Braedan Snow: The Camera by Peter Lewis The short film, The Camera appeared to be a simplistic and whimsical video in the beginning; the lighting was soft, the movements of the actress were playful, and the setting was calming. These were all visual cues that gave off a relaxed vibe until she found the camera in the abandoned house. The story quickly gained momentum and acquired a new feel--paranormal. Although the mood shifted the same playfulness of the video remained present. It is not until the very end of the short film until the story comes together; the video was dedicated to a woman who had died, presumably suicide. My whole outlook on the video had changed and it made me rethink some important cues I might had overlooked before. Putting the dedication at the end of the video makes the story much more impactful and sparks emotion in the viewers who had not gathered the meaning beforehand like me. The whole entirety of the film gains a new understanding and promotes a more serious tone to the piece that would not have been obtained otherwise.
In The Camera, The lighting was astounding and reliable all through the video. I think this may have been a test for the camera administrator since a great deal of the shots they taped were outside, in the sunlight. This implies they needed to keep the measure of light even and enduring, or else you could keep running into coherence issues. In spite of the fact that the lighting is truly decent, my most loved portion of this short film would need to be the cinematography. It's truly stunning! Indeed, even on a short spending plan, they figured out how to move truly smooth tracking and moving shots. They had loads of compositions and angles, and I particularly loved the over the shoulder shot of the abandoned house. I also liked how the screen went into a white shade quickly to demonstrate the flash of the camera. The visuals were extraordinary, however there weren't any dialogue but there were natural sounds. The natural sounds were heard while opening entryways and taking photographs. The vast majority of the sound was intentionally overwhelmed by piano music. The piano music that filled the video truly set the mood. It gave the video a sort of weird, frightening yet interesting atmosphere.
Azad Patel: The Camera is very unpretentious and yet mesmerizing story telling. There is no text in the acting but the film is full of subtexts and that is what makes it really good story. The direction cannot get easier. Music is exceedingly complementary to the direction and helps tell the story and, it separates the three parts of the storytelling the setup, the confrontation and the resolution. The light exposure could not have been any better, it sets the mood of the film very well. Depth of the field, used in the film with so familiarity to it, has sharpen the story and helps the audience emphasize the attention to the action. I personally liked the composition and camera work in general. Direction of the film is done in the ways that gives the right acceleration to the story and it synchronizes with the music in extra ordinarily manner. In the nutshell, the director was able to tell the untold story with good decency.
Kyle Heinze: The Camera by Peter Lewis I felt that Lewis did an outstanding job utilizing music, sound effects, and beautiful cinematography to tell his story. The lack of dialogue stood out to me immediately, because it emphasized the filmmaker's skill of being able to tell his story relying mostly on visuals. I found the plot to be original and clear, despite the lack of dialogue. I felt that the music was mesmerizing, setting the tone for the plot. The visuals and sounds of the film really play to the audience's emotions, pulling out feelings of surprise, love, joy, and adventure. I was pleasantly surprised when the plot did not take a twist into the horror drama, as it seems it very well could have. The girl's enthusiastic reaction to the appearance of the man in the photographs was comfortingly pleasant and peaceful. Finally, I felt that the lighting successfully served its purpose and thoroughly enhanced the beauty of the shots throughout the film.
Gabriel Carden: The Camera by Peter Lewis Lighting was the most apparent element I noticed when watching this short film. There wasn't a lot of contrast between light and dark areas. The film played as if it were happening before us and not on the screen through the use of natural light in and out of the house. The scene in the second bedroom, the light is so strong coming in from behind our protagonist that the window is completely washed out and our character almost glowing because of it. When she first enters the home I noticed how the shots ranged from MS to WS as we are pulled back to watch her enter the room and get a better feel for the space and what is around her. I noticed this as it could be taken as the reversal of the establishing shot, going from small to big instead of WS to MS. The music too played well, keeping the tone light and optimistic; a surprising twist for the usual course this premise tends to take. Lastly, I like how simplistic the shots were. There were no high angle or extreme close-ups (that I remember) which told me never to suspect something bad was going to happen. The filmmaker kept at least some space around his subject so as not to make the viewer feel closed in and suspect a jump or malicious occurrence.
Anthony Reed: The Camera by Peter Lewis This film is a textbook example of what we have been learning so far in class. The opening shot was an extreme wide shot to establish the the location. Throughout the film you can tell that Peter Lewis planned and executed all of the shot compositions very well. Even though the girl character is moving around a lot and breaks the frame a little he does a great job for most part keeping the girl framed in a way that is very pleasing on screen. I understand how difficult that must have been trying to film watching his subject while walking through sand and uneven terrain. He also does a great job using the rule of thirds method and depth of field in many scenes to give the film a nice artistic touch. Even though we were taught that framing a subject directly in the middle of the frame causes a forced plain look, it works in the scenes of the girl walking on the beach heading to the house. The use of the close ups of the girls feet walking and her hand opening the door help break up the scenes that could have come across as boring if it was just a wide shot following her all the way to the house. The lighting and music worked well together to convey to the viewer that when she took pictures of the ghost in the house that she was not in any danger. Her face was lit in most shots in a very soft warm way that presented a peacefulness and really brought out the details and color of her eyes. The final wide shot of the selfie picture on the ground overlooking beach leaves you with a sense of some type of closure for the girl that she found the guy (ghost) who seems to be a friend she lost. As a viewer it left me to wonder what happened to the girl after she took the last picture but was never seen after that. My overall opinion was that this film was very well done!
This short film had many different aspects that made it great and really enjoyable. A couple that I noticed were the lighting, the shots, and the music. The natural light coming from the scenes on the beach were great and made each shot look perfect. When filming the scenes in the house there were a lot of extreme close ups which helped make the film more intriguing for the viewer. Instead of just watching the girl we got to see shots of the camera and the pictures. Also the music in the film went perfectly with the flow of the scenes. The tempo got quicker when the first polaroid popped out and there was a man in the photo- initially making me feel frightened. Because of the music I had a feeling of ease after that first shot like it was a good thing for the girl to be seeing that boy in those photos.
It's refreshing to see a light-hearted, almost playful paranormal drama amid a cinematic culture rife with dark, gritty retellings of everything. This short has all the elements of a horror film, and yet is told as a light, poignant drama. It contains several horror tropes: an attractive female protagonist, a camera that sees ghosts, an isolated setting, and even a real-world tragedy as inspiration. However, these somewhat hackneyed cliches are each given a childlike spin. The camera sees a ghost, but it's just a boy sitting comfortably on a bed. The setting is isolated, but the characters freely roam the beach outside before and after they enter the cabin, dispelling any claustrophobic sentiment. There is a correlated real world tragedy revealed just before the credits, but our protagonist has just left the world to join the boy in the camera of her own accord, departing this world to play forever on an infinite sandy beach, waiting to be joined by the next curious photographer. The playfully adventurous tone is further verified and set by the aesthetically pleasing composition, bright colors, and low-contrast lighting. Even the setting, which is more a beach than an isolated cabin, is a place reserved for play. The dedication's placement at the end of the film allows the film to set the tone of the girl's death, rather than vice versa. All in all, the short is a beautiful, poignant send-off and a celebration of a human's life, rather than a sorrowful mourning of their death.
From the beginning, the use of natural lighting really help with the entire look of the short film. Its contrast in light and dark shadows was balanced out and nothing seems to overpower. Its setting of the isolation from the cabin felt like being stuck in time. The camera is the symbol of letting go, especially when she ran to the beach and took the last picture. The use of the piano was great in the sense of really going through the flow of the story, beginning, middle, and end. Along without the use of dialogue, the message was clear on how the character was feeling. Facial expressions and body language was the key in understanding the message. Her childlike nature over the camera, finding something "new" and "shiny" and wanting it all to yourself, but in the end understanding that it has to be left go. Overall, Lewis's short film gave a sense of closure to whom this was dedicated to rather than harping on the fact this person is no longer. Instead of just dwelling on the hurt, with the camera, it's better to capture those memories. knowing that the person is always there with you.
