So, a few years ago, I tried my hand at producing (which I'll never do again unless I have a budget and the right crew). I also wrote this as a concept video/short version of the feature length version I currently have in development with a small, boutique/indie production company run by some Troma alumn (Abandoned House Productions), who have a feature with Barbara Crampton attached to it -- the two people running the company are also actors who will be starring in the feature -- Clay von Carlowitz, who's also the lead in the short (Return to Nuke 'Em High Vol 1&2, Cut Shoot Kill, My Bloody Banjo) and Asta Paredes, the lead in horror movies Return to Nuke 'Em High Vols 1&2 and Sociapatha.

We put this together with some filmmaker friends who wanted to work with me (who won't be working on the feature).

Now, let's just say I was a little disappointed with the way the short turned out -- production was hell and I didn't do a good enough job preparing the crew. And I wasn't able to be on set for portions of the filming... I would've caught some things that I didn't really like. And some equipment was forgotten (made apparent by the HORRIBLE sound issues). On a technical standpoint, this was kind of a disaster. And you can see it in some of the shots/lighting and hear it in the sound. However, I was surprised to see this get as many Youtube views and likes as it has, being a very flawed 25 minute "short". It has been useful as a proof of concept as more of a showcase for the lead as the character.

Though it's in development, things have obviously slowed down due to the world not operating as usual. And, unfortunately, one of the actors we had attached (Nick Tucci, the bad guy from You're Next, Most Beautiful Island), sadly passed away. I'm sure he would've crushed his role. But I'm confident that the feature will get off the ground eventually.

In the meantime enjoy (or hate) the shorter version.

-- Michael

Michael, this wasn’t too bad. I enjoyed it for the most part. It does have an amateur feel to it but the story and acting were pretty strong.

You would definitely benefit from an experienced sound guy/gal. Or even just hang some blankets on those off camera walls. Those bare apartments are a nightmare for reverb.

Glad this is getting some positive attention for you. Film making is fun, ain’t it? Ha ha.

James.

Just watched this. Didn't think it was all that bad. Sure, the pacing was slow and I can see (hear) where there was one effect could have been better, but made for a good late-night low-budget short.

I did like that it was a short and that there was no soundtrack to get in the way. The natural sounds were the soundtrack, I felt. Usually a plus.

I know it's hard to watch something of your own that's not up to personal expectation but I thought it was alright.

Gave this a view - thanks for sharing it.

There were some sound/lighting issues that I see you are already aware of so not going to do much of a dive into that.

I had one logic issue - the girlfriend apartment close enough to walk to but a five-minute drive back.

Wasn't crazy about the female lead - a bit wooden

The bones of the story are real solid, IMO.

Last thought - I loved the old-timey music on the antique record player - great vibe. But had a hard time connecting that to the ghost couple given their age/recent death.  i.e., I expected them to be from the 1920s or something.

I was on the set for a produced short of mine. I can't imagine trying to do this on my one. Congrats for that!  Look forward to the feature.

Quoted Text Michael, this wasn�t too bad. I enjoyed it for the most part. It does have an amateur feel to it but the story and acting were pretty strong. You would definitely benefit from an experienced sound guy/gal. Or even just hang some blankets on those off camera walls. Those bare apartments are a nightmare for reverb. Glad this is getting some positive attention for you. Film making is fun, ain�t it? Ha ha. James.

It was a small crew. And one of the co-directors was supposed to be on sound. But, with the main location in Jersey, me coming from NYC and the crew coming from Pennsylvania, the dude forgot some important sound shit. The guy was a mess, was a dick on set and we had to reshoot half the shit we shot (the lead's wife actually directed the doorbell scene -- you'd think it'd be simple enough not to fuck up, but he did). So, that's why he's not listed as a co director.

There was a lot of hand-holding going on -- I had to do the call sheets, which I've never done before, prepare the schedules, fund the movie, go frame by frame w/ the director/editor while in editing... it was a massive headache. And, with work, I couldn't oversee everything like I should've on set. I trusted the filmmakers to make certain choices and I was a little disappointed with the choices they ended up making.

When I first posted the film on Youtube, we had like 100 views for like a 6 month period. Then, in need of money, I ended up optioning the script for a few grand (to the chagrin of my lead and his wife). So, I had to take the video down. But, the option expired and they didn't have enough money to renew it, so I hashed things out w/ the lead and his wife (who run the production company) and decided to go all in with these guys for the feature. I put the video back up and, for some reason, we started getting like 200-300 views a day for a few months. Not really sure how, I know while looking at the analytics, it said most of the views were "suggested". Which is cool.

