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| Peter Dukes (right) preparing to shoot a scene. |
After an insightful email from filmmaker Peter Dukes, founder of Dream Seekers Productions, I was turned onto two horror short films that he's made. The description of which, had me automatically invested. Peter Dukes has directed more than 14 films, most of which are horror. He's also had critical appraise around the world for his sense and style of filmmaking.
Upon watching these short films, I couldn't help but smile. Here are two mini movies that were done on very little time and money, yet they somehow manage to be high quality and very well shot. I'm not saying I'm the hardest guy in the world to please (because I'm not) but, I usually don't enjoy short films as much as I do these ones.
These works of love for the genre show true skill and will for making entertaining horror films. I'd like to see what Peter Dukes could do with a full motion picture production budget, now that'd be interesting! There's very good visual clarity to these shorts. And although they're very simple concepts and not much really happens during their duration, you're never not entertained while watching. And the fact that something so simple could be done in such a way as these are is a true achievement. I'd sure as hell be proud of these if they were my films.
First up, you've got "LITTLE REAPER"- A horror comedy about the grim reaper's difficult teenage daughter and how she must take her dad's duties for one day. Chaos ensues.
Starring- Athena Baumeister and John Paul Ouvrier, with John Michael Herndon, Katharine Stapleton, Allisyn Ashley Arm, Katy Townsend and Sorsha Morava.
This one is funny, charming, endearing and thoroughly enjoyable. There's quite a few funny moments actually. Especially considering it's so short. But don't just take my word for it, watch it for yourself!
Next up is "THE BEAST"- An old fashioned horror picture about a father struggling with how to handle his only boy, who's been afflicted with the curse of the werewolf.
Starring- Bill Oberst Jr., Peter Le Bas and Alexander Le Bas
This one is probably my favorite of the two, even though I like them both. I've always been a sucker for werewolves, and this is the more serious of the two. This one is more intense and plays on a serious level, there's no humor to this one. The acting is remarkably good as well!
I'm glad these were brought to my attention, and hopefully some of you will enjoy them as much as I have. You've really got nothing to lose trying them out. They're barely longer than ten minutes a piece, and there's a lot worse ways you could waste your time.
Usually when I think of short horror films, good memories don't turn up, because there's a lot of them out there and the majority of them aren't watchable. These however, are in a different league, and are very well done. If I could find more like these, I'd make a day of watching them!
Check Dream Seekers Productions out on the web!
WEBSITE: http://www.dreamseekersprods.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DreamSeekersProductions
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dreamseekerfans
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1088478/?ref_=fn_al_nm_
Hi Grimm!
ReplyDeleteSo watching Little Reaper; I have a 19 yr old daughter....:) Saw your post on Horror Bloggers Alliance. I had the same problem, sort of. It came over as a GIF when I saved it, but I couldn't get it to move. I tried to transport the html, but it came over as the html on the gadget. I got a shout out to Jeremy. I expect he'll hit you up, but when I hear from him, I'll let you know what he said. Until then, keep those fires stoked.
Eternally Yours
The Warden
Warden Stokely Horrorzine
Hell yeah man, thank you! Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteAnd definitely watch these shorts. The best part is, if for some reason you don't like them, they don't wast much of your time ;)
Hah! Nice.
ReplyDeleteHell o Prisoners...Warden here.
ReplyDeleteJust watched Little Reaper. Didn't want to give anything away, since it's short enough to watch on the spot, so once I laughed out loud, I thought I'd just keep track of how many times I did..lost count after 10, and since it's only 10 minutes, I give it five out of five flames on the flame scale. Peter Dukes either had a girlfriend in high school or has a teen age daughter. Either way, I have a teen daughter, and he was spot on. The little reapers.....And I'm not much of a zombie chick, but they were relevant when presented. Peter Duke is quite Burtonesque, albeit relying on actors and not animation. I think they'd get along just swell. Thoroughly enjoyable. Until next time. Keep those fires stoked.
Eternally Yours
Warden Stokely
Warden Stokely Horrorzine
Love the short, good to see Allisyn Ashley Arm in something other than Sonny With A Chance/So Random.
ReplyDelete