“The Blind Spot” by Matthew Nayman is a short film that captures how the main character, Steven’s day couldn’t get any worse until he looked outside of his little bubble. The film is very interesting because it is a close up, fixed shot on Steven talking on the phone in his car. Throughout the film we can see his frustration as he is trying to change his flight to Chicago. It is clear that he is annoyed because of the emotion in his face and the fact that he curses at the lady on the phone. All while he is so concerned with booking his flight to an earlier time, he fails to notice anything that is happening outside. There seems to be an apocalyptic scene happening around him. The buildings are falling and things are on fire. The whole time he is driving on the phone we can see what is happening outside through his window. There are many instances where ambulances pass by and you can even hear a helicopter towards the end. The fact that it only took a single take to make this film is very impressive as well. I like how at the end when he finally looks outside because he notices that a skyscraper fell it suddenly cuts to the credits. I think that this leaves the audience wanting more and it was very effectively executed. I also noticed how when the credits started that there was still sound from the scene. We hear a Steven get out of his car and then we can clearly hear a helicopter and the sound of car alarms going
Keran Jiang: "The Blind Spot" by Matthew Nayman is a interesting film. The character's name is Steven, he is trying to change his flight time, but it always can not. The angel of shooting is also interesting, it is a close up and fixed shot in steven's car. The camera is next to him. It is a very special angel to look at the Steven's emotion. When he face to the difficult of change the flight, his face is very worried about that. Then, I noticed that the outside view is terrible, it looks like doomsday, numerous buildings collapsed, and on fire, earth lavished on various aircraft missiles, ambulances whizzed. But the Steven hasn't find that. In the end, the highest building fall down, and the sunlight let Steven notice the outside situation, he looks very afraid and Panic, but eventually the screen goes black, I only hear the sound of the Steven open the car door and ran out the sound of an ambulance, leaving the suspense to the film.
Trine Lindberg: “The Blind Spot” by Matthew Nayman is a short film about Steve who is trying to change his flight to Chicago O’Hare. He is driving in his car while he is on the phone with the airline. The entire film is shot with a close up, profile shot. This is a well-thought-out shot done by Nayman. By choosing to film in a close up, we get so close to Steve’s face that we easily can see his emotions. There’s no doubt that he is frustrated. His non-verbals also send and enhance this message. He is clenching his teeth, rolling his eyes and breathing heavily like he is annoyed. He is also cursing at the poor lady on the phone. By choosing to shoot in a profile angel we get a good view of what’s happening outside his left window. At 1:54 there is some kind of explosion going on to his left. It looks like meteors or asteroids are falling down from the sky, which leads to fire and destruction. He is so concerned with the phone call that he doesn’t notice anything happening. I think the message or moral of the story is that being on the phone, while driving can be very dangerous. He is so distracted that he doesn’t even notice this Armageddon-like incident. At 4:57 there is a turning point in the film. The tallest building is collapsing and the sun that was behind it suddenly blinds Steve. This makes him see what’s going on outside. I absolutely loved the ending; when the credits are being showed we can still hear what’s going on in the scene. We can hear that he unbuckles the seatbelt and opens the door. Because we can hear sounds of a city in destruction, the viewers are left wanting more.
Kayla Cassese: The short film “Blind Spot” by Matthew Nayman illustrates the oblivion we experience when we become consumed by our personal agendas. The entire film is shot from one angle and only shows the subject’s side profile from the chest up. Looking at the name “Blind Spot” and seeing a distracted man in a car in traffic, I assumed that he would be getting in some sort of car wreck. I even found myself concentrated on his actions and his frustration that it was not until about ¾ of the way through the film that I noticed the background. I saw the smoke rising earlier on but it was not until the operator hung up that I realized this film was about 9/11. The simplicity of this single shot shows how oblivious we can be to what is happening around us when we are so concerned with our own lives. Once the man finally takes time to adjust the radio and no signals are coming through, he realizes that a plane is crashing into the World Trade Center. He becomes slightly emotional and distraught because there is a lot of irony in his inability to change his flight just before the terrorist attack. I think that this film was really effective in being shot from one angle because even though there was not much change going on, even the audience’s view is somewhat obstructed by trying to discover the man’s need to change his flight. However, it is the small things like stopped traffic and a smoggy sky that start to clue the audience in that something is not quite right.
Jordan Tanner: In "Blind Spot" there is a interesting premise told with expertise on Matthew Nayman's part and the message we, the viewer are pretty much hit over the head with but for obvious reason I won't get into now. In this short film we have a very tight six minute film that wastes no time getting down to business. Right from the beginning it is clear that something is going in the metropolis setting taking place just outside of our main character's window. For me, the action and overall progression of the story might have unfolded a little better if I wasn't aware of the title of the film beforehand. Moving on though I found the main character's performance convincing enough, he's stuck in traffic while on the phone with customer service, which is I'm sure something all of can relate to -- that was made clear as well. At a certain point you're actually sorry for the guy since you (the audience) know that after all his hoopla with the airline he's never going to get that ticket changed, or at all. But you don't end up feeling sorry for him for too long given all the mayhem and destruction taking place next to him. In conclusion, it was a nice little film -- the single shot take was my favorite part -- but I couldn't really get behind it or the heavy handed message that just barely lies beneath the surface.
