https://3speak.tv/watch?v=killerwot/uvuiuzgv
I thought I would share my short film I filmed back in February of 2018, for my graduation from college. It is kind of cringe, but, at the same time, it's better than anything I created in the first and second years of college.

The Story

The story follows two old friends who meet up after many years of not seeing each other, one of the men has had an unusual encounter and is feeling reminiscent of his past.

There are a few topics I suppose the film covers, like regret, and wanting to relive your past but knowing you can't. It's a comedy in a way because all the lads want to do is have fun like they did when they were younger, but, without everyone they used to hang around with, they find out it's not the same as it was.

I was 24 or 25 when I wrote this script, that summer leading into my final year of college was a bit weird. There was a bunch of us hanging out in our old drinking spot from when we were teenagers, but, it wasn't really the same as it was back then hanging out. So, I guess that thought made it into the story. I also had a few personal issues going on which made me a bit reminiscent too.

I've never liked mindless comedy, something that's meant to be funny in a stupid way. I've always liked things that aren't really supposed to be funny.

The Other Script

The idea was that coming up to the end of the second year, we would have a script prepared to shoot in 3rd year, so when we came back after the summer, we could focus on casting actors and ensuring we had everything we needed to shoot. I had a different script prepared and had spoken to some of my tutors about it. But, after returning in September, I decided I didn't like the story. So, I got to work and wrote this. I remember a piece of advice my writing tutor gave us. "Always write within your means; don't add anything into your script that you don't have access to or the means to get easy." Good advice, and something I always try to keep in mind.

Writing with a producer cap on is a good way of making sure you can film what you intend to film. I remember giving him the new script to read and as I was working out some paperwork he was laughing while reading it, which was a good sign.

He came over to me with the script afterward and asked. "So, have you got a Tardis?" and I laughed and said, coincidently, I do actually, we built a vocal booth in the studio, and my dad is a big Doctor Who fan. He handed back the script and said it was good. "But, I know you can do better with the ending."

The original ending was going to be the lads going into the Tardis and coming back out as kids. With one of them saying "Oh, Fu..." Then cut to black. I got back to work on it and I think I did do better.

Problems and Issues

With any undertaking, there'll always be problems. No matter how organised everything is. One problem I encountered was. We had 2 kits and each of us in the class was shooting over the course of 3 weeks, so one shoot would end, and a kit would go to the next person. In the kit, we had H4N, Shotgun mic, Boom poles, Lights, a Blackmagic camera, and a bunch of gear like tripods and whatever.

Well, when I was handed mine to shoot, we found out that the battery wasn't given with it. Since my film was mainly outdoors, I had no choice but to shoot with my Canon DSLR. Which was a pain to match up the footage in the colour grade. But, how or never, we got it done.

There was also an issue with sound because we didn't have a Deadcat either, luckily the entire film wasn't ruined, but, one scene that has always bugged me.

The old makeup on the lads wasn't as I thought it would be and took longer than expected, I should have gotten two older actors, but, I couldn't find any. The makeup is fairly ropey... But, Shhhh, it's meant to be like that, it is a comedy after all.

There were many other issues, but, those were the main ones.

The Crew

We had a 4 man crew including myself, plus my sister and girlfriend who worked makeup and hair. My dad wrote all the music for it after the fact and I edited and graded it.

I've always liked working with small crews, even though everyone has to double up on jobs. It's hard to organise big crews I find, which is why I love shooting music videos, as I can do everything for them by myself.

Watching It Now

I've learned a lot since this film and the recent shorts I've written and shot have turned out much better, but this one holds a special place for me and I think is a great example of the milestones in the quality of my work since being in college.

Hope you enjoy it, I'm thinking of uploading some more of my work here.