Short films that stimulate

There's something inside Benjamin's briefcase.

Directed by Josh Soskin
Cinematography: Rob Hauer
Producer: Grace Jackson/ Houseblend Media
Editors: Josh Soskin, Bennett Barbakow, Matt Sultan
Music by: Huma-Huma
Starring: Gerrit Wellens
Co-Starring: Fran Phillips, Alicia De Leon, Mat Scollon, Alex Lamar, Anne Alexander
Production Designer: Adri Siriwat
1st AD: Ian J Putnam
2nd AD; Chuck Bennett
1st AC: Alicia Varela
2nd AC: Daniel Worlock
Key Grip: Brian Deutch
Gaffer: Julien Janigo
Sound: Justin Gay
Wardrobe: Sarah Fox, Sarah Horton
SFX: Resolution LA
PAs: Mico Pulice, Kevin Rojas, Sebastian Lee

Special Thanks: Mofilm, Station Film, Culver Casting, Resolution LA, Shane Liem Casting

This is one of my very favorite short films. I show this video on one of the very first days to my video productions class students. I do this for many reasons.

One, there are no special effects. The cinematography is really simple - those are all shots that they could pull off. Students should be motivated in such a way that they are capable of a video just like this.

Two, the acting is really no big deal. This is not to say the performances were not great, but they were very limited. “You got the juice” = Not a tough line to deliver. As the students are also many times the actors in their own films, this is no barrier to entry.

Three, there was no real background for the characters. There was no world building. In fact, the plot line is really limited. And most importantly, the video is not tied up in a nice bow at the end to provide closure for everyone. This allows viewers to create whatever closure they like, which is great. (The fact that almost all feature films are tied together at the end is really annoying to me.)

Four, it is very compelling and engaging. The change is background music, the plainness of the actors, the relatability - I don’t know exactly, but there is no doubt that it is a fun video and very few people bail on it prior to ending.

Anyway, this is how video productions class starts. I would love to be a part of a video like this. I think it is a great example of how a simple idea executed well can be a great short.

Per Wikipedia:

Penny dreadfuls were cheap popular serial literature produced during the 19th century in the United Kingdom. The pejorative term is roughly interchangeable with penny horrible, penny awful, and penny blood. The term typically referred to a story published in weekly parts of 8 to 16 pages, each costing one penny.[3] The subject matter of these stories was typically sensational, focusing on the exploits of detectives, criminals, or supernatural entities. First published in the 1830s, penny dreadfuls featured characters such as Sweeney Todd, Dick Turpin, Varney the Vampire, and Spring-heeled Jack.

Penny Dreadful is a fantastic video. There are some known actors in it as well. David H. Stevens plays Dennis and is the protagonist. (Kind of) With Marnie Schulenburg who played Holly really well, and is unfortunatley deceased. When she discusses her ‘feminie wiles’ was a high point for her. Oona Laurence who is not named in the short and is only credited as ‘Little Girl’ absolutely steals every scene she is in. I cannot believe she has not had more of a career. She has played the same ‘lilttle girl’ in most of the movies and shows she has been in. I have to imagine she is trying to break in as not the ‘little girl’ but according to IMDB she has not managed to do that yet.

Great, great short. I laughed out loud at many parts of this short.

Rules for Takeaway Scenes:

Scenes must be filmed in a single continuous take. No cuts. Film lights are prohibited. Only natural lighting or practicals allowed. There will never be credits for anyone involved. Participants will never publicly reveal or acknowledge their own involvement with a scene, or release any information that would reveal anyone else’s involvement with the Takeaway Scenes project. 

These are some of the coolest videos I have ever watched. Jumpers is easily my favorite, but its not as if the others ones are not cool. Teapot is a really, really good video too. But lets look at Jumpers first.

The scene is shot entirely on a rooftop. And it was a really tense scene about 2 people who were discussing a helluva hard series of topics. No spoilers here, but it is amazing.