Miranda Fulmore: The Camera by Peter Lewis This short was so intriguing. A combination of the story line, music and even the low close up shots of feet to move the scene forward all helped tie the short together. However, my favorite aspect of the short is when she found out that she could use the camera and the act of taking pictures to see the guy who was also in the room with her. I'll be honest and was not expecting that at all. I became even more intrigued in the story line when the scene cut from her pulling the picture out of the Polaroid camera and then to the shot of the picture and he suddenly appeared in it.
The setting of the beach was perfect for the story because the final shot of the open sea shows how big the world can be and how lost someone can feel sometimes. However, it was incredibly interesting when the short finished and they played the credits. I immediately noticed the credit of "Dedicated to Emily Roe 1988-2011." Naturally, I wanted to short to continue on because it was not only well shot but the story line was very interesting. However, I feel like the credit dedicating it to Emily allowed the viewers to not necessarily continue watching the short but instead allowed the viewers who were interested to learn more about the story line and who Emily was.
Of course, I wanted to learn more about who Emily exactly was. I did a google search and came across a few links including a blog post from 2011. Here is the link: http://marylynnbee.blogspot.com/2011/10/emily-elizabeth-roe.html The blog further explained that Emily was a young woman, only 23, who took her own life. I learned from other commenters on the blog that she lived in Virginia, struggled with an eating disorder for a portion of her life, sometimes went by Emmy, and was very loved and missed by many. The more research I did the more blogs and posts I found from different people talking about Emily's death and the battle with her eating disorder. My understanding is that there was a close nit community that Emily was a part of and they all shared the focus of the struggles that come with eating disorders.
The short was a beautiful piece of work not only because of the way it was shot or the storyline, but more importantly of what the short was based on. The ending scene of the girl taking the picture, disappearing and the open ocean really does makes me think that they are trying to play on Emily's feelings of loneliness. It is sad, but also reminded me that you never know what someone is going through.
Sam Flowers : The Camera by Peter Lewis This was much different than "La Jeteé in almost every way. I enjoyed this film because the lighting was almost as perfect as it can get, and there were crisp and clear shots throughout. I enjoyed the way it told the story without words too. This home must have been some kind of childhood or vacation spot she had with sweet memories, and I thought that the camera was the perfect catalyst to show the audience what the beach and this house really meant to her. I also thought the beginning built things up very well. For the first couple of minutes I was afraid it was just going to be her walking on the beach. But, I think the purpose of being all the characters in the camera was because she is not as happy with her life now as she once was and when she took the picture and disappeared in the end, I think this was showing all of us that the memories she had at this beach is what made her the person that she was.
Nick Stellon: The Camera by Peter Lewis The Camera is an interesting film. It's apparent that it was done on a low budget. Perhaps even as a student film, yet it feels complete. It has the basic cinematic elements (proper composition, a good score, great editing) that make it feel worth watching, yet the shoot was most likely simple. One location, a single prop, and two actors make it look as though anyone could have made it. But it is the unique story which elevates the film to what it is. When you combine the basic standards of filmmaking with an excellent story, it is possible for anyone to make a film like this. The story is touching, and needs no dialogue, which speaks to the director's use of visual language. It makes the audience feel a certain emotion, which is something many can struggle with. And even though it has no words, the story is very well written, choosing which shots to piece together. Overall, I thought this short film was more inspirational than anything, because it shows how anyone can make a great film, it just takes a basic understanding of filmmaking, and a great story.
Alex Hubbard: The Camera by Peter Lewis The first thing that I noticed in the film was its simplicity. The girl is wearing earthy colors, no shoes, and her hair and makeup is not meant to distract. She is a part of this world, a part of the earth with its natural beauty. The opening XWS exemplifies her isolation. We get to see where she is, and that she is totally alone. She is not put off by being alone, she is a part of the nature, exploring and unafraid of the isolation. In these shots everything is open, the world is not a mystery. Even when she first enters the abandoned house, it is not a scary horror film with the unknowingness of what lies beyond the door. The brightness and music keeps the film from going in that direction. It keeps the viewer interested, but calm, not letting you focus on the anxiety of the unknown. The use of the MWS when she enters the room, even with the darkness until the light from the door fills the space, keeps you calm. No lurking figures, no surprises, no secrets, just open and unadulterated space. She is alone and surrounded by empty furniture in an empty house, but at least she is in an enclosed space. The isolation is lessened due to the house and furniture surrounding her, but it is still present. The first hint of mystery the viewer feels is when the camera focuses on the cracked door upstairs. It is the first shot where our view is obstructed. This shot tells the viewer whatever is hidden in that room is of importance. It is the first possible secret, "what lies beyond that door?" It is the first shot where not everything is open and known. The shot is also paired with a specific low note in the music. The inconsistency in the music, with the low note, as well as the dark obstructed view of the room outside the door are pair together to insist the importance of the room's contents. When she enters the room, the viewer still does not see a WS of the room, the frames are keeping us trained in and focused on her and the chest. The viewer sees some of the room when the camera switches to the MS. The girl is framed in the center with twin beds on both sides. The frame is still keeping us focused on the girl and the chest. The light shining in through the window illuminates the importance of the chest and the girl, making them stand out in the center of the frame. The contents of the chest are revealed, a single camera sits at the bottom of the box. Similar to the opening shot, we see a girl alone in nature. Here, we see a camera alone in a box. They are one in the same. The mystery of the room has been revealed, or so the viewer suspects. The true mystery comes to light when the boy appears in the photo, but not in the space. The changes in the music and the alternating quickness of the girl taking Polaroids drastically changes the mood of the film. The shots began slow, as she is cautious taking pictures of the mystery man. Then they begin to get faster, yet playful. The brightness of the music, the girl's smiles, and the multiple photos she takes gives the film a joyful overtone. Then, the shots become faster and more urgent when she cannot find the boy. Instead of the photos coming out of joy, they fly out of desperation. The first intense dolly-shot is of her running, emphasizing the intense desperation of her chasing the boy. When she reaches the beach, the viewer gets a sense of déjà vu with the XWS of the girl alone on the beach. We have not seen a shot like this since the beginning of the film, the confines of the house had lessened this feeling of isolation for the past few minutes. Closing in on the girl, the smile on her face, and the last picture she takes springs hope in the viewer. Closing in on her face takes away the extreme sense of isolation while she takes her final picture. The music coming to a close gives the film a sense of ease and closure. The beach stands in isolation, empty. It ends with a XCU of the last photo she took, the very first image the viewer sees of two people in the frame at the same time. She is no longer alone.
Awwww. This sure was a sweet little short, although if I found a magical camera that showed a strange boy if this empty room with me, I think I would be terrified, no matter how cute he looked. The design choices in this movie were all very harmonious in created a single, sustained mood. Of course the framing was always crystal-clear and the story was told very fluently, but the set design, costumes and especially sound-design all contributed to giving the whole thing a sweet, nostalgic, dream-like feel, from the opening shots of the girl walking aimlessly through the grass, to the ending shot of the photo on the sand. Additionally, the use of color was brilliant. The soft, warm, slightly washed-out tones kept the story feeling non-threatening as opposed to scary, and the music, original or not, was perfectly chosen and implemented. There were a few choices in shot composition I found particularly effective, such as the slow reveal of the camera in the box, or the increasing pace as the shots began turning up empty. All told, a perfectly told, sweet little story. (Although what exactly happened to her?? She's in the other world now, so is she dead? If it's just like our world, how did he see her? Doesn't matter; good film.)
