Well, those following the evolution of our short film Schoolyard Justice will be happy to know that a version is now available to view online thanks to the magic of YouTube. You can view it here in this post, on the official SYJ website (link in sidebar), the Archive Page here at this site (again, sidebar to the right) and on my official YouTube page. This version is a low-resolution version, modified from the original for time and content. The original, uncut, hi-res version is still available for viewing only at the official SYJ site.
if you haven’t seen SYJ yet, please give it a watch and let us know what you think. We’re always looking for comments and constructive criticism on our work, so will take any comments under advisement.
Anyway, here’s the low-res version of Schoolyard Justice.
Made in about twenty minutes at Culburra, in South Eastern South Australia, David boon and myself filmed this little homage to his ute, which he had to sell shortly afterwards as a result of obtaining a company owned vehicle. Boony loved this ute, and he asked me to put together a short little something to remember it by.
The film is a spoof of the Holden advertisements of the time, which featured various Holden vehicles driving in various cool ways (usually sideways) through paddocks and roads and stuff, to the tune of Thunderstruck by AC/DC. Of course, Boony wanted to emulate that, so we set out to see what we could come up with.
Edit wise, I could have perhaps spent a little more time on the filming, as some of the shots didn’t quite work as I’d have liked, but this little trip down memory lane has something you don’t often see in a film.
No special effects. No sped up footage, this is all real time stuff. Enjoy.
Last night, the official (delayed) Launch Party for Schoolyard Justice took place, as an invite only event to which the key cast and crew, plus some VIP’s, attended.
The night was quite successful, with a large screen showing of the film, a short gag-reel, plus a sneak peek look at the next project Fernby Films is tackling. More on that later.
Special thanks to all who attended, especially Dennis Coleman, Julie & Ian McCrae (who flew all the way from Brisbane!) and all our friends and family who battled the driving rain to be there. Much appreciated.
The photos below are (C) Grey Phoenix Productions & Fernby Films.
Local dance station Fresh FM graciously gave Mick and I air time this morning to promote Schoolyard Justice. Below is the interview in full, with music tracks removed. At the very start of the interview, our host Rose’s microphone decided to stop working for a while, so I have adjusted the audio accordingly. Do not adjust your speakers.
I would like to thank Rose and the Fresh FM crew who gave us their time, and we appreciate their support for local talent. Here’s some photos from the studio!:::::
Rodney at the desk, awaiting the cue to start talking...
Mick & Rodney answer some probing questions about Schoolyard Justice.
Rodney with Fresh FM host Rosa Panetta
Anya, Rodney, Rosa and some guy who just wanted to get in the photo!!!
If you would like to subscribe to Fresh FM and help support them, follow this link.
Just a quick post to let you know that tomorrow, Wednesday 9th July, Mick Kubler and I will be interviewed on Fresh FM from about 10:30am, to promote the release of Schoolyard Justice online.
For those who wish to hear the interview, you can live stream the broadcast on Fresh FM (92.7) here, or download it once I upload it to this site later.
Let me start off by saying how impressed by it I was. Any critique runs the risk of leaving a negative impression on the reader, and that certainly shouldn’t be the case.
Story adaptation: The story held very true to the original. The flash backs and intertwined contemplations gave adequate (if slightly overstated) background on the concept. The playing of multiple endings was a good way of leaving the audience in doubt as to the outcome.
The part of Jamie was played differently from how I read it in the story, which is fine of course, but it puts a marked different flavour to the story. In the written form Jamie came across to me as very cold and calculating. He had all the time in the world to think, and talk over options, as if discussing a book he’d read. In the movie he was a frustrated and angry youth who wanted to blame Karl for all his life’s issues. In the written story you are left horrified at the cold calculating Jamie, and start to feel sorry for Karl (who is after all still human), even though you know you are more likely to be in Jamie’s position.
Casting: Well, Shannon as girl on phone. What can I say but Oscar material. Only out performed by Irritated Driver Who Raises Arm Out Of His Car Window After Nearly Running Over Karl. Chris did his part well, though it was difficult to work out exactly what their relationship was. Was he supposed to be parents, sibling, or flat mate? Stephen was well chosen to play his role, having exactly the right look. If I had to be super critical his ability to play a change in emotions was stilted, but that could be because of age, or shooting schedule more than any inability on his party. Jamie I found to be a little bit two-dimensional. I found it difficult to believe the emotions he was showing, probably because he is a young actor and has not been anywhere near the sort of emotions he needed.
Cinematography: Excellent. Wonderful use of visuals such as the drops of blood falling onto the camera. The continuity was good, though Karl took ages to fall to his knees and then was instantly on his back. The cutting away to other times was well executed. If I were to be extremely picky, I would suggest some tightening of the cut scenes to keep the real action pace and make the violence much more of a subliminal and unreal flash. Was that bruise we saw? The fight scenes themselves were superb flashes of movement and sound.
Makeup: The bruising makeup came up a little stark under the harsh lighting, but that direct exposure is hard to counter. Perhaps cutting them shorter (as said before) would give less time for the viewer to actually focus on them. The blood was excellent, and I know you worked hard on it.
Acting Direction: The actors were young, and I doubt they had more than a few years experience in performing. If I were to pick any particular area to work on, it would be this. Having a director who shares your vision, and you can trust to get what you want from the actors, is paramount. It doesn’t matter how good your camera angle and lighting are if the performance has no spark. Having said this, the actors gave a good effort, and I would not want them feeling they had let themselves down. This is only for pushing towards a fully professional production.
Music & sound: Original sound track was good, but the balance between speech and music was out. The speech on the whole was too quiet, making the flash backs (Chris’ dialogue in particular) difficult to pick out.
So all in all a well put together piece of work that you can be proud of. You can shelve this, and come back to it in a couple of years and see if you would do anything differently.
A quick update on the initial comments we have received about Schoolyard Justice, almost all have been universally positive, which is something I never expected. Sure, most of the comments have been from family and friends, so I am still waiting for “cold” reviews from people who aren’t involved in the film, to balance that out.
I am also in the middle of negotiating with an overseas website to link to the official site, which, if it comes off, will give hundreds of thousands of people a chance to see the film!
Mick is currently upgrading the site to show random viewer comments, something that will look good and hopefully “hook” people into giving it a watch.
For those who have been hiding under a rock, the short film Schoolyard Justice is now up at the official website, www.syjmovie.com. I suggest you check it out, and let me know your thoughts!
Production still from the official Schoolyard Justice website, this is what you’ll see in the film….although it will be a moving image, not a still one…. ahh, just go check out the film on the website this Friday. (C) Grey Phoenix Productions.
The countdown is on! To see this image come to life, catch the world premiere of Schoolyard Justice on the official website this Friday! (C) Grey Phoenix Productions.
