Reviews of Shelter by the Sea 28

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  video poem about homeless and society
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by wdj on 05/10/2013
  The film is 3 minutes and has 1 actor and 1 location. This is a film about a homeless man living in an abandoned building by the sea. It appears that all the shots use only natural lighting and the camera is hand-held. There is no dialog, only voice-over on top of short clips, and still montages, of the homeless man going through several activities (scrounging for food, drinking,... The film is 3 minutes and has 1 actor and 1 location.
  
  This is a film about a homeless man living in an abandoned building by the sea. It appears that all the shots use only natural lighting and the camera is hand-held. There is no dialog, only voice-over on top of short clips, and still montages, of the homeless man going through several activities (scrounging for food, drinking, talking to himself, sleeping, peeing, ...). The voice-over is a poem on the indifference of society to the homeless. I liked the poem.
  
  If I had an suggestions, it might be to use a tripod+dolly for all the shots, and eliminate the still shots. However, I liked the concept and moral aspect. Good job! read
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  too much telling and not enough showing
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by mrfri on 02/27/2013
  More like a poem with photographs to acompany it. Did not see or feel any crushing blow or struggles. The film doesn't live up to the logline or message trying to get across, if any. Don't see his pain, struggles, crushing blow. Don't feel too sorry for him in this big house by the sea drinking alchohol, getting drunk. Not seeing or feeling any cry for help, strife, or anything... More like a poem with photographs to acompany it.
  Did not see or feel any crushing blow or struggles. The film doesn't live up to the logline or message trying to get across, if any.
  Don't see his pain, struggles, crushing blow. Don't feel too sorry for him in this big house by the sea drinking alchohol, getting drunk.
  Not seeing or feeling any cry for help, strife, or anything that matches anything said in voice over. read
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  Shelter by the Sea Registered Trade Mark
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by Mister T on 02/06/2013
  The registered trade mark on the film's title was the first thing that distracted me, took me away from the place I was supposed to be in. I don't care why the author thought they should put it there. Am I ok to write the title or will I soon be getting a bill? The film is more a collection of shots put to poetry, as in there is no story going on as such. I thought the editing... The registered trade mark on the film's title was the first thing that distracted me, took me away from the place I was supposed to be in. I don't care why the author thought they should put it there. Am I ok to write the title or will I soon be getting a bill? The film is more a collection of shots put to poetry, as in there is no story going on as such. I thought the editing was a bit manic, but maybe that was intentional. I didn't find myself sympathising with the character at all as he seemed to be a bit grumpy. That's fine he can be as grumpy as he wants to be but if he wants me to listen or care or understand he'll have to form his art more carefully. read
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  A poetic view of the homeless
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by Phil121 on 01/23/2013
  Shelter by the sea looks on how it feels to be a homeless person. I think The film is shot very well for the most part. However, I was confused when there was a transition to a short slideshow of images instead of video, I felt that this took away from the flow of the film, why couldn't the director have filmed these scenes? Nevertheless, others may react differently to this,... Shelter by the sea looks on how it feels to be a homeless person. I think The film is shot very well for the most part. However, I was confused when there was a transition to a short slideshow of images instead of video, I felt that this took away from the flow of the film, why couldn't the director have filmed these scenes? Nevertheless, others may react differently to this, but for me it just didn't work. The story is incredibly simple, but works incredibly well. The narrator did a great job conveying story information and letting us get into the head of the homeless man.
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  Great concept
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by taylorfreeland on 01/03/2013
  First off, I really liked the idea as well as the performance, however the shaky camera movement and freeze frames near the middle took me out of it a little. The narration was wonderful, but the tone and pace of the narrator didn't really match the pace of the editing and it made the editing very visible. If you were to vary the shots and show us a little more of the house... First off, I really liked the idea as well as the performance, however the shaky camera movement and freeze frames near the middle took me out of it a little. The narration was wonderful, but the tone and pace of the narrator didn't really match the pace of the editing and it made the editing very visible. If you were to vary the shots and show us a little more of the house and the area surrounding instead of using the same few shots again and again it would really strengthen your short. Overall it was enjoyable and I wish you luck on your future projects. read
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  Lovely Jubly
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by LIONENT on 12/17/2012
  Great stuff! Poetry was spot on! Visually painted the environment for me! The shots of the homeless guy could possibly look a bit more harsh to reflect and reinforce their lifestyle. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this! Voice over really grew on me after the first minute. A video to really make viewers think and appreciate! Good watch! Well done guys!
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  Not Much of a Film
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by XboxBox on 12/16/2012
  My main problem was that this movie was just used as a backdrop for the "shelter by the sea," poem. As a result, it suffered and hardly qualified as a film. It focused on a homeless man living in a shelter by himself by the sea. There was not much to say about this character, and I did not feel for him. He just drank, rolled around, and wallowed in self-pity. Also, inter cutting... My main problem was that this movie was just used as a backdrop for the "shelter by the sea," poem. As a result, it suffered and hardly qualified as a film. It focused on a homeless man living in a shelter by himself by the sea. There was not much to say about this character, and I did not feel for him. He just drank, rolled around, and wallowed in self-pity. Also, inter cutting freeze frames within the movie did not help with the cinematic appeal.
  