Gretchen Franz: The Camera by Peter Lewis Music is most effective in this film for developing tone and overall feeling. As the film opens, it seems serene. However, as the girl takes the first picture with the polaroid, the music becomes more ominous and leads the audience to be concerned and curious. Also contributing to this feeling is that fact the you cannot see the figure’s face in the polaroid and cannot determine his intentions. In the two following shots, as the figure’s smiling face is shown, the music falls into a whimsical, melancholy, yet hopeful tone. Since the girl seems happy to see him, the audience is forced to question what their history and relationship is. As the girl keeps taking pictures and finds that the boy is no longer with her, the music takes on a more determined, concerned tone, which is supported by the rapid transition between shots. Finally, the music changes one last time as the thought of taking a picture of herself enters her mind. Her disappearance after the photo is taken leads us to ask if her brother disappeared the same way, and if they are in some other dimension together. Two other elements that I noticed in the film was that the opening titled showed as the girl opened to door to the beach cottage, which seemed to symbolize the story starting. Additionally, every time she took a photo, the shot transition was a flash of white, which contributed to the illusion of a camera flash.
Ella Oprandy: The Camera by Peter Lewis I was really impressed with the way Lewis was able to execute such a creative idea so simply, with only a couple of actors and no real crew though I did think the first minute of the film could have been reduced to 20 or 30 seconds. I was pleasantly surprised that the girl didn’t dwell too much on the supernatural quality of the camera. She seemed to take it in stride and become curious rather than afraid. I liked that Lewis didn’t feel the need to explain how the camera got that way or why this particular person was experiencing it. I think this was one of the things that kept the film so light, as well as Lewis's utilization of soft lighting and his original piano score, and why I didn't expect but was pleased to see that this film was dedicated to someone's memory. I was also struck by the way this film was edited, particularly Lewis's choice to cut abruptly to black with the film's title and then fade into the shot of the girl opening the door to the beach house as well as the pace of the shots of the girl running down the path to the beach.
John Anderson: The Camera by Peter Lewis The natural lighting created a beautifully realistic beach evening atmosphere. The airy, high key tone suggested a playful innocence and curiosity at the beginning of the film, when the young woman was shown on a beach, investigating a beach house. The key of the music also drives the light mood of the film. The mood slightly changes as the girl moves in the empty house & discovers the mysterious camera. Once the audience sees the first photograph with the man appearing, it feels almost paranormal at first. As the girl is discovering this mysterious camera brings back happy memories, the music tempo and cutting tempo pick up, showing excitement in the young woman. She chases the memories outside onto the beach, and as the audience learns this film is dedicated to a woman who died young, we might infer that this young woman in the film represents the young woman who this film is dedicated to. Even though the men in the photographs seemed like ghosts at first, perhaps it is the young woman who is the ghost and the men in the photos were loved ones she left behind after her death. I think this film did an excellent job of highlighting the joyful, youthful innocence living in the young woman, while dealing with a story that is rather dark, having to do with death and old memories.
Kat Flandermeyer- The Camera Technically this film was solid. It leaned a little too heavy on centered shots, but it worked for the style of the film. The shot where the girl opens the dark trunk against the gold light in the curtains was an example of where it did work exceptionally well. It mostly used level shots to keep us in the space of the girl, and not feel like an outsider to her experience. There was only glaring match-on-action error, where she scales the stairs. In one shot she pauses at the top, but in the next she's not done climbing. The lighting and color toning was exceptional, especially for a difficult time of the day. Plot-wise I had more issues. The film told us very little. Who is this girl? Why does she come to the beach barefoot with no water? She seems unbothered by the appearance of the boy in the pictures; why? I know it was trying to be whimsical, but her reaction to every occurence was with the same kind of flat enthusiasm. She had no shift in reaction to seeing a ghost in her camera. And the open ending left the film with even more questions.
The beginning is very interesting as we get various type of shots in the opening scene, varying from a close-up of her feet to full body shots.
We see even more types of shots while she is exploring the house. We get fully body shots, bust shots, and more close-ups. The shots are nicely used as she makes her way to the chest containing the camera.
As the short continues, she begins taking pictures around the house. We see the camera follow her every movement as she tries to capture the "people" that are showing up in her pictures.
The use of shots in this film were beautifully put together. I really enjoyed how it was taking us through our characters journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
Alex Harris - The Camera The film was very pleasant. The editing was nicely paced. We as the viewer were given enough time in each area or room to get a feel for it, but not dwelling on the areas for too long. One thing I enjoyed was a readiness to shift to a "first-person" perspective. While most films cut from shots of a character looking at an object to a closer shot of the object itself, there are few times where the shot is in a true "first-person". It is a more unique way of conveying not only information about what the subject is seeing, but also the presence the filmmaker wants the object to have. The shot selection in the early shots was also very interesting as they focused on the feet of the subject. In most cases I would see that as a way of focusing on the journey rather than the destination, and upon reaching the house the shots move away from the movement and settle on the story unfolding. Overall, I really liked the film. Its choice of music and setting were superb. The sad thing about it is that due to the way short films and movies have gone as of late, I spent my first viewing expecting some dark or sad twist. Luckily for me, it never came.
Kristin Whitely-The Camera by Peter Lewis Peter Lewis’s short film, “The Camera” is an amazing film. I must say, this short film is very mysteries. For some strange reason, at the beginning, my initial thought was that it was a horror film. There were numerous camera placements throughout the film such as the Extreme-wide shot, close up, Med. Close up, Medium shot, and Extreme Close up. The choice of lighting seemed very natural. The music was somewhat a simple mysterious ballot, which is usually heard in horror and dramatic films. I believe Lewis choice in music was intentionally made to allow the audience to fill, makeup speculations, and emerge into their own conclusions toward the end. Overall, I believe Lewis’s film will influence filmmakers to think outside the box and create unique works of art.
Sam Sheriff: The Camera by Peter Lewis was very interesting to me. I loved that there was no dialogue and that the story was only told through the visual. Except it wasn't only told through the visual; the score also completely influenced the audience's interpretation. I realized while watching this film that had the score been just slightly different, most all of the same shots could have been used, but instead of being a whimsical fantasy story, it would have been seen as a horror film. Especially in the beginning when the girl is going to first pick up the camera, if the music had been more ominous, I at least would have interpreted the camera as being some forbidden thing that was drawing her in. Even the ending could have been seen as horror. The girl is smiling yes, but with different music I think that we could be lead to believe that she had been somehow seduced by the draw of the camera and then trapped in its world. At face value, the idea of taking a selfie and then being taken from this world into another is fairly frightening. I think that this film was very well made and that it did achieve its thematic goals, but it is very interesting to realize just how important and influential a score (a simple one at that) can be.
The best part of this film was the manipulation of natural sound to bring realism to the audience. With the addition of natural sound, the audience could almost feel like they were there. Music also helped set the tone of the film from the very beginning. I felt that I was going to get this mysterious vibe. As someone who enjoyed the short film, my key moment came at the end. It was an ending that I could appreciate putting the 2 actors together in their "supernatural" world.
Madison Naves: The camera by Peter Lewis was a much better watch than the first movie. I liked the music which added to the story by helping set a tone and mood in shots. By creating as sense of sadness in some scenes and happiness and joy in others. the only thing with the music that confused me was at the beginning when she first finds the camera and begins taking pictures, the music is very dramatic and made me think the movie was going to be scary or something horrifying was going to happen. this was in a way a good idea by Lewis since it created a motive to keep watching for the audience "to see what happens next" and figure out where the story is going. one of my favorite shots in the movie was at the end when we watch the girl is taking a picture of herself, because i liked the way the camera panned around her and the camera to show her joy of having figured out this was a way to reconnect with the boy who kept appearing in her pictures. this story was a sweet and touching story that i think did its job very well by displaying what it wanted to and making it exciting for the audience to watch as well.
