"The Dinner Guest" Short Film ~LONG OVERDUE

[Darkline]

I enjoyed it a lot Kaz. Nice to see it focussed on performance rather than gimmicks, which is nice for a dark thriller. Nicely handled.

If you're looking for any constructive crisicism at all (and maybe you're not ) I'd say that the blood shots at the end were not needed. Considering the whole piece was pretty subtle and character based it seemed out of place to focus on this. I thought the shots of blood running down the tablecoth and dripping onto the floor were something you'd see at the end of a 'Jason' or an 80's kill. I thought the mood you had envoked at that point deserved to be preserved and this cheapened it slightly..... We had already seen his throat slit, body parts in the fridge, him layed on the table, and it felt like it was becomming laboured by the blood shots.

It could have had more impact if it had been cut off at the point he said "im sorry I had to be your witch". But a lot of this is only personal opinion and you have to go with what you think is right.

Anyway, that's a minor gripe in what's a very enjoyable short film. I'll look forward to the next.

 

[Kaz]

Thanks, Darkline.

I'd say that the blood shots at the end were not needed

I hear ya. But I feel like, even though I show blood, it's not really gory or over the top. Like I told John, it was supposed to be a beautiful death, I just didn't fully hit the mark.

It could have had more impact if it had been cut off at the point he said "im sorry I had to be your witch"

Truthfully, it could be cut off the moment you see the head in the fridge. The whole story is told at that point. But I figured, people stuck around for 20 minutes listening to these two guys talk, I might as well try to give them a memorable death.

So did anyone get the line from the beginning: "Your sister will come back to you."

 

[Jared Meyer]

So did anyone get the line from the beginning: "Your sister will come back to you."

Yeah, I knew he was a cannibal the moment you showed a closeup of the meat.

It was pretty predictable, but very well done. I don't usually like these stories (I've purposely never seen Silence of the Lambs) and find the subject matter really distasteful (pun intended) but I watched through to the end and was impressed with the quality of the short. Your actor sure is versatile - to compare his performance from your sci-fest entry, Wow! He did great. As did the kid.

Nice job!

 

[sean90291]

I liked We Are Not Alone a lot better. I'm a fan of gothic horror. I love hack and slash. But this one felt awkward and I have to say I guessed from the moment the kid broke in what was going on. I can see a lot of thought and work went into it, so I hate to be critical. But given how good We Are Not Alone was, I think you can take it.

spoiler: I thought the kid's death was shot really well. I didn't really feel anything--no surprise or anything. But it was a very effectively directed death scene.

I thought the gay thing was a red herring and didn't add anything.

The song over final credits is awesome. Your production design was fun too. You're gonna make more good films, I can tell. Too bad I didn't live in New Orleans (I love it there), or I'd volunteer for one of your shoots!

 

[Kaz]

I thought the gay thing was a red herring and didn't add anything.

The gay thing WAS a red herring. I believe it did add something as many people I know, (those who don't overthink films while watching like we filmmakers do) have taken the bait. Some guess it early, some don't. Either way it doesn't matter. It's not supposed to be some grand twist like Sixth Sense. I didn't throw in any BUM BUM BUMMMM!!! music. The head in the fridge is just there and we move along.

This film was about the killer's motives. WHY he does what he does. That, to me, is the most interesting aspect of the film.

 

[sean90291]

The head in the fridge is the best visual of the whole thing for sure. It's awesome.

 

[ryan brown]

Ummmm... So no one's commenting on the lighting, here?

I'm going to agree that the fim itself was excellent; very well written, executed, and acting was OK (the boy wasn't near as strong as the lead, who was great), along with the camera "movement" which was OK (looked like lack of proper equipment, so you did what you could, and I'd do the same)

BUT... the lighting was awfull. I know it can be hard in small locations, but this could, and should, have been much better. I think some diffusion would have gone a LONG way here. Diffuse the crap out of it so it doesn't look like a spotlight coming from one side. The main area that bothered me was in the "sitting at the table/conversation" scene. It didn't match up at all when cutting from one person to the other, and all I could think about was where the spotlight was coming from. A lot of the focus of the entire short took place at that location, but I just couldn't quite get into it. I think most of the scene's could have had stronger lighting...

No offense meant. I did see that you also thought your lighting was "your weakest trait", so hopefully I'm just adding to the already known.

Awesome short, though. I can only hope to produce something of this quality...

-peace

p.s. Unlike John (I think), I really liked the B&W during the murder sequence.

