Month: January 2018

Interview with Winning Screenwriter Carl F. Zimmermann (TOE TAG MURDERS)

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matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

1. What is your screenplay about?
Clearwater, Florida rising-star homicide detective, Mike Carol gets the chance of a lifetime when he goes to New York to work a two-year stint as a liaison in the Queens 112 precinct. But, the day he arrives bodies start showing up pitting him against the hardcore NYPD detectives he has to work with. The murder victims share two crucial clues – they were all booked for a crime they committed the day before they were murdered and they were all left posed with toe tags attached to their shoeless foot identifying that crime. Somebody doesn’t believe in the justice system. Somebody is a vigilante.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Crime, Mystery, Drama.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

This is a delightful, suspenseful murder investigation that twists often accurately following NYPD protocol, but often in unconventional ways…

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2017 ANIMATION Short Films (40)

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feedbackanimationfestival's avatarFEEDBACK Animation Film & Screenplay Festival

40 of the best Animated Short Films from around the world was showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival. Watch the audience feedback videos:

 

festival posterIN A HEARTBEAT, 4min., USA, LGBT/Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterCONDITIONER, 5min., USA, Animation/Experimental
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterTHE BLUE BUTTERFLY, 5min., China, Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterCHRYSALIS, 7min., Singapore, Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterBARRY THE BLOBFISH, 2min., USA, Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterPINK BUBBLES, 3min., Taiwan, Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterONCE AND DONE, 3min, USA, Animation/Documentary
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterPURRS AND ?OL MAN BLUES, 2min., Canada, Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterGLORIOUS VICTORY, 2min., USA, Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterPOST NO BILLS, 5min, Canada, Animation/Adventure
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterLEAD THE PARADE, 15min., USA, Documentary/Society
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterPROMETHEUS INDUSTRIES, 7min, Germany, Animation/Comedy
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterPEPITA & MAX, 6min, Family/Animation
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterUKA, 3min, Spain, Animation/Family
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterKARMA, 4min., USA, Animation/Family
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterPERFECT…

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Film Review: GLORIOUS VICTORY (USA, Animation)

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 A colorful two minute animation short coming out of the US and directed by Will Kim GLORIOUS VICTORY tells the story of two beatles fighting over a fruit. Without dialogue, and with simple images- there is an incredibly effective use of “body language” in the story. Although our fighting beatles do not have human faces to display their feelings, their emotions are palpable as they fight for their prize- and to the victor go the spoils.

But winning isn’t all it’s cracked up to be- when the final victor claims his fruit only to have it fall from the tree, we see that ants can spoil more than just a picnic.

A piece with action and colorful to delight any crowd, and of course a message about pride before the fall, GLORIOUS VICTORY is a sure-to-please piece for all ages.

 

Short Film played at the ANIMATION FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

GLORIOUS VICTORY, 2min., USA, Animation 
Directed by Will KimGlorious Victory is an animated short film about two beetles fighting over a fig fruit which leads both of the beetles to complete disaster. Will Kim uses watercolor to tell a story of ambition, greed, and selfishness with an original soundtrack composed and performed by Tatenori Hamasaka.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: PURRS AND ‘OL MAN BLUES (Canada, Animation)

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  This bright and startlingly unique two minute Canadian Animation is filled with strong visuals and symbolism. The story is incredibly simple, yet undeniably compelling- our hero, the cool alley Cat simply retells his life know musician ‘Ol Man Blues.

Although we never get the details, there is an unmistakable undertone that Blues and Ally Cat are rough and tumble, hijinks creating machines. The audience only ever gets the cliff notes of what was sure to be a long and laughter-filled friendship.

PURRS AND ‘OL MAN BLUES leaves you wanting more- because you know there is more to be told. Like getting a piece of chocolate when you want the whole bar, this film is sweet enough to enjoy at it’s length- but just interesting enough for you to want more. A fantastical piece indeed.

