"The Dinner Guest" Short Film ~LONG OVERDUE

[sean90291]

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.

Hey Blake. No intent on my part to offend. I'm a gay filmmaker too. I'm glad you try to include gay characters in your films. But it felt misplaced in this one. Just violated some basic storytelling rules that I think made it distracting and weaker over all. I mean, the villain also seems gay and he's a canibalistic child molesting murderer.--at least that's how it's coming across to me. Ironically, given that you're gay yourself, I think it was ham-handed to default to such an old stereotype. Hey if it was a great villain, make him gay. This one was just all over the place.

 

[Kaz]

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. ...It just needs some content and real dialogue.

Dude, this is a joke, right?

!!!!!!!!! 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."

I submit to you, the last film I made: http://www.reyo-sanpictures.com/films/wana.wmv

My only suggestion is that the emphasis on the"meat" in the begging is to much and should be a little more subtle....

Thanks for the comments. I have to disagree on this point. When the meat is shown, he's dancing & enjoying himself - all part of the setup. I don't believe I lingered on that any more than him dancing, cleaning up or having a beer.

I'm glad you try to include gay characters in your films. But it felt misplaced in this one. Just violated some basic storytelling rules that I think made it distracting and weaker over all. I mean, the villain also seems gay and he's a canibalistic child molesting murderer.--at least that's how it's coming across to me. Ironically, given that you're gay yourself, I think it was ham-handed to default to such an old stereotype. Hey if it was a great villain, make him gay. This one was just all over the place.

We didn't TRY to include a gay character. We WANTED to for the BENEFIT of the story. The story is ultimately about the how and why this particular killer does what he does. Dorian obviously already knows a little about William before he arrives from his last victim, William's sister (hence singing Billy Boy). When William mentions he's gay, Dorian gives a surprising look. From here, he starts using this as another way to draw this kid in. This was good for the story & also helped throw a red herring out there for those that were still unsure where it was all going. Making the killer gay...now THAT would've added nothing.

 

[Blake Balu]

Hey Blake. No intent on my part to offend. I'm a gay filmmaker too. I'm glad you try to include gay characters in your films. But it felt misplaced in this one. Just violated some basic storytelling rules that I think made it distracting and weaker over all. I mean, the villain also seems gay and he's a canibalistic child molesting murderer.--at least that's how it's coming across to me. Ironically, given that you're gay yourself, I think it was ham-handed to default to such an old stereotype. Hey if it was a great villain, make him gay. This one was just all over the place.

The kid is gay not the cannibal. I dont know how you assumed that watching the whole movie. It was obvious to everyone else that has ever seen the entire movie and have commented on this subject that he just used the info for his own end. His sexuality was never established. No steryotype was used and it is fully necessary from many angles for the progression of the plot as was explained in detail earlier. I sense that you need to watch it again and read the comments from me and other people again. If he does come across as a child molester so what. Gay people are not child molesters any more than straight people- remember he victimized a little girl too. I think this issue is really a non issue at this point because it is really just a minor necessary part of the big picture, which really is just a mirror held up to us showing the uglier side of what the human mind is capable of -whether people choose to believe it or not. We are all capable of extremely unhealthy and ugly things as well as extremely wonderful things. It is a comment on how someone can be treated a certain way their entire life and how it can effect the way they behave, It is an example of how some people make unhealthy choices in their life in order to cope with what has happened to them. This is an extreme example. Watch Monster if you havent, this film is another example of this. I think people need to see that how we treat other people can have a profound effect on the way they feel and behave. As a gay film maker I would hope that you are comfortable and proud of who you are (I'm sure you are) . I accept you have a difference of opinion and I respect that. This is another example of how different everyone is. We are both gay and disagree on the way a gay character is used. However I do think we are just miscomunicating on some level. Maybe it is just that we both would choose to express the representation of gay people in film differently. Both of us at least has the intent of being responsible about it, which I think is a good thing. I think if we actually got a chance to speak in person we might find we agree more. I just hate typing- (a line can be delivered many ways)
I hope this discussion has caused other people to think more deeply about this kind of subject, as I think it is definitely worthy of discussion.
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[Mark Harris]

Yeah, I'm on drugs about the sound mix. I got that comment confused with another movie I was commenting on at the time.

