'Neil' by JuSt Films

Second Edit

With professional crew members from South Africa, Ireland, France, Greece, the US and the UK, the JuSt Films "Neil" production is truly an international one. At the film's helm is award-winning director Natalia Andreadis. We hope that we did the great script justice and that you will enjoy our interpretation.

Read 'Neil' HERE

Second Cut Comments... have YOUR say!

Write a comment

Comments: 1
  • #1

    Amy-Louise (Monday, 10 December 2012)

    Didn't expect the ending at all! Loved it :)

'Neil' by JuSt Films

First Edit

First cut: Producers notes for the filmmakers

  • It’s too long at just over five minutes
  • While it’s consistently graded, its also a bit pallid, adding contrast and a tad desaturation may help
  • Sound could also be cleaned up
  • Nice music and not too dominating
Comments: 21 (Discussion closed)
  • #1

    Mark (Thursday, 01 November 2012 17:04)

    The beginning was very slow and needs to be cut or more clues given as to what Neil is. I watched the film and didnt know what it was about and had to go back to look at the form she filled in to realise Neil was probably a Robot although I wasnt sure what Neils purpose was and if it was just a test if so why did she go in the room on her own. Or the more likely explanation that he was a sex robot being tested and the reason for her seeming to feel guilty about the encounter. Sorry I felt a little lost Maybe a description either on the computer readout or her form letting me know exactly what I had seen!

  • #2

    Evan (Sunday, 04 November 2012 14:47)

    I found this engaging from beginning to end. Really well directed and superb performances. There is considerable hiss that needs to be cleaned up. I also felt the timing a little off with the computer screen. To me, once Neil is logged off there should be no more movement. Consider reediting the shots between the screen and Neil so we feel his winding down as the text proceeds. Otherwise fabulous short.

  • #3

    Adolf El Assal (Sunday, 04 November 2012 14:49)

    I felt also a bit lost. It took way too long to get into the story. I'm sure you can find a way to make it more dynamic.

  • #4

    Nicolas Laborie (Sunday, 04 November 2012 15:22)

    Great short ! Found it engaging and great cast. Lovely twist.

  • #5

    Jude Schweppe (Sunday, 04 November 2012 15:53)

    Lovely work, some beautiful moments between the actors.

  • #6

    Jacqui Speers (Sunday, 04 November 2012 19:10)

    I found this well produced and interesting. It's more provocative than literal so I'm okay with being left with a lot of questions like: Neil's AI is advanced, so why doesn't he leave?

  • #7

    David Moore (Sunday, 04 November 2012 23:44)

    An interesting story with a nice twist at end, very well played by both actors. The actor playing Neil plays him with wonderful subtly which could easily be overplayed.

  • #8

    Jess O (Monday, 05 November 2012 01:37)

    I liked that you have no idea what the purpose of Neil is until the end. It makes it much more interesting to watch, it keeps you thinking, looking for any clue as to what his purpose is. The actors played their parts well. Really enjoyed it!

  • #9

    Stephen Cooper (Monday, 05 November 2012 22:09)

    I was uncertain at first but have to see I really liked it. Runs to long at 5 minutes. Think theres plenty you can cut to tell the story in 2mins. The actor was fantastic.

    Hope you find a way to keep the mood with the time being cut down as I think you have a very good film here.

  • #10

    Natalia Andreadis (director) (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 16:14)

    Hi everyone,

    The team and I just want to say thank you so much for all your feedback!

    We've taken on board all the notes about length and will cut it down for our next version. We will also fiddle with the grade and adjust the contrast a twidge.
    @Evan: The hiss was meant to be on purpose (the sound of Neil's hardware working), a slight clue for the audience, but it obviously hasn't played well so we'll be sure to remove it.
    @Jacqui: He doesn't leave because he is plugged in with wires... Maybe that wasn't clear enough...?
    @Stephen Cooper: We will give the film as proper trim, but it definitely won't be two minutes long as I feel the awkward silences and certain pauses really add to the story... I'll do my best!

    Thank you again so much for watching and taking the time to give us notes!

