"Apricot"

"Apricot" was about a couple who were on a date together and were enjoying each other's company. The man kept inquiring about her first love, her first kiss, and things of that nature. The girl finds it humorous at first and begins to question him, ironically the man has no answers other than he could not remember. The girl gets confused, but decides to keep going with her answers anyways until she realizes he is taking notes. This irritates her and she begins to leave, then he gives her an eager look and tells her he has images of her stored in his memory somewhere, but can't remember. She takes his coffee and puts it to her lips when she remembers who he is. It is him, her first love, her first kiss. She then kisses him again for the first time.
This one was so good. I really enjoyed this one alot.  I really liked the different scenes that they shot and how they tied in together to tell the story. This one is a definite watch go to the link below and see what you think.

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2010/05/16/apricot/

"Thrush"

This clip was called, "Thrush." It was a love narrative. The story was told from a male lovers point of view. The guy told a story through all the different pictures he had either taken or had been in himself. The first one being the last picture him and his lover were ever in together. The pictures then begin with the first picture that was ever taken of them together, only they weren't together, they were with two different people. However they notice each other and fall in love and begin taking lots of pictures throughout their relationship. And as all good relationships they begin to have their problems, and eventually break up because they just do not click. Well, sadly the male lover becomes madly obsessed about not having her, that he follows her everywhere and snaps pictures of her as she continues on with her life. Among following her every move her old lover appears in the images, and he becomes extremely jealous and wishes evil upon them. Fortunately, one day it hits him that their love would never click like his and her love, therefore the boy must let her go and wish her happiness.

The director of photography really had an amazing imagination. He used all photographs to create this movie, there was no action filming just pictures that told the story; as if your were looking a flip book extremely fast the images came to life the faster the pages turned. This definitely gave me an idea for future references.  However, the ending sadden me, I really hated that they never reconciled with one another.
To watch and give your take on this clip, click on the link below.

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2010/11/24/thrush/

"brink"

This clip was called "Brink." A young man reveals to his best friend Evelyn that he as always been in love with her and wanted to tell her before the world ends.  The sits and watches the news that discusses how close the world is coming to ending and everything around him is floating up to the sky slowly. When Evelyn reads the letter she meets with her lover, and together they tie a rope to each of their legs, share a few kisses before they to float away together.
This short film was another silent film with a piano solo; the only spoken line was where he was writing his letter to Evelyn. The shots told the story very well, and it contained some really good B-roll throughout the clip.  The creativity of the writer was amazing. I really liked how he tied the end of the world by things floating away, because the end where they tied their legs together so they could float away together was very impressive. To watch this one click on the link below.

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/05/18/brink/

Caine's Arcade

Tonight I watched a short clip called, Caine's Arcade. This was a cute documentary about a kid named Caine who invented his own arcade out of his dad's old boxes. He set up the arcade right infront of his dad's used part store. Every day Caine would sit outside his dad's shop and hope to get a customer. One day a man took interest and decided to play one of his games. Touched by Caine's insane imagination, he decided to shoot a documentary about Caine's arcade. He invited people to come play at Caine's arcade and there was an outstanding number of people who responded. Caine's arcade was a hit, and it made his day that so many people showed up to play his games.
This was a very cute video. This kid's imagination, was truly amazing. To view this short documentary click on the link the below.
http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2012/04/12/caines-arcade/

"Our Deal"

Wow! This clip was called "Our Deal" which was surprisingly directed by Drew Barrymore and was a MTV production. This short movie told a story through a number of different scenes. There was maybe one or two spoken lines. The images told the story without having to use words. There was two gangs and as all gangs do they have conflict which causes them to fight. Ironically a girl and a boy from the different gangs fall in love and are torn between their friends. When it comes time to fight each other the girl is angry with the boy so she begins to fight him and he falls from the balcony. She rushes to her lover's side and is sorry and begins to weep when she realizes there was nothing but a miscommunication between the two. But now the blood is on her hands and she must live with the regret of being angry with him.
I usually don't like silent films but this was shockingly intriguing. This video I think was made to inspire kids to make peace with one another, and that there is no need for violence. This should be played more to spread the word. It was very inspiring, and the music was perfect for this piece.