There were parts that were cool... I actually loved the casting process and meeting new people, some of whom are pretty good friends to this day. And I kinda did like preparing schedules and doing the call sheets. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and it felt good to bring people together. The location scouting was pretty fun, too. But everything else sucked balls lol.

Quoted Text Just watched this. Didn't think it was all that bad. Sure, the pacing was slow and I can see (hear) where there was one effect could have been better, but made for a good late-night low-budget short. I did like that it was a short and that there was no soundtrack to get in the way. The natural sounds were the soundtrack, I felt. Usually a plus. I know it's hard to watch something of your own that's not up to personal expectation but I thought it was alright.

Thanks for watching, man. The pacing was intended -- the feature has a mumble-core feel to it, though it's more comedic than the short was and has a faster pace to it. It actually did have a score (done by the composer who did my feature film, The Suicide Theory), but I didn't want it to be too overwhelming... only at parts.

Quoted Text Gave this a view - thanks for sharing it. There were some sound/lighting issues that I see you are already aware of so not going to do much of a dive into that. I had one logic issue - the girlfriend apartment close enough to walk to but a five-minute drive back. Wasn't crazy about the female lead - a bit wooden The bones of the story are real solid, IMO. Last thought - I loved the old-timey music on the antique record player - great vibe. But had a hard time connecting that to the ghost couple given their age/recent death.  i.e., I expected them to be from the 1920s or something. I was on the set for a produced short of mine. I can't imagine trying to do this on my one. Congrats for that!  Look forward to the feature.

Yeah, in the script, it was suggested that he ran a good distance to get there, but I see what you're saying.

I wanted the main ghost guy, I guess we'll call him, to be an old-fashioned weirdo, though I can see how the old timey music suggests a 20's vibe (the song was recorded in 1920).

I'll probably have some producing role in some capacity (at least in terms of screen credits), most likely associate producer for the feature. But no fucking way I'm running the show again. It was a bit much for me. And seeing the finished product sucked the life out of me a little bit, too. It's probably the most amateur looking film I've had produced, but, for some reason, it has more views than any of my other shorts do. Guess horror sells.

-- Michael

Michael,

Not bad at all, but it definitely feels like a fragment of a larger story.-A

Quoted Text Michael, Not bad at all, but it definitely feels like a fragment of a larger story.-A

Yeah, it's a little rushed, even with its 25 minute run time. The feature's a more realized version, a better paced version with more dry comedy in it... and more scares. And it will be well produced, directed, etc, when the time comes.

-- Michael

Hi Michael, I read the script to this when you first posted it and really liked it, it had a good feel to it, and a good story, so I was pleased to see you got it filmed and even more pleased to see it's going to be a feature. I like the short, it's pretty good for a first time producer, and I'm sure a very rewarding experience even though producing mostly sucked balls for you. :) Hey the harder the work the more reward at the end...:) Reward... a really good feature....

Quoted Text Hi Michael, I read the script to this when you first posted it and really liked it, it had a good feel to it, and a good story, so I was pleased to see you got it filmed and even more pleased to see it's going to be a feature. I like the short, it's pretty good for a first time producer, and I'm sure a very rewarding experience even though producing mostly sucked balls for you.  Hey the harder the work the more reward at the end... Reward... a really good feature....

Hmm... think you might have it mixed up with another script, I never posted the short version on any websites. I did post the feature version on Script Revolution before, but that's about it.

As for the feature version, that's still yet to be seen. Though it's in development, I won't feel good until there's actual financing in place.

Thanks for giving the short a look!

-- Michael

Quoted from spesh2k Hmm... think you might have it mixed up with another script, I never posted the short version on any websites. I did post the feature version on Script Revolution before, but that's about it. As for the feature version, that's still yet to be seen. Though it's in development, I won't feel good until there's actual financing in place. Thanks for giving the short a look! -- Michael

I'm pretty sure it was on Script Revolution as 'They're Watching'. I liked it so much I sent you a private message saying I was impressed. And you said you were going to do a feature of it.
Anyway, hopefully the financing comes through soon, so you can start the ball rolling.

Quoted Text I'm pretty sure it was on Script Revolution as 'They're Watching'. I liked it so much I sent you a private message saying I was impressed. And you said you were going to do a feature of it. Anyway, hopefully the financing comes through soon, so you can start the ball rolling.

Wow, my memory's completely shot. Yes, it was called "They're Watching" originally.

I hope some financing comes through, too, though I don't see it happening anytime soon, considering how much of a mess everything is with this Covid stuff going on.

-- Michael

No worries, it probably wasn't on the site for long. Yeah it's going to be a waiting game now....