---[] One Percent []---

Simon Höfer said:
Hey Michael!

Kick ass short film man! I loved it. Even though the ending was a bit MEH at first. But it settles in after some time. Even thought about it when I just took a shower.

The atmosphere was great! Awesome camera work and sound design. My girlfriend was holding her hands in front of her face and just watched though a gap between her fingers :D Just like when we watched the film "The orphanage", if you have seen this one.

Have to rewatch it on my big sound system once I get back to germany in december. :)

Some gripes: I have to agree with Jason, that the sniff of Ian could be a little bit shorter and he was pushing a little hard on a few lines.

But overall great short! You get better every time!
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Wow! Thanks for the glowing review, Simon! Glad that it stuck in your head afterward.

I'm thrilled that your GF was freaked out a bit by it as well. :)
Yah, even just use headphones if you have them. Herman really worked his magic on this one.

Thanks again,

MAH
 
Nice job on the film. I liked the acting and sound. The scene when the "monster" is in the room and turns, then the door slams!! That gave me a chill. I liked the ending myself.
When I started the viewing I downloaded and watched your film first. Nice work again.
 
I've been a Horrigan fan for a long time and have found his work to be in the top tier consistently (I still think that "Calls From The Führerbunker" should have won Twilight Fest, but I digress).

I don't think anybody does so much with so little as he does (he is essentially a one-man crew). As a result, he reaps the rewards of developing multi-faceted talents in the full spectrum of filmmaking. The pacing and camera work in this short is really fine. There is a lot of subtlety that only comes from working at the craft and I hope to see Horrigan films for as long as there are DVXUSER fests. Mike, you truly do elevate these proceedings.

My critical notes are few. I don't like telephone conversations where the other party isn't shown and her voice is not filtered. That isn't the voice he is hearing so it takes me out of the film because it seems she's behind the camera or otherwise in the room. I also have to say that Spielberg has pretty much ruined any shot of a snowy tv coming on when a little girl is missing. I found myself saying to the screen "they're here" and, again, it kind of took me out of it just because of that association (obviously, my critiques are minor when I'm blaming you for being too Spielberg-like. :)

I really liked the opening shots that were graded so warm in contrast to the dark and desaturated grim world of the father. You write well and your scripts always show it. I also never fail to enjoy watching Ian. He's a fine actor and is a chameleon.

Well done in all respects and definitely among the best I've seen so far.
 
Mike, great work! I love the story and again your use of the dolly was excellent. The special effects were subtle, but frightening at the same time. Ian and Sophie did a great job and of course the score was off-the-chain. You did an excellent job with the natural light - I know how difficult that was for you. I love the shot of the pot on the stove. Very creative and something I would not have thought of.


Nice work.
 
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Mark Johnson said:
I've been a Horrigan fan for a long time and have found his work to be in the top tier consistently (I still think that "Calls From The Führerbunker" should have won Twilight Fest, but I digress).
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I agree 100%. I think it fit the festival theme great (I digress).
 
Well I am not biased... and I will say definately one of my favorites so far. Fantastic dolly work, sets the pace and mood very well. My favorite shot is of the ballerina CU on the music box. I love how you shot it 2.35 as well. Great job man!
 
Just got back from helping my brother and his GF move from two apartments into one. Colour me exhausted.

Mark Johnson said:
I really liked the opening shots that were graded so warm in contrast to the dark and desaturated grim world of the father. You write well and your scripts always show it. I also never fail to enjoy watching Ian. He's a fine actor and is a chameleon.

Well done in all respects and definitely among the best I've seen so far.
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Thanks, Mark! Glad you enjoyed it. BTW, the phone voice was filtered. Not overdone but I definitely used the phone filter via adobe soundbooth.
I'm thrilled that you noticed the contrast between the two grades! The Dad's life was much more subdued yet the daughters room was aglow with colour.

Mark Johnson said:
I've been a Horrigan fan for a long time and have found his work to be in the top tier consistently (I still think that "Calls From The Führerbunker" should have won Twilight Fest, but I digress).

I don't think anybody does so much with so little as he does (he is essentially a one-man crew). As a result, he reaps the rewards of developing multi-faceted talents in the full spectrum of filmmaking. The pacing and camera work in this short is really fine. There is a lot of subtlety that only comes from working at the craft and I hope to see Horrigan films for as long as there are DVXUSER fests. Mike, you truly do elevate these proceedings.
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Having never even placed in the top 3 around here I really appreciate these comments. You made my day. :)

Thanks again.

Mike
 
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Marlon Ladd said:
Mike, great work! I love the story and again your use of the dolly was excellent. The special effects were subtle, but frightening at the same time. Ian and Sophie did a great job and of course the score was off-the-chain. You did an excellent job with the natural light - I know how difficult that was for you. I love the shot of the pot on the stove. Very creative and something I would not have thought of.


