New Short Film: Severed Ties

Nice dude! Some of the shots were poorly lit but other shots were really nicely lit. Keep at it brother!

Good work for a 5 minute film. There are a few things that I would consider for next time though:

1. Put backlights on the actors, this will make the stand out from the background and create an outline around them so they are easier to see. But make sure the light looks like it is coming from a source such as a window or a lamp. During the conversation that took place from 2:30-3:00, it is hard to tell where the actors body (who is screen right) ends and where the background begins.

2. The Pull focusing was ok, but I think you over did it in some areas. When the actor looks at his watch at 3:13, the audience understands that when a character in a film looks at their wrist, it basically means they are checking the time. So, what you could have done is use a smaller aperture for a greater DOF so that the audience can still make out there is a watch on the wrist and have the face still in focus. It is better to notice the characters reaction when they notice the time, than to be focused on a watch (unless the watch played some important aspect in the story). Also at 1:06 you pulled past the gun! Composition wise it was ok, but if that gun was in focus and not so centered that would have made it so much better!