 

[Kaz]

Ummmm... So no one's commenting on the lighting, here?

... the lighting was awfull.

I have no problem with this comment. I am not a lighting person and I fully admit that the lighting is not good in this one.



Just have to respond to this:

I liked We Are Not Alone a lot better.

Not sure the purpose of this comment. The two films are polar opposites and I have no interest in making the same type of film over and over. not really bugged by this, just thought it was an odd thing to say!

 

[Blake Balu]

I thought the gay thing was a red herring and didn't add anything.

Hi, Blake Balu here. (Dorian in The Dinner Guest) Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments. I had alot of fun creating this guy.

To the Quoted comment:
1. The "gay thing" you refer to happened to be used for a couple of reasons: Yes it served as a red herring, but it also allowed the boy's character to be more vulnerable to the bonding that he perceived was happening between the two of them. Also Dorian was able to use it to his benefit to get closer to him to do the deed. This is also a great reason for the boy to have run away from home, since his parents rejected him (very common), something which he and Dorian share in common and helps this bonding experience.
2. As a gay actor I feel I must make this comment. Actually, just as an aware member of this diverse human race, I must. I feel that you dont even need some special reason to have a gay character in a movie any more that you need a special reason to have a black character. People are different and it needs to be represented. It makes up who they are and makes them interesting and it is something we can learn from. If he was black or mentioned he had a girlfriend (been straight) would you have asked yourself the same question?
But the bottom line is it was a win situation from any angle, and I believe it did much more than facilitate the plot.
At any rate thanks again for all the comments.

 

[sean90291]

Just have to respond to this:


Not sure the purpose of this comment. The two films are polar opposites and I have no interest in making the same type of film over and over. not really bugged by this, just thought it was an odd thing to say!

You're right, the fact I really liked We Are Not Alone is not relevant to The Dinner Guest. They're totally different movies. I just didn't like The Dinner Guest. I saw the work that went into it, but it didn't transport me, didn't intrigue me. Your film, We Are Not Alone did.

I feel crappy being critical of any film posted in DVXuser cuz they're herculean efforts to get them made, and we're doing it for little money and with tiny crews, etc. But if they're posted for comments and criticisms, then it's hard for me not to be critical of The Dinner Guest.

As a gay actor I feel I must make this comment. Actually, just as an aware member of this diverse human race, I must. I feel that you dont even need some special reason to have a gay character in a movie any more that you need a special reason to have a black character. People are different and it needs to be represented. It makes up who they are and makes them interesting and it is something we can learn from. If he was black or mentioned he had a girlfriend (been straight) would you have asked yourself the same question?

I admire your decision to try this approach. But the gay kid's sexuality was becoming part of the storyline. It wasn't just a character who happened to be gay, but there was a scene devoted to his background and I didn't find it advanced the plot or added anything. It didn't make me feel more for the guy. In fact it sorta creeped me out, cuz the canibalistic killer seemed gay too.

 

[Rasquachemedia]

i'm not exactly sure what a red herring is, not familiar with the slang (tangent or detraction or extraneous "thing" thats insignificant to the story?) but in any case, i thought the character being or revealing he's guy worked on one level.

It gave me, at least, the impression that the lead actor might be gay and interested in the kid, in an exploitative way. That he might be a molestor, it was at this point where i wasn't sure where the story was going. Also that he could use this information to get close to the kid and go in for the kill.

Now could have the short worked without all that? It would have been quicker, which might be a good thing. But if we didn't have background information than there might criticisms on the lack of character development.

I guess finding the balance is hard in any story.

At least for me, what i liked was that it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I was unsure, and that's a good thing for me.

the young actors performance wasn't as strong as the leads, maybe this contributed to it being viewed as a "red herring".

 

[Blake Balu]

I admire your decision to try this approach. But the gay kid's sexuality was becoming part of the storyline. It wasn't just a character who happened to be gay, but there was a scene devoted to his background and I didn't find it advanced the plot or added anything. It didn't make me feel more for the guy.

The Approach succeeded. I have already explained the ways that this advanced the plot. The point of it was not to make you feel more for anyone. Ive listed my reasons already. I did not hear your reasons why you thought it did not advance the plot. In #1 of my first comment I list my reasons.

In fact it sorta creeped me out, cuz the canibalistic killer seemed gay too.

So the fact that he's gay creeps you out more than him being a cannibal? The fact that it creeped you out that someone is gay, creeps me out, especially since I AM gay. Boo!!!