 

 

Short Film played at the ANIMATION FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

PURRS AND ‘OL MAN BLUES, 2min., Canada, Animation
Directed by Susan ShulmanCool alley cat meets old blues musician and they tour together

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: ONCE AND DONE (USA, Animation/Documentary)

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 At times funny and often shocking, ONCE AND DONE is the story of one man’s run in with the law and his troubled and traumatic time in prison. With honesty and good-humor our hero recounts his horrors but also his lessons learned.

Although our subject has a clearly troubled past and has had issues with the law, he is undeniably loveable. Perhaps it is the natural tendency we have to love a reformed-anti-hero, or because our subject is so clearly dedicated to making a better life for himself.

ONCE AND DONE is a delightful film- because it shows the slice-of-life of an every-man who made a handful of bad choices and is ready to learn from them.
It’s an important demographic to give voice to- and his voice is worth hearing.

ONE AND DONE will make you laugh, make you feel and might just even make you think about how everyone deserves redemption.

 

Short Film played at the ANIMATION FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

ONCE AND DONE, 3min, USA, Animation/Documentary
Directed by Jacob PettitThis is the true story of Jeff as told by Jeff, who faces the repercussions of his choices, and learns from his mistakes.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: PINK BUBBLES (Taiwan, Animation)

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 A film with a deep and intrinsic stillness and beauty, held up by an emotional and powerful score, PINK BUBBLES is a visually alluring and moving film. Our gentle whale protagonist is lured towards the beautiful pink bubbles floating in the water towards it.

Believing them to be the whale music similar to other whales they’ve seen in the area, our hero rushes towards it- only to discover a dark and terrible secret.

The most powerful films are simple. PINK BUBBLES does not need intense dialogue or raucous music or mind-boggling stunts to be a captivating piece. It is visually fluid, beautifully composed, gorgeously rendered and profoundly meaningful. A short, simple and heart wrenching piece. A short not to miss.

 

Short Film played at the ANIMATION FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

PINK BUBBLES, 3min., Taiwan, Animation 
Directed by Pei Yao Pink Bubbles is a short 3D animation about a lonely whale looking for a companionship. Diving underwater, this whale has been ignored by other whales because their calls are on different frequencies. As he is a fighter, he never gives up on finding someone who can understand him. His longing leads him to a tragic end.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: BARRY THE BLOBFISH (USA, Animation)

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  This two minute short is a delight for young and old alike. BARRY THE BLOBFISH, an American film directed by Marleia A Alfaro is simple and effective, delivering its’ story with heart and ease.

Barry, our melancholic blobfish at the bottom of the shallow sea floor can’t get to the top reef no matter what he does. Depressed that he can’t get to his friends, he begins to cry- but then his friends come to him.

A simple and sweet story with a strong message for any one- we are always better when we work together.

Short Film played at the ANIMATION FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

BARRY THE BLOBFISH, 2min., USA, Animation
Directed by Marleia A. AlfaroBarry is a fat ugly fish that can’t swim and lives at the bottom of the ocean. He longs to live on a beautiful coral reef at the top of a tall, tall cliff.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: CHRYSALIS (Singapore, Animation)

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A truly inspiring work of animation, this visual masterpiece of a short comes to life in gripping detail with its use of the visual media. Dancing off the screen stream-of-consciousness style images, it retells an ancient fable of a butterfly- when assisted out of its’ cocoon it never develops properly and it hindered its’ whole life. It explores the greater concept of our struggles making us stronger.

While the strong story is enough to make film enjoyable- what is truly excellent about it are the images. They move within the story with the intensity of a roller coaster.

A vibrant and startling piece to engage with. CHRYSALIS is a spellbinding short film- it encapsulates all the things we want to see in shorts- beautiful story, meaningful messages and utterly beautiful images.

Short Film played at the ANIMATION FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

CHRYSALIS, 7min., Singapore, Animation 
Directed by Ina ConradiBased on an old legend about the butterfly’s struggles the film is the symbolic metaphor of rebirth after death and fascination with the human innate drive to survive.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!