Pennyflix Productions Presents "Breaking Val"

Thanks Mike. Gritty was what we intended! They'll be more gurgling in the directors cut. That 5 minute limit left some goodies on the floor.

Look forward to yours.
 
Hey, guys. I think you did an excellent job. I've seen several on here that are really good and you're in that bunch. The throat cutting scene was very good. It was well shot and edited. I really didn't see the ending coming. I thought he was just gonna' slice and dice her after boyfriend and that would be it. Nice look and cinematography.
 
Thanks for the comments Marlon, truly appreciated.

I watched The Unassumed...of the 35 films I've seen so far, I'd put you in the top 5. Very nicely done (I'll add my comments to your page)...
 
Has anyone had trouble viewing ours? Or is it so unspeakably horrible that its better not to say anything? Any thoughts would be most helpful.
 
Technically I think the film was superb. It had a grittiness in the torture scene that was spot on. the flashbacks were handled well and didn't overdue it. I though the acting was above average and the girl was quite good. I could see her having a career.

The violence in the film felt a bit gratuitous. Maybe it is just me because Saw 4 leads the weekend box office these days. I lament the days of things more subtle and less obvious. Don't mean to be too critical. Making a film is a great thing and you achieved your vision which is commendable.
 
Thanks Bosindy for the comments. Yes we love our actors. This is the second time we've used her and with good reason. She literally took a beating for 3 days in a chair and never complained.

The violence was part of the realism of the piece. I don't know if I would say its gratuitous compared to today's films like SAW that show much more graphic scenes. Our scenes are no more graphic than prime time television (whether thats good or bad is up to you). I appreciate your thoughts.
 
I was talking more about the reason for showing the violence rather than the amount. I am not against showing violence in film especially in the name of realism. It's definitely a debate for another thread though and overall I dig the accomplishment. Congrats again.
 
REVIEW:
Well crafted little film. The acting was very good. You achieved a lot in a small space, which I commend you for. The story... well, I felt there wasn't much of a story, it was more like witnessing an "event", so I didn't really get in touch with the characters. Asshole guy with typical girfriend with a mouth who should have left a long time ago but keeps sticking with him. Now it's come to this. Hmm. It's tough with five minutes, I tell ya! Good job with the filmmaking, wish there was just some more meat to the story.

FILMMAKER-TO-FILMMAKER:
I especially like the fact you did so much in a small space. You really made it seem much larger with your shot choices and the editing, pacing. One of the better sounding films in the fest, too. Good job.
 
Thanks John for taking the time to comment. Glad most of it worked for you. 5 minutes is tough. Maybe not enough meat to fill you up but thats hard when you only have time for a snack and not a meal.
 
Joops said:
... 5 minutes is tough. Maybe not enough meat to fill you up but thats hard when you only have time for a snack and not a meal.
Click to expand...

Ain't it the truth. And you don't want to try and shove down a meal in that little time or else you're gonna puke! :zombie_smiley:
 
Joops, this film was really engaging. You reeled us right in by opening with a woman being slapped. Th flashbacks were the crux of the whole ordeal and really filled in blanks as the movie progressed. Good job.
 
Wow. OK - I really liked this one. You took the situation and presented it really well.

First, I really identified with the female victim. Her challenges to the tormentor were understandable and very much in keeping with what we are told happens psychologically in abusive relationships. I thought the writing und underlying concepts were thus on target given the story and what you wanted to accomplish.

I also liked the camera work. It took me right into the room and I thought it really worked well. I also liked the juxtapositioning between the room scenes and the colorful flashbacks. Very nice - and the flashbacks took us out of the room long enough to let the audience "take a breather" - while filling in the backstory. Nice job.

The killing scene of the "boyfriend" was very well done. Nice use of angles and just enough gore.

I found the female victim's "escape" was a little trite - and thought you might have played it up a little more - maybe a closeup of the wooden stick (stick? stake?) puncturing his groin - but more more more to make up for the ease of her escape from the chair.

In any event, a great short. Thank you.
 
George - very true about the escape and puncturing. Some of the good stuff had to be left behind to fit the time constraint. Directors cut in the works with all the goodies back in. Thanks for the comments.
 
Torture-porn

Sigh; not at all into it without at least caring about the characters. With films like Saw and Hostel; it's predicatble we'll get the rip-offs. But adding to the genre or doing something original with it would be nice.

This film did nothing but waste 5 minutes of my life.
 
I've got to agree with John on this one. But I was told the night we were watching it that the term was GORNO... This didn't do it for me, but neither did Hostel. I'm sure there is a market for it, I'm just not in that demographic.
 
JR & Blaine: Sorry you did not care for it. It is a far cry from torture porn like Hostel. I know we don't have any ghosts or zombies or fantasy in this piece. This one was reality based, a little hard to deal with for some folks. Thanks for the constructive criticizm. I hope you will find some way to get those 5 wasted minutes back.
 
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