"Late" --- A film by Drew Ott

[jpsheets]

Hey Drew, the only thing to remember here is :

Dude, you're 15 and you shot a film!

Congratulations!

[Drew Ott]

Thanks John.

I am in no way "down" if that is how it seems.

[Tim Joy]

Good feeling to it, and good lighting, as others have said.

The underwater shot was a nice touch.

His performance was very good, same with his girlfriend. The parents and grandmother's neighbor seemed off. I think it's partly the writing and partly performances.

The grandma's neighbor's lines were the most problematic for me. "Who are you looking for, son?" Wouldn't she KNOW who he is looking for? I was looking for a bit more empathy out of her, and a bigger reaction when she finds out he's the grandson. Imagine telling someone that thier long-lost grandmother died just last week. I'd have a hard time breaking the news, and I think she would too. It seemed like just another thing that happens... not a big deal.

Very pro stuff here. All, the technicals were good, and didn't get in the way. The story was good, but needed a a tad bit more emotion in the writing and acting.

You got talent. Can't wait to see more.

[Drew Ott]

Thanks. I appreciate the review.

With the "who are you looking for son?" line, I guess the neighbor was confused that he was looking for a dead woman.

[alex whitmer]

With the "who are you looking for son?" line, I guess the neighbor was confused that he was looking for a dead woman.

Exactly. After a death, a number of people come and go from the estate. The woman next door may have thought Peter was there to see lawyer, a realtor, a furniture mover, etc.

a

[Danielleus]

Hey,

I watched this one WAY earlier but had to watch it again for my critique/comments. I really liked this one a lot and thought a lot of it was very top notch. The acting was great (believable and didn't sound rehearsed, etc.) shots well composed and the lighting was quite fantastic for me. Loved it. Can't believe this is a first for you. I hate you with an envious passion. The story telling here is quite good. I really really think this is very good.

Now, I can't go through all of your thread but I did hear you were up for constructive criticism so here goes. Suicide? Are you kidding me? Not even on a cold day in hell would I believe that the ending was a suicide. Not even a little. No. Tell me it's not even an option cause I think it BEING an option absolutely kills this film (this is not to denigrate anyone who thinks it's suicide or if it is. I just don't think it is nor should it be).

REASONING: This film, for me (and frankly, as it seems to set out throughout the piece) is about not wasting time or, excuse the pun, "diving" right into life. I think this comes out clearly is so many of the bits/scenes/dialogue that it boggles my mind that it would be anything else. The lead watches his "family" waste their life away in front of the TV. Then the girl tells him to get in the pool, and he doesn't want to (hesitation). She tells him if it were her (someone who obviously appreciates life (i.e. being in the pool)) that she would go, now, to see her and not waste any time with it. He does, realizes that it's too late, comes home to tell his folks of his change (how he should have been told sooner) and then goes out and, without really hesitating, jumps in the pool (analogy from before). And to be honest, I really think this is a wonderful message, well shown (rather than told) and totally delivered through context rather than being on the nose or anything like that.

Another reason that I really hope that it's NOT suicide is because I don't think suicide is motivated for this character. So his grandmother died. He's never known her. His world hasn't really fallen apart. We can see his change and we understand, hopefully, that he isn't going to waste his life like his (and this makes it so much better) non-biological parents.

I love this piece. I really really think you did a wonderful job here and would hate to see you cheapen it with thoughts that he might have committed suicide.

But seriously, this is just my opinion on the piece. And, as we all know, response is subjective.

[Drew Ott]

You nailed it Danielleus. The whole pool scene in the beginning was to contrast his acceptance with it in the end.

In a longer cut, there's more once he's in the pool, and a few optional endings that didn't make the cut.

But yes, you are very correct with your take on the final scene, and I really appreciate the kind words.

A bunch of people who gave me opinions on the script read it as suicide, but I don't think I even intended it to be. So many people took it to be suicide that I just started calling it ambiguous, but it was never my intent to have there be a suicide at the end.

[alex whitmer]

Had the fest been six minutes and a half, the complete ending would have shown the pool scene as a cleansing of sorts. Like a baptism, and preparing to embark on life with a new start.

a

[Drew Ott]

Late was accepted into the Austin Film Festival for Young Filmmaker's (high school and below). It'll screen there and is some sort of finalist. Not sure how many others from that category will screen there.

[Mark Harris]

Holy Cow!!!!! Great to see two of you representin', Drew! Congratulations!

[Stephen Mick]

Great to hear, Drew! Congrats!

[Drew Ott]

Updates:

"Late" was 2nd place in the AFF Young Filmmaker's competition.

I feel like I "should" be excited but it's a big letdown.

[Horncastle]

Taken from the Austin Film Maker's site:
"The Austin Film Festival is proud to announce the return of the Young Filmmakers Competition! The Austin Film Festival will showcase the best teen filmmaking from around the country during the 15th Annual Austin Film Festival, October 16-23.
The competition is free to enter and open to student filmmakers ages 13 to 18."

Well done, Drew. I think you did damn well to come second. You can win it next year!:)
Jason

[ZazaCast]

Congratulations Drew! You should be VERY proud of yourself, that's a great accomplishment.

Cheers!

[Drew Ott]

I guess I have two more years to potentially win. Thanks for the kind words.

[Mark Harris]

Updates:

"Late" was 2nd place in the AFF Young Filmmaker's competition.

I feel like I "should" be excited but it's a big letdown.

I know the feeling, but you should enjoy it. It's a huge accomplishment.

[Simon Höfer]

Yeah, enjoy it Drew! You did a great job! Look at me, I placed 34th in TimeFest :D