Short Stack - An Evening Of Short Films
Rough Trade, Nottingham, 29th March 2015
Compiled and presented by Steve Best
"Birthed" by David Lilley
A chancing glance of a poster in Nottingham's Rough Trade drew my attention. A graphically pleasing promo of an up-and-coming event seared its way into my memory, while earning its place in my phone's photo gallery as a self-captured invitation to a night of local creativity.
A few weeks later, my girlfriend and I arrived at the venue just inthe nick of time (following an enjoyable viewing of Still Alice at Nottingham's famous indie, Broadway Cinema), the room already brimming with bodies and anticipation. It's not often that you get the kind of bustling atmosphere of a gig night in a homegrown-style cafe on a Sunday evening!
Left with little choice on perches, I was squashed into a corner, right at the front, next to the sound desk. Sounds like a minor criticism, I know, and, normally this would be a frustration. Yet, gifted with a great view on the screen, while infused with the intense vibe the room was still generating, my maverick seating was strangely a blessing. Plus, knowing that a spot is difficult to find says a lot for the popularity of independent film culture in Nottingham.
And, with sixteen short films from local films makers based around the Midlands, the stack felt far from short! Compiled and presented with pride and charisma by Steve Best, covering a medley of genres, it was clear that a lot of thought was put into the sequence of pieces, bringing a good pace and a nice mix of emotive responses. This was probably helped by the night's interactive feel, each filmmaker introducing their piece within a welcome platform for playful heckling. This gave each creator a chance to lift their film in their own way, while helping to further push David Lilley's (Short Stack's founder) mantra of "Low budget with high production values".
Never a truer word spoken. If I had to pinpoint Short Stack's best character trait, that would be of its material's indelible quality. From Jordan Hays brief, sharp and surprising 'Prayer', through Frank Harriman's intense and moving 'Go With God', to Keith Allott's reflective and poetic 'Flawless', I was enamoured by how great each vignette looked.
There was still room for some bravery too. Through Harry Ward's light erotica-becomes-still-life in music video 'Eulalia', or Gavin Mawditt's and Steve Askey's hilarious beat-em-up parody Street Fatter ("Gavin vs. Darren" garnering some of the biggest laughs on the night), edges were left bare, dare we risk abrading through our enjoyment. We were even treated to a parodic rom-com trailer with Anna Lei's 'Spell Of Cupid', which was brilliantly refreshing. The most adventurous and wonky however was probably Lord Anumblue's 'La Folie De La Maison De Carisbrooke', which poked a stark and confident (if comically whimsical) finger at the early days of cinema. A real "Le Voyage Dans Le Looney"!
To be honest, I could talk about every submission but, in the nature of harnessing more "edible" journalism, I'll delve a little deeper into just two pieces that, I felt, had the most impact at the event...the kind of impact where I get my "indie" hat on, as this is filmbore, after all.
I'll start with Nick Archer's 'Dysnomia'. This thriller, about a celebrity assassin under duress, was pleasingly unique, with it's cyclical story highlighting the depreciatory value of personal needs. Superbly shot, utilising great natural lighting, it also benefited from some great acting and a genuinely tense feel. Shot around the local areas of Nottingham, there was a mild "meta" moment as one of the opening shots was of our main character walking down Broad Street, right passed where Rough Trade Nottingham was located. It really brought home the idea of...home, I guess, reminding us all that we were witnessing and experiencing the product of local talent.
Most importantly though, is the fact that this particular film set the standard for the evening's "low budget, high quality" motto. Shot in just 5 hours, followed by a mere 7 hours of post-production, it is an absolute masterclass of planning and swift production. It is so professionally put together, it's just beautiful. It should stand as the flagship of Short Stack, but must share it with the other hero of the evening...
If you live in Nottingham and haven't heard about James Bushe's 'Cannibals and Carpet Fitters' yet, the start paying attention! I had no idea this would be shown on the night but, having been aware of it through word-of-mouth, the odd blog and the waves it was starting to generate on the underground Notts film scene, I was ecstatic when it was announced.
This cheeky, horror-comedy romp is brimming with creepy giggles, while casually retaining a dark undertone. Blessed with some cracking production and great make-up effects (including some impressive eye gore!) it's insanely enjoyable. Mrs Hanning was brilliantly casted, with Jenny Stokes clearly delighting in the part as the key antagonist, while Darren Sean Enright and Richard Lee O'Donnell play two strong hero characters with such comedic aplomb I can definitely see them having a bigger story to tell...
A story, of which, will come to pass. Not only has 'Cannibals...' been accepted into the Cannes Film Festival's Short Film Corner, it's also being made into a feature length feature. This is proof that, with enough hard work and a innovative bent, you can step into a higher echelon in the industry. It demonstrates the affect festivals and general support can do for low budget treats, while highlighting the level of quality achievable with the right creative spirit. Who knows...maybe one of the evening's other filmmakers may get a similar spring board from the existence of Short Stack.
Being only the second Short Stack event at Nottingham's Rough Trade, and with many more planned, I urge you to take a trip out on a Sunday evening next time around. Go and take in the air of the locally brave and wicked, guiding you through their adventures in celluloid. Not only will you have a great evening but feel a part of a grass-roots, stripped-down, honest film festival. Friendly and very, very local. Perfect!
The list of films in full...
- Standby - Trey Drysdale
- First Stub - Gavin Mawditt and Claire Harris
- Prayer - Jordan Hays
- Eulalia - Harry Ward
- Council Housed And Violent - Harry Wilding
- Go With God - Frank Harriman
- The Loved & The Lost - Will Hollis
- Flawless - Keith Allott
- La Folie De La Maison De Carisbrooke - Lord Anumblue
- Street Fatter - Gavin Mawditt and Steve Askey
- Salt And Pepper - Shawn R Briggs
- Dysnomia - Nick Archer
- Echo - Anthony M Winson
- Cannibals and Carpet Fitters - James Bushe
- Spell Of Cupid - Anna Lei
- Mr Creek - Liam Banks
You can find out more at the Short Stack Facebook group here and keep an eye out for more events at Nottingham's Rough Trade.
And, as always, please feel free to comment below, or contact me @filmbore
