Green V Red
Color coding in Hitchcock’s Vertigo
A key element in filmmaking (or any visual medium) that helps create the look is how color is used. Not in the grade, but color palettes in production design.
Wes Anderson is probably the most obvious current practitioner.
Even in seemingly naturalistic presentations, a close examination shows most films/TV shows controlled use of color.
A classic example of using color to reveal character dynamics is Vertigo. Right from the opening frames we’re keyed into the special significance of red and green. The red room, cool tones and neutrals of the crowd, and then Kim Novak emerges in emerald green.
The Dead Drop at Queens World
My first short, The Dead Drop, has been selected for Queens World Film Festival. Assuming no major reversals in reopening, we’ll have a live screening June 26 at the Queens Theatre in Flushing NY, and then virtual screenings through Film Festival Flix.
Abasement wins Best Horror
I woke up this morning to find Abasement had snagged Best Horror at Beyond the Curve International Film Festival in Paris, France.
It’s our twelfth festival selection, ninth nomination/finalist nod, and fourth win. Once we’ve finished the festival run, I might post our stats, including all our losses.
BCIFF just popped up on my radar a few months ago. The fest was one of those things where once you spot it, it’s suddenly everywhere, and my interest was piqued, but I was kind of intimidated by their manifesto (first in French, then in English), an excerpt of which reads “We strive to provide a platform for those who think ‘beyond the curve’. ‘The Curve’ represents the limitations filmmakers are bound to because of the commercial exploitation of the art called ‘cinema’. We choose to present a platform where films are not means of commercial narrative but weapons of change and a call to action.“
Abasement is this quiet little existential meditation masquerading as a “horror” movie. So not really “Hollywood tent pole” material, but hardly a weapon of change. I said as much to Lisa, a programmer for the festival, and she laughed and encouraged me to submit anyway.
There’s a lesson in there: Make. Ship. Repeat.
Balidelic
Abasement got selected for the 4th Dimension International Film Festival in Bali.
In my exuberance, I tweeted “we’re going to Bali” so I had to clarify that by “we,” I meant our movie… (Pandemics and whatnot limiting international travel.)
Best Horror
Abasement took home “best horror” at the Nevada Short Film Festival, presented by Film Festival Circuit.
Screening: Sat March 27 at West Wind El Rancho 4 Drive-In Theater, 555 El Rancho Drive, Sparks, Nevada
Nevada Short Film Festival
Abasement has been selected for the Nevada Short Film Festival.
There will be a screening at West Wind El Rancho 4 Drive-In Theater, 555 El Rancho Drive, Sparks, Nevada 89431 on March 27, 2021.
LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV
Super excited! Abasement won Best Horror short and The Dead Drop was nominated for Best Children’s short at LIFFT India-World Cine Fest 2020 .
As part of virtual testing, I did a Q&A with the festival organizers wherein we chatted themes, process, and the symbolism of Three Women.
It was a lovely chat though in retrospect, I wish I had art directed my environment and trimmed my beard. #liveandLearn
Austin After Dark
Abasement played at Austin After Dark Horror Festival in Austin TX, taking home finalist awards for best Micro Short and best Cinematography. This year the screening was at Doc’s DriveIn Theatre, so they were still able to show in person.
