The Deadly Diamond

Joel Davies · April 30, 2007

Basically it's a short action film, The Deadly Diamond, about a burglar who steals some diamonds, he gets chased and... well watch it yourself to see what happens. I edited it using Avid Free DV, and used Audacity to add the sound effects. I got the sound effects from the freesound project.

Sorry there's only a Youtube version at the moment. Hopefully I'll get a bigger version up soon.

(Also please note that there is actually a gunshot sound effect at 1:32, but for some reason it didn't come out, I will upload a corrected version soon.)

Any critcisms (& compliments!) greatfully accepted... Fire away!

.Joel

Edited April 30, 2007 by Joel Davies

Joel Davies · May 4, 2007

Come on! 31 views and no replies, where are the comments??

Kieran Scannell · May 29, 2007

Hi Joel.

I enjoyed it! Nice editing and good music choice. Was it shot on super 8? I wont comment on the plot but i seem to remember that the clue

to a good short film lies in the detail, every shot must contribute to telling the story, a very concise structure. I mist some nice close shots of faces like when you fell, was a good opportunity to look up with the camera really low with your face right in the lens. Things like that add tension.

I got a bit bored with the chase i suppose is what I'm saying. You might also like to make yourself some reflection boards, you could have used

some fill in a few shots.

Anyway i thought it looked pretty good.

Well done.

Just one more thing, you really should have reservoir dog'd the last shot, camera looking straight up the barrel from a low angle - bang -

Blackout.

Kieran.

seth christian · May 31, 2007

I think for me...for this short film, it was a bad cast selection. Choosing the right people for the right character carries with it a HUGE

weight in the believability and success in selling your film to the viewer. To me, that was my first initial thought, plus the sunglasses

was kindof juvenile/amature to me......but maybe you were going for that young kid aspiring to be the cool, bad*ss on the bike (harley)

idea!? Which is fine, but it seems like the idea wasn't harnessed with a lot of planning to bring the most out of the idea.

I wont comment on the directing.

Otherwise, some of the shot angles were fantastic; like the low-to-the-ground shot of when the boy is getting on the bike and taking off!

And, I agree with the previous posting that...the edits and choice of shots were good! :)

So, I believe my first comments pinpoint your weaknesses, and my latter pinpoints your strengths!

I believe the best criticism is negative criticism to see our weaknesses in order to learn and grow....so I mean everything in good intention

to help elevate quality in your next film! :)

Kieran Scannell · May 31, 2007

Seth.

Subtly put! That's just abut what i wanted to say but i lack your eloquent turn of phrase, i guess that's why your a director and I'm not.

Thanks.

Kieran.

Sam Lebo · June 5, 2007

I think this was a great film except for two things:

1) you could have really benefited from using some sort of steadycam (even a cheap $20 one would do just fine). Running with the actors and seeing the shaky shaky movements was killing me.

2) If the actors were grown men in sort great uniforms, it would have significantly added to the drama. watching a cop chasing a robber is WAY better than watching two kids pretending to be tough.

music was perfect.

good luck!

Sam

Jonathan Bowerbank · June 5, 2007

It has a good kinetic energy to it and it looks like you had a fun time with your friends making it!

Perhaps in the future when you direct your first feature length action film, you can put this one on the DVD as your first action film! :)

Lee Maisel · June 5, 2007

Other than the lack of steadycam shots during the running scenes, it was Very well done. (Cinematography) the actors didnt fit too well, but you work with what you have.. As far as the actual composition, it's great!

Chris Loughran · June 6, 2007

I wish I was making fun shorts like that with my friends when i was your age. Keep it up. You will have plenty of time to take it too seriously and pour all you know into it. Keep having fun, you're on the right track.

~Chris

Joel Davies · November 8, 2007

Thanks so much for all your comments guys - they were really encouraging!!!! I haven't visited this forum again in ages, and when I check back there's all these awesome comments...

Just to say... there wasn't any planning... which is why the plot isn't amazing or anything. I also totally agree that obviously the actors didn't really fit in, but it was the best idea we could come up with on the spot - we came up with the idea and filmed it on one day :blink:!! I think I've learnt my lesson now to plan the film more beforehand.

Thanks again for all your comments, and watch this space for more films coming soon...