Caroline Ficken: Blind spot is a stunning story of a man oblivious to the horrifying changes around him and consumed by his current issue of a flight change. The one steady shot of Steven as he travels to the airport is very simple, yet out the window next to him, things are changing. The storyline is so fascinating and the concepts of a car ride, with no cuts and the same consistent shot is so powerful because of what is happening to the city behind him. Steven’s biggest concern is changing his flight but within the duration of his conversation, smoke arises, buildings fall, and sirens sound. Matthew K Nayman’s creation is visually appealing and heart stopping. The last moment of the film illustrates the tallest building falling and the moment it tumbles, the sun strikes into the shot and toward Steven grasping his attention. That concluding moment of chaos and fear is intensely beautiful.
Shelby Anderson: "Blind Spot" is a short, but very powerful and emotional piece. By shooting the entire piece form one constant profile, the unfocused background becomes something that is in fact the opposite. The lighting was very well done. You could easily tell what time of day without the rush hour traffic and dialogue of rushing to the airport for a 7 PM. The final few seconds of the building falling and the sun blinding the driver and bringing him into focus was really powerful. I think this piece does a very good job about conveying a message of awareness. How often are we so enveloped in our own world and even our own problems that we don't focus on what's going on around us? Using a terrorist attack is an extreme example, but I didn't think it was too overdone or too dramatic. I found it very powerful and a cause for some personal reflection.
Julie Bowman: "Blind Spot" appears to be a simple short film about a man having a rough day, but the real story lies in the backdrop. The first explosion is subtle and there are distractions in the video that may keep the viewer from seeing it, but then the sirens start. And as the film continues, the man is not worried about the world collapsing around him. He is only worried about getting on the plane. The one camera used in the film is left in the same up-close and personal position the whole time. In most films, the action is front and center and always in focus, but the blind spot is the blurry city behind the main character where the real action is taking place. The driver is the distraction while the real story is being told through unfocused visuals and important, alarming, sound effects.
ReplyDelete“The Blind Spot” by Matthew Nayman is a short film that captures how the main character, Steven’s day couldn’t get any worse until he looked outside of his little bubble. The film is very interesting because it is a close up, fixed shot on Steven talking on the phone in his car. Throughout the film we can see his frustration as he is trying to change his flight to Chicago. It is clear that he is annoyed because of the emotion in his face and the fact that he curses at the lady on the phone. All while he is so concerned with booking his flight to an earlier time, he fails to notice anything that is happening outside. There seems to be an apocalyptic scene happening around him. The buildings are falling and things are on fire. The whole time he is driving on the phone we can see what is happening outside through his window. There are many instances where ambulances pass by and you can even hear a helicopter towards the end. The fact that it only took a single take to make this film is very impressive as well. I like how at the end when he finally looks outside because he notices that a skyscraper fell it suddenly cuts to the credits. I think that this leaves the audience wanting more and it was very effectively executed. I also noticed how when the credits started that there was still sound from the scene. We hear a Steven get out of his car and then we can clearly hear a helicopter and the sound of car alarms going
Keran Jiang: "The Blind Spot" by Matthew Nayman is a interesting film. The character's name is Steven, he is trying to change his flight time, but it always can not. The angel of shooting is also interesting, it is a close up and fixed shot in steven's car. The camera is next to him. It is a very special angel to look at the Steven's emotion. When he face to the difficult of change the flight, his face is very worried about that. Then, I noticed that the outside view is terrible, it looks like doomsday, numerous buildings collapsed, and on fire, earth lavished on various aircraft missiles, ambulances whizzed. But the Steven hasn't find that. In the end, the highest building fall down, and the sunlight let Steven notice the outside situation, he looks very afraid and Panic, but eventually the screen goes black, I only hear the sound of the Steven open the car door and ran out the sound of an ambulance, leaving the suspense to the film.
