Hello ladies and gentlemen, Muldoon here with this week's round up of kickass shorts sent in from readers. Every week we get a little slice of fun and this week is no exception, with 5 science fiction shorts that I think you're sure to get a kick out of. I've been sick in bed all day and if you've ever found yourself in that spot, which I'm certain 99.99% of you fine folks have, you know your mind starts to drift and you think of places you'd rather be. From where I'm sitting, outer-space seems like it'd be a nice getaway or hell even traveling back in time somewhere would be kind of cool - fortunately the filmmakers I'm getting to feature today have built some rather far out worlds and situations we can all live vicariously through here at the SATURDAY SHORTS screening room.
While the following shorts are sort of all over the place (though still in the sci-fi realm), one thing can safely be said for all of them - there's no shortage of talent. There's a level of scope, as well as intimacy that makes each of this week's shorts just feel right. I say this every week, but it still holds true - I'm a fan of each and every one of the shorts I've been able to screen for you fine folks and it's safe to say we can expect some big things from the filmmakers below (and every week), so now's the time to pick their brains. Ask a question, toss a critique at them, share your thoughts down there in Talkbacks - just don't be a dick.
So go grab yourself some popcorn, lock your kids in a closet, kill the lights, relax and check out this little weekly film fest we've got ourselves here:
WE ARE ONE
TRT: 5:13
Up first is Andrew David Clark's rather epic and beautifully designed film that follows Rosie Jones "in this short drama about some of the potential problems of a human settlement on Mars and the possible consequences. A mixture of fact and fiction. Dedicated to Mars visionary Dr Robert Zubrin." Check out Andrew's website HERE.
ECHO
TRT: 7:51
And turning 180 degrees to a much, much more intimate film, comes ECHO from Jim Stevens. "A young, brilliant boy fails to invent a time machine but quickly discovers that his invention is more than what it seems." ECHO is a rather simple story, though I can't help but get a real Amblin-esque feel from. Might just be me, but there's definitely a Spielbergian influence going on here and I dig it.
ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD
TRT: 7:31
(No, this is not a condensed version of SPY KIDS 4 - jokes) While we're on the subject of time - here's Richard Johnson's spin on time travel (though not sure if "time travel" is the correct phrase...) Directed by Gavin and Jason Fox, ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD plays very much like a love letter to the TWILIGHT ZONE and while I tend to say that a lot when describing science fiction shorts - it's because there's a sense of wonder, a "what if" where you have something rather melancholy, then add just a hair of out of this world "that could never happen" and you're left with a rich question of "that could actually happen and I'd be none the wiser."
"Bill likes it in his shed. It's his little sanctuary, the place where he goes to escape his wife, the world and hard work. But one lazy Sunday whilst fixing an old VCR, he chances upon a discovery that could change the course of history, not to mention his entire afternoon."
SOLAR
TRT: 13:00
This next short comes to us from filmmaker Michael Altino and Silver Style Pictures. "An anguished young woman discovers a jar with cosmic powers while caring for her ill sister." The film plays gorgeously and while it's not as heavy "sci-fi" as some of the other shorts today, it's a damn nice quality short.
Solar from Silver Style Pictures on Vimeo.
SIT IN SILENCE
TRT: 5:00
Wow, I'm shocked at the amount of great shorts I've gotten from Sci-Fi London 48 Hour Film Challenge films. Seriously, I feel like I've screened every one that must have played there, but quite honestly there's a lot of quality flicks coming out of it. I'll admit I don't know much about it, but I like the works its paricipants seem to be putting out. SIT IN SILENCE is the product of this challenge from producer Nathan Craig and director Rob Savage.
"A man waits in a train station ticket-booth for his shift to end whilst around him, London appears to be under attack by an unknown enemy. He attempts to shut himself away from the situation - until it comes screaming at his door."
And that's all folks - the lights are coming up. I'll see you all next week with a fresh crop of great shorts. I'm really, really hoping to have a few creature features - But we'll see. It could very well be a weekend of drama or comedy or possibly action, but that's part of the fun. Seriously, I hope you enjoyed this week's selection. But what's up, you want more? Cool, click on any of the links below to be transported to an equally amazing world of cinematic fun:
If you have a short and think it belongs here or are on the fence about whether to send it in, please do send it in - I'd love to see what you've put together. I've already seen hundreds of fresh new filmmakers' shorts and like any good addict, I need more!
Shoot me an email at "Mike@aintitcool.com"
In the subject line include:
“SHORTS” + “Your film’s name” + “The film’s genre”
Then, in the body of the email, please include a synopsis of the film and any contact information you might think I need or would want published.
Please don’t feel the need to submit multiple times. I swear to each of you I truly check every email I get, and sending the same short a few times just makes it a bit messier.
Remember, the filmmakers might still be in the audience, so feel free to share your thoughts in Talkbacks below. (JUST DON'T BE AN ASSHOLE). I picked them, so you know I think highly of all of these, but how about you fine folks? How'd you like 'em?
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com
