Sci-Fi Short Film The Lake in the Sky - DUST
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Date: 2025-02-27
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Comments and reviews: 20
RMR1
The technical aspects of The Lake in the Sky -- the art direction, photography and editing, in particular -- are outstanding. The film is one part coming-of-age tale, one part tantalizing -- and unsettling -- dreamscape. The one main criticism I have is that some scenes feel rushed and unfinished, which at times rattles the pacing and cohesiveness of the film (though both nonetheless remain intact)
As an example, the relationship between the two main characters -- folks who simply know of one another at the start -- develops unnaturally fast. I can kind of buy that she goes with him to his creepy, locked, serial-killer-like lair deep in the woods. But when he casually mentions you can go back and re-live your memories as a spectator, she accepts this without hesitation or even the slightest skepticism. She's like (and I'm paraphrasing) Great, so tomorrow night, I'll bring you a video that you can send me back in time to. You know, like normal stuff. . I know short films make comprehensive story arcs challenging, but the master scene needed to be fleshed out just a little more.
But the film as a whole is engaging, suspenseful and deliciously ethereal. And despite the holes in the script, the writing is solid, if a little clunky at times. The scene where they meet, for instance, is. odd. I get that she's caught off guard by him mentioning the accident, but the whole throwing-rocks-at-him thing feels forced and a bit hokey. (And why is he so hesitant to get out of the water He acts like a skinny dipper trying to hide that he's naked -- even though he's fully clothed) Even with a few misfires, though, the dialogue is more often than not smart, genuine and often quite charming.
The acting is solid -- both leads give convincing, heartfelt performances despite the awkwardness of some of the exposition (which is, thankfully, kept to a minimum) I'm not sure I believe either of these characters is 16 (we know he's 16 and I'm assuming she's supposed to be about the same age) But this isn't the fault of the actors and again, these are mostly nits.
Bottom line: The Lake in the Sky is a beautifully shot and edited dreamscape of a film with elements of films like, Final Destination (the difference being that The Lake in the Sky isn't dumb, and especially Super 8, a terrific film by J. J. Abrams.
Score: 4. 5/5.
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The technical aspects of The Lake in the Sky -- the art direction, photography and editing, in particular -- are outstanding. The film is one part coming-of-age tale, one part tantalizing -- and unsettling -- dreamscape. The one main criticism I have is that some scenes feel rushed and unfinished, which at times rattles the pacing and cohesiveness of the film (though both nonetheless remain intact)
As an example, the relationship between the two main characters -- folks who simply know of one another at the start -- develops unnaturally fast. I can kind of buy that she goes with him to his creepy, locked, serial-killer-like lair deep in the woods. But when he casually mentions you can go back and re-live your memories as a spectator, she accepts this without hesitation or even the slightest skepticism. She's like (and I'm paraphrasing) Great, so tomorrow night, I'll bring you a video that you can send me back in time to. You know, like normal stuff. . I know short films make comprehensive story arcs challenging, but the master scene needed to be fleshed out just a little more.
But the film as a whole is engaging, suspenseful and deliciously ethereal. And despite the holes in the script, the writing is solid, if a little clunky at times. The scene where they meet, for instance, is. odd. I get that she's caught off guard by him mentioning the accident, but the whole throwing-rocks-at-him thing feels forced and a bit hokey. (And why is he so hesitant to get out of the water He acts like a skinny dipper trying to hide that he's naked -- even though he's fully clothed) Even with a few misfires, though, the dialogue is more often than not smart, genuine and often quite charming.
The acting is solid -- both leads give convincing, heartfelt performances despite the awkwardness of some of the exposition (which is, thankfully, kept to a minimum) I'm not sure I believe either of these characters is 16 (we know he's 16 and I'm assuming she's supposed to be about the same age) But this isn't the fault of the actors and again, these are mostly nits.
