The Simp Takes a Holiday: bosindy, Tekashi, Arabian

It's a good pic of me. Thanks for framing it and to Aram for shooting it!

I think the In-N-Out is on the outs for a while! Maybe it will make a comeback!
 
The Rodent said:
This short was the catalyst for me to stop lurking and register.


I just wanted to say that after the 30 or so entries I've watched so far, the ending scene in this one made me crack up the most. The actress's look was splendid, and I also had to back it up to watch it again.

Great job on this one.
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this is a great compliment, welcome to the boards.

I really like Laurie's performance in this. She has the perfect quality for the story; innocent and sincere. When I wrote it, I only had her in mind for it so I was psyched when she said yes.

Thanks again!
 
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Mark Johnson said:
I keep watching this film and like it more each time. There is so much here that shows craftsmanship and the performances are marvelous. Jim and Team: you guys are a powerhouse. I hope you are making plans to enter the next one together and really put in preproduction time and effort. I can't say enough about this film. You guys hit it out of the park.
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Maybe we need to get you out here for the next one, continue the cross cultural exchange.:beer:
 
Guys, this was a REALLY fun movie. The fact that you took the time and expense with the costume, production design, et al led to the epic scope of it all. It felt big and the universe was really fleshed out. Also: the baby in leather. Wow. Haha.

Ted. I didn't realize that was you as the dad! You did really well. I totally felt for the Simp when you were talking down to him in the beginning. And that hug at the end was priceless.


Well directed, well shot, well acted. A great punchline at the end.

Good job all.
 
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Oops! Sorry, Bosindy. I had to remove a review for another film on here that was attached to my review of yours. I reviewed a few films together and copied and pasted my reviews from microsoft word.

Anyway, keep the Simp going!
 
Bosindy that was great!!!! So much fun.

OK sometimes I wasnt big on the lighting and a little so so on a couple of shots . Let me give you an example of each.

Near opening, walking up the stairs, lighting looked like a light just pointing strangely up the stairs - lacked motivation. And on shot, when Simp and his dad (Ted are in the living room on the couches - pretty flat, not so great.

Ted, Im giving you the Oscar for this love fest.

One of the best for me.
 
Marlon, I get confused sometimes with all the films, I am glad you still make the quotes in my signature.

Shawn I am glad you liked it, thanks.

Noel Thanks for giving a few examples, this is great feedback. I am definitely thinking about light more and more. I am glad it still ranks high on your list.

Jim
 
Hey Jim!

I just watched "The Simp" again for the ump-tenth time! I just love your film!!! You have done such an incredible job of providing something that is quite frankly bizarre and yet so sweet at the same time. This is a real credit to you.

It just amazes me that this story, while far-fetched as it is... (I mean, a guy who wears a leather mask as a baby, at graduation, at the bar... and who is seemingly content to live in his truck!), it is warm, gentle and sincere. I am just in awe of your vision to create this.

As for the film, there are so many "pro-elements" here.... the composition of shots, the camera work, the directing, the editing, the music... just wonderful.

You are a careful craftsman of this trade, Jim. And you perform with valor!

Congrats to you and to Aram! It was truly a pleasure to work on this with you and be a part of it.

Good luck on the voting... this is a serious contender!

-Ted
 
Ted Thanks! I am most glad that everyone involved feels it was worth it. I know people didn't know what to expect when I approached them about being involved. It says a lot that people trusted me anyway.

I am glad your performance is getting such strong reviews, congrats.
 
Slimothy said:
I showed this to Bullis last night and he was rollin. Simply loved it.

Great job, again.

Tim.
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Thanks Tim, I spoke to Johnson just today, I am looking forward to coming out there and hanging with you guys, it sounds like a lot of exciting stuff going on out your way

Thanks Ted.:beer:
 
Alright guys - I've seen it a few times now and I'm finally getting around to writing up my reviews - I haven't read the rest of this thread... so take this as my honest reaction:

First off - contentwise - this has to be one of the most original pieces in the fest.
I love seeing stuff like this. I was uncomfortable at times, and wasn't really sure if I should be laughing or taking it sincerely - and I like that about it.

Shotwise - what can I say - it looks great.
Nice shot construction - nice cuts - nice light - and the sound was crisp and clear.
There was nothing that jumped out at me from a tech standpoint.

