Getting a head in the Movie Biz

This is a short low budget independent movie from director Christine Parker.  The movie opens with an aspiring makeup effects man getting a call from a low budget filmmaker looking to give him a job.  He eagerly accepts the job and agrees to a meeting.  They need him to do a head cast for the lead actress, but while doing it there is an accident involving a drill and the woman’s noggin.  Hilarity ensues as he still tries to finish the project, in spite of having the woman’s body in his shop.  After more fun with an eccentric director, a PA that is trying to hide his side job, and the producer he finally comes up with a realistic head for them to use in the movie.

Okay I see a lot of independent movies for the website.  Many of those movies go for a horror film with some comedic elements, because it appears that is the easiest way to make a decent low budget movie.  Unfortunately most of them aren’t all that funny.  Getting a head in the Movie Biz is one of those happy exceptions.  The story combines a storyline that pokes fun at the independent movie making business (sleazy producer, ditzy “actress”, and the goofy director come to mind) with a funny story of a sad sack effects guy that keeps digging himself in deeper to trouble.  That is a whole lot to squeeze into a mere 20 minutes, but director Christine Parker does a great job balancing both storylines.  This makes for a really entertaining and fast paced short film that is a blast to watch. 

I also wanted to mention that I was impressed with the special effects here.  Most of the effects in the low budget shorts that I watch are a bit rough, and I expect that.  Here though there is a great deal of attention paid to the special effects and it shows.  From a funny gag with a realistic looking eye, to the simple blood effects during the accident the effects person did a good job.  Camera work, sound, and lighting are all very good for a low budget shot on digital production. 

Bottom line for me is that I got a kick out of Getting a head in the Movie Biz and was entertained.  Can you ask any more from a movie?  I can’t wait to check out the other movies from Christine Parker.  For more information on where to pick this one up head over to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/adrenalin_productions

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer

© Copyright 2009 John Shatzer