Hey all,

Got an email today that this short had been completed and put up online, so I thought I'd share it here.  The Cupidity script is available in the shorts section, and serves as a pretty good example of how a film can go through changes via development and collaboration with a director.

Script can be found here

Anyway, I'm happy with the finished product, and I hope you are as well.

Pretty good little short, congrats on getting this produced. I chuckled in a few places, which is impressive for a short. The production value was oretty solid as well- good technical construction, lighting and sound. The varied angles also made it feel pretty professional. Overall, an enjoyable little short film.

Oh, and congrats on the beard growth hehe. You look some-what Jewish... Want a role in my Jewish gang film?

Hey Mike,

Congrats with this. Solid work, alright acting.

Cool beard btw.

Cool video, I like it.

Congrats.

Congrats on it being produced.

I can only guess that the director was inexperienced as the camera was all over the place during the Barry-Renee exchange (presuming they kept their names -- sorry, I don't have speakers on this particular computer). I'll have to watch it later when I have speakers, but no sound lets me see how visual the film is. I also enjoyed the "which step is Barry standing on" game. Is he level with her? Is he on the first step? Who knows? It's a mystery.

Barry's overacting reminded me a bit of Charlie Chaplin from the 30's, especially the exchange at the end with the second girl. I felt like I was watching City Lights again.

So I found it amusing that without sound, it reminded me of a silent movie.

It was a cute video, though I thought it should've ended around the 6:30 mark (I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it).  After this, it just dragged.


Phil

Thanks for checking it out everyone.  I'm not one to look at this things an overly technical manner, so excuse my ignorance in that regard, but I'm definitely happy with how it turned out, and you guys have brought up some interesting points.

My main concern here was trying to address things that were mentioned regarding the previous version of the script, namely the mistaken identity.  The glasses were a nice touch, but one step further I suggested that the two female roles be played by the same actress, and lo and behold, it worked out.

Toby,

Funny inside joke - "Sheldon, that nice Jewish man".  My name gets mistaken quite often.  I suppose I could play a Catholic Jew though, if you were so inclined to fly me out to your neck of the woods and douse me with women on a nightly basis.

Phil,

I see what you mean, but I can also see his reason for going on a bit more.  The script did actually end at the point you're talking about, but I thought the little extra was a nice touch.

Pia,

I like this version better myself.  It's got a little more pop to it I think.

Thanks again, all.

Good stuff with getting this produced! Cool short. The voiceover at the start was my favourite bit. Also, I think it could have ended when they started walking across the street.

Well done.

This was pretty good, I thought the actor did a pretty decent job too.

I did actually prefer the script - The alternative ending that is but I guess for this film you probably made the right choice. Although I do have to agree that I think it went on too long, as soon as they hooked up it probably could have finished. I don't really see the point of that extra time watching them get loved up.

Good stuff.

I had to take another look at the script after watching this. The second half was obviously not part of it but I wasn't sure if the glasses were or not. Apparently not. It's amazing how a simple plot device can completely change context. Anyway, I suppose it was smart on the director's part to change things a little. Barry meeting up with his dream girl was certainly a little more eventful but personally, I think it sacrificed the cleverness and uniqueness of what you originally wrote. In the end, I think they can both stand on their own.

As far as the actual film itself, I thought it was decent. The first scene had it's share of filmmaking no-no's and student film cliches (namely making up a production company that doesn't exist) but these were minor and to be expected to a certain extent. The hammy acting was fun and the lounge music juxtaposed with the cityscapes and MOS moments had a classy style about it. All in all, not bad.

Quoted from James McClung namely making up a production company that doesn't exist

Hey James,

Thanks for looking, but I don't think that's the case here.  The director, (and guy who crosses the street at the bus stop) Daryl, is a photographer by trade, and I believe that's the name of his company.

The film is basically the result of our collaboration, with a few additional things tacked on.

I remember reading this. It's great that it was produced. As I recall, the V.O wasn't in the script I read, was it?

--Julio

No, the V.O. stuff was written in later.

Quoted from Shelton Hey James, Thanks for looking, but I don't think that's the case here.  The director, (and guy who crosses the street at the bus stop) Daryl, is a photographer by trade, and I believe that's the name of his company. The film is basically the result of our collaboration, with a few additional things tacked on.

Gotcha. I guess I just assumed this was a student film. Plus a lot of student filmmakers make their own intros with their "production company" names and some of the time, they look, at least, close to the real thing.

Hey Mike,

Nice little story you have there, congratulations on it being produced

I have a few points of critique on the way the director filmed it. The main actor's performance is pretty good (over the top, but I guess that's what you were going for), but the camerawork seemed quite distant to me. It never seemed to venture past a medium shot. Some close-ups, especially during the dialogue, would have made it a more interesting watch for me. The sound was executed well, but sometimes the background noise was too prominent, probably due to the boom being too far away. Moving the camera and boom closer or using lavs would have fixed this I guess.

Besides these little points of critique, I must say I enjoyed it, so again grats