First Session - REVIEWED

[RottingCorpse]

I just got the first reviewof my film and it's overwhelmingly positive, so now I'm going to go drink a beer and cry before going to work.

You know, I know that the only thing that truly matters is how I feel about what I've done, but validation leaveds me with such a high.

Ayway, the review:

http://www.monstersatplay.com/review/dvd/f/firstsession.php

FIRST SESSION

by Lawrence P. Raffel
Movies Editor

Filmmaker Lonnie Martin has crafted a sneakily clever fisrt time short film in First Session. With his prior experience in writing and acting for theatre, Martin has managed to construct a film that has elements including the best of a stage performance mixed in with a really unique cinematic directorial style.

Joy Haynes stars as Josie, a therapist having a pretty bad day, and this is before it's even had a chance to fully begin. For starters she's greeted by her overly-enthusisatic receptionist (Cindy Marie Martin), who's just overjoyed by the romantic weekend she's had with her thoughtful and caring boyfriend. Josie is obviously not impressed and it isn't until after she makes way to her office that we learn the truth. She's just discovered that her husband is cheating on her. Bad news - yes. But for Josie, soon to be the least of her problems.

Enter Mr. Smith (Scot McKenzie), Josie's first appointment of the day. Mr. Smith appears to be quite troubled from the start, however innocently so, he never comes across as a threat. Until after Josie's had a chance to dig just a little deeper do we see the truth. The two talk a lot of mumbo jumbo as Mr. Smith acquaints himself with Josie's office. He even tries to pull the ole' "Let me analyze you, Dr.' reversal bit on Josie, which only works slightly to his advantage. However, as the real truth behind Mr. Smith's visit is slowly revealed, Josie discovers the true nature of his troubles. And I stop here dear humble reader, as to give nothing further away.

OK, one more thing then. Just know that Mr. Smith's closet phobias may indeed be well-founded after all.

While the story (or outcome for that matter) is not highly original, by any means, First Session is still a tremendously enjoyable short film. It's the kind of flick that causes a real itch in me, to see what else this filmmaker has up his sleeves. Despite its predictablness, First Session has a lot going for it, especially when you consider the conditions under which it was shot (along with the fact that it comes from a first time filmmaker). Just goes to show you, with a dedicated cast and crew (and a lot of talent), anything is possible in the world of filmmaking. Shot in the filmmakers basement(!) which was cleverly converted into an office and culled from about 9-hours of footage, you'd never know any of this from the final product. While familiar, the film never comes across as pretentious, especially when you fear that it just might. Instead, it just works.

What First Session has going for its benefit is a great (if not small) ensemble cast and a filmmaker who's dedication to the craft of storytelling helps propel this 26-minute film along so quickly. It feels like only two minutes have gone by. First Session is a quick, breezy, entertaining and at times suspensful short film. A film that is truly deserving of your attention.

[nacho]

Tyson's stalker, good film reviews.  What could possible be next?  My ex girlfriend moves to DC?  I die before the next credit card bill comes?  Man, the possibilities are limitless!

Congrats RC.

[Tyson]

Awesome! Congratulations on getting such a positive review from a movie critic.

How long 'till it shows up on P2P!? Damnit, I want to see it!

Have you thought about throwing it around the internet - building a little buzz? Atom Films and all that?

[Tyson]

Creepiest image I've seen in weeks, man. Now I'm really all hot and wet to see the movie.

[nacho]

RC doesn't want to do an electronic version because he's a luddite.

Come on RC -- Member's only at GS!  Charge ten bucks a download or something.  I'll pay.  and I won't fan it around.  Or just put it up and open it for certain folks that you select.

[Nubbins]

Creepiest image I've seen in weeks, man. Now I'm really all hot and wet to see the movie.

Holy shit!  I second that.

Nice review man!  Congrats!

[Tyson]

Seriously - the internet would be a great way to build up some buzz. It's a free audience, really. Think of the TV shows that have been given a boost or were resurrected thanks to P2P.

I'm sneaking a handycam in to the theater when I see it.

[nacho]

Tyson's got it, RC.  It's the wave of...now.  Stick it up.  hey, even if it gets jacked and floats around, it'll be tied to you.  People don't go in there and fuck with the credits.  Add a credit that has your webpage listed.  People will come and want more.

If you don't have the space, we can help you out here.

[Cassander]

fuck the internet....when's it come out for my Playstation Portable?

[nacho]

God, this PSP thing is out of control.

[Tyson]

Tyson's got it, RC.  It's the wave of...now.  Stick it up.  hey, even if it gets jacked and floats around, it'll be tied to you.  People don't go in there and fuck with the credits.  Add a credit that has your webpage listed.  People will come and want more.

If you don't have the space, we can help you out here.

Is your name at the start of the film? If not, put it there. No one deletes that stuff. Even all the Family Guy episodes have that damn 30-second opening. No one cuts that stuff, man.

[RottingCorpse]

It will be on the net eventually, but not until my Festival run is done. Festivals are pretty, shall we say, "specific" about what can and can't have been done to a film in order to qualify and internet screening is a huge no-no.

So, wait until '06 and we'll post it exclusively at GS . . . or something.

And thanks for all the warm wishes and support. Hopefullly, I'll be getting it to cities where you guys can see it.

[Tyson]

So: any big plans now that your filmmaking career is starting to take off? Good reviews, hopefully a number of festivals, and 13-year old fangirls. What more could you ask for?

[RottingCorpse]

So: any big plans now that your filmmaking career is starting to take off? Good reviews, hopefully a number of festivals, and 13-year old fangirls. What more could you ask for?

I wouldn't say it's "taking off" quite yet, but the review is nice resume padding. Also, I recently co-wrote a film for the Baltimore 48 Hour Film Project that won "Best of Baltimore" and will be featured at the Cinequest Film Fest in L.A. next year. (Though for some reason, http://www.48hourfilm.com hasn't updated the page yet.)

Still, I'm only in ONE festival. The day of the good review also included rejection number four from another festival. I'm now 1 - 4 on festival entires. Of course, I've entered thirty so far, so we'll see, but the festival route could easily tank. My film is 27 minutes long which is horrible for festivals. (Why screen one thirty minute film when you screen three ten minute films or six five minutes films or any combination of short films?)

I have a couple more reviews lined up, though it could be a while before they come in.

In the meantime, I start pre-pre-pre production for teh next film so when I go to the one festival and someone (hopefully a producer) asks "What are you working on next?" I can give them something that's not a bullshit answer with a short plot rundown, ideal loacations and realistic budget esitimate. If I go through my festival run (through late summer/early fall '06) and haven't found any realistic distribution interest for the next project, I go into the tortorous purgatory that is independent film financing.

Also, once the festival run is over, I'll probably produce a DVD for release which will include some little extras, and I'll toy with the very limited distribution options for short films. (DVD compilations, internet distribution, TV deals.)

So, really all I've got is a nicely made calling card with ONE solid review and ONE festival entry. However, I'm super positive about the film I've made and want as many people to see it as possible. I think if they get the chance that most people will at the very least, respect the craftsmanship that went into it.

[Tyson]

MS Paint sucks donkey balls, man.