I thought the character being or revealing he's guy worked ....
It gave me, at least, the impression that the lead actor might be gay and interested in the kid, in an exploitative way. That he might be a molestor, it was at this point where i wasn't sure where the story was going. Also that he could use this information to get close to the kid and go in for the kill.

Cool, you got it! This was our intent.

 

[Jared Meyer]

So the fact that he's gay creeps you out more than him being a cannibal? The fact that it creeped you out that someone is gay, creeps me out, especially since I AM gay. Boo!!!

Regardless of sexuality, the murderer/victim dynamic in films is always a little "creepier" when there is even the subtlest hint of attraction between the two. In my opinion, anyway. Not to put words in sean90291's mouth, but if that's what he meant, then I can understand that...

Awesome job, by the way, Blake. Kaz is lucky to have access to a talented actor such as yourself.

 

[Bezakor]

i enjoyed that a lot, it's great when u can find decent actors! the theme music was fitted very well, i think that's what seperates this film from other of its 'type' saw a similar film to yours, just a little shorter, and they stuck with the dark, evil theme.... makes the movie obvious so u dont need to think it through while its happening. With your the music plays a phychological game with the viewer, it creates depth, a hint of mystery, contradiction and somewhere during the film even... sympathy. Great stuff,

My only suggestion is that the emphasis on the"meat" in the begging is to much and should be a little more subtle.... it told me alot about your story before the ending and i would have like a little more uncertainty... it adds mystery. anyway i pick on small things only when i liked the film enough to say something.

well done, great short!

 

[DarkMatter]

Wow... Fantastic! Great Performances, beautifully shot and cut... Just Wow... Keep it up!!

 

[PimpDaddyDA]

I can't believe all that talent gone to waste.

I loved it until you pulled out the gun. Why is it that so many new filmmakers have to put violence in their films? Guns, blood, stabbings, shootings... it lacks originality and any sense of intelligence.

Yes, the film style is great, the acting is great, the lighting and camera and editing are very nice. It just needs some content and real dialogue.

Blood...blood...blood.... It's been done to death. The start of the film was so dam good, I thought it was a comedy or some intense little movie... instead of another chop your head off themed horror flic.

!!!!!!!!! You have intense talent!!! Use it. Get rid of your inner hatred and make a film that moves people, not a film that makes them go "eeech."

Just one filmmaker's opinion. Don't chop my head off!

....but it was a good short film.

Pimp Daddy D

 

[EJ Pennypacker]

The start of the film was so dam good, I thought it was a comedy or some intense little movie...

I have to say I welcomed the sudden switch from college-comedy to suspense-thriller. That was a nice twist in the tail.

EJ

 

[slinks]

to me WANA was one of my favorites for the scifest and now this! Very very nice. Like you said, a total 180. And you definitely pulled it off. The main character was great but like others have said, the lighting cold have been better. Especially the shots of your main character at the dinner table. regardless, I definitely loved this! good job mista mista!

 

[Blake Balu]

Regardless of sexuality, the murderer/victim dynamic in films is always a little "creepier" when there is even the subtlest hint of attraction between the two. In my opinion, anyway. Not to put words in sean90291's mouth, but if that's what he meant, then I can understand that...

True. I agree with this statement, but the other statement was made about someones sexual orientation itself being creepy not the specific dynamic beween them- (the boy being a vulnerable minor). If this is what he meant he should have made the distinction. The comment was offensive to me as it was worded- but, I do thank you for giving me this to think about since what you said may have been what he actually meant. Great observation!

Awesome job, by the way, Blake. Kaz is lucky to have access to a talented actor such as yourself.

Thank you so much. I think I am lucky!

 

[Mark Harris]

I didn't care too much for the story, only because I knew exactly how it would end as soon as the kid showed up. That bugged me a little, because I was hoping it would NOT end how I thought it would. But then it did.

But I agree with Blake 100%. I had cast an African American actor in my first short, and a lot of people asked what was with the "black thing." I was like: Huh? He was just the best actor for the part. But I did think it turned into an interesting experiment, just to see what people bring to a movie themselves.

The movie was very well made and well acted. And I didn't have any real problem with the lighting. I mean, I guess it could have been better, but I didn't stop and think about it except that someone at the top of the thread brought it up.

One thing I noticed, less a criticism than a tip, was the sound. I produce videos for iPod so I always sound mix through headphones, and when you do that the sound changes between cuts become glaring. So you guys might re-check that and maybe smooth it out a little, if it matters to you.

Good work though! I will jump to your site and check out the other stuff.