The edit was well done - I loved the use of the fades and wipes - which can sometimes come off really gimmicky, but you made them work in this. It felt lke it was part of the style, not dictating the style... hopefully that makes sense to you.

My only issue storywise is her 'profession of love' in the kitchen scene - I just didn't find it believable... and it felt like it came out of nowhere for me. That might be an issue of timing, because the ending felt a little bit rushed - and I hope you're putting together a long cut of this to give those moments their due.

The living room scene where he is drinking the tea is priceless - and I kind of wish you hadn't posted grabs of that, because I was waiting for it from the second I hit play.
:)

Overall - quirky, original and interesting piece.
I could have done with a few less grunts from Simp - as the mere sight of him is engaging... the sounds almost make it too goofy sometimes (which actually took away form the comedy a little for me). The fact that it was all played straight really worked...and those moments felt almost like they were too selfconsciously funny to me.

But again - NOT a cookie cutter story... and I LOVE seeing that.
Well shot, well conceived, well paced.
You should be proud.

I hope you found my critiques helpful - at the end of the day they are just the opinions of one guy.

Can't wait to see what you do in the next fest.
You ARE entering the next fest.
(notice that that wasn't a question)

:thumbsup:

P.S.
Ted as the father did a really nice job.
The look on his face when he opens the door was fantastic - very subtle reaction which kept me waiting to see how it was going to play out. I liked that moment a lot.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Alright guys - I've seen it a few times now and I'm finally getting around to writing up my reviews - I haven't read the rest of this thread... so take this as my honest reaction:
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these are the types of reviews I love, I wish I would have been as thorough in my reviews. Thank you.

Luis Caffesse said:
First off - contentwise - this has to be one of the most original pieces in the fest.
I love seeing stuff like this. I was uncomfortable at times, and wasn't really sure if I should be laughing or taking it sincerely - and I like that about it.

Shotwise - what can I say - it looks great.
Nice shot construction - nice cuts - nice light - and the sound was crisp and clear.
There was nothing that jumped out at me from a tech standpoint.

The edit was well done - I loved the use of the fades and wipes - which can sometimes come off really gimmicky, but you made them work in this. It felt lke it was part of the style, not dictating the style... hopefully that makes sense to you.
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wow thanks, I was hoping to get uncomfortable laughs in this. Thanks for mentioning the audio, I wanted decent sound design so it was my first time doing folley and ADR. As far as the edit, It has started coming a little easier, although I don't think it will ever be easy for me.

Luis Caffesse said:
My only issue storywise is her 'profession of love' in the kitchen scene - I just didn't find it believable... and it felt like it came out of nowhere for me. That might be an issue of timing, because the ending felt a little bit rushed - and I hope you're putting together a long cut of this to give those moments their due.
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agreed, Geoff made the same observation. I originally had more of a backstory in the flashbacks between Daisy and The Simp. We see them meeting on the playground as kids and going to prom. The time limit and logistics killed that so I used just the break up.


Luis Caffesse said:
The living room scene where he is drinking the tea is priceless - and I kind of wish you hadn't posted grabs of that, because I was waiting for it from the second I hit play.
:)
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I should have kept my powder dry on that one.


Luis Caffesse said:
Overall - quirky, original and interesting piece.
I could have done with a few less grunts from Simp - as the mere sight of him is engaging... the sounds almost make it too goofy sometimes (which actually took away form the comedy a little for me). The fact that it was all played straight really worked...and those moments felt almost like they were too selfconsciously funny to me.
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The world I tried to create was one that people could understand The Simp and have conversations with him. I cut an early scene where he is hitchhiking and a guy pulls over and asks "where ya head'n?" the Simp responds "MMMMMWWWWW" The Guy says, "Long Island? hop on in" We worked on the noise quite a bit because it wasn't working, and then I said, just sort of hum the words. I appreciate your opinion on this.


Luis Caffesse said:
But again - NOT a cookie cutter story... and I LOVE seeing that.
Well shot, well conceived, well paced.
You should be proud.

I hope you found my critiques helpful - at the end of the day they are just the opinions of one guy.

Can't wait to see what you do in the next fest.
You ARE entering the next fest.
(notice that that wasn't a question)

:thumbsup:
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Thanks Luis, I will certainly be in more fests down the road (if not the next one), the learning experience alone is worth it. I am inspired by your film, Zak's, Jason's, Matt's to name a few, to try something more conversational in the next one. I already have an idea, but we'll see how it fits in to future themes.
 
