Re: DVC 22 — Tempered — Mitchell Stookey
 

I liked the cinematography and the effects really drew me into the story. Unlike some other comments, I followed the story pretty well, it seemed to me the death of the bird and either the fragility of life or the beauty of nature made him feel closer to humanity, enough to call his mom.

My only suggestions would be to have slightly better lighting inside the apartment when he opens the door- some of that was hard to see. Also, like me, I appreciate you were edgy with the music, since most films just use it as a backdrop, but I guess we both paid the price for that in that I had a hard time hearing the phone conversation at the end over your music and had to replay it. But given how I did the same thing- and feel music and sound in general should be used more aggressively in film, I can't fault you for it, and could hear it fine by listening again.

I really liked the theme and narrative of this film.

Re: DVC 22 — Tempered — Mitchell Stookey
 

I haven't seen this mentioned yet, but that means that the close-up of the bird breathing was done in post, right? I mean, I swear I saw that bird breathing, and it was such a subtle but important effect! Seriously, that was awesome!

Re: DVC 22 — Tempered — Mitchell Stookey
 

Hahaha...I didn't see it move, Joseph! Crack me up--you have such a wonderful imagination. (Now I'd better watch it again to see if you're right!) :)

Re: DVC 22 — Tempered — Mitchell Stookey
 

@ Joseph and Lorinda
Yes, it was breathing! We added a very subtle puppet warp in After Effects to make its chest rise and fall, it's in both the close up shot along the ground and the directly overhead shot (which it's harder to see in). It's curled up talons look pretty dead though....

Re: DVC 22 — Tempered — Mitchell Stookey
 

LOL! Okay, so besides a great imagination Joseph has keen eyes and the inquisitiveness to study and see if it's breathing! Oh my goodness, this really is making me laugh. Well done, Mitchell--I must go see for myself. Hahaha...

Thank you for noticing and bringing it up, Joseph; it would have been a shame to let all that work go unnoticed by people like me. :)