Final Product and Feedback
With the first draft for the short film, in this version there are no added tracks (minus the ringing of the bell). Mostly because this is the draft I had sent over to the sound people allowing them to do as they please with that whole aspect of the short film.
Again, I don't get what is up with the quality, for some reason the videos always worsen once uploaded on to YouTube and I have no idea how to solve that.
Besides from that, to give the sound guy time to get together his version of the soundtrack, the next draft will be my version. Using Pixabay mostly to gather to the music bits as that is the most I can do on my own. But with that, at least I have a version ready to go if the freelance composer doesn't get back to me in time with the sound bits he had created for the short.
Alongside that, any bits I find that need patching up I will do the best I can there.
Having the second draft ready, before uploading it onto YouTube I will use up the YouTube premium free trial to see if that fixes the quality issue I continuously seem to run into.
Working greatly, the product is now on uploading to HD. Taking it's time, I do also have the third draft ready but will wait until the second is complete preventing slowing down the process.
With the addition of soundtracks, a new clip and many small adjustments, the product is getting better for my liking, and this was close to being the final draft. But giving it a day before going back over the product, more changes were found in need.
And this is the final version, now on being sent around for feedback.
There were mainly minor changes made to this version with only one main noticeable one, that being the new clip edition. All that makes the draft better.
Before I get onto the feedback, as I am calling the third draft my official draft I should update on what is happening with the freelance sound guy providing music for the product.
As I had mentioned in the production diary, the first draft that has no sound at all has been sent over to the guy. I don't think I had mentioned this bit either but originally having two, one of them did back out due to my delays running past their own deadlines causing them to lose interest or have no reason really to help me out. Still having the second guy though there has been no issue with that.
So far he has sent over a few example clips of what he has come up with so far, liking a few there was one we had to discuss. Finding it to sound too "alien-y" as I had described it, the audio did sound more like it was made for an episode of Doctor Who.
Asking for something less techno but more suspenseful, miscellaneous and spooky, the subject of the conjuring had came up leaving us on a good note. Looking forward to seeing what he has produced for me, I did message him asking if he had a rough idea as to when the audio would be ready but I am still awaiting a response.
Waiting over a day for a message from him, I am starting to worry he wont get back to me. Or even if he does it wont be in time. At this point though I wouldn't exactly mind with me putting something together that I am happy enough with. But it would be really interesting to see what can be added to the film with the composers help.
Back to the feedback now, I have so far received five responses regarding the third draft, and will settle with that.
Unfortunately though, due to the lack of time left I found myself unable to gather enough people together to host a group watch. So instead, the link had been sent around to a few chosen people followed by a few questions via message. That way I am able to get the best of there opinions rather than them having to think up of a response on the spot which might not have even helped me as well as it does doing it the way I did.
As for the questions...
Do you have any thoughts regarding the product? Whether positive or negative?
For the project, my main requirement was to have some focus on the region of Sunderland. I decided to inspire this film off of
a historical figure from the area, do you think I interpreted this well?
Is this suitable for a Sunderland Culture exhibition highlighting young talent?
Is the product suitable for your age group?
What changes would you make to the product?
Do you have any concerns about the product?
Is there anything you liked most about the product?
Any questions?
And since the short film was shown to people separately, to make talking about the feedback simpler, I will go from person to person starting with the the first to respond.
Ben: "I really enjoyed the build-up and the acting is phenomenal! I also liked the foreshadowing done in the beginning of the film. Also, overall I rate this product a good 9/10 for the performance alone."
I have messaged to ask what would bump that 9 out of 10 to a 10 out of 10, but I have yet to wait on a reply.
Richard: "Very good product, great plot development for the short length of the film. The historical figure was both interpreted and represented very well, the language used was very much a defining factor or what shows that it is based in Sunderland. This is very suitable for the Sunderland Culture exhibition highlighting young talent as it uses local aspiring actors in the film which goes really well with the brief. This product is suitable for my age group as it is the type of film 16-25 year olds would watch. A couple of shots where you are walking could have been smoother, no concerns about the product and I liked the build up to the finale where one of the main characters die, no questions 9/10"
A very detailed response, all very much appreciated I am glad to hear the positive factors of him enjoying the short as well as the answer of the product fitting the brief well. I agree with the comment of the walking shots being smoother as it does bother me a lot with the product itself, unfortunately I ma out of time to go back and re-shoot, especially with the number of re-shoots already done the cast wouldn't want to oblige I imagine. Even if they did I can imagine the more trouble it would take to gather everybody.
Jaycie: "Right most the answers are what you'd expect it was good and suitable but. I would try sort the audio out is it meant to sound that rough?"
Questioning which part she meant, she claimed around 7:15 where the ghost is behind Conner she was unable to hear what they were saying well enough due to the screeching noise. Hesitant with her response, I will go back over the scene and adjust the audio slightly.
Roger: "I would say it a positive short film and it would be very suitable to the exhibition and it hit the right age group as it had a bit of comedy and scary elements to it. The interaction with the three lads was very good and the only concern I had was the start with the teacher was a bit dull."
Not too sure on how I could make the opening sequence more appealing, but other than that another positive response is received.
Matthew: "Really good project, fantastic product in such a short run time. Good writing and development a whole. Explained really well incorporating a historical figure in such a local area of Sunderland executed tremendously well. The language in the film helps reinforce that is based in the north east which makes your overall project very well. Very suitable for Sunderland culture highlighting young talent as a whole and what's to come. The product is as well suitable for my age group as young adults would be interested and watch. The run time could be increased maybe show more of the dragging away section I would have liked to see Mary Ann Cotton more. No defining concerns overall it's a really good and detailed short film, personally wouldn't have minded more but it's still amazing either way. I liked the Mary Ann Cotton jump scare scene the audio seems to also break apart in that scene and I think it added to the overall product. It was a nice scene and something I really liked about the film."
I do agree with the idea of extending the short and showing more of the ghosted killer. If I could go back and redo most of the production I really would.
With only one possible change to make, the audio from the end of the final sequence had been adjusted. Rather than turning the sound effects down, the volume on the dialogue had been turned up allowing the audience to hear the cast better and enough so the dialogue doesn't override the shots being too loud.
Unless I can get an update on the composer guy, I am happy enough to call this my final outcome. Only it would be a shame if he isn't able to get back to me in time.
Update on the composer guy, he recently got back to me, not with much but letting me know he hasn't managed to get much done due to a bad week. But will reach out to me again as soon as he has managed to gather everything.
UPDATE
I have news of the composer friend, a few days late he has just gotten back to me with three mp3 files to add to the product. Apologising for the delay, I have thanked him for his help wanting to show my gratitude for his participation in this project.
Going straight back onto DaVinci, the files have been added.
The second file had been placed over the middle sequence, starting off quiet, once the three begin to arrange the ritual the music gets louder. Not to the point it is that obvious, but just so it is there adding to the scene.
Then the third and final, adding tension to the last scene, a more ghostly vibe is given as Martin parts from the group to explore the strange noises further away.
Much happier with where the product is now, the official final draft is now on being exported ready to be uploaded onto YouTube and added onto this blog.
And that is that done!
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