Reviews for PHASE ONE

[CamoRalph]

I can tell a lot of work went into the modelling of the sets, characters, etc and I get what you were going for, but I have to be blunt about this - this was really boring.

While I can appreciate the enormity of the design, the fact that we watch one lone soldier running and running and standing and running and standing and typing and looking around makes for one really boring film. For starters, everything is desaturated and flat, boring grey. I understand you're establishing the setting as a big expansive factory/mega structure... but even then, there's no variety, just massive grey blocks that fit together. The music is slow and repetitive and the animation is floaty, weightless and also repetitive. It's a recipe of repetition and it gets boring really quickly.

I know I sound really harsh when I say all this, but I'm saying it to help you realise what's wrong with the short. I admire the effort you went to make this, it's clear this would have taken a long time, but if your intent was to show "a mysterious character explores the dark depths of a giant abandoned facility" - then it really didn't read. I honestly read this as a soldier going to work. At no point was he exploring, searching, pausing, looking around - he was simply running in a perfectly straight line like he knew where he was going. He had no intent, he felt like he was on rails.

For me, what this film really needs to help boost it in the right direction is establishment. Where are we, how big is the facility, who is the character, how did he get there, why is he there. These questions NEED to be answered well and truly at the beginning in order to help the film's pace, otherwise it becomes something entirely different, and we lose interest quickly.

Thanks for posting this. Regardless of what people say, you should be extremely proud at the amount of work that went into it, and eager to dive back in and make it even better.

Good luck with the next phase man!
Cam

[SuckTheRainbow]

Reallyniec content, the vast setting and music made it really powerfully silent. Loved that so much.

I don't like to say it, but the running/walking animation took away a lot of potential for some deep, quietly philsophical stuff. It just looked plain gooofy, which was kind of a bummer.

Other than that, really great video!

[hayseman]

Great setting!! The atmosphere was really strong in this film. Also the models were really excellent. The thing that bothered me the most was the running and walking animation. It was way off imo. Since the animation was used for more then 75% of the film it really stood out and annoyed me. Also the ending left me really cold. What is going on here???

[ArmyofDorkness]

i've given 5 stars to people who have done way less work than this. the scope of this project is breathtakingly vast, which is reflected in the hugeness of the facility. a sense of mystery is nicely laid out and i find myself wondering at the purpose of a building of that size and complexity.

the modeling, textures, and lighting were all very professional looking, the only thing that bugged me was the walk cycle of the character.

[Ericho]

I admit that I was a bit disappointed at how there wasn't a lot of action. But you know what? This is some of the most awesome animation I've ever seen on this website, so I just love it. It's definitley the best animation I've seen from you. I would love to see more of these cartoons made. It is a bit weird the title was in all capitals.

It looks like it's mostly just this guy going through this strange place. I just love the detail put into everything. It looks like this would have also worked as a trailer. Hopefully future episodes will have more things going on. I was surprised at how short this was, given how massive the environment seemed.