Hello ladies and gentlemen, Muldoon here with this week's Saturday Shorts! This week I've received an incredible amount of awesome shorts from AICN filmmakers and holy hell am I happy with what I've got for you today. This week is a lovely balance between some pretty cool future scifi fun and just "Holy shit, my 13 year old self is loving this" style Christmas fun. By no means is there a larger theme this week - it's seriously a bag of fun (which is what I think of when I look to screen things here.) While I'm 100% certain the bulk of you might not be as into all of these shorts as I am, I just hope you guys and gals get to see something you wouldn't have otherwise. While a common theme might be absent, the amount of creativity put into each of these is something I really get a kick out of. Each one has it's own style and feel to it, so it's safe to assume there will be quite a few gear shifts in the picks below. I'm just tickled pink at what I get to share with you guys, but if you're a filmmaker and have sent me your short in the last few weeks, but don't see it here - do not dispair - I'm holding on to a handful of great films for next weekend; it was just a case of "If I show all of them this week, the chances of folks actually having the time to watch them all is slim." Enough jibber jabber, let's watch some fun films, eh?
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:
SNOW BALLS DEEP
TRT: 1:00
Let's kick this shindig off with a SATURDAY SHORTS first: a legit porn. I could very well be mistaken, but this is the first time I think "No, this is a straight up porn flick" has crossed my mind when picking shorts to play. I don't think I've been sent any and even if I have, AICN really isn't the place. This film however absolutely just feels right and while the story might not be what you think of with a "short FILM," it most certainly does have a beginning, middle, and end. Utlimately, this just put a smile on my face. It's out there. It's absolutely well done and for what it is - it really doesn't get any better. Olly Reid is one hell of a creative guy and brings a touch of class to an absolutely ridiculous idea. We're starting this week off with pure fun. (And be sure to follow/Tweet about the short on Twitter "#snowballsdeep" as I'm certain it'll get passed around the interwebs in the next few days. (Once the folks at Reddit catch wind of it... boom!) Keep them coming, Olly. (Bam!)
Snow Balls Deep (NSFW) from Olly Reid - Hot Head Films on Vimeo.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
TRT: 2:51
Let's keep this comedy train running. Next up is a heavy handed stylish office fight that's beautifully paced, especially if you've got a short attention span. (I mean that in a very good way.) Jon Laakso (director) and Timothy Moran (writer/producer) created this film within the span of four days for a competition put on by Parrot Drones and 20th Century Fox where they had to include two different drones with footage and stills shot with the actual drones. It's silly, quirky, and utterly entertaining. "When a normal day at the office goes awry, two rival employees battle it out for more than just favour with the boss in a series of escalating antics." It's a cartoon of a movie and I think you Edgar Wright fans out there will be exceptionally thrilled. (And Star Wars... of which I think anyone reading this is a fan of, just like Jon and Timothy.) It's well acted by folks who clearly were on the same page as the creators. (I mean the reaction around 30 seconds in is perfect!) I really do hope to see more from these guys, here on SS or on the big screen.
GOLDEN BOX
TRT: 18:40
Let's switch gears from the funny and get right on into some badass action fun! From Saturday Shorts veteran Matt MacDonald, we've got a damn slick film that's full of beautifully composed shots, fun lines, and loads of action. "On the eve of moving apart forever, two best friends must break into a shipping facility to steal back a package -- a mysterious golden box -- and hope their friendship can survive the adventure." Be sure to check out the film's website and while you're at it, head over to Matt's website. The guy's oozing talent and needs to keep kicking ass (small screen/big screen, just some screen).
GoldenBox from Matt MacDonald on Vimeo.
THE MOPED DIARIES
TRT: 10:53
Our next film is from the gang over at Lucky Treehouse, (directors) Tyler Nilson and Nick Vitale, and (writer/producer) Michael Schwartz! This film's been blowing up the festival circuit and as you can tell from that lovely "Vimeo Staff Pick" is well on its way to gaining all sorts of praise across the internet. "When a new bridge is built connecting his island to the mainland a boy has to come to grips with the change and opportunities that come along with it. Love of home, love of a partner, and love of family all seem to be falling apart and slowly pushing him towards the inevitable, crossing that bridge himself to see what lies beyond the horizon." It's got it all, love, ass cheeks, humor, and heart (cliche! I know, but it's true and I think you'll agree!) Be sure to check out the website for Lucky Treehouse for more shorts from those creative devils!
The Moped Diaries from Lucky Treehouse on Vimeo.
KRAMPUS BELLS
TRT: 1:50
And last but not least we have a rather creepy video from Brian Lillie of Lionbelly Media. While it's hard to argue there's an obvious story here, it's still really creepy and great to just watch. It's like getting a wift of some rotten fruitcake as it's all about my favorite holiday character: Krampus. I mean have you read the history behind that guy? Holy hell. Yikes. Lillie's created something pretty cool, so I thought it's a rather fun way to leave for this week. "In eager anticipation of Krampusnacht (December 5th), Krampus (St. Nick's diabolic bad cop companion) plays his rendition of "Christmas Bells" on his mechanical skeleton bell table." And if you're into creepy cool artwork, then be sure to check out Jake "Black Jake" Zettelmaier's facebook or etsy page. He created the props/costume/set dec/and plays the part of Krampus. (Talented guy.)
