Sleepless Night - ID# 126

Lake Forest

Dramatic Narrative

Entry Description

An avant-garde inspired short film that shows a person looking at the fears of the future in disjointed, metaphorical sequences of dreams.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

• 4/30 10:48 am - The shot selection is dynamic and engaging. Your use of light during the more experimental moments is really cool. Sometimes, your footage is unnecessarily shaky, such as at 1:25. I appreciate the effort that went into the shots above the bed, but they are a bit grainy, out of focus, and have less contrast than your other footage. In the editing room, it is always difficult to say goodbye to shots and scenes that took so much effort, but I would suggest reshooting these or cutting them. The shots with the stars over your face, such as at 1:57, are amazing. If you haven't already, I would suggest editing together a music video using similar techniques as you used in this film. The editing in this short is at a whole other level. Superb. I heavily recommend submitting this to film festivals on Film Freeway under the experimental category. The acting was solid. I really liked your shots of the mom. I would both recommend continuing to make experimental films but to also challenge yourself to make films with dialogue and more-traditional narrative arcs. These few snippets of dialogue are well composed and directed, so push that further. You are immensely talented. Thank you for sharing this film. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
• 3/10 8:30 am - Love the overhead shot where he turns and looks into the camera I understand you are creating an avante garde film, and have done a good job of it, but to have it in a dramatic narrative category kind of has it out of its element and makes it hard to judge. Obviously there is not much of a story, and it is a bit more abstract and experimental and the story is very loose. So, I am not sure how to comment. As an avante garde, you did a good job, as a dramatic narrative there is not really much of a story here, and the story that is here leaves me with more questions than I get answers. You have some excellent skills with postproduction, and even camera work, I just need more of a story in this category.

Judge 1

Positives: • Editing, typography, vfx & sound design all came together excellently- keep up the great work; keep honing your skills & they'll take you far! • The concept, while simple, was executed very well- you don't need an elaborate story to create a solid short film; The ending was great, too. I'm quite impressed.

Improvements: • The lighting & cinematography was rough at times, with the overhead bed shot (while cool) being out of focus too often. I'm sure it's difficult to keep it focused when it's raised so high, but that's why professionals stick to manual focus & external monitors. Saves a lot of headache in post.

Judge 2

Positives: The narrative is a definite exploration of a character’s psyche dealing with the anxieties, or trepidation, of his dreams at night (or is it his daily life?). The dream state is efficiently visualized and illustrated with images that upset the character; we are made privy to the angst and anguish in his attempts to achieve a peaceful night’s rest. The simple, yet effective, approach to the ‘night anxieties’ are evident, not only in images but also in the sound designs. While the dreams aren’t quite considered ‘night terrors,’ they are equally shocking and disturbing in and of itself. The director has chosen the juxtaposition of the still images and moving images in his dream with great aplomb. One of the more effective images is of the pouring tea pot and the spilled water on the bed; very effectively managed. The lullaby music at the end before he wakes up is very good, as if to show that he finally achieved some sleep, but late in the morning.

Improvements: This reviewer would like to suggest separating the unnerving sound of the alarm as his dreams begin, with the shorter 12 AM sound as a simple reminder that the journey is beginning. The other sound effects seem quite unnecessary at 2 AM and 4 AM (at least on the same level). The 8 AM alarm should be a full alarm sound and longer. The images of the character sleeping should be fully in focus and not left fuzzy. If the pattern is established fully, it should be the same clear visual. The 12 AM sleep cycle seems to be in anticipation of an oncoming nightmare; it is by far a very effective scene. Having said that, the least effective one is the 4 AM sequence showing the scene in all of its fuzzy glory.

Judge 3

Positives: The glitchy techniques work well. The sound, while it can be more aggressive, has some great moments like the builds in tension.

Improvements: Background sounds like room tone are too loud. Dialogue recording quality needs to be much improved. While the film might be inspired by the avant grade, it does not go far enough in terms of style, vfx and editing. If you are going to go there, please do so. The edit is a bit cautious as are the vfx and sound.

Judge 4

Positives:

Improvements: