Piers Warren
November 9th, 2009, 08:58 AM
Congratulations to all! I thoroughly enjoyed watching all these short films and was impressed with the quality and story-telling. This is a great community and a good place for my students to come and see how to make short films with beginnings, middles and ends - good complete packages!
It was very difficult sorting out the runners up - and I changed my mind several times - they were all good for different reasons! But for me there was a clear winner in the Animal Kingdon category:
Winner
Finn-Erik Faale ~ Barnacle Kingdom
A good example of how restricting yourself to one group of animals can help give structure to your film and help tell a story. Nice camerawork and interesting angles throughout. The script was good and well read, Excellent to start and end with the boat and a good tie-in of the 'Kingdom' theme. Very good editing apart from the watery transition which was overused! I wasn't too keen on the guitar music but the sound mix of narration, natural sound and music was very good. Overall it was the story, interesting information and visuals which made this stand out as winner. Well done Finn-Erik!
Runner up
Kevin Railsback ~ Silent Kingdom
If the catorgory had been more environmental, this film would have won. An excellent way to portray what is happening to our planet in a clear visual way. Well thought out and planned, just the right amount of information. Great idea to use the disappearing animals in such an effective way. Some beautiful images although the compression (or camera) didn't cope with movement (eg pans) so well. If only this film replaced commercials on every TV channel! Well done Kevin.
2nd runner up
Mike Sims ~ 1000 Feet
This film gets the prize for creative use of graphics. Some nice inserts and also good use of props such as rulers. Good macro work. The script was packed with info - all good stuff but a little dry as a result. The narration could have done with a touch more enthusiasm. The sudden start took me by surprise - would have liked a more subtle intro. The birdsong in the background needed to change more often - it was the same in what looked like different habitats for example - but better than no natural sound. Loved the book at the end! Well done Mike.
3rd runner up
Ryan Farnes ~ Ryan Farnes Short
Some really nice photography here although some of the pictures were a little too dark (even though it was dawn). Excellent camerawork when following the flying geese, lovely smooth pans. Good use of music although the levels seemed rather jumpy. Good script which was well read.
Specially Commended
Geir Inge ~ Land Of The Seagulls
It was over half way through the film bfore we saw a seagull and it was crying out for some close-ups, but I loved this film for its peacefullness and creative scripting. A great film to relax to.
Bill Thesken ~ Monk Dreams
Gets the comedy award! Great idea. Would have liked more different shots of the seals and less text on screen, but the dream sequence worked well.
Well done everybody - keep up the good work.
Best wishes
Piers Warren
Principal of Wildeye Wildeye - International School of Wildlife Film-making (http://www.wildeye.co.uk)
International School of Wildlife Film-making
Editor of Wildlife Film News Wildlife-film.com - Wildlife Film Makers News and Information (http://www.wildlife-film.com)
It was very difficult sorting out the runners up - and I changed my mind several times - they were all good for different reasons! But for me there was a clear winner in the Animal Kingdon category:
Winner
Finn-Erik Faale ~ Barnacle Kingdom
A good example of how restricting yourself to one group of animals can help give structure to your film and help tell a story. Nice camerawork and interesting angles throughout. The script was good and well read, Excellent to start and end with the boat and a good tie-in of the 'Kingdom' theme. Very good editing apart from the watery transition which was overused! I wasn't too keen on the guitar music but the sound mix of narration, natural sound and music was very good. Overall it was the story, interesting information and visuals which made this stand out as winner. Well done Finn-Erik!
Runner up
Kevin Railsback ~ Silent Kingdom
If the catorgory had been more environmental, this film would have won. An excellent way to portray what is happening to our planet in a clear visual way. Well thought out and planned, just the right amount of information. Great idea to use the disappearing animals in such an effective way. Some beautiful images although the compression (or camera) didn't cope with movement (eg pans) so well. If only this film replaced commercials on every TV channel! Well done Kevin.
2nd runner up
Mike Sims ~ 1000 Feet
This film gets the prize for creative use of graphics. Some nice inserts and also good use of props such as rulers. Good macro work. The script was packed with info - all good stuff but a little dry as a result. The narration could have done with a touch more enthusiasm. The sudden start took me by surprise - would have liked a more subtle intro. The birdsong in the background needed to change more often - it was the same in what looked like different habitats for example - but better than no natural sound. Loved the book at the end! Well done Mike.
3rd runner up
Ryan Farnes ~ Ryan Farnes Short
Some really nice photography here although some of the pictures were a little too dark (even though it was dawn). Excellent camerawork when following the flying geese, lovely smooth pans. Good use of music although the levels seemed rather jumpy. Good script which was well read.
Specially Commended
Geir Inge ~ Land Of The Seagulls
It was over half way through the film bfore we saw a seagull and it was crying out for some close-ups, but I loved this film for its peacefullness and creative scripting. A great film to relax to.
Bill Thesken ~ Monk Dreams
Gets the comedy award! Great idea. Would have liked more different shots of the seals and less text on screen, but the dream sequence worked well.
Well done everybody - keep up the good work.
Best wishes
Piers Warren
Principal of Wildeye Wildeye - International School of Wildlife Film-making (http://www.wildeye.co.uk)
International School of Wildlife Film-making
Editor of Wildlife Film News Wildlife-film.com - Wildlife Film Makers News and Information (http://www.wildlife-film.com)