'Neil' by Innervision Films

(Exeter/Devon, UK) Second Edit

Innervision Films are a group of Exeter & Devon-based filmmakers & actors, who have worked on a number of projects together - including a low-budget feature. The film was shot on the Canon 5D mk2 by Robin Whenary - a graduate from the NFTS.

Read 'Neil' HERE

Second Cut Comments... have YOUR say!

Write a comment

Comments: 3
  • #1

    David (Tuesday, 04 December 2012 18:08)

    Good work.
    Good improvement on the first cut.

  • #2

    Lucy (Tuesday, 04 December 2012 20:20)

    Excellent second cut. Evolution of Neil from mere robot to sentient being captured beautifully. Very close to the script and what it was trying to convey.

  • #3

    Rob (Tuesday, 04 December 2012 23:39)

    Well acted, well shot. You can feel the emotion running through the characters which gives the film a very powerful and tense feel. I like the ending, as having not read the script prior to viewing, I thought Neil was blind and would never have guessed he was 'artifical'.

'Neil' by Innervision Films

(Exeter/Devon, UK) First Edit

First cut: Producers notes for the filmmakers

  • Trim, it’s too long and ponderous
  • Lot of hiss on dialogues – could play with sound even more
Comments: 9 (Discussion closed)
  • #1

    Mark (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 19:40)

    It's quite poignant in some parts but they are few and far between IE his look of rejection and sadness rather than the side close ups and kissing. If you cut it so those moments were closer I also think the edit gives the neccesary information to late and need to re edit this quite severely especially nearer the end. At times I felt a little lost wondering why her and Neil were so affected by this encounter. Thats why I think it needs a much faster edit so the viewer doesnt think to much about it. Following the tube to the red camera needs to be much much quicker because I already knew he was a robot. You cant reveal something and then try to reveal it all over again. Maybe put this in before the form is filled. The tear needs to go in sooner. Maybe when she leaves the room.

  • #2

    Stephen Cooper (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 21:15)

    Well shot with good performances but just to long. Feel a lot of the end could be cut out and you could maybe get into the story quicker.

    Also i'd lose the 'one giant leap' joke. Feels very out of place with the beauty of the rest of the film.

  • #3

    Andy Robinson (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 21:40)

    Thanks for your comments, Mark, and I'll certainly be considering ways in which I can tighten the film without losing the emotion. Glad you see the poignancy in the film as well - I think it is a very touching story. Both Neil & Rita are very affected emotionally by their encounter in Nigel Karikari's script. In contacting the writer, he had his own thoughts as to why Rita was so upset while filling out the questionnaire, but did not want to make them explicit in the text. So together with my actress, Robyn, we worked out a backstory that felt emotionally right for the character - and I'm very happy with the result. As for Neil, when you have created an artificial intelligence as sophisticated as him - designed to generate strong emotions in others, don't be surprised when those emotions emerge in the machine. Thats the point of the film. The tear? - there is only one place for the the tear, in my opinion, and that is at the end. The tear IS the end - and the heart of what the story is about.

  • #4

    Mark (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 22:42)

    Actually I have my suspicions why she feels the way she does too Personally though I would have shown it as I like to tie up the loose ends. If you pose a mystery and leave it unanswered it leaves me feeling unfullfilled. Although some films do it, often though more as a tease or suprise ending.

  • #5

    Max (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 07:36)

    May be interesting to compare this to other adaptations of Neil - a recently uploaded and perhaps more effective version tells the same story very well in 2.55. I suppose this reinforces what others have said so far about losing more in the edit. Nice camera work though and an interesting comparison to the other interpretations.

  • #6

    Dom (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 14:24)

    Really beautifully directed, shot and acted, my only criticism would be the ending which I think could be cut down quite a bit.

  • #7

    bjb (Friday, 09 November 2012 11:44)

    really like this - the performances are strong, the pacing just right, well done cast and crew.

  • #8

    Lucy (Saturday, 10 November 2012 16:39)

    Beautifully lit, thoughtfully directed, good choice of actors. Really liked this version in particular and felt it grasped nicely the 'spaces in between' that the original script alluded to. For example the single tear running down Neil's cheek left a trail of philosophical and ethical questions in its wake. I found myself thinking about it for some time after.

  • #9

    Caroline (Saturday, 10 November 2012 21:42)

    Very touching film. Great acting. I like the tear right at the end ;it has to be at the end and not immediately,as it shows the robot has retained the memory and feeling. It has started to be sentient. Art first I thought he was a war hero, but his behaviour was so odd. The sweeping shot round them when he turned her head was fantastic!Lighting gorgeous! Brilliant job.