'The Abduction' is a good example of previous student work. What I particularly like about the video is the consistency of effective camera work, by using shots that allow the audience to immediately engage themselves with the story.
Flashbacks have been used in a controlled way. By opening the video with a flashback and later on making clear distinctions between the present day and the past reflected in flashbacks, this makes the video all the more enigmatic and allows the plot of the story to be put across effectively.
Another thing I like about the video is the use of a film/director's screen at the beginning of the video. The quality of animation adds to the professional style of the video and is fitting with the thriller genre.
I also think that the acting of the characters of a high-standard. Although we are not marked on this, I think that it has helped to achieve this high-standard of student work. By having represented a realistic scenario through good acting, this adds to the suspense of the video.
What I think the video falls down on most is the picture quality. At times, shots are out of focus. I think the director could have also given more consideration to colour correction.
Another student example, 'Delusion', was one that I found less inspiring.
What I liked about the video was the use of non-diagetic sounds such as the smashing of a bottle and the eerie piano music. Both of these were used effectively in setting the scene.
However what I didn't like about the video was the initial establishing shots. I don't think they bared much correlation with the storyline. I believe the director doesn't go into enough depth in the couple's relationship, only using one scene to try and explain what is happening. The video is quite dependent on the narrator for this reason.
The variety of shots is also quite limited. Because the Title is introduced almost half way through the video, it is as if the director has rushed themselves with trying to summarise the plot of the story. Because of this, the video doesn't leave us on much of a cliff-hanger either, thus lacking suspense for this reason.
Again like the previous example, I think 'Hardcopy' takes too long to build suspense. The first 45 seconds deliver an impression of what is to come but also uses this opportunity to include titles. This could have been done at 00:46 where the action immediately kicks off, acting as the perfect thriller opening video.
I think the director could have given more consideration to his fonts, with the absence of any sort of animated director's title.
Once the video does build in suspense, it is done well. The shot where we as an audience enter through the agent's bedroom window is particularly effective and we are then acquainted with the main character. The use of music during this shot is also effective, building an enigmatic atmosphere.
The use of a loading bar on the computer screen emphasises the gripping suspense, with frequent shots cutting back to the opponent asleep. The final shot where the opponent is suddenly woke up by the noise of the agent dropping a CD is effective. However I think what spoils this slightly is that we have already seen some of the shots of the agent on the computer during the opening scene. This goes against the conventions of a thriller film. You would tend to see snippets of how the event will play out.
The director's camerawork is commendable, with a variety of steady shots used. However to improve I would have liked to have seen more hand-held filming if I steadicam had been accessible.
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