Sci-Fi Short Film Phaedra - DUST
video description
Date: 2024-04-01
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 35
DrachenMeister666
The score's theme doesn't match the action at the start: it's boss monster music meant to induce tension laid over boring lead-in scenes. It's placement made no sense. You basically ruined your film's pacing right from the beginning. It's also too loud & drowns out dialogue in places. Walking was gimpy & jointless. Faces moved robotically--not realistic or synched up to speech, mouths especially. Facial expression nearly non-existent. I'm putting these last issues down to the program you used & not to anything you did, though. Plot was inconsistent & janky, such as the motivations of the two characters, & it had holes you could drive a semi through. Why would there be a 4 floppy disc on the floor in the fire scene No one's used those in reality in decades, let alone in whatever century this short takes place in (since it takes place in a space-station, I'm imagining at least 100 years from now, so there's no way there'd be 4 floppies anywhere on that station. Consistency doesn't just mean in plot lines--it means in technology if you're doing sci-fi. It also doesn't match the data plaque the agent took from the computer wall in the data-centre, so why is it there This was over-all a dumpster fire of inconsistencies. The monster's design was interesting, when we got to see it. I thought it was a funky, cool critter. I liked it, even though it's design made no real sense in terms of why some elements of it's body were where they were. It just looked interesting, visually. I just wish we got to see more of it, & that it actually moved smoother & faster. It needed to be more of a threat. It obviously had killed the researchers, yet when we actually got to see it, it was so slow, it was easy to avoid. Not something I would view as a threat, or be actually afraid of. As it was, it seemed clumsy & slow in it's movements, & I suspected it could be easily tricked into situations that could trap it. It was obviously hellishly strong & resilient (witness how it was able to weather the fire, which does pose a problem. I realize this was a student piece, but I think you can do better.
reply
The score's theme doesn't match the action at the start: it's boss monster music meant to induce tension laid over boring lead-in scenes. It's placement made no sense. You basically ruined your film's pacing right from the beginning. It's also too loud & drowns out dialogue in places. Walking was gimpy & jointless. Faces moved robotically--not realistic or synched up to speech, mouths especially. Facial expression nearly non-existent. I'm putting these last issues down to the program you used & not to anything you did, though. Plot was inconsistent & janky, such as the motivations of the two characters, & it had holes you could drive a semi through. Why would there be a 4 floppy disc on the floor in the fire scene No one's used those in reality in decades, let alone in whatever century this short takes place in (since it takes place in a space-station, I'm imagining at least 100 years from now, so there's no way there'd be 4 floppies anywhere on that station. Consistency doesn't just mean in plot lines--it means in technology if you're doing sci-fi. It also doesn't match the data plaque the agent took from the computer wall in the data-centre, so why is it there This was over-all a dumpster fire of inconsistencies. The monster's design was interesting, when we got to see it. I thought it was a funky, cool critter. I liked it, even though it's design made no real sense in terms of why some elements of it's body were where they were. It just looked interesting, visually. I just wish we got to see more of it, & that it actually moved smoother & faster. It needed to be more of a threat. It obviously had killed the researchers, yet when we actually got to see it, it was so slow, it was easy to avoid. Not something I would view as a threat, or be actually afraid of. As it was, it seemed clumsy & slow in it's movements, & I suspected it could be easily tricked into situations that could trap it. It was obviously hellishly strong & resilient (witness how it was able to weather the fire, which does pose a problem. I realize this was a student piece, but I think you can do better.
reply
Hallo1248574
I know this is not a professional production, but this was too off putting to watch until the end, without a break.
First, these soulless eyes that stare into the distance, even when talking to someone.
The protagonists way of walking. we are not on a catwalk here, you are an a station on a foreign planet with dead people all around you.
The lip sync is off and the movements in general are very uncanny valley.
I think it is minute 3 where the Dr. is turning her head. it looks like this should have caused her neck to snap.
And of course the bad speech / music mixing. It is not so much that is is hard to understand what they are talking about, but it is just loud and annoying.
Subtitles could have helped, but there are none.
I understand that this was a college project, but just with a few tweaks this could have been MUCH better.
Compared to other DUST productions, this is on the weaker side.
reply
I know this is not a professional production, but this was too off putting to watch until the end, without a break.
First, these soulless eyes that stare into the distance, even when talking to someone.
The protagonists way of walking. we are not on a catwalk here, you are an a station on a foreign planet with dead people all around you.
The lip sync is off and the movements in general are very uncanny valley.
I think it is minute 3 where the Dr. is turning her head. it looks like this should have caused her neck to snap.
And of course the bad speech / music mixing. It is not so much that is is hard to understand what they are talking about, but it is just loud and annoying.
Subtitles could have helped, but there are none.
