JRD: Film Director Short Films

Cristo (2007)

April 30, 2007

Synopsis:

Robert S. Cristo Sr. confronts his only son knowing that he will die that very day. Before he passes, he must convince his son to accept his legacy and take over his empire, Cristo Technologies.

cristo_poster

Cast:
Cristo: Dan Payne
Robert: Matt Thompson (dvx Avataur)
Hanna: Amanda Lynn Hills
Guard 1: Tom Marshall (dvx Tommyinla)
Guard 2: J.C. Christofilis

Crew:
W-E-P-C-D’ed by: justin r. durban (dvx Edgen)
Co-Written, Co-Produced: J.C. Christofilis
Director of Photography: Gregory Storm (dvx StormFactory)
Associate Producer: Robert Eldon (dvx RobertE)
2nd DP, Steadicam Op: Max Wilson (dvx webdog)
Wardrobe: Sawako Yamauchi
Event Coordinator: Marina Gutman
Grip: Yuri Sadovnikov
Grip: Jaron Eldon
Additional Props: Brandon Rice (dvx BrandonRice)

Location BTS:

JRD: Film Director Short Films

Lakeside (2006)

September 8, 2006

Kids in the middle of the woods + Creatures = Terror

(HorrorFest 06) (co-directed)
*Top 10 Film @ DVXUSER.com


Cast: 
Christian David : Kevin
Jaklyn Lyons : Chelsi
Matt Thompson : Brett
Taleia Mueller : Katie
Saul Dapsis as “The Ranger”

Crew: 
Written & Directed by: Matt Thompson
Co-directed by: Justin R. Durban
Executive Producer – Susan Laine
DP – Yuri Sadovnikov
Animation/VFX by: – Elliot Worman
Composer / Sound Design / Edited by: – Justin R. Durban

Special Thanks:
San Bernadino National Forest
Susan Burg
Russell & Kathleen Flynn
Pat / Electrical (Juice)
Captain Craig M. Smith for the Bronco
Tim Hyten a.k.a. Slimothy
Officer Gina Thompson
Tim Stithem
Strip The Image (Music, “We Believe”) 

Audio:
“Cruisin’ Down to Big Bear”
Performed by: Matt Thompson

www.edgenmusic.com/lakeside_cruisin_down_to_big_bear.mp3     

Awards / Festivals:

– DVXUSER Horrorfest 2006 – 8th Place
– DON’T GO BACK IN THE HOUSE, BITCH! – NYC – Two Boots Theatre

Artwork / Preproduction

Location:
The Beautiful Big Bear Lake


Vehicles / Props:

Budget:
Millions and Millions of Dollars

JRD: Film Director Short Films

Brown Waters (2006)

June 28, 2006

A young man relaxes in the peaceful serenity of nature before he heads out for “the biggest date of his life” with his GF. (soon to be fianace’) His two best friends join him in his last moments as a ‘free man’ as they watch on as he agrees to a challenging bet of treading water.

“30 minutes – Hands Above the Water”

on IMDB.com

“How long can you tread?”

– Official Website –

– Now Sinking –
Download Mirror 1
Download Mirror 2
Download Mirror 3

DOWNLOAD Score:

((BW was shot with a consumer grade Samsung SC-D6550 – Compact DuoCam))

Still 01

Still 02

Still 03

Cast:
Jared Durban

John Stumpf

Seth Moore

CRITIQUES from DVXuser.com users::

“So far this has been one the weakest entry I’ve watched.”
-Noct
Senior Member

“…You produced in your story something very difficult to achieve.
You created a credible dilemma for your protagonist, and its
emotional impact was spot-on. And of course, the score was
incredible. That last “hook” is still playing in my mind as I
contemplate his “choice.” Haunting.”