Ben Boynton: I thought the framing and shot composition of this film were very good. Shots that in particular stood out to me were the ones of the girl's footprints in the sand and the over the shoulder shot of the house when she first saw it. I think the music worked really well with the variety of shots included and helped set the tone and pace of the film. There was no dialogue but the emotions displayed by the girl and the music combined with the different looks we were given to tell me exactly what I needed to know. I do question the sanity of the girl by not running as soon as she saw a boy that wasn't there appearing in her pictures, but in terms of actual movie making logic, I thought the director did a good job of showing her curiosity and attempts to connect with him. I also liked how the picture would be brought into the shot on the first few pictures as an almost overlay over the background. Overall, I thought the concept/idea was pretty neat, and the way the director Peter Lewis showed what he wanted with framing, music, and shot composition led to an interesting short film.
MacKenzie Winters: I noticed many things about this short film that led to my enjoyment of it. Firstly, I thought that Lewis did a great job with the music. Considering there was no talking, the music truly narrated the story and subconsciously told the viewer how to feel. It was also evident that Lewis planned his shots carefully and executed them well. A lot of people are hesitant about using too many close ups, but Lewis’s use of them was a key part of the storytelling in this film. Lastly, the ending dedication changed my view on the whole video. I actually went back and watched it a second time in this new context, and it definitely made the story more impactful and emotional. I really did enjoy this film.
Virginia Nobles: Okay so a few questions. I know it is not the point, but does she know whose house that is or did she just walk into a random house and start taking pictures of a ghost? Did she know the ghost boy? Anyway, I think the lighting and camera angles were wonderful. The lighting made it very a little eerie but in the most calming way possible and the music choice really complimented that. As the video played, I couldn't help but wonder how many takes that had to do since she took so many pictures and the pictures came out different than what she actually took while they were shooting. I really liked the scene where she was running on the porch towards the beach and the camera man followed her feet as she was running. That was a nice touch. It seemed to have nice continuity throughout and I think the overall message was sweet. While reading the credits, and dedication, I couldn't help but wonder who Emily Roe was to Peter Lewis. But overall, I liked this short film much more than the one we watched last week.
Chris O'Connor: The Camera by Peter Lewis The thing that stood out to me most in this film was the music composition. Since there was no dialogue, Lewis was able to convey the meaning and tone through the score. The roller coaster of emotion imposed on the viewer is created through the music. Also, the use of natural lighting keeps every scene fairly bright without a lot of contrast. The camera's movements with the girl as she bounces from room to room are shot seamlessly and make the scenes flow eloquently. The plot of the film seemed fairly basic and one-dimensional but this allowed for Lewis to show off his filmmaking skills.
Nicole Nelson: The Camera by Peter Lewis was a great short film. I really enjoyed the audio in the film because it added to the girl's emotions as she walks through the house. At first I though this film was going to be suspenseful when she takes her first picture but after watching it all the way through I began to notice the meaningful message behind the story. Each shot did a great job with sense of direction and the close ups really defined the emotion the girl was expressing at the time of each shot. Overall I really enjoyed watching this film.
Justin LaSor: The Camera by Peter Lewis I actually really enjoyed this short film. I loved how the music help set the tone of each scene and even helped drive the plot. The music changed from a soft melodic sound, which gave the scene a peaceful and serene feel, to a more intensified tone which helped set the feeling of a sort of desperation at times. This stuck out the most to me due to the fact that there was no dialogue needed to set the feeling of the story. The camera work as well helped immerse the viewer into the scene. It was very fluid and the different shots and angles really added to the overall feeling. Being able to tell such a meaningful story this way is truly astounding and shows off the talent of Peter Lewis.
Dylan Milinkovich: The Camera by Peter Lewis The short film had a sense of just awe about it. From the soft movements of the actress to the lighthearted music playing in the background the film had my attention throughout. I liked the shot from her perspective of slowly looking into the chest at the camera. This shows that the camera, besides the title itself) is established as a key symbol in the film. After that, the film picked up a little bit as she takes pictures and notices a strange phenomenon with the results and tries to figure out its purpose. It seems a little more urgent as the music speeds up just a little bit and the shot of her close up shows her eyes wandering across the room looking around. Overall I really enjoyed the film and left wondering throughout.
Keri Drake: The Camera by Peter Lewis In this production, Lewis did a great job when it came to planning the scenery of the shots. The music goes so well with the story he is trying to tell with this scenes of the production. The character he chose to be the star of this did so well with her acting and her facial expressions are everything you could want out of someone playing this type of role. She was full of so many emotions, which is obviously what this piece is based on. The title of this piece begins to make so much sense towards the middle of the film, as if when she takes pictures they bring back the memories she shared in this house. This short film is the type that will keep your attention, it was not too over the top nor was it too boring. Walking her go from place to place kept me interested in what would happen next. The shot composition was great, the lighting was perfect. The story was beautiful, in remembrance of her brother I am assuming since it was a younger picture of him in the middle then he appeared in the last picture of her in the ending. The director did a wonderful job overall in my opinion, especially when it came down to choosing a title of this short film, and going in depth of the purpose of it.
Mason Camp: The Camera by Peter Lewis This short film was unique in many ways. From the camera movement, Music, and cues everything was very tastefully done. At first I didn't really understand what was going on or which direction of the film was going in. The music really helped me figure out the mood or vibe of the film. The music changes and the camera movement starts to change when the girl finds the old abandoned house. In the abandoned house the girl finds a camera. When discovering the camera in the house the mood changed especially when she takes her first picture with it. The music and camera direction and especially the close up really did a good job displaying the emotion taking place in this film.
Peyton Wilkins: The Camera by Peter Lewis The first thing most people would pick up on in this short film is the excellent use of soft, natural lighting. The beach scene is peaceful and puts the viewer at ease with the calm breeze and seagulls singing in the distance. The last place I would expect this girl to go would be a dark abandoned house. You would expect the mood to turn eerie as she climbed the stairs, but the music counters that feeling. Throughout the entire film, I was expecting it to turn into a horror movie. The fact that it didn't surprises me and I am impressed with the director's work. This film is certainly unique.
Katy Hale: The Camera by Peter Lewis This short film, The Camera, was beautifully put together. In relation to our first project, this is a prime example of a short narrative film without dialogue, but still maintains an easy story line from start to finish. This film gave off a very calm and relaxed vibe which was really enjoyable. The subject was calm and at ease, and so was the story line. The lighting in this film was very soft, but was perfectly set to match the tone of the film. I enjoyed the close up shots of the camera because it showed the significance of the film. The camera in this film, shares the same meaning and importance to the keys in our first project. I really enjoyed this film and I thought it was very well put together, and was very easy to understand from the viewers stand point.
Tyler Mcilwain: In The Camera by Peter Lewis each shot flows together very well and tells a story. Each shot has a very warm feel throughout the short film and we find that the warmness in each shot is due to the narrative arch of the story. Unlike our next assignment, there are no words in this film. No interviews or explanatory narration. This was a great example of character progression through a short narrative. No matter how big or small the character task, it is important to capture every shot perfectly to not only match stylistically but to give audience a clear prospective of what is unfolding int he scene.
Jordan Williams: To start off , in "The Camera" by Peter Lewis was fantastic. This piece really had an organized flow which helped the idea come to life. The b-roll was fantastic and not all over the place which especially helped the mystery of why she went to this house. The introduction of the camera in the bedroom was really a window to opening up what the purpose of the camera. When she first snaps a picture of the room and sees the human that is apparently "not there", this tells the viewer a variety of ways to perceive what happened. As the story continues, you see that this camera was a way for the protagonist to visit a nostalgia that she was familiar with and maybe even a person who she cared about that passed. As she takes the final picture of her and the guy appearing in the photo, you see that there was a capturing moment where the camera literally captures her to be with the guy which also leaves a question of " Did she go with the guy?" The Camera by Peter Lewis is a film that makes you think. The visual storytelling was on point and everything made the story flow nicely. Great film!
