Love, Isabelle - ID# 499

Maine West

Division: AA

Seven Day Challenge

Entry Description

Michael's wife Isabelle has passed away. At her funeral, a friend gives Michael a gift from Isabelle. Michael opens the box and finds that Isabelle has left him a letter along with many of their memories. We watch as Michael remembers his life with Isabelle.

Recent Teacher Comments

Judge 1

Positives: Your actors - both the younger and older versions of Isabelle and Michael were great! Good use of the prop to help build the story. Since all of the items in the box inspired memories, it definitely motivated cutting to the flashbacks!

Improvements: You sound quality felt a bit off at points. The opening scene at the funeral was very quiet. I had to pause the video to make sure I wasn't watching it on mute, because I wasn't able to hear it. Also, it was very obvious that the dialogue in that scene was dubbed and wasn't matching up perfectly. Even if you have to re-record dialogue after shooting, make sure to throw in some ambiance and sound effects so that you can build the environment the characters are in. The story felt a bit too explanatory at points. The saying "show, don't tell" is definitely true - and having the letter constantly explaining everything the whole time felt a bit too much like you were spoon feeding the audience. It may have been stronger to let us watch the flashbacks without having the voiceover happening at the same time and basically narrating what was happening on screen.

Judge 2

Positives: The editing was well paced. The sound was mostly good as well as the choice of music.

Improvements: Some elements like the lock on the box looked quite silly. The message that Isabelle wrote didn't seem realistic. She was over explaining their memories, as if Michael wasn't there with her.

Judge 3

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Judge 4

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