The Burnout - ID# 125
Glenbrook South
Documentary
Entry Description
Firefighters share the unseen anguish that occurs beyond their time on the clock.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/20 8:27 pm - KEEPERS: Excellent storytelling overall. We really have come to a pivot point societally where mental health is begin taken more seriously everywhere and this was a terrific lens with which to explore that topic via a local fire department. The interviews were all well produced. The photos, broll and pacing of the edit was top notch. I also appreciated that you used multiple music cues to tonally and emotional shift the piece as needed. Very well done. IMPROVEMENTS: I would have loved to have seen more live-action broll. Obviously it probably wasn't possible for you to go out on calls but simply seeing these men and women suit up, climb into their engines and drive into the night would have made for additional powerful imagery. Again, I'm not sure what was possible there. Don't be allergic to natural audio. There wasn't much of that here and it was needed for additional storytelling in certain areas. I wanted to hear the sounds of the cooking of dinner that was happening. I wanted to hear laughter and comraderie between the first responders to get a better sense emotionally of their bond for one another. Finally, and this is a nitpick, make sure you're putting your titles within title safe boundaries. Any assistant editor or documentarian has to respect those universal design boundaries. Try to get used to them now so you're not getting scolded later on! Overall, great work. Keep telling stories!
Judge 1
Positives: -very interesting story -good b roll coverage -strong opening sequence
Improvements: -more even. "constant powered" in and out sound effects (sound all around was very uneven throughout) -lose orientation in the a/b cam, use a head on shot and a b cam -edit out stutters -end credits look corny, get more creative with that
Judge 2
Positives: There is a reason why I gave this a perfect score that I will talk about in the constructive criticism. Great Job. I really garnered a sense of the brotherhood and comradoree that makes up the department. I really got a great idea for their everyday sacrifice and heroism. Also, nice coverage of b-roll, great interview coverage. this is my pick of the festival! very straight forward too. No bs. that's a very business minded approach to storytelling that is respected in the industry.
Improvements: The Editing wasn't perfect, but that's why I gave you bonus points was because you attempted to make a documentary about adults in an adult environment; which is very brave. That's shows great maturity as a filmmaker. I also shows you have taken responsibility for your productions. I find this piece to be very special. and I don't want perfect to be enemy of the good. the mistake is on the level with same type of professional mistake pros would make everyday, that you are doing a better job in story telling than they are. What's happening with which I'm speaking is that while making a documentary the film is always born in the editing room. you have all this footage, and when you get to the editing room you are over whelmed with possibilities. so its almost harder to tell your story than you would be with limited stock. Consider it the hiccup of a new born baby! Congratulations! Great Job!
Judge 3
Positives: Great opening sequence. The dialogue edit was well done; it told the story, and the story was clear and easy to understand. Overall it was professional looking. The pace kept you interested. Great looking graphics.
Improvements: The photo click audio transition was too loud and, therefore, distracting.
Judge 4
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Judge 5
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