Reviews of SCARY 30

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  Neither funny nor scary
  A review of SCARY
  by MyTDuxx on 09/21/2006
  This is yet antother in a long line of shorts on this site that are no more than an idea without a point. I suspect the actors are just friends dragged together. The editing was choppy and shots were sloppy. The protoganist is neither funny nor intimidating. So the concept has no legs. Intercutting the on the street responses from other passerbys seemed out of context... This is yet antother in a long line of shorts on this site that are no more than an idea without a point. I suspect the actors are just friends dragged together. The editing was choppy and shots were sloppy. The protoganist is neither funny nor intimidating. So the concept has no legs. Intercutting the on the street responses from other passerbys seemed out of context and didn't offer anything. I couldn't get past the question of who would ever book this guy into any club, let alone who would be compelled to go see him. Without understanding where you intended to go it is difficult to offer any constructive feedback. read
• 
  Very Scary
  A review of SCARY
  by Hyperjive on 06/06/2006
  According to the production notes, this is a sarcastic and camp film with "South Park style editing". Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any of these things in this short. First the editing. It was bad. Just bad. I'm not sure what else to say. I am confused as to how this is "South Park style". South Park is VERY crafty with its editing. The way they use quick cuts or hold... According to the production notes, this is a sarcastic and camp film with "South Park style editing". Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any of these things in this short.
  
  First the editing. It was bad. Just bad. I'm not sure what else to say. I am confused as to how this is "South Park style". South Park is VERY crafty with its editing. The way they use quick cuts or hold shots helps the humor along. "Scary" was just badly edited, with almost NONE of the cuts making sense.
  
  The sound. Again, bad. It sounds like it was from the on-camera mic and you'll learn, as I had to, this is a big short film no-no. My suggestion would be to get a wireless mic and just hide it on a character in each scene, but make sure it's in a place that can pick up all the actors' voices.
  
  Finally, to answer the production notes, yes, I have heard of camp, but this short isn't it. "Scary" feels more like a first-time film than anything. Being "camp" is being cheesy. In order for this film to be camp it would have to be filmed very seriously...but with the same actors. Bad acting in a drama can be camp and, in all honesty, make an awesome film. Bad acting in a comedy is just bad acting. Timing is everything in comedy but if the actors don't really have any...then you edit it to make it appear as though they do. When it comes to shorts, editing and comedy go hand in hand.
  
  My advice would be to re-film this story idea once you get the hang of making short films. A short film about a crazy guy is a pretty funny idea and the guy playing the crazy guy was really good. Just practice, practice, practice and eventually, I am more than positive you'll have a killer film on your hands. Best of luck. read
• 
  Campy... yes
  A review of SCARY
  by SeaMowse on 10/12/2005
  I'm glad you had production notes here. It explained and provided me with a bit of understanding in how your movie presented itself to me (god, how pretentious sounding - sorry!). Anyhow... campy and cute. Camerawork - got me kind of dizzy. The edits were somewhat choppy and the compostion and framing of the shots were not consistant with the scenes. Crossing the line... I'm glad you had production notes here. It explained and provided me with a bit of understanding in how your movie presented itself to me (god, how pretentious sounding - sorry!). Anyhow... campy and cute.
  
  Camerawork - got me kind of dizzy. The edits were somewhat choppy and the compostion and framing of the shots were not consistant with the scenes. Crossing the line happened quite a bit, but I think it possibly added to the campy feeling I got from your movie.
  
  Audio - was pretty poor. I'm not sure of the type of camera you have, but it was clear (or not?) that you used the on-board mic. The audio was hard to hear thoroughout the film and was somewhat tinny sounding.
  
  Acting - I actually liked the acting. Very cheesy, but I found that this fit in well with the film.
  
  All in all... not exactly what I like to expect from a campy film, but nevertheless... best of luck. read
• 
  room for improvment
  A review of SCARY
  by realogist on 08/02/2005
  If you re-did the entire audio track, have actors come back in and voice-over all the dialog, it would make this a much easier view. The shots are cut very quick and random at times, but what makes it worse is the inconsistency in the audio levels. Consider using a plug-in mic. It was starting to make me dizzy with so many jumps in cuts. I could barely focus on the action... If you re-did the entire audio track, have actors come back in and voice-over all the dialog, it would make this a much easier view. The shots are cut very quick and random at times, but what makes it worse is the inconsistency in the audio levels. Consider using a plug-in mic.
  