Braedan Snow: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThe short film, The Camera appeared to be a simplistic and whimsical video in the beginning; the lighting was soft, the movements of the actress were playful, and the setting was calming. These were all visual cues that gave off a relaxed vibe until she found the camera in the abandoned house. The story quickly gained momentum and acquired a new feel--paranormal. Although the mood shifted the same playfulness of the video remained present. It is not until the very end of the short film until the story comes together; the video was dedicated to a woman who had died, presumably suicide. My whole outlook on the video had changed and it made me rethink some important cues I might had overlooked before. Putting the dedication at the end of the video makes the story much more impactful and sparks emotion in the viewers who had not gathered the meaning beforehand like me. The whole entirety of the film gains a new understanding and promotes a more serious tone to the piece that would not have been obtained otherwise.
In The Camera, The lighting was astounding and reliable all through the video. I think this may have been a test for the camera administrator since a great deal of the shots they taped were outside, in the sunlight. This implies they needed to keep the measure of light even and enduring, or else you could keep running into coherence issues. In spite of the fact that the lighting is truly decent, my most loved portion of this short film would need to be the cinematography. It's truly stunning! Indeed, even on a short spending plan, they figured out how to move truly smooth tracking and moving shots. They had loads of compositions and angles, and I particularly loved the over the shoulder shot of the abandoned house. I also liked how the screen went into a white shade quickly to demonstrate the flash of the camera. The visuals were extraordinary, however there weren't any dialogue but there were natural sounds. The natural sounds were heard while opening entryways and taking photographs. The vast majority of the sound was intentionally overwhelmed by piano music. The piano music that filled the video truly set the mood. It gave the video a sort of weird, frightening yet interesting atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteAzad Patel: The Camera is very unpretentious and yet mesmerizing story telling. There is no text in the acting but the film is full of subtexts and that is what makes it really good story. The direction cannot get easier. Music is exceedingly complementary to the direction and helps tell the story and, it separates the three parts of the storytelling the setup, the confrontation and the resolution. The light exposure could not have been any better, it sets the mood of the film very well. Depth of the field, used in the film with so familiarity to it, has sharpen the story and helps the audience emphasize the attention to the action. I personally liked the composition and camera work in general. Direction of the film is done in the ways that gives the right acceleration to the story and it synchronizes with the music in extra ordinarily manner. In the nutshell, the director was able to tell the untold story with good decency.
ReplyDeleteKyle Heinze: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteI felt that Lewis did an outstanding job utilizing music, sound effects, and beautiful cinematography to tell his story. The lack of dialogue stood out to me immediately, because it emphasized the filmmaker's skill of being able to tell his story relying mostly on visuals. I found the plot to be original and clear, despite the lack of dialogue. I felt that the music was mesmerizing, setting the tone for the plot. The visuals and sounds of the film really play to the audience's emotions, pulling out feelings of surprise, love, joy, and adventure. I was pleasantly surprised when the plot did not take a twist into the horror drama, as it seems it very well could have. The girl's enthusiastic reaction to the appearance of the man in the photographs was comfortingly pleasant and peaceful. Finally, I felt that the lighting successfully served its purpose and thoroughly enhanced the beauty of the shots throughout the film.
Gabriel Carden: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteLighting was the most apparent element I noticed when watching this short film. There wasn't a lot of contrast between light and dark areas. The film played as if it were happening before us and not on the screen through the use of natural light in and out of the house. The scene in the second bedroom, the light is so strong coming in from behind our protagonist that the window is completely washed out and our character almost glowing because of it. When she first enters the home I noticed how the shots ranged from MS to WS as we are pulled back to watch her enter the room and get a better feel for the space and what is around her. I noticed this as it could be taken as the reversal of the establishing shot, going from small to big instead of WS to MS. The music too played well, keeping the tone light and optimistic; a surprising twist for the usual course this premise tends to take. Lastly, I like how simplistic the shots were. There were no high angle or extreme close-ups (that I remember) which told me never to suspect something bad was going to happen. The filmmaker kept at least some space around his subject so as not to make the viewer feel closed in and suspect a jump or malicious occurrence.
Anthony Reed: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThis film is a textbook example of what we have been learning so far in class. The opening shot was an extreme wide shot to establish the the location. Throughout the film you can tell that Peter Lewis planned and executed all of the shot compositions very well. Even though the girl character is moving around a lot and breaks the frame a little he does a great job for most part keeping the girl framed in a way that is very pleasing on screen. I understand how difficult that must have been trying to film watching his subject while walking through sand and uneven terrain. He also does a great job using the rule of thirds method and depth of field in many scenes to give the film a nice artistic touch. Even though we were taught that framing a subject directly in the middle of the frame causes a forced plain look, it works in the scenes of the girl walking on the beach heading to the house. The use of the close ups of the girls feet walking and her hand opening the door help break up the scenes that could have come across as boring if it was just a wide shot following her all the way to the house. The lighting and music worked well together to convey to the viewer that when she took pictures of the ghost in the house that she was not in any danger. Her face was lit in most shots in a very soft warm way that presented a peacefulness and really brought out the details and color of her eyes. The final wide shot of the selfie picture on the ground overlooking beach leaves you with a sense of some type of closure for the girl that she found the guy (ghost) who seems to be a friend she lost. As a viewer it left me to wonder what happened to the girl after she took the last picture but was never seen after that. My overall opinion was that this film was very well done!
Kelsey Peterson: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThis short film had many different aspects that made it great and really enjoyable. A couple that I noticed were the lighting, the shots, and the music. The natural light coming from the scenes on the beach were great and made each shot look perfect. When filming the scenes in the house there were a lot of extreme close ups which helped make the film more intriguing for the viewer. Instead of just watching the girl we got to see shots of the camera and the pictures. Also the music in the film went perfectly with the flow of the scenes. The tempo got quicker when the first polaroid popped out and there was a man in the photo- initially making me feel frightened. Because of the music I had a feeling of ease after that first shot like it was a good thing for the girl to be seeing that boy in those photos.
It's refreshing to see a light-hearted, almost playful paranormal drama amid a cinematic culture rife with dark, gritty retellings of everything. This short has all the elements of a horror film, and yet is told as a light, poignant drama. It contains several horror tropes: an attractive female protagonist, a camera that sees ghosts, an isolated setting, and even a real-world tragedy as inspiration. However, these somewhat hackneyed cliches are each given a childlike spin. The camera sees a ghost, but it's just a boy sitting comfortably on a bed. The setting is isolated, but the characters freely roam the beach outside before and after they enter the cabin, dispelling any claustrophobic sentiment. There is a correlated real world tragedy revealed just before the credits, but our protagonist has just left the world to join the boy in the camera of her own accord, departing this world to play forever on an infinite sandy beach, waiting to be joined by the next curious photographer. The playfully adventurous tone is further verified and set by the aesthetically pleasing composition, bright colors, and low-contrast lighting. Even the setting, which is more a beach than an isolated cabin, is a place reserved for play. The dedication's placement at the end of the film allows the film to set the tone of the girl's death, rather than vice versa. All in all, the short is a beautiful, poignant send-off and a celebration of a human's life, rather than a sorrowful mourning of their death.
ReplyDeleteKarenya Garrett: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning, the use of natural lighting really help with the entire look of the short film. Its contrast in light and dark shadows was balanced out and nothing seems to overpower. Its setting of the isolation from the cabin felt like being stuck in time. The camera is the symbol of letting go, especially when she ran to the beach and took the last picture. The use of the piano was great in the sense of really going through the flow of the story, beginning, middle, and end. Along without the use of dialogue, the message was clear on how the character was feeling. Facial expressions and body language was the key in understanding the message. Her childlike nature over the camera, finding something "new" and "shiny" and wanting it all to yourself, but in the end understanding that it has to be left go. Overall, Lewis's short film gave a sense of closure to whom this was dedicated to rather than harping on the fact this person is no longer. Instead of just dwelling on the hurt, with the camera, it's better to capture those memories. knowing that the person is always there with you.