I understand that this was a college project, but just with a few tweaks this could have been MUCH better.
Compared to other DUST productions, this is on the weaker side.
reply
electricsparks4251
Hello Liam
I read your self praise about you making this video. You say your never imagined you would get this far as to post this story on You Tube. Well your imagination proved correct. This is probably the farthest you are ever going to get. To bad. You don't appear to want to make more videos like this. But in a way, this is good, because Dust is way over loaded with way to many junk stories and worthless videos that are worse than garbage. Stories with no meanings, stories that are to confusing and almost all without satisfactory endings. And actors who aren't worth more than $5. 00 a day. I hope you paid your actors at least that. So please don't make any more videos. Thanks.
reply
Hello Liam
I read your self praise about you making this video. You say your never imagined you would get this far as to post this story on You Tube. Well your imagination proved correct. This is probably the farthest you are ever going to get. To bad. You don't appear to want to make more videos like this. But in a way, this is good, because Dust is way over loaded with way to many junk stories and worthless videos that are worse than garbage. Stories with no meanings, stories that are to confusing and almost all without satisfactory endings. And actors who aren't worth more than $5. 00 a day. I hope you paid your actors at least that. So please don't make any more videos. Thanks.
reply
liampugh
Hello everyone, I’m Liam Pugh, the creator of this film. I made this film for my senior film thesis class in college and I never imagined it would get this far. It’s great to be part of the dust community. Thanks so much to everyone who helped me make it and the wonderful actors who embodied their roles so well. Blood, sweat, and tears went into making this and I’m pumped to have it finally out. If anyone’s curious, I’m happy to answer any questions on the film or how it was made. I hope y’all enjoy it.
Thanks so much for watching.
reply
Hello everyone, I’m Liam Pugh, the creator of this film. I made this film for my senior film thesis class in college and I never imagined it would get this far. It’s great to be part of the dust community. Thanks so much to everyone who helped me make it and the wonderful actors who embodied their roles so well. Blood, sweat, and tears went into making this and I’m pumped to have it finally out. If anyone’s curious, I’m happy to answer any questions on the film or how it was made. I hope y’all enjoy it.
Thanks so much for watching.
reply
RMR1
The uncanny valley of it all made it a little. odd. Especially with the lip-sync issues and awkward running. The lighting was highly effective but crossed into seizure-inducing area a few too many times. And honestly, I wasn't entirely sure what to make of the characters -- the motivation for suspicion, then trust, then suspicion again, on both their parts, was a bit shaky. It kind of felt like I had missed the first 20 minutes of a 30-minute short. The direction was solid. Photography excellent. Definitely shows potential. 2. 6/5.
reply
The uncanny valley of it all made it a little. odd. Especially with the lip-sync issues and awkward running. The lighting was highly effective but crossed into seizure-inducing area a few too many times. And honestly, I wasn't entirely sure what to make of the characters -- the motivation for suspicion, then trust, then suspicion again, on both their parts, was a bit shaky. It kind of felt like I had missed the first 20 minutes of a 30-minute short. The direction was solid. Photography excellent. Definitely shows potential. 2. 6/5.
reply
CIS101
Very very slick, but not too original. My first impression as of 0: 16 was wow she has a big a55 and after all, the script called for an underwear sequence right Then on the planet I was not sure at first if space suit girl was the same as underwear girl. Nice touch with the floppy disc at the end. All these short films seemed to be designed to leave the audience wanting more which I guess is the point of a pitch meeting.
reply
Very very slick, but not too original. My first impression as of 0: 16 was wow she has a big a55 and after all, the script called for an underwear sequence right Then on the planet I was not sure at first if space suit girl was the same as underwear girl. Nice touch with the floppy disc at the end. All these short films seemed to be designed to leave the audience wanting more which I guess is the point of a pitch meeting.
reply
dust
Why does the main protagonist have to walk like she was working in a strip club while being in a space suit That is really weird and sets the whole thing off. Also there's plot holes.
If that's a cleanup mission and something has gone wrong at that research and this imperium really wants that data - why the heck do they send ONE unarmed person there, whom they tell NOTHING in advance
reply
Why does the main protagonist have to walk like she was working in a strip club while being in a space suit That is really weird and sets the whole thing off. Also there's plot holes.
If that's a cleanup mission and something has gone wrong at that research and this imperium really wants that data - why the heck do they send ONE unarmed person there, whom they tell NOTHING in advance
reply
jimsmith556
Good animation and lighting, especially when the creature is on-screen. Too bad the dialogue is completely blocked out by the music in some sequences. Even replaying the sections did not help to reveal what was said by the soft-speaking character. If you insist on having such loud music and not checking that the dialogue is heard, then I'd suggest subtitles.
reply
Good animation and lighting, especially when the creature is on-screen. Too bad the dialogue is completely blocked out by the music in some sequences. Even replaying the sections did not help to reveal what was said by the soft-speaking character. If you insist on having such loud music and not checking that the dialogue is heard, then I'd suggest subtitles.
reply
foxw875
(Said before) the CGI was a little wonky and made the characters look like they were tripping balls!
