I decided to look through shorts that played at Sidewalkfest in order to find something to write my short-film-related blog post about. Even though we are supposed to write about a film we enjoyed, I just watched one that incensed me to the point of wanting to complain about it to the world. The short is titled "Old Bryce." The subject matter piqued my curiousity because of my involvement with it in my own life. I have visited this old, abandoned mental institution (and been run off by the cops) near the Tuscaloosa airport and have many friends who've done the same. While I was growing up, Old Bryce's proximity to the locations of my everyday life and its legendary status perpetuated by older students turned it into a metaphor for the spirits lurking just outside my perceptions.
This video, however, is self-important, terribly shot garbage. A local band, the Dexateens, who proudly proclaim the video as "The Dexateens present 'Old Bryce'," shamelessly inject themselves into the story of Old Bryce and wind up creating a film that is a childish showcase of their own "coolness" instead of a compelling story of old Bryce. Spoken by the lead singer of the band in a voice that overemphasizes his Southern accent (made obvious by dialogue in other parts of the video), the narration is by far the most interesting part of the video. It is decently written and educational. However, the tidbits expressed in the narration are just about the only things worth watching this video for. The cinematography is absolute crap. The cameraguy constantly uses high gain (which alone would be forgivable due to the late night break by the band that the film revolves around) and shakes the camera erratically. He also doesn't seem to give a damn about framing. There are probably two decent shots in the entire video. The shoddy camerawork does add a mischevious or desperate feeling, but there is no payoff. The band sets up some equipment in the dilapidated, graffiti-covered building and plays some folk songs. After an extended period of a medium shot of the lead singer performing, the cops show up, an event made much less interesting by the nonchalant attitude of the bandmembers, who clearly are expecting the intrusion. After asking for a confrontation with the police, we viewers (barely, because of almost no attention paid to the camera's position) get to see the bandmembers smoke cigarettes and act like tough little punks while they sing to the police officer, who is amused by their behavior. All of this takes place under the guise of a spirit-finding expedition. Their theory is that playing old spirituals will reawaken the spirits of the patients of Old Bryce, who were predominantly African-American. What open-minded young white kids the Dexateens are. Whoop-tee-doo.
After this encounter, a couple of them return to explore the spirits more. We get to watch more not-so-impromptu musical performances, and then the video mimics a ghost hunting TV show by having the narrator explain strange voices and then playing the video they occur in repeatedly. All these voices could easily be someone off camera (or even on camera, because you can see almost nothing). Another strange occurrence is a whistle, which could be from anywhere outside as far as we viewers know (and the Dexateens have in no way established credibility that allows us to believe their claim). In the end, this video serves as a self-designed display of the Dexateens badass opinion of themselves disguised by a false expression of intellectual curiousity and awkward sympathy for Bryce's patients.
If high school had made this video, it would be much more impressive.
I apologize for sounding like such a pretentious jerk. I admit that if I were to attempt a similar video it would not be much better (except for the cinematography, which could use a lot of help). However, this video deserves harsh criticism, because it played at Sidewalkfest. I have no idea how that is possible. There were so many excellent short films at Sidewalkfest; there must have been many more that got turned down. I do not think that "The Dexateens present 'Old Bryce'" deserves to be in a film festival of Sidewalkfest's status. Dexateens, you got lucky (or personally know a Sidewalkfest screener).
The end of the blurb for this video on youtube says, "Things did not go according to plan."
What a crock of shit.
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Adam,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Elliott McPherson, I sing with the Dexateens, and I'm wondering why you were impelled to trash our work. We shoot from the heart, every time. None of this film was contrived and I'll stand by that to my grave.
In your statement you wrote, "In my life as a filmmaker, I hope, through education and explanation, to assist in uniting humanity." With this blistering, personal, nontechnical review of a film made by your neighbors and colleagues, though, Adam, you're doing far from that.
It is such sentiment as expressed in this review that is responsible for our stagnant music and art scene. It seems that a lot of young people here in Tuscaloosa think that our scene here is grand. I'll admit that it's way better than it used to be. But in comparison to other towns we visit, Tuscaloosa's scene is very much a work in progress. It's really a shame that people tear down their peers' works instead of striving to nurture it.
It doesn't bother me that someone would not like the film. It doesn't bother me that someone would write a negative review of the film. It does bother me, though, that someone -- particularly a fellow Tuscaloosan -- would go out of his way in said 'review' to slander our motives and character.
I have never met you, Adam, and to my knowledge, you've never met the other guys in the band, either. You have, though, in a public forum, called us -- men who live, work, and raise families in and around your town -- liars, narcissists, frauds, and talentless hacks. You don't know us, Adam. You gave a cursory glance to a movie we made with some friends of ours. There is a difference, Adam, between academic criticism and pitching a fit. If your professors aren't making sure you know the difference, I will.
Well written Elliot. My name is Brian Murray and I will stand by every word Elliot just wrote. I've heard and booked thousands of bands and put on all kinds of shows and I can say from all that experience that the Dexateens are some of the most ballanced and together people I've ever had the pleasure to meet.
ReplyDeleteAdam, Ive read your piece over and over and you don't come over as qualified to comment on anybodys work, you clearly can write well and what you have written just comes over like a jealous rant from a little kid, Adam..grow up
"I apologize for sounding like such a pretentious jerk".
ReplyDeleteApology accepted.
I'm reminded of the following. Pertinent info begins at :48 mark.
Wow. Did one of the guys from the Dexateens steal your high school prom date? Is that why you hate them so much, or are you always such a bitter person? Man, I don't know if you are just trying to tell the truth or what...but if you could sound a little more professional, then maybe people would take this article a bit more seriously.
ReplyDeletelisten here Adam. im from walker county, by God. and let me tell you something, that Lee Baines has the sexiest, most genuine southern voice i have ever encountered. that aint no put on. get your facts straight, boy. or come get you one of these good ole country ass whoopins. nuf sed.- W.C.
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