Rate it

The final task set in part two of our Narrative module is to rate/review/comment on another groups work.

With us all being in the same boat, majority being new to the whole University project work, I'm going to look mainly at the successful sides to the groups work, but then if there are any downsides, suggest areas to improve the work.




What I think works here is that looking through the keyhole makes it seem really quite sinister. It has quite a daunting effect, as the viewpoint is as if you are truly looking through the eye of the captive. The slight shakes that can be seen on the camera add that feeling of anxiety, or being afraid. In addition, with it being difficult to get a clear view through the keyhole, this side of the lock really feels quite closterophobic. They have done really well. Even the small touches of the figure being hooded so we cannot really make out who he is, adds once more to the disturbia. The grungy heavy rock music again provides us with a reference to find this piece quite discomforting and oppressive. Lastly, the heavy breathing displays the intrepidation of the victim and brings us close to their humanity, something emotive.

I can only find a slight downside in that the piece is quite long, at 2 minutes. We spend a while sitting with no dialogue, and then for another 1.30 mins the dialogue kicks in but its quite hard to distinguish or make out. The phone call isn't straight and to the point, but instead reveals the killer to be quite chatty, and for me, not really that ruthless/hard. This though, isn't really to do with the production, but instead is the way of acting it out.

If I were to improve anything about the piece, you could perhaps make the killer tougher. You could do this by limiting his conversation to the essentials and maybe have him in a more "grunting" manner. We actually see this briefly in the ending, so more of the same but throughout.

In regards to the piece as a whole though, The Captive works for me. At first the piece may seem irregular/unconventional, but once picking out the techniques in use, it makes its worth far greater. Good work, well done, it definitely had me looking through the eyes of the captive and feeling the heat.

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