"Freddy the Precognitive Retard"

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pookie said:
If we teach them to go outside while they're puppies, there's less to clean up later Mino.
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I'll leave that up to you then... The F word has been used as long as I've been visiting this place in all manner of ways, I just don't get how one useage can be isolated and frowned upon, then again, connecting the dots is not always my forte. Anyway, it's far away from my intention to get into a huff over this thing so I'll go back to my script and let you guys hammer it out eh?
 
Bryan said:
Did you even watch the ****in' thing? It's about a retarded guy who can see into the future! He eats ice cream off the ground, befriends a lawn gnome, and gets hit by car. Come on people! I'm not out to offend anyone here. Either laugh or don't. But I'm not here to be preached to about artistic freedoms.
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Thanks a lot there, BBBBBryan, for the *SPOILER WARNINGS*. Geez. I was just about to spend an hour downloading it in search of further clues to enlightenment, but I guess there's no need NOW.
 
Oh darn Daniel! But then you're going to miss out on the meaning of life. That's the big twist-ending/reveal at the very end! Hush hush, I'll say no more!
 
Bryan,
Think your piece was very good. and a good model for what you did would be Jim Carey or the Farrelly Brothers, physical comedy as a high art form (as I like to think of it). I believe their more successful efforts (they certainly miss the mark sometimes) are subversively funny. Something redeeming below the surface masquerading in the slapstick surface. constructive criticism: think you fell a little short in that department.
 
Yea it's not right for everyone, but oh well blah blah blah.

As for me? Pretty funny, especially when he got hit by the car!
 
So he dropped the F bomb, jaysis, people, seriously, are we in Bible study here?

I agree with Blue, that the moral underpinnings of the Farrelly Bros, South Park, etc are what make it more then just humor for the sake of shock value. It's what makes great satire. As Freddy is, it's a funny subversive piece, but the above could have elevated it to something more memorable.

I understand you're using an all new cast, 'real actors', for the next one. I do hope you're going to continue to work with Andrew Isaac, he's a talented guy, very funny. Me and my crew are fans of his. "Quaylar is Swedish for 'glistening fish'!" Hahaha
 
While I don't think you set out to offend a specific group, I sometimes take offense when comedy is at the expense of people that cannot defend themselves, or don't even understand that they are being made fun of. Even South Park often treats the handicapped as more enlightened or "nicer" then the other characters.

In my mind there is a huge difference in being overly PC and pushing bounderies in the name of artsitic freedom. (I'm not saying Bryan made that argument) If a comedian stands on stage and makes fun of your colour, your weight, your fuglyness, then you have the option to counter that or even take a swing. All the cards are on the table for the artist, the audience, and the "victim", but when it is a mentally challenged person, what is their rebuttal, they don't even know the difference between being laughed with vs at.

This subject is personal with me. I have a son with Down Syndrome. He loves movies and music, and is the biggest joy in my life. Before he came into my life, I never really thought about comedy at the expense of the challenged. Maybe I even did it in an offhenad way. But "the shoe is on the other foot" is not just a saying. When you live something, and I mean really live something, your attitudes change forever.

I truly believe that some lessons in life can never, ever be clear until you live it first hand. No amount of empathy or understanding will ever take the place of first hand. This may seem like a overly large resonse for something so small, but it really is at the root of it.

No matter how many times you say "lighten up" or don't be so PC, or it's about the art, remember, does the target of my comedy or criticisim have a voice to thoughtfully rebutt.

Cheers,
Chris (Andrew's Father)
 
Bryan said:
Did you even watch the ****in' thing? It's about a retarded guy who can see into the future! He eats ice cream off the ground, befriends a lawn gnome, and gets hit by car. Come on people! I'm not out to offend anyone here. Either laugh or don't. I don't need to be lectured about artistic freedoms, when this short film is anything but a serious artistic attempt. Know what I mean?
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Yes I did watch it. Thanks for your concern. I never said I was offended by it. My argument was simply that if you are going to make something that an entire demographic may find offensive you should have a better argument when faced with their ire than "lighten up".

Millions of people in this country are "retarded". Billions of dollars are spent in healthcare by their families to help them live as normal a life as possible. Many of which cannot afford it. They are generally the last segment of society to suffer a level of ostacization and mockery that is often considered acceptable. That is often because they cannot defend themselves. SO those that can defend them will have a passion to come to their aid that will often be above what you might find from the ACLU, the NAACP, or the JDL. My point is that you should be prepared for the consequences of your actions.

