EFF's Shorts Spotlight

Instead of writing reviews or redrafting scripts I often find myself being distracted by the internet. I read IMDB news, take the daily poll (great to have it back, although its not as good as it used to be) and watch endless amounts of videos. A large portion of the videos I watch on YouTube or Vimeo are short films, I find them a great way of passing time and due to their length they are often easier to watch than feature length films (yes I have a short attention span, guilty as charged). The quality out there is fantastic and as it obviously costs a lot less to produce a short, its a great showcase for upcoming talent. It was while avoiding doing work and watching yet more videos I realised these viewings could be a source of work for Eighty Five Films' blog. So every Monday we are going to post about the great shorts we have found around the web and I would recommend you watch the videos before reading on as they may contain spoilers.

Onto the first video then!

God and Vodka (2011)
Directed and Written by: Daniel Stine
Starring: Daniel Stine and Emma Reaves

God and Vodka is a very touching, funny drama about writer Evelyn (Reaves) and her attempt at getting the story of her friendship and relationship with Ben (Stine) finally down on paper. She looks back over all the dishevelled pages of memories and though they are not in any seemingly narrative order this is relevant to her memories, as Evelyn says "I find myself flicking through hundreds of pages each of them disconnected from the next, or maybe they are connected". I get that feel from each scene, all of these different events happening may not be in order yet they are all brought together through the bond of the two main characters. The relationship Evelyn and Ben have is not only very likeable but also incredibly real. While watching God and Vodka I felt similarities to my relationship with my girlfriend, the way the two look at each other, the way they joke around and have their traditions ("wanna play Ouija"). You can see the love between them and the fondness she clearly feels towards him while remembering their times together.

The dialogue is very strong and exceptionally written, it's both funny and touching, it made me laugh out loud and sent me silent with sadness. Credit should not just got to Stine for writing it but for his and Eaves' performances, they have great on screen chemistry and are both clearly talented actors. Cinematographer Pedro Ciampolini does a great job here too, capturing the sentimental feel within the look of each shot. God and Vodka is a beautiful short film both visually and atmospherically and is honestly one of the best shorts I have seen. Daniel Stine is going to go a long way and has already made considerable gains since, directing Harold Perrineau  (Lost, Romeo & Juliet) in his latest offering. Make sure to keep an eye out for him.

5/5.

Proximity (2013)

Directed by: Ryan Connolly

Written by: Ryan Connolly and Seth Worley

Starring: Todd Bruno

Proximity is a short action film from famous YouTubers Film Riot. It opens mysteriously with four captives in the back of a flat bed truck being held by two armed guards. As the guards let the captives off the truck it becomes clear this is some kind of hunt as is linked to an electrical device placed around the captives' ankles.

I particularly enjoyed the tempo of Proximity and the music by Daniel James did a good job of helping to maintain the quick paced feel. The special effects were pulled off very believably especially for the cheap price they were produced, as the behind the scenes video explains. The fight scene likewise looks very real and credit goes to the two actors involved in achieving this.

The ending is very strong with a great twist but it left me wanting to know more, how does it work? Who is behind this? If the main protagonist is able to turn the gun on his 'team-mate' (for want of a better word) then what was to stop him running at the end of his own hunting? The leaving of such questions isn't necessarily a bad thing though, because as the famous saying goes, always leave them wanting more. 

4.5/5

George

Directed and Written by: Matt Allen

Starring: Matt Allen

Okay, okay, okay. I know the choice for the third video today may seem self-indulgent but technically, as I wasn't involved with EFF at the time George was made, its not really self-indulgent at all. Okay maybe a little, but as this is the first EFF's Shorts Spotlight I thought it would be fitting we link to our first short.

I won't comment or review George, but if you would like to let us know what you think about this and all the other titles here then please leave a comment in the section below. 

All the titles today can be rated on IMDB (in fact I encourage it) by clicking on the hyper-linked heading for each entry.

Which of this week's shorts is your favourite?