Self-Critique

A) Impact and Intent- how did you want to affect your audience?

1. On a scale of 1-10, what was the story's overall impact?

I would give it about a 6 or a 7, because it shows the Michael's struggle as we planned, but it could've been better.

2. What did the story leave you thinking?

It left me thinking, honestly how we could've done this better. Beyond that it left me wondering exactly how more clearly we could've show that the "stranger's" equation led to the downfall of the housing market and not to just necessarily the foreclosure of one place.

3. What did it leave you feeling?

It left me feeling proud of what we've created, but not without being able to see its faults. So I guess it feels like a good first project to me.

4 Discuss the source of the main idea that you started with and its importance to you.

The main idea was about a man who ended up making a decision that he would later regret, and how one man's greed can lead to the downfall of others.

5.Discuss the Theme or premise of the piece as you discovered it after finishing the film.

The themes are of the inequality of classes, the dangerous of unregulated greed, and kind of cliché but the mistrust of strangers.

B) Clarity of Tension/Main Conflict

1. How clear was the story? Could you see all the scenes equally clearly in my mind's eye, or were some hazy?

As we shot it we could see the movie as a whole, but when we were shooting some scenes weren't always clear in what exactly they should look or feel like. So it felt like we had to kind of wing it on certain sections.

2. What parts could you easily and pleasurably retell, and what parts are difficult to recall?

The beginning and the end are pretty clear in my mind as how they play out, but parts of the conversation in the middle kind of blends together.

C) Potential

1. Does the story feel complete?

I would say that it does.

2. On a scale of 1-10, rate each scene. Are they all functioning to full potential?

Our film basically has only 4 scenes, the opening scenes, the conversation bar scene, the killing of Michael scene, and the stranger approaching a new victim. I would give scene 1, about a 5, as It tells ultimately what we wanted it to, but I wish it had some more coverage. Scene 2 would be about a 6, we shot all just about all the dialog we set out to do, but again I wish we had some more coverage, and some of the angles we shot were not ideal. Scene 3 would be about a 6 as well, because we had some problems with audio and the last shot was starting to get too dark, but ultimately I'm happy with the angles we shot. Lastly, Scene 4 would be about a 7, because its exactly what we set out to shoot, its simple, uncomplicated, and works.

3. Which elements were strong, which were weak?

The biggest weakness I notice from out project, would be that of coverage. While we were shooting it seemed like we were getting exactly what we needed, but as soon as I went into editing I was wishing we had shot the scenes from more angles. While we do have some variation of medium shots and close up, I wish we would've expanded into wider shots and even closer close ups.

D) Feedback-- Discuss “What you want to learn to do better.”

1. Report what is working well, and what is not.

I feel that the movie so far feels as a cohesive whole, and I'm happy with the cinematography so far. Theres some blemishes, but I feel the movie looks pretty good so far. But whats not working, is that the movie feels kinda vague in how it overall applies to the world outside of it, if that makes sense. But as it stands it kinda feels like Michael might have only causes the foreclosure of the one building we see him rip the sign off of, but we wanted it to seem like the problem was more widespread, as widespread as the housing collapse was. I don't quite know how we would've done that or even if its really necessary in the end, but I do believe the basic theme is present and can be seen.

2. Suggest what might clarify and strengthen whatever is weak.

I would definitely focus on getting more coverage, and shooting more takes, because variety is king. I think we got too focused on and settled in just shooting some of the scenes from only 1 or 2 places. So more angles more variety. Also as far as the story went I dont know what we would've done to make it better, but I have voiced my concerns for whats wrong or possibly wrong with it.