Author: festreviews

Movie Review: I LIKE YOU, 2min, Italy, Drama/Romance (2016)

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MOVIE POSTERI LIKE YOU, 2min, Italy, Drama/Romance
Directed by Vito D’Agostino

A child falls in love with a girl, he is at an age where he does not know what love is, but he tries to explain what he feels with his heart.

Seen at the July 2016 Under 5min. FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Directed by  Vito D’Agostino with music by Chad Lewis I Like You is a childhood love story, a vivid imaginative account of the classic boy-meets-girl trope. Set against the poetic backdrop of winter, filled with mittens, ice skates, and winter nights set aglow with thousands of lights, a montage of loving moments are played out between boy and girl. The whole film, (save for the last scene) is enacted over the boy reading aloud his love letter to his love- words that are charming in the youthful innocence, yet poetically deep despite their simplicity.

I Like You is cinematic transportation to a world of romantic dreams. It exists in a place out of time- its space is inhabited by a world where we have not yet been touched by technology, not yet distorted by the bumps and scraps of life. It is the confidence of love when children are loving and in this way, deeply moving.

The film is beautifully executed with keen attention to detail. The casting was excellent. While the final image poses questions and leaves the viewer to answer them, the film is a study in beauty and the elusive love we all dream of knowing.

Critics of this piece may point to its resemblance to a Hallmark commercial, may comment on its singular male voice (for the female love interest has no lines) or even comment on its lack of diversity in casting. All of these things have accuracy in their own right. However, I will credit the production with this: from the initial image onward, I lived in the world of love the hero made. I was encapsulated and transported to a place where I believed love could conquer the impossible, and follow two people through their entire lives and beyond. In this way, despite its criticism, I Like You, holds the elements our dreams are made of.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the short film:

Movie Review: HOWELL, 4min, UK, Horror/Comedy (2016)

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MOVIE POSTERHOWELL, 4min, UK, Horror/Comedy
Directed by Leon Williams

Howell is attending a supporters group meeting, along with others that share his condition. He has many issues…but he is trying his best to find himself.

Seen at the July 2016 Under 5min. FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Howl directed by Leon David Williams and starring Leo Bane, is a curious film that straddles the lines of satire and dry comedy. It seems to focus on what appears to be a support group for an unknown affliction. With emphasis on assimilating into normal life leads the viewer to believe that the protagonist is returning from a seedy previous life. The comedy arises in the escalation of strange things our hero fixates on to identify with his new normalcy- such as playing frisbee with his best friend, and culminating in a hilarious scene where he has dinner with his girlfriend and Ex at the same time- and the Ex appears to be a small domesticated dog.

The answer, of course, is that our Hero is a reformed Warewolf. A viewer may be able to grab that reveal from a curious flashback that occurs early in the film. However our hero’s visits to group and his montage of activities showcase his success with integrating his dog-human dichotomy.  If the viewer grabs onto this knowledge early on the end could be lack luster. Yet the humor is palpable, although possibly less apparent to a North American audience acclimatized to a less dry style of humor.  While this reviewer picked up early the secret of our half-Canine hero, it is certainly not a mark against the filmmaker. It could very well be the intent of Williams to have this secret become clear to the audience, so that they can better enjoy the schict of the piece.

Howl, because of its stylistic choices, may not be a film that will have everyone in the audience laughing. But if you appreciate this type of humor, it’s an enjoyable film. It offers laughs, comic spectacle and the ever-important howl at the full moon.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the short film:

Movie Review: LOREN THE ROBOT BUTLER: TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE! (2016)

festreviews 2016 movies, audience feedback festival, movie, Movie Review, Short Film Movie Review, Uncategorized, wildsound festival review , , , , , , ,

festival posterLOREN THE ROBOT BUTLER: TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE!