Miranda Fulmore: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThis short was so intriguing. A combination of the story line, music and even the low close up shots of feet to move the scene forward all helped tie the short together. However, my favorite aspect of the short is when she found out that she could use the camera and the act of taking pictures to see the guy who was also in the room with her. I'll be honest and was not expecting that at all. I became even more intrigued in the story line when the scene cut from her pulling the picture out of the Polaroid camera and then to the shot of the picture and he suddenly appeared in it.
The setting of the beach was perfect for the story because the final shot of the open sea shows how big the world can be and how lost someone can feel sometimes. However, it was incredibly interesting when the short finished and they played the credits. I immediately noticed the credit of "Dedicated to Emily Roe 1988-2011." Naturally, I wanted to short to continue on because it was not only well shot but the story line was very interesting. However, I feel like the credit dedicating it to Emily allowed the viewers to not necessarily continue watching the short but instead allowed the viewers who were interested to learn more about the story line and who Emily was.
Of course, I wanted to learn more about who Emily exactly was. I did a google search and came across a few links including a blog post from 2011. Here is the link: http://marylynnbee.blogspot.com/2011/10/emily-elizabeth-roe.html
The blog further explained that Emily was a young woman, only 23, who took her own life. I learned from other commenters on the blog that she lived in Virginia, struggled with an eating disorder for a portion of her life, sometimes went by Emmy, and was very loved and missed by many. The more research I did the more blogs and posts I found from different people talking about Emily's death and the battle with her eating disorder. My understanding is that there was a close nit community that Emily was a part of and they all shared the focus of the struggles that come with eating disorders.
The short was a beautiful piece of work not only because of the way it was shot or the storyline, but more importantly of what the short was based on. The ending scene of the girl taking the picture, disappearing and the open ocean really does makes me think that they are trying to play on Emily's feelings of loneliness. It is sad, but also reminded me that you never know what someone is going through.
Sam Flowers : The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThis was much different than "La Jeteé in almost every way. I enjoyed this film because the lighting was almost as perfect as it can get, and there were crisp and clear shots throughout. I enjoyed the way it told the story without words too. This home must have been some kind of childhood or vacation spot she had with sweet memories, and I thought that the camera was the perfect catalyst to show the audience what the beach and this house really meant to her. I also thought the beginning built things up very well. For the first couple of minutes I was afraid it was just going to be her walking on the beach. But, I think the purpose of being all the characters in the camera was because she is not as happy with her life now as she once was and when she took the picture and disappeared in the end, I think this was showing all of us that the memories she had at this beach is what made her the person that she was.
Nick Stellon: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThe Camera is an interesting film. It's apparent that it was done on a low budget. Perhaps even as a student film, yet it feels complete. It has the basic cinematic elements (proper composition, a good score, great editing) that make it feel worth watching, yet the shoot was most likely simple. One location, a single prop, and two actors make it look as though anyone could have made it. But it is the unique story which elevates the film to what it is. When you combine the basic standards of filmmaking with an excellent story, it is possible for anyone to make a film like this. The story is touching, and needs no dialogue, which speaks to the director's use of visual language. It makes the audience feel a certain emotion, which is something many can struggle with. And even though it has no words, the story is very well written, choosing which shots to piece together. Overall, I thought this short film was more inspirational than anything, because it shows how anyone can make a great film, it just takes a basic understanding of filmmaking, and a great story.
Alex Hubbard: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that I noticed in the film was its simplicity. The girl is wearing earthy colors, no shoes, and her hair and makeup is not meant to distract.
She is a part of this world, a part of the earth with its natural beauty.
The opening XWS exemplifies her isolation. We get to see where she is, and that she is totally alone. She is not put off by being alone, she is a part of the nature, exploring and unafraid of the isolation.
In these shots everything is open, the world is not a mystery.
Even when she first enters the abandoned house, it is not a scary horror film with the unknowingness of what lies beyond the door. The brightness and music keeps the film from going in that direction. It keeps the viewer interested, but calm, not letting you focus on the anxiety of the unknown.
The use of the MWS when she enters the room, even with the darkness until the light from the door fills the space, keeps you calm. No lurking figures, no surprises, no secrets, just open and unadulterated space. She is alone and surrounded by empty furniture in an empty house, but at least she is in an enclosed space. The isolation is lessened due to the house and furniture surrounding her, but it is still present.
The first hint of mystery the viewer feels is when the camera focuses on the cracked door upstairs. It is the first shot where our view is obstructed. This shot tells the viewer whatever is hidden in that room is of importance. It is the first possible secret, "what lies beyond that door?" It is the first shot where not everything is open and known. The shot is also paired with a specific low note in the music. The inconsistency in the music, with the low note, as well as the dark obstructed view of the room outside the door are pair together to insist the importance of the room's contents.
When she enters the room, the viewer still does not see a WS of the room, the frames are keeping us trained in and focused on her and the chest.
The viewer sees some of the room when the camera switches to the MS. The girl is framed in the center with twin beds on both sides. The frame is still keeping us focused on the girl and the chest. The light shining in through the window illuminates the importance of the chest and the girl, making them stand out in the center of the frame.
The contents of the chest are revealed, a single camera sits at the bottom of the box. Similar to the opening shot, we see a girl alone in nature. Here, we see a camera alone in a box. They are one in the same.
The mystery of the room has been revealed, or so the viewer suspects. The true mystery comes to light when the boy appears in the photo, but not in the space.
The changes in the music and the alternating quickness of the girl taking Polaroids drastically changes the mood of the film.
The shots began slow, as she is cautious taking pictures of the mystery man. Then they begin to get faster, yet playful. The brightness of the music, the girl's smiles, and the multiple photos she takes gives the film a joyful overtone. Then, the shots become faster and more urgent when she cannot find the boy. Instead of the photos coming out of joy, they fly out of desperation.
The first intense dolly-shot is of her running, emphasizing the intense desperation of her chasing the boy.
When she reaches the beach, the viewer gets a sense of déjà vu with the XWS of the girl alone on the beach. We have not seen a shot like this since the beginning of the film, the confines of the house had lessened this feeling of isolation for the past few minutes.
Closing in on the girl, the smile on her face, and the last picture she takes springs hope in the viewer. Closing in on her face takes away the extreme sense of isolation while she takes her final picture. The music coming to a close gives the film a sense of ease and closure. The beach stands in isolation, empty. It ends with a XCU of the last photo she took, the very first image the viewer sees of two people in the frame at the same time. She is no longer alone.
Awwww. This sure was a sweet little short, although if I found a magical camera that showed a strange boy if this empty room with me, I think I would be terrified, no matter how cute he looked.
ReplyDeleteThe design choices in this movie were all very harmonious in created a single, sustained mood. Of course the framing was always crystal-clear and the story was told very fluently, but the set design, costumes and especially sound-design all contributed to giving the whole thing a sweet, nostalgic, dream-like feel, from the opening shots of the girl walking aimlessly through the grass, to the ending shot of the photo on the sand. Additionally, the use of color was brilliant. The soft, warm, slightly washed-out tones kept the story feeling non-threatening as opposed to scary, and the music, original or not, was perfectly chosen and implemented. There were a few choices in shot composition I found particularly effective, such as the slow reveal of the camera in the box, or the increasing pace as the shots began turning up empty. All told, a perfectly told, sweet little story.
(Although what exactly happened to her?? She's in the other world now, so is she dead? If it's just like our world, how did he see her? Doesn't matter; good film.)
