The Watchman a Michael Anthony Horrigan Film

[hawaiiirish]

I'm new to the board and I watched your movie. I have to say, I'm impressed it was shot with HV-20. Additionally, I loved the ending - you built so much tension into that short amount of time. Great job.

 

[totitefilms]

I like your film. Nice CC and editing. The DOF in some scenes is very good. Do you use any adapter?. The ending is a little bit confusing for me. I had to watch it over a few times. Overall you did great job! I enjoy your movie.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Michael, this was amazing! I think your lead actor was so naturally creepy... amazing performance. If there was an acting award, he'd definitely get my vote!

Overall, great work. Really enjoyed it

Awesome! I'll let him know.
Glad you really like it.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I'm new to the board and I watched your movie. I have to say, I'm impressed it was shot with HV-20. Additionally, I loved the ending - you built so much tension into that short amount of time. Great job.

I tried.

Yup, the HV20 is one great little camera. Considering what I'm up against it held up fairly well. I would love to get a pro camera someday though.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I like your film. Nice CC and editing. The DOF in some scenes is very good. Do you use any adapter?. .

Zero adapters. Just the wide angle lens for the occasional shot.
Glad most of you seem to like the CC as well.

:thumbsup:

 

[Tom Shortridge]

Gnarly.

Absolutely captivating short.

SPOILERS JUST IN CASE

So much tension in the bathroom/hallway scene. I hadn't been that antsy watching a movie since the first time I saw The Departed. Loved the reveal/disappear.

And the ending - I didn't see that coming. But perfectly logical with the characters you created and the story you were telling.

Speaking of characters - your lead actor - spot-on with his mannerisms. Not too over-the-top or cliche, completely believable.

Excellent work.

 

[pia12254]

I agree with all of these thoughts! Superbly acted. Well shot (I appreciated the dolly shots...what kind of dolly do you use by the way?). The story was intelligent and didn't seem to cliche/cheezy to me which I have seen a lot of these types of films fall into very easily!

I thought the story was headed in a different direction so when it turned out the way I did I was pleasantly suprised.

My personal preference on the CC would be to make it a little more moody when he enters the house. For instance, the shot where he first enters the foyer looks way to bright/flat compared to some of the others. I think if it were darker with a little more contrast it might "feel" creepier. Just my personal preference though and a very minor detail in an otherwise stellar film!

I just got an HV20 and am really impressed by what comes out of such a tiny little thing!

Ciao!

Daniel

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Gnarly.

Absolutely captivating short.

So much tension in the bathroom/hallway scene. I hadn't been that antsy watching a movie since the first time I saw The Departed. Loved the reveal/disappear.

And the ending - I didn't see that coming. But perfectly logical with the characters you created and the story you were telling.

Speaking of characters - your lead actor - spot-on with his mannerisms. Not too over-the-top or cliche, completely believable.

Excellent work.

Fantastic! Sounds like you really got into it. Thanks for the descriptive analysis. I'm glad that it worked so well for you.
Next time watch it in the dark with headphones for a real treat. :evil:

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I agree with all of these thoughts! Superbly acted. Well shot (I appreciated the dolly shots...what kind of dolly do you use by the way?). The story was intelligent and didn't seem to cliche/cheezy to me which I have seen a lot of these types of films fall into very easily!

I thought the story was headed in a different direction so when it turned out the way I did I was pleasantly suprised.

My personal preference on the CC would be to make it a little more moody when he enters the house. For instance, the shot where he first enters the foyer looks way to bright/flat compared to some of the others. I think if it were darker with a little more contrast it might "feel" creepier. Just my personal preference though and a very minor detail in an otherwise stellar film!

I just got an HV20 and am really impressed by what comes out of such a tiny little thing!

Ciao!

Daniel

We posted at the same time.
I'm a big fan of The Small Multiple so I'm glad to hear that you liked my work. I'm happy that I was able to surprise you with where things were heading. It was tough to Direct at times and keep things from going over the top. Thanks for that compliment.

The dolly was homemade, I've posted pictures in the past. I'll see if I can dig them up. Yah, the lighting in that one shot could be brought down a tad... I'll see what I can do in post.

