After perusing the newly uploaded films on ReelConnect.com, I decided to review “Rain” as this weeks spotlight film. As the makers of this film are still relatively unknown, and so as not to reveal the film’s coup de grace, I shall focus my remarks on the film’s technical and aesthetic values with the intention of providing the filmmakers with advice that is hopefully useful in their future productions, while at the same time, enticing readers like yourself to view it.

“Rain” (6:26) tells the story of “a troubled, runaway teen [who] calls home in the middle of the night” and further postulates, “will anyone be listening?” The filmmakers have said that, “the goal of this film is to help parents see the value of ‘just listening’ instead of ‘just telling.’”

My hat goes off to Matt Hoffman (special visual effects) who added the rain to the film; it looks very real. Unfortunately the director, costume designer, and hair & makeup personnel failed to sufficiently dampen the hat, hair, face, and clothes of the “Girl on phone”, for it would have sealed the deal entirely. On the same note, I would ask these same crew members why the “Mother” is wearing her wedding ring, lipstick, and makeup at 2:08 in the morning long after she has gone to bed. Their other efforts, however, are very refined.

The music, as composed by Greg Duckwitz and performed by Michelle Bailey on the Fiddle and Viola, was particularly well done and added a great deal to the mood of the film. This, along with the lighting design by David Bissen (gaffer) and Cammon C. Randle (grip), coupled with the jib and steadycam work of director David Skousen as well as Brian Nielsen, effectively brought the audience into this one scene film, while the foley work (Greg Duckwitz/Brett Monson/Craig Whetten) added great phone crackling sounds and distinguished clearly between whether the voices over the phone were being heard through the receiver, within the booth, outside of the booth, or in the home. I will say, however, that the single line by the “Father” sounded like a failed ADR attempt, as if someone notably younger was filling in his line for him (whether this was indeed the case or not).

Small embellishments like the picture on the wall in the parents bedroom added greatly to the believability of the story’s outcome, so make sure to pay particular attention to it, for it is a gem. Also, the pull-away shot out of the window in the ending was a nice effect, as edited by the director himself, although the image in the shot does appear to go to a static still frame rather than having the parents inside continue on.

All in all, this was a great little film with a good message and a satisfying ending, and I am willing to look beyond the minor flaws mentioned above and recommend it to you.

Take Rain out for a test drive.

Happy viewing!

Chad Clemans

Chad Clemens is an undergraduate at Utah State University, specializing in aspects of the film industry.