'Neil' by Marshall Film Productions

First Edit

Neil was a collective effort from Marshall Film Productions. It features actress Irene Christopher as Rita, Owen Marshall as Neil & was shot by Benjamin Jones. The film was shot using Canon's C300 HD camera and it was edited on Final Cut Pro. The Sound was mixed by National Film & Television School Graduate Jeet Thakrar.

Read 'Neil' HERE

First cut: Producers notes for the filmmakers

  • Loose ‘so should we’
  • Loose the ‘beautiful’ and ‘told you to say lines’ too
  • Could even be reduced to a single kiss.
  • Nice sound design
  • Loose stair well shot
  • Loose Neil disappearing, he is not a hologram right?

First Cut Comments... have YOUR say!

Write a comment

Comments: 7
  • #1

    Mark (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 19:05)

    I've had trouble understanding some of the Neil films but this one makes it clear from the actors behaviour. The white room tells me its set in the future. It's a shame about the ordinary stairwell. Also the end where he blinks out of existance made me think he was solid earlier and not a hologram. Liked the idea of using a computer screen.

  • #2

    Rob Burke (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 20:45)

    I really liked this "Neil" submission - like Mark, the acting and the white room really show me what's going on. Favorite moment came at 1:35.

    If I had any suggestions about trimming I would maybe think about cutting the line "So should we" at :25 - it's a line that hasn't worked for me in any of the Neil films and you wouldn't lose anything by not having it. Also, I wonder what the piece would look like if you got rid of the stairwell shot - cutting at 2:28 and going straight to 2:32?

    Great job overall.

  • #3

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

    Nice to see a version of Neil that isn't 5mins plus. Think you've done a great job with it. Love the framing, the use of space, the room itself. All works for me.

    Not sure about him disappearing at the end and I would definitely loose the staircase shot, but other than that its really really good.

  • #4

    Emily Grey (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 15:17)

    I enjoyed watching this short film. I like the futuristic white room and that the character Neil was played slightly robotic, therefore the audience can understand Neil's world is a computer one straight away.

  • #5

    Matt Jamie (Sunday, 11 November 2012 20:36)

    Interesting approach, though I felt the acting was giving too much away (isn't he supposed to be realistic? He seemed somewhat simple here)

  • #6

    Shaun Bond (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 22:02)

    Agree with the producer's notes about the 'beautiful' lines, at that point they confuse and don't really add anything to the story. I would also end it on the tear falling as this, I feel, would have the best impact and end it on an emotional beat. Well done, it was a clear interpretation of the script and enjoyable.

  • #7

    James Lloyd (Saturday, 17 November 2012 02:14)

    Oh my god. It's spelled LOSE people!

    Good film. Well shot.