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Low Budget Film Journey
BY JEFF -
Jeff@brooklynartscenter.com
This is as much about the journey as the movies; will you join
my cheap trip? There are enough flyer points, but it will cost
over $100 dollars to use them. That leaves me about $50 for
the trip. Sounds like trouble, but it’s bound to be an
adventure and it’s about time.
A plan begins to form, walk to the bus station and take the
bus to the Airport. In case you didn’t already know, this is
where the first challenge was found. We don’t even have a bus,
to the Airport, anymore.
Of course this knowledge didn’t come until reaching the bus
station. The news was first revealed by a solitary man with a
ragged Bible, and later verified by the transit system. Scary
right? He talked about sacrifice, and told me that one bus
goes almost all the way. I could take a cab the rest of the
way, leaving me $38 to spend. So I sat around all night, in
the freezing cold, talking to an old black man with a Bible,
while I waited for the livery.
I must confess, there was more to this holiday than affordable
transportation, and it gave me courage. My family is there;
they had volunteered to chariot me around and lend me a bed to
rest my weary ass. Of course, this will cost me much more than
money, like some freedom and a lot of pride.
Boom, the plane lands and there is still half a day left of
both TromaDance and NoDance, my two favorite festivals.
I spent the rest of the day watching Troma Films, and going to
the SlamDance "VIP" party – I am still not sure how I got in.
Apparently the food was tainted and the drinks were pricey
but, it was a pretty crowd and they had lots of free film
magazines.
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Now that you have shared a story with me, you are invited to
share an experience. Well, I was pissed off about missing the Back
Seat Film Festival. So, I convinced them to come here. Now this is
true guerilla filming, if you are thinking technical perfection,
you will be disappointed. They were also nice enough to send me a
few screeners, so here are some of my reviews:
Mondo Ford
Shot as an old Fellini like film, and presented as such. This is
about the caziest conspiracy theory yet. According to the film
Vice President Ford masterminded the assassination of John
F.Kennedy, in league with aliens and Bigfoot. As unbelievable as
it is, there should probably be a warning at the end, you know
someone will believe it.
Adventures of Fratman and Pledge Boy
Set in a quite old campus is a Jock satire at its best. The black
and white, along with other effects really add something to the
medium. It’s a funny little short, with over acting that really
works.
Two Pieces of Meat
Very cute little short. It’s like an old joke only visual. Hunger
and a simple misunderstanding make an interesting twist in the
end.
Bikini Bandit Experience
In case you cant tell, this film centers around women in bikini’s
with guns, but there is so much more. It some how strikes that
balance, that is so hard to find in today’s polarized word, of
being both sacrilegious and politically incorrect. Includes scenes
such as: A Gwar like fight in Hell (Pope included), sudsy car
wash, quicky mart robberies, pillow fights and pubic yoga. You
will think that they are insulting everyone else, but they will
probably find your group too. It runs like a bunch of featuretts
intertwined for maximum confusion – but by the end I forgot about
looking for story lines. I merely enjoyed all the true counter
culture, bent into the form of over the top pop sensationalism.
Four Days in Panties
Sexy and ridiculous, until you realize that the craziest parts are
just an ordinary day for the cast. It’s a fun salute to urban
legends and modern social-sexual oddities, that seems like a
modern documentary of confusion. This is not hi-fi block buster
filming, if you are not used to guerilla filming it may be hard to
follow. It is hot and funny, sometimes simultaneously, but in a
less refined way. What seems like one take filming, or
improvisation gives it a more realistic tone, that compliments the
silliness of some scenes. My only complaint was the fluctuation of
volume – though that may have just been in my copy.
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The Troma films, as usual, pushed
the boundaries of imagination and reason, not to mention most
peoples idea of decency. Including nudity, explosives, blow-up sex
dolls, crude superheroes and subject matter to make inmates blush.
The Troma documentary on Cannes Film Festival, was funny and
somewhat informative. The Panel Discussion "Make Your Own Damn
Movie" was the highlight for me. The questions about distribution
strategies fielded by the seasoned panel, where especially
enlightening. The New York Film Commissioner was a little
defensive, when I asked about gorilla filming. But, it was all in
fun and I think she was kidding when she suggested, I would be
arrested if I tried it in her town.
I left the Troma party early, just as it was starting to swing.
Drained from a long night awake in the cold, flying across the
country and bad party food, my mood would have been a drain on a
great party. Last year was a blast. It may sound simple minded,
but there was something beautiful about one of the Tromett’s
politely asking for her girlfriends leash back.
The next day, I goofed off around the house, all day long. If you
have ever truly been a guest, in the house of your childhood, you
know it is a thing to be cherished. Eventually, I took a ride back
to Park City, Utah, the hub of festival activity, to check out a
new film festival that was buzzing around.
Back Seat Film Festival is the latest in a proud history of
Sundance alternatives. The final night of the festival was planned
to be held in a local tavern, but had been changed to a new
location at the last minute. The "new location" was not as easy to
find. The venue turned out to be a condo, in a little ski town
outside of Park City. I must say I was leery, especially when the
sign on the front door said it was cancelled. However, I was also
getting very curious so I knocked. It was a bunch of kids hanging
out, drinking, watching independent films and surrounded by
merchandise from all of the production companies.
I was able to talk to the director of the festival, and it turned
out that the festival and its contracted venue had some "artistic
differences". To make it worse, someone (possibly a competing
festival), had called the cops about the event in the condo, which
is not licensed for commercial use. Hence, the evening became a
very intimate gathering and I decided it would be a bad time to
introduce my father to independent film. So, not wanting to leave
him waiting out in the car all night either, I was forced to take
my leave.
Before I left, I did get to catch up with the Phire Haus
Collective. There latest film "Smoke Pot Till You Fucking Die",
seems to be dragging in production; the title may give you some
idea why. In fact they were screening the "making of" titled
"Smoke Pot Till You Can’t Finish the Fucking Movie". We agreed
that "Timmy’s Wish" was the highlight of last year’s festival, and
that Sundance is getting out of hand.
Saturday, I goofed off some more, and my mom made one of my
favorite dishes. Not that chicken enchiladas are my favorite food.
Its just the way she makes them. I admit the pleasure may come as
much from nostalgia as taste, but the joy is the same. Then I
spent the whole night hanging out with a DJ friend of mine in one
of my favorite coffee shops. Sunday, my sisters came over for
dinner and we got to catch up.
So, that was the extent of my film experience this year, it was
not extensive. But somehow, I became involved, with no planning
and only $200. Much different than last year, when I spent a few
thousand, maybe next time I will do something in between.
BACK SEAT FILM FESTIVAL
www.backseatconceptions.com
Saturday April 5th (afternoon and evening)
Brooklyn Arts and Design Center
123 E. Forsyth - Downtown, Jacksonville
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