Bottom line: The Lake in the Sky is a beautifully shot and edited dreamscape of a film with elements of films like, Final Destination (the difference being that The Lake in the Sky isn't dumb, and especially Super 8, a terrific film by J. J. Abrams.
Score: 4. 5/5.
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surrealsista
So much to unravel hereI don’t even know what I should be drawing conclusions about. Except the girl wanting to go back and save her friend.
In the end, when you don’t know how you got there, you begin to wonder if it’s real.
Maybe the boy (Warren) is her version or memory of him and she’s stuck in her own world, attempting to burn his down. Meanwhile, in the origin world, the boy is stuck with explaining why he has an invalid in his shed; or, is stuck with the knowledge of where she went when the town thinks she’s gone missing
So much to think about. Excellent work, Caleb. This is definitely my wheelhouse
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So much to unravel hereI don’t even know what I should be drawing conclusions about. Except the girl wanting to go back and save her friend.
In the end, when you don’t know how you got there, you begin to wonder if it’s real.
Maybe the boy (Warren) is her version or memory of him and she’s stuck in her own world, attempting to burn his down. Meanwhile, in the origin world, the boy is stuck with explaining why he has an invalid in his shed; or, is stuck with the knowledge of where she went when the town thinks she’s gone missing
So much to think about. Excellent work, Caleb. This is definitely my wheelhouse
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CurtisDelzell
Its been a couple years, or longer, since I watched a new short on DUST that made any damn sense to me, at all. This was really good. This is real sci-fi. It imagines a future, or a way, in which people can experience youth, or the past, again. I can really relate to the commentary about the relationship between memories, dreams, deja vu, and amnesia. Cant hardly wait for the F-L version but, Ill be patient. Good stuff is worth waiting for. Thanks!
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Its been a couple years, or longer, since I watched a new short on DUST that made any damn sense to me, at all. This was really good. This is real sci-fi. It imagines a future, or a way, in which people can experience youth, or the past, again. I can really relate to the commentary about the relationship between memories, dreams, deja vu, and amnesia. Cant hardly wait for the F-L version but, Ill be patient. Good stuff is worth waiting for. Thanks!
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calebreesepaul
Hi all! Caleb here - I'm the Writer/Director/Producer/Editor of this short (and I also play Warren. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch my film! Feel free to let me know your thoughts - happy to answer any questions, theories, etc! Stay tuned for the feature-length version of The Lake in the Sky (coming soon.
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Hi all! Caleb here - I'm the Writer/Director/Producer/Editor of this short (and I also play Warren. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch my film! Feel free to let me know your thoughts - happy to answer any questions, theories, etc! Stay tuned for the feature-length version of The Lake in the Sky (coming soon.
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NotoriousBGK64
Great job bud! I had all that stuff, view master, 8mm projection and edit machine, reel to reel audio, vhs and edit machine. I wanted to be a movie director then life happened. Collage, marriage, kids and 30 yrs as a cop. I’m going to the attic right now and relive my old dream. Thanks!
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Great job bud! I had all that stuff, view master, 8mm projection and edit machine, reel to reel audio, vhs and edit machine. I wanted to be a movie director then life happened. Collage, marriage, kids and 30 yrs as a cop. I’m going to the attic right now and relive my old dream. Thanks!
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MarkSteven-yt5zn
Very well filmed and acted. A bit predictable but i liked it. The kid is smart but not smart enough to know she would try to change things and not smart enough to monitor her for 2 minutes until she was done. I liked the concept and delivery though.
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Very well filmed and acted. A bit predictable but i liked it. The kid is smart but not smart enough to know she would try to change things and not smart enough to monitor her for 2 minutes until she was done. I liked the concept and delivery though.
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Visionaryvibes444
Memories are recollections of real past events, while dreams are mental experiences that happen during sleep, often not based on reality. Memories reflect actual moments, whereas dreams can mix imagination and subconscious thoughts.