Get More: Best Coast, 'Our Deal' (Extended Version) - Directed By Drew Barrymore, Music, More Music Videos

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/08/05/our-deal/

"Vicky and Sam"

This clip was called Vicky and Sam. It was about three friends who are gathered together at a coffee shop to brainstorm about a book/screenplay they want to write. Ironically their visions come to life when Vicky and Sam, their main characters appear in the exact coffee shop as they had said. The friends study the couple and as they continue to brainstorm they notice that everything they say comes true. To prove it wasn't a coincidence they add a black male will come in to rob the shop, when it happens they know it isn't a coincidence.
This was a very cute, fun, and interesting clip to watch. I throughly enjoyed this one. I loved how when they were brainstorming you would see the characters in action. This is a must watch. To view click on the link below! Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.
http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2012/04/10/vicky-and-sam/

"Lovely Monster"

Today I watched a clip called "Lovely Monster." This clip was about a young teenage girl who was struggling to live a normal life because she had a monster inside of her that was uncontrollable. She talks about how lonely she gets because she can't chance being around others for long periods of time. Others share their opinion about her situation. Some say she shouldn't have to be alone, others say they aren't surprised that she had a serious problem because of her horrible mood swings. She also shares how helpless she feels because not even doctors can help cure her. On a positive note she can always tell when the monster will attack so she can warn others to stay away.
This was rather a strange short clip, but I was impressed with how they pulled this off. The graphics of the monster in the last scene was pretty impressive. However, I'm not so sure I would recommend this as a must see clip.http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2012/04/27/lovely-monster/

"Born into Coal"

"Born into Coal" was a seven minute documentary on a small town that was based on coal mining. It mainly focused on two families in particular. One was a family whose daughter was in beauty pageants and she was competing in one that was about the coal mining association. She was an actual coal miner's daughter, and she talked about how she feared for her daddy to work there and the struggle her family went through while he worked there. There was another family who's dad was almost killed from an explosion of one of the mines nearby and he chose to leave the industry because he saw how easily he could have been killed. The daughter did win the beauty pageant and told about how she had taken a rescue course for coal mining so in case anything happened to her dad she might be small enough to get in to save him.
This was a great story, It was straight to the point and very touching. It made it to where others could relate, and it immediately grabbed you attention. The shots for this video also helped tell the story and made it very personal.

To view this video click on the link below.
http://vimeo.com/channels/shortoftheweek#27405236

No Deal

This week I watched a clip called No Deal. It was a comedy about this couple that were in the middle of hooking up and her roommate interrupts. At first it startled them, but then they brushed it off and tried to ignore the interruption, but the roommate interrupts again, and had totally killed the mood. The guy then begins to think that the roommate is trying to manipulate their hook up by making them feel bad about leaving him out. So they begin to play monopoly together, and the guy gets fed up and throws the board off the bed. The girl gets mad and asks him to leave. I think the point of this one was to show how people act when they are around others. It was interesting to see how things were going to pan out. It's worth the eight minutes, Watch it.

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/09/12/no-deal/

Moving Takahashi

This was a great short film! It had me sucked right in within the first minute. It had a great storyline and it wasn't original which is what I liked about it. The wide shots and close ups were very appropriate; especially the close up of the pearls. I actually would have liked to have seen this into a longer film, like an actual movie. I hate that it left you hanging at the end, but this would be a great short clip to show if this were to be made into a movie. The only thing I thought was a little weird was the kiss, but I guess it ended up working well with the plot. This is definitely a must see. To view click the link below!

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2012/02/14/moving-takahashi/

"Lick the Star"

This week I watched a short clip called Lick the Star. This clip was about a clique of girls who made a pact with one another called Lick the Star. This was an alias name that was basically a plan to put rat poison in boy's lunches at school. Because of the leader of the group was very demanding and began to get on the other girls nerves, they all decided to turn against her. They told every one of her plan at school which caused rumors and hurtful words to be directed towards her. This caused the girl to become very hurt and depressed. She tried killing herself but that only made matters and rumors worse for her at school. The four girls never reunited with her.

This was a sad, but very realistic clip. This clip is very similar to how high school can be. It was a very intriguing short film to watch, however I didn't really like the black and white effect. This effect makes it hard to distinguish what you are looking at throughout the film. Other than that it kept my attention. I had to follow through to watch part two. It had a lot of great shots that got the point across.

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/07/25/lick-the-star/

"Boom Boom"

The short clip I chose to watch was titled "Boom, Boom." I found this quite comical and entertaining. This eight minute film was about two muslims who are reunited in a busy cafe that they plan to blow up for their heavenly rewards. Upon learning that both are to complete a mission and that their day is that day they begin to argue and try to waver with each other. Finally coming to a compromise of sharing their rewards after completing the mission. Ironically when they count to three press the button there is no one left in the cafe but them. I personally enjoyed this short clip. I think the camera shots were well done. And the beginning clip of his reflection in the coffee cup was a good shot. And you could sense his nervousness and fear about something. It also had good sound effects and involved the people in the cafe such as the waitress.  The link for this clip is listed below. Hope you guys enjoy.

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/12/10/boom-boom/