MMEA Fest

RED - ID# 395

Oak Park River Forest

Dramatic Narrative

Entry Description

The Madcap Talent Agency was created in order to reform the conventional modeling industry and focus on individuality. Models are placed in level ranked rooms and have to take eccentric photos to compete against other individuals. The goal is reaching the end "RED door," the final stage. The contestants are driven to do anything to make it. That is, until they are overworked to the point of forgetting their own identity and end up being forced to shape a specific mold.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

3/16 8:05 pm - You have an amazing ability to create an alternate world that I can find very believable. Your visuals, are amazing you know who to set up and frame a shot, and then edit them all together at a pace that is just right. Then the use of music to enhance the mood, and the story just continued to build. I don’t know if this is the work of one individual or a team but you really did a great job bringing all the elements together. It was not a story that I personally could get into, I felt like I knew where it was going all along but I still was amazed in the manner that you told it. Great job I can see a lot of work went into planning and getting all the details right on this one.
3/10 12:01 pm - Positives: really effective red lighting in the 2nd sequence; great worm's-eye view of the stiletto walk that establishes the female interviewer's strength and position of power; great use of sound to create the futuristic/ automated process that the model is entering as we move up to the next level; Areas for improvement: Needs a title with dramatic impact, perhaps at the end. Soft fade misses the chance for a hard punch at the end. Very strong piece, so the best advice is to read the details on how you are supposed to submit work for this fest, including the URLs of the Music. Be sure to list music source to confirm confirm copyright-free or license.
3/9 7:43 pm - lips don't match/not in sync at the start; great, creative shots; lighting is great; props are great

Judge 1

Positives: Quite the dramatic narrative; working with (or without, in this case) the necessary production design elements the story starts out quite interestingly and with just enough mystery to lure the audience into the story - and the modeling agency. Very much a Black Book story. Some of the 'modeling levels' worked really well, illustrated by the montage of the character's progression up the levels of the selection process. Nicely done with the 'elevator gag.' Convincing.

Improvements: The lighting could have been a little bit more present throughout; not enough contrast to make out the masses and or shadows. The start of the narrative started out with just enough lighting but then went a bit too noir-ish. Not enough ambient lighting to show some elements. The camera work showing the levels with the character could have been made more intimate with pushing in to the character's face to show the engagement of the process.

Judge 2

Positives: The production quality of this film was exceptional. The lighting, editing, set design, cinematography, and costuming was great! Very cool concept!

Improvements: The main actor's performance detracted from the overall effectiveness. He looked great, but didn't deliver a very solid performance. I don't the film had enough time to effectively show the decent into "individuality through conformity".

Judge 3

Positives: The overall look of your project is excellent. The lighting and color scheme works well to set the create the mood and emotional aspects of your story. The camera work is well planned. There is a good variety of shots. The editing effective creates a sense of tension.

Improvements: Work on the voice of the talent agency. It needs to have a more omnious feel to it. The audio in the opening scene is a little too live.(The room has an echo.) You could try using a lapel mic for each person or some other mic that can be placed close to the talent.

Judge 4

Positives:

Improvements: