For The Family - ID# 576

Neuqua Valley

Seven Day Challenge

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Entry Description

With the family’s powerful patriarch on his death bed, Mick has to grapple with his brothers’ corruption on his own.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

Judge 1

Positives: Mafia stories are notoriously tough because there are so many familiar beats—money, family, power struggles—that can make them feel overdone. But you’ve managed to give the audience something fresh. You’ve created three brothers with distinct perspectives and desires, anchored by a complicated father who leans on the one son he can still trust. That’s no small feat from a storytelling standpoint. Your editing is just as sharp—the cut from a gunshot to wind chimes is masterful juxtaposition. Scorsese would be proud.

Improvements: It's really bright. For stories like this, you can play with shadows more like how you do in the end. The death bed scene can be moodier. Your sound is excellent, just watch wind on your establishing shots outside.

Judge 2

Positives: I like the story, I think this is well written and has strong dialogue. I like the exterior shot at the end of the movie. While i know who is alive it is still a good way to potentially disguise the character.

Improvements: Watch the camera movement. There are times it is a little shaky and it does not support the scene. When the camera moves like this it becomes more a distraction for the viewer. Make sure that the talent is properly mic'd. There are times when there is an echo, and the dialogue is not as clear as it could be.

Judge 3

Positives: There were a variety of camera angles and shot compositions that supported conveying the emotion of the story. The character development was strong and believable to the viewer.

Improvements: The audio was inconsistent at times as though jumping between boom mics, lav mics, and camera mics. The piece could have benefitted from the use of music or sound effects.

Judge 4

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Judge 5

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