Hello ladies and gentlemen, Muldoon here with this week's lineup of unique, well-made, and over all just enjoyable films for your very own viewing pleasures. As you can imagine, filmmakers of all types submit their shorts to be screened for you guys and gals here. That said, I have an inbox full of everything you can imagine (primarily horror and comedy) and while that's great for the longevity of SATURDAY SHORTS, I can absolutely put myself in the shoes of those who've submitted, not seen their shorts posted within a few weeks, and thoguht "What the hell, Muldoon? Where's my kickass short?"
Fortunately I've only had 3 folks (out of roughly 1,000 films submitted since SS kicked off in January) who've actively felt burned and truly think I'm the biggest jerk in the world for not screening their stuff. That's not what SS is about; it's about enjoying some cool shit, and bam! today definitely delivers with heaping serving of films (twice the norm!). I'm hoping against the idea that since there are more shorts to be seen, some might fall to the wayside. They're all great and I highly suggest viewing them each in full screen if possible.
After this is posted, I'll find myself in the loving confines of the South Lamar Drafthouse for BNAT, so please if I happen to mispel a person's name or get a title wrong - my genuine apologies in advance. (Call them out in the TalkBacks or shoot me an email and I will fix it as soon as BNAT lets out!). So while a few lucky bastards down in Austin get to see movie after movie at an awesome venue, you get to enjoy this amazing spread of cinema in the comfort of your own home.
Go grab yourself some popcorn, lock your kids in a closet, kill the lights, relax and check out this little weekly film fest we've got ourselves here:
THE WHEEL
TRT: 15:45
To kick things off right, we have an Exclusive Online Premiere of John Roberts's short that's been touring the festival circuit, including winning the Grand Jury Prize at the inaugural R3D Festival. We're lucky enough to welcome THE WHEEL to the world wide web. "A whimsical, visually imaginative tale of a dutiful young man, fated to maintain the balance of the world - and his mischievous sister, determined to test the balance."
DARK VESSEL
TRT: 5:44
Next up we have a film from director Rocky Curby, a bonafide Disney artist by day and visual envelope pusher by night. Seriously, this short is nothing short of beautiful image after beautiful image - it's awesome. If you dig what you see, then be sure to hit up the film's Facebook page HERE.
DARK VESSEL - (bloody cartoon) from Rocky Curby on Vimeo.
STAY AT HOME DAD
TRT: 15:21
Here we have a unique, if not life-scarring, film up next from New York Times bestselling author/editor-turned-filmmaker: John Skipp, along with his partner in crim: co-director, Andrew Kasch.
"An out-of-work father goes to extreme measures to raise his baby
daughter...with bizarre consequences. Winner of the Audience Award
(Bronze) at the Fantasia International Film Festival 2012.
Co-directed by John Skipp (The Light at the End, Rose: The Bizarro
Zombie Musical) and Andrew Kasch (Thirsty, Never Sleep Again: The Elm
St. Legacy). Written by Cody Goodfellow (All-Monster Action).
Starring Matthew Currie Holmes (Wrong Turn 2), Alisha Seaton (The
Fourth Kind), Trent Haaga (Terror Firmer), Richard Grove (Army of
Darkness), Diane Goldner (Feast I-III), and Kat Harris (Body of
Proof). Lensed by Buz "Danger" Wallick (Never Sleep Again: The Elm St.
Legacy). FX by Mark Shostrom (Evil Dead II) and his team, with visual
fx designer Phil Mucci (Opeth's The Devil's Orchard) and stop-motion
animator Michael Granberry (Robot Chicken)."
AIRSHIP DRACULA
TRT: 8:02
Our next short comes to us from a SATURDAY SHORTS alum Mike Roberts. (Check out RUMBLESEAT). I don't have too much info about it other than Mike created this as a pilot for a potential series. Sadly, I think we might have missed out on a damn cool show, but hey - at least we get this one! The visuals and animation style simply smack you in the face with every new "shot." More, Mike, keep creating these badass worlds.
Airship Dracula from Mike Roberts on Vimeo.
TYPESETTER BLUES
TRT: 3:00
And while we're on the topic of awesome animation styles, here's Hector Herrera's visual feast. Be sure to hit up the filmmakers' website: HERE.
"Typesetter Blues is a 3-minute animated short starring a likeable monster named Harold. In this melancholy love story, Harold falls for a new coworker, who unfortunately falls harder for someone else.
Voiced by Canadian legend Gordon Pinsent (Away From Her, Pillars Of The Earth) Typesetter Blues is written in the nonsense poetry tradition of Edward Lear and Shel Silverstein.
Produced in partnership with our awesome friends at Varipix, Typesetter Blues is the first “chapter” in the silly rhyme collection “Beastly Bards”. It’s a finalist in the Adobe Design Achievement Awards (Animation) and also screened at TAAFI (Toronto Animation Arts Festival International)."
Typesetter Blues from TOGETHER on Vimeo.
DOUBLE HAPPY
TRT: 16:28
Here we have Shahir Daud's film, which is a damn tight story done exceptionally well. Check out his website HERE. "Fifteen year old Rory carries a backpack filled with home made fireworks, a pocket knife and a polaroid camera. By the end of the day, he will use them all."
Double Happy - Directors Cut from Shahir Daud on Vimeo.
SCRUPLES
TRT: 14:40
Bam! Here's Adrian Powers's rather intense short, SCRUPLES. "A young double agent struggles to keep his cover when he witnesses a horrifying crime. Are a few innocent lives worth sacrificing for the greater good?"
FLASHBACK
TRT: 6:34
Last, but certainly not least is a fun little film from director Steve Peterson that I'm certain quite a few of you out there are sure to dig. "Star Trek original cast member Walter Koenig (Chekov) starts in this science fiction short as Dr. Joseph Griffin. An inventor who has created a device meant to allow people to relive their fondest memories. However, he uses it to relive his greatest regret."
So, what'd you guys and gals think? I dug them all, go figure, but really - how'd you like them? Shoot off below with your thoughts. JustMyLuck always gives his thoughts on each, but how about the rest of you fine folks? Got a question for the filmmakers? Ask away. At any rate, feel free to check out past SATURDAY SHORTS from any of the links below:
Supernatural Goodness (6/30/12)
SciFi Explosions With Aliens (7/14/12)
Dark Comedy Extravaganza (9/8/12)
Goofy Comedy Laughsplosion (10/6/12)
Genre Basket of Awesome (12/1/12)
If you have a short and think it belongs here or are on the fence about whether to send it in, please do send it in - I'd love to see what you've put together. I've already seen hundreds of fresh new filmmakers' shorts and like any good addict, I need more!
Shoot me an email at "Mike@aintitcool.com"
In the subject line include:
“SHORTS” + “Your film’s name” + “The film’s genre”
Then, in the body of the email, please include a synopsis of the film and any contact information you might think I need or would want published. The more info you send my way, the more info there is to put with your short.
Please don’t feel the need to submit multiple times.
Remember, the filmmakers might still be in the audience, so feel free to share your thoughts in Talkbacks below. (JUST DON'T BE AN ASSHOLE). I picked them, so you know I think highly of all of these, but how about you fine folks? How'd you like 'em?
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com
