The Program - ID# 121

Glenbrook South
Dramatic Narrative
Entry Description

A teen boy makes a new online friend after a tragic loss, however, things start to change as their friendship evolves.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

  • 4/30 7:51 pm - Really interesting visual and sound choices here to help tell a compelling story. I like the choice to start the film without score and the visual juxtaposition of the spaces. Excellent use of light and shadow. This is a real issue that has come up with AI chatbots, and I think you have handled the storytelling with care and grace. I especially enjoyed the decision to move from text on the screen to voiced dialogue between them. I was taken out a little by that type of rope being in a kitchen cabinet. Maybe you keep rope in the kitchen, but I think most would have it in a garage or basement. Really great work here. Keep it going!
  • 4/29 1:58 pm - The transition from dialogue to silence is quite effective and a simple way to go in and out of this liminal black space and the world that exists outside of it(reality v.s. imaginary). The dialogue feels very intentional in the way that it appears throughout the film. These moments of dialogue/ conversation feel more significant when they come up because we are more accustomed to the soundtrack or the diegetic sounds of the film. I don't think the shot selection needs to be as varied as it's presents right now in the film. The scenes in the black liminal space are interesting enough. I felt a bit distracted in scenes outside of this space because I assumed it to be more stale and flat in comparison to the relationship he is building in this "online world." That is what attracted me initially. I would push more into this juxtaposition. Great job!
  • 4/28 12:12 pm - Strengths: Clear visuals and use of color/lighting in opening. Nice use of graphics for the online conversation. Strong performance by the main character. The way you portrayed that kind of "liminal space" for the conversation was effective- good transitions in and out. I liked the shift from the written conversation to the spoken conversation. Pacing was excellent- really held my attention and focus for the whole film. You heightened and built the story well. Improvements: Classroom conversation scene- may not have needed as many changing angles. I wasn't sure where the focus was supposed to be - main character, laptop, phone, classmate?
Judge 1

Positives: I think the search bar/text feature on the screen looked really good. I really liked the framing of shots throughout the film, the use of the wide lens worked in this case. The music worked well with this film too.

Improvements: The shots with boys guys in the screen typing were good, but when cutting between them it was a bit jumpy and you can tell there was a green screen used. The voice of the person on the other end of the conversation could have been something different, maybe something more mysterious like it became at the end.

Judge 2

Positives: There were a lot of great frames in this! You really nailed both the lighting and the frames of most of the "real-world" footage. Also, great touch with the makeup. Very subtle, but it worked well enough to show his descent out of reality.

Improvements: Overall I think your biggest hurdle was the editing-- there were a couple jump cuts I saw that didn't benefit the story, minor pacing issues, messy comps here and there. It's a big endeavor to create a short film, especially one with animation, but be sure you're not getting killed by 1,000 cuts. Cool idea, but really hone in on your objective in each cut; ask yourself does this need to be there? Is cutting to this shot too jarring?

Judge 3

Positives: So I really like what you did character wise, I really feel like you portrayed your main characters descent into this isolation sadness very well. Also props to your make up artist because they did a very good job at this restless look. Good cinematography and lighting throughout I think all of your coverage was clean and everything matched. Couple that with some very nice camera moves and some nice lighting, especially with the lamp. Very well done.

Improvements: My biggest issue with this piece is that it feels a little too confined or just that the story could have had one more location to really tie in all these themes maybe it could've been with a parent or a sibling, but I feel like we're missing one dynamic to Relly hone in on this theme of isolation. And this is small, but I really like your title card. I would keep that theme in the credits too because it felt inconsistent, but this is a very small deal.

Judge 4

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Judge 5

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