  • #11

    Penelope Chai (Thursday, 08 November 2012)

    This film is my favourite interpretation of this script so far. Lovely performances, great locations. A nice touch to have other women filling out the form at the end. I like how natural it starts out, how there's a lightness to it. It makes the reveal at the end all the more strong. Fab script, excellent execution of a great idea.

  • #12

    Marella Oppenheim (Thursday, 08 November 2012 11:54)

    Beautifully executed, chilling and yet, completely moving. Compelling performance by the actress playing Rita. I loved the slowness of it, and do not think it should be clipped much at all. One thing you might like to look at is the sound. Maybe it is just me, but the hiss doesn't work, and the kissing sounds are a little too distinct. Music is perfect. Direction of actors excellent as neither overplays. Very nice piece of work indeed. Thank you.

  • #13

    Matt Jamie (Sunday, 11 November 2012 20:42)

    Really nicely done - i would have liked a bit less "robot" acting from the man (though it was v.subtle and definitely the best of the one's i've watched here - it's just I've seen that slight over-articulation elsewhere -A.I., Prometheus etc - and that was the only clue that he was artificial - which I would rather have not realised until seeing the form being filled in). Great performance from the woman, and lovely sense of pace and tension and lovely moment with the other people looking up in the waiting room. Well done.

  • #14

    Lorcan Fox (Wednesday, 14 November 2012)

    i really liked it. great performances (how did they get ryan gosling to appear?), really liked the location and colour scheme actually. maybe a little long and needs another sound mix

  • #15

    Staré Yildirim (Thursday, 15 November 2012 06:14)

    Loved it. Congratulations. Really a good job. Trimming can be a good idea. Especially in the middle..i didn't like the opening. It's underestimating the beauty of the film. One of the best films i've watched here so far.

  • #16

    Staré Yildirim (Thursday, 15 November 2012)

    Hmmm..i watched it again and I think the beginning is ok, i just didnt like the shot when she enters...dont know why. color is very important. this color doesnt really fit the genre unless you do it on purpose. please work on the grading and share this film with the rest of the world. one more thing, one specifici editing choice, i would cut way too earlier than when we see the POV of the camera watching them. that's one of the places that makes the film slow. i understand what you mean with giving some rest to the film, letting the actors feel the scene etc (i loved the choice of actors and their acting by the way) however sometimes you are staying in one shot really long..i call this OVERCOOKING :)

  • #17

    Shaun Bond (Friday, 16 November 2012 14:15)

    Highly enjoyable. I would look at trimming it a bit as some shots are too long. There was also a hissing sound to the audio in the first half, but apart from this it's a quality bit of filming.

  • #18

    Natalia Andreadis (Director) (Friday, 16 November 2012 14:20)

    @Penelope, Marella and Matt: thank you so much for watching and taking the time to write some very kind words indeed! The whole team is so thrilled by the positive response!

    @Lorcan: We're working on that new sound mix, promise. As for "Ryan Gosling", well if you had to make a robot, would he not be the perfect template? ;-)

    @Stare: Thank you so much for taking the time to watch our film, not once but twice! Thanks also for the compliments and thorough notes. I completely agree about the trim. I have cut twenty seconds off so far and hope to trim a bit more around the kissing scene. I didnt get that much coverage however and can't re-shoot as our lead actor has cut his hair, but I will do my best with what we have.

    Hope you all have a good weekend!

  • #19

    PS: (Friday, 16 November 2012 14:22)

    @Shaun, thank you!

  • #20

    Staré Yildirim (Saturday, 17 November 2012 04:32)

    Hello Natalia, I watched it more than twice now...I'm actually showing both your version and Anil Rao's to my team and it's fun to see reactions for both films and hear the comparisons etc. good luck!

  • #21

    Daniel Swain (Sunday, 18 November 2012 21:02)

    Really enjoyed watching this, well produced and Directed and Right from the start was drawn in , the pace was spot on and some lovely moments between the two actors, subtle vulnerability and good choices from both of them. Well done guys.