Dennis & Ronnie Films Presents - "811"

REVIEW:
I love the idea of this one! Too bad you only had five minutes. You really could have carried this one on a while. I would have really liked to see what happens when the guy's date arrives. Acting was alright. I think the compression killed the look a bit, but that's not your fault. Good job!

FILMMAKER-TO-FILMMAKER:
Nice dark comedy story idea here. I'd really like to see you write and shoot a longer script. The score playing with the film kind of conflicted with it a bit. A little too "scary", maybe. Something like Desperate Housewive's or Pushing Daisies style of music would fit perfect. Again, I'd really like to see what happens next! Good job.
 
I was complete lost on this one.

It felt like made up on the fly shooting with no script. From the guy on the phone to a busted water pipe, a crawl space and then dinner (The body?)

There were some nice shots; I love when the camera is brought down below the actors eyelines as it creates intimacy with the audience. When he entered the crawlspace, it was creepy and effective.

But, in the end, I was left scratching my head asking 'What was this about exactly?'

It was just okay.
 
Way to go with the crawlspace, that was the creepiest part of the movie for me. I was expecting the dude digging the hole to be burying a body, I mean this is Hallows Fest. A little taken aback when there was no reason given for the hole. I didn't get that the hole-digging guy was the plumber's ex's new boyfriend, as another review said. If that's right you might want to do something in any subsequent edit you make to clarify. On a side note, seems like I've seen one of the actors in something else on here. Good work, keep shooting.
 
I had a hard time believing that guy owned the house because he looked too young. I felt the lighting could use some work. And the story, if there was one, was completely lost on me.
 
Aculag, personally this was one of my favorites, i think you did an all around great job.
Definitley some of the best acting in the fest, great performances, and the plot was clean, simple and easy to follow. There was a solid pay off at the end, good use of the wine, and i was actually freaked out by the victom getting trapped in the basement.
that is not a fun way to die. so congrats!
 
Thanks for the replies, guys. I think more could have been done to make the story clearer if we could have had a six minute time limit instead of five, but such is life.


It felt like made up on the fly shooting with no script. From the guy on the phone to a busted water pipe, a crawl space and then dinner (The body?)

I could understand your confusion if this movie didn't have any dialogue, but it does, and it gives the viewer at least SOME idea what's going on, I think. Then again, it's a fractured storyline, so I guess I can still understand your confusion. Sorry you didn't like it, man. :)

HappyGobo said:
I didn't get that the hole-digging guy was the plumber's ex's new boyfriend, as another review said.

I have to say, that's an interesting interpretation. He's not intended to be involved with the plumber or the plumber's ex-girlfriend in any way, other than being the victim of a desperate man in need of a new place to live. Wrong place at the wrong time kind of thing.

Blaine said:
I had a hard time believing that guy owned the house because he looked too young.
Possibly he's renting the house? On the other hand, I'm the same age as the actor, and I actually do own that house, so maybe he just looks young.

Defcon said:
Aculag, personally this was one of my favorites, i think you did an all around great job.
Definitley some of the best acting in the fest, great performances, and the plot was clean, simple and easy to follow. There was a solid pay off at the end, good use of the wine, and i was actually freaked out by the victom getting trapped in the basement.
that is not a fun way to die. so congrats!

Hey thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

Again, thanks for the comments, and thanks for watching.
 
Good story, kept me interested. Nice lighting on the outdoor scenes, but I didn't like the lights on the last scene, where he drinks wine: too harsh, and you can see the shadow on the wall behind him. I loved the bit in the middle where you see someone complaining about a flashlight not working - we only figure it out in the end.

Slick credits! Thanks for making this.
 
I thought this effort was good. I wasn't too sure about the "just digging a hole" line as it struck me as a little sloppy (why raise a question in a script that you really don't have or want to give an answer to). And there's something about this short that makes me want to watch it again.

Thanks for making it.
 
I thought this effort was good. I wasn't too sure about the "just digging a hole" line as it struck me as a little sloppy (why raise a question in a script that you really don't have or want to give an answer to). And there's something about this short that makes me want to watch it again.

Thanks for making it.

He was just digging a hole for something to do. It's his anti-drug. Plus, it gives us a reason to have a creepy plumber come over!

Thanks for watching!
 
I enjoyed this film.

I thought it was cool little story and the actors did a good job.

I especially liked that we start with the guy in the crawlspace, but don't find out it's him until much later.
 
Hey Aculag,

I really liked the overall idea. I wish there was a line at least that told us what 811 meant. I only know what it means because of the thread and I feel like you could have worked it in in a clever line like, "Why didn't you call first? It's just 3 numbers. 811...its the 911 of underground plumbing." or something like that. It would have fit nicely with "Fine." "Yeah, a 200 dollar fine." That's a good line and made me laugh.

The audio was decent, but your use of the music to make things scary like when the truck pulls up was pretty over the top making it awkward instead of funny.

The editing could have been tighter. The cut where he is digging goes on for a bit, then the shot outside the crawl space door, and then in the crawl space tapping pipes. All of those shots could be trimmed down a bit. The shot selection overall was good and most of the shots looked good as well.

One thing with the story is that I thought the character trapped in the crawlspace could have easily kick out that door to get out. Maybe a shot of the bad guy blocking the door some how would have helped.

Good job overall.

Thanks,
Ando
 
I seem to be following Ando in all these posts! LOL. I did very much like the story and I did think some of the shots were cool (like when the guy was in the crawl space). The whole busted pipeline shot when the water splashed on his face was cool and seemed very real. Overall, a very good idea, concept and some good shots. The acting was always consistent, but it did accomplish the goal.
 
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