I really like this short. The story-line was pretty good, and the shots were pleasurable as well. The DP really likes using the "out-of-focus" shot a lot. I like this because it gave the film a sense of isolation. It put more emphasis on the boy being "alone" in the classroom. I also liked the lighting in the "flashback" scenes when they were in the African classroom. It was fairly bright, and the exposure/contrast levels were pretty high. This gave off a sense of warm emotion... A time where things were good; even when his father was executed, the same warm emotion was still there. This was probably to give off the feeling that even though it was a dark memory, the boy still gets warm feelings from it because it took place at home (where the heart is).
I agree- I like when we are first introduced to the new student he is in focus and the rest of the students are not. I loved, visually, what they did with the shooting of his father- we can infer that they shot his father but we didn't see it, we saw the new boy being 'shot' with a splash of milk. It was a great way to illustrate what happened without being too graphic.
I thought that this short did a great job of telling the majority of its story visually, without using very much dialogue. The visual distinction between the two schools was really effective, and some of the transitions between the two also helped get a sense of what was going on, dramatically, especially the cut between the gunfire and the water balloon. If there was anything that didn't work as much as I would've liked for it to, it may have been the climax of the two boys accepting Joseph at the end. I liked that it was understated, but maybe it could have been just a little bigger without going over-the-top. But, other than that, this was one that I really liked and it told its story really well.
I've spent about three months in Ireland over the years, almost all of that time spent in rural areas working with children in classroom-type settings at local churches. This short is so spot on with its depiction of the children's behavior, from the cursing and downright hateful insulting to the alienation and bullying of the immigrants. The acting and dialogue of the children make the scenes look like they were shot candidly in an actual classroom. That aside, the plot and message are good. Perhaps a bit feel-good for my tastes, but they are good. The technical aspects are all excellent, from the focus-shifting classroom shots to the shooting/recess edit. Not one of my favorites from this class, but undoubtedly one of the most well-made.
I loved this. I wasn't quite sure what the point was for the first few minutes, but once the flashbacks started happening I could grab a hold on it better. I liked how the flashbacks are more saturated than the current time. I think it drives home that this memory is very vivid for him. I loved all the characters except for that god awfully annoying teacher. She pulls them into the office because he was holding his finger? That hardly seems like grounds for punishment. But ultimately that's what the boys had in common to bond over, so it was necessary. I liked it a lot, though. It made me laugh and it was very cute how they became friends in the end. Plus I love Irish accents.
I thought this was a very enjoyable film, especially visually. The director did a great job of making feel sorry for the boy right from the start. There was also the feeling of isolation that was well established from the start. I liked the contrast between the two schools. They even used different music to establish the difference between the two. I was very surprised at the good acting of the children. They definitely made the film. Overall a very interesting storyline and film.
I liked this short, mostly because it was relatable. Everybody has been the new kid at least once in their life. I loved how the main kid that was picking in him became his friend in the end. I liked the flashbacks and how they tied in with the boys emotions. I think keeping joseph silent was a great idea, it allowed him to adapt to his new school in his own time.
This was an awesome short! I love the flashbacks and how they really helped to move the story forward. The look to the film was great. In the old school house with everything very bright and vibrant and then the present classroom look. The actors were very good too, the teacher wasn't my favorite but the kids did great. Also the Irish accent was great and the little girl kept me laughing. I just really liked the flow of the shots, very smooth.
Josh Berry:
ReplyDeleteI really like this short. The story-line was pretty good, and the shots were pleasurable as well. The DP really likes using the "out-of-focus" shot a lot. I like this because it gave the film a sense of isolation. It put more emphasis on the boy being "alone" in the classroom. I also liked the lighting in the "flashback" scenes when they were in the African classroom. It was fairly bright, and the exposure/contrast levels were pretty high. This gave off a sense of warm emotion... A time where things were good; even when his father was executed, the same warm emotion was still there. This was probably to give off the feeling that even though it was a dark memory, the boy still gets warm feelings from it because it took place at home (where the heart is).
I agree- I like when we are first introduced to the new student he is in focus and the rest of the students are not. I loved, visually, what they did with the shooting of his father- we can infer that they shot his father but we didn't see it, we saw the new boy being 'shot' with a splash of milk. It was a great way to illustrate what happened without being too graphic.
ReplyDeleteAndy Barksdale:
ReplyDeleteI thought that this short did a great job of telling the majority of its story visually, without using very much dialogue. The visual distinction between the two schools was really effective, and some of the transitions between the two also helped get a sense of what was going on, dramatically, especially the cut between the gunfire and the water balloon. If there was anything that didn't work as much as I would've liked for it to, it may have been the climax of the two boys accepting Joseph at the end. I liked that it was understated, but maybe it could have been just a little bigger without going over-the-top. But, other than that, this was one that I really liked and it told its story really well.
Jake Fabian:
ReplyDeleteI've spent about three months in Ireland over the years, almost all of that time spent in rural areas working with children in classroom-type settings at local churches. This short is so spot on with its depiction of the children's behavior, from the cursing and downright hateful insulting to the alienation and bullying of the immigrants. The acting and dialogue of the children make the scenes look like they were shot candidly in an actual classroom. That aside, the plot and message are good. Perhaps a bit feel-good for my tastes, but they are good. The technical aspects are all excellent, from the focus-shifting classroom shots to the shooting/recess edit. Not one of my favorites from this class, but undoubtedly one of the most well-made.
Megan Dillard:
ReplyDeleteI loved this. I wasn't quite sure what the point was for the first few minutes, but once the flashbacks started happening I could grab a hold on it better. I liked how the flashbacks are more saturated than the current time. I think it drives home that this memory is very vivid for him. I loved all the characters except for that god awfully annoying teacher. She pulls them into the office because he was holding his finger? That hardly seems like grounds for punishment. But ultimately that's what the boys had in common to bond over, so it was necessary. I liked it a lot, though. It made me laugh and it was very cute how they became friends in the end. Plus I love Irish accents.
I thought this was a very enjoyable film, especially visually. The director did a great job of making feel sorry for the boy right from the start. There was also the feeling of isolation that was well established from the start. I liked the contrast between the two schools. They even used different music to establish the difference between the two. I was very surprised at the good acting of the children. They definitely made the film. Overall a very interesting storyline and film.
ReplyDeleteI liked this short, mostly because it was relatable. Everybody has been the new kid at least once in their life. I loved how the main kid that was picking in him became his friend in the end. I liked the flashbacks and how they tied in with the boys emotions. I think keeping joseph silent was a great idea, it allowed him to adapt to his new school in his own time.
ReplyDeleteThis was an awesome short! I love the flashbacks and how they really helped to move the story forward. The look to the film was great. In the old school house with everything very bright and vibrant and then the present classroom look. The actors were very good too, the teacher wasn't my favorite but the kids did great. Also the Irish accent was great and the little girl kept me laughing. I just really liked the flow of the shots, very smooth.
ReplyDelete