RobMakesMovies.com

I’m going to start doing this from time to time, showcase other student’s films. I think it will keep me busier on this site, as well as offer the other filmmakers here another site to have their project listed on. My first will be a short film entitled “Closet Party.” I was not involved in production on this at all, I merely just found it, watched it, and asked about it. Before I dive into a review, here’s the film:

Closet Party – Project: Direct from R. Cameron White.

“I was intrigued, and I did, admittedly, chuckle.“
This film, a dark comedy seemingly about the journey to insanity, is entertaining. It is not the quintessential film of the year, nor is it even the most complete. It doesn’t try to be. It stakes it’s claim as a “fill the production minimums as quickly as possible” film, and that’s what hurts it.

There are distractions in this film that I think take away from the good parts. The most notable is in the music track. The music beats sound great at first, with an ethereal type of curiosity it draws you in, but soon after reaching the party, it sounds as if the CD was skipping and the vinyl scratches don’t feel right. At first I thought it might have been the fact that I was streaming the picture, but having watched it a few more times, it’s the way the track was laid.

The other notable distraction is the emptiness or lack of set dressing in the main character’s room. I understand it is supposed to be a college student’s room, and that is the way most of our rooms look, but it didn’t feel right and I’m pretty sure it caused problems with the audio capture.

Those “cons” aside, I did enjoy a number of aspects of this short. I think the acting of A.J. Napoli was very comical in his interpretation of someone going insane. When not paying strict attention to how each shot is lit, I found that the mood was set well. The color was a bit off, but I can’t tell if that was intended or not.

All in all I did enjoy it. I think that if there was more time to firmly lay down the details that this could have been better, but whatever circumstances there were, I still chuckled.

*** (3/5)

“Closet Party” was written, directed, and shot by Richard Cameron White. It was edited by A.J. Napoli, and stars Ryan Bradley, Jay Janoco, and Nathan Ellering. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWmNUKIi1vs to vote for this film.

This short is absolutely hilarious:

- Robert

In the process of writing my treatment, I thought it to be best to do a running production blog so that others can understand better how, in theory, the Hollywood Machine works. I say “in theory” because I’m not actually a part of the Hollywood machine, but I am a part of the Industry it serves.

Now that I’ve cleared that up, let me start to get into the nitty gritty: Why make a movie? From what we have been taught here at Full Sail, read told, it is to tell a story. From what many people think they know of Hollywood, it’s to make money. Here’s my reason: To create a living, breathing world of people and places, and share it with mankind. That may seem like I’m trying to be “deep” or “ethereal” or whatever, but it’s how I describe it best. Yes, a story is most definitely involved; Yes, it is possible to make money, lots of money, with films. But the key reason that I would make a movie is that.

Mēan•îng•lěss Sěx. I know it caught many eyes over the past couple days in my status. I know this because I was messaged my more people than you would think saying things like, “Can I be in it?” or “Making a porno right out of the gate, eh?” I don’t mind these questions or jokes at all. It’s partially why I posted what I did. This film isn’t even in a full draft of scripting, and it has what is known as “buzz” based on a title, with certain goofy markings that tell you the proper pronounciation.

Here’s the question I’m sure you’ve since been pondering: What is Mēan•îng•lěss Sěx? That is what I want you to think about. Not about the movie itself (I’ll get into that in a later post), about “Meaningless Sex.” How do you define it? Is it thrilling? Is it repulsive? Is it what our generation now defines a meet-and-greet? Those are the questions I am going to put into this Indie Short Comedy. I’m making it such that it would be viable commercially (If it were to be released in theaters), but I believe that its controversial subject matter, as well as the style in which I will tell this story, will look favorably on me submitting this to Festivals next year.

In the mean time, continue to ask yourself how you think of meaningless sex. If you find yourself with an answer, comment and let me know what you think. Since I am still writing, your thoughts could be that of one of the characters in my story. Any opinion is valid. There is no wrong answer.

Thanks for taking interest.

Robert Sloan
Writer/Director – Mēan•îng•lěss Sěx
Full Sail University

I know I haven’t updated in quite a few days, but I’ve got a juicy vid for you later today. In the mean time, here’s something cool/funny I saw today on Slashfilm.

- Robert

I don’t understand this analogy, at all. She was comparing being a Best Boy(Electrician on a Movie Set) to a Bus Driver in terms of learning as you go. I can make the connection in my head, because I have the high IQ required to do so. But, this is the kind of ridiculous shit I have to put up with in my classes.

I’ll do my best not to be a suicide.

- Robert

- Robert

Why John McClane?

Why Not? John McClane is a Badass. He’s an American. He doesn’t take shit from terrorists. He smokes. He crawls through air conditioning ducts. He’s a lover AND a fighter. So, shouldn’t we, The United States of America, have someone like John McClane in office? He would be the perfect leader of the free world. He would bitch-slap everyone that pisses him off. He won’t lie to our faces, he’ll tell it like it is. He wears his heart upon his sleeve, when he’s wearing sleeves. He’s not afraid of a little blood. Whether it’s his or a shitty terrorist’s. He has a squinty seriousness about him. He’s got a tattoo, too. Yeah, he’s a goddamn American and he’s goddamn proud of it. America needs John McClane. So, citizens of the free world… rise up and embrace the future of America. John McClane. He takes shit from no one. Ever.

/////// UPDATE ///////
John McClane just added HANS GRUBER as his Vice Presidential Running Mate. It’s the DREAM TICKET! America will be awesome once again in the not-so-distant future!

This comes from: http://www.votejohnmcclane.com/

- Robert

I think that pretty much covers it.

- Robert

I don’t have cable at my house, so news tends to reach me whenever I watch the Daily Show on Hulu or check out Google News. Needless to say I just found out about the AIG Bailout late yesterday. I was dumbstruck by the audacity of the government, especially Bernanke and Bush to essentially purchase the AIG Corporation in an attempt to keep it alive. This, though semi-effective, only sets a very bad precedent for future corporations going under.

As I was browsing around, I decided to take a look at what my favorite politician had to say(that’s not sarcasm, he should be president). After finding his response in a video, I also found another, different topic, video of his that I think speaks the truth about the state of politics in this country. Ron Paul everyone:

Tell me he shouldn’t be president. Seriously, try and convince me.

- Robert

I love these guys. http://www.explosm.net/

- Robert