Thanks POW15H, Pieguy, Marc, and Davewav for your comments.
The film will be about an intensely disturbing psychological and spiritual process called the Dark Night of the Soul (DNOS). My thinking with the preview was to try and have not only the images but also the presentation of them consistent with features of the DNOS process. That is, images are powerful yet vague, initially dark and maybe disturbing (at least the initial stages) etc.. With the presentation of the images I was playing with trying to bring the viewer in to a state that might mirror the DNOS process somewhat; that is, feel somewhat confused, perhaps disturbed, demand a great deal of focus and concentration, elicit thoughts without the time to process them fully, almost not give the viewer time to relax (much like the chronic state of a person during a DNOS experience) - until the painful yet hopefully serene climax at the end when it slows down.
However, maybe it’s too much for a preview, especially one that does not establish the above context. I never actually considered that I should make the preview to ‘stand alone’ as I always had it in mind in the context of the rest of my webpage. I also do not want to overwhelm the viewer or have them find the film aversive (for example, because it’s too fast) and then not be interested in seeing it.
I will try a version slowing the transitions down. Also maybe try and establish the context within the preview itself. Can you make out the pictures alright? Marc has offered to post a somewhat larger version of this original preview which will be at a higher bitrate and therefore clearer. Perhaps it’ll make a difference. I believe the link will be as a separate post and will hopefully be up shortly.
Questions for those who have viewed it:
I am interested to know if the context of the preview (above) makes you see it in a different light.
Do you think trying to elicit a mood state from the viewer is a good idea and to what extent is it achieved? (e.g., your visceral reactions upon viewing vs. your reactions upon reflection)
Excuse my naivitee; what does bump mean?
I’m working on a second preview as I work on the film itself. I appreciate your thoughts so I can improve the second.
-John
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