Unker and Physia : A Review

Unker and Physia, web series by alumni Philip Maniaci and Jessica Howell, is an elongated love letter to all that is absurd and fun. The two main characters wander through the city, finding excitement in little moments that would be overlooked in busier lives. At first, my inner film professor tried to break out and ask deep questions, "Who are they?" "How do the know each other?" "What is their IQ?" Then I realized the greatness of the series. None of those answers matter.

Depression kicks in easily for me these days when I open my internet browser, bombarded by political rants, news of gun violence and suicide bombers. Phil and Jessica have created a reality outside of the complications. Laughter is barely contained between Unker's hair ninja and Physia's banana murals. For a moment, I forget myself and become transported into a world where weird days bring shirtless men and Chinese fingertraps. This is escapism at its best.

I don't know where Unker and Physia are going on their next adventure. And I don't want to know. I'm happy to be surprised. Take a trip into a nameless bizarro city to hang out with Unker and Physia for a few minutes. You won't be disappointed.

Accepting articles, reviews, and videos

Welcome Back! I have decided to amp up our presence on the interwebs. After talking with a majority of students, I realized there are many powerful thoughts about the department, your life, and the film industry. I would like to give all DFM students a platform to share those ideas and your projects. This is a publication and could be considered for a professional portfolio! Send in your video and we'll write a review! You can include the review when you send your film out for festival submissions!

Please send anything you would like to submit to the site at ainycvideoproduction@gmail.com
Include the following: Name, ID#, and materials you wish to contribute. We will respond within 2-3 days.

Thanks! and Good Luck! Take advantage!

Review: Where Socks Go

Alumni Jesse Dillion was reviewed by Film Threat for his thesis film Where Socks Go. Check it out!
http://www.filmthreat.com/reviews/46378/
Here is the trailer for those who haven't seen Jesse's film. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGh8p9092o&feature=plcp&context=C363fa26UDOEgsToPDskKbL0vwP7Pwr5IBT4LmQiCo

Oscar Nominations Announced Today!

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html
Click on the link and see who's nominated. I would recommend that you guys check out the short film screenings in a few weeks at the IFC theater. Showtimes will be posted! Check this link to read last year's review: http://ainycvpstudents.blogspot.com/2010/02/oscar-shorts-review.html

Short Films by VFX Artists

Did you know that District 9 was a short film before it became a feature? VFX Artist and commercial director Neil Blomkamp shot and created the short film, Alive in Joburg, to sell his feature length idea for District 9. After several critical raves and Academy nomination for Best Picture, I think it's safe to say that it was a success. The success of District 9 was in the story and the character arc of the film's protagonist, Wikus Van De Merwe. Alive in Joburg sold District 9 because of it's unique idea; using aliens as a metaphor for immigration, using the documentary style to ground that idea in reality, speaking with characters that speak in a common vernacular.
The most successful science fiction stories use these imaginary universes to illustrate social and political realities that would otherwise be sensational if written for the real world. The imaginary world falls apart when the story and characters fail to sell the world where they live.
VFX Artist Patrick Kalyn is trying to follow the Neil Blomkamp method by creating a short film to sell a feature idea. He has just posted his short, Solmnolence, on YouTube to generate interest. Through his professional contacts, he has access to the best equipment: shot on RED, music composer for Assassin's Creed, sound mixing at Skywalker Ranch. However, this film, in my opinion, fails to be successful.
The acting is unbelievable. The dialogue is simple and expository. The plot is difficult to follow. The characters are forgettable.
I have posted both films below for you to watch and make your own judgments. Do you think Solmolence will be picked up for a feature? Let us know what you think.

A review for Alpha Channel

I wanted to thank everyone who screened last night.
Also to those who didn't screen. Please keep submitting! The big one is in two quarters!

The work shown in this quarter's Alpha Channel was amazing. I am using amazing for it's literal definition, "causing great surprise or sudden wonder". Some bachelor level institutions do not deliver a program with as much poetry, humor and sense of human consciousness. In all honesty, most student programs are hit or miss with their audience. People will clap because they have a relationship with the filmmaker or polite society says that is what you have to do. Everyone honored the films tonight because people connected with the stories, in one way or another. My mother always said to me, "Consider your audience." These films covered a variety of emotions and topics. There was something for everyone.

You know you are a successful filmmaker when people react to what is being screened. There were chuckles in the audience for One of Those Days, Your Death My Life, and Karma. I heard gasps when Night and Day, Deep Satisfaction, Creole, and Tied Up, Change were on the screen. Not a breath was taken during A Long Way to Fall and I Love You Cheat Liar. Many "oh's" and "ah's" were whispered during Out of Time and Circles. This is why I love watching movies with people. The experience is so much more rewarding than in a tiny box surrounded by an obnoxious interface on a computer screen.

Sure, the techniques were not perfect. There were editing mistakes, sound issues, and lighting errors. However, the stories were compelling enough to forgive minor blips in craft. That is what made this screening a success. This series, in my opinion, was a calling card for a talented group of future career filmmakers.

Congratulations to Ace, Jenny, Adam, Dave, Jennifer, Ronald, Niqua, Nikhil, Derrick, Kelly, and Kristina. Special thanks to Susi, Francisco, Ross, and Roz for attending the event. More props to the President and the Dean for their support! And to every person in that audience, much gratitude.

Everyone, Keep submitting! I am anxious to see work from more students.
Cheers, Eve.

Oscar Shorts: A review

Reminder: This review is written by an animator and filmmaker. I am not biased for one craft or the other :)
The live action shorts program this year was on par with their feature brothers and sisters (sometimes, better!). The New Tenants is a riot! If you are a fan of black comedy and farce, this short will not leave you disappointed. The ending was completely out of left field, but that's what I loved about it. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat while laughing out loud! Door and Kavi touched on serious global subjects that made you think and relate to the people involved on a personal level. Both films set out to do what they intended to do. Personally, I appreciate their mission, but that is not why I watch films. Miracle Fish had a great story and an equally great child actor as the main character. A predictable twist ending, however it was done with tact and stayed true to it's main character. Good storytelling! Instead of Abracadabra was hilarious and very cute! The love story is real. I feel that many people will relate to this film saying, "I know that guy!" Because the main character reflects someone that everyone knows! My vote this year would be for the New Tenants. It was well done and had a strong sense of storytelling.
I wish I could say the same thing for the Animated Shorts program. Overall, the feature animated selection has more character depth and complex stories. Story was the main component that was lacking in this year's animated shorts selection. Lady and the Reaper, A matter of loaf and death, French Roast, Sleeping Beauty, Runaway, and Partly Cloudy all relied on the typical animated film story pattern. Introduce crazy characters, the majority of the film is an elaborate chase scene, then it ends on a note of irony. All of the choices were technical achievements, but that didn't make them any more interesting than the live action shorts. The Kinematograph was another repetitive story about a man, obsessed with his work realizes too late that one person who cares about him is deathly ill. The only short that was remotely original was Logorama. At first, I thought it was ridiculous and stupid. The two dimensional characters (no pun intended) were mouthing off to each other in a over dramatized, elaborate farce with the Michelin Man chasing blood thirsty, arms smuggling Ronald McDonald in downtown LA, characterized by an overcrowded, heavily advertised backdrop. In the end, nothing is concluded, everything explodes, then the film ends with a zoom out into space. After my three years in LA, I have to admit that this film perfectly illustrates how I feel about the left coast. I am still deciding if i love or like this one. Logorama is my pic for best animated short.
Regardless of my opinions, I suggest that you go to watch both of these programs. Not enough people appreciate or attend short programs of either animation or live action films.
- Super Director Eve