Action/Mystery MINI-FILM. 1:30 runtime. Did I succeed in telling the story?

Trying to get in topic again 🤗 without sounding too repetitive.
About the shaky cam: I don't think its purpose can purely be reduced to mirroring documentary footage or amateur style filmmaking. If used correctly, it can convey fellings of action and dynamism in my opinion. That's why I think it has been used effectively in the chase scene.
But there is one problem.
Using the hand held camera ALSO during the beginning, during the establishing of the story, makes the chase appear less powerful. I think the chase would have worked best if the beginning was shot with a tripod, a still camera. I think that the contrast between stillness at the beginning and the action of hand held camera later would have made the overrall video a bit better. It may seem like a very simplistic advice, but, if you think about it, it literally costs 0 effort and has a great impact in the finished product.
 
I tend to agree with what you're saying here.

using an effect can do a lot for you, but it has to feel intentional, and yes, compartmentalizing it right where it needs to be is a big part of that.

here's a classic rock track by Boston. Halfway through the song, they do a brief guitar break, and the guitarist adds a stronger, higher band flanger to the riff, just for that one short segment. If they had used it throughout the entire song, it wouldn't have really highlighted that part, and even the positive effect that it had would seem less intentional, and more serendipitous.

 
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Nate North said:
I tend to agree with what you're saying here.

using an effect can do a lot for you, but it has to feel intentional, and yes, compartmentalizing it right where it needs to be is a big part of that.

here's a classic rock track by Boston. Halfway through the song, they do a brief guitar break, and the guitarist adds a stronger, higher band flanger to the riff, just for that one short segment. If they had used it throughout the entire song, it wouldn't have really highlighted that part, and even the positive effect that it had would seem less intentional, and more serendipitous.
Click to expand...
Hey! I would really love to hear your example but I think you forgot the link 😅
 
Incubo said:
Trying to get in topic again 🤗 without sounding too repetitive.
About the shaky cam: I don't think its purpose can purely be reduced to mirroring documentary footage or amateur style filmmaking. If used correctly, it can convey fellings of action and dynamism in my opinion. That's why I think it has been used effectively in the chase scene.
But there is one problem.
Using the hand held camera ALSO during the beginning, during the establishing of the story, makes the chase appear less powerful. I think the chase would have worked best if the beginning was shot with a tripod, a still camera. I think that the contrast between stillness at the beginning and the action of hand held camera later would have made the overrall video a bit better. It may seem like a very simplistic advice, but, if you think about it, it literally costs 0 effort and has a great impact in the finished product.
Click to expand...
Good points. Thanks for the comment! Contrast is one of the most important tools in the toolbox of storytelling devices.
 
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