All told, the first week’s screenings were generally a mediocre affair. Comedy isn’t for everyone, and it showed. Luckily there were a few real stand-outs in the group, painting a competitive picture worth checking in on weekly. In a darker light, the three films that were bad were REALLY bad, making the predictions for the first three filmmakers to be eliminated rather easy. As weeks go on, I’m sure the merits of each short will become more subjective and debated, but right now, the choices are obvious:
Predictions for the Worst Three Filmmakers
1.) “Wack Alley Cab”, directed by Kenny Luby
I’ll admit, there’s a personal bias to the extent that I think he was, in the prequel episodes, a poor filmmaker that snuck through into the first 18. However, I have a strong theory in general about how you may be able to sneak in the door, but quality of some form is what keeps you there, and if you’re not talented, it will come out eventually. With Kenny, it took about 15 minutes into this week’s screening episode. “Wack Alley Cab” was nonsensical, effects-wise very lazy (just because you played with a filter or three in Final Cut or Premiere does not a style make) and overall weak. If Kenny is not eliminated, I’ll be very surprised.
2.) “…To Screw in a Lightbulb”, directed by Jessica Brillhart
Jessica took a very complicated approach to comedy, and didn’t execute it at all, leaving a confused mess for the audience to scratch their heads over and, most likely, dismiss. I didn’t get this one at all (based on shot composition, before seeing the wide shot of all the characters, I actually thought it was about a guy with a hook for a hand trying to change a lightbulb), and I don’t think anyone else did either.
3.) “The Big Bad Heist”, directed by Marty Martin
One of the first things you learn when taking a test in school is that you need to read the directions and follow them. Doesn’t matter how good you do if it doesn’t fit the challenge, and making a one minute trailer when a one minute short is what is requested should be an automatic elimination, especially when you have 17 other filmmakers following the rules and living and dying by those guidelines.
Got your own opinion about this week’s screening episode? Disagree with my predictions? Are you one of the filmmakers? Join in the conversation at the Official “On the Lot” Discussion Thread. I’ll be back next week to talk about the eliminated filmmakers, give my thoughts on the next batch of shorts and to predict another crew of losers.
– Mark Bell, Editor-on-a-Sofa