Gretchen Franz: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteMusic is most effective in this film for developing tone and overall feeling. As the film opens, it seems serene. However, as the girl takes the first picture with the polaroid, the music becomes more ominous and leads the audience to be concerned and curious. Also contributing to this feeling is that fact the you cannot see the figure’s face in the polaroid and cannot determine his intentions. In the two following shots, as the figure’s smiling face is shown, the music falls into a whimsical, melancholy, yet hopeful tone. Since the girl seems happy to see him, the audience is forced to question what their history and relationship is. As the girl keeps taking pictures and finds that the boy is no longer with her, the music takes on a more determined, concerned tone, which is supported by the rapid transition between shots. Finally, the music changes one last time as the thought of taking a picture of herself enters her mind. Her disappearance after the photo is taken leads us to ask if her brother disappeared the same way, and if they are in some other dimension together. Two other elements that I noticed in the film was that the opening titled showed as the girl opened to door to the beach cottage, which seemed to symbolize the story starting. Additionally, every time she took a photo, the shot transition was a flash of white, which contributed to the illusion of a camera flash.
Ella Oprandy: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteI was really impressed with the way Lewis was able to execute such a creative idea so simply, with only a couple of actors and no real crew though I did think the first minute of the film could have been reduced to 20 or 30 seconds. I was pleasantly surprised that the girl didn’t dwell too much on the supernatural quality of the camera. She seemed to take it in stride and become curious rather than afraid. I liked that Lewis didn’t feel the need to explain how the camera got that way or why this particular person was experiencing it. I think this was one of the things that kept the film so light, as well as Lewis's utilization of soft lighting and his original piano score, and why I didn't expect but was pleased to see that this film was dedicated to someone's memory. I was also struck by the way this film was edited, particularly Lewis's choice to cut abruptly to black with the film's title and then fade into the shot of the girl opening the door to the beach house as well as the pace of the shots of the girl running down the path to the beach.
John Anderson: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThe natural lighting created a beautifully realistic beach evening atmosphere. The airy, high key tone suggested a playful innocence and curiosity at the beginning of the film, when the young woman was shown on a beach, investigating a beach house. The key of the music also drives the light mood of the film. The mood slightly changes as the girl moves in the empty house & discovers the mysterious camera. Once the audience sees the first photograph with the man appearing, it feels almost paranormal at first. As the girl is discovering this mysterious camera brings back happy memories, the music tempo and cutting tempo pick up, showing excitement in the young woman. She chases the memories outside onto the beach, and as the audience learns this film is dedicated to a woman who died young, we might infer that this young woman in the film represents the young woman who this film is dedicated to. Even though the men in the photographs seemed like ghosts at first, perhaps it is the young woman who is the ghost and the men in the photos were loved ones she left behind after her death. I think this film did an excellent job of highlighting the joyful, youthful innocence living in the young woman, while dealing with a story that is rather dark, having to do with death and old memories.
Kat Flandermeyer- The Camera
ReplyDeleteTechnically this film was solid. It leaned a little too heavy on centered shots, but it worked for the style of the film. The shot where the girl opens the dark trunk against the gold light in the curtains was an example of where it did work exceptionally well. It mostly used level shots to keep us in the space of the girl, and not feel like an outsider to her experience. There was only glaring match-on-action error, where she scales the stairs. In one shot she pauses at the top, but in the next she's not done climbing. The lighting and color toning was exceptional, especially for a difficult time of the day.
Plot-wise I had more issues. The film told us very little. Who is this girl? Why does she come to the beach barefoot with no water? She seems unbothered by the appearance of the boy in the pictures; why? I know it was trying to be whimsical, but her reaction to every occurence was with the same kind of flat enthusiasm. She had no shift in reaction to seeing a ghost in her camera. And the open ending left the film with even more questions.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCody Quinn-The Camera
ReplyDeleteThe beginning is very interesting as we get various type of shots in the opening scene, varying from a close-up of her feet to full body shots.
We see even more types of shots while she is exploring the house. We get fully body shots, bust shots, and more close-ups. The shots are nicely used as she makes her way to the chest containing the camera.
As the short continues, she begins taking pictures around the house. We see the camera follow her every movement as she tries to capture the "people" that are showing up in her pictures.
The use of shots in this film were beautifully put together. I really enjoyed how it was taking us through our characters journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
Alex Harris - The Camera
ReplyDeleteThe film was very pleasant. The editing was nicely paced. We as the viewer were given enough time in each area or room to get a feel for it, but not dwelling on the areas for too long. One thing I enjoyed was a readiness to shift to a "first-person" perspective. While most films cut from shots of a character looking at an object to a closer shot of the object itself, there are few times where the shot is in a true "first-person". It is a more unique way of conveying not only information about what the subject is seeing, but also the presence the filmmaker wants the object to have. The shot selection in the early shots was also very interesting as they focused on the feet of the subject. In most cases I would see that as a way of focusing on the journey rather than the destination, and upon reaching the house the shots move away from the movement and settle on the story unfolding. Overall, I really liked the film. Its choice of music and setting were superb. The sad thing about it is that due to the way short films and movies have gone as of late, I spent my first viewing expecting some dark or sad twist. Luckily for me, it never came.
Kristin Whitely-The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeletePeter Lewis’s short film, “The Camera” is an amazing film. I must say, this short film is very mysteries. For some strange reason, at the beginning, my initial thought was that it was a horror film. There were numerous camera placements throughout the film such as the Extreme-wide shot, close up, Med. Close up, Medium shot, and Extreme Close up. The choice of lighting seemed very natural. The music was somewhat a simple mysterious ballot, which is usually heard in horror and dramatic films. I believe Lewis choice in music was intentionally made to allow the audience to fill, makeup speculations, and emerge into their own conclusions toward the end. Overall, I believe Lewis’s film will influence filmmakers to think outside the box and create unique works of art.
Sam Sheriff: The Camera by Peter Lewis was very interesting to me. I loved that there was no dialogue and that the story was only told through the visual. Except it wasn't only told through the visual; the score also completely influenced the audience's interpretation. I realized while watching this film that had the score been just slightly different, most all of the same shots could have been used, but instead of being a whimsical fantasy story, it would have been seen as a horror film. Especially in the beginning when the girl is going to first pick up the camera, if the music had been more ominous, I at least would have interpreted the camera as being some forbidden thing that was drawing her in. Even the ending could have been seen as horror. The girl is smiling yes, but with different music I think that we could be lead to believe that she had been somehow seduced by the draw of the camera and then trapped in its world. At face value, the idea of taking a selfie and then being taken from this world into another is fairly frightening. I think that this film was very well made and that it did achieve its thematic goals, but it is very interesting to realize just how important and influential a score (a simple one at that) can be.
ReplyDeleteThe best part of this film was the manipulation of natural sound to bring realism to the audience. With the addition of natural sound, the audience could almost feel like they were there. Music also helped set the tone of the film from the very beginning. I felt that I was going to get this mysterious vibe. As someone who enjoyed the short film, my key moment came at the end. It was an ending that I could appreciate putting the 2 actors together in their "supernatural" world.
ReplyDeleteMadison Naves: The camera by Peter Lewis was a much better watch than the first movie. I liked the music which added to the story by helping set a tone and mood in shots. By creating as sense of sadness in some scenes and happiness and joy in others. the only thing with the music that confused me was at the beginning when she first finds the camera and begins taking pictures, the music is very dramatic and made me think the movie was going to be scary or something horrifying was going to happen. this was in a way a good idea by Lewis since it created a motive to keep watching for the audience "to see what happens next" and figure out where the story is going. one of my favorite shots in the movie was at the end when we watch the girl is taking a picture of herself, because i liked the way the camera panned around her and the camera to show her joy of having figured out this was a way to reconnect with the boy who kept appearing in her pictures. this story was a sweet and touching story that i think did its job very well by displaying what it wanted to and making it exciting for the audience to watch as well.