P.S. - I just downloaded WANA and as soon as it came on I remember it being one if my favorite of the sci-fest movies. LOVED it. Great, compact storytelling within the timeframe. Also the use of sound effects and things like the alien silouette were very effective, rather than trying to CGI the **** out of the thing. It really brought home a point to me, which is when you have characters facing some danger like that, or something scary, what makes the movie is the characters' reactions to what's happening, not a bunch of digital nonsense.

Great work.

 

[Kaz]

No prob and thank you, desperate. Very glad you dug WANA. It was the first film I made that was actually more fun than work to make.

And thanks to the other people who've commented on The Dinner Guest. It did not go un noticed.

 

[J.R. Hudson]

Hey Blake; you have some real acting chops ! Bravo dude !

I thought that making the character gay was ever cooler in terms of making the character colorful as oppossed to 'Joe the Guy'.

I believe this painted more of a history without saying too much.

-- --

WANA ruled.

 

[Blake Balu]

Hey Blake; you have some real acting chops ! Bravo dude !

I thought that making the character gay was ever cooler in terms of making the character colorful as oppossed to 'Joe the Guy'.

I believe this painted more of a history without saying too much.

Wow! Thanks John. I hold tremendous value on your opinion.

 

[Bezakor]

hey kaz, u the director! it was just a personal idea,
i suppose it was obvious to me that there was something strange about the meat coz i had just watched a short posted here that starts in the exact same way, i could send ya a link if u please.
sweetly!

 

[Kaz]

i had just watched a short posted here that starts in the exact same way, i could send ya a link if u please.

Really? Yeah, send it to me.

Hey Blake; you have some real acting chops ! Bravo dude !

If any filmmakers reading this live in or around the N.O. area, you'd do well to get Blake into a production. The boy really knows his stuff, is immensely committed to the work and always goes beyond what's asked of him. As jaustere said earlier, I am lucky to have access to his talent.

Of course, it helps that we've been best friends for 20 years!

 

[double_agent_oo2]

This film is excellent. At first I doubted the believability of the young man's actions, but his background explains his actions perfectly, especially his homosexuality. The harsh lighting, in my opinion, adds to the creepiness of the film. The only complaint I have is that during the black and white throat slash sequence, the cut aways to the toys could have been better. Actually looking back, the only bad toy shot during the sequence is the bear, it just lacks the quality of the other toy shots. Oh, and also when you do that blur effect when the cannibal dude is watching the young man eat the meat, it really makes it obvious that you had to speed the sequence up. I don't know what it would do to the continuity, but you might want to just cut from when the cannibal lowers his head (when he crouches) and cut to right before he asks "what do you think." Maybe it would just look like you're tightening up the shot from wide to close, but I dunno. Just a suggestion. Besides that, excellent!

 

[Bezakor]

sure Kaz, just gonna sorce it out. you want a PM, or here in th thread?

 

[EJ Pennypacker]

Hey Blake,

I said to Kaz in IM that I thought your performance was very-very professional. It's gotta be a showreel piece.

I know nothing about acting, but I'm sure you could head off to LA with that under your arm now - if you're not already a pro actor (which you could be in which case well done on the performance!).

EJ

 

[Blake Balu]

Mr. EJ Pennypacker, thank you so much for the compliments.
I actually have had no real formal training. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology and Sociology. Since 7 years ago I have been in many local plays and started a theatre company (about 7 years ago) www.dramano.org with my boyfreind, and did this awesome film work with my best friend (of almost 20 years) Brian Kaz. I was doing counseling and research for a while but over the past few years Ive come to realize (through convincing of peers, great reviews and winning and nomination of awards) that acting is were its at for me- as far as being more than a hobby or just a side thing to enjoy. I've been told I have an instinct for acting, having worked with some of the best in New Orleans theatre. I find that my BA in Psyc. and Soc. has direct relation, since acting is all about human behavior, motivation and the human condition ....yada yada, and I'm NOW working on my Master of Fine Arts in Acting for Film and Theatre.