ReplyDeleteTrine Lindberg: “The Blind Spot” by Matthew Nayman is a short film about Steve who is trying to change his flight to Chicago O’Hare. He is driving in his car while he is on the phone with the airline. The entire film is shot with a close up, profile shot. This is a well-thought-out shot done by Nayman. By choosing to film in a close up, we get so close to Steve’s face that we easily can see his emotions. There’s no doubt that he is frustrated. His non-verbals also send and enhance this message. He is clenching his teeth, rolling his eyes and breathing heavily like he is annoyed. He is also cursing at the poor lady on the phone. By choosing to shoot in a profile angel we get a good view of what’s happening outside his left window. At 1:54 there is some kind of explosion going on to his left. It looks like meteors or asteroids are falling down from the sky, which leads to fire and destruction. He is so concerned with the phone call that he doesn’t notice anything happening. I think the message or moral of the story is that being on the phone, while driving can be very dangerous. He is so distracted that he doesn’t even notice this Armageddon-like incident. At 4:57 there is a turning point in the film. The tallest building is collapsing and the sun that was behind it suddenly blinds Steve. This makes him see what’s going on outside. I absolutely loved the ending; when the credits are being showed we can still hear what’s going on in the scene. We can hear that he unbuckles the seatbelt and opens the door. Because we can hear sounds of a city in destruction, the viewers are left wanting more.
ReplyDeleteKayla Cassese: The short film “Blind Spot” by Matthew Nayman illustrates the oblivion we experience when we become consumed by our personal agendas. The entire film is shot from one angle and only shows the subject’s side profile from the chest up. Looking at the name “Blind Spot” and seeing a distracted man in a car in traffic, I assumed that he would be getting in some sort of car wreck. I even found myself concentrated on his actions and his frustration that it was not until about ¾ of the way through the film that I noticed the background. I saw the smoke rising earlier on but it was not until the operator hung up that I realized this film was about 9/11. The simplicity of this single shot shows how oblivious we can be to what is happening around us when we are so concerned with our own lives. Once the man finally takes time to adjust the radio and no signals are coming through, he realizes that a plane is crashing into the World Trade Center. He becomes slightly emotional and distraught because there is a lot of irony in his inability to change his flight just before the terrorist attack. I think that this film was really effective in being shot from one angle because even though there was not much change going on, even the audience’s view is somewhat obstructed by trying to discover the man’s need to change his flight. However, it is the small things like stopped traffic and a smoggy sky that start to clue the audience in that something is not quite right.
ReplyDeleteJordan Tanner: In "Blind Spot" there is a interesting premise told with expertise on Matthew Nayman's part and the message we, the viewer are pretty much hit over the head with but for obvious reason I won't get into now. In this short film we have a very tight six minute film that wastes no time getting down to business. Right from the beginning it is clear that something is going in the metropolis setting taking place just outside of our main character's window. For me, the action and overall progression of the story might have unfolded a little better if I wasn't aware of the title of the film beforehand. Moving on though I found the main character's performance convincing enough, he's stuck in traffic while on the phone with customer service, which is I'm sure something all of can relate to -- that was made clear as well. At a certain point you're actually sorry for the guy since you (the audience) know that after all his hoopla with the airline he's never going to get that ticket changed, or at all. But you don't end up feeling sorry for him for too long given all the mayhem and destruction taking place next to him. In conclusion, it was a nice little film -- the single shot take was my favorite part -- but I couldn't really get behind it or the heavy handed message that just barely lies beneath the surface.
ReplyDeleteCaroline Ficken: Blind spot is a stunning story of a man oblivious to the horrifying changes around him and consumed by his current issue of a flight change. The one steady shot of Steven as he travels to the airport is very simple, yet out the window next to him, things are changing. The storyline is so fascinating and the concepts of a car ride, with no cuts and the same consistent shot is so powerful because of what is happening to the city behind him. Steven’s biggest concern is changing his flight but within the duration of his conversation, smoke arises, buildings fall, and sirens sound. Matthew K Nayman’s creation is visually appealing and heart stopping. The last moment of the film illustrates the tallest building falling and the moment it tumbles, the sun strikes into the shot and toward Steven grasping his attention. That concluding moment of chaos and fear is intensely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteShelby Anderson: "Blind Spot" is a short, but very powerful and emotional piece. By shooting the entire piece form one constant profile, the unfocused background becomes something that is in fact the opposite. The lighting was very well done. You could easily tell what time of day without the rush hour traffic and dialogue of rushing to the airport for a 7 PM. The final few seconds of the building falling and the sun blinding the driver and bringing him into focus was really powerful. I think this piece does a very good job about conveying a message of awareness. How often are we so enveloped in our own world and even our own problems that we don't focus on what's going on around us? Using a terrorist attack is an extreme example, but I didn't think it was too overdone or too dramatic. I found it very powerful and a cause for some personal reflection.
ReplyDeleteJulie Bowman: "Blind Spot" appears to be a simple short film about a man having a rough day, but the real story lies in the backdrop. The first explosion is subtle and there are distractions in the video that may keep the viewer from seeing it, but then the sirens start. And as the film continues, the man is not worried about the world collapsing around him. He is only worried about getting on the plane. The one camera used in the film is left in the same up-close and personal position the whole time. In most films, the action is front and center and always in focus, but the blind spot is the blurry city behind the main character where the real action is taking place. The driver is the distraction while the real story is being told through unfocused visuals and important, alarming, sound effects.
ReplyDelete