ReplyDeleteBen Boynton: I thought the framing and shot composition of this film were very good. Shots that in particular stood out to me were the ones of the girl's footprints in the sand and the over the shoulder shot of the house when she first saw it. I think the music worked really well with the variety of shots included and helped set the tone and pace of the film. There was no dialogue but the emotions displayed by the girl and the music combined with the different looks we were given to tell me exactly what I needed to know. I do question the sanity of the girl by not running as soon as she saw a boy that wasn't there appearing in her pictures, but in terms of actual movie making logic, I thought the director did a good job of showing her curiosity and attempts to connect with him. I also liked how the picture would be brought into the shot on the first few pictures as an almost overlay over the background. Overall, I thought the concept/idea was pretty neat, and the way the director Peter Lewis showed what he wanted with framing, music, and shot composition led to an interesting short film.
ReplyDeleteMacKenzie Winters:
ReplyDeleteI noticed many things about this short film that led to my enjoyment of it. Firstly, I thought that Lewis did a great job with the music. Considering there was no talking, the music truly narrated the story and subconsciously told the viewer how to feel. It was also evident that Lewis planned his shots carefully and executed them well. A lot of people are hesitant about using too many close ups, but Lewis’s use of them was a key part of the storytelling in this film. Lastly, the ending dedication changed my view on the whole video. I actually went back and watched it a second time in this new context, and it definitely made the story more impactful and emotional. I really did enjoy this film.
Virginia Nobles: Okay so a few questions. I know it is not the point, but does she know whose house that is or did she just walk into a random house and start taking pictures of a ghost? Did she know the ghost boy? Anyway, I think the lighting and camera angles were wonderful. The lighting made it very a little eerie but in the most calming way possible and the music choice really complimented that. As the video played, I couldn't help but wonder how many takes that had to do since she took so many pictures and the pictures came out different than what she actually took while they were shooting. I really liked the scene where she was running on the porch towards the beach and the camera man followed her feet as she was running. That was a nice touch. It seemed to have nice continuity throughout and I think the overall message was sweet. While reading the credits, and dedication, I couldn't help but wonder who Emily Roe was to Peter Lewis. But overall, I liked this short film much more than the one we watched last week.
ReplyDeleteChris O'Connor: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThe thing that stood out to me most in this film was the music composition. Since there was no dialogue, Lewis was able to convey the meaning and tone through the score. The roller coaster of emotion imposed on the viewer is created through the music. Also, the use of natural lighting keeps every scene fairly bright without a lot of contrast. The camera's movements with the girl as she bounces from room to room are shot seamlessly and make the scenes flow eloquently. The plot of the film seemed fairly basic and one-dimensional but this allowed for Lewis to show off his filmmaking skills.
Nicole Nelson: The Camera by Peter Lewis was a great short film. I really enjoyed the audio in the film because it added to the girl's emotions as she walks through the house. At first I though this film was going to be suspenseful when she takes her first picture but after watching it all the way through I began to notice the meaningful message behind the story. Each shot did a great job with sense of direction and the close ups really defined the emotion the girl was expressing at the time of each shot. Overall I really enjoyed watching this film.
ReplyDeleteJustin LaSor: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteI actually really enjoyed this short film. I loved how the music help set the tone of each scene and even helped drive the plot. The music changed from a soft melodic sound, which gave the scene a peaceful and serene feel, to a more intensified tone which helped set the feeling of a sort of desperation at times. This stuck out the most to me due to the fact that there was no dialogue needed to set the feeling of the story. The camera work as well helped immerse the viewer into the scene. It was very fluid and the different shots and angles really added to the overall feeling. Being able to tell such a meaningful story this way is truly astounding and shows off the talent of Peter Lewis.
Dylan Milinkovich: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThe short film had a sense of just awe about it. From the soft movements of the actress to the lighthearted music playing in the background the film had my attention throughout. I liked the shot from her perspective of slowly looking into the chest at the camera. This shows that the camera, besides the title itself) is established as a key symbol in the film. After that, the film picked up a little bit as she takes pictures and notices a strange phenomenon with the results and tries to figure out its purpose. It seems a little more urgent as the music speeds up just a little bit and the shot of her close up shows her eyes wandering across the room looking around. Overall I really enjoyed the film and left wondering throughout.
Keri Drake: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteIn this production, Lewis did a great job when it came to planning the scenery of the shots. The music goes so well with the story he is trying to tell with this scenes of the production. The character he chose to be the star of this did so well with her acting and her facial expressions are everything you could want out of someone playing this type of role. She was full of so many emotions, which is obviously what this piece is based on. The title of this piece begins to make so much sense towards the middle of the film, as if when she takes pictures they bring back the memories she shared in this house. This short film is the type that will keep your attention, it was not too over the top nor was it too boring. Walking her go from place to place kept me interested in what would happen next. The shot composition was great, the lighting was perfect. The story was beautiful, in remembrance of her brother I am assuming since it was a younger picture of him in the middle then he appeared in the last picture of her in the ending. The director did a wonderful job overall in my opinion, especially when it came down to choosing a title of this short film, and going in depth of the purpose of it.
Mason Camp: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThis short film was unique in many ways. From the camera movement, Music, and cues everything was very tastefully done. At first I didn't really understand what was going on or which direction of the film was going in. The music really helped me figure out the mood or vibe of the film. The music changes and the camera movement starts to change when the girl finds the old abandoned house. In the abandoned house the girl finds a camera. When discovering the camera in the house the mood changed especially when she takes her first picture with it. The music and camera direction and especially the close up really did a good job displaying the emotion taking place in this film.
Peyton Wilkins: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThe first thing most people would pick up on in this short film is the excellent use of soft, natural lighting. The beach scene is peaceful and puts the viewer at ease with the calm breeze and seagulls singing in the distance. The last place I would expect this girl to go would be a dark abandoned house. You would expect the mood to turn eerie as she climbed the stairs, but the music counters that feeling. Throughout the entire film, I was expecting it to turn into a horror movie. The fact that it didn't surprises me and I am impressed with the director's work. This film is certainly unique.
Katy Hale: The Camera by Peter Lewis
ReplyDeleteThis short film, The Camera, was beautifully put together. In relation to our first project, this is a prime example of a short narrative film without dialogue, but still maintains an easy story line from start to finish. This film gave off a very calm and relaxed vibe which was really enjoyable. The subject was calm and at ease, and so was the story line. The lighting in this film was very soft, but was perfectly set to match the tone of the film. I enjoyed the close up shots of the camera because it showed the significance of the film. The camera in this film, shares the same meaning and importance to the keys in our first project. I really enjoyed this film and I thought it was very well put together, and was very easy to understand from the viewers stand point.
Tyler Mcilwain: In The Camera by Peter Lewis each shot flows together very well and tells a story. Each shot has a very warm feel throughout the short film and we find that the warmness in each shot is due to the narrative arch of the story. Unlike our next assignment, there are no words in this film. No interviews or explanatory narration. This was a great example of character progression through a short narrative. No matter how big or small the character task, it is important to capture every shot perfectly to not only match stylistically but to give audience a clear prospective of what is unfolding int he scene.
ReplyDeleteJordan Williams: To start off , in "The Camera" by Peter Lewis was fantastic. This piece really had an organized flow which helped the idea come to life. The b-roll was fantastic and not all over the place which especially helped the mystery of why she went to this house. The introduction of the camera in the bedroom was really a window to opening up what the purpose of the camera. When she first snaps a picture of the room and sees the human that is apparently "not there", this tells the viewer a variety of ways to perceive what happened. As the story continues, you see that this camera was a way for the protagonist to visit a nostalgia that she was familiar with and maybe even a person who she cared about that passed. As she takes the final picture of her and the guy appearing in the photo, you see that there was a capturing moment where the camera literally captures her to be with the guy which also leaves a question of " Did she go with the guy?" The Camera by Peter Lewis is a film that makes you think. The visual storytelling was on point and everything made the story flow nicely. Great film!
ReplyDelete