*BONUS*
Okay folks, as a tiny few of you know - I'm a filmmaker myself, and 5,000% know how tricky it is to make something out of nothing, so while I tend to avoid any Kickstarter videos - one of our very own Saturday Shorts veterans, Ryan Lewis, shot me over a trailer to share for his feature: DUSK. He's kicking off a Kickstarter and is looking to raise some finishing funds for the feature. I'm not now, nor ever will (quote me on this) tell you to spend any of your hard earned money on ANY kickstarter/indigogo/etc., but I don't see any issue with me simply presenting something and saying "Hey! I've not seen this movie, am not affiliated with it (no financial gain on my end), but have seen what this guy's done with METH and hope he gets what he need to finish up his movie." So hey - take it or leave it, here's a cool trailer for DUSK from Ryan Lewis:
"Dusk" Trailer from Dog Day Films on Vimeo.
And here's a link to his Kickstarter page if you're curious.
Okay, that's it for this week ladies and gents. I'll catch you fine folks a week from now, though will probably post just right before BNAT starts up (so I'll apologize way in advance for any tpyos I might have that day/not be able to correct until Sunday night.) Keep making awesomely unique shorts and sending them in!
SATURDAY SHORTS 2012
SATURDAY SHORTS 2013
The Misinventions of Milo Weatherby; Lifted; The Rinsing; Ashes; M is For Maltese (1/25/14)
Rivotanana; End Of Dates; First Date; The Last Girl (2/1/14)
Cockatoo; Hematiet; SLR; Sheridan; A Horny Ghost Named Buster (2/8/14)
Poppetje; In Vain; The World Is Burning; The Central Park Snowman Project; Mission (2/22/14)
La Boca De Leon; Bedbug; Wax; Skin; Something (3/1/14)
Luna; Logan Must Make Star Wars; Rocco; No Strings Attached; Blessing In Disguise (3/8/14)
Plastic Love; Audrey Moon River; The Afrobats; The Flying Lesson; Strike (3/15/14)
Timeholes; Child Eater; Walter Don't Dance; Low Hanging Fruit; Love Hitch (3/29/14)
House of Thrones; The Hunt; Tumbleweed!; Tolerated; The Colour of Her Eyes (4/5/14)
#PostModem; No Help; The Hobbit Games; College Romance; Lost Voice (4/12/14)
Book 1; Compliments; Twiller Parkour #2; They Say; Bikini Girls Vs. Dinosaurs Trailer (4/19/14)
Chomp!; NSFL; In The Black; Everyone's A Comedian; Zenith (4/26/14)
Caterwaul; First Sight; Man Vs. Woman; Say Cheese; The Train (5/17/14)
Booby Traps; Hard Love; That Guitar Man; Ask An Astronomy Brain Parasite; Dada (5/24/14)
Fear, Inc.; Lights Out; 2AM: The Smiling Man; Sneeze; The Music of Erika Zahn (6/21/14)
Mis-Drop; Mech: Human Trials; The Sunman; Time Travel Lover (7/5/14)
Sky-Caper; Goodnight Harvey; Bro; Buck Shot; The Art of Motion; Ticked Off (7/12/14)
Foam Drive Renegades; How To Survive Working 9 To 5; Fantastic Foe; Abinormal; Banana Seat (7/19/14)
Tiny Dancer; Spacewalk; Sissy Boy; Witchfinder; Uncanny Valley (7/26/14)
Bobby Beats; Birth; I Am Become Death; In A Dream; A Bloody Shade of Red (8/2/14)
Between Days; Blue Balls; The Amazingly Ordinary Story; The Gunfighter; Short Love Story (8/9/14)
Rise Of The Kitchen Appliances; The Apprentice; The Koan; White Meat (8/30/14)
Common Shiner's "Social Mediasochist;" Antiheroes; Tandem; The Answer (9/20/14)
Where The Red Fox Lies; The Keeper; Envoy; Spontaneous Amphetamines; The Golden Ticket (9/27/14)
Mouse-X; The Hitch; Dosing; Nightwatch; Resignation (10/4/14)
Sea Devil; Star Wars VII: Comedy Sketch; The Archivist; Office Guys; The Halloween Costume (11/1/14)
Breathe; Strangers; You Only Die Once; Sunrise With Earth (11/9/14)
Phoenix 9; La Loteria; Quentin and Lisa... At The Grocery Store; Oppenheimer (11/15/14)
Little Old Lady; Green Eyed; The Mountain Below; Rejected; It's Only a Movie (11/22/14)
Counter Parts; Penguin; Self-Assembly; Loves of a Cyclops; Loud and Deep (11/30/14)
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. The more info you send my way, the more info there is to put with your short.
Please don’t feel the need to submit multiple times.
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?
BY THE WAY: If you've had a short featured here, that means that I personally am a fan of your work, so feel free to shoot me any kind of news on new projects/films/whatever. I can't say I'll be able to help or in what capacity, but I'm interested in your work and am always down to see more! (Keep making cool stuff, everyone!)
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com
