I don't know why I didn't write this after the premiere, but now seems like the better time anyway. Pretty Little Things is the first feature length film created by students at Point Park University (where the majority of The Modern Gafa's cast and crew currently attend). I was extremely lucky to have been given a chance to work on this film. Of course everyone at the school was sent the email about it and I ignored it, but still the chance was there. The Modern Gafa's very own Kaleigh, Colleen and Silas were all a part of the crew. And what film wouldn't be complete without Valerie as the Props Master and Art Director?
Now that I'm done plugging myself and my friends, let's get to the review. Pretty Little Things follows comedian Tom extremely down on his luck after getting out of jail with nowhere to go. After getting on a stand-up reality show, Tom struggles to win the money needed to save a dying dog that hbefriends. It's a lot better than my vague memory makes it sound.
I knew going into this that it would not look like a student film. The technology is out there now. However I was more worried about it feeling like a student film. Surprisingly, they managed to pull it off spectacularly. I fully expected to see all of my classmates (and aforementioned Modern Gafa people) to be extra that distract from the main action. In fact I couldn't spot a single recognizable face that would've taken me out of the experience. This wasn't a 90 minute class project where you grab your buddies to fill out the cast. This was a real movie.
Speaking of the cast, Mike Reeping does a fantastic job as Tom. It's hard for anyone to carry an entire film, and being that this is Tom's movie, he is forced to dominate the frame for the majority of the film. Its not easy for anyone to do that, and for that, Mike, I commend you. The supporting cast also do a great job fleshing out this story. What sounds like a bizzaro idea of having Tom hook up with a girl who is close to my age ends up working really well thanks to Julia Warner's wonderful performance as Deanna.
Pretty Little Things sets the bar high for Point Park students' side projects to come. No one had attempted something like this before, and it remains a great accomplishment for this group of young filmmakers.
The film will be available for free, online, for 2 days starting May 19th.
Now that I'm done plugging myself and my friends, let's get to the review. Pretty Little Things follows comedian Tom extremely down on his luck after getting out of jail with nowhere to go. After getting on a stand-up reality show, Tom struggles to win the money needed to save a dying dog that hbefriends. It's a lot better than my vague memory makes it sound.
I knew going into this that it would not look like a student film. The technology is out there now. However I was more worried about it feeling like a student film. Surprisingly, they managed to pull it off spectacularly. I fully expected to see all of my classmates (and aforementioned Modern Gafa people) to be extra that distract from the main action. In fact I couldn't spot a single recognizable face that would've taken me out of the experience. This wasn't a 90 minute class project where you grab your buddies to fill out the cast. This was a real movie.
Speaking of the cast, Mike Reeping does a fantastic job as Tom. It's hard for anyone to carry an entire film, and being that this is Tom's movie, he is forced to dominate the frame for the majority of the film. Its not easy for anyone to do that, and for that, Mike, I commend you. The supporting cast also do a great job fleshing out this story. What sounds like a bizzaro idea of having Tom hook up with a girl who is close to my age ends up working really well thanks to Julia Warner's wonderful performance as Deanna.
Pretty Little Things sets the bar high for Point Park students' side projects to come. No one had attempted something like this before, and it remains a great accomplishment for this group of young filmmakers.
The film will be available for free, online, for 2 days starting May 19th.
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