Metronome Rough Cut v3

mostly shortened the parts like digging into pockets and form thrown on the bed. 

I did not remove the close up shots of him pulling the ring out as I tested it and found the shots to be better with than without. 

I’ve also edited the shot of the boy talking the hamburger to look more seemless.

For the first flashback scene I’m considering having the piano piece be misplayed intentionally when he gets more nervous which would give the father reason for him to cane his son

I don’t think I will include the father saying anything to his son, maybe more of a beautiful music pice played across the visuals to symbolise harmony between father and son

Metronome Actor’s CV, Shotlist and Final Script

Hi guys,

I’ve put up the actor’s CV, Shotlist and Final Script here should anyone need it for reference.

Actor’s CV
Jon: played by Marshall Poh
marshall-poh-cv

Young Jon: played by Jared Aiden Lim
jared-aiden-lim-cv

Shot List
metronome-shot-list-v1-sheet1

Final Script
metronome-script

Metronome Shooting Schedule and other details

Director: Alexander
DOP: Matthew
Producer: Lauren
Art D & Sound: Phoebe
Gaffer and B-camera: Ken Ng

LOCATION (2): Singapore Polytechnic. The Interlace, 200 Depot Road, 109706

CONTACT: Director Alex: 9320 0698, or Producer Lauren: 9070 7984

SHOOTING TIME:
0900 call time
0930 – 1230 – Hospital @ Signaproe Polytechnic Scenes
1230 – 1430 – Move to Interlace & Lunch
1430 – 1600 – Vending Machine Scenes
1600 – 1830 – Carpark smoking scene
1830 – 1900 – Dinner
1900 – 2200 – Piano Scene

Metronome Character Backstory

Jon

Aged 28, Chinese.

Jon is a beaten man, heavily burdened with the choice to terminate the life support off his comatose father. He has a great disdain for his father who was abusive to him when he was young, caning him whenever he misplayed the piano.

He is emotionally scarred by the piano practices with his father, which consciously haunts his life and behavior. Despite the negative emotions he feels towards his father, he ultimately remembers the good times with him.

Back-story (Not in film)

Jon is a talented struggling musician, who is up to his neck in debt. He spends his days playing keyboard for pubs and nightclubs, looking for his big break. His indebted state is self-inflicted, being involved in the many vices a popular musician would face.

 

Father

50s – 60s, Chinese.

Jon’s Father is a strict no nonsense father, who believes in ruling his son with an iron fist. He is unapologetic for the way he raises Jon even though most might see his methods as overly harsh and brutal. Despite all this however, he does show his affection for his son in his own subtle way.

Thoughts on The English Surgeon

  • Opening – A lot of polished shots
  • Interviews – Seem to be from light topics to dark topics
  • Use of music very manipulative and on cue
  • There are a lot of reenactments used
  • Archive footage used effectively
  • Main characters are interesting
  • Transportation of medical equipment was not explained at the start but brought to light later
  • Intercut between church and surgery room was effectively done, showed the stark divide between faith and science

 

  • Bicycle riding shot – > English doc moves left to right (makes him look like the protagonist)
  • Igor’s walking through graves shot (followed right after the bicycle shot) is from right to left (making him look like the antagonist)
  • In the later scenes however based on the conversations it seems that the roles of protagonist and antagonist are reversed.

 

  • Tension ever present (whether or not to operate), tension seems to die down after the successful surgery, lowering the stakes.
  • Archive footage – mostly of Tanya’s failed operation, very emotional
  • Contrast of surgeons and hospitals in London and Ukraine very obvious when put side by side
  • Some B-Roll appears to be taken after the film and not in the moment
  • Telling the Grandmother that her granddaughter is going to die seems exploitive? – Is it a necessary evil in documentaries to showcase the misery of others?
  • English Surgeon’s darker sides – not as optimistic as before
    • Does not shy away from gory details
    • Makes for interesting and compelling film
  • Ending – Reconciliation, I feel it is a nice wrap up although a little too long drawn
  • Ethicality of lying while breaking news to patient
    • A look inside the mind of the surgeon
      • A quick cut to last short with Tanya then back to her, is a final one-two KO punch to audiences
    • The constant going back to Tanya’s family is exploitive but moving

 

Final Thoughts

  • Overall the film is driven primarily on emotion, the weight of the characters going for surgery and drama is formed with the tension of whether they live or die in the balance
  • There was a main story of the brain surgery, which lost steam after we know about the surgery’s success.
  • The Rhythm of the story seemed linear at first but over time after the arc about the reconciliation with Tanya, the pacing took a nose dive, I felt that portion of the film was still necessary for an epic conclusion but maybe could have been significantly cut down.