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Memories are recollections of real past events, while dreams are mental experiences that happen during sleep, often not based on reality. Memories reflect actual moments, whereas dreams can mix imagination and subconscious thoughts.
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vlmeda
Future and past are interlinked we think they are not connected but what if time is not progressive but linear all things happening at same time we only look it like time past present and future. There are no paradoxes but multiverses
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Future and past are interlinked we think they are not connected but what if time is not progressive but linear all things happening at same time we only look it like time past present and future. There are no paradoxes but multiverses
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Tamsuw1781
Nostalgia is longing for what was. i think we all are victims of that. Bittersweet really. But you can get stuck in that and miss what is. Although sometimes our memories are definitely better than the present.
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Nostalgia is longing for what was. i think we all are victims of that. Bittersweet really. But you can get stuck in that and miss what is. Although sometimes our memories are definitely better than the present.
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dust
You can control your nostalgia. Its possible to live in that feeling nearly all the time. You just have to look at everything and make it old and new at the same time. Make your brain experience it differently.
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You can control your nostalgia. Its possible to live in that feeling nearly all the time. You just have to look at everything and make it old and new at the same time. Make your brain experience it differently.
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dilithium72
Gorgeous visuals, but I’m a simple person and I didn’t really understand the ending. It felt open-ended and open to interpretation. I like conclusions, that’s all. Well done.
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Gorgeous visuals, but I’m a simple person and I didn’t really understand the ending. It felt open-ended and open to interpretation. I like conclusions, that’s all. Well done.
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LesActive
I would say that you're far too young to be capable of these kinds of thought exercises but it's obvious that I'd be wrong if I did so. well done! Looking forward to more, cheers.
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I would say that you're far too young to be capable of these kinds of thought exercises but it's obvious that I'd be wrong if I did so. well done! Looking forward to more, cheers.
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albertchehade9916
4, 000 weeks. does not sound like much, does it
like. 1, 000 months. not much to life at all - yet, the universe lives for trillions of years collectively
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4, 000 weeks. does not sound like much, does it
like. 1, 000 months. not much to life at all - yet, the universe lives for trillions of years collectively
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davidpalmer5966
Well, this is on a whole different level from the interminable dystopian and AI shorts. Genuinely creative, with an original take on an old story. Well done.
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Well, this is on a whole different level from the interminable dystopian and AI shorts. Genuinely creative, with an original take on an old story. Well done.
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Chris_Donovan
This film had a great feel to it. I felt like it was more in the genre of fantasy. It was almost Steam Punk, but modern day instead. Thank you.
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This film had a great feel to it. I felt like it was more in the genre of fantasy. It was almost Steam Punk, but modern day instead. Thank you.
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michaelwallace4298
What a great little Sci Fi - very well shot, scripted, and acted - the trifecta. Rare to get all three humming along as well as this.
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What a great little Sci Fi - very well shot, scripted, and acted - the trifecta. Rare to get all three humming along as well as this.
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ogmrbiotech
LOVE the cinematography and appreciate a story that doesn’t reveal it’s full hand. Makes for a more thoughtful and engaged experience!
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LOVE the cinematography and appreciate a story that doesn’t reveal it’s full hand. Makes for a more thoughtful and engaged experience!
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lisandro3614
To know the future is to be trapped by it. But we tend to forget. sometimes it's the same with the past.
Nostalgia. Tread carefully.
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To know the future is to be trapped by it. But we tend to forget. sometimes it's the same with the past.
Nostalgia. Tread carefully.
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damsjo1401
I think Maxine Wanderer is a great actor. You must have had a great time acting with her. She is serious and yet light-hearted.
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I think Maxine Wanderer is a great actor. You must have had a great time acting with her. She is serious and yet light-hearted.
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And1too
Awesome concept. Hes got a few sequels or a series on his hands. Im glad i watched till the end.
Dude sets the hook slow.
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Awesome concept. Hes got a few sequels or a series on his hands. Im glad i watched till the end.
Dude sets the hook slow.
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