Thanks for the "stellar film" comment! I really appreciate these comments coming from so many talented people on this forum.

Cheers!

Mike

 

[Imaginate]

You have a real knack for creating suspense. Loved the shaking hand thing and how you set up the original conflict in such a short time.

Great casting... The woman was very obnoxious... which set up sympathy for the killer. Which as a viewer conflicted me... and creates the emotional response you show get from a piece like this.

I would have shortened the mirror shot... but the blocking on the hallway shot was brilliant.

I liked what you DIDN't show of the murder. I expected him to murder her and was thinking that you might reverse things and have her kill him... given her introduction I wouldnt have doubted that she was capable of it.

I like your use the HV20... I also have that camera and plan to use it on more shoots. How did you record your sound?

I look forward to see more from you.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Responses posted in bold...

You have a real knack for creating suspense. Loved the shaking hand thing and how you set up the original conflict in such a short time.

Thanks! People seem to like that shot.

Great casting... The woman was very obnoxious... which set up sympathy for the killer. Which as a viewer conflicted me... and creates the emotional response you show get from a piece like this.

Awesome! I was hoping for that just a bit. Not too much though, he is a psycho!

I would have shortened the mirror shot... but the blocking on the hallway shot was brilliant.

Thanks so much!

I liked what you DIDN't show of the murder. I expected him to murder her and was thinking that you might reverse things and have her kill him... given her introduction I wouldnt have doubted that she was capable of it.

Yah, I like leaving some things to the imagination. He had the drop on her for sure though.

I like your use the HV20... I also have that camera and plan to use it on more shoots. How did you record your sound?

Used a separate digital recorder for some, a Canon mic attachment that mounts on the camera for most of it.

I look forward to see more from you.

Cheers!

 

[kurtmo]

Well done film. I liked the general concept. Thought the actors pulled off their parts well. When it was clear about the leads intentions, I got nervous…just what you wanted! So, good job!

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Well done film. I liked the general concept. Thought the actors pulled off their parts well. When it was clear about the leads intentions, I got nervous…just what you wanted! So, good job!

Great! Thanks again for your time. I'm glad that it made you nervous.

 

[Maximus]

Good job! :thumbsup:

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Good job! :thumbsup:

Thanks! :thumbsup:

Keep the reviews coming.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Dustin R. Rogan]

Spoilers (kinda)
If i had a neighbor like this guy...I might have to kill him...
Well done sir! Especially since I know you were alone for this one!

love the part when shes walking down the hall then he appears outta no where, then she crosses the hall and then hes gone...creepy rainman guy, with a hammer.

Was it just me or did the main actor appear in your Joel 3:15 movie as the neighbor? and same house..or area?

Big fan, thanks for the view!

Rogan

 

[Existentialist]

Alright, Michael, let's talk about lighting.

How did you light the hallway scene? Just those lights we see?
The external night shots?

 

[pauly_the_hitman]

I thought I had OCD but man this guy has a leg up on me. Good job guys I dug the short.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Spoilers (kinda)
If i had a neighbor like this guy...I might have to kill him...
Well done sir! Especially since I know you were alone for this one!

love the part when shes walking down the hall then he appears outta no where, then she crosses the hall and then hes gone...creepy rainman guy, with a hammer.

Was it just me or did the main actor appear in your Joel 3:15 movie as the neighbor? and same house..or area?

Big fan, thanks for the view!

Rogan

The main actor was also the lead in Joel 3:15, not the neighbour.

Thanks, Dustin. Glad you dug it.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Alright, Michael, let's talk about lighting.

How did you light the hallway scene? Just those lights we see?
The external night shots?

There were other lights placed around the house but out of camera shot in that hallway scene. I believe you can see one desk lamp in the shot.
I placed the most powerful lights in the bathroom that she exits from.

The night scenes were done with houselights and a set of outdoor rink floodlights.

I have further scenes shot in the car, mostly lit with a battery lamp and a flashlight. Like what you saw when he writes down the time and "Leaves door unlocked".