Well, BradOFerrel, not sure if they ever replied to your questions, but first off, I would assume they used some sort of toned lens on the camera to catch that sort of mood, and it does look like fake rain, however, I am almost positive this was short in Savannah, where the school is based, I know the bridge at the end is in Savannah, but that could just be a pickup shot. I would assume that films that rely heavily on natural elements don't wait to them to take place.