Nice work.
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Thanks.

Yah, using practical light with the HV20 was a challenge at times but one that I enjoyed. I also didn't want to overdue it with the VFX but Justin and Doug did admirably in that regard. Really well done.

Cheers!

Mike
 
Denis Haineault said:
Really liked it. One of my favorite so far. I may be a bit biased though.
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You are biased, but I'll take it. :happy:
Thanks again for your help.

Pocusproductions said:
Well I am not biased... and I will say definately one of my favorites so far. Fantastic dolly work, sets the pace and mood very well. My favorite shot is of the ballerina CU on the music box. I love how you shot it 2.35 as well. Great job man!
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Thanks very much.

MAH
 
The opening, "super" of the explanation of those who are missing I thought made the short film start out with an authenticity, so good job on that.

I thought the story was well put together but the monster was more implied than registered.

Did hold my interest. Good job.
 
The little girl actually gave me the chills with her line: "Daddy...it's your turn, now."

That's never happened to me before with a DVXUser entry in any fest. For that alone I can say you did a great job on this. But there was a lot more to it than that and it probably set things up to GET that reaction.

Of all the entries I've seen of yours, this is my favorite.
 
This film is in my top ten. Sure that vote of confidence will make you feel good, but don't let that go to your head. This was easily the best sci-fi monster film in this fest. Ok, sure my sci-fi monster movie didn't make it, damn that am versus pm confusion.
I think the ending was satisfying and I must say the girls line was great. Good Job!
 
Blaine said:
The little girl actually gave me the chills with her line: "Daddy...it's your turn, now."

That's never happened to me before with a DVXUser entry in any fest. For that alone I can say you did a great job on this. But there was a lot more to it than that and it probably set things up to GET that reaction.

Of all the entries I've seen of yours, this is my favorite.
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You made my day! I've had my day made twice in one day. :)

I really appreciate your opinion on this one.

Cheers,

MAH
 
Chris_Keaton said:
This film is in my top ten. Sure that vote of confidence will make you feel good, but don't let that go to your head. This was easily the best sci-fi monster film in this fest. Ok, sure my sci-fi monster movie didn't make it, damn that am versus pm confusion.
I think the ending was satisfying and I must say the girls line was great. Good Job!
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Thanks, man. Glad you really enjoyed it.

MAH
 
Hey Michael. Am I dreaming or didn't you at one time consider shooting something at a motel? I could have sworn that .... but maybe I'm thinking of someone else. ....

Any comments on working with a child? I've never done that and its clearly something difficult.
 
You have a knack for making the HV20 look like 10 grand in gear :)

The framing, tempo, and shot selection is always very enjoyable...

I seem to remember a music box in another of your films :)

You also always tend to have solid stories that work well standing on their own in a 6 minute time frame... A firm beginning, middle, and end.

Give the man an HV20, a dolly/slider, and a fest and he'll consistently produce top 10 entries... You are quite the veteran of the fests now... Wonder if this will be the time you crack the top 3? :)

Thanks for taking the time to enter another fest. I'm glad I was able to watch your film....

I really liked the final shot.

later,
jason
 
Mark Johnson said:
Hey Michael. Am I dreaming or didn't you at one time consider shooting something at a motel? I could have sworn that .... but maybe I'm thinking of someone else. ....

Any comments on working with a child? I've never done that and its clearly something difficult.
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Yah, damn, I liked that story as well. The Motel owner and the lead actor both dropped out on me at the last minute so I had to scramble.
Then I found myself packing for a move and told my wife... don't touch anything in Madison's room as I had an idea.

Sophie was great! What a trooper. She did have the giggles quite often but I made sure that we kept things pretty serious on set and even told Ian to stop clowning around with her in between scenes. In a nice way of course. :)

In the end she gave me plenty to work with. I really wish we had more time with this one though. It was fairly last minute and packing for the move made things tough.

Kids can be great though. Patience is definitely key.
Sophie was actually really into it though and she took direction extremely well.

MAH
 
Michael!! Damn dude, this short gave me spooks, a big congrats!

Loved the end twist, loved the fx on the girl! Though I have to tease you for the I-just-had-a-nightmare-so-I'll-wash-my-face-like-everyone-else shot :-D

The couple's convo seemed only for exposition and was very on the nose, I would have liked to have seen that info conveyed without that.

Well done!
 
Nice Job Michael! I think the simplicity of the flick gave it lots of impact. You didn't try and do too much, and what you did, you did very well. Good timing, cinematography, and the young girls acting was very good. The soundtrack was understated and matched the mood perfectly.
I missed seeing a monster in it, unless it was the girl, and yet not seeing a monster is exactly waht the film needed.

One of my top faves for sure ;-)

Good job buddy!
 
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