British Comedy Guide

Shadazzle (Melodramedy Webseries)

Hello :)

I just wanted to share my latest project with everyone to see what you all think. It's a comedy-drama (or 'melodramedy,' as I like to call it) following an engaged couple, Florence and Fred, whose lives are going perfectly pleasantly until money trouble drives Florence to make a decision that could change her life (and the lives of those around her) forever.

The first season of the show will have eight episodes, four of which have been released at the time of writing this. The episodes average about eight minutes or so each, so it's an easily digestible show.

Shadazzle Website

While I've posted this in showcase not critique (since it is a finished project) I would like as much feedback as you can give me, because it will all help us create an even better second season. A few things I'd especially love opinions on are: visual look, music, storyline, characters, and (perhaps most importantly) is it funny?

Looking forward to reading any responses and massive thanks in advance! :D

Sorry to be a bump bore, but this thread was dangerously close to drifting into the archives unanswered and I could really use some opinions (couldn't we all?) :)

There are now six episodes online (out of eight) weighing in at a respectable 45 minutes or so, so there's plenty to keep you occupied if you've got some time to kill. If not, don't hesitate to comment, even if you've only watched one!

Thanks a lot :)

Hi Brett. Haven't watched your show yet but Critique is a better place to post if you're looking for feedback. People sometimes offer their opinions on Showcase, but not always. Now you've opened the floor for critique I expect things will change though. I'll give this a look tomorrow.

Okay, here are my thoughts on your first episode...

Your intro is too long. Pretty and all, but with a miniseries like this you're just wasting time. Don't give your viewer an excuse to switch off - get straight into the action.

...and when I say "action", maybe not 30 seconds of absolutely nothing! Ask yourself this honestly - would you sit around watching a stranger's video for a minute and a half if bugger all was going on? Most your audience are sitting around looking for something to watch during their lunch break. There's a world of competition out there and you're giving them soft focus nothing.

The direction is a little off - for instance the two ladies talking at the start don't quite meet in terms of eye line. It's only slight but they might as well be in different rooms for the effect it has. Likewise, the cleaning girl is looking the wrong direction in her conversation with the couple later. Whoever is working the camera would do well to learn some basic cinematography - things like not "crossing the line". A little more attention paid to lighting would help too.

The casting isn't right at all. You guys look like students but you seem to be playing characters at least 10 years older then your actual ages. We see this a lot and it makes the whole thing look like a bit of a nativity play I'm afraid. I admire you for getting out of your skins and not making a show about life in student halls, but there must be a better angle than pretending to be middle-aged suburbanites. There's an uneasy tone in the acting styles too - the first two girls are playing it like a kitchen sink drama but the guy and the cleaner are going very broad with their performances.

All in all, the show is neither all that dramatic nor all that funny. Sorry not to be able to have nicer things to say but you asked for feedback and it does no favours for me to bullshit you. I know from experience how it feels to have someone lay into something you're proud of and have worked hard on, but as a finished product this is just a non-starter. For me at least.

Please don't let that make you feel bad though because, make no mistake, shooting a whole series is a huge achievement and a fantastic way to learn the ropes. If you carry on with this work ethic your output will improve exponentially to the point that you'll look back at this in a couple of years and cringe. I shot my first video something like 10 years ago and at the time I made it I would have defended it to the death - nowadays just thinking of it makes my balls shrink.

Quote: David Bussell @ March 16 2012, 11:41 AM GMT

The direction is a little off - for instance the two ladies talking at the start don't quite meet in terms of eye line. It's only slight but they might as well be in different rooms for the effect it has. Likewise, the cleaning girl is looking the wrong direction in her conversation with the couple later. Whoever is working the camera would do well to learn some basic cinematography - things like not "crossing the line". A little more attention paid to lighting would help too.

This will haunt me till the day I die (as will the jump cut later.) The sad result of lacking time when doing pickups and not wanting to delay the launch date.

Quote: David Bussell @ March 16 2012, 11:41 AM GMT

All in all, the show is neither all that dramatic nor all that funny. Sorry not to be able to have nicer things to say but you asked for feedback and it does no favours for me to bullshit you. I know from experience how it feels to have someone lay into something you're proud of and have worked hard on, but as a finished product this is just a non-starter. For me at least.

Please don't let that make you feel bad though because, make no mistake, shooting a whole series is a huge achievement and a fantastic way to learn the ropes. If you carry on with this work ethic your output will improve exponentially to the point that you'll look back at this in a couple of years and cringe. I shot my first video something like 10 years ago and at the time I made it I would have defended it to the death - nowadays just thinking of it makes my balls shrink.

Bad feedback is better than no feedback!

And I already cringe at everything I did before this series. Imagine my horror watching movies I made when I was 11! Jeez.

Thanks for the feedback :) I do wish we had a stronger series opener... Oh well!

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