Story Time

Downers Grove North

Dramatic Narrative

Entry Description

When an eight-year-old is asked to tell a story, you can never predict what she will say.

Judge 1

Positives: This is one of the most unique piece that I've seen in the festival. I was interested from the get go. I loved the costumes and the paper tear. Nice title treatment with animation. The use of a child narrator was effective and not cloying (as it can sometimes be.) I also like the conversational tone between the narrator and the person she's telling the story to (even with the ups, which I'm usually a stickler about). Loved the shot of them two of them in the convenience store. The pacing was good, and in the end I wanted more.

Improvements: In the first shot of the penguin and the giraffe, they are silhouetted against the trees and it's a little hard to make them out. (Is there a medium shot?) The grass in the foreground of the shot isn't as important to me as seeing the creatures. I couldn't understand the moral. I think it was "There's no such thing as true love?" But I"m not sure. Cleary that's important.

Judge 2

Positives: Sometimes the most simple stories are the most delightful. This is a charming piece that shows the filmmaker's ability to push beyond traditional narrative. A lovely film!

Improvements: Think about where to put the camera and how to vary shot scales and create more purposeful compositions to match the style of the animation elements and costumes.

Judge 3

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Judge 4

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