Other than that, it was a nice little short. Plot is a little confusing, but still overall well done, especially with the limited resources you mentioned!
Still better than a lot of content that big game developers churn out.
reply
(Said before) the CGI was a little wonky and made the characters look like they were tripping balls!
Other than that, it was a nice little short. Plot is a little confusing, but still overall well done, especially with the limited resources you mentioned!
Still better than a lot of content that big game developers churn out.
reply
entropyinc2054
Overall, not bad, but it does follow in the footsteps of too many movies that never clearly show the creature (the backlit silhouette at the end doesn't really count, as too much detail is washed out. The story also needs a clearer ending and more well defined character motivation, but as I said, overall, not bad.
reply
Overall, not bad, but it does follow in the footsteps of too many movies that never clearly show the creature (the backlit silhouette at the end doesn't really count, as too much detail is washed out. The story also needs a clearer ending and more well defined character motivation, but as I said, overall, not bad.
reply
clayguy1
As someone who sculpts the human figure, I picked up immediately on it being CGI. Right at the beginning, the way the main character held her head and her neck and body were at an extreme odd angle. Well done other than that. You need to tweek it to make it perfect. Speech and such. This has great potential though.
reply
As someone who sculpts the human figure, I picked up immediately on it being CGI. Right at the beginning, the way the main character held her head and her neck and body were at an extreme odd angle. Well done other than that. You need to tweek it to make it perfect. Speech and such. This has great potential though.
reply
klyanadkmorr
At first I thought cool acting then by the time the woman got to the lab no matter how detailed Unreal 5 people still have a hollow unnatural movement and eyes once you realize it's cgi. If had been rotoscanned mocapped from an actor real person then it'd look better.
reply
At first I thought cool acting then by the time the woman got to the lab no matter how detailed Unreal 5 people still have a hollow unnatural movement and eyes once you realize it's cgi. If had been rotoscanned mocapped from an actor real person then it'd look better.
reply
terrykosowick594
Why do film creators keep using shakey-cam Since it was introduced back in 1990 or so, it's no longer innovative; it's just annoying. Between that, the inconsistent audio levels, and mostly darkness with some flashing lights, it was very hard to watch this film.
reply
Why do film creators keep using shakey-cam Since it was introduced back in 1990 or so, it's no longer innovative; it's just annoying. Between that, the inconsistent audio levels, and mostly darkness with some flashing lights, it was very hard to watch this film.
reply
Johnathonaaron
This is so good and and so bad at the same time. why is the sound quality awsome in some places and then overpowered by the music in others also the CG is amazing, almost photo realistic. However, in some scenes the neck movement is abnormally creepy.
reply
This is so good and and so bad at the same time. why is the sound quality awsome in some places and then overpowered by the music in others also the CG is amazing, almost photo realistic. However, in some scenes the neck movement is abnormally creepy.
reply
tonyhall3845
Hello to Liam. That was fantastic. I'm older but I love these types of movies. With your skills and obviously good group of people, I would like to see a redo or sequel to Close Encounters of the 3rd kind. Or something in that genre. anyway, thank you!
reply
Hello to Liam. That was fantastic. I'm older but I love these types of movies. With your skills and obviously good group of people, I would like to see a redo or sequel to Close Encounters of the 3rd kind. Or something in that genre. anyway, thank you!
reply
TheReverb1
Do not get it why ALWAYS the aliens should be kind of gelatinous creatures that look like (Earth) insects Would be very good if the aliens are similar to us or some kind of mutation. I remember a great anime called dolbuks were aliens were Humans.
reply
Do not get it why ALWAYS the aliens should be kind of gelatinous creatures that look like (Earth) insects Would be very good if the aliens are similar to us or some kind of mutation. I remember a great anime called dolbuks were aliens were Humans.
reply
Claythargic
I mean, if the goal was to have characters that look like androids who's parts were cut by drunken machinists and then assembled in a meth lab I have to give this an A. otherwise I am still not sure what to think.
reply
I mean, if the goal was to have characters that look like androids who's parts were cut by drunken machinists and then assembled in a meth lab I have to give this an A. otherwise I am still not sure what to think.
reply
trashman1358
Awesome! But could you turn the music down a little Girls whispering, music loud - found myself trying to filter out the music so I could hear what they were saying. Apart from that, awesome!
