Year: 2024
Filmmaker Podcast: EP. 1165 – WRITER MICHAEL HOOPER & DIRECTOR CHASE KORZEP (THORNWHIP EXPLORATIONS)
THORNWHIP EXPLORATIONS, 7min., USA
Directed by Chase Korzep
In this short comedy film, Australian wilderness expert, Max Thornwhip, takes on the perilous Australian bush with his trusty partner, John Simmons. With danger lurking behind every corner, will Max make it out alive?
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Get to know Writer/Producer Michael Hooper:
The idea for this film came when I was watching an Australian wilderness show, and someone got bit by a snake. I remembered that the way people can “stop” snake venom from killing someone is to suck it out before it reaches the bloodstream. I then thought that it would be funny if the person on the show got bit in a more private or intimate area. Then, I thought of how people pee on jellyfish stings to help stop the pain. It suddenly occurred to me that all the ways people can “save your life” in the wild, are somewhat perverted. So I decided to write a short skit about it, but obviously took it up a notch and made it more absurd/unrealistic as the skit went on.
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April 2024 FilmFreeway Discount Codes: 50% off codes to use.
April 2024 FilmFreeway Discount Codes: 50% off codes to use.
NOTE: All of these festivals give filmmakers an automatic
acceptance to the festival.
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LA DOCUMENTARY Film Festival
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STYLE, FASHION, EXPERIMENTAL Festival
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TORONTO FEMALE FEEDBACK Film Festival
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LA COMEDY Film Festival
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FESTIVAL for DRAMA Film & Writing Festival
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Short Film Review: ETERNAL LINES: William Shakespeare’s Verse in Music and Motion
ETERNAL LINES: William Shakespeare’s Verse in Music and Motion., 5min., USA
Directed by Yazan Al-Hajari
Eternal Lines: William Shakespeare’s Verse in Motion and Music” is the second part of a series where I delve into Shakespeare’s vast Canon, handpicking songs and sonnets that resonate deeply with me. I’ve woven these pieces into a narrative that, while personal in selection, unveils a connected story, reflecting the universal themes and emotions Shakespeare so masterfully depicted. This project is a heartfelt tribute to the timeless beauty of Shakespeare’s poetry, crafted with deep admiration for his poetic genius. While delving into Shakespeare’s poetry, my goal was not only to breathe new life into these classic texts but also to capture and reflect my own emotional journey as I navigated through the myriad of themes and expressions found in his work. Through a fusion of original music, captivating AI and real footage and visuals, and immersive sound design, I’ve endeavored to present Shakespeare’s poetry in a contemporary light, offering a fresh perspective that honors the essence of his work while inviting modern audiences to experience its magic anew.
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Review by Andie Karvelis:
“And one man in his time plays many parts”. This (shortened) quote from Shakespeare could have been speaking about Yazan Al Hajari; he crafted the music and the video for Eternal Lines.
I must admit, the opening notes of the piano are like a siren song that draws you in. The clarity and resonance of the tone keep you engaged, the melody like a wonderful embrace. Gliding on top of the music is this sensational voice over, provided by Sir John Gielgud and Richard Briers as they read Shakespeare’s sonnets 64, 55, 65, and 66.
Visually this is equally as impactful. You are bombarded with various images and Yazan has cleverly added The Bard of Avon in several places as well as himself. There is a nice transitional flow from live action images to A.I. and everything fits together beautifully. Even the music varies and changes within the piece giving you the sense you are watching Shakespeare come to life.
Short Film Review: SWAMPS. 1 minute Animation
SWAMPS, 1min., Canada
Directed by David Convery
Bello takes a mystery trip through the wood wide web and lands in a swamp – nature’s water treatment plants.
Future Chicken Home
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Review by Victoria Angelique:
SWAMPS is a short narrative that is aimed at children and invokes feelings of nostalgia as it is reminiscent of the educational commercials in between shows back when there were still Saturday morning cartoons. It keeps the attention of children with a familiar character, a mushroom named Bello, while being short enough so that the information can be retained rather than forgotten.
The dialogue makes it clear that this is part of a series of shorts following Bello around as they explain the scientific reasoning behind different bodies of water. This particular short depicts SWAMPS, hence the title. It even includes body humor that children enjoy to explain the odor of swamplands in a way that would get little giggles out of the viewers.
The animation style is mixed with live shots of not only the swamps, but the animals that reside in the murky waters. It combines animated particles to explain why the swamp stinks. Sound is combined with the two visual styles to explain the sounds of the body of water, using the buzzing of the many insects even though it doesn’t go into what type of insects live near swamps. This is probably to keep the interest of children as many would never visit a swamp if they knew how many mosquitoes called the area home.
The film, SWAMPS, feels like a short that entire families would enjoy. It would educate children in a wholesome way while bringing back fond memories of childhood for the parents watching the animated short. Children would love Bello, which would promote parents searching online for more of the shorts starring the character to broaden their children’s scientific education.
Short Film Review: SETTING BOUNDARIES.
SETTING BOUNDARIES, 5min., Poland
Directed by Iza Pajak
Written & Starring: Diana Matlak
A woman tries to set boundaries while struggling to fight for her needs.
Review by Victoria Angelique
The narrative short film, SETTING BOUNDARIES, is a brilliant depiction of a person’s inner voice and how it can be triggered based on interactions with other individuals. The story is an allegory for how a person’s inner fears could be louder than personal desires, especially when other people echo the thoughts that rage inside the mind.
The black and white setting makes it immediately apparent that the film is a drama, yet never seeing or hearing the person on the other side of the phone allows the viewer to focus on a woman that is facing herself either in a mirror or around a table. It’s the same actress at every angle, except when she answers the phone, then the camera focuses on the woman in a singular frame. Whoever is on the other end of the line is clearly able to manipulate her with a few words, causing the other 4 versions of herself to double down in agreement with the exploiter.
The sound design is award worthy. The difference in tones between the assertive voice versus the frail voice is a work of art. It makes it feel as if the voice is not the actress, but the audience as they watch this woman unravel only to find her strength to quiet the voice of fear when she finally stands up for herself. The score aids the narrative, starting out quiet and getting louder to shut out the voices as the woman finally finds her courage to say no. She feels triumphant and is able to quiet her inner dialogue as she realizes who she is based on the person on the other line triggering her by calling her a simple name “selfish”.
Director Iza Pajak does a fantastic job at depicting a theme that echos in everyones head, the loud inner voices drowning out what someone really wants. The desire to be heard and do what each person wants is a common trait, making this film relatable to almost anyone that would watch it as everyone has been taken advantage of due to their inner dialogue shutting down rational thoughts to the point that someone is exhausted.
Festival Reviews 