Seen at the July 2016 Under 5min. FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Directed by Paul McGinnis

Loren, a proper British robot and formally the head butler for a very wealthy family, has been replaced with a Roomba and stored in the basement. Now the kids program him to teach them stuff.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Light, bright and whimsical, Loren The Robot Butler, written, directed and creatively lead by  Paul McGinnis, entices the inner child of us all. The film’s premise is established in just a few quick moments, and with the help of a charming opening tune, explaining that an outdated robotic butler sits unused in a family’s basement, and spends his retired life teaching children. Perpetually upbeat and sporting the quintessential British Accent, our friendly butler protagonist speaks directly to the audience as though they are the very children of the household where he is kept. At the children’s request, he takes on the mission to teach them how to “Dougie”, from the well known 80’s rapper Doug E. Fresh.

The humor comes easily on several level- most liminally, from the contrast of a British robot butler, attempting to recreate hip-hop music. The upper-crust British sound and robotic movement parodying the relaxed sway of the music beat and hip-hop/rap dialect. Further, there is humor in the form of breaking of the fourth wall with the audience, and from the shock that our robot friend not only executes the dance- but does so exceptionally well!

This piece is a delightful romp through the whimsical world of song and dance as seen through the eyes of a child, but there is a level deeper. It does speak to the element of old technology trying to keep up with the new, modern and current.

The most astonishing, staggering and interesting part of Loren The Robot Butler, however, is not it’s comedy or its use of social commentary. It is it’s artistry. At first glance, this piece could be mistaken as a completely CGI 3D animation. In reality, the entire piece is performed by three puppeteers, manning the upper bottle and each leg independently. The amazing truth is, this exceptionally complicated dance move is performed in perfect execution by highly trained professionals  (Lead by McGinnis) manning one doll behind a green screen, resulting in seamless and flawless dance that passes as computer generated. This is a feat of puppeteer mastery and specialized skill rarely seen in Cinema since Dark Crystal, (Let’s not talk about Team America) and at the very least should be applauded.

Whether Lorne The Robot Butler  is a proof of concept for a delightful children’s TV show, or a demo reel for some exceptional puppeteers, it is regardless a lovely, light comedy sure to entertain.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the short film:

Deadline Aug. 25th – FIRST SCENE SCREENPLAY CONTEST

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

Deadline August 25th. Submit and get your first 10 pages performed!

Watch over 60 1st Scene Screenplay Festival Winners:

FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay from our committee of Professional Screenwriters, Production Heads and Script Consultants.

Are you just starting off your screenplay and want immediate feedback on your first scenes/first moments of your script?

Send your first scene (or first moments – 10pg. limit) and get feedback. Winners (at least 40 a year) get their first scene read at the MONTHLY WILDsound Screenplay Festival (see video on right for example of what you’ll get when you win).

Great way to promote your script!

Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation. Looking for screenplays

Why this is the #1 Screenplay Festival and Contest in the World today!

– 0ffers screenwriters at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their scripts read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS and showcased online for 1000s to…

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Deadline Aug. 25th – ACTION/ADVENTURE Screenplay Festival (Save $15)

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

A FilmFreeway preferred festival:

ACTION/ADVENTURE Screenplay Festival (Feature, Short, TV Pilot)

(Scroll down and watch winning performance videos)

Get your screenplay performed by professional actors at the Action/Adventure Festival.

The Fastest Growing ACTION/ADVENTURE Festival and Contest in the World today!

– 0ffers screenwriters at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their stories read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS (see below for recent performance readings).

– No matter what happens, you will receive full feedback on your work by our established committee. No other place in the world will you get coverage for the price you pay.

– Even if you’re just looking for feedback of your work, this is the festival for you.

– It’s there for all to see. The proof is in the viewership. These videos garner 1000s of views online. Some of the screenplay readings are more popular than actual studio films made!

– We specialize in…

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Deadline Aug. 25th – Action/Adventure Novel Festival

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

Garner FULL FEEDBACK on your action/adventure novel by our committee of industry professionals. Get a transcript of your novel performed by professional actors at the Action/Adventure Festival.

