Length: 02:48
Logline: When the batteries of a little girls magic torch runs out, it no longer protects her from the monster under her bed.
Unlike Jamie and his magic torch, Amy's supernatural implement is protecting her from an abhorrent evil. Ian Champion effectively narrates this tale and aptly retains the fairytale feel, which is amplified by the music box soundtrack and the soft focus camera work. Amy, played by young Evie Charlesworth and her (actual) mum, India Charlesworth aren't stretched too much in terms of their performances although India's under bed shot is fun to watch. Their dialogue is limited due to Champions voice over but both do well enough on screen.
A zoom effect is used nicely in the edit during the establishing sequence which has a good montage feel to it. Things start to get more interesting after midpoint. The tonal shift is also conveyed by the soundtrack change to an ominous drum beat. Only showing the monster very briefly was a wise choice and the shot involving it's appearance is well constructed and edited. The blood spurt sfx is also done really convincingly and this minimal use of gore works well. Most of the tension is created after the narration is over and we're left silently waiting to see the conclusion. It's a difficult task to pull of a short horror but this effort makes it look easy.
Unlike Jamie and his magic torch, Amy's supernatural implement is protecting her from an abhorrent evil. Ian Champion effectively narrates this tale and aptly retains the fairytale feel, which is amplified by the music box soundtrack and the soft focus camera work. Amy, played by young Evie Charlesworth and her (actual) mum, India Charlesworth aren't stretched too much in terms of their performances although India's under bed shot is fun to watch. Their dialogue is limited due to Champions voice over but both do well enough on screen.
A zoom effect is used nicely in the edit during the establishing sequence which has a good montage feel to it. Things start to get more interesting after midpoint. The tonal shift is also conveyed by the soundtrack change to an ominous drum beat. Only showing the monster very briefly was a wise choice and the shot involving it's appearance is well constructed and edited. The blood spurt sfx is also done really convincingly and this minimal use of gore works well. Most of the tension is created after the narration is over and we're left silently waiting to see the conclusion. It's a difficult task to pull of a short horror but this effort makes it look easy.
Best Bit: Snaffling monster noises.
Worst Bit: Soft focus is a bit annoying or it could be the kind of washed out colour look?
Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.
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