“…Of the shorts I’ve viewed so far, this one, above all others,
clearly produced characters that were completely believeable as
real people. Also, unlike any other short I’ve seen so far, I
really cared about your characters, and was affected emotionally
by both your story and your characters.”
-Rezfactor
Senior Member

“Great soundtrack and camera work, man!!!”
“You know, this is the ONE film that has sort of fermented and
preyed upon my mind over time. I keep coming back to the final
scene and I’m struck with such a powerful emotion of ineffable
sadness. That says a lot because this was the first film I
watched. After all the others, this one keeps coming back to me.”
-Mark Johnson
Senior Member

 

“I Liked Lakeside Better …. ”
-MOVIE MASTER
Senior Member

“The strongest part of your film is the story.”
-Geoff_R
Senior Member

“…when he hits the water with that brick, I got the proverbial
chill down my spine. mission accomplished!”
-FlintMI
Senior Member

“STRONG SOLID STORY!!! You pulled of some very dramatic s@@@ and it
worked in perfection! Loved the score!!”
-VersuS
Senior Member

“Music: Super, very film like, would love to work with you. Best
for me. What keyboard sound module you using? Blew me away, very
emotional.”
-jpbankesmercer
Director Mod

“It was a just a good movie. It made me so sad, and I think that is
the way the character felt as well.”
-msconce
Senior Member

“Very subtle direction. And the film got through my defenses. Good
stuff.”
-Paul Coleman
Senior Member

“I loved your set-up in this film. An average day turned into a
nightmare. It was so simple and simply told. You didn’t force
anything. It just unfolded at a natural pace.
…The music was soft, subtle and haunting.”
-TheatreGuy
Senior Member

“…I loved the torment that you brought into this film. A haunting
horror flick of a different kind! A REAL kind.”
-TheatreGuy
Senior Member

“Story had a powerful conclusion and nice score and some nice editing there.”
Jack Daniel Stanley
Mr. Excitable

“This was an interesting piece. My friends and I had a lot of fun watching this.
Very offbeat characters. Funny voices, motivaions and relationships.
…The humor at the begining sharply contrasts with the sad, weightiness
at the end. Masterfully done.I think it’ll stay with us for a while. Pretty
memorable and unique tale.”
mentatDUKE
Senior Member

“though the score was solid & effective, & didn’t try to rule the film
… a compliment considering the film was made by a composer.”
Envision
Script Wrangler

“Some of the best performances in the fest. As Jack pointed out,
they’re very natural. Captured the type of guys perfectly.”
sean90291
Senior Member

“…your story kind of lost me.”
“…and why should we care?”
Lingothree
Senior Member

“I think this was kind of unfocused. Meaning I wasn’t sure
what was going on. It looked pretty bad as well.
the music was great though.”
conrad_johnson
Senior Member

“this had an interesting idea behind it. And a good
moment of suspense.”
EJ Pennypacker
Senior Member

“Great quality. The actors did a nice job, too.”
gwmesler
Member

“The Score: Worked very well in this film. It was very subtle
during the beginning while he was treading the water which
matched perfectly, and then during the end, it was very powerful,
really helped with the emotion. It was a good match.”
macintosh
Senior Member

“I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this film. I was
looking forward to this ever since I saw the poster and I was not let down.”
griffin
Senior Member

“Love the setting and the story ..
…man what a choice to make ..who do you save ?”
arielman
Senior Member

 

“I really liked the idea of this but it fell short to me”
Michael_Petro
Senior Member

“That was very emotional and the music did help it.”
Steve_Arm
Senior Member

“good story. sad story…”
kimko
Senior Member

“acting was too acted. lighting is key, natural light is fine
but make sure you dont blow out the image…. story
was eh… needed more explaination… lplus the title kinda
doesnt fit…. other that that… we need to get you a dvx dude”
hvxabuser
Senior Member

 

JRD: Film Director Short Films

The Stars Above (2006)

June 5, 2006

“Some powers are gifted at birth.
… Some are not.
Some of those with powers are considered heros…
… Some are…

It’s what you do with your gift.”

“The Stars Above”
Evil overtakes Good.

Duration: 5:12
Camera: DVX100a

Credits:

Written
Directed
Performances
Camera
Edited
VFX
SFX
Music Score
(All) Justin R. Durban

ScoreA     
 (first half)
ScoreB     
 (second half)


Special Thanks to everyone @ www.DVXuser.com

VFX Shotlist:

 

Promotional Material:

JRD: Film Director Short Films

The Golden Pineapple (2004)

June 28, 2004

 

“I want it back.”

A Hot day in Florida.
2 Kids.
1 SONY Cybershot camera.
1 laptop.
1 Golden Pineapple

All sound fx, dialog, taken from the 5mp Cybershot camera. I created a website in flash with more about the film, the characters (my cousins), wallpapers, downloads, and so much more with this little film. All sound design and foley was later captured later that day with the camera later. (footsteps, ambience, running, etc)

Official Website:
www.edgen.com/goldenpineapple