As you may have noticed on the films page, we have some new films for you.

I am super proud of these three new films, titled Alexa, Two of These Things, and Jasmine and the Narrator.

Alexa

Alexa from Chris Messineo on Vimeo.

Hey Alexa, are you evil?

No.

Alexa is a fun, modern take on horror showcasing technology, or in this case Amazon‘s Alexa, as a villain with her own agenda. The film is packed with funny moments.

Well, I see you’ve gotten a lot of packages in the last three days.

Oh yeah, Alexa just keeps ordering stuff.

I particularly like the interrogation-esque scene, the gravity of the scene adds to the humor, as you are reminded of the size of the villain.

And I was so impressed by the editing in this part:

It’s so mesmerizing.

You can read about the pre-production here and the production here.

Two of These Things

Two of These Things from Chris Messineo on Vimeo.

One of these things is not like the other,

One of these things just doesn’t belong.

Two of These Things takes a colorful twist on acceptance, as the whole world is black and white except for the main character, who does not fit in with anyone around her. It emphasizes the silly details that make us turn our heads away from someone.

I love this intro shot because of its symbolic foreshadowing, and also for how it perfectly sets up the black and white world.

The dolly shot in this scene was fun to both film and watch. It is such a unique moment when the sole colorful character enters the dull, dark scene.

No dialogue, monologue, or soliloquy is necessary to convey the emotions she must feel. Their faces say it all. She is unloved, unwanted. Alone.

In order to keep her in focus, I needed to slowly change the focus as she walked toward the camera. I think it created a pleasing shot.

This part makes me so sad. She tries to connect with them, but it is a one-sided effort.

These two scenes cut together so nicely.

Just another lonely day.

I love the repetition of this dolly shot. This film has so much continuity between scenes. And the pause in this shot shows how he could sit here, be normal, fit in. However, he chooses to keep walking. And so:

Now there are two of these things.

You can read about the pre-production here and the production here.

Jasmine and the Narrator

Jasmine and the Narrator from Chris Messineo on Vimeo.

Do you have any idea how boring it is narrating somebody not doing their job,

Because with you, that’s my entire job!

Jasmine and the Narrator shows the narrator outside his voice-over box. A fight with the main character of his story about procrastination leads to petty montaging and muting. Relatable.

I love the cool, blue tone of these shots.

Anyway, they wind up…somewhere else.

Clearly, we’ve broken it.

Broken what?

Time, space, the fourth wall, all of the above!

Well said.

After a bad fight, the two make up and use the narrator’s remote to rewind, and make their way back…

…then begin fighting all over again.

You can read about the production here.

To see all of the films I’ve discussed on this blog, click here or click the Films button on the menu.

Cut to black.