Hello ladies and gentlemen, Muldoon here with this week's SATURDAY SHORTS - short films sent in from all over the world by the very folks who created them. This week is not for the squemish as we've got some truly gnarly stuff ahead of us. Today's column is full of concepts that should make you think, films that actually smack you right in the face and leave you slightly dazed (figuratively...). You'll see a few familiar faces. You'll fall in fanboy love with a few directors. You will have a good time. So to cut down on my blabbering chit-chat, let's jump right on in!! (I know, I know... "Muldoon, we came here to read your intros!") These films are so damn good, I truly don't want to waste any more time hyping them. Let's get it on.

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:

HE TOOK HIS SKIN OFF FOR ME

TRT: 11:21

Ahh yes, the film from director Ben Aston that left me feeling all weird inside at this past year's Fantastic Fest. About a minute or so in you know exactly what you're in for - hell, even with the title you ought to have a clue. The film is based on an original story from Maria Hummer and is sure to blow your mind. Hell, I think Ben made it available online just a few days ago and already it's setting the internet ablaze (*cough* "Vimeo Staff Pick *cough*). Here's an example of me liking a short so much, I hunt the director down to clear it to show here... Ben's in a league of his own and I want to see the guy cranking out features. I believe in the guy and think we could all benefit from seeing more from him. Ben, let me know what else you've got! "'HE TOOK HIS SKIN OFF FOR ME is a practical SFX fairytale. No CGI whatsoever. Based on the short story by Maria Hummer it is my grad film from the London Film School. It took myself and producer Fiona Lamptey 2 years, 217 Kickstarter backers and a whole lot of fake blood to pull off. SFX legend Colin Arthur (NeverEnding Story, 2001: A Space Odyssey) helped us achieve the impossible, allowing SFX Supervisor Jen Cardno and her team set a new standard for anatomical practical effects. Actor Sebastian Armesto (Anonymous, Pirates of the Caribbean) spent as long as 8hrs in makeup each day to bring this story to life. Alongside Anna Maguire (Saving Private Ryan, Parade's End) they both give us something wonderful, horrible and completely unique. I don’t want to tell people what the film should be. Even finding a genre to describe it is difficult. I want people to come to this film just like I came to the original story, completely unprepared." Labeling it is actually pretty tricky, but appreciating it isn't - fly over to the film's official website.

He Took His Skin Off For Me from Ben Aston on Vimeo.

SERVICE

TRT: 7:41

Up next we've got a pretty dark horror film from Jerry Pyle. It's damn solid and pretty much speaks for itself.

SERVICE from Jerry Pyle on Vimeo.

MONSTERS BIG AND SMALL

TRT: 10:55

Next up is a pretty interesting idea for a film that's well executed. Alex Grybauskas's film beautifully highlights how much we see our parents as heroes... especially in a world where bullying is on the rise (I never had Facebook/Twitter/etc... for kids to be ugly to me on, just in person and at school.) At any rate, I think this is a pretty nice metaphor that says a lot. "ormented by the school bully and overlooked by his father, 12-year-old Jason can't seem to catch a break. And to make matters worse, something monstrous has started following him..." If you want to seem more from Alex and his crew, then be sure to hit up his website!

Monsters Big and Small - a short film from Alex Grybauskas on Vimeo.

MULTIPLICITY 2: GAME OF CLONES

TRT: 2:53

BOOM! To wrap up this week's films with something rather funny, I've got a fake trailer starring a buddy of mine, Sam Eidson, that taps into the GAME OF THRONES universe. You might have seen Sam's face in a few things, like ZERO CHARISMA or MY SUCKY TEEN ROMANCE... He's a funny dude. Director, David Ward, whipped up something that is sure to tickle your funny bone. If you get a kick out the parody short, then head on over to David's website for more laughs. (I have a feeling if any of you are Redditors... you're already familiar with Sam and David's work.)

 

Okay, that's it for this week, ladies and gents. I'll see you fine folks a week from now with a small handful of interesting shorts I think you might want to check out. In the mean time, be sure to check out some past films in the links before. And well... if you're even remotely in the mood to write a script, grab a few friends, and go create something - do it! I'd love to see what you've got and I mean that in the most sincere way possible. The only person who can stop you from doing something badass is you, so send me what you've got!

SATURDAY SHORTS 2012

SATURDAY SHORTS 2013

SATURDAY SHORTS 2014

The Off Season; Why Does My Girlfriend Text So Much?; Landscape; The Magician (1/3/15)

Atropa; Good Conduct; Ulla; Blackouts; Pizza And Bullets (1/10/15)

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