"The Taking" is one of the best horror shorts to come out in awhile. It's chilling, with a haunting atmosphere that loomed over everything from beginning to end. It has a few moments that will make you jump and works itself up, so by the end of the movie you feel scared, and chilly from inside out, but emotionally fulfilled. The score is emotionally spellbinding and the cinematography rich and evocative. It's reminiscent of works by Spielberg and Hitchcock. I only wish it was more widely released on the festival circuit...I saw it in Los Angeles at a special screening of Shorts from USC. I look forward to seeing more work from these talented young filmmakers!

This short film really built up a lot of tension in the first few minutes with the simple technique of a little girl counting. As with a lot of low budget shorts, the sound was WAY too loud. But the acting was good and the writing was excellent. The lighting at times was a bit too dark, but always atmospheric. Score was original and of course too loud. Writer and director seem to have made the most out of a small budget. They pulled off a lot of tension without relying heavily on special effects. I know this was a "student" film and with that in mind there was shockingly good production value. I wouldn't be surprised if this team of people (director, writer, lighting, FX, and score) went on to make a great feature. Well worth the fifteen minutes it took to watch.