rule

it deal with screen direction, so if some one is runnign from left to right and in the next shot the run right to left,  it apears they are runing back.  or with dialog it could apear as if your actor was talking to a wall or not facing the other actor in the scene.  but check out that link it shows a diagram but basicly draw an imaginary line in ur scene and only film from one side of it.

right, yeah that makes sense. Thanks for the tips. Also, what are good filters to use to give shots a more clean, professional look?