Monday, June 14, 2010





Or maybe this stuff is just incredibly boring.

Whatever...we’ll keep writing about it anyway.


Which was kind of a mistake.










How do we do that?







So in the script the exchange read like this:


You gonna call him?





Ok, come on, get out of here!

Danny holds a finger up to him.


Not a word, Murphy. This is justice.

You gonna call him?



(almost smiling)

If that's how you really feel, how

about the other --



into the air and SPILL all over the bar.







Which meant, too long.

So we shortened it again in editing.


Which is about a minute long.

Here it is in the finished film.

Irish Twins Clip on Vimeo.


Guess how much of the script it is?

1 page.



But hopefully...a really cool minute.


  1. Wow, I really like the finished product of that scene in Irish Twins. It's such a compelling moment; I can really sense the moment of surreality as he watches his father's ashes fall around him. I definitely need to find a way to see the full short. Can't wait to see The Dungeon Master!! By the way, your work is AWESOME.
    - Gianna

  2. Go back to your comedy roots. It's all about the timing. Those 40 minute Academy flicks are a rarity. Lighting in a bottle. It's a crap shoot. You gotta be reaalllly sure of your project to push it all the way like that.
    Yes, I too made the 20 minute, first short film mistake. 5 days shooting, celeb cameo, great equipment, rights to a Lita Ford track, T&A, $15k later (not counting submission fees, = twenty minutes of what I felt was great quality story-telling...not one festival bite. Ouch. And I'm convinced it was because of the length.

    Like you, I learned the hard way. Festivals needs 5 - 15 minutes flicks to create a decent program. And it usually is about the program. If yours is 20+, it better be damn good!

    I digress.

    How short should a short film be? In my opinion, if you're trying to reinvent the wheel? Then as long as your heart tells you it needs to be.

    If you're going for pure entertainment, to showcase your chops as a writer/director, or your particular short is a possible film pitch. Then short and sweet and tight.

  3. Do y'all have a po box or other "fanmail" type address?

  4. Hey Rider!...How are things?
    It may sound cheesy and preachy, but... I think the length really depends on the movie itself. I mean, let's face it, when you make a short, you don't expect to make money. Your only concern is serving your story in the best possible way, including length. You need to shoot your movie and cut it in a way that makes it, in your mind, the best viewing experience ever, regardless of festivals consideration for length. If it feels it needs to be shorter, make it shorter. If it feels it needs more time, make it longer. I really think it's as simple as that. And if it's a good movie, it will get shown.
    For example, another "freebie" I worked on in 2002, was a movie called "Last Stand", about a native American boy who helps an enemy soldier after the battle of the little big horn. It was a labor of love for all of us because we loved the script and the director involved. The movie was 22 minutes, which, according to the theory, is poison in the festival circuit. Still, the movie was accepted and screened in a bunch of festivals and won a ton of awards. Now if the movie was cut down to accomodate the festival's "sweet spot" for length, it might have not been as effective.
    So, just do what you feel right!

  5. Hi Rider and Shiloh Glad to hear your making another short my daughter Jamie and I went out to see you guys when you were in New York we loved Irish Twins keep us posted and let us know when your new short is finished and where it might be showing take care you guys are the best Joanne Massachusetts

  6. i know nothing about making movies but i have a feeling that to make a really short movie but with great content is hard. but it's challenging and i like it. and the irish twins looks great!