  Nevertheless, it was an honest attempt to bring this poem to life. I guess next time try to have more focus with your direction. read
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  Nice work
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by Justingray03 on 11/09/2012
  I thought that the location was WONDERFUL! the actor was great. The only issues i had with the film was the fact that i felt that it went on a little to long, cutting out some of the voice overs would help that a little. Also, it didn't really feel like a short film, it felt like a snip from a feature. The character didn't really have a strong want in the film, also it wasn't... I thought that the location was WONDERFUL! the actor was great. The only issues i had with the film was the fact that i felt that it went on a little to long, cutting out some of the voice overs would help that a little. Also, it didn't really feel like a short film, it felt like a snip from a feature. The character didn't really have a strong want in the film, also it wasn't really going anywhere. It was kinda flat in the sense that it wasn't telling us a story. With that said, it was beautiful dialogue. It works better as a poem, a spoken word piece then a piece involving a lead character. Perhaps if it were shot without a person, but using pieces of found footage as a "conversation" about something other then a homeless man, it may work a bit stronger. But, like i said, the voice over monologue is so well written that it could work better with a different visual. read
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  Contrived
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by etorrijos1 on 08/05/2012
  I didn't like this short. It seemed so artificial, contrived. For something that's supposed to be about a homeless man, it lacked soul. I felt no sympathy for the subject. If you were take the different parts of the film on their own, I would say they were well done. I could imagine the voice over as a monologue on a stage. The shots were nice, though there was at least one... I didn't like this short. It seemed so artificial, contrived. For something that's supposed to be about a homeless man, it lacked soul. I felt no sympathy for the subject.
  
  If you were take the different parts of the film on their own, I would say they were well done. I could imagine the voice over as a monologue on a stage. The shots were nice, though there was at least one jerky pan. read
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  Poignant
  A review of Shelter by the Sea
  by Tiger on 08/02/2012
  Having some experience with the homeless, and a friend or two,....I am well aware of the plight of the homeless.This film is rich visually and the editing is well placed. Some people, if they don't already know,....NOT all homeless folks are lazy,shiftless no accounts,......there are some who have issues with mental illness, and going dasy to day is difficult at best for them,....the... Having some experience with the homeless, and a friend or two,....I am well aware of the plight of the homeless.This film is rich visually and the editing is well placed. Some people, if they don't already know,....NOT all homeless folks are lazy,shiftless no accounts,......there are some who have issues with mental illness, and going dasy to day is difficult at best for them,....the two I know are suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and day ro day duntioning is especially difficult for them when they often feel the need to go off on people. Then you have the crazies,.....they are dangerous, will not seek help, and if the 'do' get help, they forge to take their meds,....it's an endless cycle.This film maker managed to capture thr endless lonliness and isolation feom being himeless. Well done.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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