Thanks again!!

Brian-
No.. YOU da man!!

 

[Kaz]

when you do that blur effect when the cannibal dude is watching the young man eat the meat, it really makes it obvious that you had to speed the sequence up.

Like with the dissolving during William's head dropping to the table, I unfortunately had no choice. I did one take of that shot and halfway through, Blake messed up a line and I told him to just continue from there, thinking I had something else to cover it. I didn't. The blur was simply done for style and I added a digital zoom to focus on Dorian saying "What d'ya think?"

I had quite a few compromises to make with this film, but I think I did an okay job covering them up.
Kids...don't be like me. Always remember to storyboard!


Bezakor, you can just PM me. Thanks.

 

[EJ Pennypacker]

Well Blake and Kaz, I think I say it for most people at DVXuser that we all look forward to your next production.

Sorry if it's been asked before, but what is your next planned production?

EJ

 

[mystico]

I thought this was a fantastic short! I really wasn't paying attention to the technical issues because I was so engrossed in the story itself--for reasons others have already voiced. I had a quick thought when the kid broke in that perhaps this guy had either killed his sister or had her tied up somewhere. But that thought disappeared when the "courtship" began. I provide psychological treatment for sex offenders as part of "the job that pays the bills," so I was all wrapped up in the thought that this guy was a pedophile. Everyone here is talking about the mutual attraction, homosexuality, and all that but those are secondary issues. The MC's furtive glances, talking about his own childhood and how most adults don't understand a child's world, his collection of toys ... all made this seem like what we call "grooming." He was buttering up this--let's not forget--kid for sexual abuse. I was so sure that that was going to be the end that I even forgot the kid had been looking for his sister. I was getting angry and wondering why someone would make such a movie. So Kaz, I was one of those who bit the carrot. It's sad but I was actually relieved that he killed the kid instead of molesting him.

Bravo! I will definitely be watching WANA soon.

 

[Kaz]

Thanks for sharing that, Mystico.

It's sad but I was actually relieved that he killed the kid instead of molesting him.

I'm not the type of person to shy away from uncomfortable subjects, but when I think about it, had I made Dorian a child molestor rather than cannibal, I would have ended it differently. He would have been killed at the end rather than William.

Sorry if it's been asked before, but what is your next planned production?

It was brought up, but I am keeping mum at the moment. I will, however, say that it's a story of love, betrayal, racism, murder, obsession and the supernatural.

 

[Young-H._Lee]

Hi Brian

I've been following your films for a while and I must say I am continually impressed by the quality of everything, especially given that you are the guy that does almost everything, to have this level of expertise on almost all aspects is no small task. Regarding the film, it held my attention throughout and I really liked the angles you picked. THe dramatic timing and pacing were spot on, regardless of all the comments about the un-subtleness of the meat..etc...it still made me cringe

Although this type of film is not my cup of tea, I really felt something in this movie...it got me to think a bit

I think its been brought up a lot already, but the story is predictable from the get-go...but I think you are aware of that its more about the why and how

anyways, im always looking forward to your next!

 

[Kaz]

Thanks, Young. While I wonder how many people are predicting it because they know it's horror going into it, I think that for most films you watch it's to see how it all plays out. I find most all films are predictable to some extent, especially if you've seen as many as I have. But it certainly doesn't ruin my enjoyment of the good ones.

In the case of The Dinner Guest, you may know Dorian is evil from the start, but there are variables from this: Is the girl tied up somewhere? Is she tonight's dinner? Is William going to die, too? Will he get away? Will he kill Dorian instead of the other way around? Will the police come busting in at the last moment? Will they actually fall in love and William joins him in his twisted means?

Anyways, I'm glad it got you thinking a bit. I can't ask for much more than that.

 

[EJ Pennypacker]

I will, however, say that it's a story of love, betrayal, racism, murder, obsession and the supernatural.

You're remaking GHOSTBUSTERS? holy-sh#t!

EJ