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Use of Budget
This is the second film I have reviewed from the husband and wife team of Ray and Migdalia Etheridge, and once again, I have to say I am impressed with their resourcefulness. On a budget of $2,500, they were able to pay their actors $25 a day, as well as providing food (a very important part of production). They constructed Uncle Dave’s “work area” – an L-shaped counter with a radio and multiple telephones – out of discarded lumber and fabric remnants, created the SFX for a bullet hole with left-over makeup, and created Vinnie’s hideout in their garage with salvaged lumber. They even re-used the nails. My people (the Dutch) would be proud.
I will say, however, that the filmmakers ought to invest in either some quality lighting equipment, or at least spend a bit more time in better lighting of their interior shots. The low and inconsistent lighting really detracts from the overall look of the film, and needs to be addressed in future projects.
Lasting Appeal
This film has some great elements to it – the characters are interesting, the plot has a good bit of intrigue and irony, and there are even some moments of humor. However, there are still a few issues that probably ought to be addressed – namely that of the interior lighting and the film’s ending.
Overall Comment
One thing I have come to appreciate about Ray and Migdalia Etheridge’s films is that their characters are real people, placed in real situations. While there is a temptation among microfilmmakers to try to make their million-dollar dream screenplay set in the 19th century, what is true for writers is also true for us low-budget folks – “write (or film) what you know.” Do a modern-day story with real people well today, and eventually you’ll have your shot at the 19th century.
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Content |
7.4 |
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Visual
Look |
7.6 |
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Use
of Audio |
8.3 |
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Use
of Budget |
8.0 |
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Lasting
Appeal |
7.0 |
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Overall
Score |
7.6 |
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The
author of half a dozen screen plays, two novels, and a proficient
camera-woman in her own right, Monika
DeLeeuw-Taylor is Microfilmmaker's lead writing analyst and
one of our top film reviewers. When she's not writing a critique for
Microfilmmaker, she's writing screenplays for Viking Productions.
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