Next Deadline August 25th

Action/Adventure Novel Readings in 2015:
10 – Novels/Stories Performed (winner every month)

WATCH Winning Action/Adventure Story Readings:

The #1 Action/Adventure Festival and Contest in the World today!

– Offers novelists and storytellers at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their stories read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS (see below for recent performance readings).

– One of the best places in the world for the writers to add sales to their self-published novel and/or obtain and agent.

– No matter what happens, you will receive full feedback on your work by our established committee. No other place in the world will you get coverage for the price you pay.

– Even if you’re just looking for feedback of your work, this is…

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Deadline Aug. 25th – Animation Screenplay Festival

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

Festival Deal – SAVE $10 off the regular submission.

Due Date August 25th:

FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay from our committee of Professional Screenwriters, Production Heads and Script Consultants. Get your entire script performed at the writing festival. SUBMIT your FEATURE, TV or SHORT SCREENPLAY.

Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation. Looking for screenplays from all over the world.

Watch Recent Screenplay Winners (at least 1 winner every month)

The RULES are simple:

1. Write a script that is made for animation. Edit the heck out of it. We accept features and shorts of any genre.

2. Email your script to animation@feedbackanimationfestival.com in .pdf, .doc, .wpd, .rtf, or .fdr format.

In the body in the email please add your:

– FULL NAME

– CITY AND COUNTRY

– TITLE OF SCRIPT

– TYPE OF SCRIPT (feature, TV, short)

– (optional) and a 1-2 line synopsis of your screenplay.

OR if you…

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Deadline Aug. 25th – Comedy Screenplay Festival (Save $15)

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

A FilmFreeway preferred festival:

COMEDY Writings and Films showcased in 2015:
28 – Screenplays Performed
8 – Novels/Stories Performed
22 – Films Showcased at Festival
(Scroll down and watch winning performance videos)

Get your script and story performed by professional actors at the Comedy Festival. Get your Short Film showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival and get a audience video.

The #1 Comedy Festival and Contest in the World today!

– 0ffers screenwriters, novelists and storytellers at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their stories read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS (see below for recent performance readings).

– Offers filmmakers to get their works showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival. Then the filmmaker will receive and audience reaction video on their film (see below for recent film festival videos)

– One of the best places in the world for the writers to sell their script and/or obtain and agent.

– No matter…

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Deadline Aug. 25th – Comedy 1pg. Screenplay or Short Story Contest

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

Submit a screenplay or short story that is only 1 page long and have it performed at the Writing Festival by professional actors. Also garner FULL FEEDBACK on your work.

(NOTE: The screenplay submission must be properly formatted. The short story submission is a maximum of 400 words.)

Deadline Aug. 25th. Submit for only $10. Most of the stories will be accepted and performed. If there is a beginning/middle/end, and the grammar is sound, we will perform it.

A great way to get your words out there, obtain the Agent you’re looking for or just get your story seen by more people. If you win, your story will be seen by 100,000s of people when it’s read online using a top professional actor. It’s a rush you’ll never experience in your life seeing it come to life that way.

The RULES are simple:

1. Write a story that is 1pg…

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Tips on Negotiating when setting up a project

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matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

NEGOTIATING
FILMMAKING NOTES

How to Negotiate – Every aspect of producing involves negotiating, in one form or another. You always need to go in with the attitude that people already want to work with you.

12 MAJOR POINTS TO REMEMBER IN NEGOTIATIONS

1. PLAN WITH YOUR LIMITATIONS IN MIND

Know you limitations. In poker they call it knowing your hand and understanding what you really have. Be ready to respond to the unexpected reaction.

2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT

Have a relationship with the person you’re negotiating with. Know what they like and dislike. Find that common bond. There’s always one. Relationships are established by conversations and talking about things outside the project.

3. PITCH THE ELEMENTS

Paint a visual picture – describe the elements.Who is directing? Who wrote the screenplay? What’s the story? What’s the story behind the story? Why is the film getting made? Where will it be shot? What…

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