There's not a lot going on in 'Clearwater,' but of the content on hand, it's worth further consideration.
First we see the surrounding area - the deep forest, and the small river that runs through it. The shots captured to show us the setting are quite fine, and it's a beautiful landscape.
Second we're introduced to the sole character, an unnamed woman venturing to a spot alongside the river to sunbathe. Actress Joan LoLuo isn't particularly given anything to do here except look pretty and eventually express concern. Normally I'd find this bothersome, but to be fair, LoLuo isn't the star of 'Clearwater,' anyway.
The third, most important, and most prominent element of the short are the visual effects and animation. We get a small taste of the computer-generated imagery with close-up visualization of a mosquito biting the woman and partaking of her blood. What happens next, though, is the real centerpiece, as the insect has a purpose beyond mere sustenance. The visuals look pretty great to these eyes - there's no mistaking that it's all crafted on a computer, but the graphics look as believably lifelike as they could. Bigger productions of years past, with larger budgets, have worked with less capable technology to convey similar ideas much less convincingly. Fantastical though the short is, the concept is presented as realistically as it could be. I'm impressed.
On the other hand, my major critique is that the fourth and final element - the ending - feels pedestrian. I'd stop short of calling it a jump scare, but the intent is much the same. It's a trope that's tiresome and gravely overused in general, and most of all in horror shorts. A similar narrative conclusion could have been imparted differently and better - less shock, more dread. Little cleverness is required to improve on an idea that's become a cliché.
Still, despite the letdown of the final seconds, 'Clearwater' is very well made. If it feels incomplete, it's only because one easily imagines a larger story that could be conjured from these 6 quick minutes - one that I certainly wouldn't mind seeing. Writer-director Rob Jabbaz also had his hands in creating the visual effects and animation, it seems, and as such he has my commendations. While 'Clearwater' isn't perfect, the core is solid and inventive - and worth a scant few minutes of our time.
