I thoroughly enjoyed watching “INC.” by the team of Amy, Adrian, Ben, and Daniel. This short film captures the essence of a typical office scenario while cleverly intertwining it with the contemporary workforce’s dynamics, particularly in light of the recent surge in AI and its applications. One particular aspect that immediately struck out to me was the opening sequence, where we see a man genuinely relishing his work life. This initial mood-setting scene contrasts brilliantly with what follows after the title cut, where the same shots take on a more serious and somewhat ominous tone. This stylistic choice significantly enhances the portrayal of the stark disparity between the past and present realities, particularly in the context of the impact of AI revolution. What impressed me even more was the team’s adept use of AI generative content, a concept we’ve explored in our studio. They seamlessly and practically integrated AI generative elements into the film, a task that can be quite challenging without making it glaringly obvious as an AI creation. This thoughtful incorporation added depth to the film’s narrative, making it intellectually engaging, while also in touch with our studio prompt. The use of sound throughout the film was another standout feature for me. Whether it was the ambient sounds, the evocative background music, or the sound effects of the printer, they collectively contributed to creating a vibrant office environment. Simultaneously, these audio elements conveyed a subtle undercurrent of tension and apprehension, symbolising the prevailing job security fears and concerns. Overall, “INC.” is a compelling short film with an intriguing concept. It’s evident that the film’s initial concept appears challenging to execute, but the team successfully brought their vision to life.

“Greed,” brought to life by Joe, Jacklyn, Minna, and Yuyao, is a close second in my opinion. The short film’s aesthetics exude an intriguing blend of crime, mystery, and science fiction elements, with the narrative revolving around Lena, a seller and streamer who stumbles upon a mysterious wishing bowl. I do like the gradual evolution of Lena’s morality and the escalating effects of her greed. The progression of her character’s emotions reminded me of the show “The Walking Dead,” renowned for its exceptional character development in crisis situations. In “Greed,” the team successfully achieved a similar effect, making Lena’s transformation captivating to watch. One other aspect that particularly impressed me was the production design. I found the shots of Lena’s live stream on her phone screen to be dynamically engaging. These shots added an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the viewer’s immersion in the story. The final shot of the film was clever. It revealed the wishing paper being flipped upside down, revealing the word “toxicity.” This revelation was impactful and skillfully executed, adhering to the “show, don’t tell” principle. However, I believe it could have been even more powerful with some refinements in the sound effects and a smoother transition in the preceding shot to maximize its impact. Overall, “Greed” is an enjoyable short film with a meaningful “life lesson” message. It offers a compelling narrative with well-developed characters and a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the consequences of unchecked greed.

“keep going.” by Miller Marks-Boulton, a creation from the “Film Form” studio, truly stands out among the others for me. This short video work adeptly conveys the experience of individuals with ADHD or any condition that leads to sensory overload. It skillfully portrays the chaos, jumbled thoughts, and overlapping voices that overwhelm the protagonist, and in doing so, it effectively conveys a sense of stress and disorientation him and so to the viewer. The story offers a glimpse, into the challenges these individuals face in navigating through life, even with seemingly simple tasks that most take for granted. It provides an insight into the daily struggles of those with these disorders, shedding light on how arduous life can be for them. What I appreciated was the touch of humor in the film, which made the subject matter more approachable. It strikes a balance that allows the piece to be both sympathetic and engaging, not burdening the viewer with the weight of the topic. From a technical perspective, “keep going.” shines in various aspects, including editing, camerawork, and sound design. The effort put into capturing and reflecting the symptoms and reactions is evident. The use of forgetfulness, bizarre jump cuts, and the protagonist’s teleportation effectively mirrors the disjointed nature of his thoughts and experiences, portraying a sense that his mind is not entirely his own. In summary, “keep going.” is a compelling piece that skillfully delves into the challenges faced by individuals with sensory overload disorders. It blends humor with empathy and showcases technical prowess in capturing and conveying the struggles of its protagonist. Watching this film was a genuinely enjoyable and informative experience.

“Pointing Flower” by Mustafa from the studio also caught my attention, especially as I noticed some thematic similarities to my own group’s work. It explores the themes of split identities and self-love, but with a unique perspective. What stood out was how the protagonist is not only aware of their own issues but actively strives to “embody the best version” of themselves. This added depth to the narrative, making it all the more intriguing. The use of music in the film was a key element that contributed to its overall impact. The choice of music gave the video a lighter, more whimsical mood, and the texture of the music, reminiscent of medieval or evoking a journey to “The Shire,” added a distinct and enjoyable dimension to the viewing experience. The quality of the shots, their construction, and the lighting all demonstrated a high standard of craftsmanship. These technical aspects were well-executed, contributing to the overall visual appeal and effectiveness of the film. It was an enjoyable watch, and I appreciated the attention to detail in both its narrative and production aspects.