  It was starting to make me dizzy with so many jumps in cuts. I could barely focus on the action. The acting also seemed very fake--I know these were not actors, but having believable actors or doing more takes will make this a more believable film. read
• 
  Not what I expected
  A review of SCARY
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 03/11/2005
  I must say that it definately is not what I expected. I was thinking more of a campy slasher flick, I don't know what this is. I suppose a pat on the back for effort is in order, because you guys definately at least put some effort into it. Some scenes are too dark, and the audio is not that great either. Other than a strange storyline that could make a little more sense my... I must say that it definately is not what I expected. I was thinking more of a campy slasher flick, I don't know what this is. I suppose a pat on the back for effort is in order, because you guys definately at least put some effort into it. Some scenes are too dark, and the audio is not that great either. Other than a strange storyline that could make a little more sense my rating of this film is an overwhelming..."ok" read
• 
  It's got moments
  A review of SCARY
  by Spodaking on 07/06/2004
  Pretty good idea for a film. It's structured somewhat like a documentary, mostly because of the interview sequence in the beginning. The sound is very poor - I'm sure you'll tighten that up on your next film. The horror comic was pretty funny and I liked his make-up. I think the story needs more impact - specifically, a better ending. Him actually killing the guy at the end,... Pretty good idea for a film. It's structured somewhat like a documentary, mostly because of the interview sequence in the beginning. The sound is very poor - I'm sure you'll tighten that up on your next film. The horror comic was pretty funny and I liked his make-up. I think the story needs more impact - specifically, a better ending. Him actually killing the guy at the end, blood everywhere, would have made this true camp and the film would be more memorable. The editing is a bit rough, mostly during the sequence in which the girl and two guys discuss going to the show that night. It seemed obvious the actors didn't know their lines and you had to keep cutting to deliver each line. The poor camera work in that sequence doesn't help - when cross-cutting keep the camera at the same hight and distance from the actors. But hey, you got one under your belt - this is better than my first film, that's for sure. Keep shooting, you'll only get better. read
• 
  the sound was scary
  A review of SCARY
  by FiveSwinya on 05/30/2004
  man was the audio terrible, almost makes one not want to watch it for that reason alone. the camera work a little weak. learn to use thirds, the shots were all set up wrong. audio was all over the place, with background noise, then without, and then back again. good ending
• 
  Needs pushing, good try
  A review of SCARY
  by anna macuch on 03/03/2004
  Well, I checked your categories again. It needs to be funnier, to be a comedy, and weirder to be in the horror or camp category, and the mysterious part needs to be pushed too, as does the acting. Actually, I think your idea is a good one and maybe it would be far more entertaining with dialogue work and emphasis in the above areas. It just falls kind of short. Don't be afraid... Well, I checked your categories again. It needs to be funnier, to be a comedy, and weirder to be in the horror or camp category, and the mysterious part needs to be pushed too, as does the acting. Actually, I think your idea is a good one and maybe it would be far more entertaining with dialogue work and emphasis in the above areas. It just falls kind of short. Don't be afraid to exaggerate to get your point across. As it is, this is like a reality TV video that falls a little flat. A lot looks nice though, and I think you'll get there. read
• 
  Cute in weird way
  A review of SCARY
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 10/31/2003
  This was cute in a weird way. I think the acting was impressive. The bystanders seemed very natural. The weirdo acted nuts. His comic act was really, really, really bad. The camera work was very good. I was able to see even the darker scenes. I think some spooky music would enhance this short.
• 
  so stupid its scary
  A review of SCARY
  by Fingerprints on 10/23/2003
  it's obvious you have the equipment needed to make a short, but this just doesn't compare to the quality in some of the films on this site. i've heard of camp, but this isn't even campy. i don't know...not much i can say about this. i'm disappointed to see time spent on something that really doesn't have any great effect. i think one thing you could have done is not used... it's obvious you have the equipment needed to make a short, but this just doesn't compare to the quality in some of the films on this site. i've heard of camp, but this isn't even campy. i don't know...not much i can say about this. i'm disappointed to see time spent on something that really doesn't have any great effect. i think one thing you could have done is not used any dialogue. if you could have told the story visually that would have made it much more interesting. you could have done so much with sound as well. then it might have become a short film instead of a silly little video. read