Great concept. Nicely shot. Very entertaining piece. We’ve spoken about it some but here’s some thoughts as I watch a second time.

Love the push in on the phone. Nice SDOF and focus pulling while dollying … but beyond the tech, a nice evocative shot.

Stair case – great wish it was longer.

Great cut to him in the sunlight with the music and all.

Ted doesn’t seem quite old enough to be Daddy, though I guess the simp could be 18 or so. But with the type of coming home story you are telling the parents are usually a bit older.

Ted’s acting was pretty good, but seemed a bit theatrical. I could tell he was putting on a character rather than simpley being – the only thing that works for film, which of course means, with very few exceptions, that you have to cast someone that can be that character.

The bar shot is really nicely lit. Maybe some vignetting could bring down the bright feel of it.

Not nuts about the baby in the mask. Up till then I just thought it was someone who had made an extreme lifestyle choice and I liked that reality. Which grounded the comedy even more.

Love the rubber fist bit for Valentines day.

The “I love you” from the ex girlfriend was too easy to say / not believable.

OK …. So that was a lot of stuff that I picked on … but I think this is one of the strongest entries in a very strong fest … probably in the top 5.

You took a great premise and ran with it all the way.

Very entertaining and I can’t wait to see your next entry.
 
Thanks for the feedback on my performance, Jack. The one thing that I did not do was develop a character. I guess it still read that way.

Hmmmm.... I know that film acting is such a difference beast than the theatre. Looks like I still have work ahead of me!
 
Jack Daniel Stanley said:
Great concept. Nicely shot. Very entertaining piece. We’ve spoken about it some but here’s some thoughts as I watch a second time.

Love the push in on the phone. Nice SDOF and focus pulling while dollying … but beyond the tech, a nice evocative shot.

Stair case – great wish it was longer.

Great cut to him in the sunlight with the music and all.

Ted doesn’t seem quite old enough to be Daddy, though I guess the simp could be 18 or so. But with the type of coming home story you are telling the parents are usually a bit older.

Ted’s acting was pretty good, but seemed a bit theatrical. I could tell he was putting on a character rather than simpley being – the only thing that works for film, which of course means, with very few exceptions, that you have to cast someone that can be that character.

The bar shot is really nicely lit. Maybe some vignetting could bring down the bright feel of it.

Not nuts about the baby in the mask. Up till then I just thought it was someone who had made an extreme lifestyle choice and I liked that reality. Which grounded the comedy even more.

Love the rubber fist bit for Valentines day.

The “I love you” from the ex girlfriend was too easy to say / not believable.

OK …. So that was a lot of stuff that I picked on … but I think this is one of the strongest entries in a very strong fest … probably in the top 5.

You took a great premise and ran with it all the way.

Very entertaining and I can’t wait to see your next entry.
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I am glad you dropped by for the review Jack, I know we talked quite a bit about the film awhile back.

That stairway shot will definitely be longer in the longer cut. We shot the whole walk down. I also want to do something with the lighting in the bar, vignetting may be the answer, I am going to play around with a few things. I know what your saying about the baby, but I still like the scene. It does take the choice away from the simp, but I was going more for an Edward Scissorhands feel for the character. Some of the other stuff I have covered in other responses but I really appreciate you taking the time to go over the stuff you liked or didn't.

BTW, I checked out The Odd Squad and really enjoyed it.

Making your top 5 is quite a compliment so thanks!. You were a great help to me in a few ways (cc and tech issues) this go around. Hopefully we will grab that beer real soon. :beer:
 
Ted Arabian said:
Thanks for the feedback on my performance, Jack. The one thing that I did not do was develop a character. I guess it still read that way.

Hmmmm.... I know that film acting is such a difference beast than the theatre. Looks like I still have work ahead of me!
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Sorry, to me it seemed like you were trying to use your voice in a deep fatherly way. Maybe that's how you really sound, but it did not seem like natural unaffected speech to me. Seemed a bit too Wilfred Brimly.

I've seen you move on BTS and stuff though and you don't swager the way you do in this. You move like a young man in real life.

EDIT: Maybe my comments are colored by what I think you sound like / who I think you are. But it didn't ring 100% true to me for some reason. I could also say the same for some other actors performances, but ironically I'm more direct, forthcoming, and honest on yours because I think our friendship demands it.
 
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