reply
Awesome! But could you turn the music down a little Girls whispering, music loud - found myself trying to filter out the music so I could hear what they were saying. Apart from that, awesome!
reply
Windrider6
The background music was annoying and drowned out a lot of what little dialog there was. The animation was good, except for anything to do with the humans. The story is a well-worn trope.
reply
The background music was annoying and drowned out a lot of what little dialog there was. The animation was good, except for anything to do with the humans. The story is a well-worn trope.
reply
Raiderhays37
I usually like DUST entries, but this was just awful. Nothing redeeming at all. Terrible score. Terrible writing. Terrible CGI that didn't even sync with the vocals. Just bad all around.
reply
I usually like DUST entries, but this was just awful. Nothing redeeming at all. Terrible score. Terrible writing. Terrible CGI that didn't even sync with the vocals. Just bad all around.
reply
beingsentient
Early on I saw that this is a cartoon. So I stopped and moved on. I don't want to discourage upcoming film makers, but I didn't think this particular flick would be worth the time.
reply
Early on I saw that this is a cartoon. So I stopped and moved on. I don't want to discourage upcoming film makers, but I didn't think this particular flick would be worth the time.
reply
giraffebecky
I didn't even realize this was an animation until the other girl showed up! Wow! I thought, This girl looks INTERESTING! Those eyes! HAHA! Little did I know she wasn't even real!
reply
I didn't even realize this was an animation until the other girl showed up! Wow! I thought, This girl looks INTERESTING! Those eyes! HAHA! Little did I know she wasn't even real!
reply
ElAnciano767
Nicely done, but a bit of an issue with the sound. The soft voices and the speed at which the characters were speaking meant I could barely hear a word of the dialogue.
reply
Nicely done, but a bit of an issue with the sound. The soft voices and the speed at which the characters were speaking meant I could barely hear a word of the dialogue.
reply
dust
Great job, the story was interesting and the CGI was excellent, especially the ship in the beginning! I hope there's more to come, thank you for sharing your work!
reply
Great job, the story was interesting and the CGI was excellent, especially the ship in the beginning! I hope there's more to come, thank you for sharing your work!
reply
Dan-gk7ti
Would be nice if we could understand what the CGI people where talking about.
The Music is far to loud to hear anything else. Out of 10 A single 3!
reply
Would be nice if we could understand what the CGI people where talking about.
The Music is far to loud to hear anything else. Out of 10 A single 3!
reply
Liglerian
Audio was waaaay too low. I couldn't hear what she said the scientists actually did. I know they've either made that thing or did experiments on it.
reply
Audio was waaaay too low. I couldn't hear what she said the scientists actually did. I know they've either made that thing or did experiments on it.
reply
williambrown7908
Dunno what been say here since I can't hear anything due to deafness and will be nice if have closed captions or subtitles on
reply
Dunno what been say here since I can't hear anything due to deafness and will be nice if have closed captions or subtitles on
reply
dust
It's much easier to watch with sound muted. Why so dramatic soundtrack in the first 3 minutes when absolutely nothing is happening
reply
It's much easier to watch with sound muted. Why so dramatic soundtrack in the first 3 minutes when absolutely nothing is happening
reply
ShawnLH88
ya. lip sync issues and the blaring background music really distracted from the story. sound mixer needs to be fixing this
reply
ya. lip sync issues and the blaring background music really distracted from the story. sound mixer needs to be fixing this
reply
terp2726
I'm pretty sure it's my hearing but I can't understand most of the dialog. Sure would be nice if there was closed captions.
reply
I'm pretty sure it's my hearing but I can't understand most of the dialog. Sure would be nice if there was closed captions.
reply
DarrenNugent-md4kd
Sorry not for me I've seen better in game vfx and animation and soundtracks better luck in your next production
reply
Sorry not for me I've seen better in game vfx and animation and soundtracks better luck in your next production
reply
PACHOUSEFITNESS
I see nobody can hear what the girl said because of the loud music and she was whispering when she talk. Oh well.
reply
I see nobody can hear what the girl said because of the loud music and she was whispering when she talk. Oh well.
reply
chuckgordon3581
Would like to say I enjoyed this, but I could not hear much of the dialogue over the annoyingly loud music.
reply
Would like to say I enjoyed this, but I could not hear much of the dialogue over the annoyingly loud music.
reply
Kevin-hb7yq
Whats with the awful sound design Seriously bad, only listened for about a minute, switched to something else.
reply
Whats with the awful sound design Seriously bad, only listened for about a minute, switched to something else.
reply
andrelaveau8510
Enjoy every moment truly a short film that took me beyond the desolation of the portal pass. keep the flow
reply
Enjoy every moment truly a short film that took me beyond the desolation of the portal pass. keep the flow
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
