THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL'S FRIDAY NIGHT SHORTS (March 8, 2002) By: Warren Curry 3/11/02

This was my first trip to Los Angeles Film School's Friday Night Shorts, and what an impressive inaugural experience it turned out to be. Not really knowing what sort of screening room to expect, I was immediately bowled over by the state-of-the-art facilities that serve as the program's home. About 400 seats (approximately 3/4 full on this evening), comfortable stadium seating and a THX sound system to boot. I strongly urge all Southern California short filmmakers to submit your work for possible inclusion in the program. And Los Angeles area film enthusiasts, you won't find a better entertainment value on a Friday in the entire city (admission is a mere $2). The next installment of Friday Night Shorts is on April 12, so visit here and read up.

Eight shorts screened on this night with Allan Brocka's Roberta Loved winning the audience award at the end of the evening. A rundown of the films:

THANKS FOR NOTHING
Rating:
Director: Per Bristow
Format: DV
An amusing comedy about two friends bound by their love for the Los Angeles Lakers, who really don't get to know each other until an attempt at serenading a female goes horribly wrong. Bristow also stars as the guitar player, who despite his best effort can't quite teach his vocalist friend to carry a tune. Perhaps a bit too contained in some spots (i..e. the jokes could've delivered more of a punch), but certainly well done -- especially considering the entire film was shot in a weekend.

HELLO!
Rating:
Director: Fairai Richmond
Format: DV
The only film on the schedule that was without dialogue; instead the action plays out to a classical soundtrack. The black and white video lends a stark, eerie feeling to the proceedings, but this piece really goes nowhere. A man hears a strange sound in his home and goes to investigate. He finds the source of the disturbance and decides to put an end to the nuisance. Not bad, but it doesn't really indicate a developed talent just yet.

BACKSTAGE WITH LITTLE LORENZO
Rating:
Director: Chris Bradley
Format: 16mm
A 3-minute animated piece about a theater actor, who doesn't take kindly to a fan's inability to formulate the words for sincere praise. Fairly amusing, but director Bradley's most impressive accomplishment of the evening would be his great performance in Roberta Loved.

BOYCHICK (see separate review)

RICK AND STEVE: THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN THE WORLD
Rating:
Director: Allan Brocka
Format: 16mm
Possibly the first film I've seen that stars (I believe) Legos. A gay male couple invites a lesbian couple over for dinner -- hi-jinks ensue when one of the women begins ovulating during the meal and demands the sperm of one of the hosts. An adequate comedy, which is far different in tone (and less effective) than Brocka's other work Roberta Loved.

STALKERS
Rating:
Director: Dawn Herriott
Format: 35mm
Lots of potential displayed, which unfortunately gave Stalkers the distinction of being the night's second biggest disappointment (you'll read about the biggest in a moment). Two female friends take stalking to a new level, as they turn their car into a primary home while casing out the house of a highly desirable man. In the end, they get more than they bargained for. Decently acted, crisply photographed, but the dialogue's stagnant and when you spend nearly the entire film in one setting listening to these women chatter, it's a huge problem. Herriott (who also stars in the film) is well versed visually, but needs to pace her film better. There's something wrong when a 15-minute film feels too long.

ROBERTA LOVED (see separate review)

BEACHCOMBERS
Rating:
Director: Tamara Tracz
Format: 35mm
The most visually ambitious film of the program, and director Tamara Tracz exhibits a great penchant for variation and a rich aesthetic sense. However, I had no idea what this film was ultimately trying to say. Two teenage friends, male and female, hang out one day on the beach trying to scam money from those they encounter. In the process, they bring forth the wrath of a homeless man and briefly find their relationship taking an unexpected turn. The film oozes atmosphere and tasteful style, but doesn't amount to as much as it should. Tracz is a director to note, but in this instance she's in need of a more fully realized script.

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