ANd before anyone accuses me of being overly sensitive, let me assure you that I am not. I have found through personal experience that many parents of people with special needs talk about their children (albeit in a loving way) with verbage that would embarrass the average person.

I agree with your statement "laugh or don't". In fact I said that in my post (Did you actualyy read the whole thing?). But if you are going to do something that is going to do something that may be contreversial, be prepared to deal with the contreversy.
 
That's true, and nobody is arguing that. Again, I never said I found it offensive. I just stated that when you pick on somebody, be prepared that they might fight back.

That logic holds true when you post a clip. Don't do it if you don't want criticism. Nobody attacked him, they just raised legitimate, well thought out points about the subject matter. If, as a filmmaker he can't handle that...might as well hock the camera. The people on this site are gentler than most.
 
why did the chicken cross the road..? ..to get to the other side.

knock knock.. -whos there - lettuce - lettuce who? - lettuce in its freezing out here.

whats black and white and red all over? .. a newspaper.
 
vjbrennan said:
Nobody attacked him, they just raised legitimate, well thought out points about the subject matter. If, as a filmmaker he can't handle that...might as well hock the camera.
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Yeesh, I didn't want this to turn into a big debate or anything, but what are you talking about? You seem to be all bent out of shape over my "oh c'mon, lighten up" comment. But you're taking it out of context!

I said that in response to someone who wrote, jokingly, "You better hope your kids aren't going to be born that way." Since when is that a legitimate, well thought out point about the subject matter? You're blowing this whole thing out of proportion just a bit. I'd like you to point out where it looks like I can't handle criticism. Because I'm not sure what you're referring to.
 
Bryan said:
Did you even watch the ****in' thing?
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I'm not bent out of shape at all despite the fact that your previous comment quoted above could be construed as an attack on my veracity.

What you don't seem to be getting is that your film can be construed as offensive and demeaning; just as a film with racist overtones or mysogyny could be. Whether anyone here feels that way isn't the issue. My point is simply that if you create something like that and you put it out there it will hurt certain people. When you do that there will be a backlash. You need to be prepared to deal with that with something more substantial than "Lighten Up"

That's just my opinion. Obviously you feel differently.

FWIW, most people will say the world is too PC...until you say something that hits a little too close to home. Then all bets are off
 
What you don't seem to be getting is that I already know my short film is not going to be enjoyed by all, and that some folks may be offended. I knew that from the moment the idea was conceived. And you're still taking my "lighten up" comment out of context.
 
I don't think I am taking anything out of context. I think I just have a different POV. Obviously we just don't see eye to eye on this. Good Luck with your film next week.
 
Bryan said:
It's about a retarded guy who can see into the future! He eats ice cream off the ground, befriends a lawn gnome, and gets hit by car. Come on people! I'm not out to offend anyone here.
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Except "retards". Why did you make the main character "retarded"? Why not a doctor or a lawyer, or even a priest.

From your website:

"The Story: Freddy can see into the future, but don't count on him to save you. 'Cause Freddy's just so ****in' stupid, that he wouldn't know what to do. Freddy's a retard.

Production Notes: I can't really remember how we came up with this idea. But we were at Red Robin, and I was eating a tasty burger. It could've been a crazy poisoned burger though, one that caused me to come up with such a strange and offensive idea. Anyway, retards are funny. Retards that can see into the future are funnier. Made sense to me. "

Seems like you specifically thought you would get comedy mileage from a character that is "retarded". That was your artistic choice and you are welcome to it. I think you took the easy way to try and get laughs. I don't see a single "turn" or even a microscopic insight or thought process. Even South Park makes you think. I thought the piece was superficial and juvenile.

The irony that a character can see the futrue but cannot forsee getting hit by a car has merit as a story/character device. I think you could have worked on that idea more, even within a comedy.

Cheers,
Chris
 
It's not my fault if you can't tell that those "production notes" are tongue-in-cheek. Anyway, I think Mino hit the nail on the head when he said...

I think Bryan and his crew got together with a one chip and said "let's make a short!"
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I'm not going to try to defend this movie, because frankly it isn't worth it. Like I said before: laugh or don't. The film shouldn't merit any other discussion. Know what I mean? :beer:
 
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