Short Film Review: HOPSCOTCH (2014) Directed by Kirsten Walsh

A complete change of pace to the usual short horror film, Kirsten Walsh's Hopscotch is a brooding, malignant piece which has the viewer anticipating the sick 'delights' to come.
Bridget (Amanda Ayres) is an escort whose latest job brings her out of town, where she is met by Jolene (Christin Easterling), the 'assistant' of the hooker's host for the night. It turns out the pair actually knew each other at school, and it's clear that Bridget (or Shannon as she was then) was a bitch to Jolene before they parted ways. Heading to the house, they are met by Rebecca (Karen Overstreet), who unnerves Bridget with some Sapphic flirting, but wins her over when she discovers she is part of a big candy-making company. Jolene is uncomfortable when Bridget mentions they knew each other, and Rebecca makes her tell the full story while Jolene fixes some drinks - mixing a little something more than sweetener in one. When she returns, she is made to do her 'magic trick', escaping from handcuffs. They convince Bridget to have a go, and she becomes frustrated when she can't remove them. Rebecca quizzes her about her career choice, and continues her seductive advance, only not sexually this time...

Karen Overstreet

The mood is set during the credit sequence, as bloodied torture equipment is seen cut between television footage of Bill Clinton's inauguration. There's a constant feeling of something else at play, and the tension keeps building until we finally find out what's going on.With political undertones and a growing sense of dread, it's a talky film but it works for the benefit of the payoff. It's also interesting that although it's an all-female cast (even the dog is a bitch!), the script was by a man (Christian Nelson), and it doesn't fall into the trap of sounding awkward.

Behind the scenes shot from the film's Facebook page - Amanda Ayres, Christin Easterling and crew

Proficiently directed, with some interestingly creative cinematography choices (selected focus, and some shallow depth of field), with the only negative aspect is some hiss on the soundtrack, noticeable especially during the conversations. And this being such a dialogue-led film it is noticeable. It's no doubt a side effect of having such a low budget to work with, (little or no looping) and by no means too annoying, but there nevertheless.
The cast  are all great, and believable in their roles. Exuding raw sexuality and confidence, Karen Overstreet dominates the proceedings, but both Amanda Ayres and Christin Easterling are fantastic and very watchable.

Behind the scenes shot from the film's Facebook page. Christin Easterling, Karen Overstreet (back) and Amanda Ayres

It's an impressive debut, and shows that Ms Walsh is worth keeping an eye on in future.
It is hoped Hopscotch will appear at film festivals in the coming year, you can find out more on the Facebook page.
7 out of 10

Shot film review: CALL GIRL (2014 short film) Laurence R Harvey, Jill Sixx Gevargizian, Tristan Risk

Another short film arrived this week, once again only 6 minutes long, but eagerly awaited, and well worth a watch!
Funded via Kickstarter last year, Call Girl sees Laurence R. Harvey (The Human Centipede 2) hiring a hooker Mitzy (Tristan Risk, American Mary) for a night of fun. Only he has hooked up some friends to watch the action via a webcam link. It's fair to say, it's not the night that the professional lady had in mind.

The debut film from director Jill Sixx Gevargizian, the whole film is shot from the webcam's POV, the image given a wide-angle fisheye look which exaggerates Harvey's unique appearance to grotesque proportions. Here he plays Ed, an excitable but genial host for the lovely (and paid for) Mitzy; the pair's awkward first meeting feeling embarrassingly accurate. With such a short time to get the message across, this was vital, and certainly does the job. Both actors are great, and more directors should send work Harvey's way, but not just the psychopath roles; he seems to have a lot to give.

Despite the simple mise-en-scène, it works because you are a fixed observer. A willing one, who is eager to enjoy a show being put on by Ed. It also makes us complicit to his actions, cheering him on, while all the time feeling like someone who has sneaked into a peep show and is hoping not to be seen.
The premise of seeing all the action through an internet stream is one which no doubt will be used again in films to come, as things like Skype and FaceTime have taken over from the old MSN/Yahoo webcam chats. And while there is an attempt at re-creating that "internet lag" you often get on the streams, it's not too annoying nor overdone, and Jill Sixx avoids going overboard on any effects to make it look too glitchy (like they did in V/H/S).

Jill raised over $5,000 on Kickstarter for the film, and being one of the 60 donators, I must say I was happy with the result and think she has made a great little film, which will hopefully serve as a foot in the door for future work. At such a short running time, however, you may end up wanting more.
Keep an eye open for festival screenings over the coming year.
8 out of 10