IndieWorks: June (Year 2 Launch) Recap

Aaaaaaand, we’re back! We’re officially in our second year of IndieWorks, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s in store for the series and the filmmakers we’re bound to meet throughout. IndieWorks has become such a great opportunity to meet independent filmmakers and supporters, where we can enjoy the work of our friends and fellow filmmakers, and promote future projects/collaborations. The night featured six great new short films; and members of their crew were present to represent them during the Q&A.  

The films of the night:

Before I Wake
A woman deals with grief.

Hallelujah
Natalia and Rob go out on what seems like a perfect date. They're pretty much a match made in heaven, until they encounter a major obstacle in their opposing religious views.

Raymond & Lina
Raymond Johnson, 63 and tired. Lina Overton, eight and troubled. One summer day, their lives will be closer than they expected.

Half & Half
A young man who struggles with O.C.D. experiences an intersection in his routine after finding a symbolic piece of jewelry that belongs to a young woman he desires.

Rules
Two young people with some time to themselves decide to try something new. 

Boy on a Bike
A short film following one man's life, from childhood to death, eight to eighty years old, only told from the perspective life-long friend, his bicycle. 

The Awards Go To…

View fullsize

View fullsize

Audience Choice Award accepted by Brendan Steere, director of “Rules.”

Silver Whiskers Award accepted by Casey Stein, director of “Boy on a Bike.”

CongestedCat Shorts - Crowdfunding Campaign!

We're currently crowdfunding for our next projects, be sure to support in any way you're able. Share, Contribute, Loan: all on Seed&Spark!

#StrictlyIndie Film Views: "The Sacrament"

Whether you’re a fan of Ti West’s previous work or not, his most recent film, The Sacrament, demands its viewers’ attention. The pace at which West let’s the mystery unfold allows for great tension and suspense in what is probably his most chilling and polished film yet.

The Sacrament follows three friends who are all apart of a multimedia company called VICE. When Sam (AJ Bowen) finds out that his fellow photographer’s sister has joined a community outside of the states to better herself from her drug addiction, he immediately wants to investigate its origin. He also brings along his cameraman, played by yet another indie filmmaker/actor: Joe Swanberg. From the moment the three get off the helicopter, there’s a clear sense that “Eden Parish” is not what they thought it was. The so called paradise is guarded like an internment camp. There’s only one way in and one way out. The three are greeted by Patrick’s sister, Caroline (Amy Seimetz), who ensures them that the men with guns are not a fair representation of what they’re about to witness. From there on, each scene is a nail-biter, skillfully emphasized by Tyler Bates’ original score.

The found footage sub-genre of horror filmmaking has made its way cozily into my heart over the past few years. Ti West is no newcomer when it comes to the genre, having directed segments in anthology films like V/H/S and The ABC’s of Death. Interestingly enough, this film reminded me of Timo Tjahanto and Gareth Evans’ segment from V/H/S 2 called “Safe Haven.” Timo actually explains how he wanted to try doing a film about the Jamestown Massacre in an article from Entertainment Weekly, but that’s neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is, Ti West grabbed at the opportunity to portray this deranged vision of a powerful man’s utopia and did a damn horrifying job.

The Sacrament is now screening at select theaters and is also available to rent on iTunes.

Review by Ryan Kramer

Seed&Spark Crowdfunding Campaign Launch!

We're crowdfunding for 2 new short films by the creators of  (Christina Raia & Kelsey Rauber)! Watch our pitch below & please join us in making these films by supporting on Seed&Spark! 

#StrictlyIndie Film Views: "Short Term 12"

The terms “Hipster film” and “Melodrama” are some that are thrown around almost too often these days; both of which could be used to sadly categorize a film like Short Term 12. In my opinion, a melodrama is a work in which performances and direction are far more exaggerated than the subject matter calls for, and as a result, comes off as inorganic. Destin Cretton’s film doesn’t fall under that umbrella. Short Term 12 doesn’t simply pull heart strings to get an emotional response. It explores the amount of courage, patience and unrestrained empathy that is needed to let someone in after a life of abuse.

The film centers around Grace (Brie Larson), a strong-willed woman with an unrelenting vocation for helping the children she works with at a home for at-risk-teens. Her day to day is rather procedural (filled with level drops for cussing and random room checks) until a girl named Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) is brought in. Jayden is dropped in the group home as a favor to her father and Grace soon realizes the distinct similarities between them. As Grace uncovers the truth behind Jayden’s home life, her own past is brought to the forefront, testing her relationships outside of the home.

Short Term 12 is also just as much a love story as it is an unsettling drama. Grace’s boyfriend and co-worker at the facility, Mason (John Gallagher Jr.), is hellbent on getting Grace to allow him inside her head. He believes she is the weirdest, most beautiful person he has ever met in his entire life, and Brie Larson’s performance won’t have you feeling any other way. In what is undoubtedly Larson’s most challenging and rewarding role yet, she delivers exactly what is needed to pull you in. 

With other notably resonant performances from Keith Stanfield and the rest of this vibrant cast, Short Term 12 is one of the most heartwarming and heart-wrenching films of 2013. It is now available for instant stream on Netflix.

Review by Ryan Kramer.

'Juice It' Teaser

We premiere the Teaser Trailer for Christina's latest short film "Juice it." The film is 10 minutes of absurd fun! We can't wait to share it with you but can't do so until we hear back from festivals. In the meantime, enjoy the Teaser!

A young couple attempt a 7 day juice cleanse but quickly realize it's much more difficult than they anticipated as they pass the first 24 hours.